Travel insurance for road trips
Whether you’re embarking on a cross-country adventure or taking the coastal route, don’t start your road trip without considering travel insurance
- Trusted by:
Trusted by:
Hitting the road? Get your travel insurance with World Nomads
One of the best things about road trips is the freedom to explore at your own pace, on your own terms. We’ve written extensively about some of our favorite road trips over the years and how to stay safe on the open road. If your plans have you driving through the US, we’ve got your covered. How about more exotic locations like Uganda, Malta or the Australian Outback? Your road trip travel insurance can protect you there, too. We’ve seen our share of car breakdowns and have taken notes on how to fix some common problems. Sometimes though, you are forced to take a detour for sickness or inclement weather. Our road trip travel insurance is designed by travellers for travellers, and this is when World Nomads can help.
- Why should I consider road trip travel insurance?
- What's covered on road trips?
- What's not covered by road trip travel insurance?
- Handy tips for a safe and fun road trip
Why should I consider road trip travel insurance?
Road trips are a great way to experience local culture, see sights off the beaten track and immerse yourself in your travel destination. But there can be a lot of unknowns when driving outside of Canada. It pays to research, plan for the unexpected and know who to call if you get lost.
What’s covered by road trip travel insurance?
World Nomads plans are designed to help protect you, your personal belongings, and your vacation investment. It’s important to know that our policies for Canadian residents do not include damage collision waiver coverage and will not provide protection for rental cars. Our policies have many other benefits though for incidents that could occur while on the road. Our policies can offer coverage (up to policy limits) for:
Sudden trip cancellations
Anything from an unexpected illness or injury, a travel advisory or even the death of an immediate family member can prevent you from going on your road trip. Trip Cancellation may offer coverage for some of your pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs if an emergency happens.
Unexpected medical emergencies on the road
Your health and safety are a priority when you’re getting behind the wheel and travelling to new destinations. That's why our plans cover emergency medical expenses in the times when you're most vulnerable – when you're sick, get into an accident or get hurt.
Your cross-country adventure may take you far from medical help, and if you need emergency medical evacuation or repatriation to your home province our road trip travel insurance policy may help you.
Be sure to check the maximum benefit amount specified in your policy and note that you must be covered under GHIP for the entire duration of your trip. Otherwise, you may have a reduced the benefit limit for your emergency medical and evacuation coverages.
Emergency assistance 24/7
When you’re on the road away from home, it’s hard to know where to go for help. When you buy a World Nomads plan, you’ll have access to our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team to support you in a crisis. If you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere, need urgent medical attention or a referral for roadside assistance, our Emergency Assistance team can facilitate a range of services in whatever part of the world you’re travelling.
Trip interruptions while on the road
Don’t let an incident throw a wrench in your driving plans – our trip interruption coverage can help salvage your pre-paid, non-refundable trip expenses that you’ve had to forfeit because of a covered event that has disrupted your travels.
Protection for stolen belongings and baggage
You may have camping gear in your trunk, sunglasses in your glove compartment or your travel documents hidden in the back of the seat pocket. Unfortunately, thieves can be crafty enough to dodge security measures and get into locked spaces.
With our travel insurance, you may be able make a claim for a replacement or a reimbursement of your stolen items, up to a per item and total maximum limit. That said, travel insurance may not cover items left unattended in your vehicle, so be sure not to leave important items and document unattended. Additional terms and conditions apply so be sure to check the policy wording and remember, you’ll need to file a police report in case of theft.
Cover for more than 250 activities, sports and experiences
Road trips give you the flexibility to expand your adventures. Our policies cover more than 250 activities, sports, work and volunteer experiences including hiking, camping and surfing.
Add all adventure, sports, work or volunteer activities that you think you’ll be doing while on your trip, at the time you purchase your policy. You won’t be able to add it after you’ve purchased. More adventurous pursuits will require an upgrade, which you can do when you purchase your policy. Contact us if you have any questions around coverage for any activities you plan to do.
What’s not covered by road trip travel insurance?
Our policies aren’t designed to cover everything, and exclusions include, but are not limited to:
- Pre-existing conditions, including illness, disease or other medical conditions for which you’ve previously shown symptoms or been treated for prior to your coverage starting. Read your policy wording for more details.
- Alcohol and drug related incidents that are a result of acting irresponsibly under any sort of intoxication or influence.
- Select personal belongings, such as bicycles (unless checked into a common carrier), professional equipment, and cash.
- Baggage and personal effects left in an unlocked vehicle.
- Rental or personal car damage
- Losses incurred while driving if you are not properly licensed in the country you are driving in (this includes driving motorbikes, scooters & mopeds).
Handy tips for a safe and fun road trip
- Be sure to drive to the conditions – take your time, especially on unfamiliar roads or during inclement weather.
- Don’t ever drink alcohol or take drugs and drive; not only is it extremely dangerous but it could invalidate your claim.
- Don’t leave valuable items in the car, even for a short time.
- Have your GPS handy and bring back-up directions.
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions, and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions about your coverage, just ask us.
Car break-in in Italy
My boyfriend and I were talking a road trip down the west coast of Italy. We drove to Torvaianca beach to swim during sunrise with some friends who were staying in the area. When we came back about 30 minutes later, we saw that the car had been broken into in open daylight and all of our precious belongings that we had placed in the locked trunk were taken. We noticed a man bringing horses onto the beach and we asked him to help call the police and thankfully he knew English well enough to communicate to the officers where we were.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: $5,000
- Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Weather delay?
- Travel companion sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Explorer Plan: $10 million
- Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need medication?
- Suddenly sick?
- Accidentally injured?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Hurt abroad?
- Medevac home?
- Need an ambulance?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Explorer Plan: $3,000
- Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
- Return to Your Trip Destination
- Return of Remains
- Travel Accident
- Flight Accident
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
- LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Adventure Travel Hotline
- 24/7 Security
- Travel Medical Assistance
- Bag Trak
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Contact the team
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.