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Travel Insurance for Volunteering

Get coverage for your good deeds

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At World Nomads, we really get behind volunteer activities and vacations, from summer teaching programs to clean water projects. Whatever the cause, we’re strong supporters of paying it forward and giving back — and what better way to strengthen communities, forge meaningful connections and open your eyes (and arms and hearts) than contributing to a worthy purpose?

What's covered  

Want to step out into the world and volunteer your time? World Nomads plans can provide cover for:

  • Trip cancellation
  • Trip interruption 
  • Medical emergencies
  • Emergency evacuation
  • Baggage delay
  • Theft of baggage and personal belongings

At World Nomads, we do our best to support volunteers who go out of their way to protect endangered turtle hatching grounds or teach school children in a faraway village.

Volunteer activities our Standard plan may cover include:

  • Hospitality or work at bars
  • Farming such as fruit picking, WWOOFing or other manual labor
  • Wildlife or animal care
  • Environmental or conservation work
  • Au pair, nanny or other volunteer childcare
  • Teaching
  • Retail work such as shop assistant or store manager role
  • Office or clerical work
  • Sports coaching (ball sports, swimming, surfing)
In addition to the above, Volunteer activities our Standard plan may cover include:
  • Undertakings in construction or renovation projects, including painting, using power tools, operating machinery or roadwork
  • NGO support and disaster relief
  • Medical and health care work (health education, medical services, medical practitioner)
  • Scuba diving instructor or guide (up to 165 feet/50 meters)
  • Ski or Snowboarding instructor or guide

What’s not covered?

As a global citizen contributing to good causes, we can only assume that you’ll act responsibly and within your limits. But just to be clear, we won’t cover any incidents related to:   

  • Acohol or drug abuse
  • Reckless behavior
  • Criminal or illegal acts
  • Changing your mind
  • Pre-existing conditions unless specified by your policy

This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. You should read your policy wording in full so you understand what is and isn’t covered.

If haven’t yet chosen a volunteer program, you can find inspiration in our article about choosing ethical volunteer programs.

Reconnect with the world with World Nomads travel insurance.

Itching to travel again?

Explore the world with World Nomads travel insurance. Our plans provide coverage for certain claims arising from Coronavirus (COVID-19). Conditions and exclusions apply. For more information, visit Travel Insurance & COVID-19 and our Travel Insurance & Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs.

Trip cancellation

This benefit helps you recover non-refundable, pre-paid trip costs when you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason such as if you receive a confirmed and documented diagnosis of COVID-19, as certified by a physician, before your departure. Please refer to the Trip Cancellation section of your policy for more information.

Emergency medical

If you unexpectedly get sick with COVID-19 or another illness when travelling, you may be eligible for emergency medical benefits, including diagnostic tests prescribed by a physician. Please refer to the Emergency Medical section of your policy for more information.

Emergency evacuation

If a physician recommends that you be transported to a hospital in your home province for emergency medical treatment, you could be covered for medical air evacuation. Please refer to the Emergency Evacuation section of your policy for more information.

Trip interruption

During your travels, you might have to return home early because of sudden or unforeseen circumstances. With trip interruption coverage, you may be eligible for reimbursement for a one-way, economy-class ticket home and any pre-paid, unused portions of your trip if you need to change your plans for a covered reason. There is no coverage for circumstances related to COVID-19 unless those circumstances relate to a new, confirmed and documented diagnosis that the insured has contracted Coronavirus while travelling. Please refer to the Trip Interruption section of your policy for more information.

24/7 Emergency Assistance

Whether you’re stranded in a foreign country or need to reschedule a flight, our Emergency Assistance team is available 24/7 in whatever part of the world you’re travelling.

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 hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

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 meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

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
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

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
This is a general summary for Canadian residents only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all provinces. Check the Travel Insurance Policy for full details.

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
Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Aurelie's portrait photo
Aurelie Menard,
Emergency Assistance, World Nomads

Travel insurance. Simple & flexible.

Travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.

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FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about overseas medical insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team. If you’re looking for general travel advice, you can ask our community at Ask a Nomad.

  • Why don't you cover ongoing treatment at home?
    Travel insurance policies are designed to provide coverage for emergencies due to unexpected illness or accidents outside of your home province. As Canadians, while travelling in Canada or in your home province, Government Health Insurance Plans (GHIP) provides coverage for most medical bills.
  • Does my insurance cover emergency medical costs upfront or do I have to pay and claim later?
    It will depend on the situation at the time of the medical emergency. Should you require hospitalization and/or medical evacuation the emergency medical team will work directly with the hospital and evacuation services on your behalf. The team works very hard to ensure you do not have to pay out of pocket. However, many urgent care facilities, pharmacies and walk-in clinics may do not accept travel insurance. Be prepared to pay out of pocket and, upon your claim being approved, you will be reimbursed for your expenses.