Cheap Travel Insurance.
Cheap isn't always the way to go for Canadians
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At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel insurance plans for Canadians heading off on a trip. Plans range from standard to higher-limit protections.
- Coverage may apply to adventure activities like skydiving, surfing, hiking and mountain climbing.
- Policies for Canadians include protection for medical emergencies, trip interruptions and lost luggage, and more.
- Do I need travel insurance?
- What does travel insurance cover?
- What may not be covered?
- Is cheap travel insurance worth it?
- How much does travel insurance cost?
- Which plan should I choose?
- Top tips to keep you and your valuables safe when you travel
- FAQs
Travel insurance can be seen as just one more thing to check off the list before you leave home for your next adventure – whether you’re crossing the Canadian border for a weekend getaway or heading overseas for a month-long journey through Europe. The costs of any journey add up, so it’s tempting to look at easy ways to reduce expenses – like cheap travel insurance. Depending on what you plan to do while you’re away – and the cost and availability of medical help in the places you’re visiting – the cheapest travel insurance policy may not always be the smartest choice ... and could end up costing you a lot more than you save.
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance isn’t always mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Cover for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or sudden illness. If you’re joining a tour or going on a cruise, travel insurance may be a requirement – and you will need to show proof of insurance before you leave home.
What does travel insurance cover?
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance plans to help you navigate the unexpected. Even if your trip goes smoothly, having the right coverage in place means you can set off on your journey with confidence. World Nomads has four plans offering differing levels of coverage. It’s important you compare plans and pick the best one for your trip – not just the cheapest.
What may not be covered?
- Non-emergency treatment that can wait until you return home
- Stolen, lost or damaged personal belongings that were left unattended.
- Pre-existing conditions exclusions apply to medical conditions and/or symptoms that existed prior to your policy start date.
- Participation in a sport or activity not listed in the covered activities list
Is cheap travel insurance worth it?
Cheap travel insurance might save you money up front but, like anything, it’s often a case of ‘you get what you pay for’. The key is balancing affordability with adequate protection. Most basic plans include emergency medical cover and baggage protection, but limits and exclusions can be extensive, as can your out-of-pocket expenses if things go wrong. The good news? Cover that goes beyond the basics is often more affordable than people expect – and you’ll be glad you got it if anything unexpected happens on your trip.
How much does travel insurance cost?
At World Nomads, you can get a quote in minutes, with the cost depending on factors like your destination, trip length and the level of cover you choose. As a rough guide, many Canadians spend around 4–8% of their total trip cost on travel insurance, though this can vary depending on the type of trip and activities planned. If you add optional Cancel For Any Reason insurance, which allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan – even if you simply change your mind about travelling – you can expect to pay more.
Which plan should I choose?
Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. Each of our four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – offers different coverages and benefit maximums.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your trip. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
Top tips to keep you and your valuables safe when you travel
- Use reputable transport options and avoid unlicensed taxis or unofficial transfers
- Split important cards and cash. Avoid keeping your bank/credit cards, cash and passport in the same bag
- Create digital backups of documents like your passport, visas, travel insurance details, and prescriptions
- Check for Canadian government safety and health advisories for the destinations you’re travelling to, and leave yourself plenty of time to get the recommended travel vaccinations – some require more than one jab
- Register with Canadians Abroad to stay updated on emergency situations
- Be mindful of local customs and laws to avoid unintentional offences
- Monitor weather conditions and local advisories, especially in regions prone to extreme weather or natural events
- Share your itinerary with someone at home and check in regularly while travelling
- Be cautious with food and water – stick to bottled or filtered water, avoid ice in uncertain settings, and choose freshly cooked food over anything that’s been sitting out.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about travel insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Am I covered if my luggage is lost or stolen?
Yes,. World Nomads travel insurance provides coverage for lost or stolen luggage. Each of our four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – offers different coverages and benefit maximums. Compare plans to decide which one is best for you.
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Do I need to have Government Health Insurance Plan coverage in Canada while I’m travelling?
Yes. You will still need to have Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) coverage in your home province while you are on your trip. If you don’t, your total limit for all emergency medical expenses during your trip is CAD $40,000 per person.
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What if I’m travelling within Canada – do I still need travel insurance?
It’s not mandatory but it may be helpful to you. World Nomads’ coverage starts when you leave your home province and provides essential protection against a wide range of mishaps that you could encounter on the road. A good travel insurance plan can help prevent unexpected events from turning into full-blown disasters. Keep in mind that your GHIP covers the basics out of province for emergency medical care, but not everything – which is why many travellers still take out travel insurance, even for trips within Canada.
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What happens if I get sick or injured while travelling?
If you become seriously ill or have an accident overseas, travel insurance may help cover medical treatment and hospital costs. It also gives you access to 24/7 emergency assistance, so support is just a phone call away when you need it most.
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Can I cancel my trip if something comes up before I leave?
Yes, trip cancellation coverage allows you to cancel your trip before departure for specific covered reasons, such as illness or other covered unforeseen events. All World Nomads plans cover trip cancellation for covered reasons, but our Epic and Explorer plans also offer optional Cancel For Any Reason cover at an additional cost, giving you more flexibility if your plans change.
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What is emergency evacuation and why might I need it?
If you’re seriously sick or injured in a remote location without adequate medical care, emergency evacuation can cover the cost of transporting you to the nearest suitable facility or even back home. It may also include additional support, such as bringing a family member to your bedside in certain situations.
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What if I have to cut my trip short?
Trip interruption cover helps if your journey is cut short after it’s already begun. If you need to return home early or miss part of your itinerary due to a covered reason, it may reimburse prepaid, non-refundable travel costs.
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How do I make a travel insurance claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload, and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 416 646 3723 or send an email to worldnomads@travelguard.com and we will assist you with your claim.
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What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $250,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $750,000
- AMT Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Gear & Baggage Protection
Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $5,000
- AMT Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
Protect your health
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Return of Remains
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
Protect your trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
- Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
Protect your stuff
- 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
- 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Personal Security Assistance
- Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.