Travel Insurance for International Medical Costs
Don't let your medical expenses bury you.
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We’ve seen some pretty hairy accidents and illnesses, from aneurysms to scooter accidents, and at least one shark bite! When the unexpected happens, our 24/7 emergency medical assistance teams will support you and your family, so you can focus on getting better.
What Overseas Medical Expenses are covered by World Nomads travel insurance for Canadians?
If you’re injured in an accident or suddenly get sick while traveling, and you've bought a policy for the activities you're doing, you can be covered for emergency medical treatment including:
- Hospitalization
- Out-patient treatment for medical emergencies, prescribed medicines, X-rays, and laboratory tests
- Being brought home if medically necessary
We also have 24 hour multi-lingual assistance teams who can guide you to the nearest hospital, set up direct payments to the medical facility where available, and help you navigate local customs. Coverage may depend on your past medical history, what's happened to you and any other conditions, limits or exclusions of cover as described in your policy.
You must contact us before seeking medical attention, emergency evacuation or repatriation. Failure to call may result in limits or denial of claims. If your medical condition prevents you from calling, you must call as soon as medically possible or have someone call on your behalf.
What’s not covered?
Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. Common claims for overseas medical expenses we see where there's no cover include:
- If you've abused recreational drugs or alcohol
- That rash you picked up on your last trip (as it's now considered a pre-existing condition)
- Where you've been acting reckless
- Non-essential medical treatment, such as routine physical exams (it's not health insurance, it's for travel emergencies)
- Jumping on a motorbike without a helmet or license (even if the place you’re in does not require a helmet)
- Care or treatment that is not payable under your GHIP or any other insurance plan
- Injury or sickness within 48 hours of your departure date (if you bought your policy after you left home).
For more information check out our articles on overseas medical coverage and adventure sports coverage.
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.
How to get medical assistance.
It’s essential that you get in contact with our Emergency Assistance team as soon as possible so that our team can support you from the time your fall sick or get injured until the time you're well again.
So that our Emergency Assistance teams can assist you quickly, please be ready with the following:
- Your policy number
- A contact number for where you are now and/or your cell phone number
- The nature of your problem
- Your location
Monkey Bite!
While visiting the Monkey Forest in Bali, I was bitten by a monkey and blood was drawn. After returning to our hotel we then visited a local doctor the same evening of the bite. I received the first Rabies vaccination and then went to the International SOS office in Bali for an examination. There I received a second rabies shot, and then immunoglobin shots.
S.Dutter. U.S Resident in Indonesia.
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
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 teamWherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
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.
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.
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Does my insurance cover 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 insurer will work directly with the hospital and evacuation services on your behalf. They work very hard to ensure you do not have to pay out of pocket. However, should you require a visit to an urgent care facility, they will not accept any insurance so you most likely will have to pay out of pocket and, upon your claim being approved, be reimbursed for your expenses.
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Do you have a list of doctors/dentists so I know where to go in case something happens and make sure I’m covered
We don't have a list of doctors or dentists. If you need help finding one, call our assistance teams, and they'll guide to the most appropriate medical professional.
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Why don't you cover ongoing treatment at home?
Travel insurance policies are designed for accidents or unexpected illness overseas. They don't stand in place of primary medical insurance or government healthcare.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and travel - what you need to know
COVID-19 is a foreseen or known event. If you are purchasing a new policy, certain coverages will not apply. Please read the details here.
About Coronavirus