Um país relativamente pequeno, porém repleto de experiências incríveis para o viajante aventureiro. No Equador, você pode escalar vulcões, andar de bicicleta nos Andes, flutuar em meio à selva, pescar piranhas - emoções são o que não faltam. E isso sem falar na incrível vida selvagem que você vai explorar nas Ilhas Galápagos!

Mas junto com as aventuras vêm os riscos. E se acontecer um desastre natural ou você sofrer um acidente longe de algum centro urbano? Ao planejar as férias dos seus sonhos, uma apólice de seguro é uma boa ideia para ajudá-lo a lidar com eventos inesperados e inconvenientes.

• Por que o Seguro Viagem é importante
• Ao que devo ficar atento quando viajar para o Equador?
• O que não está coberto?

Por que o Seguro Viagem é importante

Uma viagem única para mergulhar com tubarões, tartarugas marinhas e arraias em Galápagos significa um alto investimento. Um Seguro Viagem que cobre bagagem extraviada e emergências médicas pode ajudar a proteger esse investimento caso algo inesperado aconteça.

Uma plano de Seguro Viagem da World Nomads pode oferecer cobertura para:

• Bagagem extraviada ou perdida
• Cancelamento ou interrupção da viagem
• Objetos pessoais roubados
• Seguro médico no exterior e cobertura para eventos relacionados ao Coronavírus
• Mais de 150 atividades e esportes no Equador

Ao que devo ficar atento quando viajar para o Equador?

Se você procura praias tranquilas ou montanhas cobertas de neve, o Equador tem tudo para fazer de uma visita as melhores férias da sua vida! Mas as coisas podem não sair conforme o planejado. Saber que você pode resolver problemas financeiros, médicos ou logísticos por meio de sua apólice de seguro representa um grande conforto. Alguns dos eventos inesperados com os quais podemos ajudá-lo incluem:

• Bagagem extraviada ou perdida

Embora o Brasil e o Equador sejam vizinhos próximos, as companhias aéreas ainda podem extraviar ou perder sua bagagem. Se isso acontecer, certifique-se de seguir todos os procedimentos de comunicação corretos no aeroporto e a World Nomads poderá fornecer a você uma muda de roupa e itens pessoais até que as coisas sejam resolvidas.

• Cancelamento e interrupção de viagem

Com tanto a se fazer no Equador, você provavelmente passou muito tempo planejando a sua viagem. Mas se algo inesperado, como uma doença ou um acidente, acontecer um pouco antes da partida, ou mesmo durante a viagem, seu seguro pode ajudá-lo a recuperar parte de suas perdas.

• Objetos pessoais roubados

As cidades maiores, como Quito e Cuenca, oferecem uma fascinante mistura de história e cultura indígena e espanhola, incluindo um dos maiores mercados ao ar livre da América Latina. Mas se você for roubado enquanto admira o artesanato local, nossa linha direta 24 horas pode indicar a delegacia de polícia mais próxima e ajudá-lo a obter documentos temporários. Também podemos ajudá-lo a receber fundos transferidos por sua família no Brasil.

• Seguro médico no exterior e cobertura para eventos relacionados ao Coronavírus

Se você se machucar em uma caminhada até os famosos lagos de cratera ou em uma expedição de rafting das montanhas para a selva, nossa equipe de assistentes pode ajudá-lo a encontrar o centro médico mais próximo. Se a lesão for grave, a World Nomads também poderá ajudar a providenciar uma evacuação de emergência para o Brasil.

Infelizmente, os efeitos da pandemia ainda fazem parte de nossas vidas; portanto, se você adoecer com um problema médico relacionado ao Coronavírus, seu seguro poderá ajudar com internações hospitalares e medicamentos.

• Cobertura para mais de 150 atividades e esportes no Equador

A World Nomads desenvolveu um seguro abrangente para o viajante aventureiro com cobertura para mais de 150 esportes e atividades radicais. Com novas experiências incríveis sendo lançadas no Equador, como tirolesa em alta altitude e balanços à beira de penhascos, é importante que você leia as diferentes apólices - Standard, Explorer e Explorer Plus - e decida qual é a certa para o tipo de férias que pretende tirar.

O que não está coberto?

Claro, nenhuma apólice de seguro pode cobrir absolutamente tudo, e há uma série de situações para as quais a World Nomads não fornecerá assistência ou reembolso. Elas  podem incluir:

• Praticar esportes não cobertos pelo plano adquirido. Sempre verifique o que está e o que não está incluso antes de fazer uma apólice e antes de se inscrever em um novo esporte radical, ok?
• Se você não cuidou bem de si mesmo ou de seus pertences. Portanto, se você deixou suas coisas sem vigilância enquanto aproveitava a vida noturna de Quito ou seguia as iguanas na praia de Galápagos, não poderemos oferecer cobertura.
• Tratamento para condições médicas pré-existentes ou se sua viagem foi planejada especificamente para receber cuidados de saúde especializados.

Claro, este é apenas um breve guia para o seguro durante sua viagem ao Equador. Então, antes de ir para o “centro do mundo”, não hesite em entrar em contato para obter informações mais detalhadas sobre as diferentes apólices e coberturas disponíveis.

For such a relatively small country, Ecuador is packed with amazing experiences for the adventurous traveler. From hiking up volcanoes to biking down the Andes, from floating through the jungle to fishing for piranha, thrills are everywhere. And that’s to say nothing of the amazing wildlife waiting to be discovered in the Galapagos Islands!

But along with adventure comes risk, and what if a natural disaster strikes or you suffer an accident far away from the nearest town? When planning your dream vacation, a travel insurance policy may be a good idea to help get you back on course in case an unexpected event means things go awry.

• Why travel insurance matters
• What should I look out for when traveling to Ecuador?
• What’s not covered?

Why travel insurance matters

A once in a lifetime trip to go snorkeling with the sharks, sea turtles and manta rays in the Galapagos means a lot of financial outlay. Travel insurance covering lost baggage and medical emergencies can help protect this investment if the unexpected happens.

A World Nomads travel insurance policy may provide cover for:

• Delayed or lost baggage
• Trip cancellation or interruption
• Stolen personal effects 
• Overseas medical insurance and cover for Coronavirus-related events
• More than 150 activities and sports when in Ecuado

What should I look out for when traveling to Ecuador?

If it’s relaxed beaches or snow-capped mountains you’re after, Ecuador has everything to make a visit the best vacation ever! But things might not go according to plan and knowing that you may be able to resolve financial, medical or logistical problems through your travel insurance policy is a great comfort. Some of the unexpected events that we may be able to help you with include:

Delayed or lost baggage

Even though Brazil and Ecuador are close neighbors, airline companies can still manage to mislay or lose your baggage. If this happens, make sure that you follow all the correct reporting procedures at the airport and World Nomads may be able to provide you with reimbursement for a change of clothing and personal items until things get sorted.
 

Trip cancellation and trip interruption

With so much to do in Ecuador, you’ve probably spent a long time making travel arrangements. But if something unexpected, such as an illness or an accident, happens just prior to departure, or even during your trip, your travel insurance policy may be able to help recover some of your losses.

Stolen personal effects 

The bigger cities such as Quito and Cuenca provide a fascinating mix of indigenous and Spanish history and culture, including one of Latin America’s largest outdoor markets. But if you’re pickpocketed while browsing the local handicrafts, our round-the-clock hotline may be able to point you to the local police station and help you obtain temporary documents. We can also assist in getting funds wired over from your family back in Brazil.

Overseas emergency medical insurance and cover for Coronavirus-related events 

If you injure yourself on a hike to the famous crater lakes or on a whitewater rafting expedition from the mountains into the jungle, our 24/7 emergency assistance team can help you find the nearest medical center. If the injury is serious, World Nomads may also be able to help arrange for emergency evacuation and repatriation back to Brazil.

Unfortunately, the effects of the pandemic are still a part of our lives, so if you fall ill with a Coronavirus-related medical problem, your insurance may be able to help with hospital stays and medication.

Cover for over 150 activities and sports when in Ecuador

World Nomads has developed travel insurance for the adventurous traveler with cover for more than 150 exciting sports and activities. With amazing new experiences being developed in Ecuador, such as high altitude ziplining and swings flying out over canyons, it is important that you read through the different policies – Standard, Explorer and Explorer Plus – and decide which one is right for the kind of vacation you plan on taking.

What's not covered?

Of course, no insurance policy can cover absolutely everything, and there are a number of things that World Nomads will not provide assistance or reimbursement for. These may include:

• Taking part in sports not covered by the policy. Always check what is and isn’t covered before taking out a policy and before signing up for a new radical sport.
• If you haven’t taken proper care of yourself or your belongings. So if you’ve left your things unattended while enjoying Quito’s nightlife or following the iguanas down the beach in the Galapagos, we won’t be able to cover you.
• Treatment for pre-existing medical conditions or if your trip has been planned specifically to receive specialist health care.

Of course, this is only a brief guide to insurance while traveling in Ecuador. So before heading off to the “center of the world,” please feel free to contact us for more detailed information on the different policies and cover available.

Você já conhece tudo que o litoral brasileiro tem a oferecer e agora é hora de partir para Gold Coast, Indonésia, Oahu ou todas aquelas ondas com as quais você sempre sonhou. Mas um caldo inesperado ou um encontro com uma rocha submersa podem impor uma pausa ou prematura  ao seu sonho. Portanto, antes de buscar as ondas, é uma boa ideia contratar um Seguro Viagem.

Seguro Viagem para surfistas brasileiros

Você pode até ser um surfista tarimbado e conhecer os riscos, mas surfar sabendo que está protegido em caso de acidente só melhora sua experiência. Uma apólice de viagem da World Nomads para surf pode cobrir:

Perda de bagagem: E se a companhia aérea extraviar sua valiosa prancha e outras bagagens antes mesmo que você veja o mar? Certifique-se de informar imediatamente a perda à companhia aérea e obter comprovante por escrito, preenchendo o formulário P.I.R (Property Irregularity Report).

Documentos perdidos: Perdeu seus documentos de viagem e carteira pulando de uma cidade litorânea para outra na Nicarágua? Você pode contar com seu Seguro Viagem para garantir que as substituições sejam mais tranquilas.

Atendimento médico de emergência: em um minuto você está voando sobre as ondas, no próximo você leva um caldo. Fazer um Seguro Viagem para questões médicas de emergência no exterior pode ter sido a melhor decisão que você tomou antes de viajar. 

Transporte: as melhores ondas do mundo não necessariamente ficam próximas ao hospital. Seu Seguro Viagem pode ajudá-lo a sair do paraíso isolado do surfista e se dirigir ao centro médico mais próximo para tratamento.

Cancelamento de viagem: Se você ou um acompanhante sofrer um acidente nas ondas ou ficar doente, o que significa que sua viagem terá que ser  interrompida, sua apólice pode ajudá-lo a voltar para casa e recuperar suas despesas de viagem pré-pagas.

Além do surf, sua apólice World Nomads também pode cobrir:

• Surf terrestre
• Stand-up paddle surf (SUP)
• Windsurf
• Sandboard
• Kiteboarding
• Wakeboarding

Leia sua apólice de Seguro Viagem detalhadamente, pois certas formas complementares de tratamento médico podem não ser cobertas por acidentes relacionados ao surfe.

O que não está coberto pelo Seguro Viagem para surf?

A World Nomads quer contribuir para que as pessoas possam explorar tudo que o mundo tem a oferecer. Mas você não deve visitar regiões que forem consideradas inseguras ou desaconselháveis para viajar, e você sempre precisa ser sensato e tomar cuidado. A World Nomads não pode cobrir tudo, portanto, esteja ciente de alguns pontos, como:

• Não vá para o mar depois de beber ou usar drogas.
• Não podemos oferecer cobertura se você não seguir as orientações de seu médico após um acidente.
• Você deve sempre cuidar de seus objetos pessoais.
• Se algo acontecer com você como resultado de uma condição médica pré-existente, seu tratamento não poderá ser coberto.

Se você é iniciante, faça aulas em uma escola de surf. Não procure um tubo ou uma rampa direto!

Como aproveitar ao máximo seu Seguro Viagem

Como surfista, há uma boa chance de você querer experimentar outros esportes ou atividades de aventura durante as férias.

A World Nomads oferece cobertura para mais de 150 esportes e atividades diferentes e emocionantes que você pode experimentar enquanto viaja pelo exterior. Mas você deve estudar os diferentes planos - Standard, Explorer e Explorer Plus - para decidir qual é o certo para você.

Aproveitar suas férias ao máximo geralmente significa tomar as decisões certas. Então, ao sair para surfar:

• fique de olho nos alertas de tempestade
• reconheça os seus próprios limites e respeite os sinais de alerta do oceano
• verifique a área com antecedência e fique atento a rochas e recifes submersos
• pode ser uma boa ideia surfar com outras pessoas para que vocês possam se revezar para ficar com as coisas de todos na praia. Seu seguro não cobrirá a perda de seus pertences se eles forem deixados sem vigilância.

Obviamente, em férias de surf, é para isso que você deseja uma cobertura específica. Mas os planos de Seguro Viagem da World Nomads cobrem muitas outras situações inesperadas e às vezes inevitáveis que podem acontecer quando você está viajando.

Você pode precisar de cuidados médicos depois de torcer o tornozelo subindo a colina para outra praia ou depois de comer frutos do mar locais que não caíram muito bem. Ainda existe a possibilidade de você pegar o COVID-19. Aconteça o que acontecer, o Seguro Viagem para emergências médicas é importante, pois pode fornecer assistência e atenção médica quando você estiver longe de casa.

A equipe de assistência de emergência da World Nomads também pode oferecer ajuda 24 horas por dia, 7 dias por semana, em diversos eventos inesperados. Isso pode incluir ajudar a encontrar o hospital ou delegacia de polícia mais próximos ou informar sua família no Brasil sobre qualquer emergência e ajudá-lo a receber valores de maneira rápida e fácil se você estiver em dificuldades.

Obviamente, este é apenas um breve resumo de por que é uma boa ideia ter um Seguro Viagem se você estiver de férias para surfar. Para obter informações mais detalhadas, leia atentamente as opções de apólice disponíveis. Se você tiver alguma dúvida, entre em contato.

• What to do if your flight has been cancelled or you’ve missed a connection
• Talk to your airline about rebooking, compensation or a full refund
• Get the essential details in writing from your airline
• Keep your receipts for reasonable expenses
• How might travel insurance help if your flight is delayed or cancelled?
• Handy tips in case your plans get affected by a delayed or cancelled flight

So you’re stuck at the airport … we’ve all been there. If your flight has been delayed or cancelled, or you’ve missed your connection, your airline should always be your first port of call. But travel insurance may be able to help in certain circumstances. Read on for more info.

What to do if your flight has been cancelled or you’ve missed a connection

In many cases, if your flight has been cancelled or you miss a connection, your airline will automatically rebook you. Before travel, download your airline’s app, and refresh the app as soon as you realize you’ve got flight issues.

If your airline has not automatically rebooked you, head to the service desk or call their customer care line. But don’t rush to buy a new flight, as neither the airline nor travel insurance are likely to reimburse you for a new flight. 

Talk to your airline about rebooking, compensation or a full refund

Your airline is obligated to rebook you if your flight has been cancelled or you’ve been bumped from an oversold flight. Travel insurance won’t reimburse you if you’ve been bumped, so seek compensation directly from your airline. If they can’t get you on a new flight until tomorrow, ask to be rebooked on another carrier, or request meal and hotel vouchers. You must accept any reasonable alternative options offered by the airline. If you do end up making a travel insurance claim, you’ll need proof that you first sought reimbursement from your airline.

Get the essential details in writing from your airline

If the airline is unable to provide meal or hotel vouchers, you may be able to claim for reimbursement of out-of-pocket meal and lodging expenses under your trip delay benefit. You’ll need written confirmation from your airline that includes:

• the reason for the delay
• scheduled departure and return times
• actual departure and return times.

Head straight to the airline desk to get this critical information or ask a telephone agent to email you these details on the spot. 

Keep your receipts for reasonable expenses

Remember to keep receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses you incur during your delay – you’ll need these to make a claim. Your trip delay benefit may cover taxi fares, lodging and meals while you’re delayed. And if your bags are delayed too, by more than 12 hours, keep receipts for the essential toiletries and a change of clothes that you’ll need until your trip resumes and you’re reunited with your bag.

If you do need to make a claim, check out our how to make a claim article for step-by-step guidance.

How might travel insurance help if your flight is delayed or cancelled?

Travel insurance may be able to step in where your airline falls short. Here are some situations where travel insurance may be able to provide some relief.

• If you suffer a trip interruption due to a covered risk under the policy, for example a strike resulting in complete cessation of travel services at your departure point or destination, you may be able to claim for reimbursement of unused, prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs.
• If your flight is delayed by inclement weather for more than three hours or is cancelled entirely, you may be eligible for subsistence allowance, including meals, taxi fares and accommodation. Remember to save all your receipts, as you’ll need them to make a claim.
• Once you reach your destination, if your checked baggage is delayed by your airline or ground carrier for more than 12 hours, you may be eligible to claim for reimbursement of essential toiletries and a change of clothes under your baggage delay benefits.

World Nomads offers a Standard Plan and an Explorer Plan, which have different benefit limits. Read your chosen plan thoroughly to understand the benefit limits.

Traveler tip 1: You may have coverage if your flight was canceled due to an airline’s unannounced strike action. If you would like to know what you may be covered for in case a strike leaves you stuck at the airport, read our Help Centre article – Does travel insurance cover strikes?

What’s excluded:

Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. Exclusions include, but are not limited to:

• You running late, getting stuck in traffic or the security line and missing your flight.
• Purchase of a new flight because you didn’t want to wait to be rebooked by your airline.
• Luxury hotel suites and the most expensive thing on the menu. Travel insurance is meant to cover reasonable out-of-pocket expenses if you’re delayed.
• Baggage delays of less than 12 hours.
• Expenses that have been reimbursed by your airline.
• Expenses that exceed the limits as stated in your policy (for example, subsistence allowance is capped at $350 per day, to a maximum of $700).

Traveler tip 2: if you are going to miss your flight because you’re just running late, that’s not a Covered Risk. Under World Nomads policies, if an event is not specifically listed as a Covered Risk, there is no coverage for that event. Always make sure you read your Policy Wording or Certificate of Insurance for a full description of the coverage, terms, conditions and exclusions that apply.

Handy tips in case your plans get affected by a delayed or cancelled flight

We know delays and cancellations are frustrating, but here are a few tips to help smooth the journey.   

1. Prepare in advance. Download your airline’s app. Print or save a copy of your travel insurance policy documents. Check-in online if you can.
2. Allow plenty of time to get to the airport and through the security line (usually a minimum of two hours for domestic and three hours for international flights, but check with your airline for guidance).
3. Be ready for delays and cancellations, which are increasingly common these days. Wear comfortable clothes; bring snacks; have reading, watching or listening material ready when you need it.
4. Carry-on if you can. Having everything with you will minimize the chances of baggage loss if you miss a connection or your flight is cancelled. If you need to check your bag, carry the essentials, including medications and change of clothes, with you.
5. Know what your policy does and does not cover, and when.
6. Be patient and kind. Delays and cancellations are frustrating. Be kind to the customer service agents who are dealing with dozens, if not hundreds, of other angry passengers.

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.

For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.

• Do I need travel insurance for Ecuador?
• Travel insurance for activities in Ecuador
• Travel insurance for medical emergencies in Ecuador
• Travel insurance for lost bags in Ecuador
• Travel insurance for stolen items in Ecuador
• Travel insurance for canceled, interrupted, or delayed trips to Ecuador
• Tips for traveling to Ecuador from the United States

Wander through historic streets in the center of Quito, learn weaving traditions with the Indigenous Otavalo people, search for wildlife on the storied Galapagos Islands, and hike one of Ecuador’s volcanoes. It’s easy to see why Ecuador is a popular choice among American travelers.

You can swing over the forest in Banos, go on a hiking adventure through the lakes and mountains of Cotopaxi National Park, and visit historic sites in Cuenca. For outdoor adventurers and culture buffs alike, Ecuador entices the curious traveler with its natural wonders, UNESCO historic centers, and rich Indigenous heritage.

While a trip to South America is an incredible experience, there are some things to be aware of when you’re visiting from the US. Our nomads have experienced it all - from lost baggage to natural disasters. We’ve learned quite a bit in our travels, and we encourage you to explore travel insurance* plans for Ecuador.

Do I need travel insurance for Ecuador?

International travel can bring all kinds of unexpected surprises - like spotting a giant tortoise on the Galapagos Islands.

Some surprises are not as great. Nobody wants to think about things like canceled trips, delayed baggage, and medical emergencies, but these things can happen unexpectedly. If you injure yourself in a mountaineering adventure while attempting to climb Cotopaxi, you may then wish that you had travel insurance for Ecuador.

World Nomads has four plans to choose from, and when you get a quote you can compare the options to determine the best international travel insurance for your needs.

Travel insurance for activities in Ecuador

With incredibly varied landscapes from the Amazon Rainforest to soaring volcanoes, Ecuador is a phenomenal destination if you’re looking for some adventure. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Americans traveling to Ecuador and includes things like scuba diving in North Seymour Island, kayaking in the Amazon Rainforest, and surfing in Montanita.

When you get a quote for your travel insurance for Ecuador, it’s helpful to have a general itinerary in mind. Different plans cover different activities. An advance plan will help you choose the best insurance for your trip—and make sure even your most daring adventure is covered.

If you’re hoping to go horseback riding through the lush El Choco Rainforest, sea kayak in the waters around San Cristobal Island, or white-water raft down Quijos River, you’ll be covered under all plans, including the Standard Plan. Maybe you have your sights set on climbing Mount Chimborazo—Ecuador’s highest peak, which rises to a soaring 20,702 feet. In that case, you’ll need to invest in the Explorer Plan or the Epic Plan.

Travel insurance for medical emergencies in Ecuador

Before you head to Ecuador, we recommend that you make an appointment with our non-insurance service partner who offers telehealth travel consultations. The service offers online consultations 24/7 and can help you obtain any necessary vaccinations or medications, such as medication to help with altitude sickness and traveler’s diarrhea.

We also recommend packing a strong mosquito repellent to help prevent mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue. Keep in mind that tap water isn’t drinkable, so you’ll need to stay hydrated with bottled or filtered water.

Most Americans diving in Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands have no problems at all, but sometimes things happen. Make sure to protect yourself. Never dive deeper than your qualification limits and never dive solo. If you get decompression sickness, emergency medical coverage under your travel insurance for Ecuador may reimburse you for your medical expenses.

In the event that you have a medical emergency when traveling in Ecuador, you can call the 24/7 emergency assistance team and they may be able to refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need. They can also help communicate with your local medical team if there are language barriers.

If your attending physician (and the 24/7 emergency assistance team) determines that it’s best for you to go home to the US to get medical care, the repatriation coverage that is included in your travel insurance for Ecuador may cover the costs to get you there.

Travel insurance for lost bags in Ecuador

You probably packed your hiking boots if you’re planning to hike the scenic Quilotoa Loop. What happens if you land in Quito, but your bag doesn’t arrive at the same time? Your travel insurance for Ecuador may help reimburse your trekking gear. The other belongings in your lost checked bag could be covered as well (up to plan limits, conditions and exclusions apply).

If you’re lucky, your bags just took a detour and will eventually make their way to you. Even a delayed bag can be stressful. If your bag is delayed for at least 12 hours, you could still be reimbursed for a change of clothes and toiletries until you and your bag are reunited.

The first step is to contact the airline. If the airline isn’t able to help you locate your lost bag, the second step is to contact our non-insurance service partner that will track and expedite the return of your undelivered baggage by the airline. Make sure to have the file reference or record locator number and Property Irregularity Report on hand when you call so you can file a lost luggage claim.

Travel insurance for stolen items in Ecuador

Petty theft and pickpockets are something to watch out for when you travel to Ecuador- especially in crowded areas in Quito and Guayaquil. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid putting anything valuable in your back pockets. You may also want to carry handbags across your body, and wear backpacks on your front. Keep an eye on your bags at bus terminals, as well.

If anything does happen, make sure you make a police report. You’ll need that if you have to make a claim

Travel insurance for canceled, interrupted, or delayed trips to Ecuador

Even if you have the perfect getaway planned with all your hotels and excursions booked, unexpected situations can throw your plans off track. Before you invest in an insurance plan for Ecuador, make sure it includes cancellation coverage.

Ecuador is prone to natural disasters like earthquakes and flooding. What happens if heavy rains cause a landslide in central Ecuador, wiping out roads in the region, and making it impossible for you to reach your destination in Banos? Your travel insurance for Ecuador may help you be reimbursed for non-refundable tours and hotel accommodations that you paid for in advance.

If you’re already in Ecuador and something happens to delay or interrupt your vacation, World Nomads insurance may compensate you for covered reasons. For example, if your travel companion gets injured while rock climbing in Cuenca and needs to stay in the hospital for at least 24 hours for treatment, you could be reimbursed for the expenses you incur during that time, like hotels.

Let’s say you’re planning to catch a cruise around the Galapagos Islands from San Cristobal but your flight leaving the US is delayed by more than three consecutive hours and the boat leaves without you. You’ll probably have to pay to travel to the next port of call to catch up with your cruise. The Explorer and Epic Plans cover for missed connections and may reimburse you for the cost to travel to the next port.

Tips for traveling to Ecuador from the United States

Before you leave the United States, we encourage you to check out the US government’s safety warnings for Ecuador. Weather, safety, and political situations can change at any time, and this is where they list any advisories that may exist at that time.

If you purchase travel insurance for Ecuador, it’s a good idea to save the 24/7 Emergency Assistance phone number and your plan number in your cell phone so you don’t have to search for that if an emergency happens.

Take extra camera batteries. The worst feeling is to get set up for the perfect shot of a Blue-Footed Boobie, only to find out you have a dead battery. If you make the journey to see the rare bird species on the Galapagos, make sure to read up on some of our tips on how to photograph wildlife in an ethical way.

As you’re preparing for your trip, we recommend you learn a few Spanish phrases that will help you navigate Ecuador comfortable. You might also want to check out our tips for visiting Ecuador to make sure you’re ready for your grand adventure!

For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.

• What to do if your flight has been canceled or you’ve missed a connection
• Talk to your airline about rebooking, compensation or a full refund
• Get the essential details in writing from your airline
• Keep your receipts for reasonable expenses
• How might travel insurance help if your flight is delayed or canceled?
• Handy tips in case your plans get affected by a delayed or canceled flight

So you’re stuck at the airport … we’ve all been there. If your flight has been delayed or canceled, or you’ve missed your connection, your airline should always be your first port of call. But travel insurance* may be able to help in certain circumstances. Read on for more info.

What to do if your flight has been canceled or you’ve missed a connection

In many cases, if your flight has been cancelled or you miss a connection, your airline will automatically rebook you. Before travel, download your airline’s app, and refresh the app as soon as you realize you’ve got flight issues.

If your airline has not automatically rebooked you, head to the service desk or call their customer care line. But don’t rush to buy a new flight, as the airline is not likely to reimburse you for a flight purchased on your own and travel insurance can only reimburse you if your flight is canceled for a reason specified by your plan.

Talk to your airline about rebooking, compensation or a full refund

Your airline is obligated to rebook you if your flight has been canceled or you’ve been bumped from an oversold flight. Travel insurance won’t reimburse you if you’ve been bumped, so seek compensation directly from your airline. If they can’t get you on a new flight until tomorrow, ask to be rebooked on another carrier, or request meal and hotel vouchers. You must accept any reasonable alternative options offered by the airline. If you do end up making a travel insurance claim, you’ll need proof that you first sought reimbursement from your airline or other travel provider.

Get the essential details in writing from your airline

If the airline is unable to provide meal or hotel vouchers, you may be able to claim for reimbursement of out-of-pocket meal and lodging expenses under your trip delay benefit. You’ll need written confirmation from your airline that includes:

• the reason for the delay
• scheduled departure and return times
• actual departure and return times.

Head straight to the airline desk to get this critical information or ask a telephone agent to email you these details on the spot.

Keep your receipts for reasonable expenses

Remember to keep receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses you incur during your delay – you’ll need these to make a claim. Your trip delay benefit may cover local transportation, lodging and meals while you’re delayed. And if your bags are delayed too, by more than 12 hours, keep receipts for the essential toiletries and a change of clothes that you had to buy until your trip resumes, and you’re reunited with your bag. As soon as you realize your bag has been misplaced by the airline, you should also contact our Delayed or Lost Baggage Tracking and Delivery service. This non-insurance service partner will get on the case and will update you every step of the way as they find and retrieve your bags

If you do need to make a claim, check out our how to make a claim article for step-by-step guidance.

How might travel insurance help if your flight is delayed or canceled?

Travel insurance may be able to step in where your airline falls short. Here are some situations where travel insurance may be able to provide some relief.

• If an airline refused to provide meal or lodging vouchers, you may be able to claim for reimbursement of those expenses after a delay of six or more hours.
• If your delayed or canceled flight caused you to miss pre-paid accommodation or tours, you may be able to claim for reimbursement of those unused, prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs.
• If your flight is canceled or delayed for at least 24 consecutive hours due to a strike, you may be able to claim reimbursement for new flight tickets that you had to purchase out of pocket.
• If you miss the start of your trip due to a covered missed connection reason, you may be eligible for reimbursement to ‘catch up’ and join, instead of having to cancel your plans.
• If you’re stuck overnight and your airline can’t deliver your checked baggage for more than 12 hours, you can claim for reimbursement of essential toiletries and a change of clothes under your baggage delay benefits. Remember to also get in touch with our Delayed or Lost Baggage Tracking and Delivery service. This non-insurance service partner may be able to retrieve your lost bags quickly.

World Nomads offers four plans, which each have different per day and maximum benefit limits. Read your chosen plan thoroughly to understand the benefit limits.

Traveler tip 1: Remember, travel insurance is for the unexpected. If a storm or strike, or any other event, was known when you bought your travel insurance plan, coverage may not apply.

What’s excluded:

Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. Exclusions include, but are not limited to:

• You running late, getting stuck in traffic or a long security line and missing your flight.
• Purchase of a new flight because you didn’t want to wait to be rebooked by your airline.
• Luxury hotel suites and the most expensive thing on the menu. Travel insurance is meant to cover reasonable out-of-pocket expenses if you’re delayed.
• Flight delays of less than six hours.
• Baggage delays of less than 12 hours.
• Expenses that have been reimbursed by your airline.

Traveler tip 2: if you are going to miss your flight because you’re just running late, contact your airline. Travel insurance won’t be able to reimburse you for your missed flight if you overslept.

Handy tips in case your plans get affected by a delayed or canceled flight.

We know delays and cancellations are frustrating, but here are a few tips to help smooth the journey.

1. Prepare in advance. Download your airline’s app. Print or save a copy of your travel insurance plan documents. Check-in online if you can.

2. Allow plenty of time to get to the airport and through the security line (usually a minimum of two hours for domestic and three hours for international flights, but check with your airline for the most up-to-date guidance).

3. Be ready for delays and cancelations, which are increasingly common these days. Wear comfortable clothes; bring snacks; have reading, watching or listening material ready when you need it.

4. Carry on if you can. Having everything with you will minimize the chances of baggage loss if you miss a connection or your flight is canceled. If you need to check your bag, carry the essentials, including medications and a change of clothes, with you.

5. Know what your plan does and does not cover, and when. Trip delay benefits for U.S. resident plan holders start at six hours. Baggage delay benefits start at 12 hours. Know what types of delays are (e.g. weather) and are not (e.g. airline staffing issues) covered.

6. Be patient and kind. Delays and cancelations are frustrating. Be kind to the customer service agents who are dealing with dozens, if not hundreds, of other angry passengers.