• Do I need travel insurance for New Zealand
• Travel insurance for activities in New Zealand
• Travel insurance for medical emergencies in New Zealand
• Travel insurance for lost bags in New Zealand
• Road trips through New Zealand
• Travel insurance for cancelled, interrupted, or delayed trips to New Zealand

From the waterfalls of Fjordland, to the rainforests, beaches, and glacial peaks, New Zealand is a dream vacation spot for many Canadians. 

The northland region’s Bay of Islands gives you the chance to island hop between over 100 islands, but you may also want to rent a campervan and trek over to Mount Parihaka to take in the picturesque panoramic views. 

If you’re exploring the South Island, you can check out the majestic Blue Pools of Makarora or you may be lucky enough to spot a sea lion or penguin near the Otago Peninsula. The south island definitely has its share of phenomenal hiking opportunities and scenic cycling routes. 

While a trip to New Zealand is an amazing experience, there are some things to be aware of. With everything from earthquakes to parasites, and cancelled flights to lost bags - there’s definitely some things our nomads have learned along the way. We encourage you to check out our team’s insights on things to know about New Zealand before you go. 

Do I need travel insurance for New Zealand? 

When you’re planning your trip to New Zealand, you’ll find that there’s plenty of adventures like rafting on the Rangitata Gorge and sand boarding on the giant dunes at 90 Mile Beach. You can plan your itinerary and book your excursions in advance, but what you can’t plan for are the unexpected things that may happen along the way. 

With any overseas travel, there’s always going to be some things you can’t anticipate - like cancelled trips, delayed baggage and medical emergencies. If you tumble off of your sand board and break a leg, your travel insurance for New Zealand could help you get the medical care you need.  

Unexpected natural disasters could also put a halt to your plans. New Zealand is located in an active seismic zone, and earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can happen there. If your trip to Tongariro National Park is cancelled because Mount Ruapehu unexpectedly erupts and the Canadian Government issues an advisory against travel to a destination, country or region listed on the itinerary of your insured trip (and the advisory is issued after your purchased your non-refundable prepaid trip arrangements) or the natural disaster makes it impossible for you to occupy your destination residence, your travel insurance for New Zealand could assist with reimbursing you for prepaid, non-refundable expenses for things like hotel accommodations and excursions if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip.  

Because of these unplanned situations you could encounter, travel insurance for New Zealand may be something you should consider. There are two different plans to select 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 New Zealand

Since New Zealand is the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping, we know you may want to take that leap while you’re there. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Canadians travelling to New Zealand - including bungee jumping.  

In a country surrounded by water, you’ll probably be having some aquatic fun as well. Things like scuba diving, kayaking, and surfing could be covered too.  

When you get a quote for your travel insurance for New Zealand, you’ll need to list your planned activities. You won’t be able to add or remove activities after you make your purchase, so make sure you add them all at that time.  If you plan on  participating in an activity that isn’t listed in our policy wording, contact us before your purchase your policy to determine if you will be covered.     

Travel insurance for medical emergencies in New Zealand

With all of the fun to be had in New Zealand, there’s plenty of adventure activities that you’ll want to try. Our nomads all agree that one of our favorite must-do activities there is glacier walking. 

The Haupapa/Tasman glacier is New Zealand’s longest glacier and is located in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park on the South Island. It’s a magnificent thing to see, and is a great excursion for visiting Canadians. Never venture out onto a glacier alone though. Instead, we recommend choosing an eco-friendly tour operator and taking a guided tour.  

While the coolness of glacier walking can’t be denied, anytime you’re walking on slippery ice, accidents can happen. If you lose your footing, slide, and fall into a crevasse, you could end up with injuries. Sure, you’ll have a jaw dropping story to tell back home in Canada, but you’re also going to need to get medical care as soon as that happens. 

World Nomads travel insurance plans offer cover for emergency medical expenses you incur as a result of an injury, unexpected sickness or death occurring on your trip. Your Government Health Insurance Plan may only pay a small portion, if any, of your medical expenses in New Zealand. Your World Nomads travel insurance plan offers coverage for such things as:

• Emergency medical care from a physician
• Wheelchairs, braces, crutches or other medical appliance
• Ambulance transportation
• Bedside companion
• Emergency Professional services

In most situations, medical providers  will require payment upfront. Your travel insurance plan may provide reimbursement of the expense you incur.

If you have a medical emergency when travelling to New Zealand, you must contact the 24/7 emergency assistance team prior to seeking medical attention unless your medical conditions prevents you from calling, in which case you must call us as soon as medically possible or have some call on your behalf. Our emergency assistance team  can help refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need. Also remember to save all paperwork and receipts. 

If  our emergency assistance team or your treating physician recommends that you return to your home province because of your medical condition, World Nomads travel insurance includes coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation could also help cover the costs to get you there. 

Travel insurance for lost bags in New Zealand

If you plan to visit Goat Island Marine Reserve, you may have packed your new snorkel and mask in your checked bag. If you get to Auckland and then realize that the airline lost your bag, the baggage coverage included in your travel insurance for New Zealand may reimburse you for the cost to replace your snorkel, mask, and other baggage and personal effects . When you get a quote, you can check the policy wording in your international travel insurance policy to get the specific details what’s covered, depreciation and policy limits. 

If you’re lucky, the bag just took a detour and will eventually make its way to you before your snorkeling excursion. Even a delayed bag can be stressful though. If this happens, and your checked baggage is delayed 12 hours or more by your airline or ground carrier, you may be eligible to be reimbursed for the expenses you incur for a change of clothes and toiletries until you and your bag are reunited. 

Road trips through New Zealand

If you’re up for a little spontaneity in your New Zealand adventure, you may be interested in renting a campervan and hitting the open road. Road trips have become so popular in New Zealand and you’ll find plenty of rental options - everything from small minivans to Class A RV’s. You’ll also find a variety of camping sites across the country. 

Think of it as a hotel room on wheels. You can be flexible and venture out to a wide variety of areas where you can see New Zealand in a whole different way. With all of your belongings in your vehicle though, you’ll want to be careful about not leaving things out in plain sight, as that could be tempting to thieves. 

If you’re parked at a remote location like a trailhead, thieves can sometimes try to take an opportunity to break in. They could think your campervan is an easy target. Try to park somewhere your campervan can be seen, and where it is well lit. 

You can take the steps to try to avoid thieves on your road trip, but sometimes things happen. If this does happen to you, make sure to contact the police and file a report.  You’ll need that if you make a claim. 

It’s also important to note that driving there is a little different than driving back home in Canada. Check out our tips for driving safely in New Zealand to make your road trip even more epic.

Travel insurance for cancelled, interrupted, or delayed trips to New Zealand

You’ve put in the time to plan the perfect getaway to New Zealand, but sometimes things happen that can derail your plans.

If your travel companion unexpectedly gets sick before you leave Canada, a doctor may tell him not to travel to New Zealand at that time. Nobody wants to cancel their dream vacation, but sometimes things happen. Your travel insurance for New Zealand policy includes trip cancellation coverage that may  reimburse you for your  non-refundable flights, hotels, and activities you paid for in advance. 

Unexpected things can also happen once you are in New Zealand. If there’s storms back home and you get a call that a tornado has destroyed your house, you may need to cut your trip short and go back home to Canada to deal with that. 

If you have travel insurance for New Zealand, and something unexpected happens that causes you to cancel, delay, or interrupt your trip, you may be able to recover your unused, prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses if the reason you need to cancel, delay or interrupt your trip is a covered reason under the policy, Examples of covered risks include: 

• Medical conditions and death
• Travel Advisories
• Strike

New Zealand Travel Tips

Before you leave Canada, we encourage you to check out the Canadian government’s safety warnings for New Zealand to review their up to date warnings on any advisories. Weather, safety, and political situations can change at any time, and this is where they list their up-to-date warnings on any advisories that may exist at that time. 

New Zealand can have some unpredictable weather. The sun can be brutal there, so make sure to always wear sunscreen. Pay attention to the weather forecasts, but even if it’s predicting nothing but sunny days, always make sure you're prepared for strong winds and potential rain because weather can change quickly in New Zealand.  

Remember the numbers 111. That's the emergency service number you can call if you need help from the police, fire department, or if you need an ambulance when you’re in New Zealand. 

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

Most Canadians travelling to New Zealand have no problems at all, but since disasters like earthquakes and volcanoes are possible there, make sure to check out our information about what you need to know about natural hazards in New Zealand. 

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, just ask us.

• What types of surfing are covered?
• Choosing the right policy for you
• What's covered?
• What's not covered?
• Tips to get the most out of your surfing trip

Point breaks, offshore breezes and rays of sun beating on your golden-tanned face. Surfing the azure ocean blue can create a big adrenaline rush ─ but so can stingray encounters, jagged coral reefs and (gulp!) shark attacks. But don’t worry, World Nomads can help get you back on your feet if your surfing trip turns into a wipe-out.

What types of surfing are covered?

Besides hanging ten from the breakers of Australia to Maui, did you know we can also cover:

• Land surfing
• Stand-up paddle surfing
• Windsurfing
• Sandboarding
• Kitesurfing
• Wakeboarding (excluding jumps)

Our policies can cover up to 150 other sports, activities and experiences so if you’re combining your surfing trip with camping or a road trip, you can rest easy knowing we’ve got your back.

An upgrade for certain sports may be required and terms and conditions apply for each sport. Check your policy wording for details or contact us if you have questions.

Choosing the right policy for you

We offer two plans – Standard and Explorer – each of which offers different levels of coverage. It is up to you to choose what plan has the right level of coverage to meet your travel needs and that matches your specific surfing plans.

What’s covered?

As surf enthusiasts, you can catch the waves with the coverage we provide, from uncharted towns with pristine beaches to the most popular surf breaks. Depending on your Country of Residence, our policies offer cover (up to policy limits) for:

• Emergency overseas medical: Long lefthanders can be epic to ride, but not if it ends up in a crash. Emergency medical coverage may come in handy in the case of an accident or injury.
• Evacuation: Your bohemian surfer paradise may be far away from the medical facilities that can give you the treatment you need. You can get transported to the medical facility which may be best for your care, subject to approval from us.
• 24/7 Emergency Assistance: Our multilingual Emergency Assistance team is here to help facilitate a range of services in whatever part of the world you’re traveling.
• Baggage protection: Got your stuff stolen while surf town-hopping in Costa Rica? Our gear coverage may help with replacing belongings that were swiped from under your nose.
• Trip cancellation: Has a sick or injured traveling companion put a stop to your surf break? Trip cancellation cover may be able to help recover the travel expenses.

Your coverage will vary according to your Country of Residence and whether you chose a Standard or an Explorer plan. Read your policy for details on maximum benefit limits and exclusion and conditions of your coverage. If you have any questions about your cover, just ask us.

What's not covered?

Sorry – we won’t cover you if you do something stupid (like tackle big-wave off-shore surfing when you’re only a beginner). Some things we may not cover include: 

• If you refuse to be repatriated or evacuated
• If you don’t follow your doctor’s instructions or what we or the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team advise you to do
• Any expenses that relate to a pre-existing medical condition, as explained in the policy wording
• Expenses that can be recovered from another source
• If you surf while under the influence of alcohol or drugs… water and alcohol never mix!
• Search and rescue costs
• Competition surfing

Tips to get the most out of your surfing trip

When it comes to any sport, safety should always come first. Your health ─ and your travel insurance coverage ─ depends on your responsible behavior. Follow these tips to stay alert and aware (and to ensure that you won’t invalidate your travel insurance).

• Know where to go. Don’t frequent beaches with dangerous shore breaks, riptides or shark sightings or surf near areas with piers, cliffs, rocks and boats. Where there are warnings, be careful – and heed them.
• Don’t go in over your head.  Not a good idea to hop on a board if you don’t know how to swim. Or attempt big-wave surfing or aerial manoeuvres when you’ve only taken one lesson.
• Follow the rules. Check for suitable weather conditions before heading to the beach; use a surf leash / leg rope.
• Keep an eye on your equipment. Don’t leave your limited-edition surfboard unattended out on the beach when you go for a water break or declare your wallet stolen when you forgot it on the airplane. Those “I spaced out” moments don’t qualify for coverage.

This is a summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the plans described. Please refer to the actual plans for complete details of coverage and exclusions.

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 Asia?
• What Level of Travel Insurance Coverage Should I Get for My Trip to Asia?
• Coverage for Activities in Asia
• Motorbiking in Asia
• Medical Expenses & Emergency Medical Evacuations
• Lost Baggage Protection
• Trip Cancellation
• Travel Tips

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Asia? 

Natural disasters, medical emergencies, and trip cancellations can disrupt travel plans, no matter where you go in Asia. Travel insurance benefits can cover trip cancellations, medical expenses, and emergency evacuations, helping protect you and your investment. 

What Level of Travel Insurance Coverage Should I Get for My Trip to Asia? 

Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. We offer four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – each with different coverages or levels of coverage.

• Standard Plan: Ideal for budget travelers, covering the basics like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and baggage loss. 
• Explorer Plan: Designed for adventure travelers, offering higher coverage maximums and protection for activities like scuba diving and high-altitude hiking. Optional ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ coverage can also be added at an additional cost (not available in NY). 
• Epic Plan: Best for extreme adventurers or long-term travelers, covering a wider range of activities and providing maximum benefit amounts. Optional ‘Cancel for any Reason’ can also be added to this plan at an additional cost (not available in NY). 
• Annual Plan: Planning an action-packed year of adventures? The Annual Plan could be for you. With one plan, you’re covered for multiple trips throughout the year, with each trip lasting up to 45 days. Designed for weekend warriors and avid travelers, this plan can keep you protected wherever your travels take you.

Compare plans carefully to ensure your insurance coverage option matches your travel needs and learn about the exclusions, terms and conditions. When you get a quote for travel protection, you can also see the benefits side by side. 

Serving as home to more than half of the world’s population, we know there’s so much diversity Canadians can experience when travelling to Asia. You can take your journey to new heights as you experience the majesty of the highest peaks - from Mt. Fuji in Japan to Mt. Everest in Nepal. 

From our own experiences though, we know that any international travel can also sometimes involve those less than great moments - like sickness, missed flights, and lost baggage. Because of this, you may want to get a quote for travel insurance for Asia before you set forth on your journey.  

• Do I need travel insurance for Asia?
• Travel insurance for activities in Asia
• Travel insurance for motorbiking in Asia
• Travel insurance for medical emergencies in Asia
• Travel insurance for lost bags in Asia
• Travel insurance for cancelled, interrupted, or delayed trips to Asia

Do I need travel insurance for Asia? 

The flights to Sri Lanka are booked, you made the reservation for your guided safari at Yala National Park and found an adorable beach bungalow. It sounds like you planned the perfect vacation, but there’s some things you just can’t plan for.  

What happens if a monsoon hits Sri Lanka a few days before your trip and makes it impossible to travel there? Natural disasters can strike while you’re already on holiday and you could get hurt. Canadian travellers may want to consider travel insurance for Asia that could help with trip cancellation, overseas emergency medical coverage, and emergency evacuation and repatriation. 

We recommend you think about the places in Asia where you’ll be travelling and the types of adventures and activities you’ll be participating in while you’re there. When you get a quote for travel insurance for Asia, you can compare the different plan options, and then choose the best travel insurance for your overseas holiday.

Travel insurance for activities in Asia

From trekking through Sumatra to see orangutans to scuba diving the Great Wall of China, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in Asia. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Canadians travelling to Asia - including trekking, scuba diving, and more. 

When you get a quote for travel insurance for Asia, you’ll need to list your planned activities. You won’t be able to add or remove activities after you make your purchase, so make sure you add them all at that time. If you’re participating in an activity that isn’t listed in your policy wording, you can contact us to determine if you will be covered.     

Travel insurance for motorbiking in Asia

Motorbiking is common throughout many countries in Asia, and in some instances, it may be covered by your travel insurance policy. However, just because it’s easy to rent a motorbike or scooter in many Asian countries doesn’t mean you should ride one, and it doesn’t mean you’ll be covered. 

We receive a lot of injury claims from nomads who hop on a motorized bike for the first time in Asia because it’s cheap and easy to rent, and they get hurt in an accident. You’ll notice that often safety is not a top priority for other drivers – speed and convenience is. The rules of the road and the road quality itself can be very different from back home in Canada.

Motorbike accidents are quite common (it’s one of our most common claims) and it’s very important to know that if you don’t hold the proper Canadian license for operating a motorbike, if you are injured while operating a motorbike in Asia, your travel insurance plan won’t cover you. 

If motorbiking is something you insist on doing, you’ll need to investigate getting the proper license for motorbiking in Asia before you leave Canada. Check out our article on . You can get specific license requirements for each country you’ll be visiting on the Canadian government’s website. You’ll also want to review your policy wording carefully when you get a quote for travel insurance for Asia. 

Travel insurance for medical emergencies in Asia

Before you leave Canada, consult with your doctor to see if you may need certain vaccinations. Depending on where you’re headed in Asia, they may recommend vaccinations that protect you against things like tetanus, typhoid and yellow fever. We also recommend packing a strong mosquito repellent, as this can help protect you from dengue fever and malaria. 

While these preparations could help protect you, there’s still a chance you may get sick or injured during your travels. If you’re surfing in Phuket and break a leg, emergency medical travel insurance could reimburse you for certain medical expenses. Your Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) may only pay a small portion, if any, of your medical expenses. 

Keep in mind that there’s over 2,000 languages spoken across Asia. If you are in an emergency, language barriers may get in the way when you’re trying to get medical care. You may also find limited medical services available in some remote places. The 24/7 emergency assistance team will be able to help refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need. They can also help communicate with your medical team if they don’t speak English or French. 

If your doctor determines that it’s best for you to go back home to Canada to get medical care, the repatriation coverage that is included in your travel insurance for Asia may cover the costs to get you back to your Canadian home province . 

Travel insurance for lost bags in Asia 

If your Asian vacation includes hiking in Nepal, you’ve likely packed your favourite pair of hiking boots. But if you land in Kathmandu and then realize that your bag isn’t waiting for you on the airport carousel, it can make an unpleasant start to your trip. 

If the airline loses your bag, you could be reimbursed for the cost to replace your hiking boots and other belongings. When you get a quote, you can check the policy wording in your travel insurance for Asia to get the specific details on depreciation and policy limits. 

Even a delayed bag can be stressful though. It’s not uncommon for your bag to accidentally take a different route to your destination. The baggage coverage that is included in your international travel insurance could even reimburse you for a change of clothes and toiletries until your bag makes its way back to you.  

Travel insurance for cancelled, interrupted, or delayed trips to Asia

Sometimes you have the perfect getaway planned, but things happen that can cause you to cancel, interrupt, or delay your trip. 

Asia is a continent full of natural wonders, but unfortunately, there’s also the possibility of natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis that can affect your travels. If your planned trip to Okinawa gets cancelled because a typhoon makes it impossible for you to get there and the Canadian government issues a travel advisory (and the travel advisory is issued after you have booked your trip and purchase your travel insurance), your travel insurance for Asia could help you be reimbursed for non-refundable tours and hotel accommodations that you paid for in advance. 

You could also be reimbursed if you get sick before leaving Canada and your doctor advises you that you are not medically fit to travel to Asia at that time. 

Travel insurance could also help if you’re already on your trip and something happens. For example, you may need to go back to Canada early if an immediate family member back home has an unexpected medical emergency. You may be eligible for reimbursement of expenses if your trip is interrupted.

Make sure to keep all documentation and receipts for things you paid for in advance-  you’ll need those if you make a claim. 

Asia Travel Tips 

Asia has so much to offer visiting Canadians. Before you leave for your vacation, we encourage you to check out the Canadian government’s safety warnings to review travel advice for the countries you’re visiting in Asia. You’ll want to review each country on your itinerary to see up to date warnings on any advisories that may exist at that time. 

Before you set forth on your Asian vacation, it’s also a good idea to save the 24/7 Emergency Assistance phone number and your policy number in your cell phone so you don’t have to search for that if an emergency happens. 

Finally, we recommend taking time to read up on all of the amazing experiences available to Canadians visiting Asia. Some of our team’s favorite spots include China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan.  The hardest part of your trip may be deciding which Asian country to visit first! 

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, just ask us.

Thailand welcomes thousands of Canadian travellers each year. Whether you’re checking out the Bangkok nightlife, the water buffalo races in Chonburi or have your sights set on more off the beaten path spots in Thailand like Mu Ko Chang National Park, as nomads ourselves, we’ve had our share of good times in Thailand. 

We’ve danced the night away in Ko Pha-Ngan at Thailand’s epic Full Moon Parties, trekked through the jungle, and enjoyed the flavorful local dishes like Khao Soi and Pad Thai. And, we’ve learned a few things along the way and love to  share our Thailand travel tips  (check out our article: What to know before you go to Thailand).  

• Do I need travel insurance for Thailand?
• Travel insurance for activities in Thailand
• Travel insurance for motorbiking in Thailand
• Travel insurance for medical emergencies in Thailand
• Travel insurance for lost bags in Thailand
• Travel insurance for cancelled, interrupted, or delayed trips to Thailand

Do I need travel insurance for Thailand?  

When you’re planning your trip to Thailand, there are some things you just can’t foresee. We had a claim from one of our nomads who needed surgery after they broke their leg in Koh Samui. We had another claim from one of our nomads who had a camera stolen on the crowded streets of Khao San Road in Bangkok. These events definitely weren't planned, but a World Nomads travel insurance plan for Thailand could help if you run into trouble on your overseas adventure.

With any overseas travel, there’s always going to be some things you can’t plan for - like cancelled trips, natural disasters, medical emergencies, and delayed baggage. Because of these unforeseen situations, travel insurance should be something you consider. There are different 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 Thailand 

Your Thailand adventure may take you surfing in Phuket or kayaking the Run Tee River. You may also decide to hike to Tarn Lod Yai - a massive ancient sea cave. World Nomads travel insurance covers more than 250 activities for Canadians travelling to Thailand - including surfing, kayaking, and hiking.  

We recommend that you think about the types of adventures and activities you’ll be doing while you’re there. When you get a quote for travel insurance for Thailand, you’ll need to list your planned activities. You won’t be able to add or remove activities after you make your purchase, so make sure you add them all at that time you purchase your policy. If you’re participating in an activity that isn’t listed in your policy wording, you can contact us to determine if you will be covered.      

Travel insurance for motorbiking in Thailand

Motorbiking is common in Thailand, and in some instances, it could be covered by your travel insurance policy - but it’s not guaranteed. Just because it’s easy to rent a motorbike there doesn’t mean you should, and it doesn’t mean you’ll be covered.  

We get a lot of accident claims from nomads who hop on a motorized bike for the first time in Thailand because it’s cheap and easy to rent. However, safety is not always top priority for other drivers – speed and convenience is. The rules of the road and the road quality itself can be very different from back home in Canada. Motorbike accidents are quite common (it’s one of our most common claims) and it’s very important to know that if you don’t have the proper license for motorbiking, your travel insurance for Thailand won’t cover you. 

If motorbiking is something you insist on doing, you’ll need to look at getting the proper license for motorbiking in Thailand before you leave Canada. You can get specific license requirements for Thailand on the Canadian government’s website. You’ll also want to review your policy wording carefully when you get a quote for travel insurance for Thailand. 

Travel insurance for medical emergencies in Thailand 

Before you leave Canada, consult with your doctor to see if you may need certain vaccinations or antimalarial medication for your trip to Thailand. We also recommend packing a strong mosquito repellent, as this can help protect you from things like dengue fever and malaria. 

While these preparations can help, there’s still a chance you could get sick or injured during your travels in Thailand. If you get lunch from a street vendor and get travellers diarrhea or if you're stung by a poisonous jellyfish off Koh Lanta, emergency medical travel insurance could reimburse you for certain medical expenses. Your Government Health Insurance Plan may only pay a small portion, if any, of your medical expenses while you’re in Thailand.  

If you get hurt while hiking in a remote jungle in Thailand, you may find limited medical services available. Our 24/7 emergency assistance team will be able to help refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need. They can also help communicate with your medical team if they don’t speak English or French. 

If your doctor determines that it’s best for you to go home to Canada to get medical care, the repatriation coverage that is included in your travel insurance for Thailand may cover the costs to get you there when approved in advance by our medical department. 

Travel insurance for lost bags in Thailand

If you’re headed to the beautiful Phi Phi Islands for a beach getaway, you’ve likely packed one (or five) new swimsuits. If you check your bags in Canada, and then realize that the airline lost your bag, the baggage coverage included in your travel insurance for Thailand may reimburse you for the cost to replace your belongings. When you get a quote, you can check the policy wording in your international travel insurance policy to get the specific details on depreciation and policy limits. 

If you’re lucky, the bag just took a detour and will eventually make its way to you. Even a delayed bag can be stressful though. If this happens, you could still be reimbursed for a change of clothes and toiletries until you and your bag are reunited. 

Travel insurance for cancelled, interrupted, or delayed trips to Thailand 

Sometimes you have the perfect getaway planned, but things happen that can cancel, interrupt, or delay your trip.   

Thailand is located in an active seismic zone, and there’s the possibility of natural disasters that can affect your travels. If your trip to Krabi is cancelled because an earthquake has destroyed your destination residence or the Canadian Government issues an advisory against travel to the destination, country or region listed on your itinerary (and the advisory is issued after the date you paid for your prepaid travel arrangement and after the date you purchased your policy) , your travel insurance for Thailand could help you be reimbursed for non-refundable tours and hotel accommodations that you paid for in advance. 

Travel insurance could also help if you’re already on your trip and something happens. For example, you may need to go back to Canada early if an immediate family member back home has an unexpected medical emergency. 

Make sure to keep all documentation and receipts for  the non-refundable travel arrangements you paid for in advance- you’ll need those if you make a claim.  

Thailand Travel Tips 

Before you leave Canada, we encourage you to check out the Canadian government’s safety warnings for Thailand to review their up-to-date warnings on any advisories that may exist at that time. 

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

We also recommend saving all receipts and documentation for activities, transportation, and accommodations that you have booked. If you need to make a claim, you’ll need those things. 

And finally, take the time to study up on the laws in Thailand before your trip. You won’t be smiling in the land of smiles if you end up in jail. We also suggest you educate yourself on ethical wildlife encounters; you may have opportunities to see exotic animals (elephants, tigers, gibbons, etc.) but you don’t want to contribute to the suffering of these majestic creatures. Never ride an elephant or take selfies with captive animals – doing so only harms their species.

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, just ask us.