Travel advice for Americans visiting New Zealand
As featured in:
New Zealand is made for exploring, with dramatic landscapes that shift from mountains and fjords to beaches and rolling countryside, often within a single day’s drive. From outdoor adventures to the delights of NZ’s food and wine regions, it’s a destination that invites you to get out and experience it. The good news is that roads are well maintained and there’s a strong road trip culture – it’s easy to see a lot in one journey. And the bad news? There is no bad news! You may want to consider travel protection before you arrive though so you’re prepared for the unexpected and can fully enjoy the experience.
Choosing the right travel protection 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 to New Zealand. 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:
|
If outdoor adventure is always the highlight of your travels, New Zealand will not disappoint. With epic scenery, friendly people, and plenty of opportunities to get your adrenaline pumping, you really can’t go wrong. Queenstown is New Zealand’s adventure capital – start with bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boating and mountain biking, then try canyoning and paragliding. In winter, take to the slopes of The Remarkables and Coronet Peak, try glacier climbing or go heli-skiing. When you’ve had your fill of excitement in Queenstown, explore the rest of the South Island and venture to the North Island too – spectacular hikes, horseback rides and endless opportunities for adventure await.
No matter how good of a time you’re having, things can happen that mean you have to finish your trip early or you’re unable to participate in your full planned itinerary. If you get injured or sick while you're traveling, or you get a call from back home and learn that an immediate family member has unexpectedly passed away, you may not be able to complete the rest of your planned trip. World Nomads offers trip interruption coverage that may help you get reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if your plans change for a covered reason.
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get sick or have an accident that sends you to the hospital, you’ll be glad you purchased travel protection before you left home.
Had an accident on the ski slopes of Queenstown? Fell off your mountain bike and broke a bone? Ate some dodgy fish and chips and came down with a nasty bout of food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away. All World Nomads plans include insurance benefits and non-insurance services like portable health records. This enables medical staff to access your records 24/7. Having that information available may be critical if you experience an unexpected medical emergency while travelling.
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel protection plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home. Change your mind about traveling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase the Cancel For Any Reason benefit within 7 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight) and remember to cancel no later than two days before your departure date. Additional cost, terms and conditions apply; not available to New York residents.
If you get sick or injured and your condition is acute, severe, or life threatening and you’re far from suitable medical facilities, emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage may help get you the care you need. It may cover, up to the maximum benefit amount, to get you to the closest suitable medical facility or to your primary residence for further treatment. Under your World Nomads plan, emergency evacuation may be covered if it’s recommended by the attending physician and pre-approved by our 24/7 non-insurance Emergency Assistance team. This benefit could include transportation costs and any related medical services or supplies.
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for New Zealand. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
New Zealand is considered a very safe* destination, with low levels of violent crime. You may want to consider travel insurance for those unexpected situations that arise.
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Benefits 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. All World Nomads plans for US residents include insurance benefits and additional non-insurance services like access to pre-trip medical support. A telehealth consultation can help you with a customized medical plan based on your destination. This may help you prepare for health concerns before you go and the best ways to avoid travel-related illnesses.
World Nomads travel protection plans cover theft or damage of the following documents:
You can claim up to the maximum limit stated in the plan towards the replacement of your passport or one or more other travel documents mentioned above.
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 +1 844-207-1930 and we can assist you with your claim.
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 non-insurance Emergency Assistance partners at Generali Global Assistance 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 (877) 289-0968 (toll-free from the Continental US); or
Phone: +1 (954) 334-8143 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Not sure where your next adventure should take you? Take a look at these travel and safety ideas and get destination-specific travel insurance tips to help you plan with confidence.
Cycling in New Zealand: 6 Epic Trails to Tackle
8 Destinations to Put on Your South Island Itinerary
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
We’ve got your back.
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
We’ve got your back.
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Help starts here.
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Help starts here.
Canadian Residents Can Protect Their Volunteer Trips with Travel Insurance
As featured in:
Volunteering is a big part of Canadian life, with around 63% of adults giving their time through formal or informal volunteering each year. That spirit of generosity often travels with Canadians, whether they’re helping out on an organic farm in New Zealand, teaching English in Cambodia, or supporting reforestation projects in Madagascar. We love seeing our nomads give back and help make the world a better place—but even the best‑intentioned trips can come with surprises. If you’ll be volunteering while travelling, World Nomads Travel Insurance can help protect your adventure, with travel insurance benefits that may assist with everything from from stolen bags to unexpected medical expenses
From animal bites in Australia to a horrible case of food poisoning in Europe, unexpected issues can derail even the most carefully planned volunteer trip. Travel insurance designed for volunteering may help you bounce back quickly with support for emergencies, delays, and disruptions. With coverage that is flexible to your needs, it’s a way to travel confidently – whether you're protecting endangered turtle hatching grounds or teaching children in a faraway village.
Nomads tip: Each policy includes a '10-Day Right to Examine' period, giving you time after purchase to review the details, making sure the coverage works for you. If you decide that you are not satisfied with the policy, you may cancel it within 10 days and you will be given a full refund of the premium you paid, provided you have not started your trip and you do not want to make a claim or to exercise any other right under the policy.
We love giving back and having opportunities to change the world, so we’ve designed our plans to include travel insurance for volunteering.
Emergency Medical Expenses
For broken bones, cuts, and sprains when building houses
24/7 Emergency Assistance
Available 24/7 to assist in an emergency situation
Baggage & Gear Coverage
Damaged or stolen gear when travelling to your overseas volunteer trip
Trip Cancellations
Travel protection for your pre-paid nonrefundable trip costs and unexpected expenses.
Get a quote and compare the plans to see which level of coverage is right for you.
World Nomads offers four plans for Canadian residents – the Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual Multi-Trip – each with different levels of coverage.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your volunteering 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 |
When you purchase your policy, you’ll need to list volunteering and all of the other activities that you plan to participate in while on your trip. Even if your main goal is to volunteer, you may want to do other fun things while you’re travelling like hiking, paddleboarding, or camping. That’s totally fine, because there’s over 250 other sports, activities and experiences that could be covered. 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. Costs may vary depending on the type of volunteering you’re doing, as well as the additional activities you list.
If you’re not sure if your volunteer duties will be covered, or if you are planning to participate in an activity that isn’t listed in our policy wording, you will need to contact us to determine if you will be covered.
If you plan a volunteer trip to help others in another country, we commend you and think that’s awesome. However, if the Canadian government issues ‘Do Not Travel’ warnings for your destination, and you decide to go anyway, you won’t be covered by your travel insurance for volunteering. Some other things that are not covered include:
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for volunteering. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
Yes, depending on your specific volunteer duties, volunteering may be covered under all four plans offered by World Nomads Travel Insurance, but make sure you list this as an activity you’ll be participating in when you purchase your policy. Volunteering in roles involving childcare, teaching, office work, and WWOOFING (general farm work, fruit picking, manual work) are considered Level 1 activities and are automatically covered, but you’ll still need to list these as activities when you purchase your volunteering travel insurance policy. However, you’ll need to pay an additional premium to be covered for any Level 2 activities like manual work that involves power tools and working at heights under 5 metres, and Level 3 activities like volunteering as a ski, snowboard, or scuba diving instructor. If you aren’t sure if something is covered, we suggest you contact us to ask.
If your trip is delayed or interrupted due to an unforeseen event, you may be able to recover your non-refundable, unused, prepaid travel expenses (up to the policy limits), and this could include unused, pre-paid, non-refundable tours that you paid for in advance. If you get cut while planting coral in the Caribbean and you require emergency medical assistance, emergency expense medical coverage could come in handy in the case of an unexpected injury. You could also be covered for unplanned situations such as lost bags or Canadian government travel advisories advising travellers not to travel to a destination on your itinerary.
Volunteering in roles involving childcare, teaching, office work, and WWOOFING (general farm work, fruit picking, manual work) are considered Level 1 activities and are automatically covered, but you’ll still need to list these as activities when you purchase your volunteering travel insurance policy. However, you’ll need to pay an additional premium to be covered for any Level 2 activities like manual work that involves power tools and working at heights under 5 metres, and Level 3 activities like volunteering as a ski, snowboard, or scuba diving instructor. If you aren’t sure if something is covered, we suggest you contact us to ask.
Yes. If your trip has already started, World Nomads can still offer you coverage. You can buy a plan online anytime, from almost anywhere in the world. If you buy a plan after departing from your home province, you won’t be covered for any loss or expense related to any injury or sickness that occurs in the 48-hour period after your departure date. Your departure date will be 12:01am local time on the date that you are originally scheduled to start your trip as shown on your policy certificate.
Yes, volunteering is an amazing experience and World Nomads doesn’t want to limit your ways to give back. For example, if you have travel insurance for Africa, you could have the opportunity to volunteer in places such as Kenya, Botswana, and Rwanda. If you have travel insurance for Argentina, you could volunteer to teach English as a second language to students there. When you get a quote for volunteering travel insurance, you’ll need to input where you’ll be travelling.
You can contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team and they can help direct you to nearby medical facilities. They can also translate for you if you’re travelling outside Canada and your medical team doesn’t speak English or French. Make sure you keep all documentation including doctor reports, invoices, etc. You’ll need those things if you plan to make a claim.
Yes, you could be covered for more than 250 other sports, activities and experiences. Things like hiking, biking, rocking climbing, and camping could all be covered. When you purchase your policy, you’ll need to list all of the activities that you plan to participate in while on your trip. 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 and not sure if it’s covered, you can contact us and ask.
Trip cancellation coverage is included with all four plans offered by World Nomads, and you could be reimbursed for pre-paid, unused, non-refundable expenses like flights, tours and accommodations if your trip is cancelled for a covered reason. If you want ultimate flexibility to simply change your mind about your trip, you may be able to get optional ‘cancel for any reason’ coverage as well.
If your checked-in bags are delayed more than 12 hours on the way to your destination, your plan could reimburse you for the cost of (up to the policy limits) necessary personal effects such as essential items like toiletries and a change of clothes until you and your bag are reunited.
Not sure where you can travel and volunteer? Check out some of our favorite ways to give back around the world and get destination-specific travel insurance tips to help you plan with confidence.
Argentina: Opportunities for Cultural Immersion
What’s It Like to be a Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteer?
Beyond Machu Picchu: Exploring Peru’s Other Ancient Sites
This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical, legal, insurance, or travel advice and provides only a general summary of certain features that may be available under applicable travel insurance policies. Coverage is subject to the specific terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and pre-existing condition provisions of the applicable insurance policy. In the event of any inconsistency between this article and the wording of any insurance policy, the policy wording shall govern and take precedence. It is important that you read and understand your policy before travelling. If you have questions about your coverage or are unsure how your policy applies to your circumstances, please contact us for clarificationBeen working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
We’ve got your back.
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
We’ve got your back.
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Help starts here.
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Help starts here.
US residents can protect their good deeds while traveling
As featured in:
At a glance:
We love seeing our nomads give back and help make the world a better place. If you have travel insurance coverage for Costa Rica, you may want to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary while you’re there. You may also feel led to teach English in Cambodia or help with reforestation in Madagascar. But even when you set forth with the best intentions, you should be prepared for the unexpected. Our travel protection plans include a range of travel insurance benefits and non-insurance services for volunteering that may help with everything from stolen bags to unexpected medical expenses.
From animal bites to food poisoning in a remote village, unexpected issues can derail even the most carefully planned volunteer trip. Travel insurance and non-insurance services designed for volunteering may help you bounce back quickly with support for emergencies, delays, and disruptions. With coverage that is flexible to your needs, it’s a way to travel confidently – whether you're volunteering on an organic farm in the Amazon or helping with environmental conservation projects in South Africa.
We love giving back and having opportunities to change the world, so we’ve designed coverage for losses resulting from volunteering while traveling. We also offer coverage for losses related to more than 250+ other sports, activities and experiences.
Emergency Medical Expenses
For broken bones, cuts, and sprains when building houses
Non-insurance Emergency Assistance
Available 24/7 to assist in an emergency situation
Baggage & Gear Coverage
Damaged or stolen gear or luggage that is lost in transit
Trip Delays, Interruptions & Cancellations
A money-saver if inclement weather keeps you from traveling for your volunteer work.
Get a quote and compare the plans to see which level of coverage is right for you.
World Nomads offers four plans for U.S. residents – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – each with different levels of coverage. You’ll want to make sure you have the correct coverage based on your specific volunteer duties. Also, you may want to do other fun things while you’re traveling such as hiking, paddleboarding, or camping. That’s totally fine, because you may be covered for more than 250+ other sports, activities and experiences when you purchase travel insurance coverage for volunteering.
NOMADS TIP: For even more trip cancellation flexibility, check out the optional ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ benefit. It can be added to Explorer and Epic plans. Available at an additional cost for U.S. residents, except in New York.
Simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Get a quote
We love that you’ve planned a volunteer trip to help others in another country, and commend you for your efforts. However, if the U.S. government issues ‘Do Not Travel’ warnings for your destination, and you decide to go anyway, the travel insurance coverage for volunteering that’s included in your travel protection plan may not cover you. Some other things that are not covered include:
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for volunteering. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team
Yes, volunteering may be covered under all four plans offered by World Nomads Travel Insurance. The Standard and Annual Plans include travel insurance coverage for volunteering in roles that involve childcare, teaching, environmental or conservation work, wildlife or animal care, and WWOOFing (general farm work, fruit picking, and manual work.) The Explorer Plan covers more activities including construction or renovation work (manual work involving painting, using power tools, operating machinery, roadwork, and working at height), volunteering in roles that involve high risk work (such as offshore, underground or caves, and commercial diving), disaster relief, NGO support, and volunteering as a ski instructor or in medical and health care services. The Epic Plan covers everything the Explorer Plan covers, plus even more activities – like serving as a pilot or crew of an aircraft. It also has the highest benefit limits of coverage.
If you’re not sure if your volunteer duties can be covered, you can contact us and ask.
If your trip is canceled or interrupted due to an unforeseen event, you may be able to recover your travel expenses (up to the maximum benefit amount), and this may include unused, pre-paid, non-refundable tours that you paid for in advance. If you get cut while planting coral in the Caribbean and you require medical assistance, emergency expense medical coverage may come in handy in the case of an unexpected injury. You may also be covered for unplanned situations such as lost bags.
World Nomads offers travel protection plans that include non-insurance services, as well as travel insurance coverage for volunteering. The Standard Plan includes travel insurance coverage for volunteering in roles involving childcare, teaching, environmental or conservation work, wildlife or animal care, and WWOOFing (general farm work, fruit picking, and manual work.) The Explorer Plan covers more activities including construction or renovation work (manual work involving painting, using power tools, operating machinery, roadwork, and working at height), volunteering in roles that involve high risk work (such as offshore, underground or caves, and commercial diving), disaster relief, NGO support, and volunteering as a ski instructor or in medical and health care services. The Epic Plan covers everything the Explorer Plan covers, plus even more activities – like serving as a pilot or crew of an aircraft. It also has the highest benefit limits of coverage. If you’re not sure if your volunteer duties are covered, you can contact us and ask.
Yes. If your trip has already started, World Nomads can still offer you coverage. You can buy a plan that includes travel insurance coverage for volunteering online anytime, from anywhere in the world. World Nomads Travel Insurance for U.S. residents takes effect at 12:01 a.m. local time the day after you purchase your plan. If you’re already traveling and want to get coverage for volunteering, you’ll need to buy your insurance at least the day before you need coverage.
Yes, volunteering is an amazing experience and World Nomads doesn’t want to limit your ways to give back. For example, if you have travel insurance for Africa, you could have the opportunity to volunteer abroad in places such as Kenya, Botswana, and Rwanda. If you have travel insurance for Argentina, you could volunteer to teach English as a second language to students there. When you get a quote for a travel protection plan that includes travel insurance coverage for volunteering, you’ll need to input where you’ll be traveling.
If you get hurt while you're volunteering, contact local authorities as soon as you’re able to do so for immediate attention. World Nomads Travel Insurance may help cover the cost of medical treatment, hospital stays, or even emergency medical evacuation if needed (subject to approval.) Access to a 24/7 Non-Insurance Emergency Assistance team is also included for support anytime, anywhere when you purchase a travel protection plan that includes travel insurance coverage for your volunteering trip.
Yes, when you purchase travel insurance and non-insurance services for volunteering abroad, you could be covered for more than 250+ other sports, activities and experiences. Things like snowmobiling, snorkeling, yoga, and backpacking may all be covered. You can review the list of activities, but if you’re participating in an activity and not sure if it’s covered, you can contact us and ask.
Trip cancellation coverage is offered by all plans offered by World Nomads, and you may be reimbursed for pre-paid, unused, non-refundable expenses like flights, tours and accommodations if your trip is cancelled for a covered reason. U.S. residents (except those that live in New York) also have the ability to add additional cancel for any reason coverage when certain World Nomads plans are purchased.
Not sure where you can travel and volunteer? Check out some of our favorite ways to give back around the world and get destination-specific travel insurance tips to help you plan with confidence.
Argentina: Opportunities for Cultural Immersion
What’s It Like to be a Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteer?
Beyond Machu Picchu: Exploring Peru’s Other Ancient Sites
20250821-4760264. This is not a full list of what is and isn’t covered, so please check your plan document for a full list of maximums, terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that may apply to your state specific plan. Any example scenarios provided above are not a guarantee of coverage. All claims are subject to review, require documentation and are considered individually. Exclusion applies to Adventure or Extreme Activities.Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
We’ve got your back.
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
We’ve got your back.
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Help starts here.
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Help starts here.
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?
Contact the teamGood insurance begins a long way from the departure lounge
As featured in:
Whether or not you're a boy scout, there's wisdom in the maxim 'be prepared.' This is possibly even truer when adventuring abroad. Carry a first-aid kit. Research local etiquette and customs. Learn some of the language. And most importantly take the time to understand your travel insurance policy and what to do in case you need to use it.
World Nomads covers more than 150 adventure sports, activities and experiences. But some activities are more dangerous than others and may not be covered.
Upgrade required?
Depending on your Country of Residence, you may need to include an insurance upgrade when you buy to have cover for some activities. If you don't have the right level of coverage, you won't be able to claim if something goes wrong.
Get it right when you buy
The time to add upgrades or activities is when you purchase your travel insurance – you can't do it afterwards. So if you decide to detour to the ski slopes, make sure you have the policy to match.
What's not covered?
Some activities aren't covered at all. Your policy has the full list, but common sense can help: long walks along the beach – generally OK; dive-bombing to the depths of the Mariana Trench without your flippers – probably not. If you're unsure whether an activity is covered, contact us.
Read your policy wording
Many activities have special conditions and exclusions. If you don't follow these you may void your coverage. These include safety gear requirements, terrain limitations, geographical boundaries and more. And then there's the issue of licenses…
Having the right level of coverage is just the beginning. Travelers from some parts of the world need to have valid licenses in their home country as well as at the destination to have insurance cover for some activities. Broadly, these include:
So before you jump on that bike or strap on an oxygen tank, make sure you already have the permit and expertise.
It's tough enough when your bags or belongings are stolen or damaged. Keep your claim's process as smooth as possible with some pre-trip prep.
Keep the paperwork for your gear
Save photos of your items and digital copies of receipts, valuations or proof of ownership to cloud storage or your email. It's a good idea to leave copies of any documents with someone at home too.
If something is stolen or damaged
Along with your ownership and value documents, get reports from the police and, if your checked-in luggage went missing in transit, from the carrier (such as the airline).
While this might seem time-consuming, we ask it of all our travelers to help combat baggage claim fraud. Unfortunately, this is the number one reason we have to increase premiums for everyone. And remember, any payments include depreciation of an item's value unless you've nominated it as a high-value/specified item and paid the extra premium.
World Nomads provides coverage to more than 130 countries but not all. We exclude some places because they are too dangerous for you to go there and too expensive for us to cover.
A 'do not travel' advisory means exactly that.
Before you start booking flights and accommodation or paying deposits, check out the relevant government's travel advisory for your destination. If there's a 'do not travel' advisory or similar, we can't insure you to go there. Please keep in mind that these warnings change regularly and might affect your cover.
Other places we don't cover
Your policy may exclude other regions, such as polar areas or places with political instability. Government sanctions may also restrict us from paying claims in certain countries, so we can't pay expenses incurred there. When you get your quote, World Nomads' online purchase path will tell you if we can't cover your destination country(ies). You can also read more about how war, sanctions and restricted countries may impact your travel insurance.
All of the information we provide about travel insurance is a brief summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all countries, states or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage. If you're not sure if something is covered get in touch.
I put my foot in a funny way while I was walking quickly because it was raining, I just fell unexpectedly to the floor my face first so I put my arm bad and broke the shoulder a little bit and hit the ground with my front teeth so the lip was in blood and one tooth broken.
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
We’ve got your back.
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
We’ve got your back.
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Help starts here.
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Help starts here.
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?
Contact the teamWhy two travel insurance plans and what’s the difference?
As featured in:
No two travelers are the same, so why should travel insurance be one-size-fits-all?
You might be at the ski lodge in Queenstown or Sapporo, and half your crew are heading to the café while you hit the slopes. Or maybe your sister always rents a car when she travels, while you prefer to bus it. World Nomads offers different plans with different levels of coverage so you can choose one to suit your needs.
World Nomads offers two plans – a Standard Plan and an Explorer Plan – each with different benefits, limits and sub-limits of coverage.
Standard Plan: Includes a range of benefits such as overseas medical, coverage for your belongings, pre-trip cancellation and certain adventure activities.
Explorer Plan: Has all the benefits of a Standard Plan and a few more, and is more expensive to buy.
Please choose carefully from the outset, as you can’t upgrade from a Standard Plan to an Explorer Plan mid-trip. Depending on your Country of Residence, you may also need to add adventure activities to your quote as another type of coverage upgrade as you can’t add this mid-trip.
This varies depending on your Country of Residence. Broadly speaking, though:
An easy way to see the differences is in the benefit summary when you get an instant online quote. The quote page will also tell you how much each plan costs and has links to the policy wording, which details the coverage in full.
That’s your decision to make. Ask yourself, how much cover will you need if something goes wrong? Only you know where you’re planning to go, how much you paid, what you’re planning to do, see and visit, and how your personal situation might influence your choice.
The coverage you will have for Coronavirus (COVID-19) related events under our Standard and Explorer plans will depend on your Country of Residence. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 while overseas, your benefits may include:
Some of our Explorer plans also offer cover for some additional COVID-19-related events such as cancellation following a diagnosis to assist our travelers.
To find out what cover applies to you, read our What’s Covered for Coronavirus article, which has all of the details, including benefit limits, conditions and exclusions.
Coverage depends on your Country of Residence and varies between plans.
Our policies aren’t designed to cover everything, so take the time to read the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions in the policy wording for full details so that there are no surprises if you need to use it. If you’re not sure if something is covered get in touch.
You can compare the Standard and Explorer plans and prices through getting an instant online quote.
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
We’ve got your back.
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
We’ve got your back.
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Help starts here.
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Help starts here.
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?
Contact the teamDon't let your good deeds go uncovered.
As featured in:
At World Nomads, our travel insurance allows you to participate in a range of volunteer activities and vacations, from summer teaching programs to clean water projects. We’re strong supporters of paying it forward and giving back — and what better way to strengthen communities, forge meaningful connections and open your eyes (and arms and hearts) than contributing to a worthy purpose?
If you’re planning to volunteer your time while traveling, World Nomads Travel Insurance may help when stepping on the plane to start your adventure. Travel insurance can cover you for issues you may encounter while on the road, such as medical issues, baggage theft or delay, and travel interruption.

Want to step out into the world and volunteer your time?
World Nomads plans may cover:
Always make sure that you’ve selected the right travel insurance plan for your specific needs. World Nomads has two levels of cover - the Standard Plan and Explorer Plan - that offer different benefits, limits and sub-limits of coverage. It’s always good to spend time comparing the plans to see which one suits your travel needs.
You can get a quote, make a claim, or buy a policy instantly online, even while traveling.
The types of activities that are covered depend on your Country of Residence. Check your plan and policy wording to get more details. Examples of volunteering that could be covered include environmental and conservation work or teaching in literacy programs.

As a traveler who wants to do good while overseas, we can only assume doing good things is in your nature. But momentary lapses in judgement do happen so just to be clear, we won’t cover any incidents related to:
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. You should read your policy wording in full so you understand what is and isn’t covered.
If haven’t yet chosen a volunteer program, you can find inspiration in our article about choosing ethical volunteer programs.
About World Nomads
World Nomads polices are designed by travelers for travelers to provide simple and flexible travel insurance. Featuring coverage for more than 150 activities, you can get a quote, claim, or extend your policy online at www.worldnomads.com. All the information we provide about travel insurance is a brief summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all countries, states or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage.
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
We’ve got your back.
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
We’ve got your back.
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Help starts here.
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Help starts here.
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?
Contact the teamHere are our most frequently asked questions about volunteering. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team.
Staying safe down under
As featured in:
Ignoring the practicalities of traveling through a large, remote and often very hot and dry country has caught out many experienced travelers. Here are a few things to know about your travel insurance cover before you travel around Australia.
Australians are renowned for their welcoming attitude and it’s with good reason, however, while the majority are friendly to travelers, some are more interested in your wallet than getting to know you. Theft is a common claim in Australia. It takes just seconds for a thief to grab your camera or wallet from under your beach towel at Bondi while you’re swimming, or off the table while you’re ordering coffee. Always keep your valuables on you or locked up (using the hotel safe or hostel lockers). Also don’t leave anything in your car as break and enters are common in urban areas (especially at night). If your belongings aren’t with you, and there is no evidence or police report of a theft, you may not be covered if they’re stolen.
Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything, particularly if you leave something behind or, on some insurance plans, if your gear is damaged. Check your policy carefully for full details of cover, including the limit payable on each item, the excess (your contribution or deductible) and any exclusions or conditions of cover such as depreciation or valid proof of ownership.
Australia’s remoteness is part of its charm but can also present some challenges if your baggage is delayed. Most visitors require a halfday plane ride to get to Australia, so you’re unlikely to get your baggage back quickly if your airline has delivered it to Sidney, Canada instead of Sydney, Australia. Most travel insurance policies can help replace essentials, like a change of clothes or toothbrush, if you have to wait more than 24 hours for your bags to arrive. Travel insurance isn’t designed to swap your ripped jeans for a designer pair, so read this section of your policy carefully before you spend up big and then try and claim.
Before you leave home, ensure your baggage is clearly labelled and the tags are firmly attached, giving your airline the best chance of getting it on the right plane or finding it quickly and getting it back to you.
The Australian medical system is first class, but it comes with a price, so make sure you take out a full medical travel insurance plan before you travel. This is different to the medical insurance cover you might have at home which won’t cover you overseas. Medical Insurance is your safety net if you become very unwell; it’s not designed to pay for every scratch and headache, which is why benefit limits and excesses apply. If you’re hurt or injured, contact us for assistance and we can help you understand what your policy covers. You may decide, if your ailment is minor and under the excess, to not make a claim. If it’s a life-threatening medical condition, always seek medical help immediately. Let us know as soon as you can what has happened so we can help you access medical assistance and keep your family and friends informed.
There are many great opportunities to do adventure sports in Australia, which is why our travel insurance covers hundreds of them from kite surfing to skiing and parasailing; over water only. Policy exclusions do vary, so, depending on the level of cover you’ve purchased, read it carefully and make sure you’re covered before you go bungee jumping in Cairns or scuba diving in Byron Bay. If you get hurt skiing in the Victorian Alps, and it’s not in your policy, it’s going to be a very expensive trip. Check your policy carefully so there are no surprises Your travel insurance policy will have limits and exclusions. This ensures the policy you pay for is kept at a lower cost. And, remember, engaging in risky activities, such as handling wild animals or swimming in dangerous areas (to name just two examples), may result in your coverage being voided.
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
We’ve got your back.
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
We’ve got your back.
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Help starts here.
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Help starts here.
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?
Contact the team