Travel Insurance for Medical Evacuation
If you need to get home for treatment, travel insurance can take care of medical evacuation and repatriation.
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Whether you’re trekking through the Eurasian Steppe, surfing in Maui, scuba diving off the coast of Thailand, or skiing in Canada, accidents or sickness can happen at any time during your trip. And if it’s bad enough, you may need to be medically evacuated or repatriated for ongoing medical care.
- What’s covered
- How do I get emergency assistance
- Am I covered if I get Coronavirus (COVID-19) while traveling?
- FAQs
Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Teams, and doctors and nurses have seen some horrific accidents and illnesses and have helped thousands of travelers be medically evacuated to appropriate facilities or repatriated home so they can fully recover.
What’s covered
If you’ve selected the right policy for the activity you’re doing and it’s medically necessary, there’s cover in all our policies for medical evacuation, as approved, by:
- Air ambulance
- Sea level aircraft
- Helicopter
- Ground ambulance
- Commercial airline upgrade
- Commercial airline with medical accompaniment
When we determine you’re medically fit to travel, we may decide to:
- Transport you to other medical care facilities; and/or
- Repatriate you to your Country of Residence if you’re declared medically unfit to continue your trip.
Cover is up to the amount shown in the Summary of Cover and is subject to our Emergency Assistance Team or us, on the advice of a medical practitioner appointed by us in consultation with your medical practitioner overseas, first deciding that:
- Transportation is medically necessary; and
- The style and timing of the transportation are reasonable and appropriate; and
- You’re medically fit to be evacuated; and
- You should be transferred to your Country of Residence.
How do I get emergency assistance
It’s essential that you get in contact with our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team as soon as reasonably possible so that our teams can support you from the time you fall sick or get injured until the time you get home.
So that our Emergency Assistance Teams can assist you quickly, please be ready with the following:
- Your policy number
- A contact number for where you are now
- The nature of your problem
- Your location
Am I covered if I get Coronavirus (COVID-19) while traveling?
Depending on your Country of Residence and the travel insurance plan you choose, you may also have access to Coronavirus (COVID-19) coverage for certain events including evacuation. Some of our plans offer:
- Emergency medical cover, evacuation and/or repatriation if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 while overseas.
- Cover for some additional Coronavirus-related events such as cancellation following a diagnosis to assist our travelers on the Explorer Plan.
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 the Plan you choose.
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.
FAQs
What is the difference between medical evacuation and repatriation?
Emergency medical evacuations are required when you have a life-threatening condition, and the local medical facility can’t look after you. In this case if you’re not evacuated to a hospital in another city or country you could suffer from a serious health complication, or even worse. Medical repatriation is when we decide its medically necessary to return you to your Country of Residence because you are severely sick or injured. For example, if you’re traveling in Mexico and you get seriously injured or sick and we decide you’re better off being treated back in Australia, we can bring you home under medical supervision.
How will you help me if I need to be evacuated?
Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team's trained staff will help with medical problems, including locating nearest medical facilities and, if required, arranging your medical evacuation home. They can also assist with locating the nearest embassies and consulates as well as keeping you in touch with your close relatives and your employer in an emergency.
About World Nomads
World Nomads polices are designed by travelers for travelers to provide simple and flexible travel insurance. Featuring coverage for more than 200 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 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.
Note: Where medical repatriation or evacuation has to be considered, you must contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team as soon as reasonably possible.
Bike accicdent
I was cut off by a dog whilst riding a push bike. Subsequent to my initial consultation with the doctor I was referred to hospital where I received surgery for my fractured foot and had my hand placed in a cast. I received assistance from specialty assist for my hospital bills and repatriation.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
24/7 emergency assistance
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 teamTravel insurance for Trip Resumption
Learn if we could help you get back on track after your trip's been interrupted.
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Trip resumption: what will be covered by travel insurance?
If you've had to interrupt your trip and return home because you were sick or injured overseas, or one of your close relatives has been hospitalized or has died, or a severe weather event has impacted your holiday, certain World Nomads policies offer coverage for reasonable transport and accommodation expenses to get you back on the road so that you can finish your trip.
What am I covered for if my trip has been cut short?
Every World Nomads policy will differ depending on your selected plan and your Country of Residence. As part of our Trip Interruption coverage, and depending on which plan you purchase – Standard vs Explorer - you may be covered (up to the benefit limits) for:
- An unexpected illness or injury
- A death in the family, yourself, or someone in your traveling party
- Trip interruption expenses – when a travel interruption over a certain number of hours occurs and you need to cover the essentials such as, phone, internet, refreshments or additional travel and accommodation. Terms and conditions apply.
- A missed connection
- An official government authority has issued a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning to a specific region or country and that warning was first given after you purchased the policy and after you booked the arrangements.
- You or a member of your traveling party are directly involved in a motor vehicle, railway, air or marine accident resulting in your inability to meet your connecting transport.
- Theft or damage of your or a member of your traveling party’s passport (excluding government confiscation for any reason not related to damage), travel documents or credit cards.
- Cancellation of a pre-paid, overseas tour, conference, music concert, international sporting event, funeral or wedding, or you being forced to use alternative public transport to arrive on time to attend this event.
- And many more.
You should read your policy wording carefully to understand what you will be covered for when it comes to trip interruption. Particularly the defined Insured Events, which relate specifically to the cancellation and trip interruption coverage.
Your policy still needs to be valid for the period of your resumed trip and needs to be the one that you were traveling on when you had to return home.
Make sure that you’ve selected the right travel insurance plan for your specific needs. With World Nomads you can get a quote, make a claim, or extend your policy instantly online, even while traveling.
Am I covered if my trip is interrupted by a pandemic?
It depends on which policy you have chosen. As much as we would love to cover every possible Coronavirus (COVID-19) scenario, that‘s not what travel insurance is designed for. Some exclusions may apply for epidemics, pandemics or World Health Organization (WHO) declarations of a public health emergency of international concern. When they apply, these exclusions are outlined in your policy wording.
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.
Trip resumption: what's not covered by travel insurance?
- Any expenses incurred while you're at home
- Expenses to get you back on your trip if you went home because you're homesick
- A business class upgrade where you've been flying budget airlines
- Resumption if your policy has expired.
This is not a full list of what's covered and not covered. There are item limits and conditions and exclusions that apply, so for more information check out our article on trip resumption and read your policy carefully before you buy.
Be prepared if you need to claim for trip resumption.
Depending on your claim, you'll need copies of:
- Receipts
- Itineraries
- Doctors' reports/death certificates
- Medical history (ruling out pre-existing conditions)
- New flight tickets
Travel Insurance Tip: Some, but not all, of our policies offer coverage for some insured events resulting in cancellation, trip interruption and trip resumption. Please take the time to read your policy wording as there are limits on your coverage depending on your Country of Residence and which plan you buy.
Grandma in palliative care
My grandmother suffered an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage after having a fall and was subsequently placed in palliative care in November. I received a phone call to return home as my grandmother only had a few days to live according to the doctors. I returned home, and she passed away. I then recommenced my travels after her passing and funeral.
Claim Paid.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
24/7 emergency assistance
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 teamFAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about trip resumption and insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask our customer service team.
-
Does my insurance pay upfront or do I have to pay and claim?
You'll need to pay and claim for your expenses to resume your trip.
-
Is there an excess?
Yes, all policies which cover trip resumption have an excess.
-
If my policy has expired, can I still claim for resumption?
If the policy is expired, it can no longer cover your travel expenses.
-
What's considered to be reasonable expenses?
The same standard you've been traveling. So if you've been traveling on a budget airline, business class on a full carrier wouldn't be reasonable.
