Responsible travel and travel insurance
Why we believe it matters to responsible travelers
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As featured in:
At World Nomads, we believe traveling responsibly includes making sure you have the necessary back-up if things go wrong on your trip.
Why buy travel insurance?
To be completely transparent – we sell travel insurance – but that’s not why we think it’s a good idea.
Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover every scenario and situation – it’s there to help with the specific events outlined in your policy that may go wrong while traveling.
All World Nomads policies include coverage for:
- Medical
- Cancellation
- Baggage
World Nomads offers two plans – a Standard Plan and an Explorer Plan – each with different benefits, limits and sub-limits of cover. When considering travel insurance you should look at the destinations you plan on visiting, the activities you’re likely to do, and then pick the policy with the level of benefits to match.
You may also need to add adventure activities to your quote and, if you’d like the level of cover the Explorer Plan offers, you’ll need to add it when you purchase your insurance because you can’t upgrade or add extra activities mid-trip.
Medical coverage
Illness and injury are common reasons travelers make claims on their insurance. Whether you’re on the ‘road less traveled’ or visiting a trending destination, medical events can happen. They range from minor incidents requiring local medical assistance to life-altering medical events and even death. Medical assistance can be very expensive overseas, particularly in countries such as the US, and can bankrupt a traveler or their family if they’re not adequately insured.
Medical benefits vary between travel insurance policies but, generally, they may help with locating medical help, transport to a local medical clinic or hospital for treatment if needed, and repatriation if you’re seriously injured. In the worst case, travel insurance policies may pay for the repatriation of your remains or funeral costs.
It’s also important to remember that some countries’ medical systems are fragile and have limited services and capability. That’s why some destinations require proof you have travel insurance before you visit, so you don’t become a burden on the local people and economy if you need medical help.
Getting off the beaten track… and staying on the straight and narrow
Sure, following the path less travelled is exciting, but be aware that some travel insurance policies do not cover exploratory expeditions, new routes, hiking in remote or inaccessible areas, or traveling to dangerous places.
Do your research and understand the local environment and political landscape before you set out. Part of being a responsible traveler is respecting different cultures and, more importantly, local laws. No matter what your passion, if you do something illegal in the name of a good cause – it’s still illegal. Whether it be scaling a building, protesting outside a government building, or flying a banner on a local statue in the name of your cause, if you get injured, then you’re unlikely to be covered. That’s because many travel insurance policies won’t cover illegal events of any kind, even if it’s legal to do it in your own country.
Let’s face it, ending up in prison is probably not the overseas experience you were after anyway.
Volunteering – what’s covered
World Nomads 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 cause?
However, we don’t cover every kind of volunteer experience, and some may have limitations or be excluded from our insurance policies altogether.
So, take the time to read your policy carefully and check the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions. If you’re not sure if it’s covered, contact us and we’ll do our best to help.
If haven’t yet chosen a volunteer program, you may find inspiration in our article about choosing ethical volunteer programs.
Want all the details?
You can compare our Standard and Explorer plans and prices through getting an instant online quote.
How can I give back when I buy my travel insurance?
Learn more about how you can give back to the places you visit with a small donation by watching this video.
Want all the details?
You can compare our Standard and Explorer plans and prices through getting an instant online quote.
Unable to travel
I was 8 weeks pregnant but two days before I was due to travel, I had to go the hospital for an emergency scan because I had some bleeding. I was told that the baby's heart had stopped beating. The doctors told me that I have to wait until it comes out naturally, which could happen anytime in the next 14 days, so therefore they told me I cannot travel for health risks.
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
- Come to a sticky end?
- Called to jury duty?
- Been made redundant?
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 drugs?
- 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?
- You or a family member dead?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Luggage lost?
- Passport pilfered?
- Tech trashed?
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 teamWhat to do if you fall suddenly ill
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As featured in:
- 1. Seek medical attention
- 2. Get any reports in writing
- 3. Retain all your receipts
- 4. Cover for some Coronavirus-related events during your holiday
- 5. Need to know more?
- How does my travel insurance policy help me in an emergency?
1. Seek medical attention
If you suddenly feel unwell at any time during your overseas trip, go to the nearest medical centre or hospital. An emergency transport service provider can carry you to the nearest hospital if you’re in too much pain to walk or take public transport.
In case you don’t know the whereabouts of your nearest hospital or doctor’s surgery, you can call our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team who will direct you where to go. You’ll need to tell them your policy number, what seems to be wrong with you and your current location.
After being examined by a hospital or medical centre doctor, call our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team again to update them on your situation. If you’re admitted to hospital, our Emergency Assistance Team will correspond with the Admissions Department regarding payments and care arrangements.
2. Get any reports in writing
You will need to provide copies of all reports in relation to your illness. Cover is only provided for illnesses that happen during your trip and not for any existing medical conditions. We may request a report on your medical history from your General Practitioner in New Zealand if we require further information. Types of reports you’ll need to obtain include:
- Emergency medical transport report (if taken to hospital by ambulance or helicopter).
- Treating doctor’s report stating the date you fell ill, the diagnosis and prognosis, as well as the causation of your illness.
- Hospital admission report stating the dates you were admitted and discharged from hospital.
- Other medical reports such as lab reports, specialist’s reports and public health emails confirming a Coronavirus (COVID-19) diagnosis.
- Any correspondence from airline, hotel or railway firms confirming cancellations of any accommodation or journeys that you had paid for.
3. Retain all your receipts
If you wish to claim for any expenses you incurred because of falling ill on your overseas holiday, then you’ll need to be able to provide your receipts. While it’s always necessary to keep receipts for your medical expenses, make sure that you keep any other receipts from your holiday as well. Receipts for hotel stays, flights and even dining receipts (if you experienced food poisoning) may be required to substantiate your claim. Examples of receipts that you should keep include:
- All hospital and doctor’s receipts
- Receipts for pharmaceutical products that you may have purchased
- Pathology receipts
- Hotel, airline, railway, bus company and/or restaurant receipts
4. Cover for some Coronavirus-related events during your holiday
If you or one of your travelling partners contracts COVID-19 at any time during your holiday, and you need to cancel your travel plans, then you may be able to claim for any non-refundable expenses that you had incurred. Your Explorer Plan cover must already be in effect (having already passed your 72-hour waiting period), at the time that you or one of your companions caught COVID-19.
To support your claim, you’ll need to obtain a treating doctor’s report or medical certificate stating the Coronavirus diagnosis. Other documents that you’ll need to provide include pathology reports or official health statements indicating a positive COVID-19 result for you or anyone in your travelling party. Any claims for non-refundable expenses will need to be supported by copies of your receipts.
Please note: Coronavirus cover varies between plans.
To find out what cover applies to you, read our Coronavirus cover article, which has all of the details including terms and conditions, limits, and exclusions.
5. Need to know more?
This information may help if things go wrong, and you want to make a claim. All travel insurance plans are different, and cover will vary, depending on what’s happened, your Country of Residence, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy. Your Policy Document will always have the full details of what you’re covered for.
If you have any further questions about what’s covered and not covered, just ask us.
How does my travel insurance policy help me in an emergency?
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?
- Medivac 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 teamWhat to do if you must cancel your trip due to illness or injury
- As featured in:
As featured in:
- 1. Rearrange or cancel your bookings straight away
- 2. Provide all written documents
- 3. Don’t forget your receipts
- 4. Cover for some COVID-19-related events
- 5. Need to know more?
- What does my travel insurance cover?
1. Rearrange or cancel your bookings straight away
If you’re injured or get ill during your overseas holiday, ask your treating doctor to give you a report or medical certificate stating your diagnosis and period that you will be unfit for travel. Then contact the airlines and hotels with whom you have bookings as soon as reasonably possible. Try to make alternative arrangements for when you’ll be fit to resume your holiday.
If your doctor believes there is no option but to cancel your holiday and return home, then you may be covered for any of your previously paid, non-refundable expenses. However, if you are only unfit for a brief period, then your expenses may only be covered for the time stated on your medical certificate, not for the remainder of your holiday.
Don’t leave it to the last minute to cancel or rearrange your hotel or airline bookings as this may lead to additional costs. If you delay notifying these organisations, then your claim for expenses may not be approved.
Any cover offered for accommodation and flights will only be made up to the maximum benefit limits stated in your Policy Document. That’s why it’s important to read through your policy so that you know the applicable terms and conditions, limits, and exclusions.
2. Provide all written documents
To submit a claim for expenses, you’ll need to submit all the medical reports related to your illness or injury, as well as general correspondence regarding your cancellations. Examples of reports you’ll need to provide include:
- The treating doctor’s report or medical certificate must state the diagnosis, date of injury or when you first noticed the symptoms of your illness, and period that you’ll be unfit to travel.
- The specialist’s report and other medical reports including any medical imaging and pathology reports.
- A hospital admission report confirming the dates that you were admitted and discharged.
- Emergency medical transport reports if you were taken to hospital by an ambulance or helicopter.
- Police report (if the police were called to the scene of your accident).
- Emails or letters from hotels or airlines regarding your cancellations.
- Your itinerary.
3. Don’t forget your receipts
If you cannot provide receipts for your accommodation, flights, and treatment expenses, then your claim may be dismissed, or any payment that you do receive might only be for a minimal amount. Types of receipts that you’ll need to provide include the following:
- Receipts for doctor’s consultations, hospital stays, medical imaging tests, and consultations with any allied health providers.
- Pharmaceutical products.
- Accommodation, flights, train, or bus journeys.
4. Cover for some COVID-19-related events
If you or one of your travelling companions’ contracts Coronavirus (COVID-19) during your overseas holiday, and have to cancel the rest of your trip, then your pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses may be covered if you have selected the Explorer Plan.
You’ll need to ask your treating doctor for a report stating the diagnosis of COVID-19, as well as a pathology report or public health statement indicating a positive COVID-19 result.
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 within the 72-hour waiting period after being issued with your Certificate of Insurance, then your non-refundable travel expenses may not be covered.
To find out what cover applies to you, read our Coronavirus cover article, which has all of the details including terms and conditions, limits, and exclusions. Please note: COVID-19 cover varies between plans.
5. Need to know more?
This information may help if things go wrong, and you want to make a claim. All travel insurance plans are different, and cover will vary, depending on what’s happened, your Country of Residence, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy. Your Policy Document will always have the full details of what you’re covered for.
If you have any further questions about what’s covered and not covered, just ask us.
What does my travel insurance cover?
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?
- Medivac 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 team
