Volunteering Travel Insurance Plans
Canadian Residents Can Protect Their Volunteer Trips with Travel Insurance
- As featured in:
As featured in:
At a glance:
- World Nomads plans may provide coverage for your volunteering roles involving childcare, teaching, office work, or WWOOFING (general farm work, fruit picking, manual work), with the ability to pay an extra premium and be covered for additional activities involving manual work with power tools or volunteering as a scuba diving, ski, or snowboarding instructor
- Coverage for injuries and medical transport if you're seriously hurt while volunteering
- Reimbursement for cancelled tours, delays, or interruptions due to covered events
- Access to emergency assistance anytime, anywhere.
- Why should Canadians consider travel insurance for a volunteer trip abroad?
- Volunteering travel insurance: What may be covered?
- What may not be covered when volunteering?
- Top safety tips we recommend for volunteering
- FAQs
We love seeing our nomads give back and help make the world a better place. If you have travel insurance coverage for New Zealand, you may want to volunteer at an organic farm. 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. If you’ll be volunteering while travelling, you may want to protect your adventure with World Nomads Travel Insurance. Our travel insurance plans include a range of benefits that could help with everything from stolen bags to unexpected medical expenses.
Why should Canadians consider travel insurance for a volunteer trip abroad?
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're unsatisfied for any reason, you can cancel the policy and receive a full refund.
Volunteering travel insurance: What may be covered?
We love giving back and having opportunities to change the world, so we’ve designed our plans to include travel insurance for volunteering. We also offer coverage for more than 250 other sports, activities and experiences.
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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.
What level of travel insurance coverage do I need for my volunteer trip?
World Nomads offers two plans for Canadian residents – the Standard and Explorer – each with different levels of coverage.
- Standard Plan – This is the most basic plan, but includes volunteer travel insurance with up to $5,000,000 CAD in emergency medical expenses and $2,500 for trip cancellation and trip interruption.
- Explorer Plan – This plan also covers volunteering, but has higher limits of coverage.
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.
- Level 1 Activities: Volunteering in roles involving childcare, teaching, office work, or WWOOFING (general farm work, fruit picking, manual work)
- Level 2 Activities: Manual work that involves power tools and working at heights under 5 metres
- Level 3 Activities: Volunteering as a ski, snowboard, or scuba diving instructor
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.
Nomads tip: World Nomads Travel Insurance can also cover your volunteer trips within Canada! Your Government Health Plan is limited once you leave your province. Your travel insurance plan can protect your domestic travels outside of your home province too.
Get a travel insurance quote
Simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Get a quote
What may not be covered when volunteering while traveling?
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:
- Unattended baggage or personal items
- Participation in other activities not listed as covered in your policy
- Ignoring your doctor if they have explicitly advised you not to travel to a particular destination or perform certain volunteer duties
- Not following government ‘Do Not Travel’ advisories issued by the Canadian government
- Operating machinery
- Working with dangerous animals or big game
- Working at heights over 5 metres
- Volunteering on offshore rigs, underground or caves
Top safety tips we recommend for volunteering
- Research the organization you’ll be volunteering with to make sure they’re reputable. You’ll want to confirm they have a clear mission, vision, and values. It’s also not a bad idea to look for reviews from others who have worked with them.
- Understand what your duties are before you go, and make sure you’re aware of any risks associated with those. You’ll also want to make sure all activities are covered by your travel insurance coverage for volunteering abroad.
- No matter what volunteer service you’re providing, make sure you receive proper training, as that reduces your chance of injuries or accidents.
- Take along a copy of the documents showing your travel insurance coverage for volunteering. You may even want to save a copy in your phone so it is easily accessible.
- Check with the Public Health Agency of Canada to see if they have issued any travel health notices for your destination.
- Register with Canadians Abroad to stay updated on emergency situations.
FAQ
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
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Is volunteering covered under World Nomads Travel Insurance?
Yes, depending on your specific volunteer duties, volunteering may be covered under both 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.
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What types of incidents are covered while volunteering abroad?
If your trip is cancelled, delayed, or interrupted due to an unforeseen event, you may be able to recover your non-refundable, 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 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.
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What type of volunteer work is included in my volunteering travel insurance?
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.
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Can I get coverage after my trip starts?
Yes. If your trip has already started, World Nomads can still offer you coverage. You can buy a plan online anytime, from 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.
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Does World Nomads offer travel insurance for volunteering abroad?
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.
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What should I do if I get hurt while volunteering ?
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.
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Does World Nomads Travel Insurance cover other activities during my trip?
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.
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Do I get my money back if I cancel a trip?
Trip cancellation coverage is offered by both 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.
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What happens if my bags are delayed?
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) essential items like toiletries and a change of clothes until you and your bag are reunited.
Need destination inspiration for your next volunteer trip?
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
The Real Hawaii: Slow Travel on Moloka’i and Lanai
How to Volunteer Overseas Without Breaking the Bank
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.
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
- Work emergency?
- Weather delay?
- Travel companion sick?
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
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
- Need a hospital?
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
- Ambulance transfers
- Medevac flights
- Medical escort services
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Stolen I.D.s
- Checked-in sports equipment
- Damaged luggage
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 teamVolunteering Travel Insurance Coverage
US residents can protect their good deeds while traveling
- As featured in:
As featured in:
At a glance:
- World Nomads plans may cover volunteering in roles involving childcare, teaching, environmental or conservation work, wildlife or animal care, and WWOOFing (general farm work, fruit picking, and manual work), with some plans that include additional volunteer roles and higher limits of coverage.
- Coverage may include reimbursement for injuries and medical transport if you're seriously hurt while on your volunteering trip.
- Gear and luggage benefits may help cover lost, stolen, or damaged baggage as you travel to your volunteer opportunity.
- Plus, optional Cancel for Any Reason upgrade available on some plans (additional cost and state restrictions may apply.)
- Why should I consider travel insurance for my volunteer trip?
- Volunteering travel insurance benefits
- Plans to protect your volunteer trip
- What's not covered
- Top safety tips we recommend for your volunteer trip
- FAQs
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.
Why should I consider travel insurance for my volunteer trip?
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.
Travel insurance and non-insurance services for volunteering: What may be covered?
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.
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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.
What level of travel insurance coverage do I need for my volunteer trip abroad?
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.
- Standard Plan – This is the most basic plan, but includes travel insurance coverage for incidents while volunteering in roles involving childcare, teaching, environmental or conservation work, wildlife or animal care, and WWOOFing (general farm work, fruit picking, and manual work.) This plan includes up to $125,000 in emergency medical expenses and up to $2,500 for trip cancellation.
- Explorer Plan – This 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. It also has higher limits of coverage for most benefits.
- Epic Plan – This 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.
- Annual Plan – Weekend warriors, digital nomads, world explorers… this plan is for you. Just buy once and stay protected all year. It includes travel insurance coverage for volunteering, as well as all of the other activities and experiences that are covered in the Standard Plan.
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.
Get a travel insurance quote
Simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Get a quoteWhat may not be covered when volunteering while traveling?
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:
- Unattended baggage, sporting equipment, or personal items
- Participation in other activities not listed as covered in your policy
- Ignoring your doctor if they have explicitly advised you not to travel to a particular destination or do certain volunteer work
- Volunteering within 100 miles of your home
Top safety tips we recommend for your volunteer trip
- Research the organization you’ll be volunteering with to make sure they’re reputable. You’ll want to confirm they have a clear mission, vision, and values. It’s also not a bad idea to look for reviews from others who have worked with them.
- Understand what your duties are before you go, and make sure you’re aware of any risks associated with those. You’ll also want to make sure all activities are covered by your travel insurance coverage for volunteering abroad.
- No matter what volunteer service you’re providing, make sure you receive proper training, as that reduces your chance of injuries or accidents.
- Take along a copy of the documents showing your travel insurance coverage for volunteering. You may even want to save a copy in your phone so it is easily accessible.
- Check with the U.S. Department of State to see if they have issued any travel advisories for your destination.
- Enroll in the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to stay updated on emergency situations.
FAQ
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
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Can a volunteer trip abroad be covered under World Nomads Travel Insurance?
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.
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What types of incidents may be covered while I’m volunteering overseas?
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.
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What type of volunteer work is included in my trip protection plan?
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.
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Can I purchase a plan after my trip starts?
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.
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Does World Nomads Travel Insurance offer coverage for volunteering in other countries?
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.
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What should I do if I get hurt while I’m volunteering?
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.
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Does World Nomads cover other activities during my 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.
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Do I get my money back if I cancel a trip?
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.
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What happens if my bags are delayed?
When you purchase travel insurance coverage for volunteering, baggage coverage is also included. If your checked-in bags are delayed more than 12 consecutive hours on the way to your destination, your plan may reimburse you for reasonable essential items like toiletries and a change of clothes until you and your bag are reunited. Your coverage also includes non-insurance service that can help track down your bag and get it delivered to you.
Need destination inspiration for your next volunteer trip?
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.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
- Work emergency?
- Weather delay?
- Travel companion sick?
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
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
- Need a hospital?
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
- Ambulance transfers
- Medevac flights
- Medical escort services
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Stolen I.D.s
- Checked-in sports equipment
- Damaged luggage
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 teamTop travel insurance tips to know before you go
Good insurance begins a long way from the departure lounge
- As featured in:
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.
Tip 1: Check if your favorite adventure activity is covered by your policy
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…
Tip 2: You might need a license for that
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:
- Driving rented vehicles, such as cars and motorbikes. For example, you may need to be a licensed motorbike rider at home to be covered to ride the same class of motorbike on holiday. Plus, you'll need to follow your country of residence's laws on safety gear too, such as helmets or safety belts.
- Scuba diving. If coverage for this is available under your policy, you'll need to be pre-accredited for the dive you want to do.
So before you jump on that bike or strap on an oxygen tank, make sure you already have the permit and expertise.
Tip 3: Gear gone? Stuff stuffed? A little admin makes claiming a cakewalk
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.
Tip 4: There are some places travel insurance won't go
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.
What Does my Travel Insurance Cover?
Teeth hit the ground
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.
P.R. Italian Nomad.
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?
- Suddenly sick?
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 teamStandard vs Explorer Plans
Why two travel insurance plans and what’s the difference?
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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.
Two plans to choose from
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.
What are the differences between a Standard and an Explorer Plan?
This varies depending on your Country of Residence. Broadly speaking, though:
- An Explorer Plan has benefits not available in the Standard Plan.
- An Explorer Plan has higher benefit limits and/or sub-limits than the Standard Plan.
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.
Which plan should I choose?
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.
Am I covered for COVID-19 related events on both the Standard and Explorer plans?
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:
- 24/7 access to our Emergency Assistance team, who can help you access local medical care;
- Medical costs including hospitalization;
- Evacuation or repatriation if deemed medically necessary by us and in consultation with your attending medical practitioner.
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.
Want all the details?
You can compare the Standard and Explorer plans and prices through getting an instant online quote.
True Claims Stories
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 teamTravel Insurance for volunteering
Don't let your good deeds go uncovered.
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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?
- Should I consider insurance when volunteering overseas?
- What's covered for volunteers?
- A choice of policy and extras for your next holiday
- What volunteer activities may I participate in?
- What’s not covered?
Should I consider insurance when volunteering overseas?
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.
What's covered for volunteers?
Want to step out into the world and volunteer your time?
World Nomads plans may cover:
- Trip cancellation
- Trip interruption
- Medical emergency care
- Emergency evacuation
- Baggage delay
- Theft of baggage and personal belongings
A choice of policy and extras for your next holiday
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.
What volunteer activities may I participate in?
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.
What’s not covered?
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:
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Reckless behavior
- Criminal or illegal acts
- Changing your mind
- Pre-existing conditions unless specified by your policy
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.
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 teamFAQ
Here 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.
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Will travel insurance cover me for countries other than those listed on my policy?
That depends on your policy and your country of residence. You may have to put in a request with the customer service team for a country to be added to your policy.
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Why don't you cover ongoing treatment at home?
Travel insurance policies are designed for accidents or unexpected illnesses overseas. They don't stand in place of primary medical insurance or your home health system.
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Does my insurance cover medical costs upfront or do I have to pay and claim later?
Who pays depends on what happened. If it’s an emergency situation, where medical evacuation is required, we can coordinate payments directly with the hospital wherever possible, provided cover under the policy has been confirmed by us and you get pre-approval from the Emergency Assistance team. You must contact 24/7 Emergency Assistance if you have a medical emergency.
