1. Safety first

Following the accident make sure that everyone is safe.

If you’re in car accident, for example, this may involve turning your hazard lights on, moving to a safe location, and, if driveable, moving the vehicle to a safe spot that doesn’t block traffic. Check for any injuries. Be aware that not all injuries can be seen.

If it's an emergency situation, contact the local emergency services first, then contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team as soon as you can.

Once you’re able to contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team, please be ready with the following:

• Your policy number
• A contact number for where you are now
• The nature of your problem
• Your location.

2. Report the accident

If you’re hurt in an accident, you must make every effort to report the incident to the relevant local authority (e.g., police, hotel manager, other travel service provider) as soon as possible. Be sure to get a copy of written evidence to support any claims.

If you need immediate help at the scene of the accident, contact the local emergency services. Be ready to give the emergency dispatcher the following information:

• Who is involved? The dispatcher may ask for your name and phone number in case they need to get in contact with you later.
• What happened? Tell the dispatcher as much as you can about the emergency.
• Where are you located? Give as much information as you can such as the city, road name, road number and local surroundings.

3. Seek medical attention

Even if you do not appear to have any injuries, it is still a good idea to seek medical attention as some injuries cannot be seen. Medical treatment can help identify any potential injuries and may also put your mind at ease.

Seeking medical treatment will also result in official medical documentation, which may be necessary for any claims on your policy.

4. Get it in writing

To make a claim on your policy you will require supporting documentation. So, while it may be the last thing on your mind at the time, try to get copies of documents that will support your claim before you leave the scene or medical facility such as:

• Doctor or other medical practitioner’s report, confirming what happened and the nature of your injury
• Hospital Admission report if you’re admitted to hospital
• Ambulance and Medical evacuation reports (if relevant)
• Police report (if they were involved)
• Take pictures of the accident scene and your injuries if you can
• Any other relevant documentation related to the accident.

5. Keep your receipts

If you pay for any medical treatment costs or other out-of-pocket expenses relating to the accident, including that of changed travelled plans, it is important to keep all original receipts and other relevant documents as these will be needed to make a claim.

6. Contact us as soon as possible

If you’ve had an accident, you must notify our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team as soon as reasonably possible.

You can contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team on +353 21 237 8009 or +353 21 237 8003.

The team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and can offer the following assistance:

• arranging medical transport,
• Helping with multi-lingual support
• setting up direct payments to medical facilities
• giving support to you and your family.

7. Need to know more?

If you have any questions about what's covered and not covered, the claims process, or if you’re involved in an accident, feel free to contact us.

Spanning nearly 8 million km² and with crystal-clear water, red deserts, tropical rainforests, and bustling cities, Australia is fascinatingly diverse. Whether you’re road-tripping the East Coast, hiking on Kangaroo Island or scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, World Nomads has you covered.

• What am I covered for?
• What should I look out for when travelling to Australia?
• What’s not covered?
• Handy tips for travelling in Australia

What am I covered for?

World Nomads offers cover (up to the policy limits) for:

• Overseas medical expenses: if you become sick or injured during your trip.
• Medical evacuation and repatriation: if you need emergency transport home due to a serious illness or injury.
• Travel delays/interruption: if your trip is interrupted due to an insured event.
• Trip cancellation: if your trip is cancelled due to an insured event.
• Baggage and valuables: if your belongings are stolen, accidentally damaged, delayed or lost.
• Family plans: add your children and grandchildren to our policies at no extra cost.
• Activities cover: we cover more than 150 activities so you can have fun adventuring your way around Australia’s outback, coasts, cities and skies.

Note: our travel insurance plans are different. Cover will vary, depending on your country of residence, what you are claiming for, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy.

With World Nomads, you can buy travel insurance as soon as your trip is locked in or while you're traveling (waiting periods apply); it’s entirely up to you.

What should I look out for when travelling to Australia?

There are a few key things to consider when visiting Australia. Our travel insurance may help if you land in Melbourne, but your baggage doesn’t, or you suffer an injury whilst hiking Cradle Mountain.

To make it easier for you to choose a plan that’s right for you we offer two plans – Standard and Explorer. Each one provides different levels of coverage depending on what you need and your country of residence:

• The Standard Plan –covers a range of benefits and certain adventure activities but has lower coverage limits.
• The Explorer Plan – covers all the benefits of the Standard plan, with larger coverage limits, more benefits and covers more sports and activities.

Essential travel cover options when you need them the most

Depending on the level of cover you choose and your country of residence, our policies may cover you for:

Lost, stolen or delayed baggage cover

If your luggage or personal items are stolen, lost or accidentally damaged, you may be able to claim to replace or repair the item. If your luggage is delayed for more than 24 hours, you may be able to claim for essential clothing and toiletries while you wait for your bag to be returned.

Travel insurance for accidents or injuries

If you become sick or injured in Australia with anything from food poisoning to an injury while participating in an activity, our policies may cover you for medical treatment including hospitalisation, prescribed medicines and prescribed physiotherapy treatments. Terms and conditions apply.

Coronavirus cover for some events

If you catch COVID-19 while travelling in Australia we may cover you for medical expenses and hospital assistance, as well as repatriation. Our Explorer Plan offers extra cover for Coronavirus-related events such as cancellation, trip interruption expenses and some quarantine costs. To find out what cover applies to you, read our Coronavirus cover article, which has all the details, including benefit limits, conditions, and exclusions.

Adventure sports & activities cover

There’s no shortage of adventures and activities to do in Australia and depending on what plan you choose and your country of residence, you can be covered for hiking adventures in the Snowy Mountains, road trips along the East Coast, surfing at Bondi Beach, snorkelling with Whale Sharks on Ningaloo Reef and much more. You can find the full list of covered activities in the Policy Wording.

Rental car coverage and road safety

Australia is the perfect place for a road trip. With such vast distances between destinations, it can be a good idea to make sure you are covered if something goes wrong when you’re on the road.

Available on our Explorer Plan, we may cover your rental vehicle insurance excess, or the cost of repairing the rental vehicle if you’re involved in a motor accident or your rental vehicle is damaged or stolen.

What’s not covered?

Our policies aren’t designed to cover everything and there are some important general exclusions you should be aware of, including:

• Pre-existing medical conditions – see the policy wording for details.
• Traveling to, planning to travel to, or choosing to remain in a country or region that is subject to a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning issued by the U.S Department of State.
• Neglecting to observe applicable preventative measures for the travel region, as outlined by the World Health Organization, including obtaining relevant vaccinations and hygiene measures.
• Participation in a sport or activity not listed or failing to adhere to the terms of coverage for listed sports or activities.
• Our policy doesn’t replace the need for you to purchase rental vehicle insurance through the rental vehicle company covering physical damage and theft of the rental vehicle and your liability to third parties for injury or property damage while the rental vehicle is in your care or control.
• Being intoxicated by alcohol or drugs.

Be sure to read the Policy Wording and General Exclusions for other scenarios and expenses we don’t cover so there’ll be no surprises if you need to use your cover.

Handy tips for travelling in Australia

• If you’re planning a road trip, be aware of the distances involved between destinations. Sometimes it can be hundreds of kilometres between towns and petrol stations.
• The sun is very strong in Australia so be sure to wear sunblock, even on a cloudy day. Temperatures in Outback areas can be very high.
• Pick your season – the weather can vary tremendously in parts of Australia even in the same season.
• Swim between the flags at the beach. They show the safest point on the beach for swimming and can help you avoid dangerous rips.

Are you looking for more travel inspiration for Australia? World Nomads has various articles that cover a range of fun topics on Australia, here are just a few:

• How to Get a Working Holiday Visa for Australia
• Australia Hikes: 6 Spectacular Tracks All Around the Country
• Where to Stay in Australia: Accommodation Travel Tips
• 10 Ancient Natural Wonders Around Australia

You can also check out our articles if you need the latest safety travel alerts.

This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions of the policy. You should read your policy wording in full, so you understand what is and isn’t covered. If you are unsure about your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.

With its crystal-clear water, tropical rainforests, and a burnt red Outback, Australia is a thrilling destination. Whether you’re road-tripping the Great Ocean Road, cycling around Uluru or snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, World Nomads Travel Insurance can have you covered.

• What am I covered for?
• What should I look out for when travelling to Australia?
• What’s not covered?
• Handy tips for travelling in Australia

What am I covered for?

World Nomads offers cover (up to the policy limits) for:

• Overseas medical expenses: if you become sick or injured during your trip.
• Medical evacuation and repatriation: if you need emergency transport home due to a serious illness or injury.
• Travel delays/interruption: if your trip is interrupted due to an insured event.
• Trip cancellation: if your trip is cancelled due to an insured event.
• Baggage and valuables: if your belongings are stolen, accidentally damaged, delayed or lost.
• Family plans: add your children and grandchildren to our policies at no extra cost.
• Activities cover: we cover more than 150 activities so you can have fun adventuring your way around Australia’s outback, coasts, cities and skies.

Note: our travel insurance plans are different. Cover will vary, depending on what you are claiming for, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy.

With World Nomads, you can buy travel insurance as soon as your trip to Australia is locked in or while you're travelling (waiting periods apply); it’s entirely up to you

What should I look out for when travelling to Australia?

When visiting your neighbours across the ditch, there are a few key things to consider. Our travel insurance could help if you land in Sydney, but your baggage doesn’t or if you suffer an injury hiking Cradle Mountain.

World Nomads offers two plans – Standard and Explorer. Each policy has different levels of cover depending on what your needs are. You may be covered if your bags are lost or stolen, if your transport is delayed, or if you suffer an injury that lands you in hospital.

• The Standard Plan – covers a range of benefits and certain adventure activities and has lower coverage limits.
• The Explorer plan – covers all the benefits of the Standard Plan, with larger coverage limits, more benefits and covers more sports and activities.

Essential travel cover options when you need them the most

Depending on the level of cover you choose, World Nomads offers coverage (up to the policy limits) for:

Lost, stolen or delayed baggage cover

If your luggage or personal items are stolen, lost or accidentally damaged, you may be able to claim to replace or repair the item. If your luggage is delayed for more than 12 hours, you may be able to claim for essential clothing and toiletries while you wait for your bag to be returned.

Medical insurance for accidents or injuries

If you become sick or injured in Australia, with anything from food poisoning to an injury whilst participating in an activity, our policies can cover you for medical treatment including hospitalisation, prescribed medicines and prescribed physiotherapy treatments.

Coronavirus cover for some events

If you catch COVID-19 while visiting Australia, we may cover you for medical expenses and hospital assistance, as well as repatriation. Our Explorer Plan offers extra cover for Coronavirus-related events such as cancellation, trip interruption expenses and some quarantine costs. You can check out our Coronavirus cover article which has all of the details, including terms and conditions, benefit limits and exclusions.

Adventure sports & activities cover

There’s no shortage of adventures and activities to do in Australia and depending on what plan you choose, you can be covered for hiking in Tasmania, road tripping along the East Coast, surfing at Bondi Beach, snorkelling with Whale Sharks on Ningaloo Reef and much more. You can find the full list of covered activities here.

Rental car coverage and road safety

Australia is the perfect place for a road trip. With such vast distances between destinations, it can be a good idea to make sure you are covered if something goes wrong when you’re on the road.

Available on our Explorer Plan, we may cover your rental vehicle insurance excess, or the cost of repairing the rental vehicle if you’re involved in a motor accident or your rental vehicle is damaged or stolen.

What’s not covered?

Our policies aren’t designed to cover everything and there are some important general exclusions you should be aware of, including:

• Existing medical conditions – see the Policy Document for details.
• Traveling to, planning to travel to, or choosing to remain in a country or region that is subject to a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning issued by the New Zealand Government.
• Neglecting to observe applicable preventative measures for the travel region, as outlined by the World Health Organization, including obtaining relevant vaccinations and hygiene measures.
• Participation in a sport or activity not listed or failing to adhere to the terms of coverage for listed sports or activities.
• Our policy doesn’t replace the need for you to purchase rental vehicle insurance through the rental vehicle company covering physical damage and theft of the rental vehicle and your liability to third parties for injury or property damage while the rental vehicle is in your care or control.
• Being intoxicated by alcohol or drugs.

Be sure to read the Policy Document and General Exclusions for other scenarios and expenses we don’t cover so there’ll be no surprises if you need to use your cover.

Australia Travel Tips

• If you’re planning a road trip, be aware of the distances involved between destinations. Sometimes it can be hundreds of kilometres between towns and petrol stations.
• The sun is very strong in Australia so be sure to wear sunblock, even on a cloudy day. Temperatures in Outback areas can be very high.
• Pick your season – the weather can vary tremendously in parts of Australia even in the same season.
• Swim between the flags at the beach. They show the safest point on the beach for swimming and can help you avoid dangerous rips.

Are you looking for more travel inspiration for Australia? World Nomads has various articles that cover a range of fun topics in Australia, here are just a few:

• How to Get a Working Holiday Visa for Australia
• Australia Hikes: 6 Spectacular Tracks All Around the Country
• Where to Stay in Australia: Accommodation Travel Tips
• 10 Ancient Natural Wonders Around Australia

You can also check out our articles if you need the latest safety travel alerts.

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You should read your Policy Document in full, so you understand what is and isn’t covered. That way there won’t be any surprises if you need to use it. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

The information provided is of a general nature and is provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice in any form and should not be relied on as a substitute for obtaining professional advice that is specific to your circumstances. You should seek advice from a financial advice provider if you would like further information about whether a particular product is appropriate for you and your circumstances.

Whether you’re planning on going to Brazil, Spain, Thailand or the USA, make sure you’re prepared for any adventure activities you plan to do while abroad. Our plans offer coverage for more than 250 adventure sports and activities, from hiking, snowboarding, scuba diving, hot-air ballooning, skiing, and more. Before you go, be sure you understand the sports cover that is included with your selected World Nomads travel insurance policy, check your itinerary and the weather, and bring the correct gear to ensure you have a safe experience.

• What adventure sports activities are covered by travel insurance?
• What benefits are available for adventure activities?
• What’s not covered?
• FAQs
• Can I extend my policy?

What adventure sports activities are covered by travel insurance?

During your trip, you may want to try activities and sports that aren’t commonly done in Canada. You are automatically covered to participate in various activities under both the Standard Plan and Explorer Plan, however you must add any adventure, sports, work or volunteer activities that you think you’ll be doing while on your trip, at the time you purchase your policy, to make sure you are covered. Check the selected policy before you complete your purchase for the selected limits, as an upgrade for certain sports may be required and terms and conditions, limitations and exclusions apply.

As long as the activity is listed on your policy, if something goes wrong, your coverage may include benefits for:

• Emergency medical expenses while outside Canada 
• Trip interruption
• Baggage

World Nomads provides travel insurance for more than 250 activities, sports and experiences but it doesn’t cover everything so don’t assume every activity is included and covered.

If you’re planning on doing a specific sport or activity that isn’t listed as Level 1, then you may need to upgrade your policy. Sports and activities listed as Level 2 or Level 3 require an upgrade and an additional premium. Upgrades must be purchased when you buy your policy. Some activities have special conditions and special exclusions. You can contact us if you have any questions around coverage for any activities you plan to do.

What benefits are available for adventure activities?

World Nomads plans offer a variety of benefits that can help when doing adventure sports while overseas, and your coverage benefit limit will vary depending on whether you choose our Standard Plan or our Explorer plan. Read your policy for details on terms and conditions, maximum benefit limits, and any exclusions:

Emergency medical expenses while outside Canada: Our plans offer cover for expenses incurred resulting from injury, sickness or death while on your trip. If at any time during your holiday, you or any of your traveling companions become sick or injured, you’ll need to contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team as soon as possible. Our team can assist to locate the nearest hospital or medical facility and may transport you back to Canada if a treating doctor determines this to be medically necessary.

Trip cancellation: If you must cancel your trip due to a covered risk, we cover up to the maximum limit under the policy for your non-refundable prepaid trip costs of your unused travel arrangements. For example, if you or any of your travel companions get sick or injured and you need to cancel your holiday, we may cover prepaid and non-refundable expenses. Please note that you’ll need to submit documents when filing a trip cancellation claim for a covered reason. Depending on your case, you'll need copies of:

• Receipts
• Itineraries
• Doctors/death certificates
• Medical history
• Written documentation from your travel provider outlining any refund you received and their cancellation penalties

Coverage for baggage and personal belongings: The policy provides coverage if your baggage or personal belongings becomes lost or damaged by your Common Carrier or stolen. You’ll need to have receipts, along with reports from the authorities or an incident report from your airline or other carrier (if your belongings were lost in transit) in order to submit a claim.

What’s not covered?

Here are some examples of what is not covered under our plans. Please refer to your policy for the complete list:

• Pre-existing medical conditions (Please refer to the Exclusions for Emergency Medical and Dental Coverage section of the policy wording for more information on coverage for pre-existing medical conditions).
• If you do not use a professional qualified and licensed guide or operator where required.
• Any search or rescue operations to find or rescue you from a life-threatening situation.
• If you refuse to be repatriated or evacuated.
• Damage to any sports or activity equipment while in use.
• Unattended baggage or personal items.
• If you participate in any sport or engage in any activity on a professional basis.

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 about your coverage, just ask us.

FAQs

What questions should I ask when choosing a plan?

When purchasing your travel insurance policy you may be tempted to take the most cost-effective option without reading the policy first. Whilst reading the policy document can be a time-consuming task, it’s best to familiarize yourself with all the benefits, policy limits and exclusions before you buy your policy.

World Nomads offer two travel insurance plans, the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan. Both plans offer levels of protection for many of the same types of risks and offer cover for, hospitalization, repatriation, lost, stolen or damaged baggage, and other unexpected costs.

However, the Explorer Plan offers higher policy benefit limits. For example, the Standard Plan offers a maximum benefit limit for emergency medical expenses of $5M, whereas the Explorer Plan offers a maximum benefit limit of $10M.

When choosing which policy is best matched to your needs you should ask yourself:

• How much trip cancellation coverage do I need? (Our Standard Plan covers a maximum limit of $2,500 and our Explorer Plan covers a maximum limit of $5,000)
• How much emergency medical coverage do I need?
• What kind of activities will I be doing on holiday?
• What activities is my travel party planning?
• What coverage do the two different plans offer for these activities?
• What exclusions might apply?

Note: choose your policy carefully as you can’t upgrade from a Standard Plan to an Explorer Plan mid-trip.

Can I buy travel insurance? I’ve already started traveling.

If you forgot to buy travel insurance before you left home, you can still purchase while you’re travelling. Note that a waiting period may apply for some benefits.

Can I extend my policy?

Your policy may be extended up to a maximum 12 months (365 days) from your original policy start date. To qualify and apply for a policy extension:

• You must not have made a claim, or have a reason to claim, on your original policy.
• The request for an extension must be made through, and approved by, World Nomads prior to your original scheduled return date.

You may qualify for a policy extension if you have sought emergency medical treatment or filed a claim for emergency medical treatment prior to extending your trip, however any subsequent medical treatment related to your emergency will not be covered under the extension of coverage.

You must have been eligible for the insurance that you seek to extend at the time of your original booking of your trip and at the time of the request for the extension.

Please note that:

• Policy extensions are not eligible to be refunded.
• The 10-day ‘Right to Examine’ period does not apply.

If you are travelling and want to extend your trip, you can purchase a policy extension by logging into your World Nomads membership account. Select your current policy and follow the prompts to extend your policy.

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.