If a tropical island is calling your name, then get to Hawaii for the adventure of a lifetime. You may want to hike the rugged Kalalau Trail on Kauai or go scuba diving in Maui. With so much to explore, you may want to consider the benefits of travel insurance for you and your travel companions.

• What’s Covered?
• Cover for more than 150 adventure and sports activities on both World Nomads plans
• What to look out for when traveling around Hawaii
• What’s not covered?

What’s Covered?

The right travel insurance can come in handy when a hiccup, or something more serious, interrupts your trip. While travel insurance isn’t designed to cover every eventuality, it may be a life saver if you end up ill, injured, stuck in a natural catastrophe, or if your bags go missing.

Always make sure you read the policy wording carefully to understand what’s included (and what’s not) as our 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.

Here are some of the highlights of our coverage, depending on your Country of Residence and the plan you’ve selected:

• Overseas medical insurance: One of the main reasons travelers buy insurance is for medical cover, especially in times of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Traveling to a country such as the US, where health costs can rise very quickly, can be a good enough reason to get insurance. World Nomad Standard and Explorer plans may offer cover for emergency overseas dental and medical assistance and medically necessary evacuation and repatriation if you get sick or get COVID-19 while traveling overseas. The difference will often be the excess or the maximum payable limit.
• Trip cancellation: One of the biggest questions with any international travel currently is related to cancellations. Depending on your country of residence and which plan you’ve selected you may be covered for your non-refundable, pre-paid transport and accommodation expenses. Always make sure you read the details of your policy carefully, so you know what you are covered for. If in doubt about coverage and our plans, contact us.
• Lost bags: You saw your bags get tagged and loaded onto the conveyor at the start of the trip, but when you landed in Hawaii you found yourself watching an empty luggage carousel. World Nomads travel insurance can help with delayed or lost luggage. The first step is always to report it immediately to the airline carrier and get everything in writing, making sure you keep all receipts and copies.
• Cover for some Coronavirus-related events: 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, terms and conditions, and exclusions.

Cover for more than 150 adventure and sports activities on both World Nomads plans

While there are many activities available on the Standard Plan, those feeling adventurous can upgrade to the Explorer Plan, which offers higher benefits and cover for a broader range of activities and sports.

Hawaii can be exciting and fun, particularly for those seeking an adventurous getaway but it’s important to be sensible about the level of risk and the type of activity and sports coverage you may need.

For example, the crystal-clear waters of Lana’i, where some of the world’s best scuba diving can be found, are a must-see for scuba fans. When thinking about your dive plan, it’s important that you are getting the right level of activity coverage, so you’ll need to know the depth you’re diving, and the qualification you have achieved. You may be required to dive only under constant supervision, so talk to us if in doubt.

What to look out for when traveling around Hawaii

Hawaii is known for its stunning and dramatic terrain. Volcanoes, tropical thunderstorms, and even cyclones and tsunamis are known to happen in Hawaii. This can affect the type of cover you choose.

Natural catastrophes could force you to abandon your booked accommodation and if you have the Explorer Plan you may be able to claim for accommodation and some limited travel costs. Equally, expenses incurred getting to safer ground may also be covered with the Explorer Plan. World Nomads offers cover for natural catastrophes, but cover will depend on your Country of Residence and varies between plans. We can assist with all these situations and the right policy can go a long way to reducing the stress involved in international travel.

Water sports such as kayaking, canoeing or jet skiing are popular in Hawaii. Paddling out into the bay to see the natural formations along the Napali Coast is breathtaking. However, accidents happen, and kayakers commonly capsize and hit their head. If this happens to you both Standard and Explorer policies will cover this and assist with getting you to a medical facility for treatment or have you evacuated if it’s a serious injury.

Jet skiing carries greater risk, and our Standard and Explorer plans will require you to be traveling with a suitably qualified instructor for you to be covered in the event of an accident.

Just remember, you’ll need to list all the activities and sports you plan to do at the time of purchasing your cover and the activities you nominate will be listed on your Certificate of Insurance.

What’s not covered?

When taking out insurance, understanding what’s not covered is just as important as what is covered.

• If you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol you won’t be covered for any accidents that happen.
• With any sports or adventure activity you must follow all safety measures, such as wearing a helmet or wearing full safety harness where required, or you may not be covered.
• Pre-existing medical conditions as explained in your policy wording.
• Any expenses which World Nomads or the Emergency Assistance Team determine are not medically necessary.
• Change of mind, disinclination, or reluctance to travel.
• Traveling to, planning to travel to, or choosing to remain in a country or region that is the subject of a government Do Not Travel or Avoid Non-essential Travel warning issued by the US Department of State.

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 wording 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.

With eight dramatic islands, a culture rich with traditions, and beautiful weather, Hawaii is a dream location. You might be going to relax on a beach or hit the world-famous surf, or perhaps you’re volunteering or want to learn about Hawaii’s history – whatever the reason, you may want to consider buying travel insurance for any unplanned or unexpected events.

• What am I covered for?
• More than 150 activities and sports covered on World Nomads plans
• Overseas medical insurance and Coronavirus cover
• Lost or delayed baggage cover
• What’s not covered?

What am I covered for?

Travel insurance is designed for many reasons, for example medical emergencies, lost or stolen bags, unforeseen injuries, unexpected bad weather, or travel delays derail your trip. World Nomads offers coverage (up to the policy limits) for:

• Emergency overseas medical: surfing in Hawaii can be great for the body and soul but not if it ends in an accident. Emergency medical coverage can help when you need urgent medical treatment. Get to a doctor for treatment and medication and you can submit a claim to recover the costs (up to your benefit limit).
• Evacuation: your upcoming family hiking trip might take you far away from medical facilities. With our coverage, you can get transported to the medical facility best for your care, subject to approval from us. Please note that remote travel and search and rescue expenses are not covered.
• Trip cancellation: has a sick or injured traveling buddy put a stop to your scuba diving trip to Molokai? Depending on your plan, you may be able to recover your travel expenses.
• Coverage for extended stays: if you’re having too much fun in Hawaii and want to extend your trip, we can help keep you get covered. Just sign into your World Nomads membership, select your current policy and follow the links to extend your cover online. Terms and conditions apply.

More than 150 activities and sports covered on World Nomads plans

Are you ready to experience some amazing outdoor activities in Hawaii? With World Nomads Travel insurance there are many outdoor activities, sports, and experiences that are automatically covered and available on the Standard Plan. But, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can upgrade to the Explorer Plan, which offers higher benefits and cover for a broader range of activities and sports on your next Hawaiian adventure trip.

To have cover for an adventure, sport or activity such as surfing, scuba diving, kayaking, hiking, volunteering, even bungee jumping, you may need to add it to your policy or select a plan with more benefits/coverage when you buy and pay the extra premium, and depending on your Country of Residence. Remember, you can’t upgrade your coverage after you buy, so it’s important to get this right on the first go.

Whatever your choice of overseas vacation, it’s important to choose the right level of coverage. Read the policy wording, browse the World Nomads’ Help Center, or contact our customer service team to see if what you’re planning to do is covered under your plan.

You may have to pay an additional premium for an adventure sports upgrade or purchase the Explorer plan instead of a Standard. Remember, you can’t upgrade your activities coverage after you buy, so it’s important to get this right on the first go.

Overseas medical insurance and Coronavirus cover

When traveling to Hawaii, medical insurance could be helpful in case of an accident when doing an activity or a sudden illness. You don’t want to be left out of pocket if you have to visit a local doctor, go to hospital, need an urgent trip to the dentist, or even worse, have to be repatriated back to your country of residence.

The level of cover you’ll have for any Coronavirus-related events under our Standard and Explorer plans will depend on your country of residence. Check out our Coronavirus cover article which goes into more detail on all the Coronavirus cover benefits, including benefit limits and exclusions.

Lost or delayed baggage cover

Arrived in Honolulu but your bags haven’t? It can throw a massive spanner in the works if you’re at the baggage carousel watching it go around and your bags don’t appear. You could also get your gear stolen on public transport or in a hostel, which is why baggage insurance is a good idea.

Baggage travel insurance may offer cover for stolen or damaged luggage. If this happens, you must report it to the police, carrier, or local authority as soon as possible and get a copy of the report.

Insurance won’t cover things such as losing baggage that was left unattended, this includes if it’s been left unattended in a car (even if the car is locked). You may be able to get compensation from the transport carrier if your bags were lost in transit and you’ll need to show you’ve attempted this if you decide to put in a claim.

You may also need to take depreciation into account, depending on your country of residence and the plan you purchase. Please be aware that an excess may apply to any claim made.

If your policy offers Baggage Delay cover, you may be able to claim your expenses for any essentials you have to buy to keep you going until your bag turns up. Check your policy for details as the time delay varies depending on your country of residence and between plans and benefit limits apply.

What’s not covered?

Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything – so make sure you know what you’re covered. Some, but not all, of the events we don’t cover include:

• Pre-existing medical conditions: see the policy wording for details.
• Activities and sports: Participation in a sport or activity not listed in the policy wording or agreed by World Nomads where you haven’t paid the required additional premium.
• Not following doctor’ orders: disobeying your treating doctor’s directions and/or those of our Emergency Assistance Team.
• Leaving valuables unattended: stolen, lost or damaged personal belongings that were left unguarded.
• Recovering expenses: Expenses you have not made every reasonable attempt to recover from the carrier, accommodation provider, booking or travel agents, any compensation scheme, or other source.

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.

If your idea of a European adventure is wandering through lush pine forests and ancient ruins during the day and partying in Zagreb nightclubs until dawn, then you’re sure to fall in love with Croatia. However, before you set off for the hiking trails of Paklenica National Park or the galleries and museums of Sibenik, you might want to consider purchasing travel insurance first.

• What’s covered?
• Why should I consider travel insurance when visiting Croatia?
• What to look out for when travelling around Croatia
• What’s not covered?

What’s covered?

World Nomads offer two travel insurance plans, the Standard and Explorer Plan. These plans both offer cover for accidents, medical emergencies, theft, and lost or stolen luggage. However, the Explorer plan offers a wider scope of cover, with higher limits and sub-limits.

The following is only a summary of the cover on offer. When selecting your plan, always read through the Policy Wording first, to become familiar with the full list of benefits, exclusions, and general conditions.

• Overseas emergency medical – if you get sick or injured and require urgent hospitalisation (either as an in-patient or an out-patient), you must let our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team know straight away. They will inform you of treatment options in your area and they will consult with your treating doctor regarding your ongoing care requirements.
• Overseas emergency dental– this cover only relates to dental emergencies that occur during your trip. Cosmetic procedures or check-ups will not be covered.
• Extended stays – having too much fin in Croatia and don’t want to return to Ireland just yet? You may extend your travel insurance policy for a maximum of twelve months past the commencement date indicated on your Certificate of Insurance.
• Medical evacuation and repatriation – if your badly injured and need to be repatriated back home, and your treating doctor and our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team both agree that your repatriation back to Ireland is medically necessary, then your policy may cover the costs involved in this.
• Lost or stolen luggage and personal belongings – if you lose your suitcase or any personal items during your holiday, then you may claim for these. Please make sure you submit any supporting evidence such as receipts and police reports. Claims without supporting documents may be harder to be approved.
• Cover for some Coronavirus-related events – check out our Coronavirus cover articleto find out about the limits, sub-limits, terms, and exclusions relating to this type of cover.

Why should I consider travel insurance when visiting Croatia?

Irish travellers might want to buy travel insurance before leaving for Croatia due to the following reasons:

Natural catastrophes – Croatia is prone to occasional earthquakes which cause severe damage to buildings, including hostels and hotels.

Travel insurance tip: if your hotel or hostel is damaged by an earthquake, or other type of natural disaster, you may be covered for accommodation with a different provider and any transport expense you incur (Explorer Plan).

Crime – although not regarded as a country with a high crime rate, travellers do need to be mindful when carrying bags or wearing expensive jewellery.

Adventure activities - World Nomads offers cover for over 150 adventure activities. Please read your Policy Wording beforehand to know exactly what activities are covered, as well as the actual terms, conditions, benefit limits and exclusions. While many of these activities are covered by both the Standard and Explorer Plans, the limits and sub-limits will be different for each policy.

If you’re planning to trek across the Velebit Mountains, you might not be covered if you've bought the wrong plan for your hike. You would need to know the altitude limit for hiking listed within your policy. Our plans have different levels of cover for hiking at altitudes of 3,000 metres (Level 1), 4,500 metres (Level 2) and 6,000 metres (Level 3). Certain exclusions apply to every policy. An example of an exclusion would be search-and-rescue missions.

These are just some of the 150 adventure activities that are covered:

• Sandboarding
• Backpacking
• Snorkelling
• Hiking & trekking
• Surfing
• Scuba diving
• Mountain climbing

What to look out for when travelling around Croatia

No matter what type of holiday you’re seeking, Croatia has something to satisfy even the most intense cases of wanderlust. Although generally safe and tourist friendly, travellers to Croatia do need to be cautious when exploring its mountain ranges and coastal regions.

When hiking across any one of Croatia’s vast networks of mountain ranges, it’s always best to stick to the main walking tracks. There are believed to be unexploded landmines scattered throughout some forest regions, planted during the Croatian War of Independence that ran from 1991 to 1995.

Hikers should also try to avoid walking on the outermost edges of trails when crossing over mountains as the earth can often be soft and unstable in places. Hikers can easily lose their footing and take a fall if walking too close to the edge of a path.

Make sure that you’ve selected the right travel insurance plan for your specific needs. Buy a quote, make a claim, or extend your policy online anytime, from anywhere in the world.

What’s not covered?

Some things we don’t cover include:

• Pre-existing conditions as explained in your Policy Wording.
• Travelling to, planning to travel to, or choosing to remain in a country or region that is subject to a ‘Do Not Travel’ or ‘Avoid Non-essential Travel’ warning.
• Participation in a sport or activity not listed as covered in the Policy Wording or agreed by World Nomads or where you haven’t paid the required additional premium.
• Additional costs incurred because of not immediately telling the travel agent, tour operator or provider of transport or accommodation that you need to cancel the trip.
• Loss or damage to luggage due to age, wear and tear, loss of value.

This is not a full list of what’s covered and what’s not; please check your Policy Wording for a full list of terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions that may apply to your specific plan. If you are unsure of your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.

Thinking of spending this summer in Croatia? If you’re sweating your way through Paklenica National Park or immersing yourself in the throng of Varazdin’s annual Spancirfest festival, you should consider buying travel insurance when planning your Croatian escape.

• What’s covered
• Why should I consider travel insurance when visiting Croatia?
• What to look out for when travelling around Croatia
• What’s not covered?

What’s covered

World Nomads offers two travel insurance plans, the Standard and Explorer plan. Both plans can help British travellers in the event of any injury, sickness or theft, with natural catastrophes also covered under the Explorer plan.

The Explorer Plan offers a wider range of cover than the Standard Plan, as well as some higher limits and sub-limits. Before selecting any plan, read through the Policy Wording carefully to make sure that your favourite activities are covered.

Here is a brief sample of what we cover. Please check your Policy Wording for our complete list:

• Overseas emergency medical – if you ‘re injured or become sick while in Croatia, then your policy may provide cover for your hospitalisation and medical expenses. You must notify our 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance Team as soon as possible, in the event you know you will be admitted as an inpatient for at least one night. They will let you know if attending a hospital is medically necessary, help you locate the nearest medical facilities (this can be beneficial in out of the way places), and liaise with your treating doctor to make sure that your treatment plan is appropriate.
• Overseas emergency medical transport – if you’re injured, your policy may cover the expenses involved in an emergency service such as a helicopter or ambulance to take you to the closest hospital or medical centre. This will need to be approved by our 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance Team first.
• Evacuation and repatriation – if you’re injured and need to be repatriated back home and a treating doctor and our 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance Team both agree that your repatriation back to the UK is medically necessary, then the cost of this may be covered.
• Lost, stolen, or damaged items – if the carrierloses or damages your baggage or any personal items during your holiday, or if you’re valuables are stolen, then the items may be covered. You’ll need to provide supporting documents including receipts, witness details and police reports. It’s important to know the exact policy limits for individual items beforehand, as this can help to avoid any surprises if you make a claim.

Why should I consider travel insurance when visiting Croatia?

Here are a few reasons why travel insurance may be worth it when travelling around Croatia.

Natural Catastrophes – Croatia has experienced its fair share of earthquakes. Depending on the magnitude, earthquakes can destroy buildings and occasionally cause fatalities.

Crime – Croatia is widely considered to be a safe country for travellers, without a high incidence of crime. However, tourists flaunting flashy jewellery or designer handbags may make themselves the targets of muggers.

Adventure activities: Our Standard Plan and Explorer plans cover more than 150 adventure activities. Many of these activities will be covered by both policies, however the benefit limits will be different for each policy. That’s why you need to read your Policy Wording carefully to make sure your chosen activities will be covered.

For example, if you’re planning a hiking trip over the Biokovo mountain range, you might not be covered if you've bought the wrong plan for your hike. You would need to know the altitude limit for hiking listed within your policy. Our plans have different levels of cover for hiking at altitudes of 3,000 metres (Level 1), 4,500 metres (Level 2) and 6,000 metres (Level 3). Certain exclusions apply to every policy. An example of an exclusion would be search-and-rescue missions.

Here are just a few of the 150+ adventure activities that we cover:

• Sandboarding
• Hiking & trekking
• Snorkelling
• Surfing
• Scuba diving
• Mountain climbing

What to look out for when travelling around Croatia

When hiking in any of Croatia’s mountains or along its seaside cliffs, always be careful where you step. Hikers can easily lose their footing when treading over tree roots and loose rocks. Whatever you do, don’t walk too close to the edge of a cliff or walking trail, even if it seems safe to do so, as the earth can suddenly crumble underneath you.

It’s always best to hike in groups, preferably with a guide rather than wandering solo through the wilderness, and always stick to the designated hiking trails.

Undetonated landmines from the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s are littered throughout some mountains and woodland areas, so it’s best to stick to the commonly used hiking trails.

Make sure that you’ve selected the right travel insurance plan for your specific needs. Buy a quote, make a claim, or extend your policy online, anytime, from anywhere.

What’s not covered?

Some things we don’t cover include:

• Pre-existing conditions as explained in your Policy Wording;
• Travelling to, planning to travel to, or choosing to remain in a country or region that is subject to a ‘Avoid all Travell’ warning from the FCDO;
• Participation in a sport or activity not listed as covered in the Policy Wording or agreed by World Nomads or where you haven’t paid the required additional premium;
• Additional costs incurred because of not immediately telling the travel agent, tour operator or provider of transport or accommodation that you need to cancel the trip;
• Loss or damage to luggage due to age, wear and tear, loss of value, unless listed as a high value item.

This is not a full list of what’s covered and what’s not; please check your Policy Wording for a full list of terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions that may apply to your specific plan. If you are unsure of your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.