Travel Insurance for Trip Cancellation
Learn what's covered if you have booked and paid for your trip and unexpectedly need to cancel.
- As featured in:
As featured in:
Trip Cancellation Travel Insurance: At a Glance
- Covers prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if your trip is cancelled for insured reasons
- May cover cancellation due to sudden illness, injury or death
- Natural disasters, severe weather and strikes may be covered
- Covers cancellation if a travelling companion becomes seriously ill
- May apply if your employer cancels approved leave or makes you redundant
- Benefits depend on your policy plan, country of residence, and cancellation limits
- Claims require evidence like receipts, bookings and cancellation notices
- Always check the PDS for full terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.
- What can World Nomads travel insurance cover if I need to cancel?
- What you need to do if you can’t travel anymore
- What’s not covered by travel insurance?
- Travel tips for Aussies
- FAQs: Trip cancellation cover for Australian travellers
Sometimes travel plans change in the blink of an eye. It could be an unexpected illness or injury to natural disasters or sudden strikes; trip cancellations can happen for many reasons. Having travel insurance cover for trip cancellation may help recover some of your prepaid, non-refundable costs if an insured event ruins your trip.
Here’s how World Nomads travel insurance may help on your next big adventure.
What can World Nomads travel insurance cover if I need to cancel?
If you need to cancel or reschedule your trip due to specific insured events, then you may be covered for up to 14 specific insured events including, sudden illness or injury, or a natural disaster. For example:
- Your sudden death, sudden illness, or serious injury, or the sudden death, sudden illness or serious injury of your close relative requiring hospitalisation
- The sudden death, sudden illness or serious injury of a member of your travelling party
- Your transport is cancelled or delayed because of severe weather, natural disaster, or strike
- You're made redundant or your employer cancels your pre-arranged leave.
If your claim is approved, you may be reimbursed up to policy limits for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses such as flights, accommodation, tours or activities.
Important: The amount covered for cancellation depends on whether you have purchased the Standard or Explorer Plan.
What you need to do if you can’t travel anymore
If your trip is cancelled, you’ll need to:
- Contact your travel provider and let them know you are cancelling as soon as possible. Try to seek a refund from them first before making a claim.
- You can contact the emergency assistance team for help 24/7.
When lodging a claim:
- You’ll need to submit supporting evidence - for example, booking confirmations, receipts, or cancellation notices from your airline or tour company.
- You can start a claim or contact us via the World Nomads member portal.
Cancellation coverage starts from the date your Certificate of Insurance is issued (or 72 hours after if you buy travel insurance while already overseas). Only events that occur after that date are considered.
What’s not covered by travel insurance?
Our travel insurance plans don’t cover everything. Some of the things we can’t cover you for include:- Cancelling because you changed your plans or no longer wish to travel
- The event was foreseeable and a known event when you purchased your policy
- Not following government travel advice or warnings. To find out the latest government advice go to the Smartraveller website
- Claims relating to existing medical conditions except as described in “Health conditions & your policy."
- Not providing the documentation required to support your claim.
This is not a full list of what's covered and not covered. Terms, conditions, limits, exclusions apply, please read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully and contact us if you have any questions.
Travel tips for Aussies
- Keep copies of all bookings, receipts, and travel documents
- Your travel insurance cancellation policy must be active before the event occurs
- Contact your airline or tour operator first, as they may offer refunds or credits before you lodge a claim
- Visit gov.au for the latest travel alerts and information
FAQs: Trip cancellation cover for Australian travellers
Here are our most frequently asked questions about buying travel insurance for cancellation. You can also find the answers to other questions in our helpdesk or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do I need to provide receipts?
When cancelling or rescheduling your trip you will need to provide evidence of purchases and cancellation/rescheduling. If you can’t provide associated receipts your claim may be denied. Read your PDS to ensure you’re familiar with claim requirements.
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Do both your travel insurance policy plans include trip cancellation cover?
Yes. World Nomads offer two levels of cover, Standard and Explorer, and both offer cover for a range of benefits including pre-trip cancellation.
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Does travel insurance cover booking cancellation?
Our policies offer coverage for non-refundable cancellation expenses for up to 14 insured events.
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Is my travel insurance refundable if I cancel?
If you haven’t started your trip or made a claim, you can cancel your policy for a full refund during the 21-day cooling-off period.
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What happens if I cancel my trip before I leave Australia?
You may be covered for prepaid, non-refundable costs if your cancellation is due to an insured event that happens after your policy is issued.
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Am I covered if my airline cancels my flight?
If the cancellation is due to severe weather, strike or another insured event, you may be reimbursed for unused travel.
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
- Are you, your family sick, injured or deceased?
- Has one of your relatives died?
- Has a bushfire damaged your home?
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 medicine?
- 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 overseas?
- Medivac needed home?
- You died overseas?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Damaged docs?
- 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 overseas medical emergencies
A visit to a hospital shouldn’t put your credit card into intensive care
- As featured in:
As featured in:
Overseas medical travel insurance: At a glance
- Get medical help immediately, don’t delay medical treatment.
- Call local emergency services if needed.
- Contact World Nomads 24/7 Emergency Assistance as soon as practical.
- Keep all medical reports, receipts, and invoices.
- Always read the Policy Wording/Financial Services Guide (FSG)and Target market Determination (TMD) to know what you are covered for and consider whether this product is right for you.
- Contact usif you have any questions.
- What to do if you’re injured overseas
- What’s covered
- What’s not covered?
- When to contact World Nomads Emergency Assistance
- Making a claim after a medical emergency
- FAQs
When an unexpected medical emergency happens, medical care can be shockingly expensive. Whether it’s a scooter spill in Bali or a serious ski accident in Europe, knowing what to do in the moment matters.
World Nomads travel insurance for overseas medical emergencies may help if you need medical cover while travelling overseas.
What to do if you’re injured overseas
Once you’re safe and receiving care, contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team as soon as you can and we can help you sort out the insurance side of things. Make sure that you keep all receipts and reports from your treating doctor, including the diagnosis and treatment notes and any other documents.
Travel tip: Emergency numbers differ by country. Save them in your phone before you leave.
What’s covered
Depending on the plan you choose your policy may help cover things like:
- Overseas medical and hospital expenses
- Emergency dental treatment
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Transport to the nearest appropriate medical facility
What’s not covered?
Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. Common claims for overseas medical expenses we see where there's no cover include:
- Any expenses once you return home.
- Riding a scooter without a helmet or valid scooter licence at home regardless of local laws.
- Where you've been acting recklessly.
- Losses arising from being intoxicated by or addicted to alcohol or drugs.
When to contact World Nomads Emergency Assistance
The Emergency Assistance team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You (or someone travelling with you) should contact them:
- If you’re admitted to hospital
- If your injury or illness is serious
- If medical evacuation may be required
They can help coordinate care, liaise with medical providers, and explain how your policy works.
Travel insurance tip: Keep your travel insurance policy number handy in case you need to call the Emergency Assistance or the customer service team. Your policy number and contact details for the Emergency Assistance or customer service teams can be found on your Certificate of Insurance (COI).
Making a claim after a medical emergency
Claims are submitted online. To support a medical claim, keep:
- Doctor’s report detailing diagnosis and treatment
- Hospital admission and discharge records
- Emergency services or incident reports (if applicable)
- Itemised invoices and receipts
- Prescriptions and pharmacy receipts
- Proof of travel and policy details
- Clear documentation helps claims progress more smoothly.
- Carry a digital and printed copy of your COI.
Get a quick travel insurance quote
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FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for overseas medical emergencies. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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What should I do first if I’m injured overseas?
Get to a safe place and seek medical help immediately. Call the local emergency services if needed. Once you’re safe and being treated, contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team as soon as you can.
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Do I need to contact World Nomads before getting treatment?
No. Always seek urgent treatment first. Health first, paperwork later. But make sure you contact the Emergency Assistance team as soon as is practical.
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What documents do I need to make a medical claim?
You’ll need to present any documents relevant to your medical treatment. A doctor’s report, hospital records, invoices, receipts for medication, police reports, proof of travel.
This is not a full list of what's covered and not covered. There are terms and conditions, limitations and exclusions that apply. Read your PDS carefully before you buy. If you have questions about what's covered and not covered, just ask us.
