What Canadians need to know before travelling to the United States
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The USA is still the most popular destination for Canadian travellers – by far – and not just because it’s right next door. One trip might have you catching a Broadway show in New York, another might see you camping in the red rock expanses of Utah, hiking the Hollywood Hills, or boot scooting at a honky-tonk in Nashville. The beauty of the USA is that you can dip in and out of completely different worlds without ever leaving the country. Distances are vast, so planning matters – but the payoff is a trip tailored exactly to how you like to travel.
Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. Each of our four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – offers different coverages and benefit maximums.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your trip to the USA. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
The USA is made for getting outdoors. Hike into vast national parks like the Grand Canyon or Yosemite, or head north to Alaska for glacier trekking, wildlife spotting and kayaking through icy fjords. In winter, ski resorts in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming deliver everything from cruisy runs to backcountry terrain. On the water, California’s coastline is a magnet for surfers, while Hawaii takes things up a notch with bigger waves and year-round conditions. Mountain biking trails cut through forests and desert terrain in Moab or Sedona, ziplining crosses forested valleys in the Great Smoky Mountains, and skydiving anywhere between the Pacific and the Atlantic will add a serious thrill. Road trips in the US are part of the adventure too – long drives on Route 66 or along the Pacific Coast Highway turn the journey into the main event.
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get seriously sick or have an accident that sends you to hospital, you’ll be glad you purchased travel insurance before you left home. Fell down some steps at a shopping mall? Wiped out on a black ski run and ended up in hospital? Ate a dodgy hotdog and got a bad bout of food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel insurance plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home. Change your mind about travelling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase Cancel For Any Reason insurance cover within 15 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight).
If you get seriously sick or injured but you’re far from appropriate medical facilities, emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance can help get you the care you need. It may cover, up to the policy limits, the cost to get you to the closest appropriate medical facility or to your home province for further treatment. Under your World Nomads plan, emergency evacuation may be covered if it’s recommended by the attending physician and pre-approved by our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. This benefit could include transportation costs and any related medical services or supplies. If you’re in hospital for three days or more, it may also include the transportation of a family member or companion to your bedside or the return of a dependent child back to your home.
No matter how good of a time you’re having, things can happen that mean you have to finish your trip early or you’re unable to participate in your full planned itinerary. If you get severely injured or sick while you're travelling, or you get a call from back home and learn that an immediate family member has unexpectedly passed away, you may not be able to complete the rest of your planned trip. World Nomads offers trip interruption coverage that may help you get reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if your plans change for a covered reason.
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for the USA. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
The USA is generally safe to visit, but safety can vary by city and neighbourhood. Stay aware of your surroundings and take standard precautions, particularly in busy urban areas.
Canadians generally don’t need ESTA for land crossings or most short visits. However, if you’re flying into the USA, you may need to meet additional entry requirements, so it’s best to check before you travel.
There are restrictions on certain items, including fresh food, alcohol and cannabis. You’ll need to declare all goods at the border, and rules can change, so check current guidelines before you travel.
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Cover for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload, and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 416 646 3723 or send an email to worldnomads@travelguard.com and we will assist you with your claim.
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
We’ve got your back.
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
We’ve got your back.
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Help starts here.
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Help starts here.
What Americans need to know before going to Asia
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Asia offers a huge range of travel experiences, whether you’re exploring fast-paced cities, relaxing on the beach or on an adventure-driven escapade. With such diversity between countries, climates and customs, Asia inspires many return trips. Loved Japan? You’re going to want to visit South Korea next. Dreaming of traveling to India? It’s a big country – give yourself time to explore more than one region. Thailand, too, invites a deeper dive – literally. Good preparation, including the right travel insurance, can help you make the most of every trip you take to Asia.
Choosing the right travel protection coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. Each of our four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – offers different coverages and benefit maximums.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your trip to Asia. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available.* Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available.* Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
|
There are outdoor experiences galore in Asia, from high-altitude trekking to tropical water sports. In Nepal and northern India, multi-day hikes wind through the Himalayas, while in Vietnam and Thailand, jungle trails and rivers lend themselves to hiking, kayaking and caving. Along the coasts of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Philippines, warm waters make surfing, snorkeling and diving popular year-round. Locals and visitors alike love hiking in Japan, and in winter its famed ‘Japow’ snow attracts skiers and snowboarders from around the world. If you’re up for some real adventure, explore Vietnam by motorbike to discover the country well beyond the tourist hotspots.
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get sick or have an accident that sends you to the hospital, you’ll be glad you purchased travel protection before you left home. Hit by a scooter crossing the street in Vietnam? Wiped out on a ski slope in Japan and have your arm in a cast to prove it? Ate a dodgy curry in India and came down with a nasty bout of food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away. All World Nomads plans include non-insurance services like portable health records. This enables medical staff to access your records 24/7. Having that information available may be critical if you experience an unexpected medical emergency while traveling.
A few simple precautions can help you avoid traveler’s diarrhea in Asia. Gastro illnesses are more common in some Asian countries than others, but it pays to be careful no matter where you’re going. Stick to bottled or filtered water, avoid ice and choose freshly cooked food served hot. If you do get sick, the medical expense travel insurance benefit may reimburse necessary emergency medical expenses while travelling. If local care is not suitable in your immediate area, the emergency evacuation and repatriation benefit may cover transport to the nearest suitable medical facility or home for treatment if you suffer an injury or illness that is severe, acute or life-threatening. (Exclusion applies to Adventure or Extreme activities.).
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel protection plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home. Change your mind about traveling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase the Cancel For Any Reason benefit within 7 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight) and remember to cancel no later than two days before your departure date. Additional cost, terms and conditions apply; not available to New York residents.
Even the most careful of travelers can face that sinking feeling when they realize they’ve left their passport or wallet on the train, or that a thief has taken off with their phone or camera and there’s no hope of getting it back. Whether you bought the lost or stolen item on your trip (and have the receipts to show for it) or carried it with you from home, travel protection may be able to reimburse you.
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for Asia. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
Keep up simple hygiene habits – wash or sanitize your hands regularly and be mindful of where and what you eat and drink, especially in busy markets or remote areas. Before you go, check the recommended vaccinations and make sure routine immunizations are up to date. All World Nomads plans for US residents include additional non-insurance services like access to pre-trip medical support. A telehealth consultation can help you with a customized medical plan based on your destination. This may help you prepare for health concerns before you go and the best ways to avoid travel-related illnesses.
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Benefits for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or sudden illness.
Travel insurance benefits for lost, damaged, destroyed, stolen or delayed bags are included in all World Nomads plans. Also, our non-insurance service included in every plan assists with tracking and delivering missing checked bags.
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 844-207-1930 and we can assist you with your claim.
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 non-insurance Emergency Assistance partners at Generali Global Assistance are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 (877) 289-0968 (toll-free from the Continental US); or
Phone: +1 (954) 334-8143 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Not sure where your next adventure should take you? Take a look at these travel ideas around the world and get destination-specific travel insurance tips to help you plan with confidence.
5 unique cultural experiences in Japan
Hiking travel insurance coverage
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
We’ve got your back.
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
We’ve got your back.
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Help starts here.
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Help starts here.
Learn how Canadians can get essential coverage for tech, health and unexpected incidents while being a digital nomad
As featured in:
The 9-5 grind of work isn’t so bad if you have your toes in the sand and a fruity drink by your side. How about a lunchtime surf lesson? Yes, please!
These days, you can work from just about anywhere in the world with a strong Wi-Fi connection. For good reason, an increasing number of people are becoming digital nomads. If you’re thinking about jumping on this trend, you may want to consider what happens if something unexpected occurs while you’re travelling. Our nomads have had broken legs, family emergencies back home that cut their trip short and stolen iPhones. Because of all of the what-ifs that can happen while you’re away from home, you may want to consider getting a quote for travel insurance for digital nomads.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Emergency Medical Expenses: Up to $1,500,000 CAD Trip Cancellation: Up to $2,500 CAD Baggage and Personal Effects: Up to $1,000 CAD, per item limit of $500 CAD Get a quote |
Emergency Medical: Up to $5,000,000 CAD Trip Cancellation: Up to $10,000 CAD Baggage and Personal Effects: Up to $2,000 CAD, per item limit of $1,000 CAD Get a quote |
Emergency Medical: Up to $10,000,000 CAD Trip Cancellation: Up to $15,000 CAD Baggage and Personal Effects: Up to $5,000 CAD, per item limit of $1,500 CAD Get a quote |
Emergency Medical: Up to $5,000,000 CAD Trip Cancellation: Up to $10,000 CAD Baggage and Personal Effects: Up to $2,000 CAD, per item limit of $1,000 CAD Get a quote |
It's never been easier to unplug and take off now that you can work remotely, and recent data shows there are more than 40 million digital nomads worldwide. If you’re planning to become a digital nomad yourself, here are a few of our personal tips that will help you work productively from anywhere in the world.
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for digital nomads. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
World Nomads Travel Insurance may assist with a variety of unanticipated situations. Some of the travel insurance benefits for digital nomads include:
Maximum benefit limits apply and vary by plan. If you have questions about what’s covered, you can contact us.
World Nomads offers single trip and annual multi-trip travel insurance plans for Canadian residents. While all of the plans include coverage for digital nomads, benefit limits and some coverages vary by plan. When you get a quote for digital nomad travel insurance, you can compare the plans side-by-side and determine which plan has the best travel insurance benefits for your needs.
Our plans are designed to provide coverage for your stolen baggage and personal effects, including electronic devices such as personal computers and smartphones. While our plans may provide cover for your personal electronics that you own and take with you on your trip, we will not cover your professional gear that is owned by someone other than yourself or used for professional purposes. Our plans do not cover tech that is related to your occupation or profession. Also, in the event of a payable claim, note that depreciated value will be considered when calculating the value of your electronic items, and there are maximum per-item limits defined in your policy.
World Nomads travel insurance for digital nomads includes emergency medical insurance coverage in the event you suffer a medical emergency while on your trip. Travel insurance won’t pay for everyday or preventative care, such as allergy medications or routine check-ups, but if you have an unexpected medical emergency while travelling, your travel insurance benefits may help with things such as hospital stays, prescription medications, and x-rays (subject to approval.) You also must maintain coverage through your home province’s Government Health Insurance Plan. Without it, emergency medical coverage limits max out at $40,000.
In the event of a life-threatening emergency, call the local emergency authorities first to receive immediate assistance. If you’ve purchased a World Nomads plan that includes digital nomads travel insurance benefits, contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team as soon as you can or have someone call on your behalf. They’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
You’ll want to have this information handy when you call:
If your passport is stolen, or lost or accidentally damaged while you’re travelling, your travel insurance may reimburse you for the cost of replacement (up to maximum limits as shown in your policy documents).
If you’re travelling outside of Canada, you’re going to need your passport to get back home, so you’ll want to reach out to the Government of Canada’s passport office as soon as possible. You can then start the process of getting an emergency passport. You’ll also need to contact the police and get a written police report to document the theft of your passport or other travel documents. Make sure you also contact us to let us know about the loss or theft.
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
We’ve got your back.
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
We’ve got your back.
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Help starts here.
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Help starts here.