What to do if you suddenly fall ill
Let travel insurance be your first aid
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No one plans to get sick on their trip, but if you suddenly fall ill, travel insurance may be there to help. Your plan may cover some of the costs of emergency medical treatment, trip interruption or even cancelling your trip if you need to head back to Canada. Knowing what to do next if you suddenly fall ill can help you access support quickly, manage costs, and get back on track.
1. Seek medical attention
Your health is a priority! Get medical help from a health care practitioner, such as a doctor, or go to a hospital for urgent cases. If possible, contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team first, as they can help get you to a suitable medical facility. If you can’t contact us before because you are too sick, you’ll want to notify the team before undergoing any procedures or surgeries. If you can’t call us directly, you can ask the medical team at your facility to call on your behalf.
2. Get it in writing
Most claims need supporting documentation, and it’s particularly important when it comes to medical cases. When you’re feeling seriously unwell, gathering documents may be the last thing on your mind. Nevertheless, it’s a crucial part of the claims process. Get a friend to help with the right paperwork. These documents could include:
- A doctor or other medical practitioner’s report confirming your illness
- A hospital admission report
- Ambulance and medical evacuation reports
In some cases, we may need to obtain your past medical history from your regular doctor in Canada. Our claims team will keep you informed of any additional requirements.
3. Keep your receipts
You'll need to keep original receipts and official reports as evidence for your claim related to medical treatment, trip interruption or cancelling your trip. Supporting documents may include your itineraries, receipts for any meals or accommodations for a bedside companion, and hospital and physician reports. We may have to reduce or reject your claim should you not have the proper records.
4. Make a claim
Read over your insurance plan to see what’s covered and to check if any terms, conditions or exclusions apply. With World Nomads, you can make a claim online and send in any supporting documentation afterwards.
This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical, legal, insurance, or travel advice and provides only a general summary of certain features that may be available under applicable travel insurance policies. Coverage is subject to the specific terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and pre-existing condition provisions of the applicable insurance policy. In the event of any inconsistency between this article and the wording of any insurance policy, the policy wording shall govern and take precedence. It is important that you read and understand your policy before travelling. If you have questions about your coverage or are unsure how your policy applies to your circumstances, please contact us for clarification.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)
What to do if your luggage is delayed
The steps Canadians should take if luggage doesn’t show up when it should
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There’s nothing more frustrating than waiting at the baggage carousel after your flight from Canada, only to find your luggage is missing. Whether your bag has been delayed in transit or sent to the wrong destination, taking the right steps quickly can make all the difference. Reporting delayed luggage, understanding what your airline will cover and keeping the right documentation will put you in a better position if you need to make a claim. Here’s what to do first if your luggage is held up.
1. Report it to your carrier
Once you realise your luggage is missing, report it immediately to the carrier – your airline or tour operator, for example. Get a written Property Irregularity Report (PIR) as confirmation of the delay. To qualify for benefits, the delay must be at least 12 hours.
2. Ask for compensation
Check with your carrier to see if you qualify for any compensation, such as the cost of basic personal items while you wait for your bags to turn up. Keep a copy of the exchange with your carrier that confirms or denies any coverage.
3. Keep your receipts
If you’re not compensated by the carrier, you may qualify for coverage should the delay be more than 12 hours – and if it doesn’t happen on your return flight home. Keep the original receipts for any personal items you purchase – such as a toothbrush, prescription medication or a change of clothes.
Before you go shopping for designer jeans or high-end sneakers, keep in mind that your plan has limits on what’s considered a reasonable expense. Read your plan carefully and contact us if you have any questions on what might be covered. (You wouldn’t believe some of the outrageous claims we’ve seen!)
4. Get a second report
Once you get your luggage, get written confirmation from the carrier confirming the length of the delay. As mentioned above, that period counts as at least 12 hours after the scheduled arrival time. You won’t qualify for any reimbursements for under that amount of time.
5. Prepare your claim
Read over your insurance plan to see what’s covered and to check if any terms, conditions or exclusions apply. With World Nomads, you can make a claim online and send in any supporting documentation afterwards.
This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical, legal, insurance, or travel advice and provides only a general summary of certain features that may be available under applicable travel insurance policies. Coverage is subject to the specific terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and pre-existing condition provisions of the applicable insurance policy. In the event of any inconsistency between this article and the wording of any insurance policy, the policy wording shall govern and take precedence. It is important that you read and understand your policy before travelling. If you have questions about your coverage or are unsure how your policy applies to your circumstances, please contact us for clarification.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)
