Travel insurance for volunteering
Get coverage for your good deeds
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As featured in:
For information relating to policies purchased prior to 27 June 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For policies purchased from 27 June 2024, please see below.
At World Nomads, our travel insurance allows you to participate in a range of volunteer activities and vacations, from summer teaching programs to clean water projects. We’re strong supporters of paying it forward and giving back — and what better way to strengthen communities, forge meaningful connections and open your eyes (and arms and hearts) than contributing to a worthy purpose?
What’s covered for volunteers?
Want to step out into the world and volunteer your time? If you need travel insurance because you want to volunteer abroad, or you’re planning a volunteer vacation, World Nomads plans may cover:
- Trip disruption
- Emergency medical expenses
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Baggage delay
- Theft of baggage and personal belongings
What volunteer activities may I participate in?
We provide travel insurance for a range of non-manual volunteer activities involving light duties only which may include:
- Retail work such as helping out in a co-op shop.
- Teaching.
- Clerical work.
- Child care.
- Some volunteering in communities on projects.
For all volunteer work you must wear the right gear, have the right training and be supervised appropriately. When you purchase the travel insurance be sure to add the activity to your quote so it’s included in your policy. Some kinds of volunteering require an optional upgrade to your travel insurance cover. If you pay for the optional upgrade, coverage under your policy may also include volunteer work for manual and non-manual work such as:
- World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) .
- Environmental and conservation work that involves general farm-hand activities.
- Manual work including general cleaning, maintenance or bartending
Which volunteer activities are excluded
Some volunteer activities may not be covered as they’re just too risky for us to cover, for example volunteer fire-fighting or activities in places known to be unsafe or dangerous. This includes volunteer work that includes:
- Work performed over 2 meters above ground level
- Work performed offshore or underground, including as a guide
- Operating mechanical or industrial machinery.
- Working with dangerous animals and / or big game.
- Work as an instructor or guide including scuba diving, skiing, snowboarding, underground in caves and where ropes or other specialist equipment is required
If you’re not sure, contact us and we’ll tell you if you’re covered.
What’s not covered?
As a global citizen contributing to good causes, we hope that you’ll act responsibly and within your limits. But just to be clear, we won’t cover any incidents related to:
- Alcohol or drug abuse.
- Reckless behaviour.
- Criminal or illegal acts.
- Changing your mind about your trip.
- Pre-existing medical conditions (refer to your policy wording for cover on pregnancy for residents of Denmark)
- Any volunteer work over 2 meters in height.
- Personal liability – this means, for example, if you injure someone due to your negligence in the course of volunteering.
- Anything that is not explicitly listed as covered under your policy
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 haven’t yet chosen a volunteer program, you can find inspiration in our article about choosing ethical volunteer programs.
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)
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 teamFAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about volunteering insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team.
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Will travel insurance cover me for countries other than those listed on my policy?
That depends on your policy and your country of residence. You may have to put in a request with the customer service team for a country to be added to your policy.
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Why don't you cover ongoing treatment at home?
Travel insurance policies are designed for accidents or unexpected illnesses overseas. They don't stand in place of primary medical insurance or your home country's health system.
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Does my insurance cover medical costs upfront or do I have to pay and claim later?
Who pays depends on what’s happened. If it’s an emergency situation, where medical evacuation is required, World Nomads will try and cover these costs upfront (provided the incident is covered as per the policy wording and you get pre-approval from the Emergency Medical Assistance team). You must contact World Nomads 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance if you have a medical emergency.
