Travel insurance when volunteering
Don't let your good deeds go uncovered
- As featured in:
As featured in:
From Oxfam to The Salvation Army, the Brits have a proud history of helping out when they travel abroad.
If you want to give back when you travel, World Nomad’s travel insurance allows you to participate in a range of volunteer activities. From summer teaching programmes to clean water projects, volunteering can help strengthen communities, forge meaningful connections and change lives.
What coverage does travel insurance provide for volunteers?
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What's Covered |
What's not Covered |
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Want to step out into the world and volunteer your time? |
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: |
What volunteer activities are covered by travel insurance?
In both our Standard and Explorer plans, we provide travel insurance cover for a range of non-manual volunteer activities, which may include:
- Retail work such as helping out in a co-op shop
- Teaching
- Clerical work
- Childcare
- Some volunteering in communities on projects.
For all volunteering work, you must have the right equipment and clothing, the proper training and be supervised appropriately. When you purchase travel insurance, be sure to add the activity to your quote so it’s included in your policy.
We also offer an optional upgrade for manual activities such as:
- World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)
- Environmental and conservation work that involved farm hand style activities
- Manual work or work with power tools under two metres in height not involving the use of mechanical or industrial machinery.
What volunteer activities are excluded?
Some volunteer activities may not be covered as they’re just too risky for us to cover, for example volunteer firefighting, or activities in places known to be unsafe or dangerous. This includes volunteer work that includes:
- Work performed over 2 meters in height
- Work performed offshore, underground or in caves
- Operating machinery
- Working with dangerous animals and / or big game.
If you’re not sure about coverage, contact us and we’ll help you.
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
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- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
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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 overseas medical insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team. If you’re looking for general travel advice, you can ask our community at Ask a Nomad.
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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 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 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 Assistance team). You must contact World Nomads 24/7 Emergency Assistance if you have a medical emergency.
