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Travel insurance when volunteering

Don't let your good deeds go uncovered

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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?

What's Covered

What's not Covered

Want to step out into the world and volunteer your time?
If you need travel insurance when volunteering because you're planning to give back on your trip, World Nomads plans may cover:

• Trip cancellation
• Trip interruption
• Medical emergency expenses
• Emergency evacuation
• Baggage delay
• Theft of baggage and personal belongings.

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
• Any volunteer work over 2 meters in height
• Personal liability – this means for example, if you hurt or injure someone intentionally in the course of volunteering – you will need to pay for it.


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
  • 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

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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)
*This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

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 team

Travel insurance. Simple & flexible.

Travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.

FAQ

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.

  • 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 can 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.

Get cover for your good deeds

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  • Trusted by:

Kiwis have always loved to volunteer — be it at the local school tuck shop, or further afield in another country. If you want to volunteer while you travel abroad, World Nomads Travel Insurance is a strong supporter of paying it forward and giving back too.

Our travel insurance allows you to participate in a range of volunteer activities and vacations, from summer teaching programs to clean water projects. What better way to strengthen communities, forge meaningful connections and open eyes (and hearts) than by contributing to a worthy purpose?

What’s covered for volunteers?

Want to step out into the world and volunteer your time? If you need volunteer travel insurance because you want to volunteer overseas, or you’re planning a volunteer vacation, World Nomads travel insurance plans may include coverage for:

  • Trip cancellation
  • Trip interruption
  • Medical emergency care
  • Emergency evacuation
  • Baggage delay
  • Theft of baggage and personal belongings

What volunteer activities may I participate in?

While we don’t cover all kinds of volunteering (see the exclusions listed below) the kinds of volunteer work we might cover include:

  • Hospitality which, for example might include serving the homeless dinner.
  • Retail work such as helping out in a co-op shop.
  • Teaching
  • Clerical work.
  • Childcare

If you purchase a higher level of travel insurance cover, you may have travel insurance coverage for volunteer work such as:

  • Manual work or work with power tools or working under 5 metres in height.
  • Volunteer instructor or guide of a covered sport or activity if you have the appropriate qualification, certification or license to participate in this covered sport, activity or experience.

Make sure you add the activity when you purchase your travel insurance so it’s included in your policy.  If you can’t find the activity in our list, contact us for help.

Which volunteer activities are excluded

Some volunteer activities may not be covered as they’re just too risky, for example volunteer fire-fighting, panther minding or activities in places known to be unsafe or dangerous.  This includes volunteer work that is:

  • Work performed over 5 metres in height.
  • Work performed offshore, underground or in caves.
  • Operating machinery.
  • Working with dangerous animals and / or big game.

What else isn’t covered?

As a global citizen contributing to good causes, we hope 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 behavior.
  • Criminal or illegal acts.
  • Changing your mind.
  • Existing medical conditions unless specified under your Policy Document.
  • Third party compensation and legal expenses.
  • Your legal and personal liability following professional advice or other services performed by you as a volunteer.

This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You should read your Policy Document 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.

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It's not always fun.

Due to mishap, my frenulum on my penis got severely damaged. During intercourse with my girlfriend it nearly ripped and caused me a lot of pain and blood. I went to the doctor and he operated on it. Now everything is okay again.
Claim paid: DKK 1271,44.
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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 deceased?
  • Close relative dropped dead?

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 drugs?
  • 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
  • Luggage lost?
  • 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)
*This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

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 team

Travel insurance. Simple & flexible.

Travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about volunteering while traveling. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask the customer service team.