Travel insurance when off the grid
Ready to unplug and cleanse mind, body, and spirit? We have coverage for unexpected setbacks while you’re getting away from it all.
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Whether off-grid for you means a remote mountain escape in Jasper National Park, a solo road trip in New Zealand, or experiencing rural village life by volunteering, it can be a great way to escape the stresses of daily life.
While you’re planning your off-grid getaway, don’t forget to consider travel insurance which could save you a few headaches and avoid some nasty hospital and medical bills.
Why should I consider travel insurance?
Going off-grid can be the ultimate form of social distancing if you’re seeking solitude, avoiding large crowds, and wanting to unplug from digital devices. Both our Standard and Explorer plans may offer coverage (up to the benefit limits) if:
- You get injured and need medical transport or evacuation back to your home country.
- You need coverage for your bags and valuables in case they’ve been lost, stolen or damaged. Keep the paperwork and receipts for your gear.
- You’ve already left home and forgot to buy travel insurance.
- You need coverage for emergency medical expenses and hospitalization costs for sudden injury or illness.
- You’re looking for coverage for a range of adventure sports, activities, and experiences.
Don’t forget to read the policy wording as all plans are different and coverage will depend on your Country of Residence. Never assume you’ll be covered in every situation, as benefit limits, terms and conditions and exclusions may apply. If you are still unsure about what you are covered for then contact us.
Want to know more about what is and isn’t covered by travel insurance? Read your policy and contact us if you have any questions.
Rental coverage when your road trip comes to a halt
Some World Nomads plans offer damage collision waiver coverage depending on your Country of Residence and your choice of insurance plan, a Standard or an Explorer. Make sure you read your policy and check the amount of coverage your plan provides.
Remember, if you leave your gear in your rental vehicle unattended or unsecured, and it gets stolen, our plans are unlikely to cover it.
If you get into a car accident, rental car travel insurance may help by covering damage to your vehicle and the cost of repairs, as well as charges imposed by the rental company, depending on your circumstances.
Make sure you report the damage to the local authorities and the rental car company as soon as possible. Also, it almost goes without saying, damage due to irresponsible behaviour will not be covered.
Depending on your Country of Residence and the plan you purchase there may be coverage for vehicle rentals. However, coverage may not be available for residents of all countries, states or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage. If you’re not sure if something is covered, get in touch.
Coverage for adventure seekers and sports lovers
Off-grid getaways are a great way to engage in some high-energy activities.
Maybe abseiling or a thrilling zip line is your thing? Before you pull the rip cord on that adventure, check that your insurance covers your activity. Depending on your Country of Residence, you may need to include an insurance upgrade when you buy to have coverage for some activities. If you don’t have the right level of coverage, you won’t be able to claim if something goes wrong.
Many policies cover white water rafting and kayaking, for example, but Class 6, Extreme and Exploratory Rapids aren’t covered. Read the policy wording carefully to choose the right plan and/or adventure sport option for your trip. Your policy may have conditions and exclusions.
Coverage for unexpected medical emergencies
Our plans cover emergency medical expenses when you're sick or injured. If your injuries are more serious than minor bumps and scratches, you may need to get to a hospital. Our plans include emergency evacuation coverage for ambulances or transfers to an appropriate medical facility. Be sure to check the maximum benefit amount and terms of coverage in your policy.
Go REALLY off the grid, but check your destinations
OK, so there’s off-grid and then there’s really off the grid. Just be aware that the more remote your destination, the more chance there is that these may not be covered. Make sure to check if your off-the-grid destination(s) are covered by our policies.
Some destinations may not be covered due to violence, terrorism or possibly due to being designated a COVID hotspot. Additionally, there will also be certain activities, including volunteering activities, that we cannot cover as they are too dangerous.
Our policies aren’t designed to cover everything, so take the time to read the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions in the policy wording for full details so that there are no surprises if you need to use it. If you’re not sure if something is covered get in touch.
What does my travel insurance cover?
Travel insurance tip 4: Depending on your Country of Residence, if you decide to travel to a country where there’s already been a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning or its equivalent put in place by your government, then your policy will be cancelled. Governments can issue or change travel warnings without notice, so always check with World Nomads before you pay anything towards your trip.
True Claims Stories
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?
- Been made redundant?
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
- Luggage lost?
- Airline lost your gear?
- 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)
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 teamTraveling during the busy holiday season
Travel tips to keep your holiday on track and on schedule during the busiest time of the year
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Travel tips for the one of the busiest times of the year... holiday season!
Ahh, holiday travel. Who hasn’t fantasized about bursting through the door with an armload of presents on Christmas Day, getting back home for Thanksgiving dinner, or maybe even just using that time off-work to get away? At World Nomads, we’re huge fans of travel during November and December… especially if it’s done right.
We know you’re itching to travel again. The world is waking to a new era of travel and while you want to launch heartily into the holiday season and explore new regions again, it’s important to plan ahead during peak travel periods so your much-needed holiday leaves a smile on your face.
Whatever your plans are for the holiday season you should consider purchasing travel insurance in case your dream vacation goes awry or is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).
- What's covered
- Tips for the busy peak holiday season
- Things to look out for when considering travel insurance
What's covered
The following is a small sample of what World Nomads Standard and Explorer plans offer (up to the benefit limits) for:
- Coverage for extended stays: Having too much fun and want to stay longer? You can extend your policy before it expires for up to 12 months from its start date. You must not have had any change to your health, submitted a claim or intend to, or exceeded the eligible age limit at the time to be eligible to extend.
- Emergency medical and evacuation coverage: Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team can help you find a doctor and you can submit a claim to recover unexpected medical costs (up to your benefit limit). Our plans include emergency evacuation coverage for ambulances or transfers to an appropriate medical facility best suited for your care (subject to approval from us). Be sure to check the maximum benefit amount and terms of coverage in your policy.
- Baggage and personal belongings coverage: If your gear is damaged or swiped from under your nose, our gear coverage may help with replacing covered items (policy excess may apply).
- Activities coverage: We cover more than 150 sports and adventure activities, from ocean kayaking to mountain biking. Depending on your country of residence, you may need to include an insurance upgrade when you buy to have coverage for some activities. If you don’t have the right level of coverage, you won’t be able to claim if something goes wrong.
- Cover for Coronavirus-related events: Depending on your country of residence and the plan you choose, coverage can include medical assistance, repatriation and hospitalization benefits if you get sick with COVID-19 overseas. To find out what cover applies to you, read our What’s Covered for Coronavirus article, which has all of the details, including benefit limits, conditions and exclusions.
Traveler tip: Don’t forget to read the policy wording as all plans are different and coverage will depend on your country of residence. Never assume you’ll be covered in every situation, as benefit limits, terms and conditions and exclusions apply. If you are still unsure about what you are covered for, contact us.
Tips for the busy peak holiday season
Taking some simple precautions can be the difference between holiday season bliss and a trip you’d rather forget. Here are a few tips for making the most of that precious holiday time:
- Stay up to date: Our number one tip is to check with your government and the government authority of the country you’re heading to, or through, and familiarize yourself with any new or existing COVID-19 requirements for entry. Government travel advisories can change rapidly. Regularly check our travel alerts, and local news updates of the country you’re in. Depending on your country of residence, some of our Explorer Plans may cover coronavirus travel costs for cancellation and trip interruption due to coronavirus.
Traveler tip: Check your passport to make sure it hasn’t or won't expire soon. Some countries require at least six months of passport validity to allow entry. Be sure to review your and your travel companion’s passport details well in advance in case you need to renew a passport, as there have been big delays in getting passports renewed.
- Arrive at the airport early: Travel insurance can cover many unexpected events but arriving at the airport too late – by your own fault – isn’t one of them, sorry! Traffic jams, public transport delays, and finding a car parking spot can all create a nightmare when you’re trying to catch a flight. For those short holiday trips, just taking carry-on can take some of the stress out of battling your way to the bag drop counter hours before departure.
- Be prepared for flight cancellations and trip delays: We know daydreaming about your next vacation doesn’t include hold-ups but delays and cancellations are common during peak holiday periods as are COVID-19 operational delays. World Nomads Travel Insurance may protect you from some out-of-pocket expenses if your transport is overbooked, delayed or cancelled due to a covered event and you need to find alternative arrangements. Remember benefit limits and sub-limits apply.
Traveler tip: Try to find a direct flight rather than one with several connections, even if it costs more. You'll reduce the risk of missing connections, trip delays, and of losing your luggage during a transfer.
- Know your limits: At World Nomads we see people every holiday season who are seriously injured because they did things under the influence they would never do sober. Travel insurance won’t cover you for claims that occur when you’re intoxicated, so it’s never a good idea to go swimming at midnight or try that double back-flip on skis you could do when you were a kid. While under the influence of alcohol, a traveler is also a bigger target for pickpockets and thieves, especially solo and female travelers.
- Take safety seriously on (and off) the slopes: The Yuletide wonderland of the Tyrolean slopes can be a cold reality if your adventure turns into a skiing accident, or if your Christmas trip surfing at Bondi Beach turns into a nasty wipe-out. World Nomads’ plans provide cover for more than 150 adventure activities from snow sports to beach sports and a lot in between but not all activities are covered under every plan – you can find out what is available for your country of residence here. You may need to pay an additional premium for higher-risk activities or choose a different plan. Many activities also have specific conditions and exclusions such as altitude limits and diving limits.
- Book ahead: On top of the usual peak season crowds looking for tickets, restaurants and equipment to hire, nowadays health and safety requirements can mean fewer tickets and less capacity or equipment are available than usual. Booking in advance not only saves you from walking extra miles looking for that last remaining item, but also locks down prices in a time when skis at Banff or scuba gear in Indonesia are in high demand. Of course, sometimes you’ll want to take your own equipment and some of our policies may cover your sporting equipment if it is delayed or damaged in transit by a common carrier. Check your policy as benefit limits, terms and conditions apply.
- If you get sick while traveling: If you’ve sanitised in hourly rituals yet the New Year’s celebration in Rio still leaves you with a mystery illness, follow any local isolation requirements and contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team as soon as possible to help you find medical support and treatment. You can submit a claim for prescriptions, doctors’ visits and hospitalization. Remember some countries require proof of travel insurance or payment upfront before receiving medical treatment. A doctor will need to certify that you are medically unfit to continue with your original travel plans to support your injury or illness claim. Keep all documents and receipts to submit with your claim.
Things to look out for when considering travel insurance
- Make sure you correctly choose the right trip dates, ages of each traveler, and level of cover.
- Ensure all your destinations are covered.
- Make sure you understand what a pre-existing medical condition is under our policy, as we do not cover these conditions unless noted otherwise in the policy wording terms and conditions.
- Some activities and sports may require an extra level of cover or may not be covered.
- Make sure you clearly understand the benefit limits and the excess as per the level of cover you’ve selected.
- Understand that there will be General Exclusions in your policy for which you won’t be covered under any circumstances.
- Make copies of travel documents and keep receipts in case you need to make a claim.
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 wording in full, so you understand what is and isn’t covered. That way there won’t be any surprises if you need to use it. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
About World Nomads
World Nomads polices are designed by travelers for travelers to provide simple and flexible travel insurance – and it’s often cheaper than you might think! Featuring coverage for more than 150 activities, quotes are fast, free and you can do it all online at www.worldnomads.com. All of the information we provide about travel insurance is a brief summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all countries, states or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage.
Did you know travel insurance covers...
- Trip cancellation
- Emergency medical
- Evacuation and repatriation
- Lost or damaged gear
- Delayed baggage
- Death overseas
- Terrorism
- And more...
You can also buy away from home or buy more cover if you extend your trip. Plus, you can claim online anytime, anywhere in the world.
True Claims Stories
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.
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 team
