• Do I need travel insurance for Europe?
• Travel insurance for activities in Europe
• Travel insurance for medical emergencies in Europe
• Travel insurance for lost or stolen bags in Europe
• Travel insurance for theft in Europe
• Travel insurance for cancelled, delayed, or interrupted travel in Europe
• Tips for travelling to Europe from Canada

Home to 44 countries, centuries-old cities, sweeping coasts, highland forests, and delectable cuisine, Europe offers an incredibly varied experience over a relatively compact space.

History buffs come to explore medieval towns, sleep in historic castles, and marvel at renowned works of art. Nature lovers can wander through fields of wildflowers, scale alpine mountains, and soak up the sun along rugged coasts. Festival goers can celebrate King’s Day in Amsterdam, toast with pints at Oktoberfest in Germany, and throw tomatoes at La Tomatina in Spain. Foodies can indulge in cheese in France, find the best pasteis de nata in Portugal, and drink wine among rolling vineyards. It’s easy to see why Europe is so popular among Canadians.

Whether you’re focusing on a single country or are planning to cross borders for a multi-destination excursion—— you may want to consider travel insurance for Europe to help you explore the wonders of this continent with ease. 

Do I need travel insurance for Europe?

International travel can come with many surprises—such as finding a tiny winery in Tuscany that has been in the family for hundreds of years, or spotting the northern lights dancing through the night skies in Iceland.

Some surprises are not as great, though. Nobody wants to think about things like cancelled trips, delayed baggage, and medical emergencies, but these things can happen unexpectedly. If your trek to Mount Etna is blown due to a travel advisory issued by the Canadian Government or your travel plans are disrupted because you fall off your bike and get hurt while cycling through Slovenia, you may then wish that you had travel insurance for Europe. 

World Nomads has two plans to select from, and when you get a quote you can compare the options to determine the best international travel insurance for your needs.

Travel insurance for activities in Europe

Whether you’re planning to explore Portugal by bike or surf in San Sebastian, World Nomads travel insurance covers Canadians for over 250 activities. Rock climbing in the Dolomites, skiing in Andorra, and sailing around the Greek islands are all covered under travel insurance for Europe too.

It’s important to have a fairly concrete idea of your trip plans before you get a quote. You must list all your activities out when purchasing the plan—and if something happens while you are participating in an activity you didn’t list on your plan, then you won’t be covered. For example, if you go hiking while on your trip and you didn’t list that activity out when making your plan purchase, you won’t be covered if something were to happen on the trail. You may want to overshoot and list out all possible activities you may do, just in case.

Also keep in mind that you will be covered under the base plan to participate in various adventure sports, activities, volunteer, and work experiences, shown as Level 1, under both our Standard and Explorer Plans. For coverage for adventures sports, work and activities listed as Level 2 or Level 3, you will need upgrade your adventure sports coverage to pay an extra premium. Note: Special conditions and exclusions may apply to while taking part in certain sports and activities. For the full policy terms and conditions please review the policy wording.

Travel insurance for medical emergencies in Europe

As prepared as you may be for your European vacation, sometimes the unexpected happens. You might be trying to catch a big wave in Nazare, Portugal, get swept under the water by a wave, and hit your head on a rock. Or you might twist your ankle while hiking through the storied forests of Bavaria. You might require immediate medical attention as a result.

In either case, emergency medical travel insurance could reimburse you for certain medical expenses. While the health care system in Europe is typically quite good, travel insurance for Europe can help you access and be reimbursed for the care you need. However, there is an important thing to note: you must have GHIP coverage in your home province for your entire trip in order to be eligible for the maximum emergency medical expenses benefits. Without GHIP coverage, your total limit for all emergency medical expenses is limited to CAD$40,000.

With over 200 languages spoken in Europe, you might find yourself in an area where English or French isn’t spoken. The 24/7 emergency assistance team will be able to help refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need. They can also help communicate with your medical team if there is a language barrier.  

If your doctor determines that it’s best for you to go home to Canada to get medical care, if approved by us in advance, the emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage that is included in your travel insurance for Europe may cover the costs to get you there.

Travel insurance for lost or stolen bags in Europe

Lost bags are never something we plan for, but unfortunately it happens from time-to-time. You may have packed your favorite swimsuit and sundress for your Italian summer vacation or all your snow gear for a ski trip to the Bavarian Alps. If you land at the airport and then realize that the airline lost your bag, your travel insurance for Europe may reimburse you for the cost to replace your belongings.

If you’re lucky, your bags just took a detour and will eventually make their way to you. Even a delayed bag can be stressful though. If this happens, you could still be reimbursed for a change of clothes and toiletries until you and your bag are reunited. 

Travel insurance for theft in Europe

Europe is pretty safe, although some cities like Paris, Barcelona, and Rome experience petty theft and pickpocketing. Be aware of your belongings in crowded areas, including major tourist spots or while riding the metro—and read up on some tips for avoiding pickpockets.

If anything does happen, make sure you make a police report. You’ll need that if you have to make a claim and get reimbursed for stolen goods with your travel insurance for Europe.

You’ll also need to do your part to keep your belongings safe. If you had one too many drinks during a night out in Prague, you leave your bag at the bar, and your wallet is stolen, World Nomads won’t cover you for your lose.

Travel insurance for cancelled, delayed, or interrupted travel in Europe

You may have planned the perfect European getaway but things can happen that may cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip. Travel insurance for Europe may be able to recover your unused, prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses. Remember- travel insurance does not cover everything. The insurance plan will outline the covered risks for trip cancellation, trip interruption, and trip delay for your trip to Europe.

If you get sick before leaving the Canada and your doctor tells you not to travel at that time, you could be forced to cancel your trip. Or, if an immediate family member back home has an unexpected medical emergency while you’re on your adventure, you may need to go back to Canada early. Travel insurance for Europe may provide reimbursement for your prepaid, nonrefundable insured trip costs and may provide additional benefits to help you cover expenses you incur to get back home.

From flooding to forest fires, nature can be unpredictable and it is possible for natural disasters to affect your trip. If, after you have purchased your insurance, a natural disaster causes you to be unable to occupy your Canadian principal residence, you may need to cancel your trip. Volcanoes on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula have been particularly active recently. If, during your trip, an eruption causes flight delays causing you to miss a connection, your trip may be interrupted. Travel insurance does not cover everything, but you may be eligible for reimbursement if you suffer a loss due to one of the covered risks under the insurance policy. Travel insurance for Europe may reimburse you for non-refundable, pre-paid accommodation, and activities.

Tips for travelling to Europe from Canada

Before you leave Canda, we encourage you to check out the Canadian government’s travel advisories for all the countries you’re planning on visiting. Weather, safety, and political situations can change at any time, and this is where they list any current advisories.

If you purchase travel insurance for Europe, it’s a good idea to save the 24/7 Emergency Assistance phone number and your plan number in your cell phone so you don’t have to search for that if an emergency happens. 

You’ll potentially be travelling across several countries using different languages, driving laws, and customs. Brush up on a few phrases and do some research on each destination to know what to expect from place-to-place.

The trains are a wonderful way to slow travel through Europe and watch the scenery pass by. As you’re preparing for your adventure, brush up on our safety tips for Europe and our favorite destinations to explore on this continent.

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the plan. It is important you read and understand your plan as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions, just ask us.

• Should I consider travel insurance for a safari?
• Does travel insurance cover other adventure activities I might participate in during my trip?
• What else is covered by travel insurance?
• What are some things trip insurance would not cover?
• Tips for preparing for your safari adventure

Some people like to go wild when they travel and some people like to go into the wild. If your version of wild involves searching for the Big 5 in the Serengeti or Maasai Mara, you’re our kind of person.  

Just imagine-you’re bouncing around in your rugged 4x4 jeep as you trek through Kruger National Park in South Africa. Will today be the day you see a herd of elephants crossing the Sabie River or a lioness out on a hunt with her cub?  

You’re then quickly shaken from your daydream by a loud thud on the hood of your jeep. You make eye contact with a leopard before he leaps off and runs into the bush. It’s a memory that you’ll be bragging about for years to come. However, it is also at that moment where you realize just how unpredictable wildlife can be.  

You also start to think about all of the what-ifs and wonder if you should have considered a travel insurance plan with adventure sports coverage.  

Should I consider adventure travel insurance for a safari?   

There is such an allure of seeing wild animals in their natural habitat, but you have to remember - these majestic creatures can sometimes have erratic behavior. If you’re on a safari with an experienced guide, the chances of something happening are minimal. When you’re dealing with wildlife though, anything can happen.  

You’ve surely heard about the rare incidents of people being ambushed by a hippo or trampled by an elephant. If you get injured, your health insurance may not always cover you when you are traveling to destinations outside of your network or plan. However, travel insurance could help reimburse you for expenses like x-rays, prescription medications, a hospital stay, or other emergency medical needs you may have if you get hurt on your safari.  You will still need to have Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) coverage in your home province while you are on your trip though. If you don’t, your total limit for all emergency medical expenses during your trip is limited to CAD $40,000.  

Does travel insurance cover other adventure activities I might participate in during my trip? 

You may want to go to Zambia on a mission to see zebras roaming freely at Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, but you may also decide to hike the Boiling Pot trail near Victoria Falls or go whitewater rafting on the Zambezi River while you are there.  

World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Canadian residents. When you get a quote, you can check out our Standard and Explorer plans to compare coverage side by side and decide on the best travel insurance coverage for your needs.  

You will need to list all of the activities that you plan to participate in while on your trip at the time that you purchase your policy. You won’t be able to add or remove activities after you make your purchase, so make sure you add them all at that time.  

Level 1 activities like safari tours and whitewater rafting (grades 1-5) are automatically covered, but these will still need to be listed when you purchase your policy. However, you will need to pay an additional premium to be covered for Level 2 and Level 3 activities like bouldering and hang gliding. Special conditions may also apply. If you are planning on participating in an activity that isn’t listed in our policy wording, you will need to contact us to determine if you will be covered. 

What else is covered by travel insurance? 

In addition to emergency medical coverage, international travel insurance may help with several other unexpected emergency situations you may encounter on your trip. For Canadian residents, World Nomads may also offer coverage for:  

• Baggage and Gear: If the airline lost the bag that held your binoculars, baggage insurance may help reimburse the cost to replace them if your bag is lost by a common carrier. If your baggage going to your destination is delayed by an airline or ground carrier for 12 hours or more, you may also be reimbursed for things like toiletries or a change of clothes until you are reunited with your bag. Check the policy wording for complete details of coverage, conditions, and exclusions. 
• Trip Interruption and Cancellation Insurance: If your travel buddy gets severe food poisoning from something he ate, it may put a screeching halt to your plans. If something unexpected happens and you need to cancel or interrupt your trip, you may be able to recover your unused, prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses. Check the policy wording for a full list of the cover risks.  

• Evacuation: If you’re going on a safari, there’s a good chance you may be in a remote destination where there aren't nearby medical facilities. If something happens and you need to get immediate medical care, the World Nomads 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team could help get you transported to a place that offers the level of care you need.   

What are some things trip insurance would not cover? 

If you have too many glasses of South African wine at lunch and then try to sneak up to a sleeping lion to grab a selfie, you won’t be covered if that goes terribly wrong. Travel insurance won’t cover you if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol while you are on your safari. It’s also important that you follow the guidance of your safari guide at all times and view wild animals from a safe distance. Some other things that are not covered include:  

• Any pre-existing medical condition(s) as explained in the policy wording 
• Ignoring your doctor if they have blatantly told you not to travel to a particular destination or go on a safari-and you go anyway  
• Not following government ‘Do Not Travel’ advisories 
• Participation in activities not listed as covered in your policy  
• Handling of big game or dangerous animals 

Tips for preparing for your safari adventure  

One thing our team at World Nomads definitely recommends is making sure your camera stays fully charged at all times. You never know what you may see at any given moment. It’s also a really good idea to bring an extra camera battery along. Trust us on this one-you don’t want to miss the money shot! 

It’s also important to stay safe on your safari adventure because you don’t want it to get cut short. Here are a few of our tips:  

• Do your research and book with an accredited tour operator. 
• Follow your guide’s instructions at all times and view wildlife from a safe distance. 
• Wear boots and socks when walking around in the bush. 
• Don’t be afraid to ask if the water is safe to drink when you are in remote locations.  
• Talk to your doctor to see if prescription antimalarial medication or other vaccinations are recommended. Depending on the medication, you may need to start this prior to your trip.  
• Check with the Public Health Agency of Canada to see if they have issued any travel health notices for your destination.  
• Register with Canadians Abroad to stay updated on emergency situations. 

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions, just ask us. 

For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.  

• Should I consider travel insurance for a safari?
• What other activities does travel insurance cover?
• What else is covered by travel insurance?
• What are some things trip insurance would not cover?
• Tips for preparing for your safari adventure

Some people like to go wild when they are traveling, and some people like to go into the wild. If your version of wild involves searching for the Big 5 in the Serengeti or Maasai Mara, you’re our kind of person.  

Imagine bouncing around in your rugged 4x4 jeep as you trek through Kruger National Park in South Africa… Will today be the day you see a herd of elephants crossing the Sabie River or a lioness out on a hunt with her cub?  

You’re then quickly shaken from your daydream by a loud thud on the hood of your jeep. You make eye contact with a leopard before he leaps off and runs into the bush. It’s a memory that you’ll be bragging about for years to come.

It’s also that moment where you realize just how unpredictable wildlife can be and wonder if you have a travel insurance* plan that covers safaris.   

Should I consider adventure travel insurance for a safari?   

There is such an allure of seeing wild animals in their natural habitat, but you have to remember - these majestic creatures can sometimes display erratic behavior. If you’re on a safari with an experienced guide, the chances of something happening are minimal. When you’re dealing with wildlife though, anything can happen.  

There are rare incidents of being ambushed by a hippo or trampled by an elephant.

If you get injured, your health insurance may not always cover you in destinations outside of your network or plan. However, World Nomads travel insurance may help reimburse you for expenses like x-rays, medications, a hospital stay, or other emergency medical needs you may have if you get hurt on your safari. 

What other activities does travel insurance cover?

While in Zambia on a mission to see zebras roaming freely at Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, you may also decide to hike the Boiling Pot trail near Victoria Falls or go whitewater rafting on the Zambezi River.  

World Nomads offers adventure travel insurance that covers more than 250 activities for US residents, covering you for more adventures, such as hiking, biking and whitewater rafting.

We offer four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – each with different levels of coverage. When you get a quote, you can compare the plans, which offer coverage up to 180 days per single trip. And if you plan to take numerous trips during the year, the Annual Travel Insurance Plan could be best for you; it offers protection for 12 months but with a maximum individual trip length of 45 days.  

Terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions apply. Read the insurance plan documents carefully to choose the right plan for your safari adventure. If you have any questions, just ask us.  

What else is covered by travel insurance? 

In addition to emergency medical coverage, travel insurance for safaris may help with several other unexpected emergency situations you may encounter. For US residents, World Nomads may also offer coverage for:  

• Baggage and Gear: If you checked baggage carrying your safari gear and it gets lost or damaged, or stolen after your arrival, you may get reimbursed for its current value (which factors in depreciation) or the cost of replacement, up to a per item and total maximum limit. You must report the loss as soon as possible to the carrier and ensure you get an official report in writing. If the airline delays your baggage, our non-insurance service Blue Ribbon Bags will track and expedite its return. Simply report your lost airline bags and Blue Ribbon Bags will take it from there. 
• Trip Interruption and Cancellation Insurance:  If your trip is cancelled, interrupted, or delayed due to an unforeseen event like an illness or injury, you may be able to recover your nonrefundable, prepaid travel expenses through our trip cancellation, trip interruption or trip delay coverage.  

• Evacuation: If you’re going on a safari, there’s a good chance you may be in a remote destination where there aren't nearby medical facilities. If something happens and you need immediate medical care, the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team could help get you transported to a place that offers the level of care you need.   
• Cancel for any reason: If you’re concerned about a scenario not covered here, you may want to consider the optional ‘cancel-for-any-reason' benefit. If you have an Explorer or Epic plan, by adding this benefit (for an additional charge), you can cancel your trip for any reason. You must purchase your plan within the time sensitive period of 7 days.  

What are some things trip insurance would not cover? 

If you have too many glasses of South African wine at lunch and then try to sneak up to a sleeping lion to grab a selfie, you won’t be covered if that goes terribly wrong. Travel insurance won’t cover you if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol while you are on your safari. It’s also important that you follow the guidance of your safari guide at all times and view wild animals from a safe distance. Some other things that are not covered include:  

• Any medical bills related to a pre-existing condition, unless you purchased the Epic or Explorer plan during the time-sensitive period were medically able to travel at the time of purchase.  
• Ignoring your doctor if they have explicitly advised you not to travel to a particular destination or go on a safari.
• Participation in other activities not listed as covered in your policy. 

Tips for preparing for your safari adventure  

One thing our team at World Nomads definitely recommends is making sure your camera stays fully charged at all times. You never know what you may see at any given moment. It’s also a really good idea to bring an extra camera battery along. You don’t want to miss the money shot! 

Here are our tips for a fun and safe safari:

• Do your research and book with an accredited tour operator. 
• Follow your guide’s instructions at all times and view wildlife from a safe distance. 
• Wear boots and socks when walking around in the bush. 
• Don’t be afraid to ask if the water is safe to drink when you are in remote locations. 
• Talk to your doctor to see if prescription antimalarial medication is recommended or check if the CDC recommends anti-malarial medication or other vaccines before traveling to your destination. Depending on the medication, you may need to start this prior to your trip.  
• Consider using our non-insurance service partner Runway Health for pre-trip medical support to get travel medicines, like malaria pills, delivered to your door before you leave on your trip.
• Enroll your trip with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate by signing up for the US Department of State’s STEP Program (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program).