Some FAQs

• Am I covered if I travel to a country not specified on my policy?
  Backpacking often means going wherever the breeze blows you, but before you decide to cross the border into a country not specified on your Certificate of Insurance, check with us if your policy will extend to that country or region.

• Can I extend my policy while still travelling?
  Yes, it’s possible to extend your existing policy while still travelling and before its expiry date, for up to 12 months from the start date. Our Help center article on amending, extending, or cancelling a policy may also come in handy.

Whether you’re planning on going to Iceland, South Africa, Argentina, Thailand, or Canada, preparation is key when you are including many activities and outdoor adventures. Learning about the sports, checking the route, and packing the right gear if the weather rolls in are just some things to have in mind. You should consider packing travel insurance if an unexpected accident or sudden illness stops you in your tracks.

We’ve designed our travel insurance plans to offer cover for more than 150 adventure sports and activities ranging from hiking, zip lining, dog sledding, scuba diving, skiing, white water rafting and more. Remember to check your policy as your level of activity and sports cover is subject to terms and conditions, limitations and exclusions.

• Adventure sports, travel insurance and what’s covered by our plans
• What activities are covered?
• Questions to ask when choosing a plan
• What’s not covered

Adventure sports, travel insurance and what’s covered by our plans

The following is a small sample of what World Nomads plans offer (up to the benefit limits):

Emergency medical and evacuation coverage: if at any time during your trip, you or any of your traveling companions becomes sick or injured, then you’ll need to contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team right away. They can help to locate the nearest hospital or medical centre and will facilitate your repatriation back to your Country of Residence if appropriate

Trip cancellation coverage: if you or anyone in your party gets sick or injured and needs to cancel their holiday plans, we may cover the non-refundable travel expenses. Please note that the traveler must have already been issued with our Certificate of Insurance to be eligible for cancellation coverage.

Coverage for extended stays: if you’re having an awesome time on your trip and choose to delay your return home to your Country of Residence, then you may also extend your travel insurance policy. You must not have had any change to your health, submitted a claim or intend to and are 69 years old or younger at the time to be eligible to extend.  This must be done prior to 11:59pm on the return date that is listed on your policy. The policy may be extended for a total of 12 months from the start date that is indicated on your Certificate of Insurance.

Coverage for baggage and personal belongings: if your baggage or personal items are lost, damaged or stolen, then you’ll need to submit receipts, along with police reports or statements from your carrier (if the belongings were lost in transit).

Your coverage will vary according to your Country of Residence and whether you choose a Standard or an Explorer plan. Read your policy wording for details on terms and conditions, maximum benefit limits, and exclusions of your coverage.

Extra coverage options in case Coronavirus catches you off-guard

You may be covered for medically necessary expenses if you get Coronavirus. To find out what cover applies to you, read our Coronavirus cover article, which has all the details, including benefit limits, conditions, and exclusions.

If you forgot to buy travel insurance before you left home, you can purchase while you’re traveling (a waiting period may apply for some benefits).

What activities are covered?

During your holiday, you may wish to try activities and sports that aren’t commonly done back home in your Country of Residence. 

Before purchasing your travel insurance policy, check your policy wording to make sure that all the sports and activities that you intend to do are covered. World Nomads provides travel insurance for over 150 activities, sports and experiences. While this list might seem immense, it doesn’t cover everything. That’s why you should never take for granted that your preferred activities will be covered.

The following are only some of the many sports and activities covered under our policies:

• Kayaking
• Hiking
• Surfing
• Sandboarding
• Snorkelling

An upgrade for certain sports may be required depending on your Country of Residence and the plan you’ve selected. Our terms and conditions apply for each sport. Check your policy for details or contact us if you have questions.

Questions to ask when choosing a plan

When hunting around for a travel insurance policy, you might be tempted to take the most cost-effective cover without reading through the policy wording first. There are different policies to cover different types of holidays, and although reading this document can be a tedious task, it’s best to familiarise yourself with all the benefits, policy limits and exclusions before you buy your cover.

World Nomads offer two travel insurance plans, the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan. Both plans may offer protection for many of the same types of risks and can cover the costs associated with hospitalisation, repatriation, replacing lost baggage, as well as other unplanned for expenses.

However, the Explorer Plan offers a wider level of cover, with a greater range of benefits, and higher policy limits. For instance, you might wish to include cover for hiking or diving on your trip. Therefore, when choosing between the two plans, you would need to know the exact altitudes of your hiking trips and the depths of your planned dives.

Please check your policy wording when choosing any activities or sports as you may need to upgrade the policy and sporting level to ensure you’re covered for everything you plan to do. Many activities have specific conditions and exclusions that you should read up on before you go. Before choosing the right type of cover for your holiday, you need to research the details of any activities, sports, and tours you will be participating in, to make sure you make you have an adequate level of cover.

When deciding which policy is best suited to your adventures you might want to consider:

• What kind of activities will I be doing on holiday?
• What activities are my travel buddies planning?
• What cover do the two different plans offer for these activities?
• What exclusions might apply?

Note: It’s important you choose your policy carefully as you can’t upgrade from a Standard Plan to an Explorer Plan mid-trip.

What’s not covered

Here are just a few examples of what is not covered under our plans. Please refer to your policy for the complete list.

• Pre-existing medical conditions.
• If you do not use a professional qualified and licenced guide or operator where required.
• Any search or rescue operations to find or rescue you from a life-threatening situation.
• If you refuse to be repatriated or evacuated for further treatment on the reasonable recommendation of the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team.
• Damage to any sports or activity equipment while in use.
• Unattended baggage or personal items.
• You are behaving in a reckless manner, or your actions are in breach of the local laws.
• If you participate in any sport or engage in any activity on a professional basis during your overseas holiday.

Overseas adventure activity tips to help you have a safer experience

Your activity operator should be certified/accredited

Whichever country you’re traveling through, it always pays to be prepared. Here are some general tips for international travelers to keep in mind.

Be careful with valuables - wallets poking out of back pockets or unzipped handbags displaying the contents inside are irresistible attractions for pickpockets and muggers. Keep all valuable items safely concealed on your body, or securely locked away in your hotel room when you don’t require them.

Listen to local news updates - during your stay in any country, make sure you pay attention to local news broadcasts, including weather updates. If a violent storm is expected to blast the region in the coming days, then it’s probably wise to postpone any outdoor activities or adventures you had planned until a later date.

Only work with qualified and licensed instructors - if you are planning to participate in any activities that require an instructor, then you should investigate whether that instructor has received the right training. They must be qualified to lead hiking, diving, abseiling, or other types of tours and be registered with the governing association for their recreational activity.

There may be specific terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that apply depending on what you'll be doing. Of course, always read the full terms, conditions limitations and exclusions in the plan you choose so there’ll be no surprises if you need to use it. If you are unsure of your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.

When planning an overseas holiday with mates, it’s not always easy to agree on the types of activities you’re going to do. Whether it’s hiking, skiing, scuba diving, or other outdoor adventures that you decide on, you may want to consider purchasing travel insurance before you leave.

Even the most careful of travellers should consider having appropriate cover in place, especially if planning on a mix of outdoor activities that will test physical and mental abilities.

• Adventure sports, travel insurance and what’s covered by our plans
• What activities are covered?
• Questions to ask when choosing a plan
• What’s not covered

Adventure sports, travel insurance and what’s covered by our plans

The following is a small sample of what World Nomads plans offer (up to the benefit limits):

Emergency medical and evacuation coverage: if at any time during your trip, you or any of your travelling companions become sick or injured, then you’ll need to contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team right away. They can help find the nearest hospital or medical centre and will facilitate your repatriation back to Australia if your treating doctor believes this to be medically necessary.

Trip cancellation coverage: if you or anyone in your party gets sick or injured and you need to cancel your holiday plans, we may cover the non-refundable travel expenses. Please note that the traveller must have already been issued with a travellers Certificate of Insurance from World Nomads to have cancellation coverage available to them.

Coverage for extended stays: if you’re having an awesome time on your trip, and choose to delay your return home, then you may be eligible to also extend your travel insurance policy. You must not have had any change to your health, submitted a claim or intend to and are 69 years old or younger at the time to be eligible to extend. This must be done prior to 11:59pm on the return date that is listed on your policy. The policy may be extended for a total of 12 months from the start date that is indicated on your Certificate of Insurance.

Coverage for baggage and personal belongings: if your baggage or personal items are lost, damaged or stolen, then you’ll need to submit receipts, along with police reports or statements from your carrier (if the belongings were lost in transit).

Your coverage will vary according to whether you choose a Standard or an Explorer plan. The features and benefits described are a summary of cover only. Cover is subject to the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions outlined in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

What activities are covered?

During your holiday, you may wish to try activities and sports that aren’t commonly played back home in Australia.  

Before purchasing your travel insurance policy, check your PDS to make sure that all the sports and activities that you intend to do are covered. World Nomads provides travel insurance for more than 220+ activities, sports and experiences. While this list might seem exhaustive, it doesn’t cover everything. That’s why you should never take for granted that your preferred activities will be covered.

The following are only some of the many sports and activities covered under our policies:

• Kayaking
• Hiking
• Surfing
• Sandboarding

An upgrade for certain sports may be required and terms and conditions apply for each sport. Check your policy for details or contact us if you have questions.

Questions to ask when choosing a plan

When hunting around for a travel insurance policy, you might be tempted to take the most cost-effective cover without reading through the PDS first. There are different policies to cover different types of holidays, and although reading this document can be a tedious task, it’s best to familiarise yourself with all the benefits, policy limits and exclusions before you purchase your cover.

World Nomads offer two travel insurance plans, the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan. Both plans may offer protection for many of the same types of risks and can cover the costs associated with hospitalisation, repatriation, replacing lost baggage, as well as other unplanned for expenses.

However, the Explorer Plan offers a level of cover, with a wider range of benefits, and higher policy limits. For instance, you might wish to include cover for hiking or diving on your trip. Therefore, when choosing between the two plans, you would need to know the exact altitudes of your hiking trips and the depths of your planned dives.

As with many of the other activities that we cover, there are different levels of cover for hiking. For example, hiking trips to an altitude of 2,000 metres is classed as Level 1. Hikes to an altitude of 6,000 metres are listed as Level 3. There is no cover under our policies for hiking expeditions that exceed an altitude of 6,000 metres.

Before choosing the right type of cover for your holiday, you need to research the details of any activities, sports, and tours you will be participating in, to make sure the cover is adequate for you.

When deciding which policy is best suited to your adventures you might want to consider:

• What kind of activities will I be doing on holiday?
• What activities are my travel buddies planning?
• What cover do the two different plans offer for these activities?
• What exclusions might apply?

Note: It’s important you choose your policy carefully as you can’t upgrade from a Standard Plan to an Explorer Plan mid-trip.

What’s not covered

Here are just a few examples of what is not covered under our plans. Please refer to your policy for the complete list.

• Existing medical conditions: cover is usually not offered for existing medical conditions. Although, there's automatic cover for over 40 existing medical conditions when certain criteria are met. Please check your PDS for the full details.
• If you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• If you do not use a professional qualified and licenced guide or operator where required.
• Any search or rescue operations to find or rescue you from a life-threatening situation.
• If you refuse to be repatriated or evacuated for further treatment on the reasonable recommendation of the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team.
• Damage to sporting equipment while in use.
• Unattended baggage or personal items.
• You are behaving in a reckless manner, or your actions are in breach of the local laws.
• If you participate in any sport or engage in any activity on a professional basis during your overseas holiday.

Overseas adventure activity tips to help you have a safer experience

Your activity operator should be certified/accredited

Whichever country you’re travelling through it always helps to be prepared, here are some general tips for Australian travellers to keep in mind.

Be careful with valuables – wallets poking out of back pockets or unzipped handbags displaying the contents inside are irresistible attractions for pickpockets and muggers. Keep all valuable items safely concealed on your body, or securely locked away in your hotel room when you don’t require them.

Listen to local news updates – during your stay in any country, make sure you pay attention to local news broadcasts, including weather updates. If a violent storm is expected to blast the region in the coming days, then it’s probably wise to postpone any outdoor activities or adventures you had planned until a later date.

Only work with qualified and licensed instructors – if you are planning to participate in any activities that require an instructor, then you should make sure the instructor has received the right training. They must be qualified and licenced to lead hiking, diving, abseiling, or other types of tours and be registered with the governing association for their recreational activity.

There may be specific terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that apply depending on what you'll be doing. Of course, always read the full terms, conditions limitations and exclusions in the plan you choose so there’ll be no surprises if you need to use it. If you are unsure of your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.

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.

• Do I need travel insurance for Brazil?
• Travel insurance for activities in Brazil
• Travel insurance for medical emergencies in Brazil
• Travel insurance for lost bags in Brazil
• Travel insurance for stolen items in Brazil
• Travel insurance for canceled, interrupted, or delayed trips to Brazil
• Tips for Traveling to Brazil from the USA

Traveling to Brazil offers opportunities to experience vibrant cultures and adrenaline-fueled adventures. Many Americans visit Mount Corcovado to see Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue or the many rivers and islands of Recife, known as the Brazilian Venice.

If you’re wanting to take in some of the country’s natural beauty, head to Terra de Cachoeiras, known as the “Land of the Waterfalls.” Brazil is also known for pristine beaches like Baia do Sancho, Praia do Espelho, and Copacabana Beach.

While a trip to Brazil is an amazing experience, there are some things to be aware of when you’re visiting from the United States. Our nomads have danced the night away at the wild parties during Carnival and have searched for even wilder experiences in the heart of the Amazon. We’ve learned quite a bit in our travels and we encourage you to check out our team’s tips on what to know before you go to Brazil.

Because unanticipated things can always happen when traveling, you may also want to get a quote for travel insurance* for Brazil.

Do I need travel insurance for Brazil?

International travel can bring all kinds of unexpected surprises. Some of those are fun, like the amazing moqueca (fish stew) that you can try in Florianopolis.

Some surprises that come with traveling outside of the US are not as great. Nobody wants to think about things like canceled trips, delayed baggage, and medical emergencies, but those things can happen unexpectedly. A good travel insurance for Brazil may help with those types of situations.

World Nomads travel insurance may also assist if you get injured participating in any of the adventures and activities you’ll find there. If you get hurt while cycling through Serra da Canastra, the emergency medical coverage included in your travel insurance for Brazil may help you get the care you need.

There are four plans to choose 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 Brazil

Your trip may include lying on one of the country’s alluring beaches for some rest and relaxation. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Americans traveling to Brazil-- including rafting on the Jacare Pepira River, hiking the Cachoeira da Fumaca Trail at Chapada Diamantina National Park, and scuba diving at Fernando de Noronha Marine Park.

Before you get a quote for your travel insurance for Brazil, it’s best to have an idea of your planned activities. Each plan offers different coverage. With a plan for your adventures, you can choose the best plan to ensure full coverage on all your activities in Brazil.

You can cycle tour along Brazil’s coast, along its rivers, and through its scenic mountains with any insurance plan, including the Standard Plan. But if you’re thinking you may want to try freediving in some of Brazil’s coastal areas, choose the Explorer or Epic Plan for full coverage.

Travel insurance for medical emergencies in Brazil

Travel insurance for Brazil may help cover the expenses from unexpected medical emergencies you experience while traveling.

Before you leave the US, consider making an appointment with Runway Health-- a telehealth travel clinic and our non-insurance service partner. You can book an online consultation with a doctor to see if you need vaccinations and to obtain any necessary medications before setting of for Brazil, like traveler’s diarrhea medicine or malaria prevention. We also recommend packing a strong mosquito repellent.

There are some steps you can take to stay safe in the Amazon. Such a diversity of wildlife comes with a diversity of parasites and amoebas. If you get bitten by a kissing bug, it may not be as romantic as their name leads you to believe. They’ve been known to carry the parasite that transmits Chagas Disease.

If you get hurt deep in the Amazon Rainforest and don’t have the help you need close by, your international travel insurance may also offer evacuation coverage if you need to be transported to another place to get care.

In some rural areas, you may find limited services available or find that your medical team only speaks Portuguese. If you have a medical emergency when traveling to Brazil, call the 24/7 emergency assistance team and they can help refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need. They can also help communicate with your Brazilian medical team if language is a barrier.

If your attending physician (and the 24/7 emergency assistance team) determines that it’s best for you to go home to the United States to get medical care, the repatriation coverage that is included in your travel insurance for Brazil may cover the costs to get you there.

Travel insurance for lost bags in Brazil

Nobody plans for lost bags, but it happens. It could be pretty frustrating if you checked your swimsuit in hopes of catching the stellar waves in Itacare. Your travel insurance for Brazil may reimburse you for the cost to replace your suit and other belongings (up to plan limits, conditions and exclusions apply).

If you’re lucky, your bags and surfboard just took a detour and will eventually make their way to you. Even a delayed bag can be stressful. If your bag is delayed for at least 12 hours, you may be reimbursed for a change of clothes and toiletries until you and your bag are reunited.

If your bags are missing, the first step is to contact the airline. If the airline is unable to track down your bag, contact Blue Ribbon Bags, a non-insurance service that will track and expedite the return of your undelivered baggage by the airline. Make sure to have the file reference or record locator number and Property Irregularity Report on hand when you call Blue Ribbon Bags so you can file a lost luggage claim.

Travel insurance for stolen items in Brazil

While it’s a good idea to always be cautious when you’re traveling in Brazil, it’s especially important to be vigilant during crowded, busy events like Carnival. The Guinness Book of World Records even named the Carnival of Sao Paulo the world’s largest street carnival. The event is a great time to make new friends, but it’s also unfortunately a prime spot for pickpocketing.

It can be easy for someone to snatch your phone or cash out of your pocket without you knowing. Sometimes pickpockets operate in gangs around crowded areas. One person may cause a distraction, while one steals, someone else stashes the stolen items, and another keeps watch.

If anything does happen, make sure you make a police report. You’ll need that to make a claim to get reimbursed for stolen items with your travel insurance for Brazil.

You’ll need to do your part to keep your belongings safe too. If you have too many caipirinhas and leave your bag in a boteco, you won’t be covered if it’s not there waiting on you the next day.

Travel insurance for canceled, interrupted, or delayed trips to Brazil

Sometimes you have the perfect getaway planned, but things happen that can cancel, interrupt, or delay your trip. When you’re searching for the best travel insurance for Brazil, check to make sure it has coverage for trip cancellation, delay, and interruption so you could be reimbursed for unused, prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses if something unexpected happens.

If you get sick before leaving the US and your doctor tells you not to travel to Brazil at that time, you could be forced to cancel your trip. A good travel insurance for Brazil that includes cancellation coverage could reimburse you for those non-refundable flights, hotels, and activities you paid for in advance.

Unexpected things can also happen once you’re already in Brazil. If you get a call that an immediate family member back home has died, we understand that you may need to cut your trip short and head back home to the US earlier than expected.

The Explorer and Epic Plans may also cover for a number of travel inconveniences that may arise during your trip to Brazil if you purchased your plan during the time sensitive period. For example, if you’ve booked a cruise down the Amazon River and the company is unable to complete the scheduled itinerary due to excessive water levels, you may be eligible for compensation for this disruption to your cruise.

Tips for Traveling to Brazil from the USA

Before you leave the United States, we encourage you to check out the US government’s safety warnings for Brazil to review their up-to-date warnings for any weather, safety, and political situations.

If you purchase travel insurance for Brazil, 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.

Take extra camera batteries. The worst feeling is to get set up for the perfect shot, only to find out you have a dead battery. With all of the wildlife you’ll see in Brazil, make sure to read up on some of our tips on how to photograph wildlife in an ethical way.

Brazil is an amazing country full of culture, natural beauty, and adventures. Our nomads really enjoyed their time there, and we think you will too. To help you further plan, we invite you to check out more of our travel safety tips for Brazil before you leave the US.