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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 disruption
 • Medical emergency expenses
 • Emergency medical 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.
 • Anything that is not explicitly listed as covered under your policy


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

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)
*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

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 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.
Photo © Chalabala/IStock

Travel Insurance for Asia: What You Need to Know

Protect your trip to Asia with travel insurance benefits

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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 Asia? 

Natural disasters, medical emergencies, and trip cancellations can disrupt travel plans, no matter where you go in Asia. Travel insurance benefits can cover trip cancellations, medical expenses, and emergency evacuations, helping protect you and your investment. 

Additional Asia travel insurance coverage pages for US Residents:

What Level of Travel Insurance Coverage Should I Get for My Trip to Asia? 

Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. We offer four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – each with different coverages or levels of coverage.

  • Standard Plan: Ideal for budget travelers, covering the basics like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and baggage loss. 
  • Explorer Plan: Designed for adventure travelers, offering higher coverage maximums and protection for activities like scuba diving and high-altitude hiking. Optional ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ coverage can also be added at an additional cost (not available in NY). 
  • Epic Plan: Best for extreme adventurers or long-term travelers, covering a wider range of activities and providing maximum benefit amounts. Optional ‘Cancel for any Reason’ can also be added to this plan at an additional cost (not available in NY). 
  • Annual Plan: Planning an action-packed year of adventures? The Annual Plan could be for you. With one plan, you’re covered for multiple trips throughout the year, with each trip lasting up to 45 days. Designed for weekend warriors and avid travelers, this plan can keep you protected wherever your travels take you.

Compare plans carefully to ensure your insurance coverage option matches your travel needs and learn about the exclusions, terms and conditions. When you get a quote for travel protection, you can also see the benefits side by side. 

Coverage for Activities in Asia 

From trekking in Nepal to scuba diving in Thailand, World Nomads can cover losses resulting from participation in more than 250 adventure activities. Some, like high-altitude hiking, may require the purchase of the Explorer or Epic plan. We encourage you to review all of the plans offered by World Nomads when booking your trip to Asia, as some plans cover more activities than others.

We cover 250+ activities you love

Snow 42 activities
Water 56 activities
Air 31 activities
Land 80 activities
Sports 80 activities
Experience 11 activities
Blue activities are included in All Plans. Orange and blue activities are included in the Explorer Plan. Orange, blue and purple activities included in the Epic Plan.

Motorbiking in Asia

Motorbike accidents are all too common in certain parts of Asia. We encourage you to have the proper in-country license for operating a motorbike and follow all local laws. Check out country-specific requirements before renting a motorbike and learn more here.


Medical Expense, Emergency Evacuation and Repatraition

In case of unexpected illness or injury on your trip to Asia, the medical expense travel insurance benefit may reimburse necessary emergency medical expenses while traveling. If local care is inadequate in your immediate area, the emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance benefit may cover transport to the nearest adequate medical facility or home for treatment if you suffer an injury that is severe, acute or life- threatening. (Exclusion applies to Adventure or Extreme Activities.)


Baggage Protection 

If your checked luggage is lost by your common carrier en route to your trip to Asia, travel insurance benefits may help reimburse you for lost items. If your baggage is lost on your flight, contact the airline first and then contact Blue Ribbon Bags, which is another of our non-insurance service partners available to help locate your delayed bags.

 

Trip Cancellation

Unexpected events like natural disasters, illness, or family emergencies may force you to cancel your trip to Asia. Trip cancellation insurance coverage may help reimburse prepaid, non-refundable expenses if your trip to Asia is cancelled due to a covered reason. 

Travel Safety Tips for Asia

  • Check U.S. travel advisories for Asia before departure. 
  • Consult a doctor for necessary vaccinations before traveling. All our plans come with access to non-insurance service Runway Health, which can assist with pre-departure medicine.
  • Save the phone numbers and plan number for the travel protection plan you purchased in your phone. It’s not a bad idea to have a copy of this printed as well.
  • Keep supporting documentation including receipts and communication from your common carrier for any claims you may need to file. 

Get a quote for travel protection plans for your trip to Asia.

*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. 

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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 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)
*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