At World Nomads, our travel insurance allows you to participate in a range of volunteer activities and vacations, from summer teaching programs to clean water projects. We’re strong supporters of paying it forward and giving back — and what better way to strengthen communities, forge meaningful connections and open your eyes (and arms and hearts) than contributing to a worthy purpose?

• Should I consider insurance when volunteering overseas?
• What's covered for volunteers?
• A choice of policy and extras for your next holiday
• What volunteer activities may I participate in?
• What’s not covered?

Should I consider insurance when volunteering overseas?

If you’re planning to volunteer your time while traveling, World Nomads Travel Insurance may help when stepping on the plane to start your adventure. Travel insurance can cover you for issues you may encounter while on the road, such as medical issues, baggage theft or delay, and travel interruption.

What's covered for volunteers?

Want to step out into the world and volunteer your time?

World Nomads plans may cover:

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

A choice of policy and extras for your next holiday

Always make sure that you’ve selected the right travel insurance plan for your specific needs. World Nomads has two levels of cover - the Standard Plan and Explorer Plan - that offer different benefits, limits and sub-limits of coverage. It’s always good to spend time comparing the plans to see which one suits your travel needs.

You can get a quote, make a claim, or buy a policy instantly online, even while traveling.

What volunteer activities may I participate in?

The types of activities that are covered depend on your Country of Residence. Check your plan and policy wording to get more details. Examples of volunteering that could be covered include environmental and conservation work or teaching in literacy programs.

What’s not covered?

As a traveler who wants to do good while overseas, we can only assume doing good things is in your nature. But momentary lapses in judgement do happen so 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
• Pre-existing conditions unless specified by your policy

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions 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.

About World Nomads

World Nomads polices are designed by travelers for travelers to provide simple and flexible travel insurance. Featuring coverage for more than 150 activities, you can get a quote, claim, or extend your policy online at www.worldnomads.com. All 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.

Essential travel insurance tips for Australia

Ignoring the practicalities of traveling through a large, remote and often very hot and dry country has caught out many experienced travelers. Here are a few things to know about your travel insurance cover before you travel around Australia.

Protect your gear from theft

Australians are renowned for their welcoming attitude and it’s with good reason, however, while the majority are friendly to travelers, some are more interested in your wallet than getting to know you. Theft is a common claim in Australia. It takes just seconds for a thief to grab your camera or wallet from under your beach towel at Bondi while you’re swimming, or off the table while you’re ordering coffee. Always keep your valuables on you or locked up (using the hotel safe or hostel lockers). Also don’t leave anything in your car as break and enters are common in urban areas (especially at night). If your belongings aren’t with you, and there is no evidence or police report of a theft, you may not be covered if they’re stolen.

Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything, particularly if you leave something behind or, on some insurance plans, if your gear is damaged. Check your policy carefully for full details of cover, including the limit payable on each item, the excess (your contribution or deductible) and any exclusions or conditions of cover such as depreciation or valid proof of ownership.

Baggage delay

Australia’s remoteness is part of its charm but can also present some challenges if your baggage is delayed. Most visitors require a halfday plane ride to get to Australia, so you’re unlikely to get your baggage back quickly if your airline has delivered it to Sidney, Canada instead of Sydney, Australia. Most travel insurance policies can help replace essentials, like a change of clothes or toothbrush, if you have to wait more than 24 hours for your bags to arrive. Travel insurance isn’t designed to swap your ripped jeans for a designer pair, so read this section of your policy carefully before you spend up big and then try and claim.

Before you leave home, ensure your baggage is clearly labelled and the tags are firmly attached, giving your airline the best chance of getting it on the right plane or finding it quickly and getting it back to you.

Medical insurance for accidents or injuries

The Australian medical system is first class, but it comes with a price, so make sure you take out a full medical travel insurance plan before you travel. This is different to the medical insurance cover you might have at home which won’t cover you overseas. Medical Insurance is your safety net if you become very unwell; it’s not designed to pay for every scratch and headache, which is why benefit limits and excesses apply. If you’re hurt or injured, contact us for assistance and we can help you understand what your policy covers. You may decide, if your ailment is minor and under the excess, to not make a claim. If it’s a life-threatening medical condition, always seek medical help immediately. Let us know as soon as you can what has happened so we can help you access medical assistance and keep your family and friends informed.

Adventure sport coverage

There are many great opportunities to do adventure sports in Australia, which is why our travel insurance covers hundreds of them from kite surfing to skiing and parasailing; over water only. Policy exclusions do vary, so, depending on the level of cover you’ve purchased, read it carefully and make sure you’re covered before you go bungee jumping in Cairns or scuba diving in Byron Bay. If you get hurt skiing in the Victorian Alps, and it’s not in your policy, it’s going to be a very expensive trip. Check your policy carefully so there are no surprises Your travel insurance policy will have limits and exclusions. This ensures the policy you pay for is kept at a lower cost. And, remember, engaging in risky activities, such as handling wild animals or swimming in dangerous areas (to name just two examples), may result in your coverage being voided. 

Essential travel insurance tips

For information relating to policies purchased prior to 27 June 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For policies purchased from 27 June 2024, please see below.

Ignoring the practicalities of travelling through a large, remote and often very hot and dry country has caught out many experienced travellers. Here are a few things to know about your travel insurance cover before you travel around Australia.

Protect your gear from theft

Australians are renowned for their welcoming attitude and it’s with good reason, however, while the majority are friendly to travellers, some are more interested in your wallet than getting to know you. Theft is a common claim in Australia. It takes just seconds for a thief to grab your camera or wallet from under your beach towel at Bondi while you’re swimming, or off the table while you’re ordering coffee. Always keep your valuables on you or locked up (using the hotel safe or hostel lockers). Also don’t leave anything in your car as break and enters are common in urban areas (especially at night). If your belongings aren’t with you, and there is no evidence or police report of a theft, you may not be covered if they’re stolen.

Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything, particularly if you leave something behind or, on some insurance plans, if your gear is damaged. Check your policy carefully for full details of cover, including the limit payable on each item, the excess (your contribution or deductible) and any exclusions or conditions of cover such as depreciation or valid proof of ownership.

Baggage delay

Australia’s remoteness is part of its charm but can also present some challenges if your baggage is delayed. Most visitors require a half day plane ride to get to Australia, so you’re unlikely to get your baggage back quickly if your airline has delivered it to Sidney, Canada instead of Sydney, Australia. Most travel insurance policies can help replace essentials, like a change of clothes or toothbrush, if you have to wait more than 24 hours for your bags to arrive. Travel insurance isn’t designed to swap your ripped jeans for a designer pair, so read this section of your policy carefully before you spend up big and then try and claim.

Before you leave home, ensure your baggage is clearly labelled and the tags are firmly attached, giving your airline the best chance of getting it on the right plane or finding it quickly and getting it back to you.

Medical insurance for accidents or injuries

The Australian medical system is first class, but it comes with a price, so before you travel, make sure your travel insurance plan covers you for emergency medical expenses when overseas. This is different to the private health or private medical insurance cover you might have at home which may not cover you overseas. Cover for emergency medical expenses in your travel insurance plan can be your safety net. 

If you’re hurt or injured, contact us for assistance and we can help you understand what your policy covers. You may decide, if your ailment is minor and under the excess, to not make a claim. If it’s a life-threatening medical condition, always seek medical help immediately. Let us know as soon as you can what has happened so we can help you access medical assistance and keep your family and friends informed.

Adventure sport coverage

There are many great opportunities to do adventure sports in Australia, which is why our travel insurance covers hundreds of them from kite surfing to skiing and parasailing (over water only). Policy exclusions do vary, so, depending on the level of cover you’ve purchased, read it carefully and make sure you’re covered before you go bungee jumping in Cairns or scuba diving in Byron Bay. If you get hurt skiing in the Victorian Alps, and it’s not in your policy, it’s going to be a very expensive trip. And, remember, if you do something really reckless, like grab a snake by the head or go swimming with crocodiles, you may not be covered at all.

This is only a summary of coverage 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.

Brazilian residents are not covered by World Nomads travel insurance plans for the destination of Nepal.

Why is travel insurance to Nepal so expensive?

Travel insurance providers around the world have been hit with an extremely high number of claims in Nepal, which seriously threatens the viability of providing cover. 

Insurance, which has been costing travelers around $100-$150 USD for a three-week trip, pays for helicopter evacuations that cost $5000 USD. And there’s been an extraordinary number of them. In April 2019 we had to deal with and pay for 140 helicopter evacuations – that’s more than four per day! 

In 2014, 5% of claims for one part of our business was from travelers in Nepal. In just three years this had increased to 25%. In the most recent 2019 trekking season, the percentage of our travelers in Nepal who made a claim rose from 15% to 60%. This is why premiums have risen dramatically for some World Nomads customers (the price change doesn’t apply to policyholders who are residents of USA, Canada, Brazil, China or Philippines). 

There are lots of claims, and the cause is varied and complex

There is evidence of Nepalese providers over-servicing and inflating costs. This has been documented by several investigative journalists as you can read in this article published by The New York Times. Those investigations have revealed trekking companies, acting as ‘middlemen’, are collecting commissions of 50% of the cost billed to insurers. Helicopter companies are billing for four-hour flights that take only two or three hours and charging an inflated hourly rate. Hospitals have admitted to producing fake invoices for patients they never treated and have been accused of performing unnecessary medical procedures on Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) sufferers. 

There are now more than 2000 trekking companies in Nepal, and they are under pressure to move more travelers through treks at a faster rate, which may be contributing to the rise in AMS cases. Altitude sickness plays no favorites and can strike anyone regardless of their level of fitness and preparedness. Greater numbers of unwell trekkers means an increase in insurance claims. Please note, however, that the percentage rise in AMS cases far exceeds the percentage rise in travelers. 

How travel insurance works

Like any insurance, we collect a pool of money from insurance premiums, which those in need can call on to pay bills. If the amount of money going out exceeds the amount being paid in, obviously the pool will empty. Right now, that pool is emptying fast and it’s mostly going out through Nepal. 

The average cost of a claim from Nepal is $3000 USD. By comparison the average claim cost from the USA is $1600 USD – and the US has the most expensive medical system in the world.

What are our options? 

1. We could stop offering plans which cover Nepal, which is exactly what some travel insurance providers have done. But we don’t want to do that. We love Nepal. We love that you love Nepal. Pulling out of the market would also not be the right thing to do by the Nepalese people. They have given so much to travelers over the years, we don’t believe it is right to abandon them. We’re doing everything we can to avoid that. 
2. We could put prices up across the board for travelers to all destinations. In other words, everyone pays more, regardless of where they’re going, to put more money in the pool. Frankly, we’ve been doing that. A little bit of the premium for someone traveling to a low-claim destination helps offset the cost of the premium for someone traveling to a high claim destination. But continuing to do it is not fair on Nomads not going to Nepal because the costs are now excessive. 
3. The alternative is for travelers to Nepal to pay a fairer share of the costs and carry a higher burden of the risk. We’ve used this strategy in the past, but it hasn’t been enough. This is why the premium has gone up so much. Be warned, it could go even higher if the situation in Nepal doesn’t change. 

What we’re doing about it 

We are continuing with what we call “cost containment” procedures, such as:

• Asking trekking and helicopter companies and hospitals to justify the bills they are sending us.
• Asking for flight manifests and other documentation, not to make travelers jump through hoops, but to understand if what’s been charged is a fair price.
• Negotiating with trusted providers to set fixed prices for services. 
• Sending investigators into Nepal to interview and counsel providers. 
• Sending team members to Nepal to negotiate better deals with providers. 
• Asking trekking companies to call us for approval, where possible, before commencing an evacuation. We have asked if we can speak to the traveler prior to evacuation commencing. 
• Working with the Nepalese government to find a solution to this problem. 

What we are NOT doing is threatening to boycott Nepal or withdraw our services. We believe collaborative effort can find a solution that is right for our travelers, the Nepalese people, the trekking companies and the insurers. 

What you can do to help 

First, know that your health and wellbeing is our primary concern. If you are suffering from altitude sickness, please call our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team as soon as possible. We will do everything in our power to get you the medical care you need and will assist you in overcoming the condition. If it is possible (and it’s not always) call us to discuss your situation. Despite what you may be told, all the lodges at Gorek Shep have landline telephone connections, and all trekking companies have phone connection (cell or satellite). 

• Be as prepared as you can before commencing a trek. 
• Learn to recognize the symptoms of AMS.  
• Understand how the over-servicing is happening, this article of ours may help. 
• Take extra time to acclimatize before heading to higher altitudes. 
• If you suffer from symptoms of AMS descend to below 3800 meters, where medical evidence shows the symptoms will dissipate in between 12 and 24 hours. If that doesn’t work, you will need emergency evacuation and we’ll arrange it. 
• Acknowledge that at high altitude you may struggle to cope with the unfamiliar conditions – the cold, the lack of oxygen and the physical activity. 

Before you go, please familiarize yourself with what’s happening in Nepal and your policy wording, and where possible contact us before agreeing to any evacuations. Your health is paramount but eventually these rising costs will discourage travelers from choosing to go to Nepal, which will hurt the Nepalese people economically.

Essential tips for traveling in New Zealand

Home to outstanding natural wonders, a rich culture, and delectable eats, New Zealand is a land of plenty when it comes to travel experiences.

• What’s covered
• What’s not covered
• Protect your gear from theft
• Adventure sport
• Hiking safety
• FAQs

‘Kiwis’ are an affable bunch who prefer the outdoors to in. And when you step foot on “Aeoteroa” it’s clear why. The Bay of Islands offers world-class sailing, Fjordland National Park should be an immersive experience, and coming face-to-face with the cerulean waters of the Kawarau River on a bungy jump in Queenstown is all but a rite of passage.

No matter what your plans are, you should consider travel insurance as you never know when it may come in handy in the land of the long white cloud.

What’s covered?

Planning a trip to a laidback country has a way of rubbing off on you - you can feel impervious to the unruly. The truth is accidents, theft, and medical emergencies happen. Ease your mind before you go (or while traveling) with World Nomads travel insurance. With two levels of cover, Standard and Explorer, and depending on your Country of Residence, all our plans offer cover (up to the benefit limits) for:

• Loss of baggage and personal effects
• Medical emergencies
• Unexpected trip cancelation
• Trip interruption and delays
• Issues arising from a wide variety of sports, activities, and experiences.

Consider your travel insurance needs and select the right plan for you. If you need to make a claim, extend your policy, or get a quote (even while traveling), we’re here to help.

Note: all travel insurance plans are different, and cover will vary, depending on what's happened, your Country of Residence, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy.

What’s not covered

World Nomads is here to help, however travel insurance is not designed to cover everything, like if you decide you’d rather travel to Australia instead. With World Nomads, you can buy travel insurance when you book your trip from home or while you're already traveling around New Zealand. These are some circumstances where you won’t be covered:

• Cancellation costs because you’ve changed your mind.
• Participation in a sport or activity that is not listed in the policy wording (or agreed by World Nomads where you haven’t paid an additional premium)
• Mishaps as a result of reckless behavior.
• Costs arising from refusal to be repatriated once declared medically unfit to continue a trip but fit for repatriation.
• Non-emergency treatment that can wait until you return home (it's not health insurance, it's travel insurance for medical emergencies).
• Expenses you have not made every reasonable attempt to recover from the carrier, accommodation provider, booking or travel agents, any compensation scheme, or other source.

If you have any questions or are unsure if something is covered, contact us for more information.

Protect your gear from theft

Yes, Kiwis are a friendly bunch but that doesn’t mean theft and crime don’t exist. While not high, petty crime can be an issue.

Vehicle theft

Thieves are known to target vehicles. Never leave your valuables in your car or campervan, whether you’ve locked the doors or not, particularly in remote regions.

Never leave valuables unattended

Even in a safe country like New Zealand it’s important to always keep your valuables in sight. In cities, on public transport, and crowded areas be aware of your surroundings and never leave your valuables unattended - even for a minute.

Adventure sport

Adventure is all but New Zealand’s middle name. We cover a wide variety of sports and activities but before you strap on that bungy cord or slay the slopes in Queenstown, paddle down rushing rapids, or zorb down a grassy knoll, confirm which activities are covered as part of your travel insurance.

Hiking safety

New Zealand is one of the most spectacular hiking destinations in the world. From tramping The Milford Track to exploring Fox Glacier Valley, you’ll want to pack your walking shoes. No matter the trail it’s important to be prepared: always check the weather, hike with someone, and pack water and an emergency survival kit - because you never know what’s going to happen on the trail.

Access our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team around the clock

When you have World Nomads travel insurance you have access to 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team. If something goes awry our team can help, whether that’s finding a local medical facility, assisting with consular details, or getting you home for the medical help you need via repatriation.

Travel insurance doesn't cover everything. All of the information we provide is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the plans described. Coverage may not be the same or available for residents of all countries, states or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage.

About World Nomads

World Nomads polices are designed by travelers for travelers to provide simple and flexible travel insurance. Featuring coverage for more than 150 activities, you can get a quote, claim, or extend your policy online at www.worldnomads.com. All 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.

Watch Anton's true claim story

I fell on my side and heard the sound of dry stick breaking, I realized my leg was broken, then I just lay on the beach... The first phone call I got was from World Nomads and they basically told me, you don't worry about this Anton, just focus on getting better...and we'll take care of the rest.

Anton,
World Nomads customer from Iceland