Travel Insurance for Terrorist Attacks
If the worst happens, travel insurance may be able to help.
- As featured in:
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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.
- What can travel insurance for U.S. residents cover if there's a terror attack?
- Can I cancel my trip if there’s been a terror attack?
- What’s not covered by travel insurance if there's a terror attack?
- Preparing for Travel
The world can be a volatile place, and we know terrorism is a concern for many travelers. Read on to learn more about what our travel insurance* plans cover.
What can travel insurance for U.S. residents cover if there's a terror attack?
First things first – get yourself to safety and follow the directions of the local authorities. When you are safe, give our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team a call and let them know where you are and what happened. The team may be coordinating with other travelers like yourself, and may be able to assist with directions, advice or even emergency evacuations, if you are in imminent physical danger. The team may also have contacts within the local governments or embassies, and this could be a valuable resource in your scary situation.
If you get injured in a terrorist incident while traveling, the emergency medical expense may reimburse you for:
- Hospitalization
- Emergency out-patient treatment
- X-rays, lab tests
- Medication
- Medical evacuation to bring you home, subject to approval from the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team
If you are not injured but are in imminent physical danger due to political unrest or security incidents, you may be eligible for evacuation to your original destination or to the nearest place of safety. You’d need to contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team if this happens and then may be able to make arrangements, keeping you informed as the situation develops. Often times, you won’t be the only traveler in this situation and so plans may already be in place for evacuations when you call.
Can I cancel my trip if there’s been a terror attack?
If a terrorist incident takes places in your departure city or in a city listed on your trip itinerary within 30 days of your departure date, you may have coverage for trip cancellation or trip interruption. In order to be eligible for coverage, you must purchase your travel insurance plan before an incident happens.
If you are concerned about future events, whether they are terrorism-related or not, you may also want to consider the optional ‘cancel-for-any-reason' add-on benefit. If you have an Explorer or Epic plan, you can add this benefit (for an additional charge) and you would be able to cancel your trip for any reason and recover a portion of the non-refundable, prepaid trip expenses. You must purchase this benefit during the time sensitive period of 7 days within making your first trip deposit or payment (booking an airline ticket, reserving a hotel, etc). Maybe you are just too nervous to fly right now – that will be covered with this benefit. Maybe the political environment has changed in the country you planned to visit, and you feel it’s now unsafe... that will be covered. If you don't have ‘cancel for any reason’, you will only be eligible to cancel or interrupt your trip for the specific covered reasons listed in your plan.
What’s not covered by travel insurance if there's a terror attack?
Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. Here are some things excluded from coverage (apart from the add-on ‘cancel for any reason’ benefit):
- Buying a plan after the event happens
- War or invasion whether war is declared or not
- Participation in any military maneuverer or training exercise
- Fear of travel or changing your mind (unless you purchase the optional ‘cancel for any reason’ coverage)
Preparing for Travel
Always research your destination before you travel. Visit travel.state.gov for the most up-to-date advice, travel advisories and security alerts provided by the U.S. government.
Register your trip with the State Department’s STEP program.
If the government of the United States or your host country makes an announcement about a potential terrorist incident, it’s a good idea to leave the area if it is safe to do so.
*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. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.How to get help if you're hurt in a terror attack
It’s essential that you get in contact with our assistance team as soon as possible so that our team can support you from the time you fall sick or get injured until the time you get home.
So that our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team can assist you quickly, please be ready with the following:
- Your plan number
- A contact number for where you are now
- The nature of your problem
- Your location
Terror Attacks in Paris.
After the terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13 and subsequent raids in St. Denis on November 18, we decided to cancel our trip until a better time to travel with our children overseas.
US Traveler
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for Terrorism. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Am I covered if I need to cancel my plans as a result of terrorism?
Covered reasons for trip cancellation are listed in the plan documents. We suggest you read those carefully to understand how they apply to terrorism situations. All our Single trip and annual travel insurance plans have trip cancellation coverage, but only for covered reasons. If terrorism is a concern of yours for the place you intend to travel to in the future, you may want to consider purchasing the Explorer or Epic plan and adding on the optional ‘cancel for any reason’ benefit (at an additional charge). This must be done during the time-sensitive period of 7 days.
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Can you refund the rest of my plan because I’ve returned home early?
No. If you’ve traveled on your plan, there are no partial refunds.
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 teamTravel Insurance for Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
Learn how travel insurance benefits may provide emergency evacuation abroad
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At a glance
- World Nomads offers plans that include travel insurance benefits for medical evacuation and repatriation.
- If your condition is acute, severe, or life threatening and there aren’t adequate medical facilities in your immediate area, you may be covered for the costs of being transported to a place where you can get suitable medical care. Terms and conditions apply.
- If your local treating medical provider and our non-insurance Travel Assistance Team determines it’s best for you to go back to the United States, you may be covered for the costs to travel back to your point of origin or primary residence. Additional terms and conditions apply.
- You may be reimbursed for the cost of transporting your baggage if you're evacuated and your baggage doesn't accompany you.
- Why should you consider travel insurance that covers medical evacuation and repatriation?
- What Could be Covered for Medical Evacuation and Repatriation
- Important to Know
- Plans and Medical Evacuation Maximum Benefit Amounts
- What is the difference between medical evacuation and repatriation?
- Travel Safely: Things We Recommend You Do Before Departing on Your Trip
- FAQs
Why should you consider travel insurance that covers medical evacuation and repatriation?
No matter where you’re traveling, accidents and sickness can happen at any time. But what happens if you get hurt while trekking through South America and the nearest hospital or appropriate medical facility is far away? You’ll need to get to a place where you can get medical care, and in some instances, you may need to come back home for treatment.
The US Department of State’s website states that most health insurance plans don’t pay to get you back to the US if you need medical evacuation. Per their estimates, an air ambulance back to the United States can cost up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Medical transport could be a lifesaver, but it could also quickly deplete your savings. Because of that you, you may want to consider getting a quote for a single-trip or annual travel protection plan that includes travel insurance benefits for medical evacuation and repatriation. Those benefits may cover, up to the maximum benefit amounts, the cost to get you to the closest adequate medical facility or home for further treatment. If you’re going to be at the hospital for more than 7 consecutive days, it may also include the transportation of a family member or companion who can be with you at your bedside, or the return of a dependent child back to your home.
What Could be Covered for Medical Evacuation and Repatriation
- Commercial flights
- Air ambulance or Medevac flights
- Sea level aircraft
- Helicopter
- Ground ambulance
- Necessary medical services and supplies
- The return of your baggage
Important to Know
- Pre-authorization is required for medical evacuation from the local attending physician and our 24/7 Non-insurance Emergency Assistance Team
- Medical evacuation is only applicable if you have an acute, severe, or life- threatening medical emergency and there’s not adequate treatment in your immediate area
- Continued medical care once you’re back home isn’t covered
- Terms and conditions apply; read your plan documents to understand the coverage
Plans and Medical Evacuation Maximum Benefit Amounts
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $400,000 for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains, and up to $1,000 for baggage return Get a quote |
Up to $500,000 for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains, and up to $1,000 for baggage return Get a quote |
Up to $700,000 for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains, and up to $1,000 for baggage return Get a quote |
Up to $100,000 per trip for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains, and up to $1,000 for baggage return Get a quote |
What is the difference between medical evacuation and repatriation?
World Nomads Travel Insurance may cover both medical evacuation and repatriation, but those are two different things. An emergency evacuation may cover transporting you to the nearest suitable medical facility where treatment is available if you have an acute, severe, or life-threatening medical emergency and there’s not adequate treatment in your immediate area.
Repatriation is a type of evacuation that may return you back home to the US when a doctor advises that you should no longer travel. This typically happens after your condition has stabilized. At that time, your travel insurance benefits for repatriation may cover your transportation to get you back home to the US to your point of origin or primary residence so you can seek further treatment.
World Nomads travel insurance also covers repatriation of remains. You may not worry about what happens after you die, but your family will, particularly if it happens overseas.
Travel Safely: Things We Recommend You Do Before Departing on Your Trip
- Research your destination. Check out the US government’s safety warnings for your destination before traveling. You can see if good medical care is widely available in the locations where you’ll be. You can also view all current advisories listed by the US Department of State.
- Sign up for portable health records. This is one of the non-insurance services included when you purchase a World Nomads plan with travel insurance benefits for medical evacuation and repatriation. This is a secure solution that allows you to have immediate access to your medical records anywhere in the world. If you’re traveling and end up having a medical emergency, it’s helpful for your medical team to know about important things such as your prescriptions, allergies, and medical conditions.
- Check vaccination requirements before you go. Your World Nomads plan includes another additional service that gives you pre-trip medical support. A team of US-licensed physicians can prescribe you vaccinations and medications that you may need for the destinations where you’ll be traveling.
- Have travel protection information easily accessible. Save the phone number for the 24/7 Non-insurance Emergency Assistance Team in your phone, as well as the plan number for the travel protection plan you purchased. In remote areas, you may not have cell service or electricity to charge your phone, so it’s not a bad idea to have a copy of this printed as well. You don’t want to be searching for that information if you have an emergency.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for emergency evacuation. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Does my regular health insurance cover medical evacuation and repatriation?
You’ll need to confirm that with your health insurance company. However, the US Department of State’s website states that most health insurance plans do not pay to bring you back to the United States if you need special medical evacuation by air ambulance.
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Can travel insurance benefits help if I get hurt when I’m traveling to a remote area?
All single-trip and annual travel insurance plans offered by World Nomads include travel insurance benefits for medical evacuation and repatriation. If you have an acute, severe, or life-threatening medical emergency and there’s not adequate treatment in your immediate area, you may be transported to the nearest suitable medical facility where treatment is available. If it is deemed medically necessary that you should go back to the US, you may be covered for the costs to get back for treatment. You must be pre-approved for these benefits by calling the 24/7 Non-insurance Emergency Assistance Team. Terms and conditions apply.
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Could Medevac flights covered?
Emergency evacuation and repatriation typically takes place through a commercial flight, but may include air ambulance or Medevac flights if deemed medically necessary. You’ll need to make sure you get a pre-authorization from our 24/7 Non-insurance Emergency Assistance Team though.
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What should I do if I have a medical emergency while traveling abroad?
In the event of a life-threatening emergency, call the local emergency authorities first to receive immediate assistance. If you’ve purchased a World Nomads plan that includes benefits for medical evacuation, and repatriation, contact the 24/7 Non-insurance Emergency Assistance Team as soon as possible. They’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
You’ll want to have this information handy when you call:
- Your plan number
- A contact number where you can be reached
- The nature of your problem
- Your location
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What happens if I die while traveling?
If you die overseas as the result of an accident or a sudden and unexpected illness, our single trip and annual plans offer coverage for:
- Local cremation overseas.
- Return of your remains back to the United States.
The return of your remains must be authorized in advance and approved by our 24/7 Non-insurance Emergency Assistance Team.
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How much does it cost to get travel insurance benefits for medical evacuation and repatriation?
When you get a quote for a plan that includes medical evacuation and repatriation benefits, you’ll input information about your trip that includes the destination and dates. It just takes a few minutes and you’ll then be shown the prices for the different single-trip and annual travel protection plans. At that point, you can choose the best travel insurance plan for your needs.
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How do I file a claim?
You can file a claim online, but you must notify us within 20 days of any losses, or as soon as is reasonably possible, and submit documentation within 90 days – including all receipts and invoices from medical and transportation providers. In order to submit a claim for a medical evacuation, you will need to get a pre-authorization by our 24/7 Non-insurance Emergency Assistance Team before you’re evacuated, and you’ll need to submit proof of that as well.
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 hospitalized?
- 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?
- Medevac 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)
Travel Insurance for Delayed Baggage
Learn how travel insurance could help if your luggage misses your flight.
- As featured in:
As featured in:
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.
- What's covered if my bags are delayed?
- Delayed or Lost Baggage Tracking and Delivery Service
- Items that aren't covered under baggage delay insurance
- If you need to make a claim for baggage delay
- Things you should know (and other tips for surviving delayed baggage)
We’ve been stuck in some remote locations with only the clothes on our back, so we understand the need to freshen up when your bags don't arrive. If you’ve arrived at the snow without warm clothes, or the tropics without a fresh pair of underwear, we can help you navigate a common traveler gripe – delayed baggage.
What’s covered if my bags are delayed?
When you arrive at your destination, but your bags don’t, and it’s looking like it will take some time for them to find their way back to you, World Nomads travel insurance* may help ease the blow.
If your checked-in bags are delayed by more than 12 hours en route to your destination, your plan can reimburse you for the essential items so you're not left wearing the same thing until your bags are found and returned.
Items you can claim reimbursement for if your bags are delayed include things like:
- Underwear
- Socks
- A change of clothes
- Toiletries
- Pajamas
You may also be covered for other reasonable and (deemed) necessary essential items. For example, if you’ve arrived at the ski slopes in Europe without a warm jacket (and other clothing to suit the weather of your destination), or you’ve traveled for a big event like a wedding and your dress or tux was in your checked bag.
Get in touch if you’re unsure what you can claim and be sure to look at your plan wording, including per-day and maximum limits, before making any purchase to replace your delayed items. When you get a quote, you can compare the coverage and limits in our plans side-by-side.
Delayed or Lost Baggage Tracking and Delivery Service (Non-Insurance)
If your checked baggage is lost or delayed by an airline, you should first talk with the airline and try to get it sorted out with them. If the bag is still lost, your next message should be to our non-insurance Delayed or Lost Baggage Tracking and Delivery service partner. They will get on the case and get your bag headed in the right direction, quickly. Included in all plans, this service covers every flight on any airline worldwide. You'll receive updates at every step. Just report your lost bags to the airline, then provide the file reference, record locator number, and Property Irregularity Report on the requested form.
Items that aren’t covered under baggage delay insurance
While things like a change of clothes and toiletries fall under the ‘items you can claim if your bags are delayed’ umbrella, not everything is reimbursable. The following items are excluded:
- Eyeglasses, sunglasses or contact lenses;
- Credit cards, tickets, cash and documents;
- Professional or occupational equipment or property including electronic business equipment;
- Hearing aids, orthodontic devices and prescription medications.
This is not a full list of exclusions. Please read your plan wording for full details including per-day and maximum limits.
If you need to make a claim for baggage delay
If your bags are missing for an extended time, you’re probably going to need to make a claim. Travel insurance is secondary to other coverage you may have, so you will need to claim reimbursement with your common carrier first, then with us for the remaining amount your airline won’t cover.
If you need to make a claim for delayed baggage there are a few steps you need to follow:
- Report it to your airline or other common carrier.
- Complete all documentation required by the carrier.
- Contact the Delayed or Lost Baggage Tracking and Delivery service partner.
- We suggest reviewing your plan documents to see what your per-item and maximum limits are.
- Consider what can actually be considered ‘essential’ items versus ‘wants’. Call the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team if you want to be sure (we highly suggest you do this so there won’t be surprises).
- Submit relevant receipts for the items you buy as part of the claim process.
Things you should know (and other tips for surviving delayed baggage)
There are limits on the amount you can spend, and if your bags are returned within the 12-hour waiting period, then coverage will not apply. So, before you go shopping for a new wardrobe, check your plan carefully on the limits, conditions and exclusions that may apply before you buy.
Sometimes it pays to squeeze everything into your carry-on luggage. Check out our handy tips for traveling with carry-on only and take care you don’t exceed luggage weight limits.
One of the best ways to keep your luggage safe is to keep your valuables with you. When in transit, take your most precious items out of your checked-in luggage and carry them with you in your carry-on luggage or daypack.
Finally, read our article on baggage and gear to learn about coverage for lost, stolen and damaged baggage.
*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. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.
Baggage Delay in a Delhi Winter.
I arrived in Delhi from Rome. Baggage claim help desk informed me that my bag had been delayed in transit. I was without my bag for almost a week before it was finally delivered to me. It was cold in Delhi (being winter, December) and my warm jacket was in my bag, requiring that I purchase a jacket and other items of warm clothing that I had not taken in my carry-on.
S.N. U.S Nomad in India.
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 hospitalized?
- 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?
- Medevac 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 teamTrip Cancellation Travel Insurance Benefit
How unexpected trip changes for US Residents may be covered by the trip cancellation insurance benefit
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As featured in:
At a glance
- Trip cancellation insurance benefits are included in all World Nomads Travel Insurance protection plans
- You may be reimbursed for pre-paid, unused, forfeited, non-refundable trip expenses if you need to cancel for an unforeseen, covered reason
- An optional ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ upgrade may be available for the Explorer and Epic plans offered by World Nomads (Not available for New York residents)
- Why consider travel insurance for trip cancellation?
- Reasons for Trip Cancellation that may be Covered
- Important to Know in the Event of a Claim
- Plans and Trip Cancellation Maximum Amounts
- What is a ‘cancel for any reason’ travel insurance benefit, and how is it different from trip cancellation insurance benefit?
- What you may need to file a trip cancellation claim
- Traveler Tips
- FAQs
Why consider travel insurance for trip cancellation?
Even when you’ve meticulously planned out all of the details of your dream vacation, sometimes things happen that cause you to cancel your trip. It’s painful enough to have to miss out on your getaway, but it’s even worse to also lose all of the money that you’ve already paid towards your trip. With a single-trip or annual travel plan that includes trip cancellation insurance benefits, you may be reimbursed for the non-refundable, unused, forfeited, pre-paid money you’ve spent for things like tours, transportation, and hotel accommodations if you cancel for a covered reason.
Reasons for Trip Cancellation that may be Covered
- Unexpected sickness or injury
- A terrorist incident occurs before Your Trip with 30 days of your scheduled departure date in the scheduled trip departure city or in a city listed on the scheduled itinerary of your trip
- A natural disaster makes your primary residence or scheduled destination accommodation uninhabitable and remain uninhabitable
- An unannounced airline strike that results in a complete cessation of services for at least 24 consecutive hours
- Inclement weather that causes your common carrier to stop services for at least 24 consecutive hours
Important to Know in the Event of a Claim
- Terms and conditions apply; read your plan documents to understand the coverages
- To cancel for sickness or injury, a doctor’s note may be required
- No coverage may be available for an event or circumstance that is known before you purchase your travel protection plan (like an already-named hurricane)
- Documentation showing the reason for your cancellation, as well as receipts for your trip expenses, if you intend to make a claim
Plans and Trip Cancellation Maximum Amounts
|
Standard Plan |
Explorer Plan |
Epic Plan |
Annual Plan |
| Up to a maximum of $2,500 Get a quote |
Up to a maximum of $10,000 Get a quote |
Up to a maximum of $15,000 Get a quote |
Up to a maximum of $5,000 per individual coverage term Get a quote |
What is a ‘cancel for any reason’ travel insurance benefit, and how is it different from trip cancellation insurance benefit?
Trip cancellation insurance benefits are included in all single-trip and annual travel plans offered by World Nomads and this gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. You may be reimbursed for unused, forfeited, prepaid, non-refundable expenses that you paid for in advance if your situation is one of the cancellation covered reasons listed in your plan document. For example, if you get sick before your trip and your doctor advises you not to travel at that time, you may be covered. If your flight is canceled by an airline and you aren’t able to make it to your destination, you may also be covered. (This is a real issue – almost 100,000 flights were canceled by U.S. air carriers in 2024.)
‘Cancel for any reason’ coverage allows you to cancel for any reason not otherwise covered by the plan, but it isn’t automatically included. It’s an optional add-on for US residents (not available to resides of New York) that’s available if you purchase the Epic or Explorer plan within seven days of the date your travel supplier receives you first trip deposit (like booking a hotel or airline ticket). This is called the ‘time sensitive period’. With ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ coverage, benefits may be paid for up to 75% of prepaid and non-refundable deposits and payments you made if you cancel your trip no later than 2 day prior to the scheduled departure date of your trip.
What you may need to file a trip cancellation claim
Should something unexpected happen that causes you to cancel your trip for a covered reason, you can file a claim online. In order to make a claim using your trip cancellation insurance benefit, you’ll need to provide required documents that may include but not limited to:
- Copies of receipts and invoices showing the unused, forfeited, prepaid, non-refundable expenses that you paid for in advance
- Documentation showing proof of what caused you to cancel your trip. For example, if you are canceling your trip due to illness, you’ll need to show medical reports proving you were unable to travel.
Our Recommended Traveler Tips
As travelers ourselves, we’ve felt the heartache of having to cancel trips. Nobody ever books a trip with the intention of canceling it, but we’ve dealt with everything from sickness to named storms that grounded flights. Here are a few of our personal travel tips that may help you avoid some of those situations.
- If you have an option to book refundable airline tickets, hotels, and tours, do it – even if it costs a little more.
- When you get a quote for travel protection that covers trip cancellation, read the plan documents and make sure you understand the covered reasons for trip cancellation. If you think there’s any possibility that you may cancel for any other reason than those listed, consider adding on ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ travel insurance coverage. With that, you can cancel for any reason– as long as you do so at least two days before your scheduled departure date. (It’s only available for those who purchase the Explorer or Epic plans, and it must be purchased during the time sensitive period. It’s also not available for New York residents.)
- Save all of your receipts. Every. Single. One. Don’t wait until you’re trying to make a claim – it’s painful digging through old emails to find those. Once you start planning your trip, create a folder and save everything in one place.
- Check out the S. Department of Transportation’s Cancellation and Delay Dashboard to see what is covered by various airlines. Many airlines will cover things such as meals, hotel accommodations, and transportation if a cancellation is due to circumstances within their control.
- Before you book your trip, research your destination on the U.S. Department of State’s website. You can search by destination and see if there are any travel advisories issued for where you’re going. If you see there’s a travel advisory after you book your trip, you won’t be able to cancel your trip and make a claim just because you don’t want to go. (If there’s a terrorist attack or natural disaster, you may be eligible for insurance benefits and non-insurance services.)
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for trip cancellation. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do all World Nomads plans include trip cancellation insurance benefits?
Yes, all of the travel protection plans offered by World Nomads Travel Insurance include trip cancellation insurance benefits. You may be reimbursed for unused, forfeited, prepaid, non-refundable expenses that you paid for in advance, but only if your situation is one of the covered events listed in your plan documents.
(The optional ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ add-on allows you to cancel for any reason not already covered by the plan, but it is only available for those who purchase the Explorer or Epic plans, and it must be purchased during the time sensitive period. This add-on is not available for New York residents.)
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What does trip cancellation coverage include?
Trip cancellation is a benefit that reimburses you for pre-paid, forfeited, unused, non-refundable trip payments if you need to cancel for an unforeseen, covered event such as an illness, injury, jury duty, a death in the family or an airline strike. Your plan documents list all the covered reasons.
Reimbursable costs may include things like airfare, train tickets, hotel rooms or tour expenses.
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Is 'Cancel for Any Reason' coverage automatically included in my travel protection plan?
No. ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ coverage is an additional add-on that is available to US residents (not available to residents of New York) who purchase either the Explorer or Epic plan within the time sensitive period. When you get a quote for travel protection with insurance benefits and non-insurance services and choose either the Explorer or Epic plan, you’ll see the option to add-on ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ coverage if you’re not a resident of New York.
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Along with trip cancellation insurance benefit, what else does a plan include?
A travel protection plan from World Nomads includes a range of travel insurance benefits and non-insurance services that may help with things such as trip delays, lost baggage, and emergency medical expenses. It may also cover 250+ sports, activities and experiences.
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How do I file a claim if I need to cancel my trip?
If you need to cancel your trip due to a covered reason, you can file a claim online. Be sure to save all your trip receipts – you’ll need to show proof of those non-refundable expenses when you submit a claim. Make sure you have documentation showing the reason for your canceled trip as well. For example, if you are canceling your trip due to illness, you’ll need to show medical reports proving you were unable to travel.
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 hospitalized?
- 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?
- Medevac 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)
Baggage Travel Insurance Benefits
Learn how travel insurance benefits for baggage may help protect US Residents if bags are lost, delayed, or stolen
- As featured in:
As featured in:
At a glance
- Travel insurance benefits for lost, damaged, destroyed, stolen, or delayed bags are included in all World Nomads Travel Insurance protection plans
- If your bags are delayed by at least 12 consecutive hours or more on the way to your destination, you may be reimbursed for necessary personal items until you are reunited with your belongings
- Our non-insurance service included in every plan tracks and delivers missing checked bags
- Stolen baggage, passports, or personal items such as cameras and computers may be covered (Up to per item and maximum benefit amount) Terms and conditions apply.
- Why consider travel insurance and non-insurance assistance services for lost or delayed bags?
- What May Be Covered in your plan
- Important to Know in the Event of a Claim
- Baggage and Personal Effects Maximum Amounts
- Baggage Delay Maximum Amounts
- What to do if your bags or belongings are lost, stolen, or delayed
- Recommended Travel and Packing Tips
- FAQs
Why consider travel insurance and non-insurance assistance services for lost or delayed bags?
If you’ve ever been the last one standing at the baggage carousel at an airport, waiting in vain for your belongings to appear, you know the sinking feeling that comes with losing your luggage. According to a 2024 air transportation study*, major airlines mishandle roughly 6 bags per 1,000 passengers — which equal over 33 million mishandled bags globally. Sometimes they just took a detour and ended up elsewhere temporarily, but occasionally they’re gone forever. Neither scenario is any fun, but a single-trip or annual travel protection plan that includes travel insurance benefits for lost or delayed bags may be able to help when your bag ends up somewhere other than where it’s supposed to be.
What May Be Covered in your plan
- Reimbursement for the purchase of necessary personal Items (like toiletries or a change of clothes) if your baggage is delayed by a common carrier for at least 12 consecutive hours on the way to your destination
- Delayed or lost baggage tracking and delivery service
- Stolen bags or personal items (may include your phone or camera.) Terms and conditions apply.
- Non-insurance assistance services to help with stolen passports, visas, or other travel documents
Important to Know in the Event of a Claim
- Coverage is secondary to any reimbursement you receive from your common carrier
- Subject to per-item and total maximum benefit amounts with the baggage and personal effects benefit
- If you leave your bags unattended and they get stolen, you may not be covered
- If your bag is lost or stolen, you must report it to the local authorities (airline, police, etc.) and get documentation of it
Baggage and Personal Effects Maximum Amounts
|
Standard Plan |
Explorer Plan |
Epic Plan |
Annual Plan |
| $500 maximum benefit payable per article, up to $1,000 total Get a quote |
$1,000 maximum benefit payable per article, up to $2,000 total Get a quote |
$1,000 maximum benefit payable per article, up to $3,000 total Get a quote |
$500 maximum benefit payable per article, up to $2,000 per trip Get a quote |
Baggage Delay Maximum Amounts
|
Standard Plan |
Explorer Plan |
Epic Plan |
Annual Plan |
| Up to $150 per day, up to a maximum of $750 Get a quote |
Up to $200 per day, up to a maximum of $1,000 Get a quote |
Up to $250 per day, up to a maximum of $1,250 Get a quote |
Up to $200 per day, up to a maximum of $1,000 Get a quote |
What to do if your bags or belongings are lost, stolen, or delayed
- If your bags are delayed, lost, or stolen, report it to your common carrier (airline, train, etc) or local authorities. Save proof of the report, documentation confirming delivery as well as reimbursement and receipts for essential items.
- Complete all documentation required by the carrier.
- If your bags are lost by an airline, contact our Delayed or Lost Baggage Tracking and Delivery service partner.
- Review your plan documents to see what your per-item and maximum benefit amounts are.
- If you need to purchase replacement items for a baggage delay, consider what can actually be considered ‘essential’ items versus ‘wants’ and save all receipts. You can file a claim online, but make sure you do it within 20 days after a loss occurs or as soon as is reasonably possible. In order to claim your travel insurance benefits for lost or delayed bags, you’ll need to provide required documents within 90 days of the loss.
Recommended Travel and Packing Tips
Nobody wants to deal with things like stolen iPhones or lost luggage, but unexpected things can happen when traveling. These are challenging circumstances, but there are a few essential traveler tips that can help you be proactive to try to avoid these situations.
- Consider traveling with a carry-on only. This can be the best way for you to avoid bags getting lost or delayed by your airline. If you must check a bag, put a tracking device in it so you can check in on its whereabouts.
- If you must check a bag, make sure your medications, glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, and orthodontic devices are in your carry-on. You won’t want to be without those things and these items may be excluded from your baggage and personal effects travel insurance benefit.
- In the event of a claim, receipts may be needed. Original receipts (if available) and a complete list of stolen, damaged or lost item(s) must be provided along with proof of loss providing amount of loss, date, time and cause of loss, and a repair estimate, if the item(s) is damaged; The easiest way to do this is to save receipts and take photos of what you are packing, prior to leaving on the trip.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for baggage travel insurance benefits. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do all World Nomads plans include travel insurance benefits for lost or delayed bags?
Yes, all of the travel protection plans offered by World Nomads Travel Insurance include travel insurance benefits for lost or delayed bags. When you get a quote, you can compare the coverage and limits in our plans side-by-side to see per item and maximum benefit amounts.
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If my bags are delayed, what necessary personal items could I be reimbursed for?
If your bags are delayed by at least 12 consecutive hours or more en route to your destination, your plan may reimburse you for the necessary personal items like:
- Socks
- Underwear
- A change of clothes
- Toiletries
- Pajamas
Be sure to look at your plan wording, including per-day and maximum benefit amounts, before making any purchase to replace your delayed items. If you’re not sure what you can claim, contact our team.
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What is the non-insurance delayed and lost baggage tracking and delivery service?
If your baggage is lost or delayed by an airline, our partnership with a Delayed or Lost Baggage Tracking and Delivery Service may come to your rescue. This non-insurance service tracks and expedites your lost luggage, allowing you to continue your travels smoothly. Included in all plans, this service covers every flight on any airline worldwide. You'll receive updates at every step. Just report your lost bags to the airline, then fill out the form. You’ll need the file reference, record locator number, and Property Irregularity Report.
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Could high value items be covered by the Baggage and Personal Effects travel insurance benefit?
Higher valued items like jewelry, watches, silver, gold or platinum items, furs and articles trimmed with fur, cameras, and camera equipment may be covered but are subject to special limits. Terms and conditions apply. Always read your plan wording carefully to ensure you have adequate coverage for your needs. If you still have questions, contact our team and we can help you figure out what’s best for your circumstance.
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 hospitalized?
- 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?
- Medevac 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)
Emergency Medical Expense Coverage for Accidents and Sicknesses
Accidents happen. Learn how US residents can protect their trip with emergency medical expense coverage
- As featured in:
As featured in:
At a glance
- Emergency medical help abroad: Accident & Sickness Medical Expense coverage for hospital stays, ambulance transport, prescriptions, and emergency dental treatment when you’re injured or sick overseas.
- Medical evacuation and repatriation benefit: World Nomads Travel Insurance may help cover the cost of Emergency Medical Evacuation if needed. (Subject to Approval)
- 24/7 global assistance: Our non-insurance Emergency Assistance team is on call 24/7 to help you find suitable care, communicate with doctors, and coordinate logistics in any language and in any time zone.
- Stay healthy on the road: Get pre-trip telehealth advice, upload portable medical records, and follow simple steps to prevent foodborne illness and altitude sickness while traveling.
- Why consider travel protection for medical emergencies abroad?
- Accident and Sickness Medical Expenses that may be covered
- What May Not Be Covered
- Accident and Sickness Medical Expense Coverage Maximums
- Our recommendations in the event of an unexpected medical emergency on your trip
- What you’ll need to file a claim
- Traveler Tips
- FAQs
We’ve seen just about everything on the road—from motorbike spills and sudden illnesses to allergy attacks and even a shark bite. When the unexpected happens, knowing who to call and how to get help overseas can make all the difference. With a plan from World Nomads Travel Insurance, you can explore with confidence knowing you’re prepared for those “just in case” moments.
Why consider travel protection for medical emergencies abroad?
One of the top reasons our nomads buy travel protection plans that include the medical expense insurance benefit is to protect themselves if they get sick or injured while abroad. Food poisoning, car accidents, or sudden illness can strike when you least expect it. In fact, 27% of claims across all US travel insurance companies in 2024 were for situations like this. Sometimes you just need a doctor to prescribe medicine, but serious cases may require hospitalization, surgery, or emergency evacuation.
Your regular health insurance back home may not cover you once you leave the country. With travel insurance that includes the medical expense coverage, you can get help arranging treatment and avoid paying high out-of-pocket costs if you end up in a hospital or need emergency care while traveling.
The non-insurance Emergency Assistance Team is available 24/7, 365 days a year. They should be your first call in any emergency, if the situation allows it. They’ll ask you:
- Your plan number (if you have it on you)
- A contact number to reach you
- The nature of your emergency
- Your location
- Any prescribed medication
- Call them at: 1-877-289-0968 within the United States and 1-954-334-8143 from anywhere in the world.
Accident and Sickness Medical Expenses that may be covered:
- Hospitalization
- X-Rays and Lab Tests
- Prescribed Medicines
- Ambulance Transportation
- Transportation to Your Primary Residence (Repatriation), if deemed medically necessary
- Emergency Dental Treatment
What May Not Be Covered:
- Non-emergency treatment that can wait until you return home
- Care or treatment that is payable under any other insurance plan
- Ongoing treatment at home
- Any reckless or illegal behavior, including being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Emergency Medical Coverage: Plan Comparisons
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| $125,000 per person Get a quote |
$150,000 per person Get a quote |
$250,000 per person Get a quote |
Up to $100,000 per person Get a quote |
Please note - plan benefits and provisions may vary by state jurisdiction.
Our recommendations in the event of an unexpected medical emergency on your trip
- Get to safety. In a serious emergency, go to the nearest hospital or safe location immediately.
- Call our non-insurance 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. They can recommend trusted doctors or clinics nearby.
- Stay in touch during treatment. As the unexpected situation develops, keep our team informed so they can continue to assist you.
- Need to be moved? If medically necessary, the non-insurance Emergency Assistance team can help arrange medical evacuation or repatriation— contact our team first before organizing transport yourself.
- Keep your paperwork. Save all medical reports and receipts, then file a claim within 20 days after a loss occurs or as soon as is reasonably possible.
What you’ll need to file a claim
The exact documentation will vary, depending on the care you received and the out of pocket expenses you paid. Some examples of required documents could include:
- Discharge records of injury or illness and reports for medical and/or dental expenses claimed
- Copies of all bills, receipts, invoices from the provider of services
- An incident report from the local authorities
- An explanation of benefits from any other applicable insurance
Our Recommended Traveler Tips
- Make use of our non-insurance service perks included in all plans.
- Pre-Departure Telehealth Service – chat virtually with a medical professional who can prescribe you travel medications, like for altitude sickness or traveler’s diarrhea. They can even prescribe you necessary vaccines.
- Portable Health Records – upload your medical records online so your necessary information travels with you.
- Be aware about food and water. To avoid foodborne illness while traveling, follow the rule: boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it. Don’t forget about safe water for brushing your teeth too.
- Prepare a basic travel health kit. Pack essentials like pain relievers, bandages, electrolyte packets, and prescription meds. Include copies of your health insurance card and emergency contact numbers.
- Stay aware of altitude and climate risks. If you’re traveling to high elevations or hot, humid regions, learn the symptoms of altitude sickness or heat exhaustion and pace yourself.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for overseas medical insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Why should I purchase a travel protection plan?
Many U.S. health insurance plans may not cover you outside the country, which can make medical care abroad expensive. World Nomads Travel Insurance offers plans that may help reimburse costs for hospitalization, prescriptions, and emergency evacuation — plus offer support if your trip is interrupted or your belongings are lost.
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What should I do in the event of a medical emergency while traveling abroad?
If you get hurt or sick while on vacation, contact local authorities as soon as you’re able to do so for immediate attention. If you are experiencing a medical emergency while on your trip, contact our 24/7 non-insurance Emergency Assistance Team at your earliest opportunity. They can direct you to an appropriate medical facility if you are sick or injured, plus much more! Be sure to have your plan number handy so they can find your information easily.
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Why should you consider emergency medical evacuation coverage?
If you’re traveling to a remote area or a destination with limited medical facilities, including cruise ships, medical evacuation coverage might be necessary . It could cover the cost of transport to the nearest suitable hospital or even back to your primary residence if medically necessary. Terms and conditions apply.
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What activities are covered by World Nomads Travel Insurance?
World Nomads is known for covering more than 250 adventure activities — from hiking, motorbiking, and adventure sports. Check your plan details to confirm which activities may be covered before you go.
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Are pre-existing medical conditions covered?
Pre-existing conditions are excluded from our plans. However, you could be eligible for the Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver if you purchased the Epic or Explorer plan during the time-sensitive period. Additional terms apply.
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How do I file a travel medical expense claim after my trip?
Save all documentation — medical reports, receipts, and discharge papers. You can file your claim online within 20 days after a loss occurs or as soon is reasonably possible.
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 hospitalized?
- 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?
- Medevac 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)
Travel insurance while already abroad
Get covered by World Nomads, even if you're already overseas
- As featured in:
As featured in:
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about buying away from home. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Is there a waiting period?
Yes, there is a waiting period for the policy and for types of cover. You can find the details in the Policy Wording.
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How long does it take to get a copy of my insurance?
As soon as the payment goes through, it will be emailed to you or in your membership.
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How do I extend my travel insurance if I'm already abroad?
You can extend your Single Trip policy online while already travelling as soon as your policy starts, up until 11.59pm GMT on the end date shown on your Certificate of Insurance. Please check the terms of the Policy Wording to confirm you are eligible.
Already travelling, decided to extend your stay and realised your travel insurance has expired? Or worse… realised you never bought it in the first place?
With World Nomads, if you live in the United Kingdom and you’re 69 years or younger, you can buy a policy online, anytime, from anywhere in the world.
We’ve designed simple and flexible travel insurance so you can buy what you need, when you need it, even while travelling. If you forgot to buy a policy before you started your trip, are outside the UK, or your cover has ended but your trip hasn’t, you can buy a World Nomads policy 24/7 online.
If you buy a policy after leaving home or when already overseas, a waiting period may apply, which means you may have to wait up to 72 hours for full cover to apply, and certain benefits (like pre-trip cancellation) may not be available as you’ve already left home (for trips solely winthin the UK) or boarded your transportation for international trips. Where the insurance is purchased after your trip has commenced, your country of residence will determine the laws, regulations and tax that apply.
Any illness or injury that occurs during the waiting period may be considered a pre-existing medical condition and, as a result, will not be covered. However, no waiting period applies if you're seriously injured as a result of an accident, if it’s witnessed by someone else, after you buy a policy.
Lastly, if you buy a new policy before your current policy expires, you'll have continuous cover. However, as your new policy terms and conditions may differ from your previous one, be sure to read the Policy Wording before you buy, as it will have full details of the cover, limits, conditions, and exclusions.
- Buy while travelling
- Get cover 24/7 online
- Instant confirmation
- Ongoing traveller support
- 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance
Waiting Periods apply
Malaria at Christmas
On the 25th of December I woke up feeling nausea, fever, headache, and lethargy. After two days with the symptoms not ceasing I went to a clinic and was admitted with severe malaria. I stayed in the hospital for two days taking shots for malaria and also saline drip.
A.G. Brazilian Nomad in Zambia
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
- Come to a sticky end?
- Called to jury duty?
- 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 drugs?
- 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?
- You or a family member dead?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Luggage lost?
- Passport pilfered?
- 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 teamTravel Insurance While Already Traveling
With World Nomads, you can easily get travel insurance while already travelling.
- As featured in:
As featured in:
- Do I need travel insurance?
- How do I get travel insurance while overseas?
- If I buy travel insurance while already abroad, what’s covered?
- What isn’t covered by travel insurance while overseas?
- Frequently asked questions
You’ve waited for this special getaway for so long. Maybe you’re heading out on a safari in Africa, backpacking through Europe, or learning to make pasta in Italy. With all the excitement of packing your bags, jumping on a plane, and jetting off to a faraway destination, travel insurance may have been the last thing on your mind. If you’ve already left Canada, you may now be asking yourself “Can I buy travel insurance while already abroad?” The answer is yes!
If you’ve left home without travel insurance, or your policy has run out and you’re still on the road, don’t panic. With World Nomads, you can easily get travel insurance while already travelling.
Do I need travel insurance?
Anytime you’re travelling, there’s always going to be some things you can’t anticipate. Because of this, travel insurance may be something you want to consider. As travellers ourselves, we’ve experienced cancelled flights and have been left sitting at the carousel for the bag that never came. We’ve also known nomads who have dealt with everything from biking injuries to stolen iPhones. Nobody enjoys dealing with these things, but they happen.
If you don’t start thinking about all of the “what if’s” until you’ve left Canada though, that’s ok. It’s still easy to get travel insurance while already abroad.
How do I get travel insurance while overseas?
You just need a good internet connection to get a quote for travel insurance while overseas. You’ll answer a few simple questions about your trip and follow the prompts that will outline the coverage and benefits offered by World Nomads travel insurance. You can then compare our Standard and Explorer plans side by side and select the best travel insurance plan for your needs. You’ll see that the Explorer plan costs more but has higher benefit limits and/or sub-limits than the Standard.
Make sure to add any activities you plan to participate in, read and accept the terms and conditions, pay for your insurance, and you’re done. It’s a simple process to buy travel insurance while already travelling, and within just a few minutes you’ll be back to lounging by the pool at your resort.
If I buy travel insurance while already abroad, what’s covered?
When you get a quote and purchase your travel insurance while overseas, you’ll see there’s several things that are covered.
Activities
World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Canadian residents. When you get a quote and purchase your World Nomads travel insurance, you’ll need to list your planned activities. 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. It is best to list out all possible activities you may do on your trip, even if you aren’t sure. This way you can travel worry-free. If you plan on participating in an activity that isn’t listed in your policy wording, you can contact us to determine if you’ll be covered.
Medical Emergencies
Even if you have a Government Health Insurance Plan, it may only pay a small portion, if any, of your medical expenses while you’re travelling internationally. Unless you have travel insurance that includes emergency medical coverage, you will be responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses you incur when you see medical attention. Medical providers in some areas may even require upfront payment and in some cases, if you have travel insurance, the 24-hour Emergency Assistance team may be able to arrange payment directly with the medical provider.
Travel insurance from World Nomads includes overseas emergency medical coverage for Canadian travellers, and you could be reimbursed for things like an ambulance transfer, medication, or a hospital stay. You will still need to have Government Health Insurance Plan 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.
Note that if you buy your World Nomads travel insurance plan while already abroad, there will be a 48 hour waiting period before you have emergency medical coverage for injury or sickness.
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
The availability of medical care is not the same in all destinations. If you get hurt hiking in a remote jungle in Thailand, you may find limited medical services available. Even if you’ve purchased your travel insurance while already abroad, local ground or air ambulance transportation and emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage will still be included in your World Nomads travel insurance plan. This coverage may help get you to a place that offers the level of care that you need, and could even assist with getting you back home to Canada if your attending physician and the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team agrees that’s best for your treatment.
Baggage
Baggage insurance may help reimburse the cost to replace your belongings if your bag was lost by a common carrier. World Nomads travel insurance includes coverage for lost bags, as well as delayed bags (up to your policy limits.) If your luggage is delayed more than 12 hours, you could be reimbursed for the costs of things like toiletries and a change of clothes.
Trip Interruption
Travel insurance covers many unwelcome situations that can occur while you’re on your trip. What happens if you unexpectedly get hurt while skiing in Japan and have to cut your trip short? Even if you wait to purchase your travel insurance while already abroad, your trip interruption coverage could help you be reimbursed for your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs if you can’t recover those costs from the travel supplier.
Natural Disasters
The Canadian government offers travel advice and advisories for destinations across the world, and you can easily see if there are specific risks for your destination. For example, the Canadian government offers warnings about volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis in Chile. You often can’t plan for the unpredictable forces of nature, and World Nomads offers coverage for unanticipated natural disasters that may cause the Canadian Government to issue a travel advisory against travel.
What isn’t covered by travel insurance while overseas?
Even the best travel insurance plans don’t cover everything. If you’ve thrown back too many cervezas in Mexico and trip and fall, you wouldn’t be covered for that.
A few other things that wouldn’t be covered include:
- Certain pre-existing medical condition(s) as explained in the policy wording
- Sickness or injury that happens within 48 hours of your departure date if you purchase travel insurance while already travelling
- Participation in other activities not listed as covered in your policy
- Travelling against your doctor’s advice
- Not following government ‘Do Not Travel’ warnings issued prior to departure
- Travel within your home province
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.
Malaria at Christmas
On Christmas Day, I woke up feeling nausea, fever, headache, and lethargy. After two days the symptoms hadn’t disappeared so I went to a clinic and was admitted with severe malaria. I was in the hospital for two days and had to take medication.
A.G. Brazilian Nomad in Zambia.
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
- Come to a sticky end?
- Called to jury duty?
- 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 drugs?
- 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?
- You or a family member dead?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Luggage lost?
- Passport pilfered?
- 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 teamFAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about buying travel insurance away from home. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team.
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Are there any waiting periods when I buy travel insurance while already abroad?
Yes. If you buy travel insurance while already abroad, there is a waiting period. There will be no coverage for any injury or sickness that occurs in the 48-hour period after your departure date (as defined in the policy).
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If I extend my trip, can I extend my travel insurance while overseas?
If you choose to extend your trip beyond your scheduled return date and you have not made a claim (nor is there any reason to make a claim), you may apply for a policy extension. The request for an extension must be made through and approved by World Nomads prior to your original return date. You must also pay the required additional premium before your original return date.
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If I have made a medical claim on my travel insurance while overseas, can I extend my policy coverage?
Yes, you can request an extension even if you already have a medical claim. However, if you have sought emergency medical treatment or filed a claim for emergency medical treatment prior to extending your trip, any subsequent medical treatment related to your medical emergency will not be covered under the extension of coverage.
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What is the best travel insurance while overseas?
World Nomads offers two different options for Canadian travellers. When you get a quote, you can check out the Standard and Explorer plans to compare coverage side by side. You can then determine the best travel insurance plan is the best for your particular needs.
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What is the cost for travel insurance while already abroad?
You can get an instant quote for travel insurance online and the whole process only takes a few minutes. Be sure to read your policy to see exactly what coverage is included.
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Does travel insurance cover travel within Canada?
Yes, World Nomads covers domestic travel for Canadians travelling within Canada. Your travel insurance can be used anywhere outside of your home province and you can still get a quote and purchase World Nomads travel insurance if you have already started your trip to another province.
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How do I make a travel insurance claim?
You can start a claim online at any time. Make sure you keep all receipts and documentation that you may need for your claim.
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Can my whole family be covered by my travel insurance while overseas?
With World Nomads travel insurance has options for solo travelers, as well as couples and families. You can include up to 2 adults and up to 7 children per policy. When you get a quote, you’ll be asked for information on the others in your travel party.
Buy Away From Home
Forgot to buy travel insurance before you left? Here’s what US residents can do now
- As featured in:
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At a glance
- Emergency medical help abroad: Coverage for hospital stays, ambulance transport, prescriptions, and emergency dental treatment when you’re injured or sick overseas.
- Medical evacuation and repatriation: If medically necessary, World Nomads can arrange and cover your transport to the nearest suitable hospital—or even back home.
- 24/7 global assistance: Our Emergency Assistance team is on call 24/7 to help you find suitable care, communicate with doctors, and coordinate logistics in any language and in any time zone.
- Stay healthy on the road: Get pre-trip telehealth advice, upload portable medical records, and follow simple steps to prevent foodborne illness and altitude sickness while traveling.
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.
With all the excitement of packing your bags, jumping on a plane, and jetting off to a faraway destination, travel insurance may slip your mind. You may be asking yourself “Can I buy travel protection while already traveling?” The answer is yes!
If you’ve left home without travel insurance or your plan has run out while you’re still on the road, don’t panic. World Nomads Travel Insurance has got you covered with simple and flexible travel protection plans that you can buy online, anytime, from anywhere in the world.
How can I purchase a plan if I’m already traveling?
It’s easy - all you need is a good internet connection. Head to our website to get a quote. Answer a few simple questions about your trip and follow the prompts that will outline the coverage and benefits we offer. World Nomads offers four plans for U.S. residents – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – each with different levels of coverage. Get a quote and compare the plans to see which level of coverage is right for you. Terms and conditions apply.
What losses may be covered by World Nomads Travel Insurance?
We’ve designed our travel protection plans to be simple, flexible and include the things our travelers have told us are most important to them.
Our plans include a range of coverage options. Please review highlights below, then confirm that the plan you select includes the specific benefits you’re looking for:
Explorer and Epic Plan Benefit Options:
(Please note: Coverage and maximum amounts may vary and may not be available in all states)
Trip length maximums
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 180 days Get a quote |
180 days Get a quote |
180 days Get a quote |
45 days per trip Get a quote |
Terms, conditions, and limitations apply to all mentioned coverages.
All plans include travel insurance coverage, as well as several additional non-insurance services that may support you both before and during your trip. These include delayed or lost baggage tracking and delivery, portable health records and pre-departure telehealth services.
Are there any waiting periods if I buy a travel protection plan after departure?
World Nomads Travel Insurance for U.S. residents takes effect at 12:01am local time the day after you purchase your plan. So, if you’re already traveling and want to get coverage, you’ll need to purchase your plan at least the day before you need coverage.
You may want to consider purchasing your protection plan during the time sensitive period of 7 days after your initial trip deposit or payment. If you purchased the Explorer or Epic Plan, buying it in this time sensitive period unlocks additional insurance components and plan offerings that could be very valuable to you on your trip.
20251106-4960341. This is not a full list of what is and isn’t covered, so please check your plan document for a full list of maximums, terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that may apply to your state specific plan. Any example scenarios provided above are not a guarantee of coverage. All claims are subject to review, require documentation and are considered individually. Exclusion applies to Adventure or Extreme Activities.FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about buying cover away from home. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Can I purchase a plan after my trip starts?
Yes. If your trip has already started, World Nomads can still offer you coverage. You can buy a travel protection plan that includes travel insurance coverage online anytime, from anywhere in the world. World Nomads Travel Insurance for U.S. residents take effect at 12:01 a.m. local time the day after you purchase your plan. If you’re already traveling and want to get coverage, you’ll need to purchase your plan at least the day before you need coverage. Terms and conditions apply.
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When does my coverage start if I buy a plan after departure?
If you buy a World Nomads plan while traveling, terms and conditions may apply. For U.S. residents, coverage take effect at 12:01am local time the day after you purchase your plan. That means if you need coverage for a trip or activity, it’s best to buy your plan at least one day in advance.
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How do I submit a claim?
Make sure you have all of your documentation together if you need to submit a claim. You’ll need to show proof of the things that you’ve purchased in advance, such as flights and hotel accommodation. That documentation will also need to show the dates that you made those purchases. Once you have everything together, you can start a claim.
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 hospitalized?
- 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?
- Medevac 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)
Can I buy a travel insurance policy if I'm already overseas?
Get covered by World Nomads, even if you're already on the road.
- As featured in:
As featured in:
Can I buy a travel insurance policy if I'm already overseas?
I’m already overseas – can I get travel insurance?
Are there any special conditions?
How does a waiting period work?
Need to extend your policy?
FAQs
If you're a New Zealander and you’ve left home without travel insurance or your policy has run out and you’re still on the road, World Nomads may have you covered. With World Nomads, you can buy a policy online, anytime, from anywhere in the world.
We know it's easy to forget to buy travel insurance. With World Nomads, you can buy a travel insurance policy even after you've left home (waiting periods apply).
I’m already overseas – can I get travel insurance?
If you forgot to buy a policy before you started your trip, are outside New Zealand without insurance, or your cover has ended but your trip hasn’t, you can buy a World Nomads policy 24/7 online.
If you buy a policy while travelling, you'll have to wait up to 72 hours for full cover to apply. However, cover may apply straight away for emergency medical and dental expenses and medical evacuation and repatriation if you suffer a serious injury as a result of an accident that occurs after you buy your policy.
Your Policy Document will have full details to understand the cover, limits, and exclusions.
Are there any special conditions?
If you buy a policy while you’re already travelling, you will need to wait 72 hours after purchasing before your cover will start. This is called a waiting period.
How does a waiting period work?
- If you buy a policy when you're overseas and the policy start date is within 72 hours of issue of your certificate of insurance, you'll need to wait 72 hours for cover to begin.
- If you purchase a policy when you're overseas and the policy start date is 72 hours or more after the issue of your certificate of insurance, cover for Cancellation or Trip Interruption expenses will begin 72 hours from the time we issue the policy, with all other benefits commencing on your departure date.
Get a quote and buy online 24/7
With World Nomads you can Get an instant quote anytime, anywhere, before you leave home or while you’re on the road.
Cover for medical emergencies
While there is a 72-hour waiting period if you purchase your travel insurance after you’ve started travelling, both our Standard and Explorer policies may offer cover for overseas medical expenses and medical evacuation and repatriation after the policy departure date and before the end of the 72-hour waiting period.
If something goes wrong and you suffer a serious injury as the result of an accident, there may be cover for emergency overseas medical and dental expenses, and emergency evacuation and repatriation expenses, without having to wait 72 hours.
All other cover and benefits still begin 72 hours from when your certificate of insurance is issued, and only for events first occurring after the 72-hour waiting period.
Need to extend your policy?
If you’re travelling and decide you want to travel for longer, we can help you stay covered by extending your existing policy for up to 12 months. Simply sign into your World Nomads membership to check eligibility and extend your cover before 11:59pm AEST/AEDT on the return date shown on your certificate of insurance. Check out our Helpdesk guide for more information on how to extend your cover.
Traveller tip: our 24/7 emergency assistance team is here to help if things go wrong. They can help organise medical transport, payment of hospital bills and assist with medical emergencies.
If you aren’t sure of anything, or have questions, be sure to check out our comprehensive FAQs or you can also contact us.
- Buy while travelling
- Get cover 24/7 online
- Instant confirmation
- Ongoing traveller support
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance
Waiting periods apply
FAQs
Here are our most frequently asked questions about buying away from home. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Can I buy travel insurance after I’ve already left home?
With World Nomads, you can buy a policy online even if you’re already overseas. Just note that a 72-hour waiting period applies before full cover begins.
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Can I extend my existing travel insurance policy?
In most cases, yes. You can extend your cover before your current travel insurance policy expires — up to a maximum of 12 months from your start date.
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Am I covered immediately after I buy?
Not quite. There’s a 72-hour waiting period after you receive your Certificate of Insurance, but certain serious medical emergencies may be covered sooner.
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What if I’m injured or my stuff is stolen during the waiting period?
You may not be covered for losses during that time (unless it’s a serious medical emergency). Always check your travel insurance policy details before making a claim.
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Should I buy travel insurance before I leave or while on holiday?
Purchasing travel insurance before you travel may provide cover for pre-trip cancellation for a number of insured events, but we can't cover events that occur before you buy your policy.
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How long does it take to get a copy of my travel insurance?
As soon as the payment goes through, it will be emailed to you or you can access it in your membership.
Left home without travel insurance?
Learn how you can buy your travel insurance policy while traveling anytime from anywhere in the world by watching this video.
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 Document 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.
The information provided is of a general nature and is provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice in any form and should not be relied on as a substitute for obtaining professional advice that is specific to your circumstances. You should seek advice from a financial advice provider if you would like further information about whether a particular product is appropriate for you and your circumstances.
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
- Have you carked it?
- Have your relos carked it?
- Has an earthquake damaged your home?
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 medicine?
- 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 overseas?
- Medivac needed home?
- You died overseas?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Damaged docs?
- Passport pilfered?
- 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 team