• I need a Schengen visa. What does World Nomads travel insurance cover?
• Do I need travel insurance to visit any countries in the Schengen Area?
• Coronavirus and travel to EU countries
• Need extra info on Schengen visa and other visa requirements?

The Schengen Agreement allows residents of certain European countries to travel freely around the Schengen Area as though it's a single country. For travelers from other countries, you need to get a valid Schengen visa to do the same. Before you can get your visa, you'll need valid and adequate travel insurance.

I need a Schengen visa. What does World Nomads travel insurance cover?

The minimum coverage a travel insurance policy must have for the Schengen visa is €30,000. This is to cover any expenses that might arise if you suddenly and unexpectedly require, such as:

• Urgent medical treatment
• Hospitalization
• Out-patient care
• Medical evacuation
• Return of your remains home.

All World Nomads travel insurance policies offer cover for these benefits, although the limits vary and may not meet the visa requirement, depending on your Country of Residence. When you go to get a quote, it’s a good idea to match up the coverage limits with your visa requirements.

Make sure that your travel insurance is valid for the entire period of your stay (or transit) in the Schengen area. Our travel insurance policies are easily bought online, so you can buy what you need when you need it. Visa limits may change.

Coverage depends on your Country of Residence and varies between plans.

Do I need travel insurance to visit any countries in the Schengen Area?

A key requirement for getting a Schengen Visa is to have travel insurance covering you in all states in the Schengen Area. The easiest way to do this is to consider travel insurance. You can easily get a quote with World Nomads which offers two plans, Standard vs Explorer.

Not all travelers require a Schengen Visa to travel to the Schengen Area, as some countries including the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, and Canada have visa-free arrangements with the Schengen Zone. However, it’s still recommended you buy travel insurance should something go wrong on your trip, such as, your bags go missing or you have valuables stolen, you suffer an injury, your trip is canceled or delayed, or you may need cover for more than 150 activities, sports, and experiences.

If you are planning to travel to more than one Schengen country or want to be flexible with your itinerary, it is also a great way to ensure you are covered in the majority of countries in Europe.

Coronavirus and travel to EU countries

As Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to cause disruptions to international travel plans, even if you do have a Schengen visa, you may not be able to enter certain countries in the EU if travel restrictions or a travel ban is imposed due to a COVID-19 outbreak.

Many EU member states may also require international travelers to undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and test negative, and to quarantine on arrival. It is always a safe bet to check government websites for any last-minute travel bans or warnings and the World Health Organization (WHO) website for any COVID-19-related updates.

As always, you should spend some time researching the countries you are intending to travel to, as there may be a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning put in place at a moment’s notice or quarantine and vaccination requirements could be imposed.

Need extra info on Schengen visa and other visa requirements?

We have compiled some of our most read articles that cover many questions and have the latest information regarding Schengen visa requirements and other visa information. See below:

• New Entry Requirements for Travelers to Europe in 2024
• Travel insurance for Europe
• Tourist visas
• European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) explained

The above features and benefits are a summary of cover only. Take the time to read the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions in the policy wording for full details so that there are no surprises if you need to use it. If you’re not sure if something is covered, get in touch.

• Travel insurance for health emergencies
• So this isn't a health insurance plan?
• What does travel insurance cover if I'm sick or injured?
• 24/7 multilingual support when you need it the most
• Is there medical cover for Coronavirus?
• What’s not covered?

Travel insurance for health emergencies

Travel insurance is there to help you when you've been involved in an accident or you've fallen ill and need medical care. Our travel insurance policies can help patch you up and get you back on the road.

Just keep in mind that our policies are travel insurance policies and not health insurance policies or private medical insurance (PMI) policies, and they don’t cover pre-existing medical conditions.

Make sure you read through your policy wording carefully to see exactly what’s covered and how we might be able to help if you find yourself in a health emergency overseas.

So this isn't a health insurance plan?

Nope, it's a travel insurance policy. There’s a key difference: travel insurance can include cover for health issues and medical emergencies while you’re traveling overseas, while health insurance is designed to support healthy living at home (and while we do encourage healthy living, we don’t offer health insurance, sorry).

Our travel insurance policies are there for overseas medical emergencies and are not designed to cover ongoing illness or treatment overseas, or any treatment when you get home.

What does travel insurance cover if I'm sick or injured?

If you’re injured in an accident or suddenly become ill while traveling, you may be covered for overseas emergency medical treatment, including:

• Hospitalization
• Day surgery and out-patient treatment
• Visits to registered medical practitioners
• Prescribed medicines
• Ambulances
• Extra expenses to get you home, if medically necessary.

24/7 multi-lingual support when you need it the most

We also have 24-hour, multi-lingual assistance teams who can guide you to the nearest hospital, arrange medical transport, set up direct payments to the medical facility, and keep you in contact with your family back home. Coverage may depend on your past medical history, what's happened to you and any other conditions, limits or exclusions of cover as described in your policy.

Is there medical cover for Coronavirus?

Some, but not all, of our policies offer cover for medical expenses and repatriation if you get ill with Coronavirus (COVID-19) while overseas when it is not a pre-existing medical condition. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 while overseas your benefits may include:

• 24/7 access to our Emergency Assistance team, who can help you access local medical care
• Medical costs, including hospitalization
• Evacuation or repatriation if deemed medically necessary by us and in consultation with your attending physician.

To find out what cover applies to you, read our What’s Covered for Coronavirus, which has all of the details, including benefit limits, conditions and exclusions.

It’s important to note coverage depends on your Country of Residence and varies between plans.

What’s not covered?

Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. Common claims for overseas medical expenses we see where there's no cover include:

• If you've become intoxicated due to alcohol or drugs
• If you've been behaving in a reckless manner
• Non-emergency treatment that can wait until you return home (that's what your health insurance or national health coverage at home is designed to do)
• Pre-existing medical conditions, as outlined in your policy wording
• Ongoing treatment at home

This is not a full list of what's covered and what's not covered. There are limits and conditions and exclusions that apply, so for more information check out our articles on overseas emergency medical coverage and adventure sports coverage, and read your policy carefully before you buy. If you’re not sure if something is covered get in touch.

Taking the time to compare travel insurance policies can be the difference between getting help when you need it most… or being left without coverage. That’s why World Nomads has made it easy to compare travel insurance online, so you can quickly see at a glance what is and isn’t covered.

Getting it wrong can mean shelling out for ski hire when your skis or snowboard fails to arrive off the luggage conveyer belt, or getting stuck with unexpected medical bills if you have been in an accident.

• How do I compare travel insurance policies?
• Which travel insurance policy do I need?
• What does travel insurance not cover?

How do I compare travel insurance policies?

It’s important to make sure the policy you select will adequately cover your needs, as you may not be able to add coverage post purchase. We suggest the best starting point is to consider:

1. What are you planning on doing?
2. Where are you going?
3. How long will you be gone for?
4. What activities do you plan on participating in while you’re traveling?

Once you’ve done that, the next step is to consider the level of cover you’ll need and what you’ll need coverage for. To help you out and provide some context, the claims we most often see are for:

• Emergency overseas medical
• Delayed, lost or stolen baggage
• Trip cancellation

Another important consideration is 24/7 worldwide assistance so no matter where you are or what time it is, there’s someone just a phone call away waiting to help you and your family. Our emergency assistance teams can help you locate a doctor who speaks your language, coordinate payment for your emergency treatment, and even arrange for your emergency medical evacuation or repatriation home in a worst-case scenario.

Which travel insurance policy do I need?

Only you can decide which policy is best for you. Whether you are traveling domestically or internationally, our website makes it easy to compare prices and benefits.

To compare travel insurance policies online just enter a few details about your trip and you'll be able to compare our Standard and Explorer options, their benefits, and how much you’re covered for. When you get a quote, you’ll be able to compare the two plans side-by-side. You can also download and read the full policy wording before you buy.

Both the Standard and Explorer plan provide benefits like emergency medical; delayed, lost or stolen baggage; emergency evacuation; and cover for more than 150 activities. The Explorer plan has higher limits and sub-limits of coverage, and in some countries, it covers additional, more adventurous, activities too.

What does travel insurance not cover?

While we want to cover you for as many scenarios as possible, we can’t cover everything. Here are a few situations we don’t cover:

• Cancelling your trip due to fear of travel or just changing your mind.
• Anything illegal (we can’t bail you out or pay for your lawyer, but we might be able to help you find a lawyer that speaks your language).
• If you've taken drugs or overindulged in alcohol and have gotten into an accident.
• Non-emergency treatment that can wait until you return home (remember it's not regular health insurance; it's for medical emergencies).
• Some pre-existing conditions, especially those not stable and controlled.

This is not a full list of what's covered and not covered. There are terms, limits, conditions and exclusions that may apply. Always read your policy carefully before you buy and make sure it’s right for you and if you have more questions get in touch.

• What’s covered for natural disasters
• What’s not covered by travel insurance in the event of a natural disaster?
• Claims process made simple
• FAQ’s

Natural disasters not only cause physical harm, they also shut down airports, wipe out accommodation and cancel trips. While natural disasters are unpredictable, some give off enough warning so you're not caught off guard.

While you can’t control the weather, you can do your part to insure yourself against unexpected weather events. If you don’t want to risk it, you should consider travel insurance on your next trip just in case it gets cancelled, or you become stranded overseas and need to pay for additional accommodation and flights.

What’s covered

If you’re affected by a natural disaster, you may be able to make a claim for:

• Trip cancellation: You must do what you can to minimize your expense (which may mean cancelling your booking) and notify us as soon as possible within seven days.
• Trip interruption: You can make a claim for pre-paid, non-refundable travel arrangements that you haven’t been able to use, such as flights and other types of transportation, tours and hotels.

For World Nomads policies that do cover natural disasters in one way or another, you'll need to have bought a policy before the natural disaster event is known and do everything you can to minimize your expenses.

For example, if you’re a UK resident, you’ll be covered for reasonable additional accommodation (room only) and transport costs (Economy Class) you incur during your trip, if you’ve taken out the Explorer plan and you:

• Cannot use your booked accommodation during your trip due to a natural catastrophe.
• If you need to move to the nearest place of safety due to a natural catastrophe.

Always read the policy wording as you go through the purchase path, as there are terms and conditions, limits and exclusions on the cover. Cover will depend on your Country of Residence and which plan – Standard vs Explorer – you buy.

Travel insurance tip: If your destination is impacted by a natural catastrophe or severe weather then you must contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team as soon as possible so we are advised of the situation. If you do not comply with this condition, it may impact what we pay you for your claim.

What’s not covered by travel insurance in the event of a natural disaster?

• If you don’t follow the advice of the authorities.
• If you hang around to watch what happens.
• If you buy a policy after an event becomes known.

For more information regarding cover for natural disaster check out our Help Center article - Am I covered for a natural disaster? Just pick your country of residence in the country picker at the top of the page to access the latest information.

Claims process made simple

In the event that you need to file a claim, we’ve created this easy to follow step-by-step guide. Be sure to gather the following documentation, as it pertains to your case:

• Proof of all non-refundable, prepaid deposits or payments.
• Complete unused transportation tickets and vouchers.
• Original receipts for any expenses incurred because of the natural disaster.
• Original receipts for any new tickets.
• Invoices and original receipts from travel service providers.

If you have any questions about how World Nomads travel insurance covers natural disasters, please contact us.

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.

In today’s tech-centric world, taking your gadgets on the road is just as common and essential as packing an extra pair of socks. Whether you’re plugging into your social network or working remotely in a hub, we can help you protect your laptop, smart phones and other devices.

Travel Insurance: How can my electronics be covered?

Our policies may offer cover for a wide range of gadgets: iPhones, smartphones, iPads, Kindles, tablets, cameras, lenses and laptops. But how we can cover your items (and how much) depends on your Country of Residence and the plan you have selected. With Standard and Explorer travel insurance plans to choose from, we may offer cover for:

• When your gear is stolen, under your supervision
• Tech devices destroyed by a fire or a natural disaster.

Note: depreciation and wear and tear will be taken into account when calculating the value of your electronic items.

Does World Nomads travel insurance cover my tech?

Watch the video to learn how our travel policy can provide cover for all of your tech gear during your travels.

What's not covered by travel insurance?

• When you leave your gear behind
• Electronic malfunctions (you can take that up with the manufacturer)
• Any damage incurred when you check your device into your luggage
• Devices older than the policy can cover
• Items that can't be proved that you own (for example, you don't have a record of their purchase).

This is not a full list of what's covered and not covered. Other terms, conditions and exclusions may apply. Please read your policy carefully.

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.

Whether you’re trekking through the Eurasian Steppe, surfing in Maui, scuba diving off the coast of Thailand, or skiing in Canada, accidents or sickness can happen at any time during your trip. And if it’s bad enough, you may need to be medically evacuated or repatriated for ongoing medical care.

• What’s covered
• How do I get emergency assistance
• Am I covered if I get Coronavirus (COVID-19) while traveling?
• FAQs

Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Teams, and doctors and nurses have seen some horrific accidents and illnesses and have helped thousands of travelers be medically evacuated to appropriate facilities or repatriated home so they can fully recover.

What’s covered

If you’ve selected the right policy for the activity you’re doing and it’s medically necessary, there’s cover in all our policies for medical evacuation, as approved, by:

• Air ambulance
• Sea level aircraft
• Helicopter
• Ground ambulance
• Commercial airline upgrade
• Commercial airline with medical accompaniment

When we determine you’re medically fit to travel, we may decide to:

• Transport you to other medical care facilities; and/or
• Repatriate you to your Country of Residence if you’re declared medically unfit to continue your trip.

Cover is up to the amount shown in the Summary of Cover and is subject to our Emergency Assistance Team or us, on the advice of a medical practitioner appointed by us in consultation with your medical practitioner overseas, first deciding that:

• Transportation is medically necessary; and
• The style and timing of the transportation are reasonable and appropriate; and
• You’re medically fit to be evacuated; and
• You should be transferred to your Country of Residence.

How do I get emergency assistance

It’s essential that you get in contact with our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team as soon as reasonably possible so that our teams can support you from the time you fall sick or get injured until the time you get home.

So that our Emergency Assistance Teams can assist you quickly, please be ready with the following:

• Your policy number
• A contact number for where you are now
• The nature of your problem
• Your location

Am I covered if I get Coronavirus (COVID-19) while traveling?

Depending on your Country of Residence and the travel insurance plan you choose, you may also have access to Coronavirus (COVID-19) coverage for certain events including evacuation. Some of our plans offer:

• Emergency medical cover, evacuation and/or repatriation if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 while overseas.
• Cover for some additional Coronavirus-related events such as cancellation following a diagnosis to assist our travelers on the Explorer Plan.

To find out what cover applies to you, read our What's Covered for Coronavirus article which has all of the details, including benefit limits, conditions and exclusions.

Coverage depends on your Country of Residence and the Plan you choose.

Our policies aren’t designed to cover everything, so take the time to read the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions in the policy wording for full details so that there are no surprises if you need to use it. If you’re not sure if something is covered get in touch.

FAQs

What is the difference between medical evacuation and repatriation?

Emergency medical evacuations are required when you have a life-threatening condition, and the local medical facility can’t look after you. In this case if you’re not evacuated to a hospital in another city or country you could suffer from a serious health complication, or even worse. Medical repatriation is when we decide its medically necessary to return you to your Country of Residence because you are severely sick or injured. For example, if you’re traveling in Mexico and you get seriously injured or sick and we decide you’re better off being treated back in Australia, we can bring you home under medical supervision.

How will you help me if I need to be evacuated?

Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team's trained staff will help with medical problems, including locating nearest medical facilities and, if required, arranging your medical evacuation home. They can also assist with locating the nearest embassies and consulates as well as keeping you in touch with your close relatives and your employer in an emergency.

About World Nomads

World Nomads polices are designed by travelers for travelers to provide simple and flexible travel insurance. Featuring coverage for more than 200 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 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.

Having a pre-existing medical condition isn't a reason to stop traveling, but it can affect your travel insurance and what you’re covered for. Whether you're traveling off the grid or blogging in it, it's best to know if we can cover your pre-existing condition before your travel, so you're not caught unaware.

• What is a pre-existing medical condition?
• How are pre-existing medical conditions covered by travel insurance?
• Is Coronavirus a pre-existing medical condition?
• What's not covered by World Nomads Travel Insurance?
• Frequently asked questions

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

A pre-existing medical condition is any ongoing medical or dental condition that is either under investigation by a doctor, dentist or chiropractor, or you have experienced symptoms of the condition and are aware of them. It may also be any condition(s) you experienced within a specified period of time before you purchased your policy, for example in the previous 90 days, 180 days or other specified period of time.

It is important that you read your policy wording and any definition of a pre-existing medical condition and determine if the cover offered will meet your needs.

In addition, if you took out cover after you left home, there may be a waiting period (called a time excess in some policies) of up to 72 hours before the insurance takes effect, depending on your Country of Residence. Any illness or injury that occurs during this waiting period may be considered a pre-existing medical condition for the remaining period of your insurance.

How are pre-existing medical conditions covered by travel insurance?

Depending on your Country of Residence our policies may not cover pre-existing medical conditions. Check your policy information for your Country of Residence to see whether your pre-existing medical condition might be covered in your travel insurance policy.

In most instances our policies still cover many events for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions that can take place while on the road, as long as the event is not as a result of the pre-existing medical condition(s). This includes cover for:

• Baggage and personal belongings
• Medical, including evacuation and repatriation for unexpected illness and accidental injury that are not pre-existing medical conditions
• Natural catastrophe
• Lost or damaged passports, licenses or other travel documents
• Travel delay.

Our policy may also cover cancellation if, after you’ve purchased the policy and before you start your trip, you or someone whose health your trip is dependent on suffers a serious illness or injury.

To find out more about how to utilise your travel insurance in an emergency and how to claim visit our help center ‘Emergency & Claims’ page where you can find details for common questions.

Is Coronavirus a pre-existing medical condition?

It can be.

To find out more about Coronavirus (COVID-19) coverage for your Country of Residence, select your Country in the top left-hand corner of this screen. Or to read more about what cover applies to you, read our What’s Covered for Coronavirus article which has all of the details, including benefit limits, conditions and exclusions.

Coverage depends on your Country of Residence and varies between plans.

What's not covered by World Nomads Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. The main things that aren’t covered are:

• Pre-existing medical conditions as defined in the policy wording, unless specifically mentioned as covered in the policy
• Any medical expenses once you return home
• The sickness you caught overseas right before you remembered to buy a policy.

This isn't a full list of what's covered and not covered. There are item limits, conditions and exclusions that apply, so for more information check out our article on pre-existing medical conditions and read your policy wording carefully before you buy. If you’re not sure if something is covered get in touch.

Frequently asked questions

Looking for answers? Here are some of our frequently asked questions relating to insurance for anyone travelling with a pre-existing medical condition. You can also visit our Help Center for more information, or get in touch with our friendly customer service team for any specific questions.

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.

Trip resumption: what will be covered by travel insurance?

If you've had to interrupt your trip and return home because you were sick or injured overseas, or one of your close relatives has been hospitalized or has died, or a severe weather event has impacted your holiday, certain World Nomads policies offer coverage for reasonable transport and accommodation expenses to get you back on the road so that you can finish your trip.

What am I covered for if my trip has been cut short?

Every World Nomads policy will differ depending on your selected plan and your Country of Residence. As part of our Trip Interruption coverage, and depending on which plan you purchase – Standard vs Explorer - you may be covered (up to the benefit limits) for:

• An unexpected illness or injury
• A death in the family, yourself, or someone in your traveling party
• Trip interruption expenses – when a travel interruption over a certain number of hours occurs and you need to cover the essentials such as, phone, internet, refreshments or additional travel and accommodation. Terms and conditions apply.
• A missed connection
• An official government authority has issued a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning to a specific region or country and that warning was first given after you purchased the policy and after you booked the arrangements.
• You or a member of your traveling party are directly involved in a motor vehicle, railway, air or marine accident resulting in your inability to meet your connecting transport.
• Theft or damage of your or a member of your traveling party’s passport (excluding government confiscation for any reason not related to damage), travel documents or credit cards.
• Cancellation of a pre-paid, overseas tour, conference, music concert, international sporting event, funeral or wedding, or you being forced to use alternative public transport to arrive on time to attend this event.
• And many more.

You should read your policy wording carefully to understand what you will be covered for when it comes to trip interruption. Particularly the defined Insured Events, which relate specifically to the cancellation and trip interruption coverage.

Your policy still needs to be valid for the period of your resumed trip and needs to be the one that you were traveling on when you had to return home.

Make sure that you’ve selected the right travel insurance plan for your specific needs. With World Nomads you can get a quote, make a claim, or extend your policy instantly online, even while traveling.

Am I covered if my trip is interrupted by a pandemic?

It depends on which policy you have chosen. As much as we would love to cover every possible Coronavirus (COVID-19) scenario, that‘s not what travel insurance is designed for. Some exclusions may apply for epidemics, pandemics or World Health Organization (WHO) declarations of a public health emergency of international concern. When they apply, these exclusions are outlined in your policy wording.

To find out what cover applies to you, read our What’s Covered for Coronavirus article, which has all of the details, including benefit limits, conditions and exclusions.

Coverage depends on your Country of Residence and varies between plans.

Trip resumption: what's not covered by travel insurance?

• Any expenses incurred while you're at home
• Expenses to get you back on your trip if you went home because you're homesick
• A business class upgrade where you've been flying budget airlines
• Resumption if your policy has expired.

This is not a full list of what's covered and not covered. There are item limits and conditions and exclusions that apply, so for more information check out our article on trip resumption and read your policy carefully before you buy.