How Travel Insurance Can Help in the Event of an Emergency
If an emergency situation evolves while you’re overseas, here’s how World Nomads can help.
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Traveling comes with unexpected challenges that can turn moments of joy into times of stress. When circumstances change, the emotional toll can be significant. Understanding the help available to you and your loved ones can help ease anxiety.
This article is for all our travelers facing urgent situations while abroad – be it a medical emergency, a sudden family crisis back home, or unforeseen incidents like theft.
Important first step: if you’ve found yourself in an emergency, call our 24/7 Emergency Team immediately so we can confirm your benefits and oversee your care.
- What should I do if I’m caught in a natural disaster while traveling?
- What should I do if I have a medical emergency while traveling?
- What should I do if I have an emergency and need to go back home?
- What should I do if there’s a criminal or terrorism emergency while traveling?
- What else is covered by travel insurance?
- How to submit a travel insurance claim
- What are some things travel insurance would not cover in an emergency?
- Tips for staying safe in an emergency
What should I do if I’m caught in a natural disaster while traveling?
If a natural disaster strikes while you're traveling with World Nomads travel insurance, first ensure your safety and follow any instructions given by local authorities. Once you are safe, contact our emergency team so we can assist.
You're covered for various natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes so long as the event happens before you bought your policy (you won’t be covered for a known event). This coverage helps manage unexpected changes, like emergency accommodation or rearranging travel plans if your flights are cancelled or delayed. There are certain restrictions though and coverage is limited to your policy limits. You can read more about this here.
Keep all receipts and documents related to any extra expenses or changes to your itinerary – you’ll need them to make your online claim.
Traveler tip: we won’t cover you for any expenses relating to natural disasters should you decide to travel to, remain in, or plan a journey to a region that has issued a 'Do Not Travel' warning. Keep an eye on the latest government advice for any travel alerts.
What should I do if I have a medical emergency while traveling?
Medical emergencies can be scary, especially in unfamiliar places. If you face a medical emergency, suddenly fall ill, have an accident while overseas, or someone on your policy passes away while traveling, follow these steps:
- Seek immediate help: your health is our priority. Call local emergency services to receive any necessary medical attention.
- Contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team: we’re here to help you navigate these challenging moments.
- Follow professional advice: Adhere to the medical professionals’ guidance. We can coordinate directly with them to ensure you receive the international medical care you require, including emergency evacuation and repatriation if required.
- Keep documentation: save all medical reports, receipts, and relevant documentation – these are essential for processing your claim. Learn about what happens if you are missing something.
- Stay in touch: keep us updated on your situation. If your condition changes, it’s crucial we know.
What if a medical emergency happens at home before you leave? Read our articles on what to do if you can’t travel because someone at home is sick or injured and travel insurance for cancellation.
Refer to your policy documents or contact us for further clarification – we’re here to help.
What should I do if I have an emergency and need to go back home?
World Nomads understands the stress in an event where you need to make a sudden trip home. Here's what to do for support:
- Contact our team: reach out to our emergency assistance team immediately.
- Check your coverage: review your trip interruption coverage details to understand what costs your policy can cover in case of family emergencies.
- Organize your travel: need a last-minute flight home? Our team can guide you through the process to ensure it aligns with your insurance benefits.
- Document everything: keep all relevant receipts and documents from your travel changes. For guidance on claims, check our detailed article on how to make a claim.
- Stay Informed: keep communication lines open with your family and our assistance team to adjust your travel plans as the situation develops.
- Manage your accommodation: take care of overseas accommodation by cancelling bookings or notifying landlords. Note: expenses won’t be reimbursed if you haven't made reasonable efforts to cancel or obtain refunds.
What should I do if there’s a criminal or terrorism emergency while traveling?
If you experience the unsettling event of a criminal or terrorism incident during your travels, here’s how World Nomads travel insurance supports you:
- Your safety is paramount: if you’re in danger, seek a safe location immediately. For emergencies, contact local authorities for assistance.
- Contact our team: once you are safe, inform our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team. Translators are available in dozens of languages, if that could help you situation.
- Review your coverage: learn about travel insurance and terrorism to understand the specifics of your coverage related to criminal or terrorism incidents.
- Stay informed and follow official guidance: stay updated with local news and travel advisories from your home country’s foreign affairs department. Adhere to all advice and directives from local and international security services. Be sure to also check our travel alerts for recent events.
- Document everything: collect and safeguard all relevant documentation, such as police reports and receipts for expenses incurred. These are crucial for any potential insurance claims.
What else is covered by travel insurance?
Beyond immediate emergencies, World Nomads travel insurance coverage includes various scenarios depending on your level of coverage. Coverage includes:
- Lost or stolen luggage
- Delayed baggage
- Emergency evacuation
- Unexpected airline issues, including flight delays
- 150 + adventure sports and activities
How to submit a travel insurance claim
Once you're safe, you should submit a claim. Gather all relevant documentation (medical reports, receipts, police reports, etc.) and submit the claim online, wherever you are in the world.
Still trying to figure out the process? Check out our step-by-step guide explaining how to make a claim or contact us.
What are some things travel insurance would not cover in an emergency?
Travel insurance supports your journey but excludes specific scenarios:
- Foreseeable events: no coverage is provided for predictable events announced through media or official channels before your travel commenced or your policy was issued.
- Non-essential costs: unnecessary, unreasonable, or extravagant expenses are not covered.
- Failure to follow the law: you’re not covered if you disregard laws or fail to take reasonable precautions following public warnings of disasters, terrorist acts, or other emergencies.
- Reckless behaviour: coverage does not extend to incidents where your safety is compromised through deliberate recklessness, including being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Voluntary plan changes: if you choose to alter your travel plans without necessity, the change is on your chequebook, not ours.
Tips for staying safe in an emergency
- Stay informed and prepared: continually monitor local news for updates and have an emergency plan with key contacts and routes.
- Carry essential supplies: keep hardcover copies of important documents, a basic first aid kit, and a portable charger handy.
- Know emergency contacts: memorize local emergency numbers and the location of your embassy or consulate.
- Avoid risk areas: steer clear of known dangerous areas and heed travel advisories and warnings.
- Stay calm and use common sense: try to stay calm and think things through in an emergency. It’s okay to feel scared, but staying clear-headed can help you handle the situation better.
- For more emergency safety tips, check out our Travel Wiser article.
Traveling soon? Get a travel insurance quote.
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Trip Cancellation
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- Been made redundant?
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Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
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- 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
- Luggage lost?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Tech trashed?
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- 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 tips for family adventure travel abroad
Avoid headaches while protecting loved ones on your next family adventure abroad.
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Traveling as a family can be an incredibly rewarding experience; creating memories, seeing amazing sights and sharing adventures together is exciting. It can also be very different to traveling solo or traveling when you were younger, and World Nomads Travel Insurance can help if things don’t go to plan.
With World Nomads, you can buy travel insurance for you and the whole family as soon as your trip is locked in and you're ready to go, or while you're on the road traveling.
- What's covered for families
- Considerations when traveling as a family
- Traveler tips
- Things to look out for when buying travel insurance
What's covered for families
Depending on your Country of Residence and the policy you choose, you and your family may be covered for:
- Coverage for extended stays – if you’re having too much fun and want to extend your holiday, your plan can be extended while still traveling for up to 12 months from your departure date (terms and conditions apply). We are happy to extend your policy as long as it’s done before the end date shown on your Certificate of Insurance. Be aware that if you buy a policy while traveling overseas, you must wait 72 hours before any cover is activated (with the exception of emergency medical as a result of a sudden accident which is witnessed and verified by an independent third party).
- Family Plans benefits – did you know that you can add your children and grandchildren to our policies at no extra cost? Only adults are charged. It’s just one of the ways we look after families on their travels.
- Emergency overseas medical and evacuation coverage – if you or a member of your family suffers an illness or accident whilst traveling, they may be covered for medical expenses and medical evacuation.
- Activities and sports coverage – broaden your family’s horizons with coverage for more than 150 sports, activities and adventures across the globe. Coverage varies between our two plans – Standard and Explorer– so it’s important to take the time to understand what activities you are likely to do, and the difference between our plans.
- Baggage and high-value items cover – if your baggage or items are stolen, lost or damaged you may be covered, including benefits if your bags are delayed and you need to purchase emergency clothes and toiletries.
- Cover for some Coronavirus-related events – our policies can offer medical coverage if you or your family are diagnosed with Coronavirus. You may also be able to get cover for Coronavirus-related travel costs such as personal quarantine and trip cancellation, depending on your country of residence and the plan you select.
Travel insurance tip: to avoid any surprises when making a claim, it’s a smart idea to become familiar with the various limits, benefits, available upgrades, terms and conditions before you buy a policy.
Considerations when traveling as a family
Keeping track of bags, belongings and children can be a challenge, especially when you’re rushing to catch a connecting flight or out seeing the sights. It may be worth considering the following before traveling:
Dependents eligible for cover
With World Nomads travel insurance cover, a dependent is:
- Child(ren) or grandchild(ren), or others for whom you are the legal guardian and,
- who are not in full time employment and,
- are 20 years old or younger at the Policy Issue Date and,
- are traveling with you on your trip and are listed as covered on your Certificate of Insurance.
Note: age limits for dependents as outlined above will vary depending on your country of residence.
When applying for a policy there must be at least one adult insured on the policy, and at least one of the insured adults on the policy must be the legal guardian of the dependent(s). World Nomads can cover up to 8 dependents per policy.
If a dependent is not traveling with their legal guardian they may need their own policy, depending on your country of residence. Read the policy wording carefully to choose the right plan and level of cover for everyone who is traveling with you. Your policy may have conditions and exclusions.
Activities for families (Adults and Children)
Want to take the family skiing in Japan? Going on a family hiking trip in the Canadian Rockies? Taking surfing lessons with the kids in Hawaii?
Depending on your country of residence, the plan you choose and the activity cover selected, you and your family can be covered for more than 150 activities, sports and adventures. To have cover for a broader range of adventure activities and sports you may need to upgrade your plan or select a plan with more benefits/coverage when you buy and pay the extra premium. Remember, you can’t upgrade your coverage after you buy, so it’s important to get this right on the first go.
Travel insurance tip 2: many policies cover white water rafting and kayaking, for example, but Class 6, Extreme and Exploratory Rapids, aren’t covered. Read the policy wording carefully to choose the right plan and/or adventure sport option for your trip. Your policy may have conditions and exclusions.
Medical emergencies, pregnancy and Covid cover
If a member of your family becomes sick or injured, with anything from food poisoning to a serious injury, our policies can cover the costs of medical treatment including hospitalisation, prescribed medicines and evacuation.
If a member of your family is diagnosed with Covid-19 you may be covered for medical expenses and hospital assistance, as well as repatriation. Depending on your country of residence and the plan selected, you may also be able to get extra cover for Coronavirus-related events such as cancellation, trip interruption expenses and some personal quarantine costs.
We also offer cover if you or a family member is traveling while pregnant. Whilst we don’t cover the normal costs associated with pregnancy, we may provide cover for pregnancy complications that may arise during your trip. Depending on your country of residence, cover may also apply for pre-trip cancellation due to complications of pregnancy.
24/7 Emergency Assistance
Our multi-lingual team helps take the stress out of already stressful situations and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We can offer assistance such as arranging medical transport, provide help when navigating language barriers, provide assistance following a robbery or assault, and giving support to you and your family.
Trip cancellations/interruptions
Our policies provide benefits if you need to cancel or rearrange your trip in the event that a member of your family becomes sick or injured, and they can’t travel or need to return home early. Depending on your country of residence and the plan selected we may also cover you if a natural disaster affects your trip.
Traveler tips
- Know the medical history and needs of your family. Take relevant medical information with you and keep it handy.
- Always check visa requirements of your intended destination(s) – some countries require you to have at least 6 months validity on your passport.
- When traveling with family, expect everything to take longer than usual. Give yourself plenty of time to get to airports, get through security and board transport. Keep your schedule loose and flexible.
- Give your child your contact information in case you get separated.
- Many places, attractions and restaurants offer discounts for children so be sure to ask.
- Bring some snacks. If something unexpected happens you can at least avoid hangry kids (and parents!) by having snacks handy.
Things to look out for when buying travel insurance
- Make sure you correctly choose the right trip dates, age limits, and level of cover.
- Ensure all your destinations are covered.
- Make sure you understand what a pre-existing medical condition is under our policy; most plans do not offer cover for pre-existing medical conditions.
- Some activities and sports may require extra level of cover or may not be covered.
- Make sure you clearly understand the benefit limits and the excess as per the level of cover you’ve selected.
- Understand that there will be General Exclusions in your cover for which you won’t be covered under any circumstances.
- Make copies of travel documents and keep receipts in case you need to make a claim.
This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You should read your policy wording in full, so you understand what is and isn’t covered. That way there won’t be any surprises if you need to use it. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
Want all the details?
You can compare the Standard and Explorer plans and prices through getting an instant online quote.
True Claims Stories
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?
- 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 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
- Luggage lost?
- Airline lost your gear?
- 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 teamVaccinations and travel insurance
What a new vaccine rollout means for your future travel plans
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Many of us have started to make plans to travel again as the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues. While the vaccine rollout is a major breakthrough, it’s in no way a golden ticket that will open the door to any destination.
Having to get a vaccine to travel to certain destinations is not a new development, many countries for decades have required travellers to get vaccinated to protect themselves from getting ill. There’s a long list of diseases that currently require a vaccine before traveling, these include, Malaria, Yellow Fever, and Typhoid, this is because no one wants to experience a disease outbreak in the middle of their holiday.
To top it off, travel requirements may even be imposed by travel suppliers such as airlines, hotels or cruise ships. You may need to show negative test results or proof of immunity through e-certificates or health/immunity passports, making traveling a little trickier than it was pre Coronavirus.
Planning your trip
Some individuals will have already received the vaccine, while others may have to wait many months depending on where they live and their personal circumstances. While you wait, here are some tips to have in mind if you are planning to travel:
Tip 1: Vaccines and travel go way back: Many countries have required travelers to get vaccinated (Malaria, Typhoid, Yellow Fever anyone?). Check consulate, health and government authority websites of the countries you're intending to visit. Some countries require proof of vaccination for some conditions before you're allowed entry and COVID-19 will most likely be no different. Check out our travel alert updates for more info.
Tip 2: Travel will depend on each countries’ rules: Travel will continue to depend on the measures your country of residence or the country you’re traveling to have in place. Even if you get the vaccine, and have a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, some countries will not allow entry, especially if there’s an outbreak.
Tip 3: Research is king: Many countries will ask you to get a certain vaccine to get in, this will just be the start. Be ready to comply with a long list of requirements to be allowed into some countries. Do your research on where you’re traveling to as you may need to pay fees and provide a stack of documents letting you travel to your destination. For example, you may need to pay for medical expenses if you end up in hospital, among other requirements.
Tip 4: Quarantine is here to stay: Even if you’ve received a vaccine you may still need to quarantine as you’ll need to comply with any quarantine requirements set forth by the destinations you’re traveling to. Quarantine times may vary depending on the country you’re traveling to, from one to seven days to a 14-day quarantine. Remember, you’ll most likely have to pay for the costs on your own.
This is a brief summary only and does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Please carefully read your Product Disclosure Statement for a full description of cover.
If you wish to change or cancel your travel plans, please contact your travel services providers directly for assistance as they may offer you a refund, credit voucher or some other form of compensation. You can always reach out and contact us if you have any questions.
What Does my Travel Insurance Cover?
A true claim story
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?
- 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 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 tips for the COVID-19 era
If you are getting ready to travel here are some tips to know before you go
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Key travel insurance tips for traveling in the age of COVID-19
At World Nomads, we’ve heard stories from many travelers telling us about how much they miss traveling and how they have had their dream trip disrupted by Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Dealing with eye-watering medical and quarantine bills is something most of us don’t budget for. To avoid some nasty surprises, we’ve compiled these handy tips that we hope will give you the upper hand for your next trip in this new traveling era of COVID-19.
While we can tell you what you should expect or look out for, we can’t tell you what you’ll need to know for your exact destination, so our number one tip is to check in with the government authority of the country you’re heading to, or through, and familiarize yourself with any new or existing COVID-19 requirements for entry...
Tip 1: Allow extra time at airports, particularly when traveling internationally:
If you’ve been given the greenlight to travel then we envy you, but it also means there may be a few more hoops for you to jump through. Many countries have implemented extra measures at borders, with airport and customs staff taking extra measures to collect health declarations at arrival, as well as travelers’ visa requirements and contact details. You may need to complete a travel risk assessment, undergo a COVID-19 test, or provide more information on where you’ve been and where you’re going. Be ready to add in an extra two to three hours if traveling in a large group or if you need to make a flight connection.
Tip 2: Get ready to quarantine:
While many countries have quarantine measures already in place, some countries may not have them until you arrive, or, you may be asked to go into mandatory quarantine if authorities believe you have come in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 or if an outbreak occurs. Please note that if you need to go into compulsory quarantine as required by the government to return to your home country, you will have to factor in the costs as this is not covered under World Nomads travel insurance policies.
Tip 3: Special visas and stay permits may be the new normal:
To kick-start tourism some popular destinations now require new tourist visas (e.g. Thailand, Costa Rica, Japan) with new rules in place to combat COVID-19 ensuring travellers visiting their country have a level of cover to pay any potential medical costs. We’re seeing more countries introduce these visas and with some new requirements travellers may need to:
- Buy extra locally-based travel insurance;
- Pass extra health tests to confirm you’re COVID-19 free;
- Provide a letter outlining your travel insurance cover benefits;
- Provide a letter agreeing that any required medical treatment will be paid by you if upon arrival you have a positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test or show symptoms of COVID-19.
Whether or not you’ll need to do this depends on the visa requirements at the countries you are traveling to or through. Also be prepared to use your credit card or have the funds if you’re asked to go to a hospital or need to quarantine on arrival.
Tip 4: Get tested for COVID-19 before you board your flight:
Now more than ever there are key benefits to getting a clean bill of health right before you go overseas. A growing number of airlines and governments now require travelers to produce a PCR test that shows they are negative for COVID-19. Many people have had to cancel their trips at the last-minute or have had significant losses because they didn’t get tested, or their PCR test was delayed. Make sure you know when the test needs to be taken – you'd hate to have it not count as you took it five hours before the eligible time period kicked in. Current reports have test times varying from 48 to 72 hours before your flight - check with the government at the destination you are heading to or through for any requirements and be sure you leave enough time to get tested and have the results back in time before you arrive at the airport to avoid delays, having to reschedule or deal with any further losses.
Tip 5: Research your travel bubbles, travel corridors and travel tiers:
Many countries and regions are planning or have implemented travel bubbles, travel corridors and travel tiers. It can get confusing knowing who can go where and when so it’s important to keep an eye on government and travel websites for travel alerts and what levels of travel may be in place, especially if you’ve bought your travel insurance quite far in advance of your travel dates (a lot can change in a week or two when it comes to COVID-19!). Be aware some travel bubbles are one way only – for example between New Zealand and Australia – this could mean added costs if you haven’t done your research. If that bubble does pop you could be required to go into quarantine if you’re already traveling, or you may have to cancel your trip if you haven’t left home. Many travel tiers and corridors can change at a moment’s notice when COVID-19 cases go up or down and may cause a big headache if you’ve booked tours, have connecting flights, and need to cancel or rearrange your flight and accommodation dates.
Tip 6: It pays to be an admin junkie:
One thing that remains super important with COVID-19 is keeping copies of receipts and your paperwork when you travel. It’s a good idea to send a copy to a friend or family member at home, as well as yourself via email, so you can always access them easily. When you first head off on your trip, you may need evidence of your planned travel and accommodation costs, and medical documents confirming you’ve got a clean bill of health. If you need to make a claim after you’ve returned home, you may need to:
- Provide proof of ownership;
- Provide any supporting police or carrier reports;
- Provide any evidence of accommodation, airline and tour operator related charges;
- Provide any medical evidence especially if you or your loved ones had an accident, fell ill or had to quarantine and had to use a credit card for extra costs and wish to be reimbursed.
Tip 7: Plan for a risk-free holiday and remember to have fun:
If you’re lucky enough to have a holiday planned out and everything goes to plan, you should take every measure possible in place to avoid putting yourself and others at risk of getting COVID-19. Some things that will help you have a stress-free holiday include:
- Always remember to keep social distancing
- Wear a face mask and carry hand sanitizer
- Comply with rules and any customs in the country that you’re visiting
- Consider driving (if properly licenced in the country you’re in) rather than flying, taking a train or bus to your next destination
- Use online or contactless reservations and check-in using contactless payment
- Self-cater when possible
- Try and avoid large crowds.
At the end of the day, your holiday is meant to be packed with fun and not stress. The better informed and prepared you are, the more fun you’ll have!
You can read more about the latest information on Coronavirus. If you have any unanswered questions our FAQ's section may be able to help out.
About World Nomads
World Nomads polices are designed by travelers for travelers to provide simple and flexible travel insurance – and it’s often cheaper than you might think! Featuring coverage for more than 150 activities, quotes are fast, free and you can do it all online at www.worldnomads.com. All of 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.
Did you know travel insurance covers...
- Trip cancellation
- Emergency medical
- Evacuation and repatriation
- Lost or damaged gear
- Delayed baggage
- Death overseas
- Terrorism
- And more...
You can also buy away from home or buy more cover if you extend your trip. Plus, you can claim online anytime, anywhere in the world.
True Claims Stories
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
- Luggage lost?
- Passport pilfered?
- Airline lost your gear?
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 teamTraveling during the busy holiday season
Travel tips to keep your holiday on track and on schedule during the busiest time of the year
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Travel tips for the one of the busiest times of the year... holiday season!
Ahh, holiday travel. Who hasn’t fantasized about bursting through the door with an armload of presents on Christmas Day, getting back home for Thanksgiving dinner, or maybe even just using that time off-work to get away? At World Nomads, we’re huge fans of travel during November and December… especially if it’s done right.
We know you’re itching to travel again. The world is waking to a new era of travel and while you want to launch heartily into the holiday season and explore new regions again, it’s important to plan ahead during peak travel periods so your much-needed holiday leaves a smile on your face.
Whatever your plans are for the holiday season you should consider purchasing travel insurance in case your dream vacation goes awry or is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).
- What's covered
- Tips for the busy peak holiday season
- Things to look out for when considering travel insurance
What's covered
The following is a small sample of what World Nomads Standard and Explorer plans offer (up to the benefit limits) for:
- Coverage for extended stays: Having too much fun and want to stay longer? You can extend your policy before it expires for up to 12 months from its start date. You must not have had any change to your health, submitted a claim or intend to, or exceeded the eligible age limit at the time to be eligible to extend.
- Emergency medical and evacuation coverage: Our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team can help you find a doctor and you can submit a claim to recover unexpected medical costs (up to your benefit limit). Our plans include emergency evacuation coverage for ambulances or transfers to an appropriate medical facility best suited for your care (subject to approval from us). Be sure to check the maximum benefit amount and terms of coverage in your policy.
- Baggage and personal belongings coverage: If your gear is damaged or swiped from under your nose, our gear coverage may help with replacing covered items (policy excess may apply).
- Activities coverage: We cover more than 150 sports and adventure activities, from ocean kayaking to mountain biking. Depending on your country of residence, you may need to include an insurance upgrade when you buy to have coverage for some activities. If you don’t have the right level of coverage, you won’t be able to claim if something goes wrong.
- Cover for Coronavirus-related events: Depending on your country of residence and the plan you choose, coverage can include medical assistance, repatriation and hospitalization benefits if you get sick with COVID-19 overseas. 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.
Traveler tip: Don’t forget to read the policy wording as all plans are different and coverage will depend on your country of residence. Never assume you’ll be covered in every situation, as benefit limits, terms and conditions and exclusions apply. If you are still unsure about what you are covered for, contact us.
Tips for the busy peak holiday season
Taking some simple precautions can be the difference between holiday season bliss and a trip you’d rather forget. Here are a few tips for making the most of that precious holiday time:
- Stay up to date: Our number one tip is to check with your government and the government authority of the country you’re heading to, or through, and familiarize yourself with any new or existing COVID-19 requirements for entry. Government travel advisories can change rapidly. Regularly check our travel alerts, and local news updates of the country you’re in. Depending on your country of residence, some of our Explorer Plans may cover coronavirus travel costs for cancellation and trip interruption due to coronavirus.
Traveler tip: Check your passport to make sure it hasn’t or won't expire soon. Some countries require at least six months of passport validity to allow entry. Be sure to review your and your travel companion’s passport details well in advance in case you need to renew a passport, as there have been big delays in getting passports renewed.
- Arrive at the airport early: Travel insurance can cover many unexpected events but arriving at the airport too late – by your own fault – isn’t one of them, sorry! Traffic jams, public transport delays, and finding a car parking spot can all create a nightmare when you’re trying to catch a flight. For those short holiday trips, just taking carry-on can take some of the stress out of battling your way to the bag drop counter hours before departure.
- Be prepared for flight cancellations and trip delays: We know daydreaming about your next vacation doesn’t include hold-ups but delays and cancellations are common during peak holiday periods as are COVID-19 operational delays. World Nomads Travel Insurance may protect you from some out-of-pocket expenses if your transport is overbooked, delayed or cancelled due to a covered event and you need to find alternative arrangements. Remember benefit limits and sub-limits apply.
Traveler tip: Try to find a direct flight rather than one with several connections, even if it costs more. You'll reduce the risk of missing connections, trip delays, and of losing your luggage during a transfer.
- Know your limits: At World Nomads we see people every holiday season who are seriously injured because they did things under the influence they would never do sober. Travel insurance won’t cover you for claims that occur when you’re intoxicated, so it’s never a good idea to go swimming at midnight or try that double back-flip on skis you could do when you were a kid. While under the influence of alcohol, a traveler is also a bigger target for pickpockets and thieves, especially solo and female travelers.
- Take safety seriously on (and off) the slopes: The Yuletide wonderland of the Tyrolean slopes can be a cold reality if your adventure turns into a skiing accident, or if your Christmas trip surfing at Bondi Beach turns into a nasty wipe-out. World Nomads’ plans provide cover for more than 150 adventure activities from snow sports to beach sports and a lot in between but not all activities are covered under every plan – you can find out what is available for your country of residence here. You may need to pay an additional premium for higher-risk activities or choose a different plan. Many activities also have specific conditions and exclusions such as altitude limits and diving limits.
- Book ahead: On top of the usual peak season crowds looking for tickets, restaurants and equipment to hire, nowadays health and safety requirements can mean fewer tickets and less capacity or equipment are available than usual. Booking in advance not only saves you from walking extra miles looking for that last remaining item, but also locks down prices in a time when skis at Banff or scuba gear in Indonesia are in high demand. Of course, sometimes you’ll want to take your own equipment and some of our policies may cover your sporting equipment if it is delayed or damaged in transit by a common carrier. Check your policy as benefit limits, terms and conditions apply.
- If you get sick while traveling: If you’ve sanitised in hourly rituals yet the New Year’s celebration in Rio still leaves you with a mystery illness, follow any local isolation requirements and contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team as soon as possible to help you find medical support and treatment. You can submit a claim for prescriptions, doctors’ visits and hospitalization. Remember some countries require proof of travel insurance or payment upfront before receiving medical treatment. A doctor will need to certify that you are medically unfit to continue with your original travel plans to support your injury or illness claim. Keep all documents and receipts to submit with your claim.
Things to look out for when considering travel insurance
- Make sure you correctly choose the right trip dates, ages of each traveler, and level of cover.
- Ensure all your destinations are covered.
- Make sure you understand what a pre-existing medical condition is under our policy, as we do not cover these conditions unless noted otherwise in the policy wording terms and conditions.
- Some activities and sports may require an extra level of cover or may not be covered.
- Make sure you clearly understand the benefit limits and the excess as per the level of cover you’ve selected.
- Understand that there will be General Exclusions in your policy for which you won’t be covered under any circumstances.
- Make copies of travel documents and keep receipts in case you need to make a claim.
This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You should read your policy wording in full, so you understand what is and isn’t covered. That way there won’t be any surprises if you need to use it. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
About World Nomads
World Nomads polices are designed by travelers for travelers to provide simple and flexible travel insurance – and it’s often cheaper than you might think! Featuring coverage for more than 150 activities, quotes are fast, free and you can do it all online at www.worldnomads.com. All of 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.
Did you know travel insurance covers...
- Trip cancellation
- Emergency medical
- Evacuation and repatriation
- Lost or damaged gear
- Delayed baggage
- Death overseas
- Terrorism
- And more...
You can also buy away from home or buy more cover if you extend your trip. Plus, you can claim online anytime, anywhere in the world.
True Claims Stories
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 team
