Photo © DuxX/IStock

What to do if you have to cancel your trip due to illness or injury

    Trusted by:

  • Trusted by:

1. Rearrange or cancel your bookings

As soon as you know that you won’t be able to use any pre-booked or pre-paid accommodation, transport or tours, you must try to rearrange them, or if necessary, cancel.

Just remember, if you decide to rearrange, we’ll only pay up to the benefit amount. If you don’t rearrange or cancel as soon as reasonably possible, we won’t cover any additional rearrangement or cancellation costs that arise as a result. But you should only cancel arrangements when it’s absolutely necessary.

For example, if your doctor says you can’t fly for two days, but you cancel a three-week trip, rather than putting it back by two days, we’ll only cover cancellation of two days’ worth of accommodation, not the entire booking.

2. Get it in writing

To support your claim, you’ll need to get the following:

  • Doctor or other medical practitioner’s report, confirming what happened and the nature of the illness or injury.
  • Hospital admission report (if the person was admitted to hospital)
  • Ambulance report (if they were involved)
  • An Garda Síochána report (if they were involved)
  • Any other relevant documentation related to what happened.

What does my travel insurance cover?

3. Keep your itineraries and receipts

You’ll need to keep your receipts, itineraries and booking and cancellation confirmations including details of any refunds received for any affected transport and accommodation.

This information may help you avoid unnecessary costs, gather the right evidence and help keep your claim hassle free.

Am I covered if I cancel my trip due to COVID-19?

The Coronavirus has made planning a trip harder than ever – which is why we’ve tried to add some certainty to the process with cover available on both the Standard and Explorer Plans. Cover is provided if you’ve had to cancel or rearrange your trip due to your or your travelling companion’s Coronavirus diagnosis. 

Please note, there will be no automatic cover to cancel if you have been just diagnosed with COVID-19. You will need to be certified from a medical practitioner that you are too ill to travel. Diagnosis must be made after you’ve bought your policy, and benefit limits apply.

If you have no option but to cancel your trip and the event is unforeseen and out of your control, you may be covered for the following:

  • If you or your travelling companion are diagnosed with Coronavirus and you have to cancel your trip, we will pay the non-refundable portion of your pre-paid travel arrangements. You will need to be certified by a medical practitioner that you are too ill to travel.
  • If your immediate relative in Ireland is hospitalised or dies due to Coronavirus and you have to cancel your trip, we will pay the non-refundable portion of your pre-paid travel arrangements.

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

Please note: COVID-19 cover depends on your Country of Residence and may vary based on when your policy was purchased.

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 in an accident?
  • Sudden death of an immediate relative?

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
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

Know where the nearest suitable medical facility is?

Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Injured abroad?
  • Need to get to hospital urgently?
  • Medical evacuation 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 Disruption
  • 24-Hour Medical Assistance Services
  • Baggage
  • And more (depending on your country of residence)
*This is a general summary only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

Get an instant travel insurance quote

Simple and flexible travel insurance designed by travellers, for travellers. See why over 3 million travelers have chosen World Nomads for over 20 years.

24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance

Whether you need medical assistance or emergency medical 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 Medical Assistance right now?

For policies purchased on or after 27 June 2024:
Phone: +353 4 69 017 022

For policies purchased before 27 June 2024:
+353 (0) 90 640 6460