Find out how earthquakes, volcanoes or tsunamis may be covered by travel insurance.
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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.
If you’re affected by a natural disaster, you may be able to make a claim for:
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
If you’re traveling to a region that’s known for natural disasters, it's a good idea to do some research to see if there have been any warnings. If you buy a policy after an event is known, and the natural disaster impacts your trip, you won’t be covered for any expenses.
With World Nomads you can buy travel insurance before you go or when you're already traveling any time anywhere 24-hours a day. Get an instant quote today.
One night, I was on the surf charter boat, in the Mentawai Islands, Sumatra, Indonesia. There was an earthquake and tsunami that hit and completely destroyed the boat. The boat caught fire. The fire spread rapidly and we had to abandon ship. The boat along with all personal belongs were completely destroyed. The fire spread so quickly that there was no time to collect any belongings. The only things I ended up with were the shorts I was wearing, my watch and wedding ring. Almost all my possessions and documentation were on the boat and destroyed.
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Contact the teamHere are our most frequently asked questions about natural disasters and insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center.
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.