Yes, cover may be available if you are planning on going on a working holiday, depending on the type of work you'll be doing.
When you have the appropriate working visa for the country you're planning to work in and the appropriate qualification, certification or license for that work (where applicable), cover may be available for:
- Non-manual paid or volunteer work, e.g. childcare, teaching and administrative
- General manual paid or volunteer work, e.g. retail, bar or hospitality (NOT including use of mechanical and industrial machinery and/or working at a height exceeding two metres above ground level).
Special conditions and Special exclusions apply to certain work activities and you may be required to pay an additional premium.
What you need to do
- When getting your travel insurance quote, list ‘working’, then choose the work activity that you're planning to do, e.g. administration, retail, hospitality, manual.
- You must add all the adventures and activities you plan to try on your trip at the time you purchase your policy. You won’t be able to make changes after your policy is issued.
Work is defined as any work, including volunteer work, work placements, incidental work, and work experience, paid or unpaid. If you’re going to be working with animals, or it’s a possibility, let us know so we can confirm whether or not there’s cover available.
How it works
If something happens while at work and you’re in need of medical evacuation, or if you are hospitalised and incur emergency medical expenses abroad, you, or someone with you, must first contact our Emergency Medical Assistance team as soon as possible when it first becomes apparent that you will be admitted as an inpatient for at least one night.
You must let us know how you are going and keep in contact with our EA team until you no longer require treatment or assistance.
If you’re planning on working or volunteering overseas, there may be cover for some Coronavirus-related events.
For policies purchased before June 27, 2024: if you get sick with COVID-19 while overseas and it is not considered a pre-existing medical condition (as defined in the Policy Wording), we have cover for emergency medical overseas expenses, evacuation and repatriation, if medically necessary. In addition, for UK travellers who have purchased an Explorer Plan, we have cover for some COVID-19-related events to assist our travellers.
You can check out our Coronavirus cover article which has all of the details, including benefit limits and exclusions.
What’s not covered
Here are some of the main things that aren’t covered:
- Personal liability while you’re working (including volunteer work)
- Work with machinery or heavy/industrial equipment
- Work at a height above two metres
- Working without proper safety equipment
- Work offshore or underground, including in caves
- Work as a ski, snowboard or diving instructor or guide
- Work as a guide where ropes or other specialist climbing equipment is required
- Work involving hazardous activities
- Working in close proximity to dangerous animals.
The policy isn’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.
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