Photo © Warren Gold Swain/IStock

What to do if you’re hurt in an accident

    Trusted by:

  • Trusted by:

1. Safety first

Make sure everyone is safe. If you need immediate help, contact the local emergency services.

2. Seek medical attention

Contact the local emergency services and get medical help from a doctor or hospital as soon as possible.

If it's an emergency situation, where you are aware you will be admitted as an inpatient for at least one night, contact our 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance Team as soon as you can.

Once you’re able to contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team, please be ready with the following:

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

Depending on where you’re travelling, there may be Reciprocal Health Care Agreements in place (the Emergency Assistance team will let you know). The terms of your policy require that you use the public health system where possible, particularly when travelling in a country with reciprocal health agreements. 

3. Get it in writing

Most claims need supporting documentation and medical claims are no different. So while it may be the last thing on your mind, get copies of documents that will support your claim before you leave the medical facility such as:

  • Doctor or other medical practitioner’s report, confirming what happened and the nature of your injury.
  • Hospital Admission report (if you’re admitted to hospital).
  • Ambulance and Medical evacuation reports (if relevant).
  • Provide written evidence to verify your claim, such as a police report (if they were involved).
  • Any other relevant documentation related to the accident.

4. Keep your receipts

You’ll need to keep all your receipts, along with your itineraries and booking and cancellation confirmations for any affected travel arrangements for when you claim. If you don’t do this, we may reduce or reject your claim.

5. Need to know more?

This information may help you when things go wrong and you want to make a claim. All travel insurance plans are different and cover will vary, depending what's happened, your country of residence, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy. Your policy will always have the full details.

If you have questions about what's covered and not covered, just ask us.

How does my travel insurance policy help me in an emergency?

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: £5,000
  • Standard Plan: £3,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy in an accident?
  • Sudden death of an immediate relative?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Abroad Medical Expenses

Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling abroad.

  • Explorer Plan: £10 million
  • Standard Plan: £5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transport

Expenses included in Emergency Medical limits.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Injured abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medical evacuation home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Cover your lost, stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: £3,000
  • Standard Plan: £1,500
Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Baggage & Personal Belongings
  • Cancellation
  • Trip Curtailment
  • Personal Accident
  • Loss of Passport or travel documents
  • Personal Liability
  • Legal Expenses (Personal Liability)
This is a general summary for United Kingdom residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the plan documents for full details.
Pre-existing medical conditions

You are not eligible to buy a policy if you travel against medical advice, travel with the intention of receiving medical treatment, or have a terminal illness. World Nomads policies cannot cover claims due to Pre-Existing Medical Conditions (PEMC), regardless of whether the condition is serious or not. You can still purchase a World Nomads policy, but the PEMC exclusion cannot be removed, and you will be responsible for any related costs.

For information on travel insurance providers that offer cover on PEMC, visit Money Helper or call 0800 138 7777.

24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance

If you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.

Are you in need of Emergency Medical Assistance right now?

For policies purchased on or after 27 June 2024
+44 (0) 144 444 2021 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)

For policies purchased before 27 June 2024:
Phone: +44 (0) 203 093 1750 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)

Contact the team

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.