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Travel insurance with cover for Coronavirus related events

Travel insurance may help if Coronavirus cancels your travel plans.

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For information relating to policies purchased prior to 17 June 2021, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For policies purchased from 17 June 2021 please see below.

We know British travellers can’t wait to travel again even though they’re having to take added precautions as Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to disrupt travel plans. World Nomads wants to help you travel with confidence, so we’ve added some COVID cover to our insurance plans.

All our travel insurance plans purchased from 17 June 2021 include emergency medical and repatriation cover if you get sick with Coronavirus while abroad. Our Explorer plans also offer cover for some Coronavirus related events. A 48-hour waiting period (time excess) applies from the issue of the Certificate of Insurance for the Coronavirus Travel Costs pre-trip cancellation benefit in the Coronavirus Travel Costs Section. Benefit limits, conditions and exclusions also apply, and cover varies depending on the plan you chose.

World Nomads travel insurance for Coronavirus and our plans

  • Our Standard and Explorer plans offer cover for emergency medical assistance if you get sick with Coronavirus (COVID-19) overseas – cover includes medical assistance, repatriation and hospitalisation benefits.
  • Our Explorer Plan also offers cover for some coronavirus related events such as cancellation, trip interruption expenses and some quarantine costs, as well as additional benefits for healthcare workers, residential care workers and law enforcement officers who have their pre-arranged leave cancelled by their employer due to Coronavirus.

Benefit limits apply and vary between plans.

Benefit Standard  Explorer 
Emergency medical expenses overseas Yes Yes
Medical repatriation/ evacuation (including funeral expenses or repatriation of your remains if the worst-case scenario happens) Yes Yes
Coronavirus Travel Costs
Note: This section has its own benefit limits which apply. Check your policy wording for full details or have a look at our Help article which has all of the details, including waiting periods, benefit limits, conditions and exclusions.
NA Yes

What do I do if I get COVID-19 before or during my trip?

If you need to cancel or cut short your trip due to yourself or a member of your travelling party being diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical practitioner, or if your close relative in the UK is hospitalised or dies due to coronavirus, we have provided some tips below, especially if you intend to make a claim. Please follow these simple tips:

  • Isolate! And seek the relevant medical attention.
  • Contact your doctor as soon as reasonably possible. They will need to certify that due to the COVID-19 diagnosis you are medically unfit to continue with your original travel plans. The diagnosis of Coronavirus must be made after policy purchase.
  • Don’t delay in the cancellation of your plans to maximise the opportunity of refunds from your providers.
  • Always keep receipts for any trip payments you make and, wherever possible, request written reports from providers or local authorities.
  • Follow UK and local advice – different countries have different rules. What’s ok in the UK may not be ok in the countries you visit. While some countries may be more relaxed in their COVID-19 protocols, some others may be very strict in who they allow to enter.

Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything, so make sure you’re careful with your planning and you read the Policy Wording to make sure you understand what’s included and what’s not, as well as the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions. If you have any questions get in touch.

Contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance teams as soon as possible, so they can support you from the time you fall sick or get injured until the time you get home.

When you call please have ready:

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

Bag snatched in Latvia.

It was my final day in Riga, Latvia. In my small bag I keep all my valuables, because hostels can't always be reliable with safekeeping. It contained my new GoPro, Iphone, digital camera, laptop and hard drive, plus my emergency money (200 euros). I planned on using my cameras and computer for editing later that afternoon. The coast was amazing and, as it got late, I decided to take the train back to Riga city. As I was getting off the train, down the vertical steep steps, I had my bag snatched off my shoulder. In seconds, the doors closed and the train pulled off. Telling authorities on the platforms immediately, they could not assist and referred me straight to the police. Feeling helpless, I went to the police where I was kept for hours, because of English barriers and translations of documents. I walked out just after midnight with my report. A day trip I won't forget soon.
C.E. Australian in Latvia.

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 unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

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
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transport

Expenses included in Emergency Medical limits.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Cover your lost, stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: £2,000
  • Standard Plan: £1,000
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

World Nomads policies cannot cover claims due to Pre-Existing Medical Conditions (PEMC), regardless of whether the condition is serious or not (this includes if you're on separate or joint policies). You can still purchase a World Nomads policy, but the PEMC exclusion is not removable. 

For travel insurance providers that offer cover on PEMC, visit the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) Money Helper website, or call 0800 138 7777. BIBA's (The British Insurance Brokers' Association) Find Insurance Service offers information on serious PEMCs and travel insurance providers that may cover these conditions. You can also contact them on 0370 950 1790.

24/7 emergency 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 assistance right now?

For policies purchased on or after 1 September 2021:
+44 (0) 2030931750 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)

For policies purchased before 1 September 2021:
Phone: +353 21 237 8005 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)
Phone: +61 2 8263 0470 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)

Contact the team

Travel insurance. Simple & flexible.

Travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.