Essential tips for first-time World Nomads travel insurance buyers
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You may be weighing up the pros and cons of travel insurance for your next trip overseas, especially if you’ve never used it before. With Coronavirus adding an extra level of uncertainty, now could be the right time to consider travel insurance.
World Nomads offers insurance for travelers aged between 18 and 69. Our policies are available to travelers from more than 100 countries worldwide. You can get a quote online and be covered in no time.
If you’ve never had the need for travel insurance but you are thinking about buying it for your next trip, some of the scenarios where it may help include:
- If you need to cancel or curtail your trip because you’re sick.
- If you want your tech gear, valuables, and baggage covered.
- If you need emergency treatment during your trip due to an unexpected illness or injury.
- If you plan to do several activities and sports and need that extra level of cover.
- If you end up stuck at the airport for an extended period due to a travel delay or trip interruption.
What to look out for when considering travel insurance
Get a doctor to approve your fit to travel: know your own medical needs, for example, whether you have pre-existing medical condition(s) that may invalidate your cover. You may need to have a doctor’s sign off that you’re fit to travel, for example, if you’re pregnant and having pregnancy-related complications or if you’re unsure about a specific medical condition.
Research all your travel destinations: always do your research on the countries or regions you plan to visit. Check government travel advisories as they can change rapidly. Check out our travel alerts, and health organizations advisories, such as the World Health Organization.
Take time out to read the fine print: check your policy’s benefit limits, terms and conditions and exclusions to ensure you are getting the right level of cover for your travel plans and destinations to cover any potential claims. You can always get in touch with the Customer Service team who can help answer any questions.
Ensure all activities and sports are covered: our plans include cover for more than 200 activities globally, from backpacking to kayaking, hiking, and bungee jumping, but not all are covered under every plan – you can find out what is available for your Country of Residence here. You may need to pay an additional premium for higher-risk activities or choose a different plan. Read the policy wording carefully to choose the right plan and/or adventure sport option for your trip.
We’re here to help in case of emergency: make sure to know what to do in case of an emergency, which you can discuss with our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team.
I have never bought World Nomads travel insurance. Why should I consider it?
For many first-time buyers, buying travel insurance can be daunting and confusing. At World Nomads, we have made choosing a travel insurance plan less time-consuming and stressful by offering two travel insurance plans with different levels of cover depending on your travel needs.
Standard Plan: includes a range of benefits such as overseas medical, coverage for your belongings, pre-trip cancellation and certain adventure activities.
Explorer Plan: has all the benefits of a Standard Plan and a few more, but it is more expensive.
Check out our Standard vs Explorer article for information on coverage, benefit limits, terms and conditions and exclusions.
Can I buy or extend my travel insurance while overseas?
With a World Nomads policy, you can buy cover anytime, anywhere. Plus, if you decide to stay longer somewhere or want to change direction on a whim, we are happy to extend your policy as long as it’s done before the end date shown on your Certificate of Insurance.
Traveler tip: if you buy a policy while traveling overseas, you must wait 72 hours before any cover is activated. The maximum duration available for any policy, including extensions, is 12 months from the start date.
Does World Nomads travel insurance include cover for Coronavirus-related events?
We offer cover for some Coronavirus-related events, however level of coverage under our Standard and Explorer Plans will depend on your Country of Residence and the plan you’ve selected.
If you are diagnosed with Coronavirus while overseas, your benefits may include:
- 24/7 access to our Emergency Assistance Team, who can help you access local medical care.
- Medical costs including hospitalization.
- Evacuation or repatriation if deemed medically necessary by us and in consultation with your attending medical practitioner.
Some of our Explorer plans offer cover for some additional Coronavirus-related insured events, such as cancellation following a COVID-19 diagnosis, to assist our travelers.
To find out what cover applies to you, read our What’s Covered for Coronavirus article, which has all of the details, including benefit limits, conditions and exclusions.
Things to look out for when buying travel insurance:
- Make sure you correctly choose the right trip dates, age limit, and level of cover.
- Ensure all your destinations are covered.
- Make sure you understand what a pre-existing medical condition is under our policy.
- Some activities and sports may require extra level of cover or may not be covered.
- Make sure you clearly understand the benefit limits and the excess as per the level of cover you’ve selected.
- Understand that there will be General Exclusions in your cover for which you won’t be covered under any circumstances.
- Make copies of travel documents and keep receipts in case you need to make a claim.
This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You should read your policy wording in full, so you understand what is and isn’t covered. That way there won’t be any surprises if you need to use it. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
Did you know travel insurance covers...
- Trip cancellation
- Emergency medical
- Evacuation and repatriation
- Lost or damaged gear
- Delayed baggage
- Death overseas
- Terrorism
- And more...
You can also buy away from home or buy more cover if you extend your trip. Plus, you can claim online anytime, anywhere in the world.
True Claims Stories
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 unfit to travel?
- Been made redundant?
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
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Luggage lost?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Tech trashed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency 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 assistance right now?
Contact the teamWherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Emergency Assistance, World Nomads