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Travel insurance for volunteering

Get cover for your good deeds

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Clean Up Australia Day isn’t the only time us Aussies volunteer.

We have a long and proud history of helping out when we travel abroad, and World Nomads Travel Insurance is a strong supporter of paying it forward and giving back too.

Our travel insurance allows you to participate in a range of volunteer activities and vacations, from summer teaching programs to clean water projects. What better way to strengthen communities, forge meaningful connections and open eyes (and hearts) than by contributing to a worthy purpose?

What’s covered for volunteers?

Want to step out into the world and volunteer your time? If you need volunteer travel insurance because you want to volunteer overseas, or you’re planning a volunteer vacation, World Nomads travel insurance plans may include coverage for:

  • Trip cancellation

  • Trip interruption

  • Medical emergency care

  • Emergency evacuation

  • Baggage delay

  • Theft of baggage and personal belongings

What volunteer activities may I participate in?

While we don’t cover all kinds of volunteering (see the exclusions listed below) the kinds of volunteer work we might cover include:

We cover various kinds of volunteering such as

  • Hospitality including serving the homeless dinner

  • Retail work such as helping out in a co-op shop.

  • General farm work which may include activities such as conservation and environmental work

  • Teaching.

  • Clerical work.

  • Childcare.

If you purchase a higher level of travel insurance cover, you may have travel insurance coverage for volunteer work such as:

  • Manual work or work with power tools or working under 5 metres in height.

  • Volunteer instructor or guide of a covered sport or activity, if you have the appropriate qualification, certification or license to participate in this covered sport, activity or experience and it must not be one of our excluded activities.

Make sure you add the activity when you purchase your travel insurance so it’s included in your policy. If you can’t find the activity in our list, contact us for help.

Which volunteer activities are excluded

Some volunteer activities may not be covered as they’re just too risky for us to cover, for example, volunteer fire-fighting, panther minding or activities in places known to be unsafe or dangerous.

This includes volunteer work that includes:

  • Work performed over 5 metres in height.

  • Work performed offshore, underground or in caves.

  • Operating machinery.

  • Working with dangerous animals and / or big game.

What else isn’t covered?

As a global citizen contributing to good causes, we hope you’ll act responsibly and within your limits! But just to be clear, we won’t cover any incidents related to:

  • Alcohol or drug abuse

  • Reckless behavior

  • Criminal or illegal acts

  • Changing your mind

  • Pre-existing medical conditions unless specified under your policy

  • Third party compensation and legal expenses

  • Your legal and personal liability following professional advice or other services performed by you as a volunteer.

This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the policy. You should read your policy wording in full so you understand what is and isn’t covered.

If haven’t yet chosen a volunteer program, you may find inspiration in our article about choosing ethical volunteer programs.

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  • Instant confirmation
  • Ongoing traveler support
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance

Waiting periods apply

It's not always fun.

Due to mishap, my frenulum on my penis got severely damaged. During intercourse with my girlfriend it nearly ripped and caused me a lot of pain and blood. I went to the doctor and he operated on it. Now everything is okay again.
Claim paid: DKK 1271,44.
Danish Resident.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited
  • Standard Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy deceased?
  • Close relative dropped dead?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Overseas

Take the pain out of medical costs.

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited
  • Standard Plan: $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need drugs?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transport

We'll get you to hospital lickety-split

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited
  • Standard Plan: $500,000
Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Cover your stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Standard Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
  • Luggage lost?
  • Passport pilfered?
  • Tech trashed?

Help starts here.

  • Overseas Medical Expenses
  • Emergency dental treatment
  • 24 hour assistance
  • Emergency medical transport & repatriation
  • Cancellation costs
  • Trip interruption costs
  • Compassionate emergency visit home
  • Resumption of trip
  • Theft or accidental damage to baggage and personal items
  • Baggage delay over 12 hours
  • Funeral expenses overseas or repatriation of remains
  • Personal liability
This is a general summary for Australian residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the policy documents for full details.

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.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Phone: +61 2 8263 0470 or Phone: +61 2 8292 1470 (reverse charges via an operator from anywhere in the world)

Contact the team

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about volunteering and travel insurance cover. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask the customer service team.