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Top travel insurance tips to know before you go

Good insurance begins a long way from the departure lounge

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Whether you’re chasing a Euro summer, heading to Japan for the snow season, or planning a quick beach escape to Bali, thinking about how to get the most of your travel insurance before you go can help you in many ways.

Before you take off, here are some tips to help you understand why you should consider travel insurance, and what to look out for.

Tip 1: Check your medical coverage

One of the biggest questions travellers ask is: “What does travel insurance cover if I get sick or injured overseas?”.

Travel insurance policies can differ, but travel insurance may help with overseas medical emergencies, hospital stays, medical evacuation and repatriation back to Australia when medically required. This may be especially important to consider in countries with high medical costs. Be sure to check whether existing medical conditions are covered.

Tip 2: Are your favourite sports and adventure activities covered?

From snowboarding in Canada to scooter rides in Thailand, adventure is often a big part of travelling. World Nomads covers more than 220 adventure sports, activities and experiences.

But not all activities are covered automatically. Based on your intended activities, consider adding specific coverage for activities such as snow sports, water sports and high-altitude hiking.

Check that your planned activities appear in your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and whether any safety requirements or experience levels apply.

Tip 3: Do you need a license?

For some activities and other benefits, you might need to have a valid license. Under World Nomad’s policies:

  • If you rent a car, scooter, or motorbike you must have a valid licence at home for the class of motorised vehicle you’re renting, regardless of local laws. You may also need an International Driving Permit.
  • Some activities such as scuba diving at certain depths require that you hold the relevant qualification and meet other criteria for cover to apply.

Want all the details?

You can compare the Standard and Explorer plans and prixes through getting an instant quote.

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A person hiking in front of a mountain

Tip 4: Think about your gear and what you’re carrying

Phones, cameras, drones, laptops, headphones - they add up. Our travel insurance baggage cover may help if your gear is stolen, damaged, or delayed, up to policy limits, depending on the plan you choose.

It’s a good idea to keep receipts and take photos of your items before you leave. This could help support any future claim for valuables.

Tip 5: Are your destinations covered?

World Nomads covers more than 130 countries. But we exclude some places because they are too dangerous, or sanctions affect our ability to offer travel insurance over.

Before you start booking flights and accommodation, check smartraveller.gov.au for your destinations. If there's a 'do not travel' advisory, we can't insure you to go there. These warnings change regularly and might affect your cover, so keep up to date with our travel alerts.

Tip 6: Know what’s not included and read the PDS

Every policy has travel insurance exclusions - activities, situations, or items that aren’t covered. Some involve unsafe behaviour, unapproved activities, or existing medical conditions not listed in your plan.

Reading the PDS before you purchase travel insurance helps you understand terms and conditions, limits, exclusions, and what you may need to make a claim.

Tip 7: Keep your documents handy while travelling

Before you go, save digital and printed copies of your passport, receipts, travel itinerary, and travel insurance policy.

If something unexpected happens overseas, having quick access to your details, including emergency assistance numbers, can make the situation easier to manage.

FAQs: what you need to know before your next trip

Here are our most frequently asked questions. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.

  • How long can travel insurance cover me for?

    Australian residents can buy a World Nomads travel insurance policy for a maximum duration, including all extensions, of 12 months from the selected departure date. We offer short and long-term travel insurance policies, and we allow travellers to extend their coverage (or buy a new plan) even while overseas. When you get a quote, you can compare our two travel insurance plans, Standard and Explorer, and download the full PDS before you buy.

  • Why should I buy travel insurance for a trip interruption?

    If your trip is interrupted, cut short, or portions of your trip are missed for a covered event, then you may be covered. Cover may include illness, cancellation, natural disasters, and more. Our travel insurance plans may reimburse any unused, prepaid expenses, and may be able to help cover additional costs for you to get home. Both Standard and Explorer Plans include trip interruption cover (with different limits).

  • What happens if I travel without insurance?
    If something unexpected happens and you don’t have insurance, you’ll usually need to manage the costs yourself. These may be high depending on where you’re travelling and the nature of the event.
The above features and benefits are a summary of cover only. Travel insurance is not designed to cover everything, so take the time to read the full description of cover in the Product Disclosure Statement for the full details on what’s not covered as well as the terms, conditions, limitation, and exclusions.

If you are unsure of anything, please contact us for help.

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 hospitalized?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

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 meds quick?
  • 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?
  • Suddenly sick?

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
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

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 PDS for full details.