Travel Insurance for Medical Expenses
How does Emergency Medical Travel Insurance ensure that Brazilians have access to proper medical care during international trips or even within the country?
- As featured in:
As featured in:
- Why Consider Travel Insurance for Medical Emergencies?
- What Medical Expenses Are Covered?
- How does medical coverage differ between domestic trips in Brazil and international travel?
- Worldwide 24/7 Emergency Assistance
- What’s Not Covered?
Traveling is thrilling, but unexpected illnesses or accidents - like food poisoning in Salvador, a scooter crash in Florianópolis, or even a shark bite (yes, it’s rare, but it happens!) - can turn your adventure into a nightmare. We’ve seen it all: from appendicitis requiring emergency surgery in São Paulo to altitude sickness in the Andes. Without travel insurance, these situations can lead to sky-high medical bills or delays in care, especially in Brazil’s overburdened public healthcare system (SUS - Sistema Único de Saúde, or Unified Health System).
World Nomads offers tailored travel insurance plans that cover medical emergencies whether you’re exploring Brazil’s hidden gems or skiing in Switzerland. Below, we’ll guide you through how this coverage works, why it’s essential, and how to make the most of it.
Why Consider Travel Insurance for Medical Emergencies?
Imagine this: You’re hiking in Chapada Diamantina and twist your ankle badly. Public hospitals might have long waits, but with travel insurance, you can access private clinics immediately - without worrying about costs.
For international trips, the risks are even greater. In the U.S., a single night in the hospital can cost over $10,000. Without insurance, you may have to pay upfront just to receive care. Or imagine slipping on a wet sidewalk in Lisbon and breaking your hip—requiring surgery and months of recovery. With travel insurance, you’d not only get fast care at a top hospital but could also be safely flown back to Brazil for rehabilitation, all without crippling medical bills.
Key benefits:
- Skip public healthcare system delays: private healthcare access across Brazil.
- Avoid financial shocks: coverage for ER visits, surgeries, and even medical repatriation if needed.
- 24/7 multilingual support: from finding English-speaking doctors to arranging ambulances.
What Medical Expenses Are Covered?
Our plans cover emergencies like:
- Hospitalization: from broken bones to dengue fever treatment.
- Emergency dental care: sudden toothaches or trauma (e.g., a fall during Carnival).
- Ambulance/medical evacuation: critical in remote areas like the Amazon.
- Prescriptions: antibiotics for traveler’s diarrhea or malaria prophylaxis.
- Repatriation: if you’re severely injured abroad, we’ll coordinate your return home.
Imagine you're catching waves in Fernando de Noronha when a coral cut leaves you needing stitches. With travel insurance, you could visit a private clinic immediately for treatment and have follow-up care covered – all while avoiding long waits at public health posts on the island.
Note: coverage limits vary. Please, always refer to your policy for exact amounts.
How does medical coverage differ between domestic trips in Brazil and international travel?
Traveling within Brazil:
- Private network access: bypass SUS queues with access to the private healthcare network
- Lower limits, but enough for most emergencies.
Traveling abroad:
- Higher limits, vital for countries with expensive care, like the U.S. or Japan.
- Repatriation included. Example: A broken leg in Thailand might require a medical flight home.
Pro tip: for adventure sports trips, consider adding coverage.
And another key takeaway: if traveling abroad, opt for higher coverage—especially to destinations with costly medical care.
Worldwide 24/7 Emergency Assistance
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our Emergency Assistance Team 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?
Your World Nomads policy is provided through Chubb Seguros:
Phone: +1 212-315-1806 (from anywhere in the world)
Phone: 0800-591-1043 (from Brazil)
WhatsApp message: +54 911 3053-3959
What’s Not Covered?
Travel insurance is for unexpected emergencies, not routine care. Exclusions include:
- Ongoing treatment for pre-existing medical conditions (unless declared and approved).
- Non-emergency treatments, such as routine check-ups or elective procedures (e.g., cosmetic dentistry).
- Injuries under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or during non-covered extreme sports are not covered.
- Any medical treatment at home
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Cell phone roaming expenses when you call us (call from a landline and reverse the charges)
Always review your policy’s full exclusions before traveling.
What Else Should You Know?
Here are a few other things you may want to keep in mind as you plan your trip:
- Pre-approval matters: for major procedures (e.g., surgery), contact us first to coordinate care.
- Plan options: World Nomads offers three plan tiers (Basic, Explorer, and Premium), with different medical limits and coverage. Not sure which fits your trip? Get a Quote in under 2 minutes.
- Prevention is key: many illnesses and accidents can be avoided with simple precautions.
- Vaccinations: ensure you’re up to date on routine immunizations (like tetanus) and check destination-specific requirements (e.g. yellow fever for parts of Brazil).
- Food/ water safety: follow the “boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it” rule - even when brushing your teeth.
- Personal safety: never leave food/ drinks unattended, especially when traveling alone.
- Fitness prep: for adventurous trips (hiking, biking, etc.), train in advance to avoid injuries.
Before you go:
- Compare plans to match your destination’s risks.
- Save emergency contacts in your phone.
- Carry your policy details - hospitals may request proof of insurance.
- Check vaccine requirements for your destination.
- Share your itinerary with someone back home.
With the right coverage, you’ll explore confidently - knowing you’re protected. Safe travels! Boa viagem!
Monkey Bite!
While visiting the Monkey Forest in Bali, I was bitten by a monkey and blood was drawn. After returning to our hotel we then visited a local doctor the same evening of the bite. I received my first rabies vaccination and then went to the International SOS office in Bali for an examination. There I received a second rabies shot, and then immunoglobulin shots.
S.D. U.S Resident in Indonesia.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your trip against unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plus: USD $1,500
- Explorer Plan: USD $1,000
- Standard Plan: USD $500
Trip Protection
- Have you died?
- Have your relos died?
- Has a bushfire damaged your home?
We’ve got your back.
Medical Expenses Overseas
Take the pain out of medical costs.
- Explorer Plus: USD $100,000
- Explorer Plan: USD $70,000
- Standard Plan: USD $30,000
Medical Expenses Overseas
- Need medicine?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
Emergency medical transportation: we’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Explorer Plus: USD $80,000
- Explorer Plan: USD $60,000
- Standard Plan: USD $40,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up overseas?
- Medivac needed home?
- You died overseas?
Help starts here.
Checked-in Baggage Loss
Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags by a common carrier.
- Explorer Plus: USD $1,200
- Explorer Plan: USD $1,000
- Standard Plan: USD $500
Checked-in Baggage Loss
- Damaged docs?
- Passport pilfered?
- Tech trashed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- Baggage
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatration
- 24 Hour Assistance Services
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team 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?
Your World Nomads policy is provided through Chubb Seguros:
Phone: +1 212-315-1806 (from anywhere in the world)
Phone: 0800-591-1043 (from Brazil)
WhatsApp message: +54 911 3053-3959
Get a travel insurance quote
Simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Get a quote
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.