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What to do if you suddenly fall ill

Let travel insurance be your first aid

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No one plans to get sick on their trip, but if you suddenly fall ill, travel insurance may be there to help. Your plan may cover some of the costs of emergency medical treatmenttrip interruption or even cancelling your trip if you need to head back to Canada. Knowing what to do next if you suddenly fall ill can help you access support quickly, manage costs, and get back on track. 

1. Seek medical attention

Your health is a priority! Get medical help from a health care practitioner, such as a doctor, or go to a hospital for urgent cases. If possible, contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team first, as they can help get you to a suitable medical facility. If you can’t contact us before because you are too sick, you’ll want to notify the team before undergoing any procedures or surgeries. If you can’t call us directly, you can ask the medical team at your facility to call on your behalf. 

2. Get it in writing

Most claims need supporting documentation, and it’s particularly important when it comes to medical cases. When you’re feeling seriously unwell, gathering documents may be the last thing on your mind. Nevertheless, it’s a crucial part of the claims process. Get a friend to help with the right paperwork. These documents could include:

  • A doctor or other medical practitioner’s report confirming your illness
  • A hospital admission report
  • Ambulance and medical evacuation reports

In some cases, we may need to obtain your past medical history from your regular doctor in Canada. Our claims team will keep you informed of any additional requirements.

3. Keep your receipts

You'll need to keep original receipts and official reports as evidence for your claim related to medical treatmenttrip interruption or cancelling your trip. Supporting documents may include your itineraries, receipts for any meals or accommodations for a bedside companion, and hospital and physician reports. We may have to reduce or reject your claim should you not have the proper records. 

4. Make a claim

Read over your insurance plan to see what’s covered and to check if any terms, conditions or exclusions apply. With World Nomads, you can make a claim online and send in any supporting documentation afterwards.

This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical, legal, insurance, or travel advice and provides only a general summary of certain features that may be available under applicable travel insurance policies. Coverage is subject to the specific terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and pre-existing condition provisions of the applicable insurance policy. In the event of any inconsistency between this article and the wording of any insurance policy, the policy wording shall govern and take precedence. It is important that you read and understand your policy before travelling. If you have questions about your coverage or are unsure how your policy applies to your circumstances, please contact us for clarification. 

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.

  • Standard Plan: $2,500
  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Epic Plan: $15,000
  • AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Help take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Standard Plan: $1,500,000
  • Explorer Plan: $5,000,000
  • Epic Plan: $10,000,000
  • Annual Plan: $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation

We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.

  • Standard Plan: $250,000
  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Epic Plan: $750,000
  • Annual Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Gear & Baggage Protection

Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.

  • Standard Plan: $1,000
  • Explorer Plan: $2,000
  • Epic Plan: $5,000
  • Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

Protect your health

  • Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
  • Emergency Professional Services
  • Return of Remains
  • Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children

Protect your trip

  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Trip Delay
  • Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
  • Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
  • Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)

Protect your stuff

  • Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
  • Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
  • Travel Documents Theft or Damage
  • Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
  • Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy

Assistance Services

  • 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
  • Worldwide Travel Assistance
  • Personal Security Assistance
  • Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
  • Bag Trak
This is a general summary for Canadian residents only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all provinces. Check the Travel Insurance Policy for full details.