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Travel Insurance for Overseas Medical Emergencies

Learn how Canadians can protect their adventures abroad with travel insurance for medical emergencies

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At a glance

  • Help when sickness strikes: Coverage for medical emergencies may be included in the single trip and annual multi-trip plans for Canadian residents
  • Coverage for unexpected illnesses and injuries: You may be covered for unexpected medical emergencies like a broken leg, food poisoning and more
  • Support for emergency medical expenses abroad: You may be reimbursed for expenses such as physician costs, hospital stays, ambulance transportation, x-rays and prescription medication
  • Care that gets you back home if needed: You may be covered for the costs to travel back to your home province if your medical provider determines it’s best for you to go back home for treatment

Why should you consider travel insurance for medical emergencies?

While you’re exploring the world and making great memories, unexpected injuries and illnesses can sometimes put a halt to your fun. Nobody plans to break a leg, be bitten by a shark, or get food poisoning, but it can happen. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) states that about 1 in 10 people in the world get sick after eating contaminated food – resulting in 420,000 deaths each year. If you’re hit with a bad case of food poisoning while travelling outside of Canada, you may need to see a doctor.

Your Government Health Insurance Plan could be limited when you travel outside of your province, though, and may only pay a small portion, if any, of your medical expenses. While those unexpected costs aren’t something you want to deal with, the biggest priority is to make sure you’re safe and healthy. You also want to make sure you have access to the level of medical care you need while you’re travelling. Because of these things, you may want to consider getting a quote for travel insurance that includes emergency overseas medical coverage.

Medical Expenses That May Be Covered 

  • Physician costs
  • A hospital stay
  • Services of a licensed private duty nurse while you’re in the hospital
  • Prescription medication
  • Tests needed to diagnose your condition
  • Ambulance transport
  • One follow-up visit related to the emergency that happened on your trip

Exclusions 

  • Non-essential medical treatment
  • Accidents that happen as a result of drug or alcohol use
  • Pre-existing medical condition(s) as explained in your policy documents 
  • Injuries resulting from activities that aren’t listed within your plan
  • Follow-up visits that happen more than 14 days from your initial emergency 
  • Travelling against your doctor’s advice
  • Giving birth overseas

Maximum Limits for Medical Emergencies

Standard PlanExplorer PlanEpic PlanAnnual Plan

Emergency Medical Expenses: Up to $1,500,000 CAD 

Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation: Up to $250,000 CAD 



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Emergency Medical Expenses: Up to $5,000,000 CAD 

Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation: Up to $500,000 CAD 



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Emergency Medical Expenses: Up to $10,000,000 CAD 

Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation: Up to $750,000 CAD 



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Emergency Medical Expenses: Up to $5,000,000 CAD 

Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation: Up to $500,000 CAD 



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*You must have Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) coverage in your home province for your entire trip to be eligible for the maximum emergency medical expenses benefit. If you don't, your total limit for all emergency medical expenses is limited to $40,000.

Compare all benefits and plans

What to do if You Get Sick or Injured Overseas

It’s essential that you get in contact with our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team as soon as possible so that our team can support you from the time you fall sick or get injured until the time you're well again.

So that our emergency assistance team can assist you quickly, please be ready with the following:

  • Your policy number
  • A contact number for where you are and/or your cell phone number
  • The nature of your problem
  • Your location

Don’t forget to save all documentation related to your medical emergency, including medical reports, receipts, etc. You’ll need those if you plan to make a claim.

Tips for Avoiding Medical Emergencies While Travelling

Many medical emergencies are unanticipated, but there are a few things you can do to help prevent unwelcome medical situations.

  • Before you leave Canada, we encourage you to check out the Canadian government’s travel advice for your destination. On their website you’ll be able to see if there are any health risks that you need to be aware of and learn about any required or recommended vaccines.
  • Bring your medications along in your carry-on. Your travel insurance may include coverage for delayed baggage, but if your checked baggage is delayed or lost, you won’t want to be without any needed prescriptions.
  • Stay hydrated! Make sure you drink plenty of water, but depending on your destination, you may want to opt for bottled water. In some destinations, the water quality isn’t the same as what you’re accustomed to in Canada.
  • Pick activities that align with your health and fitness abilities. If you’ve never hiked, Mt. Everest isn’t the place to start. World Nomads Travel Insurance for Canadian residents may cover over 250 adventure sports and activities, but you and your doctor should assess your own personal health to determine which ones you should participate in.
  • You may find it helpful to save your policy number and the 24/7 Emergency Assistance phone number in your cell phone – just in case. If a medical emergency does happen, you’ll want to be able to easily access that quickly. Addressing a medical situation quickly could stop it from becoming a worse situation.

FAQ

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

  • Does travel insurance help if I have pregnancy complications while travelling?

    You may be covered for emergency medical expenses if you experience complications of pregnancy (up to maximum limits as shown in your policy documents). However, you must maintain coverage through your home province’s Government Health Insurance Plan. Without it, emergency medical coverage limits max out at $40,000. Pre-existing medical conditions that are excluded in the policy may not be covered, though.

    It’s also important to note that pregnancy complications after the 26th week of pregnancy or any time after the expected delivery date aren’t covered. Travel insurance also won’t cover the costs of childbirth if the baby comes while you’re travelling.

  • What happens if I have a medical emergency overseas while I’m travelling alone?
    Just because you’re travelling alone doesn’t mean you have to deal with a medical emergency by yourself. If you’re admitted to the hospital for three or more days during a solo trip, travel insurance for overseas medical emergencies may cover the cost for someone to travel to be with you during your time of need. In addition to a plane ticket, travel insurance may also cover their costs for things such as hotel accommodations and meals for up to 10 days (up to maximum limits).
  • If I’m travelling with my kids, what happens to them if I’m in the hospital?
    If you’re travelling with your children, and you’re admitted to the hospital for more than 24 hours, or you have to return home because of a medical condition that’s validated by a physician, transportation costs for your dependent children may be covered so they can travel back to Canada (up to the maximum limits shown in your policy documents). They must be covered under the policy too, though.
  • What happens if I die while travelling overseas?

    World Nomads Travel Insurance plans for Canadian residents include coverage that may help your family get assistance if you die overseas as the result of an accident or a sudden and unexpected illness. Coverage may be available (up to the maximum limits shown in your policy documents) for: 

    • Return of your remains to Canada
    • Local cremation or burial overseas
    • Reasonable additional expenses if someone needs to travel to identify your body
  • What happens if I die while travelling overseas?

    World Nomads Travel Insurance plans for Canadian residents include coverage that may help your family get assistance if you die overseas as the result of an accident or a sudden and unexpected illness. Coverage may be available (up to the maximum limits shown in your policy documents) for: 

    • Return of your remains to Canada
    • Local cremation or burial overseas
    • Reasonable additional expenses if someone needs to travel to identify your body

    It’s essential that your family or travel buddy get in contact with our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team as soon as possible, so that our team can support them from the time you die until your remains have returned home. 

    To help our Emergency Assistance team assist them quickly, they'll need the following: 

    • Your policy number 
    • Your location 
    • As many details as possible about the circumstances surrounding your death 

    Leave a copy of your policy with your family or friend, just in case they need to use it. 

  • What types of medical expenses may be covered?

    World Nomads offers travel insurance for overseas medical emergencies that may cover a variety of expenses, including:

    • Physician costs
    • Hospital costs 
    • Prescription medication
    • Tests needed to diagnose your condition
    • Ambulance transport

    Just remember, you must have Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) coverage in your home province for your entire trip to be eligible for the maximum emergency medical expenses benefit. If you don't, your total limit for all emergency medical expenses is limited to $40,000. 

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions, just ask us. 

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 hospitalized?
  • 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?
  • Medevac 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.