Does travel insurance cover a lack of snow at ski resorts?

If a ski resort closes all or part of its facilities for at least one day due to lack of snow or inclement weather, you may be covered under the trip inconvenience benefit included in Explorer, Epic, or Annual Multi-Trip plans.

Do I need to show proof that I was sitting on the runway for two or more hours?

Yes. In the event of a dispute about the delay duration, information from the Canadian Transportation Agency or similar governmental sources will be considered the final authority.

If I’m self-employed, can I still make a travel insurance claim for missed work?

Yes. If your return is delayed by two or more days due to a common carrier delay and you miss work, you may file a claim. A notarized statement is required as proof of self-employment.

Does travel insurance help if I experience travel inconveniences while travelling within Canada?

Yes. World Nomads plans include domestic travel insurance for Canadians. If you travel outside your home province and experience a covered event, you may be eligible to claim travel inconvenience benefits.

If I’m tired and want to have a lazy day on my trip, does that count as bed rest?

No. A voluntary rest day does not qualify. Bed rest must be prescribed by a physician for at least 48 hours due to illness or injury during your trip.

If the hotel pool is closed while I’m there, does that count as a travel inconvenience?

It may qualify if the closure is due to unexpected construction or renovation that prevents access to facilities you were meant to use.

Do I need receipts if I file a claim for travel inconvenience?

No. Travel inconvenience benefits provide a flat reimbursement amount per covered event. However, you must still provide documentation showing the inconvenience occurred.

What travel inconveniences may be covered for cruises?

Explorer, Epic, and Annual Multi-Trip plans may cover cruise-related inconveniences such as missed ports due to weather, medical incidents, or natural disasters. Coverage may also apply if you are confined on a cruise ship for more than 24 hours without essential services like power, food, water, or restroom access.

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Travel Insurance Coverage for Travel Inconveniences

Learn how Canadian can get payouts when facing unexpected travel inconveniences

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At a glance

Covered when plans go sideways: World Nomads offers travel insurance for Canadian residents that may cover trip inconveniences
Built-in inconvenience protection: Trip inconvenience coverage is included in the Explorer, Epic, and Annual Multi-Trip plans
From delays to detours: Unforeseen events that may be covered include runway delays, cruise diversions and disablement, rental vehicle breakdown, ski resorts closed for at least one day because of lack of snow, missed work, and more
Payouts for unexpected events: You may receive a one-time payment for one occurrence of each unforeseen event (up to maximum benefits shown in your policy)

Why should you consider travel insurance for trip inconveniences?
What Travel Inconveniences May Be Covered
Important to Know
Maximum Coverage for Trip Inconveniences
How to File a Travel Inconvenience Claim
FAQs

Why should you consider travel insurance for trip inconveniences?

As nomads ourselves, we love the fun and spontaneous moments that come along with travel, like getting to see the northern lights dancing across the sky in Norway. Some of those moments that we don’t plan for often end up being the most memorable parts of our trips. Sometimes the unplanned moments aren’t as great, though, and those are often the ones you’ll try not to remember. If you’re going skiing in Japan and then arrive at the resort to see it’s closed due to a lack of snow, you’re going to be pretty bummed.  That closure can be an inconvenience to you - especially since you planned your whole trip around gliding down the slopes. If you have a travel insurance plan that includes trip inconvenience benefits, you may be reimbursed up to $250 CAD for each unforeseen circumstance that is listed as a covered travel inconvenience in your plan documents (up to the maximum benefit limit shown in the policy).

What Travel Inconveniences May Be Covered

Runway Delay
Terminal Evacuation
Flight Diversion
Cruise Diversion or Disablement
Rental Vehicle Breakdown
Hotel Construction
Closed Attractions
Ski Resorts Closed Due to Lack of Snow
Bed Rest
Missed Work

Important to Know

Coverage for bed rest must be prescribed by a physician you’ve seen while on your trip
Only runway delays for 2 or more consecutive hours may be covered
Rental car breakdowns must cause you to arrive at least 12 hours late at your destination or return destination
Travel Inconvenience benefits are only included on the Explorer, Epic, and Annual Multi-Trip plans
Limits, terms, and conditions of coverage vary depending on the plan you buy

Maximum Coverage for Trip Inconveniences

Standard Plan	Explorer Plan	Epic Plan	Annual Plan
Not available Get a quote	Up to $500 ($250 per unforeseen event) Get a quote	Up to $750 ($250 per unforeseen event) Get a quote	Up to $500 ($250 per unforeseen event) Get a quote

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How to File a Travel Inconvenience Claim

Hopefully, you’ll have smooth travels and won’t be inconvenienced in any way while you’re travelling the world. Let’s face it though – unexpected situations happen. Data from Cruise Lines International Association shows that 43% of all cruise passengers are sailing to the Caribbean. If you’re one of those that’s hoping to do a little island hopping, you likely have your heart set on the destinations on the itinerary. If your cruise itinerary changes and your ship is diverted elsewhere, it can be pretty disappointing.

If you experience a cruise diversion, or any of the unforeseen events listed in your travel insurance plan’s policy documents, you can file a claim online and your travel inconvenience insurance benefits may reimburse you for your troubles (up to the maximum benefit limit shown in the policy).

You’ll also need to provide required documentation that could include:

Itineraries
Medical reports
Written documentation from the travel provider that notates the reason for your trip inconvenience
Proof of work schedule from employer (or notarized proof of self-employment)

FAQ

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

Does travel insurance cover a lack of snow at ski resorts?
If you’re going skiing, and the ski resort at your trip destination closes all or part of its facilities for at least one day due to lack of snow or inclement weather, causing cessation of services during operating hours, you may be covered by the trip inconvenience travel insurance benefit included in your World Nomads plan, if you purchased the Explorer, Epic, or Annual Multi-Trip plan.

Do I need to show proof that I was sitting on the runway for two or more hours?
Yes. In the event of a dispute regarding the length of the delay, information from the Canadian Transportation Agency or other similar governmental sources will be considered the final authority.

If I’m self-employed, can I still make a travel insurance claim for missed work?
Yes. If your arrival at your return destination is delayed by 2 or more days due to a common carrier caused delay and you missed work because of it, you may still make a claim. You’ll need a notarized statement to serve as proof of your self-employment.

Does travel insurance help if I experience travel inconveniences while travelling within Canada?
World Nomads plans include domestic travel insurance for Canadians. As long as you’re travelling outside of your home province, you may be able to make a claim for your travel inconvenience benefits if you experience one of the covered unforeseen events.

If I’m tired and want to have a lazy day on my trip, does that count as bed rest?
You’re welcome to have a lazy day if you like. It’s your trip, and you deserve some relaxing time. However, you won’t be able to claim that as a trip inconvenience. Bed rest is an unforeseen event that may be covered by your travel insurance plan, but you must be treated by a physician for a sickness or injury during the trip, and be required by your attending physician to stay on bed rest or remain in isolation for at least 48 hours.

If the hotel pool is closed while I’m there, does that count as a travel inconvenience?
It can be, depending on why the pool is closed. If the hotel you are booked to stay in is undergoing unexpected construction or renovation, which prevents you from accessing the pool that you would otherwise have access to, you may be able to claim that as a trip inconvenience.

Do I need receipts if I file a claim for travel inconvenience?
No, you won’t. Travel inconvenience benefits offer reimbursement of a flat amount for one occurrence of each covered inconvenience. You will still need to document that the inconvenience occurred, though.

What travel inconveniences may be covered for cruises?
World Nomads travel insurance for cruises may cover multiple unexpected issues you may encounter. If you have the Explorer, Epic, or Annual Multi-Trip plan, you may be covered for additional travel inconveniences including cruise diversion. If your cruise does not stop at a scheduled port of call due to inclement weather, a terrorist incident, a medical incident involving another passenger on the ship, or a natural disaster, you may receive a one-time payment for one occurrence of each unforeseen event (up to maximum benefits shown in your policy documents).

The travel inconvenience travel insurance benefit may also help if you are confined for more than 24 hours on the cruise ship operating without power, food, water, and/or restroom facilities.

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 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.

This information is for Canadian residents only. All of the information we provide about travel insurance is a brief summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans. Coverage may not be available in all provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a described full description of coverage. In the event of a conflict between the information on this website and the Insurance Policy, the Insurance Policy shall govern in all circumstances. World Nomads is supported by different insurers from around the world, with variations in coverage and terms depending on your country of residence, the plan you buy and what’s happened to you. The insurance products described are available for Canadian residents through World Nomads (Canada) Ltd (“World Nomads”) are underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (Canadian Branch).