Am I covered if I need to cancel my trip due to a medical emergency?

Sometimes some medical event may occur to you or a loved one before you are able to get on the plane or while on holiday and your trip is cut short.

If you need to cancel your trip, you could be covered for some medical emergencies while overseas depending on your country of residence and the plan you’ve selected. The medical event must be sudden, unforeseen, unavoidable and outside your control, and it must happen after we have issued your Certificate of Insurance.

What medical emergencies are covered?

The following are considered medical emergencies for which you may be covered if you have no option but to cancel your entire trip before you leave home or interrupt or curtail your trip:

  • Your sudden death, illness or injury: cover for cancellation or trip interruption expenses, compassionate emergency visit, and for resumption of trip.
  • The sudden death, illness or injury of your close relative: cover for cancellation or trip interruption expenses.
  • The sudden death, illness or injury of someone from your traveling party: cover for cancellation or trip interruption expenses.

Can I cancel a trip or cruise for medical reasons?

It will depend on your country of residence and the plan you have selected. You must provide evidence that you, your travel companion, or any travelling members that purchased travel insurance became sick or had an injury after you received your Certificate of Insurance. If you intend to make a claim, you may be reimbursed for expenses related to the flight, cruise, and any other prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.

Handy tips for travellers

Tip 1: Contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team if you’re assaulted or hijacked. You must also make a report to the local police or other appropriate authority as soon as possible. You must provide documentation confirming you have reported the event and related medical reports with your claim.

Tip 2: You must contact your carrier, travel services provider, education or related provider as soon as possible and make all reasonable attempts to seek compensation or offers to rearrange or reschedule your plans before you incur additional expenses, change your travel plans or make a claim with us.

Tip 3: If and when caught up in a medical emergency you should contact the Emergency Assistance team as soon as possible. The EA team can help guide you to the nearest hospital, arrange medical transport, set up direct payments to the medical facility, and keep your family back home informed. World Nomads cover may depend on your past medical history, what's happened to you, and any other terms and conditions, limits or exclusions of cover as described in your policy.

FAQs

Can I cancel a trip for medical reasons?

Sporting accidents, dehydration, food poisoning, or in the worst-case scenario an act of violence. Major and minor occurrences can happen, which is why our plans cover emergency medical expenses if you fall ill, get into an accident or get hurt on your trip. If you experience a medical emergency whilst on holiday, be sure to contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team, who will need to approve your surgical procedures, medical treatment, or evacuation, otherwise your coverage may be reduced or invalidated. Be sure to get reports, documentation, and receipts if you need medical care, as you will need these to support your claim. If you do make a claim, you must show:

  • the event was unexpected and occurred after you purchased the policy and after you booked or paid for any travel arrangements; and
  • the costs incurred were unavoidable.

Am I covered if my cruise is cancelled?

Hurricanes and tropical storms are among the biggest threats of your trip turning upside down, especially if you have a cruise adventure that is suddenly cancelled. You may qualify for trip cancellation or interruption benefits, depending on your Country of Residence and the plan you have purchased. You need to have bought your travel insurance plan before the storm was announced on TV or through major news sites and government sites. You also won’t be eligible for coverage if you cancel because the forecast says there is a chance of rain and cloudy skies.

What if I have an existing medical condition?

For global nomads who have a pre-existing medical conditions and plan to purchase travel insurance it is important that you read the Policy Wording. There are key terms and conditions, exclusions, and specifications around existing medical conditions.

Our policies exclude cover for pre-existing medical conditions of you, your traveling party and close relatives which exist before you buy or extend this policy.

What about cover for pregnant travelers?

Any pregnancy is considered a pre-existing medical condition under this policy; however, this policy does provide cover for pregnancy complications which arise due to accidental bodily injury or unexpected illness which occurs while on your trip, excluding costs incurred during the period between 12 weeks before and 12 weeks after the estimated date of delivery.

For more information on cover for pregnant travelers please check out our What’s Covered pregnancy article.

This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions of the policy. You should read your Policy Wording in full, so you understand what is and isn’t covered. If you are unsure about your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.


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For policies purchase on or after 2 December 2018:


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