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Travel insurance cover for coronavirus related events

Find out what cover is provided if Coronavirus (COVID-19) affects your travel plans 

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For information relating to policies purchased prior to 14 July 2021 12:00am UTC, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For policies purchased from 14 July 2021 please see below.

We know that many of our international travelers can’t wait to travel again even though they’re having to take added precautions as coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to disrupt global travel plans. World Nomads wants to help you travel with confidence, so we’ve added some COVID-19 cover to our insurance plans.

All our travel insurance plans purchased from 14 July 2021 include emergency medical and repatriation cover if you get sick with COVID-19 while abroad. Our Explorer plans also offer cover for some COVID-19-related events. Benefit limits, conditions and exclusions apply, and cover varies depending on your Country of Residence and the plan you chose.

World Nomads international travel insurance for some COVID-19 events on our plans

  • Our Standard and Explorer plans offer cover for emergency medical assistance if you get sick with COVID-19 overseas. Cover includes medical assistance, repatriation and hospitalization benefits.
  • Our Explorer Plan also offers cover for some COVID-19-related events such as cancellation, trip interruption expenses and some quarantine costs if you are diagnosed with COVID-19, as well as additional benefits for healthcare workers, residential care workers and law enforcement officers who have their pre-arranged leave cancelled by their employer due to COVID-19.

Benefit limits apply and vary between plans. Exclusions also apply for pre-existing medical conditions, as outlined in the policy wording.

Benefit Standard  Explorer 
Emergency medical expenses overseas Yes Yes
Medical repatriation/ evacuation (including funeral expenses or repatriation of your remains if the worst-case scenario happens) Yes Yes
Coronavirus Travel Costs
Note: This section has its own benefit limits which apply. Check your policy wording for full details or have a look at our Coronavirus Travel Costs article which has all of the details, including benefit limits, conditions and exclusions.
NA Yes

What do I do if I get COVID-19 before or during my trip?

If you need to cancel or cut short your trip due to yourself or a member of your traveling party being diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical practitioner, or if your close relative back home is hospitalized or dies due to COVID-19, we have provided some tips below, especially if you intend to make a claim. Please follow these simple tips:

  • Isolate! And seek the relevant medical attention.
  • Contact your doctor as soon as reasonably possible. They will need to certify that due to the COVID-19 diagnosis, you are medically unfit to continue with your original travel plans. Due to exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions (as defined in the policy wording), the symptoms experienced and the diagnosis of COVID-19 must first occur after the policy purchase.
  • Don’t delay in the cancellation of your plans to maximize the opportunity of refunds from your providers.
  • Always keep receipts for any trip payments you make and, wherever possible, request written reports from providers or local authorities.
  • Follow the local advice, including warnings issued by the US Department of State as required by your policy wording - different countries have different rules. What’s okay in your country of residence may not be okay in the countries you plan to visit. While some countries may be more relaxed in their COVID-19 protocols, some others may be very strict in who they allow to enter.

Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything, so make sure you’re careful with your planning and you read the policy wording to make sure you understand what’s included and what’s not, as well as the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions. If you have any questions, get in touch.

How to get medical assistance 

Contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance teams as soon as possible, so they can support you from the time you fall sick or get injured, until the time you get home.  

When you call please have ready:  

  • Your policy number 
  • A contact number and traveling companion details for where you are now  
  • The nature of your problem  
  • Your location  

Bag snatched in Latvia.

It was my final day in Riga, Latvia. In my small bag I keep all my valuables, because hostels can't always be reliable with safekeeping. It contained my new GoPro, iPhone, digital camera, laptop and hard drive, plus my emergency money (200 euros). I planned on using my cameras and computer for editing later that afternoon. The coast was amazing and as it got late, I decided to take the train back to Riga city. As I was getting off the train, down the vertical steep steps, I had my bag snatched off my shoulder. In seconds, the doors closed and the train pulled off. Telling authorities on the platforms immediately, they could not assist and referred me straight to the police. Feeling helpless, I went to the police where I was kept for hours because of English barriers and translations of documents. I walked out just after midnight with my report. A day trip I won't forget soon.
C.E. Australian in Latvia.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Protection

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation before you leave home.

  • Explorer Plan: USD $10,000
  • Standard Plan: USD $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalized?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Overseas Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling overseas.

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited, up to 12 months
  • Standard Plan: USD $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

We'll get you to hospital quickly.

  • Explorer Plan: USD $500,000
  • Standard Plan: USD $500,000
Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medevac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Cover your stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: USD $3,500
  • Standard Plan: USD $2,500
Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
  • 24 hour Emergency Assistance
  • Emergency Medical Transport
  • Repatriation & Travel Expenses
  • Pre-Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Resumption of Trip
  • Travel Delay
  • Missed connection (Explorer)
  • Hijacking (Explorer)
  • Baggage & Personal Items
  • Passport & Travel Documents
  • Personal Liability
  • Rental vehicle insurance excess (Explorer)
  • Personal accident (Explorer)
*This is a general summary for all residents except from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Brazil, China and Philippines. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Coverage may not be available for all countries, states or provinces. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Get a quote for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?
Phone:+353 21 237 8008 or +353 21 237 8003 (calls are not toll free. You can claim your itemised call costs)

Contact the team

Travel insurance. Simple & flexible.

Travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.