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Travel Insurance for Medical Evacuation & Repatriation

Get the help you need wherever your adventure takes you

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At a glance

  • Medical evacuation travel insurance covers the cost of transporting you to the nearest appropriate medical facility if you’re seriously injured or ill overseas.
  • Medical repatriation insurance covers the cost of returning you to Australia when ongoing treatment is required.
  • Adventure ready with cover for 220+ sports and activities including hiking and trekking.
  • Simple online claims process and 24/7 global emergency assistance.
  • Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand what’s included and excluded.

When you travel off the beaten track, medical help isn’t always close by. In remote regions, a simple injury or sudden illness can quickly turn into an emergency that requires helicopter evacuation, air ambulance transport, or repatriation home, these can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

That’s where World Nomads travel insurance comes in. With 24/7 Emergency Assistance, we’re here to help you get to the right medical care, at the right time.

Why medical evacuation and repatriation matter

Medical evacuation and repatriation are some of the most expensive travel emergencies and they’re not covered by standard healthcare once you’re overseas.

Travel insurance for medical evacuation may help when:

  • You’re injured or seriously ill far from adequate medical facilities
  • You need emergency transport by road ambulance, helicopter, or air ambulance
  • You need to be transferred to a better‑equipped hospital in another city or country
  • Doctors determine you need to return home for ongoing treatment

Medical repatriation and evacuation services we offer

If you’ve selected the right level of Sports and Activities cover for the activity you’re doing, there’s cover available in all of our plans, where medically necessary, for medical repatriation and evacuation by:

  • Air Ambulance
  • Sea Level Aircraft
  • Helicopter
  • Ground Ambulance
  • Commercial airline upgrade
  • Commercial airline with medical accompaniment

Depending on your Country of Residence and the policy you buy, there are limitations that will apply. So, it’s a good idea to do some research on where you’re going, so you can pick the travel insurance plan that’s best for you.

What will we cover you for?

If you are ill or injured and need help getting medical assistance the first step is always to contact our Emergency Assistance team and let us know what is going on.

Depending on what's happened to you, we may:

  • Transport you via ambulance or other means to adequate medical facilities nearby.
  • Evacuate you to medical facilities in another country.
  • Transport you back home to your country of residence to receive medical support.

If medical repatriation is approved, cover may also include:

  • Reasonable additional travel expenses to get you home
  • Travel, accommodation, and local transport expenses for a friend or close relative who needs to be with you during your medical repatriation home

If the worst happens, cover is available for either:

  • Transporting your remains home, or
  • Cremation overseas and return of ashes

Important: Medical evacuation or repatriation must be pre‑approved by us. If you arrange transport yourself without approval, you may not be covered.

What we won’t cover

Before agreeing to any transport home, approval is required. We won’t cover:

  • Expenses that aren’t reasonable or approved
  • Transport you refuse when deemed medically necessary
  • Pre‑existing medical conditions (as defined in your policy)
  • Any costs not authorised by us
  • The cost of a return flight home if you don’t already have one booked. Why? Because the cost of a return flight is considered a normal travel cost.
  • Any costs you incur once you are returned to your country of residence.
  • The policy excess amount as shown in the Policy Wording.
  • Anything else that's listed in the section exclusions and General Exclusions in the Policy Wording.

Why must I contact the Emergency Assistance team first?

Because the Emergency Assistance team are experts who can arrange your helicopter evacuation using a reputable company and work with us to guarantee their payment.

Wherever possible, contact the emergency assistance team yourself or ask a friend to do it for you.

Beware of scammers

This is because we have had cases where some unscrupulous operators and guides say they’ve received our go-ahead when they haven’t so it’s best if you contact the emergency assistance team yourself. ALWAYS contact the Emergency Assistance Team if helicopter evacuation is medically necessary as this way, you are in safe hands.

FAQ

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

  • Am I covered for trekking in Nepal?
    Our policies may offer cover for hiking and trekking up to 6,000 meters in elevation with the appropriate level of Sports and Activities cover. Keep in mind that you may require a policy upgrade to be covered. We do not offer cover for hiking and trekking above 6,000 metres, free mountaineering, climbing in remote or inaccessible regions, exploratory expeditions and new routes, high altitude climbing over 6,000 metres, mountaineering expeditions or activities within Antarctica, the Arctic Circle or Greenland. See "What's not covered" for each section and the General Exclusions in the Policy Wording for more information.
  • Am I covered for helicopter evacuation?

    Medical evacuation from the mountains by helicopter may be covered when it is medically necessary. Please keep in mind that you, or a member of your travelling party must contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team before any helicopter evacuation can be arranged. If you do not do this, you may not be covered.

  • What if I’m far away from medical care?
    Depending on where you are and the circumstances, we'll find the most suitable medical facility and mode of transport to get you to safety, whether it’s a road ambulance or helicopter ride (where medically necessary), or any other suitable means. And if the situation calls for it, we may even organise air ambulances and flight upgrades to repatriate you back to your country of residence.
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.

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.