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Travel Insurance for Overseas Accidents

What's covered by travel insurance when your adventure turns into misadventure.

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Whether you’re exploring on the map or hurtling off it, serious accidents can happen anywhere, anytime.

If you have a serious accident while on holiday, you will want to consider travel insurance. An unexpected accident, for example, a car accident resulting in broken bones, a serious illness that lands you in hospital, or an injury caused while hiking or doing any type of sports, could really add to the pain you may already be feeling.

Injuries resulting from an accident can be extremely costly due to ongoing medical expenses, particularly when it involves medical evacuation costs. Thinking about the benefits of travel insurance when traveling abroad could mean you can be covered appropriately, and you may save thousands of dollars.

What’s covered by World Nomads travel insurance if I have an accident overseas?

  • Hospitalization
  • Day surgery and out-patient treatment
  • Visits to registered medical practitioners
  • Prescribed medicines
  • Medical evacuation including air ambulance

Make sure you’ve read your policy wording as there are there are terms and conditions, limitations, and exclusions. Always do your research on where you’re going and what you plan to do when overseas as this will help you pick the right policy.

Note: while you may have access to health insurance for any accidents in your Country of Residence, this may not be the case when you are overseas. Please be aware that this is accident and emergency cover only and is not a private medical insurance policy. It only covers you if there is a sudden and unexpected accident causing you injury or if you suddenly become ill during your trip.

How do I get travel insurance?

With World Nomads you can get an instant quote anytime, anywhere, before you leave home or while you’re on the road.

What’s not covered?

  • If you’re doing an activity the policy doesn’t cover.
  • A pre-existing medical condition, even if the condition recurs as a result of or is aggravated by an accident.
  • Any injury which is caused by or exacerbated by a pre-existing medical condition.
  • Any consequences of medical treatment not necessitated by an accident covered by this policy.
  • If you’ve been acting recklessly and taking needless risks.
  • If you ride a motorbike without a helmet or the correct license.

Cover for sports & activities and your sports gear

While we offer cover for over 100 sports, activities and experiences, we won’t cover you if you try to make a claim resulting from a sport or activity that isn’t covered by your policy. This can apply to cover for sports-related injuries, as well as equipment loss/damage and any personal financial losses. Make sure that each sport or activity you will be engaging in is covered by your insurance policy; if it’s not, consider upgrading your policy to ensure you are appropriately covered.

Getting urgent help while on holiday

A large number of travelers may experience some kind of trouble when holidaying overseas each year. That’s why our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team can help out when you need it the most. Our teams can guide you to the nearest hospital, set up direct payments to the medical facility, arrange medical transport, and provide support to your family back home.

Making a claim

Here are some tips that will help with your a claim:

  • Keep all travel insurance documents with you at all times while traveling. If you don’t want to carry the originals, you should make copies and take with you wherever you go.
  • Make sure you have the Emergency Assistance team’s contact details on you, so you can access them if something happens.
  • Get in touch with us before you agree to pay for any medical costs, tests, or treatments to make sure it will be covered.
  • Keep all receipts, reports and doctor’s notes with you until you return to your home country. Having these on you will be essential if you’re planning to make a claim.

This is not a full list of what's covered and what's not covered. There are limits and conditions that apply, so for more information check out our articles on overseas medical coverage and adventure sports coverage, and read your policy carefully before you buy.

Travel insurance tip: if you’re involved in an accident and are hospitalized or suffer an injury, you must report the incident to the relevant local authority (e.g. police, hotel manager, other travel service provider) as soon as possible and provide a copy of the written evidence to verify your claim. For example, you will need a police or roadside assistance report if you are delayed after a vehicle breakdown or a road accident.

Moped Accident in Koh Tao.

I was injured in a moped accident, in Koh Tao, Thailand. The moped turned over onto my foot and I had sprained/injured ligaments and tendons in my left foot. I was unable to walk on my foot at all. The doctor gave me a bandage in lieu of a cast, and crutches, stating that I could not bear any weight on my foot for a minimum of three weeks. I was also told to rest my foot, and could not do so while traveling. I needed to come back to the US for help getting around as well as time to heal.
C.H. American in Thailand.
Claim Paid: $620.22

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you*

Trip Cancellation

Been working hard for your trip?

We'll work hard to protect it.

Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Expenses

Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transportation

Know where the nearest hospital is?

Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medivac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Love photography, filming or sport?

Cover your bags, tech or gear.

Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Trip Cancellation or Interruption
  • 24-Hour Assistance Services
  • Baggage
  • And more (depending on your country of residence)
*This is a general summary only. 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?

Contact the team

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about overseas travel accidents. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team