Travel and positive community impact
How travel insurance can help have a positive impact on communities.
- As featured in:
As featured in:
- How does World Nomads travel insurance help communities abroad?
- How can I contribute through the Footprints program if I buy travel insurance?
- Why should I consider travel insurance when going overseas?
- Key tips for being a more responsible traveler
Travel can open our minds and teach us about destinations often far removed from our own. Just like you, as a team of global adventurers, the World Nomads team knows that as thrilling as a vacation abroad can be, our choices, if they are considered, can influence more than just ourselves.
How does World Nomads travel insurance help communities abroad?
As well as offering you support from the sidelines as you tread your explorative path, whatever it is, World Nomads also offers globetrotters the opportunity to help fund a community development project for the greater good, too.
When purchasing a policy with us, you can choose to add a small donation to the price, with 100 percent of the funds raised going directly to more than 240 reputable charities and NGOs, including Save the Children, The Fred Hollows Foundation and SURFAID, to name just a few.
Since launching the initiative, the World Nomads Footprints program has raised almost $4 million, thanks to the generosity of more than 1.3 million travelers.
Each of the projects we support has a focus on ending poverty, protecting the planet and/or making a global shift toward sustainability and resilience, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
How can I contribute through the Footprints program if I buy travel insurance?
The most enriching travel experiences are those that have a positive impact on ourselves, but also the environment, economy and local communities in need.
Our World Nomads Footprints recipients Safe Cities For Girls, Protecting Gorillas and Surrounding Communities, and various frontline health projects are richer for the contributions our travel community send their way.
To contribute, simply generate a travel insurance quote for your trip, and as you navigate the purchase path, you can choose to add a donation. Then all you need to do is enjoy your travels knowing you are making a difference. You can also keep in touch with us so you can see what project you have helped to fund.
Why should I consider travel insurance when going overseas?
You wouldn’t go on a vacation without taking your passport, right? It wouldn’t make sense and you wouldn’t get very far. The same goes for travel insurance; it’s something you should consider when getting ready to go on a holiday overseas.
We all know that as organized as you might be, not everything always goes to plan when you’re venturing abroad – items get lost in transit, flights can be canceled and delayed, and injuries and illness can occur.
An insurance policy may be able to help in these circumstances, and if you’re a seasoned traveler you’ll know that not only is it inconvenient to have to deal with any of the above, these hiccups can prove costly, especially in another country.
At World Nomads, we offer two levels of cover – Standard and Explorer – it’s important to consider exactly what you’ll be doing on your vacation before choosing the policy, as there are some differences.
The Standard plan includes a range of benefits such as overseas medical, coverage for your belongings, pre-trip cancellation and certain adventure activities, sports and experiences, while Explorer has all the same benefits, but also includes some that are not in the Standard Plan and includes higher limits in some cases.
If you’re into the more intense activities, for example you plan to go skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking downhill, or rock climbing, you’ll need to upgrade to Explorer and pay the higher premium. Do note that once you have purchased a particular level of cover, it can’t be altered mid-trip.
Key tips for being a more responsible traveler:
- Social enterprise: while on your travels, seek out a social enterprise that assists the local community, for example, in Zambia the markets at Victoria Falls sell locally made goods, the money you spend goes back into the local community.
- Ethical eating: try to eat seasonal, local, organic wholefoods based around local traditions rather than ‘Western-style’. Ethical tours should also include plant-based meal options to encourage planet-friendly eating.
- Small groups: small group tours, with an average of 10 people, help us travel more responsibly. By interacting on a personal level with the people and places we visit, we’re more likely to understand the issues affecting these places and how we can help.
- Carbon offsets: have you considered whether your trip includes carbon offsets? Two global adventure tour companies now offering this option are World Expeditions and Intrepid Travel, which has also been carbon neutral since 2010.
- Be an infrequent flier, choose slow travel instead: flying less often is the best choice you can make. Could you travel using another mode of transport? And could you commit to using low-impact forms of transport once you reach your destination to offset the emissions from your flight?
This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You should read your policy wording in full, so you understand what is and isn’t covered. That way there won’t be any surprises if you need to use it. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
Teeth hit the ground
I put my foot in a funny way while I was walking quickly because it was raining. I fell unexpectedly to the floor, face first, so I put my arm out, broke the shoulder and my front teeth hit the ground breaking a tooth.
P.R. Italian Nomad.
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?
- Been made redundant?
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
- Luggage lost?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Tech trashed?
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)
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 teamBefore your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.