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For information relating to policies purchased prior to 17 June 2021, 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 17 June 2021 please see below.
Having a pre-existing medical condition isn't a reason to stop travelling, but it can affect your travel insurance and what you’re covered for. Whether you're travelling off the grid or blogging in it, it's best to know if we can cover your pre-existing medical condition(s) before your travel, so you're not caught unawares.
The following can help determine if you, your travel companion, a close relative or someone upon whom your trip depends has a pre-existing medical condition, as defined in our Policy Wording. If any of the following exist at the time you buy your policy, start your trip, extend your policy or resume your trip after returning home early, then we’ll consider that you have a pre-existing medical condition:
In addition, if you took out cover after you left home, there is a time excess (waiting period) of 72 hours before the insurance takes effect and only for events first occurring after those 72 hours. Any illness or injury that occurs during this waiting period will be considered a pre-existing medical condition.
Our policies still cover many events for travellers with pre-existing medical conditions, as long as they don’t occur as a result of the pre-existing medical condition(s). These include cover for:
You can check out our Coronavirus cover article which has all of the details, including benefit limits and exclusions.
We do not cover any claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions.
Our policy covers cancellation if, after you’ve purchased the policy and before you start your trip, you, your close relative or a member of your travelling party suffers a serious illness or accidental injury or unexpectedly dies.
The policy isn’t designed to cover everything so take the time to read the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions in the Policy Wording for full details, so there are no surprises if you need to use it. If you’re not sure if something is covered get in touch.
If you’re concerned our plans do not provide cover for a pre-existing medical condition that you have, you can visit the Money and Pensions Service’s travel directory (MaPS) which lists providers specialising in offering travel insurance to people with serious or life-threatening medical conditions.
If you're not worried that your pre-existing condition(s) isn't covered you can still purchase a policy online through World Nomads. Just be aware there's no cover for any claim made as a result of this condition(s).
I realized I had forgotten a medication (clonazepam) which I take for insomnia. I visited a doctor in Mexico City the next day and got a prescription for the medication. However, he also diagnosed me with a condition that I was not aware of (hyperthyroid) and suggested that the medication would help with the condition on a short-term basis. He suggested that I get a blood test for hyperthyroid, which I just did in Boston.
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Cover your lost, stolen or damaged gear and tech.
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World Nomads policies cannot cover claims due to Pre-Existing Medical Conditions (PEMC), regardless of whether the condition is serious or not (this includes if you're on separate or joint policies). You can still purchase a World Nomads policy, but the PEMC exclusion is not removable.
For travel insurance providers that offer cover on PEMC, visit the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) Money Helper website, or call 0800 138 7777. BIBA's (The British Insurance Brokers' Association) Find Insurance Service offers information on serious PEMCs and travel insurance providers that may cover these conditions. You can also contact them on 0370 950 1790.
If you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
For policies purchased on or after 1 September 2021:
+44 (0) 2030931750 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)
For policies purchased before 1 September 2021:
Phone: +353 21 237 8005 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)
Phone: +61 2 8263 0470 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)
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.
Before your trip, check to see if there are current travel alerts for your destination – you can also view the latest government advice.