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Buying Travel Insurance After You’ve Already Left on Your Trip

Americans can get travel insurance while already overseas. Learn what coverage you can expect.

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For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.

With all the excitement of packing your bags, jumping on a plane, and jetting off to a faraway destination, travel insurance may slip your mind. You may be asking yourself “Can I buy travel insurance after departure?” The answer is yes!

If you’ve left home without travel insurance* or your plan has run out while you’re still on the road, don’t panic. World Nomads has got you covered with simple and flexible travel insurance plans that you can buy online, anytime, from anywhere in the world.

How do I get travel insurance if I’ve already left home or I’m already overseas?

It’s easy - all you need is a good internet connection. Head to our website to get a quote. Answer a few simple questions about your trip and follow the prompts that will outline the coverage and benefits we offer. We offer two types of plans – Single Trip or Annual. Within our single trip plans, we also have three levels of coverage– you can compare them before you get a quote and select the one that best suits your needs. Then read and accept the terms and conditions, pay for your plan, and you’re done.

Are there any waiting periods if I buy travel insurance after departure?

If you buy a plan while traveling, waiting periods, conditions and restrictions may apply. World Nomads policies for U.S. residents take effect at 12:01am local time the day after you purchase your plan. So, if you’re already traveling and want to get coverage for a day trip or ski weekend, you’ll need to buy your insurance at least the day before you need coverage.

Also remember that travel insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions (unless you purchased the Epic or Explorer plan during the time-sensitive period and were medically able to travel at the time of purchase) or known events, so we think it’s a good idea to buy your travel insurance as soon as possible, so you’ll be covered for that future illness, future hurricane, etc. The future you will thank you!

What does World Nomads travel insurance cover?

We’ve designed our travel insurance to be simple, flexible and include the things our travelers have told us are most important to them.

All our plans offer coverage, up to the plan limits, for the following, when you need it the most:

  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance in multiple languages. If you need help (medical, lost bags, crimes, natural disaster, etc.), they should be your first call.
  • Emergency medical coverage that may offer reimbursement for hospitalization, same day surgery and out-patient treatment, emergency dental coverage, and visits to registered medical practitioners.
  • Coverage for delayed, lost or stolen baggage, gear and sporting equipment.
  • Coverage for some of your non-refundable, pre-paid transport and accommodation expenses when you’ve had to unexpectedly cancel your trip for a covered reason.
  • Mechanical breakdowns or transportation strikes that shut down travel on common carriers for 24 consecutive hours.
  • Coverage for more than 250 adventure activities, sports and experiences, including rock climbing, snowboarding, bungee jumping, hiking and snorkeling.
  • Coverage when your trip is delayed or interrupted for certain time perimeters, as defined in your plan documents.
  • Pre-trip medical support via our non-insurance service partners at Runway Health & FootprintID.

Some of our higher tier plans (Explorer and Epic) also offer coverage for:

  • Rental Car Protection (applicable to state variability; read your plan to make sure your state is covered).
  • Travel inconveniences, like a ski resort that shuts down due to lack of snow or your cruise misses a port of call due to inclement weather.
  • Pet Kenneling for your furry friend if your travel delay causes them to stay at least six hours longer at their boarding facility than expected.
  • Trip Exchange if your travel supplier (like a tour company or cruise) changes the dates on you and you are forced to incur extra expenses, or even cancel, as a result.
  • Missed connection coverage for when you miss your trip departure (like on a cruise or tour group) by 3 hours or more for a covered reason and you incur extra expenses to join at a different location.

You can also add optional “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage to the Explorer and Epic plans, although an additional cost will be incurred. You may want to consider this if you are planning a big trip and have invested a lot of money, or if you are worried something could come up in the future that could cause you to miss it.

*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.

Malaria at Christmas.

In the 25th of December I woke up feeling nausea, fever, headache, and lethargy. After two days with the symptoms not ceasing I went to a clinic and was admitted with severe malaria. I stayed in the hospital for two days taking shots for malaria and also saline drip.
Claim paid: USD $392,55
A.G. Brazilian Nomad in Zambia.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Protection

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Standard Plan: $2,500
  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Epic Plan: $15,000
  • Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Come to a sticky end?
  • Called to jury duty?
  • Been made redundant?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Standard Plan: $125,500
  • Explorer Plan: $150,000
  • Epic Plan: $250,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need drugs?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation

We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.

  • Standard Plan: $400,000
  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Epic Plan: $700,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • You or a family member dead?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.

  • Standard Plan: $1,000
  • Explorer Plan: $2,000
  • Epic Plan: $3,000
  • Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
  • Luggage lost?
  • Passport pilfered?
  • Tech Trashed?

Help starts here.

The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.

Protect your health

  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
  • Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Evacuations
  • Bedside Companion Travel
  • Emergency Medications

Protect Your Trip

  • Trip Cancellation
  • Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
  • Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
  • Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
  • Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)

Protect Your Stuff

  • Baggage Delay
  • Passport and Visa Loss
  • Lost or Stolen Bags
  • Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
  • Baggage Return After Evacuation

Non-Insurance Services

  • Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
  • Translators Available
  • Runway Health
  • FootprintID
  • Blue Ribbon Bags
This is a general summary for US residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefits limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the plan documents for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, 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?

Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone: +1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada

Contact the team