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Natural Disaster Travel Insurance Coverage

Learn how travel insurance benefits for natural disasters may help US Residents when emergency strikes

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At a glance

  • World Nomads offers plans that include travel insurance coverage for natural disasters. Terms and Conditions apply.
  • Disasters such as earthquakes, floods, wildfires, hurricanes, blizzards, and volcanic eruptions may be covered
  • You may be reimbursed for medical expenses and evacuation expenses incurred for your transportation to your home country or nearest place of safety
  • Additional coverage may be included if you need to cancel, delay, or interrupt your trip due to a natural disaster

Why should you consider travel insurance coverage that includes protection from losses relating to natural disasters?

According to data from NOAA*, the US averages nine weather and climate disasters per year. It’s scary enough when it happens here, but it’s even worse when you’re stuck in Japan after an earthquake or if you have to cancel your trip to Vietnam because floods have washed out the roads. But a single-trip or annual travel protection plan that includes benefits for natural disasters may help in a variety of ways, including trip cancellation and medical expenses. It may even help with emergency evacuation so you can get you back to your home country or to a safe place.

What Natural Disasters May Be Covered

  • Earthquakes
  • Floods
  • Wildfires
  • Hurricanes
  • Blizzards
  • Volcanic Eruptions

Important to Know

  • You may only be covered if the natural disaster wasn’t already forecast at the time you purchased your plan
  • Evacuations must occur within 14 days of the disaster and require pre-approval
  • Limits, terms, and conditions of coverage vary depending on the plan you buy.

Evacuation Benefit Maximums

Standard PlanExplorer PlanEpic PlanAnnual Plan
Up to $25,000 for evacuation

Get a quote		 Up to $25,000 for evacuation

Get a quote		 Up to $50,000 for evacuation

Get a quote		 Up to $5,000 for evacuation
per trip

Get a quote
Compare all benefits and plans

What should I do if there’s a natural disaster while I’m traveling outside of the United States?

It’s one thing if a rainy day washes out your trekking expedition in Mexico, but what if a hurricane blows the roof off your hotel, making it uninhabitable? If you’re faced with a natural disaster when you’re traveling outside of the US, make sure you follow these steps.

  • If you find yourself away from home and dealing with a natural disaster, first make sure you and your travel partners are somewhere safe.
  • Reach out to the 24/7 Non-insurance Emergency Assistance Team to let them know what happened. If you need medical care, they may help direct you to a place where you can get the care you need. They may also be able to help with emergency evacuation if needed.
  • Continue to monitor the weather and developing situation if you have access to a radio, television, or mobile device.
  • You can start a claim for your natural disaster travel insurance coverage, but you’ll want to make sure you have all of your documentation to submit. This includes things such as proof of all non-refundable, prepaid deposits or payments, unused transportation tickets, original receipts for any expenses incurred because of the natural disaster, original receipts for any new tickets, documentation from your medical team, etc.

Recommended Travel Safety Tips

As travelers ourselves, we’ve dealt with weather situations while traveling. We’ve also had to cancel trips because of natural disasters that put a halt to our plans. We’ve learned a few things along the way and these are a few of our personal tips.

  • Do your research and check out the US government’s safety warnings* for your destination before traveling. You can see if there are any natural disasters that your destination is prone to, such as volcanoes, flooding, tsunamis, wildfires, and more. This is also where the US Department of State lists any current advisories.
  • Enroll in the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)* to stay updated on emergency situations.
  • Plan the timing of your trip appropriately. If you know that hurricane season runs from June through November in the Caribbean, you may want to plan your trip to the Bahamas outside of that window.
  • If you need to go somewhere that is especially prone to natural disasters, you may want to consider adding optional Cancel For Any Reason’ insurance during the time-sensitive period to your plan; this way you may be able to cancel your trip for any reason other than what is listed in your plan (not available to residents of New York; terms and conditions apply).
  • Share your travel plans with family or friends back home so that someone knows where you are in case a natural disaster strikes your destination.
  • If you purchase a travel protection plan, keep a copy of it saved in your phone. It’s also helpful to save the phone number for the 24/7 Non-insurance Emergency Assistance team and have that easily accessible as well.
  • Since natural disasters have the potential of knocking out cell service and electricity, have a printed copy of your plan too just in case you aren’t able to use your phone.

FAQ

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

  • What qualifies as a natural disaster?
    Natural Disaster means a flood, wildfire, hurricane, blizzard or volcanic eruption; it could also include earthquakes, avalanches and landslides, all of which are due to natural causes. The event needs to be declared a disaster area by the appropriate local government authorities and are deemed to be uninhabitable or dangerous. For more details on the definition of a natural disaster, read the details of your plan.
  • Can I cancel my trip if I’m worried about traveling to my destination?

    You may not be eligible for travel insurance benefits that include coverage for natural disasters unless the disaster actually occurs. You may not be reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable, unused travel expenses if you cancel your trip because you’re nervous about traveling to a destination that may have a natural disaster. If you’re worried though, and have purchased our Explorer or Epic plan along with the optional add-on ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ insurance benefit during the time-sensitive period, changing your mind is perfectly ok (not available to residents of New York; terms and conditions apply). When you get a quote, you can compare the travel protection plans side-by-side and determine which one might be right for you.

  • If I’m evacuated back to the United States, what happens to my belongings?

    Even if you’re purchasing a World Nomads plan for the natural disaster travel protection coverage, your plan will include other benefits as well – including a benefit that may cover baggage. If you are evacuated and have to leave your baggage behind (because there are weight limits on the aircraft evacuating you, for example), we may reimburse you (up to maximum benefits) for the cost of transporting your baggage to your return destination or to the evacuation location.

*This website is not affiliated with United States Fire Insurance Company, World Nomads, or Trip Mate. 20260112-5097301. This is not a full list of what is and isn’t covered, so please check your plan document for a full list of maximums, terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that may apply to your state specific plan. Any example scenarios provided above are not a guarantee of coverage. All claims are subject to review, require documentation and are considered individually. Exclusion applies to Adventure or Extreme Activities.

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
  • Unexpectedly hospitalized?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Standard Plan: $125,000
  • Explorer Plan: $150,000
  • Epic Plan: $250,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • 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?
  • Medevac home?

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

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
  • Pre-Departure Telehealth Services
  • Portable Health Records
  • Delayed or Lost Baggage Tracking and Delivery
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.