Imagine you’re trekking through the jungle in the middle of Bali. You’re hiking up Mountain Batur (Bali), eager to make it to the peak before the sun sets beyond the horizon. As you finally reach the top, you scramble for your camera in order to take a picture of the colorful sunset – only to realize your camera is nowhere to be found!
While it’s unfortunate that you lost your camera on the hike, you’re thankful that you remembered to purchase a World Nomads travel insurance policy before you left.
Not only does World Nomads cover lost and stolen property, but they also protect against numerous other mishaps that could go wrong on your trip. From expensive medical bills to non-refundable hotels, World Nomads is a must-have for any adventurous traveler. In this World Nomads insurance review we’ll explain you exactly what to expect of their coverage, how to apply and even how you can file a claim as soon as you are insured.
What is World Nomads Insurance?
As one of the most trusted insurance companies for backpackers, digital nomads, and world travelers, World Nomads is a travel insurance for anyone who needs travel and medical coverage abroad.
If something were to go wrong on your trip, World Nomads would reimburse some or all expenses related to the following:
- Emergency medical and dental
- Emergency evacuation to the nearest hospital
- Trip delay, interruption, or cancellation due to an unforeseen circ*mstance
- Lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and personal property
How Does World Nomads Insurance Work?
Travel insurance is meant to protect you against unforeseen circ*mstances that could happen while you’re traveling.
You might be wondering why you need travel insurance if you already have a health insurance policy. The truth is, travel insurance is actually very different from your healthcare back home.
For one, your health insurance plan usually doesn’t cover international trips, nor does it reimburse for missed flights, lost luggage, or non-refundable flights and accommodation.
However, it does cover normal health check-ups, and nonessential treatments, which travel insurance does not.
Once you purchase a World Nomads plan, you’ll pay what’s called a “premium” in return for travel insurance coverage. So in the rare chance that something goes wrong on your trip, World Nomads would step in to cover all or some of the cost of those expenses.
It’s important to review the details of your policy, as you might only be covered up to a certain amount. If your medical bill or expense exceeds the maximum covered by World Nomads, then you will be responsible for the remainder of the payment.
World Nomads Insurance Plans
When researching travel insurance with World Nomads, you’ll see there are two different plans you can choose from – the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan.
Despite being the cheapest option available, the Standard Plan has decent coverage for both emergency medical treatment and trip interruption and cancellation. You’ll get $100,000 in emergency medical and $300,000 in emergency evacuation, which is the bare minimum you’d want to be covered for.
When it comes to trip insurance, the Standard Plan will cover $2,500 of your non-refundable expenses if you have to leave early or cancel your trip altogether. Keep in mind that World Nomads won’t reimburse more than that amount, so if your trip costs more than $2,500, you might be better off with the Explorer Plan.
The Standard Plan also covers over 200 different sports and activities, like skiing, snorkeling, surfing, and mountain biking.
The Explorer Plan is a more robust version of the Standard Plan. Although emergency medical is the same ($100,000), you’ll have $200,000 more in coverage for emergency evacuation.
Another big difference between the Explorer Plan and the Standard Plan is trip coverage. With the Explorer Plan, you’re covered up to $10,000 in trip cancellation and trip interruption, which is considerably more than the $2,500 included with the Standard Plan. You’ll also receive more reimbursem*nt for lost, damaged, or stolen personal belongings.
The Explorer Plan also includes coverage for all the activities included in the Standard Plan – plus way more. If you’re planning on doing any extreme sports like heliskiing, scuba diving, hot air ballooning, or skydiving, then you’ll need to purchase the Explorer Plan for this extra coverage.
How Much Does World Nomads Insurance Cost?
The cost of your World Nomads insurance policy will depend on the length of your trip, where you’re traveling to, and what type of plan you choose. Your home country and nationality will also affect how much you end up paying for coverage.
For the sake of this World Nomads insurance review, let’s say you’re a 25-year old American citizen planning a two-week vacation to Southeast Asia. In this scenario, the Standard Plan will cost $78.80 while the Explorer Plan will cost $142.35 for two weeks of travel and medical insurance.
Now let’s say you’re planning a five-month trip through Europe. If you’re purchasing the Standard Plan, you’ll pay $500.80. If you want extra coverage, you can also opt for the Explorer Plan at just $718.14.
Although it may seem like a hefty amount of money upfront, consider exactly what you’re paying for. For just a few dollars a day, you can protect yourself against lost cameras, missed flights, and, more importantly, thousands of dollars in medical bills. For that peace of mind, the cost of travel insurance is completely worth it.
What’s Included With World Nomads Travel Insurance?
Before you sign on the dotted line, it’s important you know exactly what type of coverage is included with your World Nomads policy.
As we mentioned earlier, both plans come with emergency medical insurance. So, if you break your leg or come down with stomach-churning food poisoning, your medical bills and doctor visits will be covered by your World Nomads insurance policy (up to the maximum amount of $100,000).
In the rare instance that you need to be air-lifted or flown to the hospital (like if you get into an accident on a mountain while skiing), then you’ll also be covered for emergency evacuation. Similarly, World Nomads includes protection for non-medical evacuation if there is civil unrest or a natural disaster where you’re traveling.
If you are unable to go on vacation due to an unforeseen circ*mstance, then you’ll also be protected by trip cancellation insurance. The reason for canceling your trip has to be covered by World Nomads, so you don’t expect to get reimbursed merely because you found a cheaper flight or if you decide to visit another country instead. These covered reasons usually include sickness, natural disaster, or the death of a family member.
Both plans also include trip interruption coverage in case you have to return home for an unforeseen reason (like sickness, natural disaster, or death of a family member).
World Nomads also provides coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen personal items. So if the airline loses your bag or your purse gets stolen, you can ask for reimbursem*nt for those missing costs.
In addition to the above benefits, World Nomads also provides coverage for the following:
- Trip delay over six hours
- Repatriation of remains
- Accidental death and dismemberment
- Rental car damage (Explorer Plan only)
However, there are some disadvantages to keep in mind while researching World Nomads insurance or travel insurance in general. The following is not covered through your World Nomads policy:
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Health check-ups and nonessential medical treatments
- Items that were left unattended or lost recklessly
COVID-19 Coverage
The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the travel industry and changed the way people travel for the foreseeable future. It also has a large impact on your choice of travel insurance, which may or may not protect against Corona-related incidents.
World Nomads travel insurance coverage for COVID-19 will differ depending on where you live. For example, US and Canadian citizens may be covered by trip cancellation coverage if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 before their trip starts. And if they get infected while traveling abroad, their medical bills may also be covered. But Australian citizens, on the other hand, are not covered for any COVID-19 related incidents.
If you’re curious about specific COVID-19 coverage for your home country, please check World Nomad’s Coronavirus website for your region.
Extreme Sports Coverage
As part of this World Nomads insurance review, we’d like to point out one of the biggest benefits for travelers. World Nomads provides great coverage for over 200 different types of sports and activities. This is crucial if you’re an adventurous traveler or outdoor enthusiast since you’ll be protected against any accident or injury that could happen.
The Standard Plan provides decent coverage for many sports, although more extreme and rigorous activities are only covered under the Explorer Plan.
From kayaking and bungee-jumping to scuba diving and ATV biking, World Nomads provides protection in the rare instance that you get injured while participating in your favorite activity. You can see an entire list of which activities are covered by which plan here.
How to Apply for World Nomad Insurance
Travel insurance should be the second thing you purchase when planning your trip (right after booking your flight or hotel).
Although you can purchase World Nomads anytime before your trip starts, we recommend buying it right away so you can take advantage of their trip cancellation coverage. That means you’ll be covered in case you get sick or injured and need to cancel your flight and hotel.
If you’re not ready to come back home, you can also extend your policy while you’re away. And don’t worry if you’re already on the road. Thankfully, World Nomads also lets you purchase a policy while you’re traveling. Better late than never!
Let’s walk you through how to apply for a policy with World Nomad insurance.
1. Enter your details below to get an online quote. Enter the country (or countries) you are traveling to, the travel dates, the country where you live and your age and click on “get a quote”. You will be redirected to the World Nomads site where you can follow the next steps.
2. After submitting your information, you’ll see the price for both the Standard Plan and Explorer Plan options. Once you decide on the right plan for your trip, select the chosen plan.
3. On the next page, you’ll enter your personal details (like address and birthday) and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Have your credit card on hand, because you will also need to enter a method of payment.
That’s it! After you purchase your policy, you may need to wait 24 to 48 hours for coverage to take effect. That’s why it’s important to purchase a policy as early as you can!
How to File a Claim with World Nomads Insurance
Filing a claim with World Nomads is relatively easy. We’ll walk you through everything you need to provide as well as how to do this all online.
1. Make sure you document the incident. This is extremely important because without proper evidence or proof, you won’t be able to ask for reimbursem*nt from World Nomads. For example, medical claims should be accompanied by hospital bills or invoices, while stolen personal belongings should be accompanied by a police report and receipt that shows the cost of the lost item.
Keep in mind that the more proof you are able to provide, the more likely your claim will be accepted and reimbursed!
2. Log into your World Nomads account. You can file your claim online directly through the website. Depending on the type of claim, you can either scan and email your documents or send them to World Nomads through the mail.
3. Afterwards, you’ll need to wait for the claim to be processed. This could take a few days. If there are any questions about what you have submitted, the World Nomads customer service team will get in contact with you for more information.
Bottom Line
As you can see, travel insurance is there to protect you against any mishaps or unforeseen events that could happen on your trip. From broken bones to broken iPhone screens, World Nomads travel insurance is a necessity for every single world traveler.
Not sure if World Nomads is the right travel insurance for you? Also check out our travel insurance comparison guide.
Disclaimer: All of the information provided about travel insurance is a brief summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all countries, states or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage.
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