Travel insurance for Australians
Simple and flexible travel insurance for international travel. Buy, extend and claim online anywhere in the world.
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How World Nomads travel insurance can help Australians
World Nomads travel insurance plans are designed to suit the needs of Aussies at every stage of the travel journey and we provide cover options for unfortunate and unexpected events that can happen.
Whether you’re backpacking through South America, relaxing on the beach in Hawaii, skiing in New Zealand or taking a cultural journey across Europe, our policies provide numerous benefits. Access to emergency overseas medical coverage, cancellation protection, and ongoing support through our 24/7 Emergency Assistance services, and much more.
Take care of yourself and your loved ones and consider travel insurance with World Nomads and get ready to explore the world with confidence.
Why consider World Nomads for your travel insurance?
A true claim story
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 seriously hurt?
- Has a bushfire damaged your home?
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 medicine?
- 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 overseas?
- Medivac needed home?
- You died overseas?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Damaged docs?
- Passport pilfered?
- 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)
Travel Insurance for 220+ Adventure Activities
- Scuba diving
- Mountain biking
- Surfing
- Bungee jumping
- Skiing
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 teamFrequently asked questions
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What is travel insurance and why do I need to consider it?
Travel insurance is designed to protect you from financial losses you could incur prior to or while travelling. The cost of travel insurance will depend on a range of factors such as:
- Your age
- Your medical history
- The length of trip
- Your chosen destination(s)
- Activities you may have planned, such as snow sports
A customer may currently be in Australia or already travelling when they buy or extend their policy. Travellers pay the insurance company a fee, called a 'premium’, which varies based on factors such as where they’re travelling, how long the trip is, the number of travellers, their age(s) and what activities they plan to participate in.
The insurance company agrees to cover costs (up to a certain limit) for events and benefits like emergency medical treatment abroad, damaged or stolen luggage, delayed flights, and many more benefits. With World Nomads you can customise your coverage, adding in extra optional benefits and limits.
World Nomads travel insurance can help protect your next trip when you’re getting ready to explore the world. Our plans are designed to protect you from unexpected mishaps that can turn your dream holiday into a nightmare. From medical emergencies and trip cancellations to lost luggage and adventure activities gone wrong, our Standard and Explorer travel insurance plans may help cover the costs and stress associated with these unforeseen events.
Get a quick online quote in just minutes!
Things to look out for when buying travel insurance
- Make sure you select the right trip dates, age limit, and level of cover.
- Ensure all your destinations are covered.
- Make sure you understand what a pre-existing medical condition is under our policy.
- Some activities and sports may require extra level of cover or may not be covered.
- Make sure you clearly understand the benefit limits and the excess as per the level of cover you’ve selected.
- Understand that there will be General Exclusions in your cover for which you won’t be covered under any circumstances.
- Make copies of travel documents and keep receipts in case you need to make a claim.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or you’re unsure about coverage, you can get in touch with the Customer Service team.
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What does World Nomads travel insurance typically cover?
World Nomads offers two travel insurance plans tailored to meet the diverse needs of Aussie travellers – the Standard Plan and Explorer Plan. The Standard Plan provides coverage such as overseas medical expenses, coverage for personal belongings, trip cancellation, and cover for certain adventure activities. The Explorer Plan builds on the Standard Plan and offers even more benefits, higher benefit limits, and broader sub-limits. It's crucial to select the right plan from the outset, as you cannot upgrade from a Standard Plan to an Explorer Plan mid-trip.
To decide which plan suits you best, you should consider factors like your destination, activities planned, trip cost, and personal circumstances. Choose wisely to ensure a worry-free travel experience with the right coverage in place.
Are there an exclusions or limitations to travel insurance coverage?
As much as we would love to cover every single unexpected event or unforeseen scenario that happens when travelling, unfortunately we cannot do that. World Nomads has specific exclusions and limitations for Aussies taking out travel insurance, these are clearly stated in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). Here are just some of the main exclusions to be aware of:
- Medical expenses in Australia: Travel insurance doesn't cover medical expenses incurred within Australia.
- Travel warnings: If you travel to a destination with a 'Do not travel' warning from the Australian Government, you won't be covered.
- Existing medical conditions: Existing medical conditions may not be covered unless specifically stated as covered in the PDS.
- Adventure activities: There are specific exclusions, limitations and conditions for many of our activities and sports.
- Change of mind: Simply changing your mind or reluctance to travel isn't covered.
- Unlawful acts: Any losses arising from unlawful or dishonest acts won't be covered.
Always refer to the specific terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of your PDS to understand the full scope of coverage. Always ensure you buy the right policy that aligns with your travel plans and needs. If you need more information visit our Help Centre, or get in touch.
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Can I purchase travel insurance after booking my trip?
If you’ve left Australia without travel insurance or your policy has run out and you’re still on the road, World Nomads can offer cover. With World Nomads, you can buy a policy online, anytime, from anywhere in the world. Please note that if you buy a policy while already travelling overseas, you have to wait 72 hours (waiting period) before cover is activated, as explained in ‘When cover starts & ends’ in your policy.
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Will travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
World Nomads does not offer cover for a number of medical conditions which exist before you buy or extend your policy. However, there are over 40 medical conditions that we do offer cover for and are automatically covered which may exist at the time you buy your policy and when specific requirements are met. Carefully consider your medical history, as well as the health of your close relatives, others in your travelling party and anyone else, as your and their conditions (past or present) may affect your trip and cover.
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How do I make a travel insurance claim?
Making a claim is a straightforward process designed to assist you during unforeseen circumstances while travelling. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Report the incident: Contact us as soon as possible after the incident occurs. Provide details about what happened and gather any necessary documentation, like police reports or medical records.
- Sign in: Sign into your World Nomads membership. Use the links to 'Make a claim' once signed into your membership dashboard.
- Submit documents: Depending on your claim type, you may need to submit documents such as medical bills, receipts for additional expenses, or proof of trip interruption or cancellation.
- Follow Up: Stay in touch with us and provide any additional information we may request promptly. This will help expedite the claims process.
- Review Your policy: Familiarise yourself with your policy's terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions to understand what's covered.
Remember, the sooner you initiate the claim process and provide all required documentation, the quicker your claim will be processed. Always keep your policy details and emergency contact numbers handy when travelling.
What documents do I need to submit a travel insurance claim?
When you lodge your travel insurance claim, you need to provide the correct documentation to ensure a smooth process. For Australian travellers, here's a list of essential documents you'll typically need to submit:
- Proof of travel: Itinerary or booking confirmations showing your travel dates.
- Medical records: If claiming for medical expenses, provide medical reports, prescriptions, and bills detailing the treatment received.
- Receipts and invoices: For any expenses you're claiming, such as accommodation, transport, or lost/damaged belongings, keep all receipts and invoices.
- Police reports: In case of theft, loss, or any criminal activity, a police report is essential.
- Cancellation notices: If claiming trip cancellation or interruption, provide documentation from airlines, tour operators, or accommodation providers confirming the cancellation.
- Claim form: Fill out and submit the insurance claim form, ensuring all details are accurate and complete.
Remember, providing comprehensive and accurate documentation is crucial to validate your claim and ensure a timely payout. Always keep copies of all submitted documents for your records and check your email to keep track of any progress of your claim. If you need more information on what to do if you don’t have all the required documents and adding documents online, click on our FAQ article.
You can email or call:
Australian residents email: claimsAUS@worldnomads.com
Phone (local call within Australia): 1300 787 375
Phone (while overseas): +61 2 8263 0400
Fax (everywhere): +61 2 8263 0494
World Nomads Claims
nib Travel Services
PO Box A975
Sydney NSW 1235 Australia
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Will travel insurance cover cancellation due to a pandemic or epidemic?
World Nomads does not cover any loss arising from an epidemic, pandemic, or World Health Organization declaration of a public health emergency of international concern. However, we do offer cover for COVID-19-related events. Your level of cover for some COVID-19 related events will depend on whether you’ve selected the Standard or Explorer plan. For more information on what you may be covered for when it comes to COVID-19 go to our COVID-19 coverage article.
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Can I cancel my travel insurance policy and receive a refund?
If you decide that you don’t want to travel or can’t travel due to unforeseen events, you can cancel the policy up to 11:59pm AEST/AEDT on the day before you start your trip for a full refund provided:
- You haven’t started your trip;
- You haven’t made a claim; and
- You don’t want to make a claim or exercise any other right under the policy.
All you need to do is sign into your membership, choose your policy and follow the links to cancel before your policy Departure date. If you need to cancel, contact World Nomads.
Please note that we don’t refund you any unused portion of your premium if you decide to return home early for any reason.
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How can I contact customer support for assistance with my travel insurance policy?
If you're an Aussie traveller overseas and need assistance with a claim, an emergency or need to ask us a question about coverage for your policy, reaching out to World Nomads is easy. Here's how:
Customer Service:
We’re available Monday to Friday 9:00am - 6:00pm (AEST/ADST). Saturday to Sunday closed (AEST/ADST)
Phone
Within Australia:
From anywhere in the world:
Email: Send an email to the customer support team detailing your concerns to: infoAUS@worldnomads.com
Emergency Assistance:
If you're facing an emergency overseas contact us on the following details:
Phone
From anywhere in the world:
+61 2 8263 0470
+61 2 8292 1470Within Australia:
1300 787 375SMS:
+61 4 1720 4602Email
When you call please have ready:
- Your policy number
- A contact number and travelling companion details for where you are now
- The nature of your problem.
Claims:
We’re here to help if you have a question about your claim. We’re available Monday to Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm (AEST/ADST)
Phone
Within Australia:
1300 787 375From anywhere in the world:
+61 2 8256 1542Email
Remember, always keep your policy number and details handy when contacting customer support for quicker assistance.
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.