There are many reasons to buy travel insurance to help protect you in case of unforeseen events such as trip cancellation, injuries, overseas medical or dental emergencies, or baggage cover. But you don’t need to purchase extra travel insurance if you are making a quick flight connection in a country and you’re not planning to leave the airport.
World Nomads travel insurance cover comes into effect on your policy effective date and ends on your return date as indicated on your Policy Certificate or on the date you return to your home province to end your trip. However, you must list all countries or regions you will be travelling in, to or through as part of your trip when you purchase your policy. For more information refer to our ‘What countries does World Nomads cover?’ article
If you decide you do want to explore a new destination or want to extend your vacation, you will need to contact us to request the destination change or to apply for an extension of cover. Requests for an extension must be submitted to and approved by World Nomads prior to your original return date.
Important: Your policy provides cover for your chosen countries and regions of travel unless a defer travel advisory has been issued by an official governmental body or health authority in your country of residence, advising against travel to a particular country or area and you choose to go there anyway, or if such advisory is issued due to an epidemic or pandemic.
Certain other destinations may not be covered under your policy. Pleaes refer to the policy terms and conditions for details.
Refer to travel.gc.ca/travelling before you go and while travelling for the latest alerts and travel advice.
What if I want to extend my stay in a specific country and need extra travel insurance?
If you do decide to extend your trip, there are terms and conditions attached to extending your policy cover while overseas. If you decide to travel longer than expected, we can help keep you covered. Your policy may be extended up to a maximum of 365 days from your original trip start date. You can request to extend your policy (before the end date shown on your Certificate of Insurance) using your World Nomads membership online. Please note that the following conditions must be met:
- Your request for an extension must be made through and approved by World Nomads prior to your original return date
- You must pay the required additional premium before your original return date
- You must have been eligible (a Canadian resident under 66 years of age at the time of purchase) to purchase a policy both at the time of your original booking and at the time of your request for extension.
Note: if you have sought treatment for a filed a claim for emergency medical treatment during your original plan, any subsequent medical treatment for that emergency will not be covered under the extension.
You cannot extend your policy once it has lapsed, but you can buy a new policy. For new policies purchased after you have left your home province, there is no coverage for injury or sickness that occurs in the 48-hour period after your new policy departure date. Please refer to the policy terms and conditions, limitations, and exclusions to see how your new policy start date affects your coverage.
If you need information on making changes to your policy visit our Managing your policy section and choose your country or region of residence to get the latest updates.
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions about your coverage, just ask us.
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We’re here to help if you have a question about travel insurance. We’re available:
- Monday to Friday 7:00am - 7:00pm (CST)
Contact us
Within Canada & continental USA, toll free:
1 877 328 2528
International collect:
+1 416 646 3723
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.