Travel Insurance for volunteering
Get coverage for your good deeds.
- As featured in:
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- Should I consider insurance when volunteering overseas?
- What's covered for volunteers?
- What volunteer activites may I participate in?
- What's not covered?
At World Nomads, our travel insurance allows you to participate in a range of volunteer activities and vacations, from summer teaching programs to clean water projects. We’re strong supporters of paying it forward and giving back — and what better way to strengthen communities, forge meaningful connections and open your eyes (and arms and hearts) than contributing to a worthy purpose?
Should I consider insurance when volunteering overseas?
If you’re planning to volunteer your time while travelling, World Nomads Travel Insurance may cover you for issues you encounter while on the road, such as an emergency medical condition, baggage theft, and trip interruption due to a travel advisory.
World Nomads has two levels of coverage - the Standard Plan and Explorer Plan - that offer different benefits, limits and sub-limits of coverage. It’s good to spend time comparing the plans to see which one suits your travel needs. You can get a quote, make a claim, or buy a policy instantly online, even while travelling.
What’s covered for volunteers?
Want to step out into the world and volunteer your time? World Nomads plans can provide coverage for:
- Trip cancellation
- Trip interruption
- Emergency medical care
- Emergency evacuation
- Baggage delay
- Theft of baggage and personal belongings
What volunteer activities may I participate in?
At World Nomads, we do our best to support volunteers, whether it's protecting endangered turtle hatching grounds or teaching school children in a faraway village.
Volunteer activities our plans may cover include:
- WWOOFing (general farm work, fruit picking, manual work)
- Au pair, nanny or other volunteer childcare
- Teaching (volunteer teaching, non-manual work)
- Hospitality (bar work)
- Scuba, ski or snowboard instructor or guiding
- Manual Work with power tools or working at heights under five metres
What’s not covered?
We do not cover volunteering in dangerous conditions including:
- Mountaineering, rock climbing or mountain guiding where ropes or specialist equipment is used
- Work at a height of over five metres or on offshore rigs, underground or caves
- Operating heavy machinery
- Working with dangerous animals or big game
As a global citizen contributing to good causes, we can only assume that you’ll act responsibly and within your limits. But just to be clear, we won’t cover any incidents related to:
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Reckless behavior
- Criminal or illegal acts
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, just ask us.
If haven’t yet chosen a volunteer program, you can find inspiration in our article about choosing ethical volunteer programs.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: $5,000
- Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- 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.
- Explorer Plan: $10 million
- Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Explorer Plan: $3,000
- Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
- Return to Your Trip Destination
- Return of Remains
- Travel Accident
- Flight Accident
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
- LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Adventure Travel Hotline
- 24/7 Security
- Travel Medical Assistance
- Bag Trak
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team 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?
Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Contact the team
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about overseas medical insurance. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team.
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Will travel insurance cover me for countries other than those listed on my policy?
Once you’ve already purchased a plan, you’ll need to make a request for any additional countries you want to include in your coverage. (You can do this through your membership account online.) Our team should get back to you about a decision on your request.
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Why don't you cover ongoing treatment at home?
Travel insurance policies are designed to provide coverage for emergencies due to unexpected illness or accidents outside of your home province. As Canadians, while travelling in Canada or in your home province, Government Health Insurance Plans (GHIP) provides coverage for most medical bills.
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Does my insurance cover emergency medical costs upfront or do I have to pay and claim later?
It will depend on the situation at the time of the medical emergency. Should you require hospitalization and/or medical evacuation the emergency medical team will work directly with the hospital and evacuation services on your behalf. The team works very hard to ensure you do not have to pay out of pocket. However, many urgent care facilities, pharmacies and walk-in clinics may do not accept travel insurance. Be prepared to pay out of pocket and, upon your claim being approved, you will be reimbursed for your expenses.
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.