Travel Insurance Cover for COVID-19 Related Events
Find out what cover is provided if Coronavirus (COVID-19) affects your travel plans
- As featured in:
As featured in:
For information relating to policies purchased prior to 18 May 2022, please check the Policy Document provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For policies purchased on or from 18 May 2022 please see below.
We know Kiwi travellers can’t wait to travel again which is why we’ve added some Coronavirus (COVID-19) specific cover to our insurance plans, to help make it clear what COVID-19 related events our travellers may have coverage for. All our travel insurance plans include emergency medical and repatriation cover if you get sick with Coronavirus while abroad. Our Explorer plans also offer cover for some Coronavirus-related events with the Coronavirus travel costs benefit a new feature.
World Nomads travel insurance for Coronavirus and our plans
- Standard and Explorer plans: Offer cover for emergency medical assistance if you get sick with Coronavirus (COVID-19) overseas – cover includes medical assistance, repatriation and hospitalisation benefits.
- Explorer Plan: Offers cover for some Coronavirus related events such as cancellation, trip interruption expenses and some quarantine costs, as well as additional benefits for healthcare workers, residential care workers and law enforcement officers who have their pre-arranged leave cancelled by their employer due to Coronavirus.
Benefit limits apply and vary between plans.
| Benefit | Standard | Explorer |
|---|---|---|
|
Emergency medical expenses overseas |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Medical repatriation/ evacuation (including funeral expenses or repatriation of your remains if the worst-case scenario happens) |
Yes |
Yes |
| Coronavirus Travel Costs Note: This section has its own benefit limits which apply. Check your Policy Document for full details or read our Help article which has all of the details, including benefit limits, conditions and exclusions. |
NA |
Yes |
What do I do if I get COVID-19 before or during my trip?
If you need to cancel or cut short your trip because you or a member of your travelling party is diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical practitioner, or if your close relative in New Zealand is hospitalised or dies due to Coronavirus, these tips may be helpful, especially if you intend to make a claim.
- Contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team as soon as possible – they can help direct you to local medical facilities if needed and help you understand your options.
- Isolate! And seek the relevant medical attention.
- If you haven’t left home yet and might need to cancel your trip – make sure you’ve got medical evidence of your diagnosis. This can include certification from your doctor that due to the COVID-19 diagnosis you are medically unfit to continue with your original travel plans, or an official PCR test. The diagnosis of Coronavirus must be made after your policy was purchased.
- Don’t delay in the cancellation of your plans to maximise the opportunity of refunds from your providers.
- Always keep receipts for any trip payments you make and, wherever possible, request written reports from providers or local authorities.
- Follow New Zealand government and local advice – different countries have different rules. What’s okay in New Zealand may not be okay in the countries you visit. While some countries may be more relaxed in their COVID-19 protocols, others may be very strict in who they allow to enter.
Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything, so make sure you’re careful with your planning and you read the Policy Document to make sure you understand what’s included and what’s not, as well as the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions. If you have any questions get in touch.
How to get medical assistance
Contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Teams as soon as possible, so they can support you from the time you fall sick or get injured, until the time you get home.
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
- Your location
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about Coronavirus. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team
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Does my insurance cover medical costs upfront or do I have to pay and claim later?
Our international policies can offer cover for emergency overseas medical expenses and medical evacuation and repatriation following a serious injury or sudden illness; this includes coronavirus, subject to all policy terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions. However, if the plan you already purchased doesn’t include the benefit section ‘Coronavirus Travel Costs’ (which offers some cover for eight specific coronavirus-related events), contact us for assistance. We are not able to change the plan issued after purchase, but, provided you have not used your original policy, and do not need to make any claim, we may be able to assist with issuing a replacement policy and providing you with a refund of your original premium. It is important to remember that this would be a new policy, subject to the policy terms conditions and pricing in effect at the date it is issued and would not offer cover for any event that has already occurred.
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What do I do if my test hasn’t come back in time, and I need to cancel my trip?
If you need to cancel or rearrange your travel arrangements, even at the last minute, don’t delay in speaking with your airline or other travel providers to minimise any potential cancellation costs or fees. If you booked through a travel agent, they may be able to assist you with this, too. If you do need to make a claim, the cover available will depend on your individual circumstances, as well as the plan you have purchased. For us to assess if cover can apply, you’ll need to submit a claim along with all supporting documentation. Remember, if you are required to take a test prior to travel, it is important to allow sufficient time for results to come back.
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Why don't you cover ongoing treatment at home?
Cover may be available if you are unfit to travel due to contracting COVID-19, depending on the plan you have purchased, and the facts of your claim - check the policy you have purchased and if it has Coronavirus Travel Costs cover. We assess all claims on a case-by-case basis. Speak with your travel providers, you may be able to cancel or change your arrangements at no or minimal cost. If you booked through a travel agent, they may be able to assist you with this, too. Please note, if you’re already travelling and need to make changes to a flight change or your accommodation, even at the last minute, don’t delay in speaking with your airline or provider. If you can’t continue with your planned arrangements due to a positive diagnosis, simply not showing up could mean you forfeit your booking or incur additional fees when you may have been able to move your dates or times at no or minimal cost. If you booked through a travel agent, they may be able to assist you with this, too.
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Do I need medical proof of my positive COVID-19 result if I need to cancel my trip?
Yes. You will need to provide documentation to support the circumstances of your claim. We understand that the type of documentation you can provide may vary and assess every claim on a case-by-case basis. You should submit as much information as you’re able to along with your claim, this will help us to assess your claim in a timely manner and reduce the possibility that we may need to ask you for further information. Information you supply may include: - PCR Test demonstrating that at the time you were due to travel, you had an active case of COVID-19; - Proof you were subject to mandatory isolation at the time you were due to travel due to a registered RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) result; - Letter from medical practitioner confirming you are medically unfit to travel due to COVID; and - Don’t forget to contact your travel service providers as well, as you’ll also need to demonstrate that you have requested to refund or reschedule your arrangements, and what your out of pocket costs are. Remember, not all of our plans cover pre-trip cancellation for COVID-19. This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You should read your Policy Document in full so you understand what is and isn’t covered.
Bag snatched in Latvia.
It was my final day in Riga, Latvia. In my small bag I keep all my valuables, because hostels can't always be reliable with safekeeping. It contained my new GoPro, Iphone, digital camera, laptop and hard drive, plus my emergency money (200 euros). I planned on using my cameras and computer for editing later that afternoon. The coast was amazing and, as it got late, I decided to take the train back to Riga city. As I was getting off the train, down the vertical steep steps, I had my bag snatched off my shoulder. In seconds, the doors closed and the train pulled off. Telling authorities on the platforms immediately, they could not assist and referred me straight to the police. Feeling helpless, I went to the police where I was kept for hours, because of English barriers and translations of documents. I walked out just after midnight with my report. A day trip I won't forget soon.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: Unlimited
- Standard Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Overseas
Take the pain out of medical costs.
- Explorer Plan: Unlimited
- Standard Plan: $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transport
We'll get you to hospital in a flash
- Explorer Plan: Unlimited
- Standard Plan: $500,000
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Cover your stolen or damaged gear and tech.
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Standard Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Overseas Medical Expenses
- Emergency dental treatment
- 24 hour assistance
- Emergency medical transport & repatriation
- Cancellation costs
- Trip interruption costs
- Compassionate emergency visit home
- Resumption of trip
- Theft or accidental damage to baggage and personal items
- Baggage delay over 12 hours
- Funeral expenses overseas or repatriation of remains
- Personal liability
24/7 emergency assistance
If you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation our team is 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?
From New Zealand & Overseas:
+61 2 8263 0470 or
+61 2 8292 1470
(reverse charges via an operator from anywhere in the world)
Within Australia (Free call): 1800 611 210
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.