Travel Insurance for Health Emergencies
Find out why travel insurance isn't health insurance and learn the difference.
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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.
Travel Insurance for health emergencies
Travel insurance is there to help you when you need it most. If you've been involved in an accident or you've fallen ill and need medical care, our travel insurance policies can help patch you up and get you back on the road.
Just keep in mind that our policies are travel insurance policies not health insurance policies, and many policies don't cover existing medical conditions. Make sure you read through your policy carefully to see how and if you can be covered.
So this isn't a health insurance plan?
No, it's a travel insurance policy. It's there for overseas unexpected medical emergencies. It's not designed to cover cover ongoing illness, routine check-ups or treatment overseas, or any treatment when you get home.
What does travel insurance cover if I'm sick or injured?
If you’re injured in an accident or suddenly become ill while travelling, you can be covered for overseas emergency medical treatment including:
- Hospitalisation.
- Day surgery and out-patient treatment.
- Visits to registered medical practitioners.
- Prescribed medicines.
- Ambulances.
- Extra expenses to get you home, if medically necessary.
We also have 24/7 Emergency Assistance teams who can guide you to the nearest hospital, arrange medical transport, set up direct payments to the medical facility, and give support to your family. Coverage may depend on your past medical history, what's happened to you and any other conditions, limits or exclusions of cover as described in your policy.
Is cover for Coronavirus available?
World Nomads can offer benefits for medical issues related to Coronavirus (COVID-19). If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 while overseas and it’s not considered an ‘existing medical condition’ under our policy, your benefits may include:
- 24/7 access to our Emergency Assistance team, who can help you access local medical care;
- Medical costs including hospitalisation;
- Evacuation or repatriation if deemed medically necessary by us and in consultation with your attending physician.
In addition, our Explorer Plan also has a Coronavirus Travel Costs benefit for certain events. You can check out our Coronavirus cover article which has all of the details, including benefit limits and exclusions.
What’s not covered?
Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything. Common claims for overseas medical expenses we see where there's no cover include:
- If you're intoxicated as a result of taking drugs or alcohol.
- Where you've been acting recklessly.
- Non-emergency treatment that can wait until you return home to New Zealand (that's what your health insurance or national health coverage at home is designed to do).
- Any existing medical conditions.
- Ongoing treatment at home.
For more information check out our articles on overseas medical coverage and adventure sports coverage.
This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions of the policy. You should read your Policy Document in full, so you understand what is and isn’t covered. If you are unsure about your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.
The information provided is of a general nature and is provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice in any form, and should not be relied on as a substitute for obtaining professional advice that is specific to your circumstances. You should seek advice from a financial advice provider if you would like further information about whether a particular product is appropriate for you and your circumstances.
How to get medical assistance for health emergencies.
It’s essential that you get in contact with our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Teams as soon as possible, so that our teams can support you from the time you fall sick or get injured until the time you get home.
So that our Emergency Assistance teams can assist you quickly, please be ready with the following:
- Your policy number
- A contact number for where you are now
- The nature of your problem
- Your location
Cramps and body explosions in India.
I had been sick in India for about a month with ongoing symptoms including diahorrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, nausea, fever, loss of appetite etc. Once we had arrived in Turkey I had an attack during the night at our Hostel. I was vomiting, had diahorrhea and intense stomach cramping so my boyfriend and I thought it was best to head to a hospital. Due to my condition I could not walk, it was also 2am/3am and we had no other method of getting to a hospital other than arranging for the hospital to send an ambulance to pick me up. Upon arriving at the hospital, the doctors undertook an examination of me and my conditions and due to severe dehydration they gave me a drip to restore my fluids. To find out what the causation of my symptoms were, they conducted tests on my blood and stool. The doctor also prescribed me medication to treat both my symptoms and illness. These included creams and also antibiotics.
Claim Paid. $1042.54
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
- Have you died?
- Has one of your relos died?
- Has an earthquake damaged your home?
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 medicine?
- 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 overseas?
- Medivac needed home?
- You died overseas?
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
- Damaged docs?
- Passport pilfered?
- Tech trashed?
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
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about travel health 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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I'm at expat, but return to see family once a year. Can I buy a World Nomads' policy?
You can buy a policy for your return trip. However, if you intend to move somewhere permanently, you'll need health insurance
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Will I need medical records if I need to claim?
Yes. The team will ask for medical records before processing any medical claim.
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Does it matter if my receipts are in another language?
You can submit your claim with the receipts in another language. If the claims examiner requires you to translate it, they'll let you know.
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Is there an excess?
Yes, medical claims come with a NZD $100 excess.
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.