More information about traveling abroad and the Zika Virus.
For information relating to policies purchased prior to 14 July 2021 12:00am UTC, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For policies purchased from 14 July 2021 please see below.
What is Zika Virus?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Because Zika infection during pregnancy can cause severe birth defects, pregnant women should not travel to areas with Zika outbreaks”. Zika virus can be spread to unborn children and has been linked to a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly. Partners of pregnant women and couples considering pregnancy should know the risks to pregnancy and take prevention steps. All travelers should strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and prevent sexual transmission during and after the trip.
Where in the world is Zika virus?
Specific areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission are often difficult to determine and are likely to change over time. If traveling, please visit the CDC Travelers' Health site for the latest travel information. For more information, you can also visit our safety story on Zika, which contains useful advice for traveling to any country where the Zika virus may be present.
How might Zika impact your travel insurance?
- There is no coverage for cancellation or trip interruption as a result of epidemics, pandemics or a World Health Organization declaration of a public health emergency of international concern.
- There may be no cover available if you contract an illness or suffer an injury prior to buying or extending the policy (or during any waiting period), as these may be considered ‘pre-existing medical conditions’ as defined in the policy wording.
- If, before your departure from your country of residence and after you've bought your policy, you are unexpectedly hospitalized as a result of a sudden illness or sudden, accidental injury and you are declared medically unfit to travel, there is cover available for your non-refundable cancellation expenses.
- If you’re traveling and are hospitalized due to a sudden illness or sudden, accidental injury, there is cover available for overseas medical expenses, medical evacuation (where pre-authorized) and trip interruption expenses. Coverage is not provided if you travel against the advice of a medical practitioner or for routine costs associated with pregnancy, for example: pre-natal care, fertility treatments, elective abortions or delivery, including by caesarean section.
- Cover is available for pregnancy complications that arise because of an accidental bodily injury or unexpected illness occurring during your trip, excluding those occurring during the period between 12 weeks before and 12 weeks after the expected due date.
- Some travelers may prefer to cancel their trip out of concern for the Zika Virus. World Nomads’ plans do not provide coverage to cancel due to a disinclination to travel, including for a fear of contracting Zika Virus.
Emergency Assistance
If you have a medical emergency, please contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team as soon as possible.
- From overseas (travelers from other countries): +353 21 237 8009 or +353 21 237 8003
- Email: assist@worldnomads.com
Ask the local operator to connect you on a reverse charge basis or claim your call costs later.
You’ll need the international dialling code or just the plus sign (+) to dial the number correctly on your mobile phone.
Please have your policy number and a local phone number handy when you call.
The policy isn’t designed to cover everything, so take the time to read the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions in the Policy Wording for full details so that there are no surprises if you need to use it. If you’re not sure if something is covered, get in touch.
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For policies purchase on or after 2 December 2018:
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Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.