Travel Insurance for a trip to Asia
Travelling to Asia? With half the world to explore, there's a lifetime of adventure just waiting for you.
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Travel insurance in Asia
Making up almost 30% of the world’s land mass, Asia is made up of a diverse range of countries, cultures and people. From the snow-capped mountains of Nepal to the tropical beaches of Indonesia, and ancient temples in South Korea to bustling street markets in Malaysia, Asia is a must-visit destination whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a deeper connection with culture and tradition.
- What's covered?
- What to consider when traveling around Asia
- What to look out for when traveling around Asia
- What's not covered?
- Handy tips for traveling in Asia
What's covered?
Depending on your Country of Residence and the plan you’ve selected some of the key benefits on our policies include:
- Emergency overseas medical: if you become sick or injured during your trip around Asia your policy may cover you for overseas medical expenses, up to the policy limits and when agreed by us.
- Medical evacuation and repatriation: if you’re seriously injured or ill, our cover includes (if deemed medically necessary) evacuation to transport you to the nearest medical treatment facility. Repatriation back to your Country of Residence for medical treatment. Medical repatriation is subject to approval from the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team.
- Travel delays/interruption: if your trip is interrupted due to an insured event. Depending on your Country of Residence and which plan you’ve selected you may be covered for your non-refundable, pre-paid transport and accommodation expenses.
- Adventure, work, study and volunteering: we cover more than 150 activities, sports and experiences so you can have fun adventuring your way around Asia’s mountains, waterways, cities and skies.
- Cover for some Coronavirus-related events: to find out what cover applies to you, read our What’s Covered for Coronavirus article, which has all the details, including benefit limits, terms and conditions, and exclusions.
With World Nomads, you can buy travel insurance as soon as your trip is locked in or while you're traveling (waiting periods apply); it’s entirely up to you.
Travel insurance tip: if you’re traveling alone around Asia and are unable to handle an emergency or a medical repatriation by yourself, depending on your Country of Residence, we may send one of our World Nomads team members to accompany you home. You can read how we helped one of our travelers who was in Koh Samui in this scenario.
What to consider when traveling around Asia
In most cases, traveling overseas goes without a hitch. But having the right travel insurance can take the added stress out of travel if things don’t go to plan. Below are just some key areas we offer cover for and that may come in handy while you travel around Asia.
Multi-Destination Trips
If you’re backpacking your way around Asia, travel insurance can cover medical emergencies and evacuation, stolen items, and more than 150 adventures, sports and activities including volunteering and working, including for digital nomads.
If you’re traveling to multiple countries, World Nomads can help with:
- Translation and interpreting services in case of an emergency
- Physician referrals
- Pre-trip information
Families and travel insurance
Travelling as a family can be an incredibly rewarding experience, and there’s no shortages of options to explore in Asia, be it exploring the Grand Palaces in Seoul, exploring Kyoto in Japan which has more than 4,000 historical structures, shrines, and temples, or visiting Orangutans in Sabah.
Our policies can help cover you and your family for medical emergency, pregnancy, Covid, trip interruption, and provide 24/7 worldwide emergency assistance. Cover includes two adults and up to eight dependents on one policy.
What is a dependent?
Dependents: your financially dependent children or grandchildren who normally reside with you and who are in full time education, are 17 years old or younger at the time you buy and extend your policy, are traveling with you on your trip, and are listed as covered on your Certificate of Insurance.
Adventure and activity time
Depending on what plan you choose and your Country of Residence, you may be covered for more than 150 activities including trekking Mount Kinabalu National Park in Malaysia, hitting the ski slopes in Kyoto Japan, surfing the waves at Canggu, and much more. You can find the full list of covered activities in the Policy Wording.
If you intend on riding a scooter or motorbike whilst in Asia, be sure to check the licensing and local laws for the country you’re going to and the Policy Wording. You’ll also need to use a helmet if you plan to get on a motorbike or scooter while in Asia, as you won’t be covered otherwise.
World Nomads offers two plans to protect you when traveling in Asia – Standard and Explorer. Each policy provides different levels of coverage depending on what you need:
- The Standard Plan covers a range of benefits and has lower coverage limits.
- The Explorer plan covers all the benefits of the Standard plan, with larger coverage limits and more benefits.
What to look out for when traveling around Asia
- Severe weather: some parts of Asia can experience four seasons in one day, and some destinations are prone to natural disasters. If your trip is interrupted or cancelled as a result of severe weather, you may be able to claim.
- Keep an eye on your gear 24/7: It’s very important that you NEVER leave your valuables out of sight. You should also make copies of all key documents you’ll be traveling with — passport, ID, travel insurance, receipts, vouchers, addresses, transportation tickets — and keep them separate from the originals while abroad so you’ll have backups and proof of purchase if anything happens.
- Baggage theft or loss: if the airline loses your bags, you may be able to claim to replace the item or claim for essential clothing and toiletries while you wait for your bag to be returned. Our policies can also offer cover rental vehicle excess.
- Pickpockets and scams: petty theft can be common in some parts of Asia. If your items are stolen travel insurance could help replace them. Also, be aware of scams around South-East Asian countries. The most common scams usually involve taxis or tuk-tuk drivers, or money exchange kiosks. When traveling around in Southeast Asia, always negotiate the price and be clear on what the price covers.
What's not covered?
Our policies aren’t designed to cover everything and there are some important general exclusions you should be aware of, including:
- Pre-existing medical conditions – see the Policy Wording for details.
- Traveling to, planning to travel to, or choosing to remain in a country or region that is subject to a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning issued by the U.S. Department of State (see state.gov).
- Unattended baggage or personal items, including any items left in a locked car overnight.
- If you don’t follow your doctor’s instructions or what we or the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team advise you to do.
- Participation in a sport or activity not listed or failing to adhere to the terms of coverage for listed sports or activities.
- Being intoxicated by alcohol or drugs.
Handy tips for traveling in Asia
- Always check the Visa requirements – some Asian countries may require you to have at least 6 months validity on your passports and some may require Visas that can take several weeks to organise.
- Check the season, especially in Southeast Asia. Will you be traveling in the rainy or dry season? Be aware of how this may affect your travels.
- Look after your health by having the appropriate vaccinations, taking your own medications from home, bringing insect repellent and checking out the latest health advice from the World Health Organisation.
You can also check out our articles if you need the latest safety travel alerts.
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 Wording 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.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation before you leave home.
- Explorer Plan: USD $10,000
- Standard Plan: USD $5,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Overseas Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling overseas.
- Explorer Plan: Unlimited, up to 12 months
- Standard Plan: USD $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
We'll get you to hospital quickly.
- Explorer Plan: USD $500,000
- Standard Plan: USD $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: USD $3,500
- Standard Plan: USD $2,500
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- 24 hour Emergency Assistance
- Emergency Medical Transport
- Repatriation & Travel Expenses
- Pre-Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Resumption of Trip
- Travel Delay
- Missed connection (Explorer)
- Hijacking (Explorer)
- Baggage & Personal Items
- Passport & Travel Documents
- Personal Liability
- Rental vehicle insurance excess (Explorer)
- Personal accident (Explorer)
True Claims Stories
“A motorcycle came from behind me and stopped next to me, so I stopped walking. Two people wearing helmets were on the motorcycle. The driver was gesturing although I didn't know why, I didn't hear him/her say anything. I felt a slight pull on my bag and on my backpack strap, and then the motorcycle rode away out of sight. The motorcycle passenger had taken my bag. The strap of the bag must have been cut. I couldn't see a license plate. I continued to my hotel and reported the theft to the police the next day.”
Japanese resident in Thailand
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams 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?
Phone:+353 21 237 8008 or +353 21 237 8003 (calls are not toll free. You can claim your itemised call costs)
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.