Travel Insurance for Natural Catastrophes
For when nature intervenes
- As featured in:
As featured in:
For information relating to policies purchased prior to 17 June 2021, 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 17 June 2021 please see below.
Travel Insurance for natural catastrophes covers you for when Mother Nature decides it’s time to be heard. From Bali’s volcanic eruptions to Japan’s tsunamis and Caribbean cyclones, natural catastrophes are by nature unpredictable and can severely disrupt your travel plans.
Consider purchasing our Explorer Plan, which offers a benefit to help you move to a safer area when a natural catastrophe strikes.
What am I covered for under Natural Catastrophe?
While the last thing we want to do is to talk about all the nasty weather that could come your way, it’s important for you to know what we define as a ‘natural catastrophe’ in our policy. The following are considered a natural catastrophe: Hurricane, tornado, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, storm, flood, landslide, avalanche, fire, high water or explosion.
Travel Insurance Tip: Please be sure to read your policy carefully as epidemics/pandemics are not considered a natural catastrophe in our policy coverage. If you’re looking for information on our Coronavirus cover, check out our Coronavirus cover article which includes the terms, benefits and exclusions.
If you’re caught up in a natural catastrophe and purchased the Explorer Plan, the Natural Catastrophe section may cover the reasonable cost of additional accommodation and transport during your trip for one of the following situations:
- On arrival or at any other time during the trip you cannot use your booked accommodation due to a natural catastrophe; or
- You have no option but to move to a safe place due to a natural catastrophe.
With the Explorer Plan, you may also have your evacuation expenses covered in the event that a Travel Advisory is issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, or a similar body in the circumstances, recommending evacuation from the country or specific area in which you are travelling.
If your destination is impacted by a natural catastrophe then you must contact our Emergency Assistance team so we are advised of the situation. If you do not comply with this condition it may impact what we pay you for your claim.
What’s not covered?
There are a number of circumstances where we will not cover you following a natural catastrophe. These include:
- If you haven’t paid for the Explorer Plan.
- If the event was occurring, or you were aware it could occur, when you purchased the insurance or booked your travel arrangements.
If you’re travelling to a region that’s known for natural catastrophes, it's a good idea to do some research to see if there are any current warnings. If you buy a policy after an event is known, and the natural catastrophe impacts your trip, you won’t be covered for any expenses.
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 there are no surprises if you need to use it. If you’re not sure if something is covered get in touch.
If you’re travelling to a region that’s known for natural catastrophes, it's a good idea to do some research to see if there have been any warnings. If you buy a policy after an event is known, and the natural catasatrophe impacts your trip, you won’t be covered for any expenses.
Tsunami in Sumatra.
On the night 25/10/2010 I was on the surf charter boat, in the Mentawai Islands, Sumatra, Indonesia. There was an earthquake and tsunami that hit and completely destroyed the boat. The boat caught fire. The fire spread rapidly and we had to abandon ship. The boat along with all personal belongs were completely destroyed. The fire spread so quickly that there was no time to collect any belongings. The only things I ended up with were the shorts I was wearing, my watch and wedding ring. Almost all my possessions and documentation were on the boat and destroyed.
Claim Paid: $2942.68
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: £5,000
- Standard Plan: £3,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Abroad Medical Expenses
Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling abroad.
- Explorer Plan: £10 million
- Standard Plan: £5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transport
Expenses included in Emergency Medical limits.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Cover your lost, stolen or damaged gear and tech.
- Explorer Plan: £3,000
- Standard Plan: £1,500
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Baggage & Personal Belongings
- Cancellation
- Trip Curtailment
- Personal Accident
- Loss of Passport or travel documents
- Personal Liability
- Legal Expenses (Personal Liability)
You are not eligible to buy a policy if you travel against medical advice, travel with the intention of receiving medical treatment, or have a terminal illness. World Nomads policies cannot cover claims due to Pre-Existing Medical Conditions (PEMC), regardless of whether the condition is serious or not. You can still purchase a World Nomads policy, but the PEMC exclusion cannot be removed, and you will be responsible for any related costs.
For information on travel insurance providers that offer cover on PEMC, visit Money Helper or call 0800 138 7777.
24/7 Emergency Medical 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.
Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Are you in need of Emergency Medical Assistance right now?
For policies purchased on or after 27 June 2024
+44 (0) 144 444 2021 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)
For policies purchased before 27 June 2024:
Phone: +44 (0) 203 093 1750 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)
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. If you’re looking for general travel advice, you can ask our community at Ask a Nomad.
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Can I get I get a refund on my policy if I'm not longer traveling?
If the policy is outside of its cooling off/free look/refund period, then there are no refunds for the unused portion of your policy.
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Does my policy automatically extend if I'm unable to get home?
Most policies with automatically extend. However, not all do and the extension lengths vary. So check your policy so you know how you're covered.
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I can't travel on my policy. Can it be credited for future use?
Policies can't be credited for future use. If your policy is still within the cooling off/free look/refund period, and you're not using your policy in any way, you can cancel the policy and get a refund.
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If my transport has been cancelled, will you charter an aircraft to get us out of where we are?
No. None of the policies will cover expenses to charter an aircraft.