Travel Insurance for Natural Disasters
How Americans can safeguard their travel plans from extreme weather with insurance coverage for natural disasters.
- As featured in:
As featured in:
For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.
- Does travel insurance provide coverage for natural disasters?
- What qualifies as a natural disaster?
- How does it work?
- What is not covered under natural disasters?
Yes, there’s coverage for US residents if a natural disaster such as a tornado, flood, cyclone, hurricane, tsunami, wildfire or earthquake affects your travel plans and/or injures you.
It’s one thing if a rainy day washes out your trekking expedition, but what if a hurricane blows the roof off your hotel? When a natural disaster strikes, it’s hard to classify your trip as anything but… a disaster. World Nomads can offer some much-needed weatherproofing, with protection for trip cancellations, medical emergencies and more.
Does travel insurance provide coverage for natural disasters?
While the forces of nature are unpredictable, your travel insurance* should be a sure thing you can count on. However, you need to have purchased your plan before these forces of mass destruction have become known events. If you did that, then you may be eligible for coverage if:
- Trip cancellation or trip interruption: say a tornado rips through your hotel, leaving it in a state unsuitable for guests. Or the company where you work gets ravaged by a flood and you’re part of the team that has to put things back together again. Understandably, you may want to put a stop to your travels and get your money back for the parts you missed.
- Trip delays: if a blizzard (or other inclement weather) delays your common carrier transportation for at least six hours, this coverage may offer reimbursement for incidentals to help you manage while you’re waiting.
- Emergency medical expense and emergency evacuation: if you get caught in the aftermath of an earthquake or hurricane, you could get seriously injured. What could help if you’re injured or in imminent physical danger? Emergency medical benefits, which may help protect you from hefty out-of-pocket medical bills.
- Non-medical emergency transportation: our plans cover evacuation up to the specified maximum benefit amount to get you away from an area impacted by a recent natural disaster. Benefits may cover all reasonable natural disaster evacuation expenses and related costs incurred for your transportation, up to your plan’s maximum limits.
- Baggage return: If you are evacuated and have to leave your baggage behind (because there are weight limits on the aircraft evacuating you, for example), we may reimburse you (up to maximum benefits) for the cost of transporting your baggage home or to the destination you’ve been taken to.
You can find out more about what’s covered in each of our single-trip and annual plans in our article, What travel insurance plan is right for you?
What qualifies as a natural disaster?
A natural disaster is a natural event that causes destruction or loss, such as an earthquake, flood, wildfire, hurricane, blizzard or volcanic eruption. It could also include naturally occurring wildfires, snow, rain, wind or related weather that causes severe and widespread damage, triggering a travel advisory from the US Government or a ‘natural disaster’ declaration at your trip destination. For more details on the definition of a natural disaster, read the details of your plan.
How does it work?
Whether it be trip interruption, cancellation or baggage, you’ll need to inform us of your situation as soon as possible. We may be able to assist in helping you figure out an emergency plan. In terms of filing a claim, be sure to gather the following documentation, as it pertains to your case:
- Proof of all non-refundable, prepaid deposits or payments;
- Complete unused transportation tickets and vouchers;
- Original receipts for any expenses incurred because of the natural disaster;
- Original receipts for any new tickets;
- Invoices and original receipts from travel service providers.
What is not covered under natural disasters?
- If a natural disaster was already forecast or announced when you purchased your plan (it’s on the news, for example).
- Any extreme weather that’s not defined as a natural disaster under the plan.
- Fear of traveling to a destination where a natural disaster is looming (in other words, unless the natural disaster occurs, you won’t be eligible for benefits).
- Search-and-rescue missions, like during an avalanche.
- Any weather conditions that only cause a loss of enjoyment (such as if a storm ruins your beach day but doesn’t cause any major destruction.)
- Storm-chasing activities. You must not have put yourself in the path of danger.
If you’re worried about travelling and have purchased our Explorer or Epic plan along with the optional add-on ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ insurance during the time-sensitive period, changing your mind is perfectly ok. When you get a quote, you can compare the plans side-by-side and determine which one might be right for you.
*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.Did you know?
Following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which overwhelmed large parts of Indonesia, World Nomads launched our travel philanthropy program, Footprints, which has gone on to raise millions for community projects including disaster risk management in the developing world.
Our responsible travel section has more information on our Footprints program.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Standard Plan: $125,500
- Explorer Plan: $150,000
- Epic Plan: $250,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation
We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $400,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $700,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $3,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.
Protect your health
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuations
- Bedside Companion Travel
- Emergency Medications
Protect Your Trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
- Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
- Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)
Protect Your Stuff
- Baggage Delay
- Passport and Visa Loss
- Lost or Stolen Bags
- Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
- Baggage Return After Evacuation
Non-Insurance Services
- Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
- Translators Available
- Runway Health
- FootprintID
- Blue Ribbon Bags
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, 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 assistance right now?
Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone:
+1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.