My Honest World Nomads Travel Insurance Review [Updated January 2021]

If you suffer a sudden illness or severe injury while you’re travelling, World Nomads will cover you for $5,000,000 on their Standard plan and an unlimited figure on their Explorer plan.

Example: You’re on a hiking tour, you fall and break both your legs (you’re a clumsy walker).

Your World Nomads policy will cover your hospital, ambulance, doctors and the cost to evacuate you from the location if deemed necessary by a certified physician. Any repatriation costs getting you back home if so required are also covered.

Excess: $100

You’re also covered by World Nomads for emergency dental treatment for accidental injuries that occur during your trip. Both Standard and Explorer plans cover up to $500.

Example: You slip over and land face-first onto the pavement knocking out your front teeth.

Excess: $100

This is just World Nomads customer service, so it’s no surprise that it is equal for both their Standard & Explorer plans.

I don’t even know why they both to add this in the list because it’s plastered all over their website anyway.

World Nomads will pay up to $500,000 on Standard or an unlimited figure on Explorer for any necessary additional expenses with your medical evacuation.

Example: You’re removed by ambulance after your fall while hiking, but your condition deteriorates, and it is decided that you need to be flown to a major hospital by private jet.

Excess: $100

You’ll be covered for up to $3,500 on the Standard plan, and an unlimited figure on their Explorer plan if an unavoidable event has left you with no alternative but to cancel your entire trip or a portion of your trip.

Example: You book your trip and then the Australian Government issues a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning to your destination country after you’ve purchased the policy.

It’s essential to understand what World Nomads classify as an ‘unavoidable insured event.’

Excess: $100

Available on the Explorer plan only, this is a $50 per day reimbursement cover for any out-of-pocket expenses such as international phone calls, internet or even better hospital food.

Example: You’ve been admitted to hospital for more than 48 hours, and you’re calling you worried family back home, catching up on all the Netflix you’ve missed, and you want something better than the shit they’ve been serving you. Just remember to keep all your receipts!

Excess: Nil

If you’ve purchased the World Nomads Explorer plan and your sudden illness or severe injury requires alternative therapy, then you’re covered up to $500.

Example: You fell down a flight of stairs and did your back in. As a result, you need some extra chiropractor sessions to help with your recovery.

The treatment has to be given by a registered and licensed practitioner. You can’t just use some guy on the side of the road to click your neck back into place and expect to be refunded for the costs.

Excess: $100

If you require counselling by a psychologist while overseas, then World Nomads will cover you for this cost. But only if you’ve taken out the Explorer plan.

Example: You were mugged after a night out, and while you’re still travelling, the event is causing you acute psychological trauma.

Excess: Nil

World Nomads cover you on both Standard & Explorer plans if your trip is unexpectedly interrupted by an insured event. The level of cover is doubled if you have taken out their Explorer plan.

Example: Let’s use my real-life natural disaster example of the volcanic ash cloud which closed all UK airspace for 6 consecutive days resulting in one of my flights being cancelled.

Excess: $100

World Nomads will pay to get you back home to be with your family as a result of death or sudden hospitalisation. The great thing here is that you’re covered up to $1,500 no matter which plan you’re on.

Example: Granny pops her clogs while you’re travelling & you wish to return home to be with your family.

Or

Your home or owned business property in Australia is severely damaged by a natural disaster or fire.

Excess: $100

This follows on from the compassionate emergency visit mentioned above. Basically, if you voluntarily return back home due to or you are medically repatriation, then World Nomads will foot the bill for reasonable additional transport and accommodation expenses that allow you to resume your trip. Both plans provide you with $1,500 protection in this case.

Example: Granny dies, and you return home for a short period.

Just like all the other policy inclusions, it’s important to note that there are conditions around this coverage. Such as you can only resume your trip if it falls within the dates shown on your insurance certificate.

Excess: $100

If your luggage and personal items are stolen or accidentally damaged, then World Nomads will pay to either repair the item, replace it with a similar item or refund you the original purchase after depreciation.

The great thing is that this also includes any items you buy during your trip too!

Example: You’re taking selfies over the side of a boat, and you drop your phone.

What value is covered by World Nomads will vary between their Standard and Explorer plans – especially when it comes to your portable electronic devices. If you didn’t want to use the Explorer plan, but you did have an item that was valued higher than the Standard plans limit, you can opt to upgrade your cover to increase the individual item limit to $3,000.

Excess: $100

If your airline misplaces or delays your checked luggage by more than 12 hours, then World Nomads will pay for your essential clothing and toiletries until your items have been returned.

Example: You’ve arrived ready for your hiking tour, but your warm clothes have been delayed by 24 hours.

The capped amount is equal for both Standard and Explorer plans.

Excess: $100

If your airline misplaces or delays your sporting equipment by more than 12 hours, then World Nomads will pay for you to hire equivalent equipment. They’ll even pay if the airline damages your items.

Example: You’ve arrived in Japan for a hockey competition, but your sporting equipment bag has landed in London.

This cover is only available if you’ve purchased the Explorer plan.

Excess: $100

If you’re the unfortunate victim of a kidnapping or hijacking while on your travels overseas, then World Nomads will reimburse you $250 for each day that you’re detained.

Example: This one is pretty self-explanatory.

Available on the Explorer plan only.

Excess: Nil

World Nomads travel insurance will cover your rental car insurance excess or pay the cost to repair if it’s stolen or been involved in an accident.

Example: You’re at fault in an accident AND you have met all the requirements of this cover:

• You have a valid Australian licence for the class of vehicle you’re driving
• You were abiding by the local laws of the country in which you were driving
• You did purchase the rental car insurance offered at the time of hire
• You have a signed rental agreement

Available on the Explorer plan only.

Excess: $100

If you’re medically unfit to return your hire car, then World Nomads will cover the costs to return the rental vehicle for you.

Example: You fall ill and are in hospital at the time when your rental car is to be returned.

It’s important to note that you won’t be covered if:

• You were driving without a valid Australian drivers licence for the class of vehicle you were driving
• You were driving unlawfully
• You were in violation of your rental agreement
• You were driving on any racetrack unless you were given explicit permission to do so by the rental company

And another big one here is that you won’t be covered if you were driving anything other than a standard passenger vehicle. So aircraft, quad bikes, high-performance or antique cars aren’t included!

Available on the Explorer plan only.

Excess: $100

If you suddenly die while travelling, World Nomads will reimburse one of your close relatives or a member of your travelling party up to $15,000. You’ll be covered for either local funeral costs or bringing your remains back home.

Example: You die unexpectedly through no reckless or illegal activity.

Available on both Standard & Explorer plans.

Excess: Nil

You or your estate will be paid up to $12,500 from World Nomads travel insurance – if as a result of an accident overseas, you die, lose a limb, your eyesight or are permanently disabled.

Example: You’ll be covered if you lose your arm, but NOT if:

• The accident was caused by an illness
• The accident is the result of a pre-existing medical condition

This level of cover is only available on the Explorer plan.

Excess: Nil

This is a one-time payment of $2,500 to help cover any of your debts if you die or are permanently disabled during your trip.

Available with the Explorer plan only.

Excess: Nil

Personal liability occurs in the event an accident which results in bodily injury or damage to property which you are held legally responsible for.

If you injure someone or damage another person’s property during your travels, you’re sued and found to be legally liable, then World Nomads will cover you – as long as you weren’t breaking the law or under the influence of a banned substance at the time of the event.

If you’re on the Standard Plan, you’ll be covered for up to $1 million and $2.5 million on the Explorer plan.

Example: You accidentally drive your hire car into a parking lot full of Ferraris (and you weren’t stoned).

Personally, I always go for the higher personal liability because you never know what can happen and if you did cause severe injury or damage, then one million might not be enough cover.

Excess: Nil