world nomads cruise travel insurance

The 5 best cruise travel insurance plans

While smooth sailing will always be the aim, cruising today is often about expecting the unexpected. You can prepare yourself by taking out an insurance policy that can compensate you when your vacation at sea does not go as planned.

Need to cancel your trip last minute due to an accident or illness? Did your bags get delayed or lost? Do you need to exit the sailing early to take care of an emergency back home? Was there a mechanical issue with the ship that required a change of itinerary, causing you to miss your flight home?

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

All of these contingencies and more can be covered; it's just a matter of finding the best insurance policy for you. Here's how to evaluate which plan is the right choice for you, as well as five of the best cruise travel insurance plans available.

The best cruise travel insurance plan will always be a 3rd-party option

No plan will meet the needs of all cruise travelers, so there is little benefit to booking the one insurance option recommended by your cruise line during the booking process other than convenience.

You'll often find more affordable rates, comprehensive coverage and favorable terms utilizing third-party insurance companies. You'll have a wide choice of plans, so you can pick the one that works the best for your situation.

If you're wondering where the best place is to purchase third-party insurance, "No one comparison site is getting preferential deals," says Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com . "Insurance carriers' rates are the same anywhere." However, these insurance comparison sites can help you directly compare the pricing and coverage of multiple policies by a range of preferred providers.

Look for the following coverage options and compare coverage amounts to determine which third-party plan is the best cruise insurance option for your upcoming trip.

Related: Cruise travel insurance: What it covers and why you need it

Trip cancellation

You'll want to be reimbursed if an unexpected event forces you to cancel your cruise. Be sure to read the fine print of your policy, detailing which specific reasons for canceling your trip are covered and not covered.

Trip interruption and travel delays

You'll also want to be covered if issues occur after travel begins. It's important to find "a plan that offers trip interruption if something does happen during your trip, along with a plan that offers emergency medical evacuation, coverage for travel delays and missed connection benefits," adds insurance expert Meghan Walch from InsureMyTrip .

Related: What happens if you miss your cruise

COVID-19 contingencies

Walch advises all travelers booking a cruise to consider a plan that includes cancellation coverage for COVID-19. Note that you'll need more than a home test to file a claim. According to Walch, "You'll need a doctor saying that you have been diagnosed with COVID and specify that you are unable to travel."

In addition, look for coverage if you get sick and need to isolate away from home. "Some plans offer additional trip delay coverage, put in place as a result of needing additional or higher limits for instances that might include if the policyholder gets quarantined in a location," Sandberg adds.

Cancel for any reason

A cancel-for-any-reason optional upgrade offers the most flexibility. You can get a refund of up to 75% if you cancel your voyage for reasons not usually covered by travel insurance. However, it adds about 40% to your premium and can only be purchased within a limited window of time after your cruise purchase.

Related: What happens if my cruise line changes my itinerary or ship?

Lost or delayed baggage

Baggage loss insurance covers your luggage if it is lost, damaged or stolen during your trip. In the case that you make it on the cruise and your bags do not, the insurance agency can assist with locating and redirecting the bags to your next port, reimbursing you for items you may need to purchase to get you through your travels while you are without your belongings and covering your losses in the case that the bag is actually gone for good.

Note that certain high-cost items such as electronics, luxury watches and fine jewelry are not always covered by baggage loss insurance. Consider purchasing additional coverage for such items or — better yet — keep those items with you at all times.

Health coverage

Medical coverage is another consideration. "Most domestic health coverage [including Medicare] does not cover travel abroad, so it is important to look at a travel insurance policy that offers medical coverage during your trip, just in case anything happens," says Walch. "If you fall ill or are injured during the trip, it can be pretty expensive – even when going to the ship's onboard medical facility."

Related: How to avoid getting sick on a cruise

Hurricane coverage

Extreme weather and hurricanes are typically not covered if the cruise commences as scheduled, though you might be eligible for trip interruption coverage if weather cancels the cruise or cuts the itinerary short. There are also insurance plans that offer trip reimbursement if a destination on your itinerary is under a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-issued hurricane alert or warning.

How much will cruise travel insurance cost?

Insurance pricing is dependent on the trip cost and the age of the insured travelers. Sandberg estimates that "travelers in their 30s or 40s can ballpark insurance coverage somewhere around 5% to 7% of the trip costs, with rates that can get lower depending on the extent of coverage."

Insurance is a tiered product that gets more expensive as you age. "As you get older, that range can expand to 10% of trip costs," notes Sandberg. "Adding bells and whistles, like 'cancel for any reason' [coverage], rates can rise to 11% to 12% of the cost of your trip."

Related: How cruising newbies waste money on their 1st cruise

5 best cruise travel insurance plans

Following extensive research scouring the fine print, we've selected five of the best cruise insurance plans that will appeal to a variety of seagoing travelers.

All five plans provide coverage for COVID-19-related trip cancellation and interruption.

For the leisure cruiser: TravelSafe Classic Plan

TravelSafe's Classic Plan is the best value all-around for the average cruiser, with superior coverage limits at a fair rate.

This plan's coverage includes an impressive $1 million per person for medical evacuation and a high $2,500 coverage limit for bag loss. You have extra time – 21 days – from your initial deposit to add a cancel-for-any-reason upgrade to your plan. The accident and sickness medical coverage is primary, with coverage up to $100,000.

The policy's $750-maximum trip delay coverage begins after a six-hour delay and includes kennel fees for up to $100 per day, along with coverage for additional meal and accommodation expenses.

For the budget conscious: AXA's Silver Plan

AXA's Silver Plan is the company's entry-level offering, with more value added than most budget insurance options — most notably the company's concierge service. Coverage under this plan includes robust trip cancellation and interruption coverage, both at 100% of the costs, along with $100,000 for emergency medical evacuation.

The plan also offers identity theft assistance in case your wallet or passport gets stolen while traveling, assisting with filing and obtaining police and credit reports, taking inventory of lost or stolen items, and even wiring emergency funds to you when you're really in a bind.

You won't have the option to purchase a cancel-for-any-reason add-on or opt in for a collision damage waiver on this lowest-tier plan.

For the luxury cruise traveler: John Hancock's Gold Plan

John Hancock's Gold Plan offers robust medical evacuation and repatriation coverage up to $1 million per person, ideal for those luxury cruises that rove to the farthest reaches of the globe. The plan has excellent baggage loss coverage at up to $2,500 per person, along with a low three-hour minimum travel delay ($1,000 per person, $200 daily limit) benefit.

Preexisting medical conditions are covered by this policy, though you must purchase your policy within 14 days of your trip deposit.

For increased medical coverage: Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice Plan

Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice Plan offers primary medical coverage for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses up to $500,000, while many other plans only offer secondary coverage. The plan's medical evacuation coverage is high at $1 million, and preexisting conditions are covered with a few conditions that apply, namely that you purchase the policy within 20 days of your initial trip payment.

The policy also offers detailed, robust COVID-19 coverage, including reimbursement for medical care if you contract COVID-19 while traveling. Its coverage also includes meals, local transportation and lodging if you're delayed six or more consecutive hours due to quarantining with COVID-19.

Coverage options on the plan may vary slightly depending on which U.S. state you claim as your residence.

For the adventurous cruiser: World Nomads' Explorer Plan

World Nomads is one of the few insurance companies that will cover more than 200 adventure activities on your travels, including scuba diving, skydiving and bungee jumping. The coverage for the long list of activities includes emergency medical expenses while outside the U.S., medical evacuation and repatriation, along with trip interruption.

World Nomads' Explorer Plan also offers $25,000 in coverage for nonmedical emergency evacuation for covered events, such as a natural disaster or political or security situations.

Travelers 70 and older are required to add a "Silver Nomads" policy, offered through TripAssure.

Bottom line

Cruising isn't always a blissful week spent relaxing on the pool deck or snorkeling among multicolored reefs. Mishaps occur, whether it's losing luggage, missing a flight or falling ill.

The best cruise insurance policies are the ones that won't let you sail without a safety net, charging a fraction of your trip expenses in exchange for the peace of mind that there's a plan in place should something go wrong. With a range of pricing and coverage options available, you can feel confident that you can find a policy to suit your travel needs.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
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• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
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Here are the 5 best cruise insurance plans

Cruise insurance can cover many situations, but you need to shop around to find the best coverage..

A cruise is an ideal vacation for anyone who likes the all-inclusive concept , where you pay one price and have just about everything taken care of, from accommodations to meals and activities. But they also aren't always cheap and a lot of things can go wrong. You could have a flight delay that causes you to miss your departure or be unable to sail because of a sickness. In these situations, cruise insurance can reimburse you for prepaid and non-refundable expenses.

CNBC Select analyzed 19 cruise insurance companies and selected the best plans for various situations. (See  our methodology  for more information on how we chose the best cruise insurance plans.)

Best cruise insurance

• Best overall: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Best for affordable coverage : AXA Travel Insurance
• Best for adventure excursions: World Nomads
• Best for pre-existing conditions: Seven Corners Travel Insurance
• Best for cancel-for-any-reason coverage: Travel Guard Travel Insurance

Best overall

Nationwide travel insurance.

The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote

Policy highlights

Nationwide's wide coverage for travel insurance allows many different types of travelers to find coverage that fits their needs. Three levels of cruise insurance coverage gives extra options to cruise passengers.

24/7 assistance available

• 10-day review period on cruise insurance policies to make sure the plan meets your needs (not available in NY or WA)
• Most basic cruise plan doesn't offer CFAR coverage

Who’s this for? Nationwide is a top choice for many travelers due to its variety of cruise-specific coverage. The insurer offers three three tiers of cruise insurance, but its standard Universal Cruise Plan should meet many needs.

Standout benefit: Nationwide's cruise-specific plans can cover things like emergency accidents, sicknesses, itinerary changes, mechanical breakdowns and other trip interruptions or on-ship disruptions. The company also offers a 10-day review period on its cruise policies (not available in NY or WA), giving you extra time to look over the policy and ensure it’s a good fit. 

[ Jump to more details ]

Best for affordable coverage

Axa assistance usa travel insurance.

AXA Assistance USA offers several travel insurance policies that include travel interruption, trip cancellation, and the option of cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage.

• Three tiers of plans available
• Highly rated for financial strength
• Cancel for any reason only available on highest-tier coverage

Who’s this for? Budget-conscious cruisers should consider AXA . In our research, AXA's Silver Plan stood out as the top budget plan for its mix of affordable premiums and essential coverage. CNBC Select also named AXA one of the best overall travel insurance providers .

Standout benefit: AXA's Silver Plan includes the standard coverage you need to protect yourself from delays and cancellations, as well as employment layoff coverage. This benefit reimburses you for prepaid and nonrefundable travel costs if you cancel because of involuntary layoff or you are terminated from your job. You only need to have been at your current employer for one continuous year to qualify, which is generous compared to other plans that require at least three continuous years of employment for this coverage — if it's even included at all.

Best for adventure excursions

World nomads travel insurance.

World Nomads offers travel insurance for all sorts of travelers, from families to solo adventure travelers. Policies are underwritten by Nationwide and offer strong coverage of emergency accident and illness situations, as well as emergency evacuation scenarios.

• Affordable coverage for many travelers
• Coverage for adventure activities like scuba diving, bungee jumping and more
• Lower trip cancellation limits than other travel insurance we reviewed

Who’s this for? World Nomads offers insurance underwritten by Nationwide , geared specifically toward thrill-seekers. The World Nomads Explorer Plan covers over 200 adventure activities and sports. With this plan, you can take part in just about any excursion without fear of negating your coverage .

Standout benefit: The World Nomads Explorer Plan covers baggage and personal items for loss, theft or damage for up to $3,000 and $1,500 per item. Sporting equipment is included in this coverage, so you can bring your golf clubs along on your cruise without worry.

Best for pre-existing conditions

Seven corners travel insurance.

Policies provide missed and delayed tour/cruise connection coverage. Cancel for any reason coverage and pre-existing conditions waiver are also available if you buy your plan within the specified time. ***CFAR and IFAR are subject to certain eligibility criteria and are not available in all states

• High coverage limits available
• Offers group insurance (10+ people)
• Covers Covid-19 illness
• Pre-existing conditions waiver not available for the Economy plan
• Cancel for any reason not available for the Economy plan

Who’s this for? Seven Corners offers a standard Trip Protection Economy plan and a more premium Trip Protection Elite plan. The Seven Corners Trip Protection Elite plan stands out for offering generous coverage limits and an add-on option for cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, which both pair well with its pre-existing conditions waiver.

Standout benefit: This plan's pre-existing conditions waiver for medical coverage applies to plans purchased within 20 days of booking and paying your initial trip deposit. That's a generous window compared to some plans which can require you to purchase insurance within seven to 14 days. If you don't purchase your coverage within the waiver window, this plan only considers conditions existing within the previous 60 days, whereas other plans may look back up to 120 days.

Best for cancel for any reason coverage 

Travel guard® travel insurance.

Travel Guard offers a variety of plans to suit travel ranging from road trips to long cruises. For air travelers, Travel Guard can help assist with tracking baggage or covering lost or delayed baggage.

• A variety of plans are available to help cover different types of trips
• Not all products are available for purchase online

Who’s this for? AIG's Travel Guard Preferred plan comes with a wide range of coverages and a variety of useful add-ons for an extra fee such as pet coverage , wedding coverage and cancel for any reason coverage (CFAR).

Standout benefit: The optional CFAR insurance for this plan begins at 12:01 a.m. on the day after you pay for coverage and ends two days before departure (or when the travel is canceled). This benefit reimburses up to 50% of the trip cost (up to $25,000 maximum), which includes reimbursement for:

• 50% of change fees
• 50% of cancellation penalties for unused travel
• 50% of award travel redeposit fees

More on our top cruise insurance plans 

Nationwide universal cruise plan.

Nationwide's standard Universal Cruise Plan will be more than sufficient for many cruisers. It offers strong coverage for many different scenarios, but if you're seeking higher levels of coverage or are taking a long cruise, you can opt for the Choice Cruise Plan, or the Luxury Cruise Plan, which offers the highest level of benefits.

Trip cancellation and interruption

The full trip cost (100%) is covered for both cancellations and interruptions. This includes canceling because of a Covid-19 illness .

Covered delays of six hours or more (or at least three hours for missed connections) are eligible for reimbursement of:

• Up to $500 per day
• $500 maximum

Medical coverage and evacuation and repatriation

• $75,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
• $250,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage
• $750 in emergency dental treatment coverage

Pre-existing conditions

No coverage for pre-existing conditions that fall within 60 days of your policy's start date.

Notable perks

All of Nationwide's cruise plans, including the Universal Cruise Plan, include cancel for work reason coverage, meaning you may be covered if you need to cancel because of work-related issues, as well as coverage for extension of the school operating session. The Universal Cruise Plan also provides coverage for delayed and lost baggage, which begins to kick in after delays of eight hours or more, as well as coverage for trip delays of three hours or more for missed connections or other trip delays of six hours or more. You can also get reimbursed if your trip is canceled or interrupted because of terrorism (foreign or domestic) or financial default of the travel provider (14-day waiting period applies). Itinerary changes that cause you to miss a pre-paid excursion are covered by up to $250.

[ Return to summary ]

AXA Silver Plan

AXA offers three insurance plans, with the Silver Plan being the most affordable. The Gold Plan has most of the same types of coverage with higher reimbursement limits. Meanwhile, the Platinum Plan is for anyone who prefers premium benefits, such as cancel-for-any-reason coverage.

The full trip cost (100%) is covered for both cancellations and interruptions. This includes canceling because of a Covid-19 illness.

After a 12-hour delay or more, you're eligible for:

• Up to $100 per day
• Primary medical coverage of $25,000 per (covers Covid-19)
• Evacuation and repatriation coverage of $100,000 per person

No coverage for pre-existing conditions that fall within this policy's 60-day look-back period.

AXA's Silver Plan comes with coverage for delayed and lost baggage, including $200 per person for covered delays of 24 hours or more and $750 per person ($150 per item) for lost baggage and items. You can also get reimbursed if your trip is canceled or interrupted because of terrorism (foreign only) or financial default of the travel provider (10-day waiting period applies). If a hurricane or bad weather causes your travel provider to cease services for at least 48 hours, you can be reimbursed for up to the full trip cancellation/interruption coverage. Notably, you must purchase the coverage before a storm is named.

World Nomads Explorer Plan

The Explorer Plan is World Nomads' premium travel insurance plan and covers a longer list of activities than the Standard Plan. You can review the list of covered activities here and decide if the more affordable Standard Plan works for you.

Covered up to the trip cost with a $10,000 maximum.

Covered delays of six hours or more are eligible for reimbursement of:

• Up to $250 per day
• $3,000 maximum
• $100,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
• $500,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage

No coverage for pre-existing conditions that fall within 90 days of your policy's start date.

This plan includes $35,000 in rental car damage coverage (where it's valid) due to collision, theft or a natural disaster. And an accidental death and dismemberment benefit of $10,000. When your baggage is delayed for more than 12 hours, you can be reimbursed up to $150 a day ($750 maximum) for any necessary personal items you purchase.

Seven Corners Trip Protection Elite

The Seven Corners Trip Protection Elite plan has generous coverage limits for evacuation and repatriation and accident and sickness. Seven Corners Travel Insurance plans also cover Covid-related illnesses.

Trip cancellations are covered for 100% of the trip cost and interruptions are covered for 150% of the trip cost.

Trip delays of six hours or more can qualify for reimbursement of:

• Up to $300 per day
• $1,500 maximum
• $250,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
• $1,000,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage
• $750 in emergency dental coverage

Pre-existing conditions are covered if you purchase coverage within 20 days of making your initial trip deposit. If you don't qualify for the pre-existing conditions waiver, there is no emergency medical coverage for conditions existing within 60 days of your policy's start date.

This plan covers baggage delays of more than 12 hours for up to $600 and covers lost, damaged or stolen bags or personal items for up to $300 per item ($2,500 maximum). It also has missed cruise connection coverage of $150 per day for accommodations and meals ($1,500 maximum).

AIG Travel Guard Preferred

The CFAR coverage is available as an upgrade on Travel Guard's Preferred and Deluxe plans. If you don't need this optional upgrade, you could save money on your premium with Travel Guard's Essential plan.

Trip cancellations are covered for 100% of the trip cost (up to a max of $150,000) and trip interruptions are covered for 150% of the trip cost (up to a max of $225,000).

Trip delays of five hours or more can qualify for reimbursement of:

• Up to $200 per day
• $800 maximum
• $50,000 in emergency medical coverage
• $500 in emergency dental coverage

A pre-existing conditions waiver applies when you purchase coverage within 15 days of the initial trip deposit.

With this plan, you'll have coverage for lost, stolen or damaged baggage or travel documents for up to $1,000. You also receive baggage delay reimbursement for delays of more than 12 hours with a coverage limit of up to $250 per day ($300 maximum). If you miss a connection, you can be reimbursed up to $1,000 for unused prepaid or nonrefundable travel you missed and transportation expenses to rejoin your trip.

When should I buy insurance for a cruise?

It's usually best to purchase cruise insurance shortly after booking. This lets you take advantage of the protections sooner and qualify for certain benefits such as pre-existing condition waivers.

Is there a difference between travel insurance and cruise insurance?

Travel insurance typically covers cruises and other types of travel, whereas cruise insurance is designed to specifically protect you while cruising or getting to your cruise.

Does cruise insurance cover missed ports?

Cruise insurance may cover missed connections, but it's important to read your policy before you purchase it. Each policy has different limits on how much you'll be reimbursed and what exactly you'll be reimbursed for.

Bottom line

Cruise insurance plans protect you in all sorts of situations when something goes wrong while you're cruising. You can be covered for emergency medical expenses, trip delays, trip cancellations or interruptions and more. Shop around and compare providers to find the best cruise insurance policy for you.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every cruise insurance   review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel insurance   products .  While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See  our methodology  for more information on how we choose the best cruise insurance plans.

Our methodology 

To determine the best cruise insurance plans,  CNBC Select  analyzed the offerings of 19 insurance companies and compared them based on various factors. These included the maximum coverage limits, optional coverages, types of coverage, premiums and what the policies cover. We also considered financial strength ratings from AM Best and Better Business Bureau ratings for customer satisfaction.

We based premium costs on a sample cruise with the following details (when applicable):

• 40-year-old male
• Living in New York, New York
• Sailing for seven days in April
• Total trip cost: $2,800
• Destination: Mexico
• Flying to the port of departure

Sample quotes assumed that payments were made on the date of quoting.

Note that the premiums and policy structures advertised for cruise insurance companies are subject to fluctuate in accordance with the company's policies.

Catch up on CNBC Select’s in-depth coverage of credit cards , banking and money , and follow us on TikTok , Facebook , Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

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• Nationwide Travel Insurance
• AXA Assistance USA
• Seven Corners Travel Insurance
• HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance
• World Nomads Travel Insurance

Cruise Travel Insurance Tips

• Why You Should Trust Us

Best Cruise Insurance Companies of April 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

A cruise vacation can take much of the stress out of planning a vacation. With a pre-set itinerary on the high seas, you don't have to worry about how you're getting to your destination and what you're going to do there. However, an unexpected emergency can take the wind out of your sails and money out of your travel budget. So you'll want to ensure you have the best travel insurance coverage that won't leave you high and dry in an emergency.

Best Cruise Insurance Companies

• Nationwide Travel Insurance : Best Overall
• AXA Assistance USA : Best for Affordability
• Seven Corners Travel Insurance : Best for Seniors
• HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance : Best for Expensive Trips
• World Nomads Travel Insurance : Best for Exotic Locations

Compare the Top Cruise Insurance Offers

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

• Cancel for any reason coverage available

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
• Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Diverse coverage options such as CFAR, optional sports equipment coverage, etc.
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Available in all 50 states
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Prices are higher than many competitors
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews around claims processing are mixed
• Trip cancellation insurance of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption insurance of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance available

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Reasonable premiums
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR coverage available with some plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical emergency and evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc not available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited reviews with complaints about claims not being paid
• Trip cancellation of up to $5,000 with the Economy plan and up to $50,000 with the Preferred plan
• Cancel for any reason insurance and missed connection insurance available with the Preferred plan
• Baggage delay insurance starting after 24 or 12 hours depending on the plan

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer coverage for travelers older than 70
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
• Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
• 2 plans: Standard and Explorer
• Trip protection for up to $10,000
• Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
• Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
• Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)

Cruise Insurance Reviews

Best cruise insurance overall: nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide Travel Insurance  is a long-standing and reputable brand within the insurance marketplace that offers cruise insurance plans with solid coverage and reasonable rates.

It has three cruise insurance options: Universal, Choice, and Luxury. The Nationwide Choice plan, for example, offers $100,000 in emergency medical coverage and $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage.

The right plan for you depends on your budget and coverage needs. But each plan offers cruise-specific coverages like ship-based mechanical breakdowns, coverage for missed prepaid excursions if your cruise itinerary changes, and covered service disruptions aboard the cruise ship.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best Cruise Insurance for Affordability: AXA Travel Insurance

AXA Assistance USA  offers three comprehensive coverage plans: Gold, Silver, and Platinum. Each of these plans offers coverage for issues like missed flights, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and more.

The highest-tier Platinum plan provides $250,000 in medical emergency coverage and $1 million in medical evacuation coverage. The baggage loss coverage is $3,000 per person, and their missed connection coverage is $1,500 per person for cruises and tours.

In addition, travelers can take advantage of AXA's concierge service, which provides an extensive network of international service providers. They'll be able to assist you with things like restaurant reservations and referrals, golf course information, and more. This service could come in handy if you're stopping at a variety of unfamiliar destinations during your cruise.

The coverage limits on AXA's policies are on the higher end compared to other providers. And you can buy coverage for a little as 4% of your trip cost depending on your age, travel destination, and state of residence.

Read our AXA Travel Insurance review here.

Best Cruise Insurance for Seniors: Seven Corners Travel Insurance

Seven Corners Travel Insurance lets cruisers enjoy traveling in their golden years with the knowledge they're covered in the event of an accident or emergency. While other providers do offer coverage to those 80+ years old, Seven Corners is known for its affordable premiums while offering above-average medical expenses and medical evacuation coverage limits — two areas of travel insurance coverage that are even more important as we get older.

Seven Corners also offers the option of a preexisting conditions waiver and CFAR insurance at an additional cost, plus "Trip Interruption for Any Reason" coverage, which you won't find on many policies.

You can choose between the Trip Protection Basic or Trip Protection Choice plans, with the higher-tier Choice plan costing more but providing more coverage.

Read our Seven Corners Travel Insurance review here. 

Best Cruise Insurance for Expensive Trips: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance

HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance  offers three levels of trip protection: TripProtector Economy, Classic, and Preferred. The higher the tier, the more coverage you'll get for things like baggage delays, trip delays & cancellations, and medical expenses. But their premiums remain reasonable even at the highest tier of coverage.

Not only does the HTH Worldwide Trip Protector Preferred plan offer higher-than-average medical emergency and evacuation coverage limits ($500,000 and $1 million, respectively), but you'll also get a baggage loss coverage limit of $2,000 per person and coverage for trip interruption of up to 200% of the trip cost. You also have the option to add CFAR coverage for an additional cost.

Read our HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best Cruise Insurance for Exotic Locations: World Nomads Travel Insurance

World Nomads Travel Insurance  has been a top choice for comprehensive travel insurance for many years now. And it's a great option when it comes to cruise coverage, too.

Even the most basic Standard Plan comes with $100,000 in medical emergency coverage and $300,000 in emergency evacuation coverage. And you'll get higher coverage limits with their Premium Plan. Plus, unlike many other providers, World Nomads trip cancellation and emergency medical coverage include COVID-19-related issues.

What sets World Nomads apart from many other insurance companies is that its policies cover 200+ adventure sports. This can be important for adventurous cruisers who plan to take part in activities like jet skiing, scuba diving, or parasailing during their cruise.

Read our World Nomads Travel Insurance review here.

Introduction to Cruise Insurance

Cruise insurance may offer unique coverage like missed port of call and medical evacuation coverage. You might not need the flight protections of a regular travel insurance plan if you're catching a cruise at a port near you, but medical and cancel for any reason coverage could be critical.

Understanding the Basics of Cruise Insurance

At its core, cruise insurance is your financial lifeboat, designed to protect you from unforeseen events that could disrupt your sea voyage. Whether it's a sudden illness, adverse weather, or other unexpected occurrences, having the right insurance can make a world of difference.

Why Cruise Insurance is Important

Picture this: You're all set for your dream cruise, but a sudden family emergency means you can't set sail. Or worse, you fall ill in the middle of the ocean. Without cruise insurance, you're not just missing out on an adventure, but also facing potentially huge financial losses. That's why securing cruise insurance isn't just recommended; it's a crucial part of your cruise planning.

Types of Cruise Insurance Coverage

Cruise insurance isn't a one-size-fits-all life jacket. There are various types of coverage, each tailored to protect different aspects of your cruise experience.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage

This coverage is like your safety net, catching you financially if you need to cancel your trip last minute or cut it short due to emergencies, be it due to personal, health-related, or even certain work conflicts.

Medical Coverage

Being on a cruise shouldn't mean being adrift from medical care. Medical coverage ensures that if you fall ill or get injured, your medical expenses won't sink your finances.

Emergency Evacuation Coverage

In the rare case that you need to be evacuated from the ship due to a medical emergency or severe weather, this coverage ensures you're not left adrift in a sea of expenses.

Baggage and Personal Effects Coverage

Imagine reaching your dream destination only to find your luggage lost at sea. This coverage ensures that lost, stolen, or damaged baggage doesn't dampen your cruise experience.

Buying Cruise Insurance

Securing the best cruise insurance isn't just about finding the best price; it's about ensuring it covers all your potential needs.

When to Purchase Cruise Insurance

Timing is everything. Purchasing your insurance soon after booking your cruise can often provide additional benefits and ensure you're covered for any early surprises. As you get closer to your trip your coverage options may get more expensive, and certain providers may not be able to offer you coverage.

How to Find the Best Deals on Cruise Insurance

Keep a lookout for deals, but remember, the cheapest option isn't always the best. Balance cost with coverage, and ensure you're getting the protection you need at a price that doesn't rock your financial boat. A travel insurance comparison site like SquareMouth is a good place to compare multiple quotes from all of the major carriers at once.

How to Pick The Best Cruise Insurance for You

When buying travel insurance for a cruise, consider the additional risks that are specific to cruising. These include hurricanes and other weather-related concerns, strict cancellation terms, high pre-paid costs of a cruise, and the distance to emergency medical assistance.

To find the policy that's right for you, it's best to compare several different cruise insurance policies based on the pricing and coverage they provide. Remember too that all reputable insurance providers will offer a "free-look period." This allows you to return the policy you've purchased for any reason, within a specific time period, for a full refund.

The most important coverages to look for in cruise insurance are:

• Medical coverage — This coverage will pay for medical bills outside the US. But because treatment can be more expensive while onboard, make sure your policy offers sufficient coverage ($100,000+).
• Medical evacuation coverage — This coverage will transport you to the nearest hospital or even back home if you become sick or injured during your journey. But an evacuation from sea will be more expensive than one from land. So you'll want to make sure your coverage has sufficiently high limits ($250,000+).
• Missed connection (missed port of call) coverage — This type of coverage will help you catch up to your itinerary if you miss your port of call for a covered reason, like a delayed flight on the way to the airport.
• Coverage for hurricane warnings — With this type of coverage, you don't actually need to be affected by the hurricane. You can cancel and be reimbursed for your trip if the NOAA issues a hurricane warning. If you're cruising anywhere during (or on the tail ends) of hurricane season, this can come in handy. Just note: You can't buy travel insurance to cover a weather event once a storm or hurricane has been named.
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) — This is the most comprehensive coverage you can get, as it allows cancellations and reimbursement for pre-paid expenses for any reason. This can be a wise add-on for cruise coverage given the often higher prepaid expenses associated with cruising. See our guide to the best CFAR travel insurance options to learn more.
• Preexisting conditions — This coverage ensures that no known health conditions are excluded from coverage. Obtaining a preexisting condition waiver usually requires purchasing your travel insurance soon after booking your trip.
• Personal possessions insurance — Because of the events and fancy dinners cruise ships hold, you might take more valuable clothing or jewelry with you on a cruise. This type of coverage will insure your belongings against loss or theft while cruising.
• Baggage loss and delay — This coverage will reimburse you up to a specified amount for essentials if your bags are delayed or if your bags get lost en route.

As a rule of thumb, you can expect to pay between 5% and 10% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses for cruise insurance coverage. The price will vary depending on factors like your age, your travel destination, and whether you require additional coverage.

If you're booking a cruise, we recommend purchasing travel insurance when you make your first trip payment. That could be for the cruise itself or an expense like airfare to get you to your cruising destination. This way, if you have to cancel your trip, you'll have the most extended coverage period possible.

You can buy your own cruise insurance that isn't offered directly through the cruise line operator. In fact, this could be a better option if you want coverage for your travel to the cruise's departure point, not just for the cruise itself.

The difference between traditional travel insurance and cruise insurance is that cruise insurance offers more specialized coverage, for situations such as missing a departure port and more coverage for medical evacuations, since it's more expensive to evacuate someone at sea than on land. 

Most cruise insurance includes coverage for missing a departure port, so you should be able to claim for a missed port. Just make sure you check the details of your policy before you file a claim, and before you travel so you know what compensation you're entitled to.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Cruise Travel Insurance

When comparing cruise travel insurance providers, we evaluated them based on the following criteria to come up with our list of top picks:

Customer Satisfaction

We look at ratings from JD Power and other industry giants to see where a company ranks in customer satisfaction. We also look at customer review sites like Trustpilot and SquareMouth.

Policy Types

We look at policy types and offerings, from standard travel protections to adventure sports coverage. We look at the amount of insurance offered

Average Premiums

We compare average premiums per trip. Some companies also offer annual plans, and we compare policies accordingly.

Claims Paid

How frequently do companies pay claims easily and quickly? We check customer reviews and other resources to see which companies honor policies most effectively.

We look at the company's overall behavior. Is it operating ethically? Companies can earn additional points for such behaviors.

You can read more about how Business Insider rates insurance here.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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The Best Cruise Insurance in April 2024

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Table of Contents

What to look for in cruise insurance

Factors we considered when picking the best cruise insurance companies, an overview of the best cruise insurance, best cruise insurance options, more resources for cruise travel insurance shoppers.

Cruising is back, but many travelers are still reluctant to board ships alongside thousands of other travelers. Cruise insurance has you covered if:

You need to be reimbursed for canceling your trip.

Your flight to the port gets delayed.

You need to pay for medical care if you get sick on board.

You need to fly home in case of an emergency.

Of course, there's much more than just this list that cruise insurance can cover.

No matter the reason you might be looking for coverage, here are some of the best cruise insurance companies available to help bring you peace of mind on your next experience at sea:

World Nomads .

Berkshire Hathaway .

Travelex Insurance Services .

Travel Guard by AIG .

When shopping for cruise insurance, make sure to look for coverage that offers the following:

Trip delay and cancellation.

Medical expenses, including emergency evacuation.

The option to cancel for any reason (including COVID-19).

Adventure activities if you’re planning certain onshore excursions.

Cruise insurance isn’t much different than traditional travel insurance. Any good travel insurance should cover cruises in addition to travel by air or car.

After our analysis, we've determined these are some of the best cruise insurance options available.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

We used the following factors to choose top insurance providers to highlight:

Specifics of coverage: Including what coverage plans include and whether they offer useful coverage and benefits for cruises specifically.

Amount of coverage: Including the maximum payouts for trip cancellation and trip interruption claims.

Cost: We compared prices to determine average costs across basic plans.

Customizability: We checked to see if policies allow users to customize options to suit their specific needs.

» Learn more: The guide to cruise travel insurance

We searched for quotes from several companies for a seven-day trip in February 2023 from the U.S. to Mexico. The traveler was 35 years old, from Georgia, and planned to spend $2,500 total on the whole trip, including airfare.

The average price of each company’s most basic coverage plan was $124. These policies didn't include optional add-ons, such as Cancel for Any Reason coverage or coverage for pre-existing medical conditions .

» Learn more: Should you insure your cruise?

Here’s a closer look at our five recommendations for cruise insurance and what makes them unique.

Allianz Global Assistance

What makes allianz global assistance a top choice for cruise insurance:.

Multiple policies are available for international and domestic travel.

Plans offer trip cancellation and interruption coverage for COVID-19.

Offers emergency medical and transportation.

For our test trip, Allianz Global Assistance’s basic plan cost $106, slightly below average.

World Nomads

What makes world nomads a top choice for cruise insurance:.

Adventure activities like mountain biking and scuba diving are covered, perfect for land-based experienced (though which sports are covered varies from plan to plan).

Offers comprehensive travel insurance plans for domestic and international travel.

Larger-than-average coverage for baggage loss and delays.

For our test trip, World Nomad’s basic plan cost $63, well below average. But the actual trip cost isn’t taken into consideration for trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

What makes berkshire hathaway travel protection a top choice for cruise insurance:.

A wide range of comprehensive plans cover cancellation, emergency medical and transportation coverage, and emergency travel assistance.

A cruise-specific plan includes some compensation for cruise disablement and the most emergency medical and evacuation coverage of any of these plans.

There are many plans available, including plans that cover adventure activities.

A Berkshire Hathaway WaveCare cruise-specific plan was $202, quite a bit more than average, but with the most medical evacuation coverage.

Travelex Insurance Services

What makes travelex insurance services a top choice for cruise insurance:.

Three comprehensive plans are available.

Kids-included pricing is available with the Travel Select plan.

There's an option to add accidental death and dismemberment coverage to the basic plan.

The Travel Basic plan from Travelex Insurance Services cost $116 for our sample trip; just below the average for plans listed here.

Travel Guard by AIG

What makes travel guard by aig a top choice for cruise insurance:.

Cancel For Any Reason coverage is available as an optional upgrade on two plans.

A pre-existing condition waiver is also available as an add-on.

Travel Guard by AIG offers a basic Essential plan for $133, just a little higher than average, but adding coverage may raise that price.

Bookmark these resources to help you make smart money moves as you shop for cruise travel insurance.

The best travel insurance companies.

The best credit cards for cruises .

What is travel insurance?

Is travel insurance worth getting?

10 credit cards that provide travel insurance .

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Cruise Ship Karen

For Crew and Cruisers

My pick for travel insurance: World Nomads

September 1, 2019 by Karen

Never leave for a ship or trip without travel insurance. It is just common sense, and is just safe. If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel, as the risk isn’t worth it.

I had this confirmed to me when I backpacked around the USA and got in a car accident. I was in a taxi and the cab was rear-ended by another driver, which ended up with me having a hospital trip getting brain scans to check for issues after I was hit hard on the head during the accident. It ended up just being a concussion, but if I hadn’t been covered by my travel insurance I would’ve had a medical bill so large, I’d still be paying it off years later.

World Nomads is the travel insurance company that I’d recommend. They are reliable, have great cover, easy to file claims, have great customer service support, which is easy to access online or on the phone from all over the world, and the number one reason…

You can buy your cover from them while you’re already on your trip!

Very few travel insurance companies offer this.

You should never leave for your ship or trip without travel insurance, but sometimes life gets busy and you forget. And with World Nomads, that’s ok, you can still arrange cover, online with no time difference issues, all in just a couple of minutes.

Check out the quote generator here to get a quote for your next (or current) trip.

Travel insurance: simple & flexible

You can buy and claim online , even after you’ve left home. Travel insurance from WorldNomads.com is available to people from over 130 countries. It’s designed for adventurous travellers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities .

7 things you should know about travel insurance from WorldNomads.com

• Trusted reliable underwriters WorldNomads.com is backed by a suite of strong, secure, specialist travel insurers who provide you with great cover, 24 hour emergency assistance and the highest levels of support and claims management when you need it most.
• Value for money with the cover you need WorldNomads.com provides cover for what’s important for travellers from over 130 countries. By focusing on what you need and leaving out what you don’t, World Nomads prices are some of the most competitive online.
• Flexibility when you need it most Had a change of plans? You can buy more cover or claim online while you are still away. You can even buy a World Nomads policy if you’re already travelling.
• Cover for a range of adventure activities From skiing & snowboarding in New Zealand to whitewater rafting in Colorado, WorldNomads.com covers a range of adventure activities , giving you peace of mind to get the most from your travels.
• World Nomads keeps you travelling safely All WorldNomads.com members have access to up-to-date travel safety alerts, as well as travel safety advice and tips online through the World Nomads Travel Safety Hub .
• More than just great value travel insurance All WorldNomads.com members can learn the local lingo through a series of iPod & iPhone Language Guides and can stay in touch with family and friends with an online travel journal .
• Commitment to exceptional customer service We want to make sure you get the most from WorldNomads.com. You can find out more about why travel insurance is important for your trip. If you have any questions about your travel insurance or travel safety in general, please contact WorldNomads.com directly.

Disclosure: Please note that some links to products and services on this site may be affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission. I only recommend products and companies I use and believe in, and any income I might make will go to me being able to keep running the site, and keeping it ad free. If you enjoy my free content and would like to support my site, please utilize these links when booking any of the products recommended.

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Travel Insurance

World Nomads travel insurance review 2024

Jennifer Simonson

Mandy Sleight

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Heidi Gollub

Updated 5:28 p.m. UTC Feb. 23, 2024

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World Nomads

Covers COVID?

Medical & evacuation limits per person, what you should know.

While many travel insurance companies exclude coverage for adventure activities, World Nomads designed its policy with the adventure traveler in mind. Individuals who engage in high-risk, international volunteer work may also benefit from this coverage. World Nomads covers more than 200 adventure activities, from skydiving to running with the bulls. It does not offer “cancel for any reason” coverage .

• Covers hundreds of high-risk athletic and adventure activities.
• Explorer Plan offers $500,000 in emergency evacuation coverage.
• Offers $25,000 non-medical emergency evacuation coverage.
• If you are not an adventure traveler, you can find cheaper rates elsewhere.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade not available.
• No waiver for pre-existing conditions available.

World Nomads overview

World Nomads has been selling travel insurance since 2002. Nationwide underwrites all World Nomads travel insurance plans. 

Athletes and adventurers may be interested in World Nomads travel insurance because of its generous coverage of potentially risky activities. International volunteers may also consider a World Nomads plan if they volunteer in disaster zones or do high-risk volunteer work like construction. 

World Nomads offers two plans, each with different benefits, limits and sub-limits for coverage. Read our World Nomads travel insurance review to determine if one of these plans meets your needs.

World Nomads travel insurance plans

World Nomads offers two travel insurance plans: Standard Plan and Explorer Plan. Get an online quote to compare the plans before buying. You won’t be able to upgrade your plan mid-trip. That said, if you extend your trip while traveling, World Nomads will allow you to buy more coverage.

Both Standard and Explorer plans include emergency travel medical insurance coverage of up to $100,000 as well as trip cancellation insurance , trip delay and interruption insurance, baggage coverage and accidental death and dismemberment coverage. The plans also include a 24/7 emergency assistance number where a staff of multilingual assistants can connect you with medical treatment and transportation in the case of an emergency. 

World Nomads Standard Plan 

This budget-friendly plan covers everything you would expect from a travel insurance plan, but with lower coverage limits than the Explorer Plan. It also covers more than 200 adventurous activities, such as dog sledding, glacier walking, ice fishing, zip lining, bungee jumping, moped biking, tree climbing, sailboarding, triathlons, deep sea fishing and skateboarding. Covered activities may vary depending on your country of residence. 

World Nomads Explorer Plan

The World Nomads Explorer plan covers everything in the Standard plan but increases the limits for many coverages and adds coverage for nearly 80 adventure activities. Additional covered activities under the Explorer Plan include backcountry snowboarding, heli-skiing, free diving, shark cage diving, skydiving, running of the bulls and rock climbing. 

World Nomads Standard Plan vs. Explorer Plan

The Explorer Plan will cost you more, but it comes with higher coverage limits. Compare the two World Nomads travel insurance plans side by side.

World Nomads travel insurance covers

The main types of travel insurance packaged together in World Nomad policies include:

• Trip cancellation and interruption. Trip cancellation insurance and trip interruption insurance reimburse you for prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses if you need to cancel your trip or cut it short because of a covered reason. Covered reasons typically include severe weather and illness, injury or death of you, your traveling companion or a close family member.
• Emergency medical expenses and evacuation. Travel medical insurance and medical evacuation coverage help pay hospital bills and medevac expenses if you get sick or injured on your trip.
• Travel delay. If your trip is delayed for six hours or more due to a reason listed in the policy, travel delay insurance can help cover the cost of accommodations, meals and local transportation while you are delayed. 
• Baggage. Baggage insurance includes lost or stolen baggage, excessive baggage damage and baggage that is delayed more than 12 hours, on your outgoing journey only.  
• Travel Assistance Services. Multilingual travel agents with Generali Global Assistance provide 24-hour assistance services for World Nomads. You can call for help locating a physician or to coordinate emergency medical transportation and care. 

World Nomads also covers more than 200 adventure activities, many of which may be excluded by other travel insurance plans. A few activities covered by both World Nomads plans are:

• Aerial safari.
• Camel riding.
• Cave tubing. 
• Dog sledding.
• Kite surfing.
• Snorkeling.
• Spearfishing.
• White water rafting.

World Nomads travel insurance doesn't cover

Like many travel insurance companies, World Nomads does not cover everything. 

Common medical claims that are not covered by World Nomads travel insurance include:

• Injury while intoxicated on drugs or alcohol.
• Injury sustained while behaving in a reckless manner. 
• Certain pre-existing medical conditions.
• Non-emergency treatments. 
• Routine medical exams. 
• Normal labor and childbirth.
• Intentionally harming oneself.
• Suicide or attempted suicide.

There are also a handful of adventure activities that are excluded from coverage, such as base jumping and mountaineering over 22,965 feet.

Read your policy carefully to understand any exclusions before traveling. If you’re not happy with your policy, you have 10 days to request a refund. 

Filing a claim with World Nomads

You can file a travel insurance claim using World Nomads’ 24/7 online portal. To start a claim, log into your member account and follow the prompts. You will be asked questions relevant to your claim. Once you are done answering all the questions and uploading any relevant documents, click the declaration to finish the claim. You should then receive an email confirmation with your claim number.

It is a good idea to always have your policy number handy in case you need to file a claim or call the 24-hour Emergency Assistance Team while traveling. 

Compare the best travel insurance companies of 2024

Shopping for a travel insurance policy? Consider getting a quote from one of the insurers that made our best travel insurance companies rating. 

World Nomads travel insurance review FAQs

World Nomads does not cover pre-existing conditions and does not provide the option for a pre-existing conditions exclusion waiver, as some of the best travel insurance companies do. 

No, World Nomads does not have “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) insurance . This optional upgrade, available with many travel insurance plans, allows you to pay extra for the right to cancel your trip for any reason at all. As long as you cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure, you’re typically entitled to a percentage of your nonrefundable trip expenses, generally 50% or 75%. 

Adding CFAR to your plan typically increases the cost of your travel insurance by 50%. Comparing travel insurance plans can help you to find the best CFAR travel insurance . 

Yes, World Nomads travel insurance covers personal electronic devices if they are stolen, lost or damaged on your trip. If all other sources of compensation are exhausted — such as filing a claim with your airline or your homeowners insurance — World Nomads may reimburse you for the depreciated value of your loss.

Keep in mind, however, that the per-article limit for World Nomads’ baggage and personal effects coverage is $500 under the Standard Plan and $1,500 with the Explorer Plan. 

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Jennifer Simonson covers everything from business to the wine industry to international travel. Outdoor adventure, water parks and all things Texas are by far her favorite beats. Her work has appeared in Forbes, Travel + Leisure, Texas Monthly, Smithsonian Magazine, Fodor's, Lonely Planet, Slate and more. You can follow her on Instagram at @storiestoldwell.

Mandy is an insurance writer who has been creating online content since 2018. Before becoming a full-time freelance writer, Mandy spent 15 years working as an insurance agent. Her work has been published in Bankrate, MoneyGeek, The Insurance Bulletin, U.S. News and more.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

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Should You Buy World Nomads Travel Insurance in 2023?

02/28/2023 by Kristin Addis 46 Comments

I have not been paid to write this World Nomads insurance review, though if you do choose to buy insurance through a link in this post, it supports this site at no extra cost to you. I do honestly discuss the numerous drawbacks of World Nomads and provide alternative suggestions as well here, so please read this fully before purchasing a plan to be sure it will work for you.

Ladies and gents, it’s time we look into travel insurance.

Why? Because it really, truly sucks if you have an emergency abroad and don’t have it, and not all insurance is created equal. There have been horror stories of people being held in hospitals, almost like hostages, for not paying outstanding bills, or worse, not getting care at all.

But if you need to be airlifted out, must have a family member flown to you, or you simply get sick on the road and don’t want to have to suffer when you could get care, then travel insurance is a no-brainer. It’s best if you never have to use it, but when you need it, it can literally save your trip (and self).

That said, travel insurance is not going to cover everything. In most cases beyond medical coverage, you will need a separate policy. I’ve taken out many of these policies in the past, and will discuss your other options in this post as well. World Nomads might not be for you, but before I talk about the drawbacks, let’s talk about the typical coverage.

Table of Contents

It Offers Cover for Major Medical Expenses

Why pay for insurance you might not use? You could risk it and travel without insurance. I’d be lying if I said I have never done that. Once I had to visit the doctor in Vietnam and, since I was uninsured, paid $100 out of pocket for the visit and medications. It cost me about the same as insurance would have for the entire 4 months that I was away. That was risky of me, because if I experienced a bigger problem, I could have been out a lot more money than that.

I’ve had friends need ambulance rides in the US which cost over $5k without insurance, met divers who needed compression chambers after diving emergencies, and recently had a family member cancel her trip when her travel companion fell ill. She had insurance and got her money back, but he didn’t, and had to eat the cost.

The worst case scenario if you have insurance is that nothing goes wrong and you spent the money just for the security, but the worst case scenario without insurance on your trip is much, much more dire. It’s possible to get denied care entirely in some countries if you can’t pay – yikes.

Why I Use World Nomads for Health Needs

I choose this one because it covers activities I love that most other insurance won’t cover, and they have paid out claims put forth by friends of mine consistently.

No insurance is perfect. If you want to get reimbursed, your claim has to include all of the necessary paperwork and qualify under the coverage they offer. I’m not a fan of any insurance company — they all kind of suck and I don’t feel health insurance should ever be for profit — but I still get insurance for all of the reasons in this post so far.

I free dive, hike at high altitudes, skydive, scuba dive, and more on my trips. World Nomads is my go-to because of the specificity of the coverage. It’s also helpful that they clearly state which activities have coverage by each of their two plans, Standard and Explorer. You can use the following tool to look at pricing:

So, for example, say you’re planning a trip to Bali to go surfing, sailing, and scuba diving. You would be able to go on the World Nomads website , look at their detailed lists of activities to find your specific ones, and determine if you need to purchase the Standard Plan or the Explorer Plan to make sure that everything you’d be doing on your trip has coverage.

World Nomads will also allow you to purchase more coverage quickly and easily if you run out while abroad (like if you decided to extend your trip at the last minute). They also have multilingual emergency assistance available 24/7.

All in all, I like that World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance designed to help cover health costs. Having the activities I love covered makes this my go-to for those reasons.

The Coverage You Need Based on the Way You Travel

Keep in mind that every policy is going to differ depending on where you are from. The following suggestions are based on their general offerings, but you need to read the fine print to be sure your policy with WN will cover these things.

That said, how do you like to travel? Are you adventurous, or do you prefer to play on the safer side when you go abroad? Does your ideal trip look like yoga on the beach, or cliff diving and hang gliding? World Nomads clearly breaks down the insurance plan you need based on the activities you plan on participating in . Figure out the coverage you need for your favorite activities below:

Some Big Drawbacks of World Nomads

World nomads contracts through providers on a location-by-location basis. What one policy covers in one country or state might differ from another, which is why reading the fine print, annoying as it is, is necessary.

World Nomads, like most travel insurance, intentionally omits things like pandemics, much to the chagrin of anyone who wanted COVID reimbursements. The travel insurance provided by Chase cards, and most other standard insurance, also has this policy. Unfortunately it’s standard and you often need additional policies, or much more expensive ones, to get full coverage (which I’ll discuss below).

They also omit acts of terrorism, civil unrest, acts of war, and really anything else that might trigger a mass payout from them. Some insurance companies will cover this, but they’re pricey. It’s always a balance of whether it’s truly worth it or not.

World Nomads also only cover a minimal amount of gear. If you’re traveling with expensive equipment, in most cases you’ll need a separate policy for the tech gadgets.

If you do need to file a claim, you must follow the fine print exactly. Like all insurance, honestly all of whom suck, they’re trying to make a profit.

For example, trip cancellation has specific requirements that will be unique to your policy, such as a required period of 24 hours. You might also find that if you return home to get treated, the insurance assumes your home coverage kicks in. Read the fine print always, because you can be sure that they will when evaluating your claim.

Important Things to Know

There are a few important things to know that make this insurance work better for you. The first is that booking more time upfront is better than breaking it up. If you know that you’ll be on a 6-month trip, then paying for the full 6 months upfront works out much cheaper than doing 3 now, and 3 later. Plus, you don’t want to let the insurance lapse. If anything happens when you’re not insured, it won’t be covered (that’s standard industry practice).

Also keep in mind that this insurance will only cover you if you’re over 100 miles from home. If you come home for further medical attention, travel insurance typically assumes you’re using your home coverage once again. This is important to keep in mind if you come home to get your treatment completed (you can always call them to get more info on your specific case).

Finally, this isn’t the only policy you should have if you have lots of expensive gear. I’ve learned through the years that the only way to insure your gear if you’re a professional photographer or blogger (like me) is to get a separate policy for your gear, and they ain’t cheap. World Nomads will cover most personal electronics, like phones and cheaper cameras, up to a small amount, provided you can prove the value (receipt), have a police report, and can prove you had it with you (so take pictures with your electronics on the road just to cover yourself).

Other Types of Insurance with More Coverage

As you can see, travel insurance isn’t meant to cover everything. For true coverage of all the things, you’ll need to pay more and take out policies that are designed to cover specific circumstances. Here are some I’ve tried or have been recommended to me by friends:

Expat Insurance: If you’re looking for longer term health insurance abroad, consider expat insurance instead. This will only cover medical needs, but acts more like a traditional health insurance that can cover longer term health needs abroad. I used ALC when I lived in Germany and they paid out all of the claims I qualified for after my deductible.

Diplomat Insurance: If you want to be covered for all the things, including kidnapping, acts of war, civil unrest, and more, check out Global Underwriters , which provides diplomat insurance.

Cancel for Any Reason Insurance: Some companies will offer insurance that you can cancel for any reason. Be sure to buy it as soon as you place an initial deposit (which goes for any insurance) in order for it to work. There are other stipulations as well, naturally. You can read more about AIG’s here.

Gear Insurance: If you have expensive gear, most travel insurance will only cover a small part of it. Since I travel with a backpack full of gear, I had a policy on all of my tech gear from Taylor & Taylor . I did quite a bit of research on this prior to purchasing, but ultimately do not use it anymore for one big reason: It’s really expensive. Each year the policy cost me $500 for insurance up to $7k worth of gear, and a deductible of $500 per claim. If I break a phone, for example, it would just even out. This would be a life saver if all of your gear gets waterlogged or stolen. Otherwise, unless you make a claim over $1k each year, it might be cost prohibitive.

Coverage for COVID-19

World Nomads states on this FAQ page that “fear of travel” is not covered. If you want to cancel your trip due to fear about COVID, your cancellation will not be covered. However, if you become ill prior to your trip, your plan may cover you. For more information on COVID coverage, check out this page where you’ll find up-to-date details.

In a Nutshell

There are more exclusions that are wise to read about before taking the plunge and purchasing. This is pretty typical of all insurance. All that said, for coverage of the more adventurous activities that I love, I like World Nomads the most and have been using it for years, so are many of my readers and those who come on my BMTM Adventures tours .

Want to explore more options? I recently tried out Faye Travel Insurance and actually made a claim as I got sick while traveling in Japan . You can read my full review here .

 * As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link, at no extra cost whatsoever to you. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance. Thanks, as always, for your support!

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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09/19/2019 at 7:08 am

Hi Kristin, I love your honesty, I pretty much hate all insurance companies too, I just hate some less than others haha. I was wondering – which insurance do you use for your gear? I’m looking into getting some for an upcoming trip (separate from travel insurance since I have international health insurance that will cover me for most health issues while abroad.) Any suggestions? Thanks!

Kristin says

09/21/2019 at 9:55 pm

I did a lot of digging but only Taylor Insurance would insure all of my gear (used professionally, so it might be different for those whose gear isn’t used professionally, but I know yours is!). However it’s kind of expensive, and if you make a claim you have to pay a $500 deductible before they’ll cover anything. Still, as you get more and more expensive gear, it’s nice to have.

I have never made a claim with them, so I can’t say how good or bad they are.

09/20/2019 at 8:33 am

It is so nice how you watch the backs of your friends and fellow solo travelers with posts like this. Insurance like this is essential for adventure travelers and those going long distances to remote regions of the world like what is often discussed here. Travel insurance is very important for any vacation involving a bit of travel, especially with a family where people get sick right before trips all the time (personal experience! 🙂 )! It bailed us out on more than one occasion. Insurance is a pain with the paperwork and, in my own case, anxiety from saying or filling out something wrong and losing coverage. I have been through several kinds and you can tell, though, pretty quickly if you are dealing with something good. I have that feeling with World Nomads (and with our home and car insurance particularly the one agent we have had for 20 years) .Like other anxious things, you relax and deal with it and in the end you win out and grow. It is a pain, but it is necessary. A little pain and preparation upfront brings dividends in the end. Things happen in life and it is good to be prepared. Thanks Kristin and BMTM for watching our backs over the years, not only with this, but looking out for our safety, making sure we are prepared, providing great health and well-being advice to make sure we are mentally, physically, and emotionally strong, and always being accessible. Oh, like the humor in here too. I know where to go if I want insurance for salsa dancing and shark cage diving! One quick question if you don’t mind. Have you ever had issues with the “not covered” for pre-existing conditions? It is reasonable for this type of insurance to have this stipulation, but some insurance companies can be real sticklers. One other observation for those outside the US: The Explorer option for some countries like France is only a tiny bit more expensive than the Standard option. For instance to travel from France to Australia from October 9, 2019 to January 3, 2020 (assuming you live in France) at age 35 will cost you 281.77 Euro for Standard and 285.00 Euro for Explorer and you get so much more with Explorer. This is a steal! Other Euro countries you will find the differences not that close, but often less than 10% higher, (Those who are residents in Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic are other ones really close). As a catch, part of this small difference may be due to the fact that the Standard rate is higher in these countries while the Explorer rate is not as much higher. Interesting! It’s all statistics.

ajr1713 says

09/21/2019 at 6:43 am

Do you have any insurance recommendations for travelers over 70 ? Nomad indicated they will only cover up to age 69.

09/21/2019 at 9:52 pm

I haven’t ever looked into it, to be honest. I wish I could provide a personal recommendation±

09/22/2019 at 8:04 am

Hi ajr1713: World Nomads do indeed have coverage for 70 and over! It is “Silver-Nomads” It is partnered with “TripAssure”. I checked and typed in that I was 79 years old and it gave me a quote. This insurance seems great as insurance companies go so glad it is for all ages :). Hope this is helpful!

Roxanne says

09/23/2019 at 11:10 am

This was helpful. I have never traveled with insurance but as I am getting older I am more conscious that anything could happen. I will definitely consider World Nomads. Thanks for the in-depth information.

09/23/2019 at 6:28 pm

Glad it was helpful!

10/31/2019 at 5:40 pm

This is extremely helpful! Thank you! I just figured out which plan to buy.

Trevor says

11/04/2019 at 12:16 pm

Hi, just wanted to let you know that the information you posted about the difference in activity coverage between the standard plan and explorer plan is incorrect and misleading. I just got off the phone with World Nomads and learned that there is no difference in activity coverage between the standard plan and the explorer plan. Both plans cover what are listed as “Level 1” activities. The only way to get coverage for other activities (Level 2 and 3) is to purchase the “Sports & Activities Premium” which can be applied to either the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan. If you only purchase the explorer plan, do not expect to be covered for any extra activities.

However, I am a Canadian resident and if there is a difference between the policies available for Americans and Canadians please ignore this comment.

11/04/2019 at 3:21 pm

Coverage varies from state to state and country to country, it’s very important to read the fine print. Different companies provide the coverage under the World Nomads umbrella, and that’s why insurance is so tricky!

Mrs. Helen Jones says

11/07/2019 at 3:07 pm

My husband and I will travel next October 2020, to Israel with a church group. We will pay our $500 deposit within a week. Our trip will cost $4,176.00 per person. We would like travel Insurance. Please help us with the best protection (deposit returned), in case of trip cancellation, accidents, lost luggage, hospitalization, emergency evacuations, missed flights etc..

11/07/2019 at 3:19 pm

To be honest that sounds really expensive…is it more than a week I hope? Most insurance doesn’t cover evacuation due to civil unrest or war, but otherwise world nomads would cover most of that.

11/15/2019 at 12:51 pm

I should actually point out that adventire activities aren’t just choosing a plan – get to the next step and type in whatever it is you want to do and they’ll show you the additional cost. Take trekking for example: both plans cover it , but only if you add it and pay the additional premium.

11/20/2019 at 4:47 am

I’m not sure if you have ever actually made a claim with World Nomads, as a person who has been waiting for over a month for a response from them, let me say that after filling out the VERY extensive paperwork ( my girlfriend luckily , has a medical background and understands that kind of paperwork) I am dealing with their other company that handles the actual claim.

I have very little hope that I will ever see any money. And am grateful I didnt need this company in an emergency.

11/20/2019 at 11:06 am

They’re all like that, it’s very annoying.

Felicia H says

12/05/2019 at 7:36 pm

So I decided a very last min Purchase of my Insurance from Nomad. Yes they are superb and efficient in selling your the insurance. All done within 10 mins. However , the nightmare comes, I am putting a claim for flight delayed and miss of connections. A brief reply stating the claims dept will contact me soon. Yes its been 16 days. Super Unhappy & Unsastisfied Client. Inefficient.

12/06/2019 at 11:08 am

Let us know how it works out for you! From what I’ve heard, and this goes for all insurance, you have to follow up.

12/09/2019 at 10:34 am

I would just like to point out I’ve had a terrible experience trying to get covered for a trip delay. I was stuck in San Fran for 24 hrs on my way to New Zealand. I missed my flight from Australia to New Zealand and had to buy new ones. Thinking this was exactly what trip insurance was for, I figured I’d be reimbursed for the flights. Well apparently they only cover trip delays if 1. it is due to the airport workers striking (umm… what?)2. weather delays greater than 24 hours. So we got no reimbursement and they were not super nice about it either. Very frustrating! I’m sure they have better coverage for some things but not for trip delay or trip interruption. It’s pretty ridiculous.

12/09/2019 at 12:25 pm

That’s truly strange. A friend of mine was covered for a weather delay. That said, the coverage really varies by state, because it’s a different underwriter, so it gets very confusing and frustrating.

01/12/2020 at 11:21 am

So, it would seem that people that actually had to make a claim all say World Nomads sucks balls. The rest are greatful for the info. There ya have it.

01/12/2020 at 9:29 pm

I think the more likely scenario is people get on the internet to vent. The two people I know who have made claims with WN were able to get paid out, but it was a process, as it would be with every insurance company out there.

01/23/2020 at 7:35 am

Hi, could you explain to me about this from WN Paragliding / parapenting : : special condition (a) or (b) : special exclusion (iv) & (v)

the special exclusion (iv) & (v) are: (iv) Personal Accident (v) Personal Liability

So if the accident is personal wn doesnt covered me? what is the accident is not personal when it involves the person. so tricky

can all the insurance company seek other words to replace liability, it is so hard to digest what is the meaning of Personal Liability?

thanks in advance for your answer .

01/23/2020 at 8:24 am

Hey, I’m in no way an agent or underwriter so you’ll need to call them. This is just a post about my opinion on the insurance based on my personal experience and that of my friends.

01/24/2020 at 5:54 pm

After having a very bad experience with Allianz and AIG trip protection for missed flights. I made two claims to Allianz and they ignored both. I made a claim to AIG when my fiance was not allowed to fly due to a problem with her visa paperwork. It was denied. I complained to regulatory agencies and was told they would not pursue my complaint. Flight trip insurance. NEVER AGAIN!

I am hoping World Nomads is better for health insurance claims. Gulp. i pray they are an honorable company with integrity unlike other insurance companies I have dealt with.

03/09/2020 at 6:53 pm

Informative article thanks. Heads up if you are trekking K2 Basecamp and Gondogoro Pass – WN although they cover trekking at altitude the fact that there are fixed ropes on this trek precludes them as an insurer. Spent about 15 mins on phone with them to hone down the details specific to my last trek before deciding another company would be more suited to the trek. I think it’s worth the time to read the doc then call them to ask additional questions.

03/09/2020 at 10:07 pm

To all readers here — I would be cautious about any insurance. Read all the fine print. Read it a second time. Make sure you understand what is being covered — and what is NOT covered. I did choose world nomads for a trip myself — however based on that alone I would not recommend them. As I did not have a need to make a claim. It’s not only what coverage a company offers — but do they actually pay out. I think there are both sides to this — Kristen knows two friends who did receive payout and yet two other writers here said the company has not been responsive to their claims. I would trust this review more if I knew the full services of the company had been used — that is, a claim was made, and was paid out. Again, I say read the fine print and read what other reviewers saY about the full services of a company before you choose I sir ace… my two cents….

Amanda says

03/09/2020 at 10:08 pm

I’ve used World Nomads a couple times in the past with no problems, but I didn’t have to contact them in the past. I purchased a policy for a trip coming up in April, but I need to find out if I have the right permit for my policy to be valid, and I literally have not been able to talk to anyone helpful. One person told me different information than what is on their website and the other told me my policy number format isn’t the right format, so they couldn’t help me. I also called other times but never actually got to talk to anyone due to excessive hold times. I also sent several emails that were never answered. I ended up canceling my policy because I found another one that will work.

Mirjam says

03/14/2020 at 1:50 am

Hi, and thanks for the article!

Two things I wanted to add: 1) I bought my World Nomads policy from the UK and the policy coverage is different here. Most of the activities you listed are not covered under Standard or Explorer plans but need additional Activity coverage (Level 2, 3 or 4). For example, I was planning to go hiking; hiking at low altitudes is covered under Standard or Explorer, up to 4,500 meters you need Level 2 coverage, and up to 6,000 meters you need Level 3 so there is additional cost. Level 2 itself was only a little more, but Level 3 almost doubled my insurance cost. So anyone from the UK, be mindful.

2) The other, and sadder, thing is the difficulty in actually getting a payout. I was planning to embark on 1-year sabbatical trip around the world at the end of this January (2020), and I bought World Nomads travel insurance in November. About a week before I was due to depart I received the shocking news that I had cancer – and needed to stay in the UK to treat it immediately, which I am currently in the midst of. I had planned to do hiking (Patagonia, Machu Picchu etc) and a cruise in Antarctica (quite a few things pre-paid) so I submitted a claim for trip cancellation, which under my plan should have had a payout of up to 5,000 GBP. So I would not have gotten all the money back but at least a lot. I submitted all the documentation and there was a lot of waiting. Eventually over a month later they came back with a decision that they consider the cancer to be a pre-existing condition and will not reimburse anything, because I had had some swelling in my arm (the location of the cancer) in the autumn. There was the option to ask for another review of the decision, which I did, and am waiting the results of, so fingers crossed it still turns out well in the end!!

But for me – if the insurance turns a blind eye when you are diagnosed with cancer a week before you are due to leave, what will they ever help you with?

So this was my rant – had the cancer and the denied claim thing gone differently, I would have been very happy with them.

03/14/2020 at 12:18 pm

Dang, that’s so F-ed up. I’m looking into alternatives now.

Paul Brewster says

03/23/2020 at 6:00 pm

Kristin – I believe you really should review your relationship with World Nomads Travel Insurance. I see they post an ad on your website so have to believe you have some sort of financial relationship with them. I am among the many COVID-19 refugees returning from interrupted travel by border closings and lockdowns unfolding in South America. I was lucky to get out of Santiago, Chile on March 20 before things closed down completely. I bought a policy from Travel Nomads, in part because of your recommendation and of others who had posted to your site. After returning home to the US and just beginning to regroup, I have learned that the policy I paid for covers zero expenses for ANYTHING related to COVID-19…period. They have a laundry list of FAQs that basically absolves them for any coverage which one would typically buy travel insurance for. Check out Trust Pilot reviews. Reviews from unhappy customers are pouring in. BTW, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company should be ashamed for underwriting this policy. Thanks for listening.

03/24/2020 at 7:50 am

Hey Paul, I don’t have a horse in the race and am not being paid to post by World Nomads, though I do get an affiliate commission, like I would from any insurance company. We are reviewing alternatives but have struggled to find a company that covers pandemics. I’m all ears if you do find one!

George says

06/13/2020 at 2:28 pm

Horrible, absolutely horrible customer service, and product is a complete rip off.

December 2019, we purchased a policy for travel to Europe for May 2020. We planned a tour between five countries.It became obvious In March 2020 our trip was not happening when the European Union banned travel between their borders. Covid19.

Thankfully the airline and tour company rescheduled our plans for 2021. World Nomad decided to take our money and provide no protection.

I spent hours, during March and April, trying to get a person on the phone, to ask them to change the date of travel. Instead of getting help, I got automated emails, that were not helpful. I sent on numerous occasions, emails with precise information, to get the run around.

I filed a Better Business Bureau complaint in April. As of June, Nomad has not responded to them. The BBB complaint #14291856.

I found a web link on World Nomad, of people you can contact, for help. I contacted Charles Parent-Moreau, who wrote me saying would help. We exchanged emails and said it was being handled. That was six weeks ago. I now realize, what was being handled, was they decided to not change the dates of travel for coverage.

Marilyn says

09/24/2020 at 4:21 pm

I bought nomad insurance. I fell in Jaipur and needed hospital stitches in 2 places. Had all the paperwork, sent them everything they asked for and they NEVER paid me. I’m sticking with DAN in the future. I am a scuba diver

10/10/2020 at 10:31 am

Did they send some kind of rejection? Curious what their reasoning was.

10/06/2021 at 8:57 am

My trip was interrupted due to covid complications. I called their rep before booking alternate transportation and crashing at an emergency hotel for the night. He advised me I was eligible to file a claim under both trip interruption and trip delay. Now that I’ve paid upfront out of pocket based on his advice, they don’t want to reimburse me. World Nomads seems like a scam to me. Advise everyone to stay far away from them.

01/04/2022 at 5:54 am

I’m sure the pandemic has been hard for them. My issue is that I called them prior to making what should have been reimbursable expenses. Rather than tell me he didn’t know; the rep made it sound as if the emergency purchases would all be covered. I’ve left reviews and they asked me to email them but guess what? No response. Rather than purchase insurance, I’d put the money aside so you have that extra cash to cover any unexpected expenses. Personally, if I’m going to make a charitable donation, I’d prefer it go to refugees or abused animals, rather than big business. Bloggers who may get a commission, or at the very least, special consideration if any issues come up, seem to all be in favor of WN. While most who have actually used their services (from comments on this and other blog sites) would never do business with them again. People are posting numerous warnings about this company for a reason.

Marlene says

04/15/2022 at 10:55 am

World Nomad Trip Insurance is awful. They quickly take your money but when it comes time to pay a small claim there is hardly a way to contact them directly. After waiting 6 months I finally called to get a service person on the phone who mumbled and could only say they are still reviewing, so zero help. DON NOT use them! I NEVER will again. You be better off throwing your money in a hole and then digging it up if something happened. I do not trust this company.

Rose Cashman says

05/07/2022 at 11:37 am

I agree 100%

05/07/2022 at 11:36 am

We bought World Nomads and have been home for 3 weeks trying to make a claim for trip interruption and it has been the WORST inefficient process so far. Customer service has been awful if you can even speak to a live person. I have send several emails. So far I would absolutely NOT recommend using World Nomads. I can only say thank goodness we did not have a real emergency!

07/19/2022 at 7:03 am

The brutally honest truth about World Nomads is the claims support sucks. I was sick in Egypt and had to delay my return home. The person I spoke contacted seemed a bit untrained, but said she would follow-up. I never heard back from her. On return home I had a difficult time corresponding with the claims ‘department’, sent in the information they requested. I never heard back. Fortunately the out of pocket expense was not a great deal, so I just gave up. I will never use them again.

10/24/2022 at 10:23 pm

MASSIVE LOOPHOLE WARNING Conditions that are “similar”, but unrelated to, a condition that was subject to a previous claim ARE NOT COVERED.  In their own words:

“If you were to develop a new stomach condition not related to the previous stomach issue but a similar condition you would not be covered due to it would be considered pre-existing unless it was due to an injury or something totally unrelated.”  I am happy to share the original messages they sent me – I would post a screenshot if the site allowed it. This is a shocking and appalling loophole, especially for a policy that is marketed towards long term travellers, who are likely to get separate but “similar conditions” – such as stomach issues, the most common travelers’ ailment.  This company is unethical and anyone who promotes it without mentioning this loophole is irresponsible.  I can only assume they didn’t know.  World Nomads will not provide any further details on how they define a “similar condition”, so maybe save your one claim for something life-threatening/expensive.  Of course they don’t issue any refunds after policy holders have discovered this loophole the hard way – it certainly is not explicitly stated anywhere in the policy!!  Who would buy it if it was?  I have confirmed this loophole multiple times, so I know it wasn’t just one agent giving incorrect information.  Please share this with all travellers you know – we need to have each other’s backs!

Claudia E Hartley says

03/13/2023 at 9:25 pm

So far not impressed with World Nomad at ALL. Once you actually need them, their website sucks, they don’t have online support. I can’t even start to file a claim because according to their membership dashboard, I don’t have any policies. When the do write back on email, their responses are nonsensical and don’t respond to what you shared. I recommend using NerdWallet to pick travel insurance. I did that for Spain and had a better experience.

Hilary brown says

08/30/2023 at 2:22 pm

Do not use them! Their website and FAQ page say they’ll cover you for certain things, but then when they underwrite the policy they leave out some items that the website says you’ll be covered for, and thus try to deny your claim. All insurance companies are difficult, I get that much, but to tell you you’ll covered when you buy the policy and then underwrite a policy where you aren’t covered after you pay for it is another ball game.

09/16/2023 at 7:49 am

Hello Kristin

I am considering purchasing the Nomad Explorer plan for $200 covering trip costs up to $10,000. I’ll be climbing Mera Peak in Nepal which is a few thousand feet below the max elevation Explorer covers.

I’m stunned by how much lower their premium is compared to AmEx Travel for basically the same coverage….about $500 less. Again, stunningly cheap….which means I’m immediately suspicious. Yet, you give it a great review.

Main my main concern is becoming ill or injured during the trek/climb, resulting in evacuation from the mountain to a hospital in Kathmandu. Have you ever experienced or know of situations If the evac company and or the hospital require payment immediately, will the Nomad policy advance the amount up to the benefit cap?

My second question is the policy says it will cover customary charges for the locale. Are you aware of any situations where there has been a large gap between the expense and what Nomad is willing to reimburse?

Thank you for your help.

09/17/2023 at 1:52 pm

So med evac would be a different policy and is usually not covered by most travel insurance plans. They tend to be their own plans that specifically cover medical flights out and if you’re concerned, could be a good idea to take out a separate policy for your trip. Yes, all hospitals will require immediate payment.

Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

World Nomads Travel Insurance Review: What’s Included & What’s Not

I’ve used World Nomads as my travel insurance provider a lot over the years and, though I’ve written about travel insurance in the past, I’ve never properly reviewed World Nomads .

They were the first company I ever used and I’ve continued to use them throughout the years as I’ve traveled. Since I get asked a lot about them, today, I want to share my review of World Nomads Travel Insurance with you.

Here’s everything you need to know about World Nomads travel insurance:

Table of Contents

Who are World Nomads?

What’s included in world nomads insurance policies, emergency medical coverage, emergency dental treatment, lost or stolen baggage, trip cancellation, interruption, or delay, 24/7 assistance, what’s not covered by world nomads, what you can do with a world nomads policy, additional things to remember, travel insurance claims, my experience using world nomads.

World Nomads is a travel insurance distributor based in Australia. It was founded in 2002 by travelers who wanted to address the three key concerns: freedom, safety, and connection.

Now, the insurer provides coverage to people from more than 100 countries, offers overseas emergency medical and dental cover for sudden illness and injury, medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, 24-hour emergency assistance, some coverage for COVID-19, cover for lost, stolen or damaged baggage, cancellation cover, and coverage for a over 150 types of adventure activities.

I originally found them via Lonely Planet (but they were also featured in National Geographic and Rough Guides). There are a lot of travel insurance providers out there, but World Nomads was designed for backpackers and budget travelers, which is why I decided to go with them on my first big trip around the world.  

World Nomads has two plans: Standard and Explorer. The Explorer Plan typically has a higher premium because it has a higher level of coverage that includes all the benefits of the Standard Plan and a few more, with higher benefit limits.

World Nomads covers some higher-intensity activities and sports, even on the Standard Plan. Not all activities, sports, and experiences are covered under every plan and the coverage varies by the country you’re visiting and where you’re from, so always check before purchasing a policy.

Other benefits and services may include:  

World Nomads offers cover for overseas emergency medical expenses for accidents or sudden illnesses on both the Standard and Explorer plans.

Its policies also offer coverage for expenses related to medical evacuation or repatriation if you’re accidentally injured. For example, if you’re hiking in the woods and you break your leg, your policy may cover your evacuation to the nearest hospital or back to your country of residence (if deemed medically necessary).

In the images below, the coverage amounts in the left column are for the Standard Plan, while the prices in the right column are for the Explorer Plan.

World Nomads also covers emergency dental treatment for accidental injuries that occur during the trip. It does not include standard dental work, such as checkups or cleanings, fillings, or root canals and the like (or things that can wait until you get back home), however, if you get an injury then that may be covered.  

World Nomads offers some coverage for events related to COVID-19, such as emergency medical, trip delay, and trip interruption coverage if you contract COVID-19 while traveling. Be sure to read the policy wording to understand what’s covered and what the benefits are as these vary depending on your country of residence.  

Here’s a list of key items and situations not covered:

• Alcohol or drug-related incidents.
• If you’re reckless, acting in an irresponsible manner or not complying with local laws.
• Pre-existing conditions or general check-ups. Read the policy for full details.
• Lost or stolen cash (can vary depending on your country of residence or plan)
• Participation in a sport or activity not listed in the policy wording, or one that’s offered by World Nomads, but you haven’t purchased the required level of cover.
• Not following doctors’ orders: disobeying your treating doctor’s directions and/or those of World Nomad’s Emergency Assistance team.
• Stolen, lost or damaged personal belongings that were left unguarded.
• Buy additional coverage if you extend your travel dates.
• Purchase a policy while already on a trip (waiting periods apply)
• Make a claim online
• Access 24/7 Emergency Assistance
• There are age restrictions that apply depending on your country of residence.
• Its online system can be a little confusing to figure out.
• They offer limited gear/electronics coverage. Also, while using your gear, it won’t be covered.
• You can’t get “cancel for any reason” coverage.
• It doesn’t cover anything related to pre-existing conditions.
• World Nomads premiums vary in cost based on your age, destinations, where you’re from, and your country of residence.

I’ve been traveling for over 15 years and have only had to make a few claims during that time. Fortunately, for most travelers, travel insurance is something we buy but never have to use.

However, if you do get into a situation where you need to make a claim, there are a couple things that can help.

First, before a trip, I always make sure to save copies of all of my receipts and travel information in my inbox so that I can submit them to World Nomads if I need to make a claim. I also save their emergency phone and email contacts in my phone and inbox so that I can easily contact them in an emergency.

The more documentation you have about your claim, the faster and easier it will be processed. Claims can be submitted online; you simply start a claim, follow the prompts, and submit your documents. World Nomads will follow up if they need anything else from you.

Here are a few things that may make your claiming process easier:

• Injury or illness? Call their assistance teams ASAP and make digital copies of any related receipts.
• Take a photo of your luggage before your trip in case something happens to it (especially your valuable gear).
• If an airline loses your things, tell them straight away, fill in their paperwork and keep a copy.
• Theft? Report it to the police as soon as possible. Keep all documentation from the police.
• Check what refunds you can get first from your transport or accommodation providers. Only if they can’t help should you go to your insurance provider

Making a claim isn’t fun by any means, but it’s quick and simple to do thanks to World Nomad’s online portal. And, since they have 24/7 support, you can reach out to them if you have problems or questions.  

Luckily, the airline paid me, and I didn’t need to be reimbursed by my travel insurance policy, but I learned through this process that if you have all your documents and proof, the claims process can be a lot easier.

Another time, in Argentina, I was suffering from anxiety and worried that it was something more. It felt like someone was stomping on my chest. I contacted Emergency Assistance and they took my information and symptoms and gave me a list of emergency doctors that they recommended. They were helpful, quick, and got me a doctor right away. I was very happy with the service and know that if something really does go wrong, they act quickly.

Nobody likes to think about what might go wrong when they travel. But if you plan ahead and ensure that you have suitable coverage, you can travel with confidence knowing that, should something go wrong, you’ll be made whole and have access to a team that can help you navigate the situation.

I never leave home without insurance. You shouldn’t either.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WORLD NOMADS .

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.  

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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World Nomads

Traveling is exciting, but it also comes with risks. World Nomads Travel Insurance understands this, and has designed insurance plans specifically for independent travelers and their families. Their coverage includes a range of benefits that help keep you and your family protected and your trip essentials covered.

World Nomads Travel Insurance: A Comprehensive Solution for Digital Nomads

One of the most notable features of World Nomads Travel Insurance is the ability to buy cover while traveling. This is ideal for digital nomads who are always on the move and may need to extend their trip. In addition, their 24/7 emergency assistance is available in multiple languages and can help connect you with medical treatment and transportation when you need it most.

World Nomads also covers over 200 adventure activities, so you can explore your boundaries while traveling. They also give back to local communities by connecting customers with charity projects in destinations with the greatest need.

The coverage benefits of World Nomads Travel Insurance include trip protection, emergency medical insurance, emergency evacuation, and protection for your gear. They also offer additional benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption, baggage and personal effects coverage, and accidental death and dismemberment.

World Nomads Travel Insurance Plans

World Nomads offer two types of insurance plans, the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan. the main difference between these plans is the coverage limits.

For example:

• Explorer Plan: Unlimited
• Standard Plan:  $5,000
• Standard Plan:  $5,000,000
• Standard Plan:  $500,000
• Explorer Plan: $10,000
• Standard Plan:  $2,000

World Nomads Travel Insurance is an excellent solution for digital nomads who need coverage that is tailored to their unique lifestyle. With their comprehensive coverage and commitment to giving back to local communities, World Nomads is a great choice for those who want to travel smarter and safer.

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Digital Nomad Insurance Complete Guide

Travel insurance isn’t the most exciting expense but it’s absolutely necessary. We don’t want to sound too dramatic but for those traveling on a budget, it can literally mean life or death. Medical costs, stolen gadgets and flight cancellations will ruin your trip if you aren’t covered. Think about your specific travel needs by all means – but at least get the basics covered.

Digital Nomad Insurance

Health insurance for Digital Nomads is something that many people overlook – but you don’t want to find yourself without one. Medical costs, emergency flights and cancellations can all hit your bank account hard when you’re travelling. Ultimately, it’s better to spend a little on something you might not need than spend a lot further down the line because you don’t have coverage.

Digital Nomad Trends 2024

The rise of digital nomads is a trend that has been on the rise for several years now. Digital nomads are people who work remotely and are not tied to any particular location. They are free to travel and work from anywhere in the world, as long as they have an internet connection. This lifestyle has become increasingly popular over the years, especially since the pandemic began.

Senior Nomads

In the digital nomad community, there’s this image of young people sitting on the beach, sipping cold drinks, and working from their laptop. In reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Nomads are of all ages.

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The Best Travel Insurance Options for Digital Nomads (2024)

Travel insurance for digital nomads can provide trip and medical protection while working abroad.

from Seven Corners via TravelInsurance.com

Alex is a MarketWatch Guides team writer that covers automotive and personal finance topics. She’s worked as a content writer for over a dozen car dealerships across the U.S. and as a contributor to several major auto news websites.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

Based on our research and comprehensive travel insurance rating methodology, we at the MarketWatch Guides team found that World Nomads, Travelex, Seven Corners, IMG and AIG Travel Guard offer the best travel insurance options for digital nomads.

Remote work can afford some people the opportunity to travel while working abroad. In this article, we’ll closely examine our picks for the best travel insurance plans for digital nomads or remote employees who travel and work in various locations.

The Best Travel Insurance Plans for Nomads

After conducting extensive research on travel insurance policies for digital nomads, we’ve chosen the following plans as our top picks.

• World Nomads: Explorer Plan
• Travelex : Travel Select
• Seven Corners : Backpacker
• International Medical Group (IMG) : Patriot International Platinum
• AIG Travel Guard : Annual Plan

World Nomads

Pros and Cons

Why we picked world nomads.

Based on our review, World Nomads travel insurance may be worth considering if you’re an adventurous digital nomad. The provider covers over 150 adventure activities and sports through its Explorer Plan, such as skydiving, paragliding, bungee jumping and more. This type of coverage is rarely included as standard through travel insurance policies.

Policies through World Nomads last up to 180 days and will require purchasing an extension every six months if you plan to travel beyond that timeframe. However, you can buy your insurance post-departure, meaning if you’re already a digital nomad abroad, you can decide on coverage anytime. The Explorer Plan offers $100,000 in emergency medical coverage and $500,000 for emergency evacuations. It also provides $3,000 in coverage for the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech or sports gear.

Coverage and Costs

The World Nomads Explorer Plan offers the following coverages:

• Medical emergency
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains
• Trip interruption and cancellation
• Baggage and personal effects
• Trip and baggage delay
• Rental car damage
• Accidental death and dismemberment
• 24-hour emergency assistance services

Exclusions include but are not limited to:

• Medical bills related to a pre-existing condition
• Non-emergency medical treatments
• Items with no record of purchase
• Accidents that occur while intoxicated

To better understand the cost of a World Nomads policy, we gathered quotes for a 30-year-old digital nomad traveling to multiple countries, including Germany, Italy and Spain, over 180 days. Based on our quote, the traveler could pay $548 for the Standard Plan and $788 for the Explorer Plan .

Both the Standard and Explorer plans are more expensive than other providers we quoted using the same traveler profile. However, some may find the cost worth it due to the extensive sports and activity coverage.

Why We Picked Travelex

Travelex offers long-term insurance coverage suitable for digital nomads with its Travel Select plan. This policy lasts up to a year and offers various add-ons such as additional medical expense coverage, an adventure sports rider, car rental collision coverage, CFAR coverage and more.

The Travel Select plan also provides coverage to all children under 17 traveling with you, a potential benefit for digital nomads with kids. Travelex provides $50,000 in emergency medical expense coverage and $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, but you can increase limits for an additional cost. You can also qualify for a pre-existing medical condition waiver if you purchase this plan within 15 days of your initial trip payment.

Travelex’s Travel Select plan offers the following coverages and more:

• Trip cancellation and interruption
• Baggage and travel delay
• Emergency medical
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Sporting equipment delay
• 24/7 travel assistance

Exclusions with this plan include but are not limited to:

• War or acts of war
• Adventure sports (unless a waiver is purchased)
• Intentionally self-inflicted injuries
• Normal pregnancy and childbirth

Our research team gathered a quote from Travelex for a 30-year-old digital nomad spending a year in Spain. The company also asked how much the traveler spent on non-refundable expenses, which we estimated around $10,000. Based on this quote, we found our sample traveler could pay around $441 for a Travel Select Plan.

The Travel Select plan is Travelex’s only plan available to nomads looking to spend up to a year abroad. While coverage costs less than Seven Corners and World Nomads, Travelex provides a lower base medical coverage limit of $50,000.

Seven Corners Travel Insurance

Why We Picked Seven Corners

Seven Corners offers a Backpacker plan that can cover digital nomads traveling through multiple countries for up to a year. This plan focuses more on medical coverage while abroad, offering coverage for emergency medical events and physician visits. The Backpacker plan allows you to choose a variety of deductibles that can lower your total plan costs. In addition, it offers $25,000 in coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions.

If you plan on participating in adventure activities during your travels, Seven Corners offers an optional rider that covers scuba diving, zip lining, sky diving and more. Note that if you’re traveling to an area where motorcycles, scooters or other similar transportation methods are considered standard and for hire, you must purchase this optional coverage.

Seven Corners offers the following coverage and more with its Backpacker plan:

• COVID-19 coverage
• Medical coverage
• Evacuation coverage due to a medical, political or natural disaster
• Burial or cremation
• Trip interruption

Exclusions from coverage include but are not limited to:

• Medical tourism
• Quarantine expenses
• Medical bills resulting from self-harm
• Terrorist activity and war

To better understand the cost of a travel insurance policy from Seven Corners, we gathered a quote for a 30-year-old digital nomad traveling to multiple countries over a year. Based on this quote, our sample traveler could pay $573 for a Backpacker plan.

International Medical Group

Why We Picked IMG

International Medical Group (IMG) offers travel medical and international health insurance plans. Long-term digital nomads looking for annually renewable medical coverage may benefit from IMG’s Patriot International Platinum plan. With protection extending up to $8 million in coverage, this plan provides renewable travel medical benefits for up to 36 months.

Optional coverage under the Patriot International Platinum policy includes enhanced accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), device protection and adventure sports riders. IMG also offers acute onset of pre-existing condition coverage, but maximum coverage limits vary by age.

IMG’s Patriot International Platinum plan covers the following and more:

• Emergency dental
• Political and natural disaster evacuation
• Return travel benefits
• Lost luggage
• Small pet common air carrier accidental death

Exclusions from this plan include but are not limited to:

• War or military action
• Pre-existing conditions
• Maternity and newborn care
• Mental or nervous disorders
• Preventative care

To find out how much IMG’s Patriot International Platinum plan could cost, we obtained a quote for a 30-year-old digital nomad living abroad in Spain for a year. Based on this quote, our team found that this traveler could pay $684 for this plan.

When comparing quotes across providers, we found that IMG is more expensive than Seven Corners and Travelex but provides higher policy maximums for medical expenses. However, if you choose a higher deductible than we did, your costs may end up being less.

AIG Travel Guard

Why We Picked AIG

AIG Travel Guard offers its Annual Plan to cover year-round travel to multiple destinations, which could benefit a digital nomad. This policy provides both medical coverage and travel benefits such as trip interruption , trip delay and missed connection coverage. You can purchase this policy up to 24 hours before departing for your trip, making it worth consideration for nomads looking for last-minute coverage.

The Annual Plan covers $50,000 in travel medical expenses, $500,000 in emergency evacuation and up to $2,500 in baggage coverage . AIG offers up to 100% in trip interruption coverage, but note there is a maximum of $2,500 for this benefit. With rates of around $260 based on our quote process, a digital nomad looking for coverage on a budget may find AIG’s plan worth purchasing.

AIG Travel Guard’s Annual Plan provides the following coverage:

• Trip interruption and delay
• Travel medical
• Non-flight AD&D
• Baggage coverage and delay
• Missed connection
• Security evacuation

General exclusions from an Annual Plan include:

• War and acts of war
• Participation in a riot
• Intoxication above the legal limit at time of loss

AIG Travel Guard only asked for our state of residence, plan start date and number of travelers when gathering a quote for the Annual Plan. After providing this information, we found that this plan could cost our sample traveler $259.

Travel Insurance vs. Health Insurance for Digital Nomads

Digital nomads may have different insurance needs based on their travel styles. A comprehensive annual travel insurance policy may work for some, while a travel medical policy would better suit others. Your ideal plan depends on your circumstances and what you want to protect while traveling.

Annual travel insurance covers multiple trips within a year and can provide travel and medical benefits. An annual, multi-trip policy may work for digital nomads who travel to multiple countries for short periods while returning to a home base between trips. 

Travel medical policies could benefit digital nomads residing overseas long-term under a digital nomad-specific visa. Iceland , Croatia , Costa Rica , Spain and more offer visas that allow digital nomads to reside within the country for a specified amount of time. However, these countries may ask you to provide proof of medical insurance that covers you while abroad. Note that U.S.-based health insurance does not always extend abroad. Because travel medical insurance can act as a primary healthcare plan during your travels, it may satisfy the health insurance requirements of various countries welcoming digital nomads. 

Compare Digital Nomad Travel Insurance Plans

See the table below for a direct comparison between providers and our recommended plans. The best way to determine how much these plans may cost you is to obtain a free quote from each company.

How Much Is Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads?

Based on the quotes gathered by our research team, we found the average cost of a travel insurance plan for a digital nomad is $549 . We based our data on quotes gathered for a 30-year-old digital nomad traveling to multiple countries or staying in Spain for a year, depending on the plan.

Travel insurance for digital nomads may cost more than a travel insurance plan for a single vacation or short-term trip, according to our research. After gathering quotes from 20 providers using seven different sample traveler profiles, we found the average cost of a single-trip travel insurance policy is $221 . This makes a travel insurance plan for digital nomads more than double the cost of a standard policy for single trips. Note that the exact cost of your plan will depend on factors such as your age, travel duration, destination and more. We recommend obtaining a quote from each company in this review to determine how much coverage could cost you.

How Should Digital Nomads Choose a Travel Insurance Plan?

Choosing a travel insurance policy does not need to feel complicated. However, there are several things to consider as a digital nomad when selecting a travel insurance plan. 

Compare Coverage and Costs

We do not recommend settling on the first plan you come across. Comparing coverage and costs across multiple providers can help you better gauge what fits your budget best. When researching, we also encourage you to consider a travel insurance company’s industry reputation and customer reviews. Look at reviews from sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot to understand how a company handles its claims process and treats policyholders.

Consider Your Travel Style

There are many different types of digital nomads. Some may travel for extended periods across multiple countries. Others may stay in one place for up to a year or take short trips while returning to a home base for a set period. How you travel will affect what kind of travel insurance policy is best to purchase, so being realistic and honest about your travel style can help you choose the right plan.

Address Your Unique Needs

Every digital nomad is different. Some may be more concerned with trip protection, while others deem medical and evacuation coverage most important. Take the time to think about what is most important for your needs. For example, if you’re a digital nomad dealing with a medical issue deemed a pre-existing condition, consider a travel insurance plan that provides a pre-existing medical condition waiver.

Does a Digital Nomad Need Travel Insurance?

Deciding if you need travel insurance coverage is a decision only you can make. However, our research has found there are benefits to investing in travel insurance as a digital nomad. If you plan on taking multiple trips within a year or working abroad for short periods, an annual travel insurance plan can offer financial protection if you need to cancel a trip or experience an interruption. A plan with emergency medical coverage can help cover medical bills related to accidents or unforeseen health issues.

Think about whether you’re willing to pay out-of-pocket for healthcare during your travels as a digital nomad. Also, consider if recouping any non-refundable travel expenses in the event of a cancellation or interruption is important to you. Asking these questions can help you decide whether you need a travel insurance policy.

Is Travel Insurance Worth It For Digital Nomads?

Travel insurance can be worth it for digital nomads spending any amount of time abroad. If you travel to multiple countries as a nomad, a travel insurance plan with trip protection can offer financial coverage if you lose your baggage, experience a delay or miss a flight connection. Plans with medical expense coverage can help offset potentially costly medical bills if you end up injured or sick while abroad. 

While purchasing a travel insurance plan is a personal decision, we encourage you to gather free quotes from multiple providers when deciding on a policy. This way, you can find coverage that fits your unique needs as a digital nomad.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance for Nomads

Do digital nomads have specific insurance needs.

The insurance needs of a digital nomad vary from person to person. If you take multiple trips abroad annually and want to protect non-refundable travel expenses, consider a plan with generous trip protection limits. Whereas a plan with high emergency medical coverage may be ideal if you’re more concerned about your health or accidents abroad.

How much does digital nomad health insurance cost?

The cost of a digital nomad health insurance policy will depend on factors such as age, travel destinations, time spent abroad, coverage amounts and more. We encourage you to gather free quotes from multiple providers to learn how much a policy will cost you.

What is not covered by travel insurance?

Common exclusions found on travel insurance policies include reasonably foreseeable events such as named storms, pre-existing conditions, pregnancy and childbirth, acts of war, extreme sports or activities, and more. You can consult your travel insurance policy to learn more about specific exclusions and limitations.

Does travel insurance cover nomads in their home country?

Some travel insurance policies may cover digital nomads within their home country. However, coverage varies by both provider and plan. Note that travel insurance is not a substitute for a domestic health care plan — it instead offers emergency coverage while you are traveling. Carefully read through a provider’s coverage terms and conditions to learn if it will cover you in your home country and abroad.

Methodology: Our System for Rating Travel Insurance Companies

• A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
• A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
• A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
• A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece.
• A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
• Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
• Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
• Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursement after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
• Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

For more information, read our full travel insurance methodology.

A.M. Best Disclaimer

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All our partners offer

Co mpetitive rates, comprehensive coverage, easy to use online quoting and purchasing system, comprehensive coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and more, variety of add-on options to customize your policy, easy to purchase and renew online, 24/7 customer support, peace of mind knowing that you are protected in the event of an emergency, financial assistance to help you get back on your feet if your trip is interrupted, reimbursement for lost or damaged luggage, access to a 24/7 customer support team, our partners also provide a variety of additional coverage options, such as travel delays, emergency medical evacuation, and assistance in case of lost passport., to obtain a quote, simply click on the link of the plan you choose. you will receive a quote within minutes from the company you have selected., travel insurance.

Atlas Travel® Insurance

Short-term travel health insurance for individuals traveling outside of their home country

Simple & Flexible

Simple & flexible trip insurance for international or domestic travel.

Buy & claim from anywhere in the world.

Digital Nomads Travel Insurance

Every country. Any doctor or hospital. We've got you covered.

🌍 Travel Insurance Assistance 🛡️

Are you facing issues trying to obtain travel insurance in Canada or Australia ? 🤔 Stay calm – we've got you covered!

🚫 Canadian or Australian Territory Alert: 🍁 Due to Canadian or Australian regulations, it's not possible to get travel insurance from within the country.

Here are quick solutions:

1️⃣ Purchase on Arrival: No worries! Get travel insurance when you arrive at your first destination or if you've already crossed the border. Stay compliant with Canadian and Australian rules and enjoy coverage throughout your journey.

2️⃣ Declare Your Overseas Status: Specify your location as outside Canada or Australia when applying for insurance. This alternative solution might be the key to securing the coverage you need.

3️⃣ In-Flight Insurance Purchase: Take advantage of in-flight internet services to buy travel insurance while airborne. If the airline offers internet access during the flight, you can conveniently secure coverage while cruising at altitude. Ensure a worry-free journey with coverage from takeoff to landing.

Adventure awaits! 🌐✈️

Health Insurance

Digital Nomads  Health Insurance

Student Secure

International student health insurance for students pursuing their education outside of their home country

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Disclaimers:

We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Plan features listed here are high level, provided for your convenience and information purpose only. Please review the Evidence of Coverage and Plan Contract (Policy) for a detailed description of Coverage Benefits, Limitations and Exclusions. Must read the Policy Brochure and Plan Details for complete and accurate details. Only the Terms and Conditions of Coverage Benefits listed in the policy are binding.

WorldTrips Producer Number: Alliance Parcel  28225-001

Passing Thru Travel

Travel Insurance 2024 – 10 Things You Need to Know – Choosing the Right Policy for International Trips

Posted: February 20, 2024 | Last updated: February 20, 2024

Traveling internationally is an exciting adventure, but it also comes with its share of uncertainties. Choosing the right travel insurance is one of the most important steps in planning your trip. Travel insurance can protect you from many unexpected circumstances, from medical emergencies and trip cancellations to lost luggage and flight delays. This guide will explore ten different travel insurance offerings, helping you make an informed decision for your next international journey.

World Nomads

World Nomads is widely acclaimed for its flexibility and comprehensive coverage, catering especially to adventurous travelers. Their policies often include activities that other insurers typically exclude, such as scuba diving, skiing, and hiking. Coverage extends to medical emergencies, trip cancellation, interruption, and baggage loss. They also provide tech gear coverage, a bonus for digital nomads. Their 24/7 emergency assistance is a key feature for those traveling to remote destinations.

Insider’s Tip: Check their activity list to ensure your adventure sport is covered.

Allianz Global Assistance

Allianz Global Assistance offers a variety of plans, allowing travelers to choose a policy that best suits the nature and budget of their trip. Their offerings range from basic emergency medical coverage to more comprehensive plans including trip cancellation, interruption, delay, baggage loss, and emergency medical transportation. Their annual plans are economical for frequent travelers. The 24/7 assistance service is invaluable for dealing with emergencies or unexpected changes in travel plans.

Insider’s Tip: Consider their multi-trip annual plans if you travel frequently.

Travelex Insurance Services

Travelex is renowned for its user-friendly policies, providing essential coverage like trip cancellation, interruption, medical expenses, and evacuation. They have a particular focus on family travel, with children under 17 covered at no extra cost under a parent’s policy. The Travel Select plan stands out for its upgrade options, allowing travelers to add coverage for adventure sports, additional medical coverage, and car rental protection.

Insider’s Tip: Their Travel Select plan is highly customizable with upgrades.

AXA Travel Insurance

AXA Travel Insurance offers a range of plans, including single-trip, multi-trip, and annual plans, each with varying levels of coverage. They cover medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and baggage loss, and offer additional options like “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage. Their plans are known for high coverage limits and the option to add adventure sports coverage, making them a versatile choice for different types of travelers.

Insider’s Tip: Look into their “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage for ultimate flexibility.

IMG (International Medical Group)

IMG specializes in medical travel insurance, ideal for travelers prioritizing health coverage. Their plans range from basic medical coverage to comprehensive policies that include evacuation, trip cancellation, and adventure sports. They also offer unique plans for travelers such as expats and missionaries. The inclusion of pre-existing conditions and their global network of hospitals make them a strong contender in medical travel insurance.

Insider’s Tip: Their global network of hospitals can be particularly useful.

Seven Corners

Seven Corners stands out for its flexibility and range of plan options. They offer medical coverage, trip cancellation, and interruption insurance, with unique features like the ability to choose your medical facility abroad. Their RoundTrip plans are particularly beneficial for trip cancellation, offering reimbursement for trip costs due to unforeseen cancellations.

Insider’s Tip: Their round-trip plans are great for trip cancellation coverage.

Travel Guard by AIG

Travel Guard by AIG offers a comprehensive range of travel insurance plans. Their offerings include medical expenses, evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption, baggage loss, and flight insurance. The Gold Plan is notable for its family-friendly coverage, offering coverage for children at no additional cost, making it an excellent option for family vacations.

Insider’s Tip: Their Gold Plan is ideal for families traveling with children.

HTH Worldwide

HTH Worldwide is known for its high medical coverage limits and extensive network of medical providers worldwide. They cover various medical services, including pre-existing conditions and medical evacuation. Their plans also cater to students and expatriates. The mobile app, which helps find local healthcare providers, is a notable feature for travelers in unfamiliar destinations.

Insider’s Tip: Use their mobile app to find qualified medical care internationally.

Cigna Global

Cigna Global is a leader in international health services, offering extensive medical insurance coverage. Their customizable plans allow travelers to add modules like vision and dental care. Their 24/7 customer support, providing assistance and guidance in medical emergencies, is a critical feature.

Insider’s Tip: They offer 24/7 customer support, which is useful for emergencies.

Generali Global Assistance

Generali Global Assistance provides traditional travel insurance coverage along with specialized services. Their plans cover trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and baggage loss, and offer concierge services. Their premium plans are ideal for sports enthusiasts, offering coverage for sporting equipment and adventure sports activities.

Insider’s Tip: Their premium plans offer coverage for sporting equipment.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right travel insurance policy is crucial for peace of mind on your international travels. Whether you prioritize medical coverage, trip cancellation insurance, or specific needs like adventure sports coverage, there is a policy to suit your travel style. Always read the fine print, understand the extent of the coverage, and consider any pre-existing conditions you might have. With the right travel insurance, you can embark on your international adventures knowing you’re well-protected against the unexpected.

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The post Travel Insurance 2024 – 10 Things You Need to Know – Choosing the Right Policy for International Trips republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Song_about_summer.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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