Photo © Photo Credit: Petar Chernaev

Buy travel insurance away from home

Get cover by World Nomads, even if you're already on the road

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1. Consider purchasing travel insurance while travelling

Planning an overseas holiday can be an overwhelming experience. With so many arrangements to be made prior to leaving, it’s easy to forget travel insurance during the flurry of preparations.

If you’ve already arrived at your overseas holiday destination and you realise that you forgot to buy travel insurance before leaving Australia, don’t panic. You can visit the World Nomads website at any time of the day or night to purchase a policy.

Similarly, Australian travellers whose travel insurance policies have expired during their trips, but who wish to stay on holidays longer, may also buy or extend a new policy.

2. Always check the terms and conditions of your policy

When you’re on your overseas holiday, you don’t want to spend too long sitting in your hotel room reading through the fine print of an insurance policy. As there are so many exciting places to explore, you just want to get out and about. It can be tempting to rush into buying a policy, without taking the time to read through the Summary of Benefits and exclusions beforehand.

However, to avoid any surprises when making a claim, it’s a smart idea to become familiar with the various limits, benefits, available upgrades, terms and conditions before you buy a policy.

If you buy travel insurance during your overseas holiday, you are still subject to a 72-hour waiting period from the date that you receive your Certificate of Insurance, before your cover comes into effect. This means that you may not be covered for certain events or losses that happen during this period.

However, if you have an accident and sustain a serious injury after being issued with your Certificate of Insurance, and before the 72-hour timeframe has lapsed, you may be covered for various expenses under your policy. Check your PDS for the complete list of what’s covered and what isn’t covered.

3. Extend your policy for your overseas holiday

If your current travel insurance policy is due to expire soon, but you’re having too much fun and want to stay overseas for longer, rather than risk being without insurance, you can extend your existing policy.

You may extend your policy up to a maximum of 12 months from the policy commencement date which is indicated on your Certificate of Insurance. This must be done prior to 11:59pm AEDT on the closing date of your current policy.

If you have any questions about purchasing travel insurance during your overseas holiday, please get in touch.

4. Need to know more?

This information may help if things go wrong and you want to make a claim. All travel insurance plans are different, and cover will vary, depending on what’s happened, your Country of Residence, the plan you choose and any options or upgrades you buy. Your PDS will always have the full details of what you’re covered for.

If you have any further questions about what’s covered and not covered, just ask us.

Left home without travel insurance?

Learn how you can buy your travel insurance policy while travelling anytime from anywhere in the world by watching this video.

  • Buy while traveling
  • Get cover 24/7 online
  • Instant confirmation
  • Ongoing traveler support
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance

Waiting periods apply

Malaria at Christmas.

In the 25th of December I woke up feeling nausea, fever, headache, and lethargy. After two days with the symptoms not ceasing I went to a clinic and was admitted with severe malaria. I stayed in the hospital for two days taking shots for malaria and also saline drip.
Claim paid: USD $392,55
A.G. Brazilian Nomad in Zambia.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited
  • Standard Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Come to a sticky end?
  • Called to jury duty?
  • Been made redundant?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Overseas

Take the pain out of medical costs.

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited
  • Standard Plan: $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need drugs?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transport

We'll get you to hospital lickety-split

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited
  • Standard Plan: $500,000
Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • You or a family member dead?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Cover your stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Standard Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
  • Luggage lost?
  • Passport pilfered?
  • Tech Trashed?

Help starts here.

  • Overseas Medical Expenses
  • Emergency dental treatment
  • 24 hour assistance
  • Emergency medical transport & repatriation
  • Cancellation costs
  • Trip interruption costs
  • Compassionate emergency visit home
  • Resumption of trip
  • Theft or accidental damage to baggage and personal items
  • Baggage delay over 12 hours
  • Funeral expenses overseas or repatriation of remains
  • Personal liability
This is a general summary for Australian residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the policy documents for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

If you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

Phone: +61 2 8263 0470 or Phone: +61 2 8292 1470 (reverse charges via an operator from anywhere in the world)

Contact the team

Get an instant travel insurance quote

Simple and flexible travel insurance designed by travelers, for travelers. See why over 3 million travelers have chosen World Nomads for more than 20 years.

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about buying away from home. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask the customer service team. If you’re looking for general travel advice, you can ask our community at Ask a Nomad.

  • Do you have an excess/co-pay?
    If you’re an American or Canadian, there’s no excess. All other policies have one and can vary depending on what you're claiming for.