Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Christine Kaaloa
Is travel insurance is necessary?
Travel invites change and unexpected things, both good and not so. Travel insurance can feel like an extra expense to a tight travel budgets. I get that. As a travel content creator, I’m always trying to keep my travel expenses low, because this is a job of passive income and travel is an investment into my work.
So initially, I didn’t want to think travel insurance was necessary, because it’s extra cost and most of the times, I come back from a trip unscathed.
When I started encountering hiccups in my travels and crossed paths with travelers experiencing worse unfortunate stories. my approach began to change. From luggage delay on a flight to Morocco (my girlfriend had a diamond ring stolen from her luggage) to a motorbike crash in India, getting sick in Thailand (I thought it was dengue), etc… I’ve seen and experience a handful of unpredictable situations. Even car rental scams (this happened with Enterprise in Los Angeles!) can throw hiccups into your best laid plans. I’ve had to collect
What does travel insurance cover and how do I use it?
Having trip insurance gives me peace of mind, letting me enjoy my adventure.
“I got bitten by a shark!” Sounds extreme, but it can happen.
“I got bitten by a monkey/mosquito”. Sounds less frightening, less extreme. But what if that monkey transmits rabies and that mosquito carries dengue fever? The first example might not be as common, but this one is!
Abroad, travelers take risks. There are so many dazzling bucklist activities you can’t do at home but abroad is your time and access to them. Getting PADI certified in scuba diving costs a third of the price than it does in the United States. A day of caving in Thailand for less than $40? Yes, please!
Although now I occasionally use an annual travel insurance plan or the free basic travel insurance offered by my credit card, there are still countries/activities, where I’ll need double up and return to get insured with World Nomads. Most of the time, I get World Nomads trip insurance for adventurous destinations and just plain international ones!
Check out my post on 5 affordable insurance options for American travelers.
If there’s just a faint chance that a destination might have activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, white water rafting, paragliding, trekking at a high altitude or I think I might rent a motorbike or ride a motorbike taxi (most insurance operators do not cover this simple activity), then I’ll get it. If I think I may go off-the-beaten path into rural villages, I’ll get it.
Lastly, being a digital travel content creator, one of the things I love they cover are valuable equipment like my camera and computer from theft.
World Nomads been a leader of insurance specifically for the travel community, since before I started blogging (almost a decade ago!)
Things to know about World Nomads travel insurance
- 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 140 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 traveling 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.
What does World Nomads trip insurance cover?
Off the cusp, World Nomads travel insurance is more comprehensive for adventurous travelers than most other insurance providers.
The world of travel is a lot more unpredictable than it used to be ten years ago, but what I appreciate about the World Nomads plans is that although pricy, then cover the outdoor and adventurous activities that are not commonly covered by many other insurance providers. They also cover theft of belongings up to a degree, so some of my camera gear is covered.
World Nomads covers over 150 types of travel activities from rock climbing, bungee jumping, caving, boating, etc.. Most travel insurance policies are general, vague and blanket– you never know what they’ll actually cover.
Wouldn’t you want to go with an insurance that has travelers’s safety in priority check and is part of the travel community?
At a glance, check out all that they cover. It is a lot more focused on travel and specific cases that we travelers worry about.
What is not covered
- Stupidity- Don’t purposely put yourself in any dangerous risk that might win you a Darwin Award.
- Being under the influence of alcohol
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Existing Medical Conditions
- Countries you should not go, like Somalia or Afghanistan.
