Looking for low cost travel insurance that’s flexible, reliable – and easy to arrange?
And which also lets you make your claims directly online?
Low Cost Travel Insurance For Digital Nomads
It’s always a problem deciding which travel insurance to choose.
The one thing that’s certain about travel insurance is that if you’re going away travelling for anything longer than a short trip, then you definitely need to have it.
You need to be covered for robbery, theft, as well as things like flight cancellation and loss of luggage. And probably the most important thing of all, medical coverage whilst you are away.
And if you are moving to a specific destination where you are going to stay put for a longer period of time, travel insurance is also well worth having to ensure you are covered whilst you get established in your new location.
So, the question is, how do you go about finding a good travel insurance policy?
If you search for reviews of travel insurance companies – and general insurance companies as well for that matter, you find that pretty well all insurance companies have negative reviews.
If you just went by these reviews, you’d come away not signing up for any insurance at all.
In practice this isn’t a sensible option.
Why People Get Angry With Travel Insurance Companies
I have to admit insurance companies are not exactly my best friends. I doubt they are anybody else’s either.
But the fact is you can’t realistically do without insurance.
Fortunately, not all insurance companies are as bad as the sector is sometimes painted.
Most of the complaints you find out there come from people who have had their claims rejected, or who are disgruntled with the bureaucracy involved in making a claim, or with the time it takes for their claims to be processed.
Bear in mind that people who are disgruntled are always more motivated to leave a review – and a negative review at that – than those who are satisfied and don’t think anything more about their insurance.
One reason for this dissatisfaction is that people all too often don’t properly understand what they are buying. They think that because they have paid the premium, that their insurance should be a wonder angel and cover them for everything.
What all too often happens is that people assume a situation is insured against, when in fact it isn’t. A travel insurance policy – like all insurance policies, always comes with exceptions.
So you need to be fully clear about what is actually insured. And just as important – in my opinion, even more importantly, what ISN’T insured. Because not being clear about this is where a lot of the dissatisfaction comes from later on.
All insurance policies are loaded with exclusions for events and situations which they do not cover. This is pretty well a feature of all insurance. In fact it’s practically the standard way insurance companies do business. Yet people often do not pay attention to these exclusions.
I always make sure I have proper travel insurance whenever I go traveling for a longer period (my home medical insurance already covers me for short trips).
My Favorite Travel Insurance is World Nomads
The travel insurance I have used three times now is World Nomads.
And so far I can say I’ve been very satisfied with World Nomads. To date I’ve had three insurance contracts with World Nomads, and so far I’ve made three claims in all.
All of these were for medical expenses, – nothing serious, just doctor/clinic visits. All three were dealt with promptly and without any problems or delays.
Who Are World Nomads?
World Nomads is an Australian company, established in 2002 to provide global travelers with more up-to-date and flexible travel cover than standard insurers provide.
World Nomads global travel insurance covers residents of over 150 countries, with high levels of medical and evacuation cover, 24-hour emergency assistance and cover for a large range of adventure activities.
World Nomads is actually an online retail insurance agent that sells travel insurance on behalf of an insurer. They also handle the processing of claims and act as a go-between front desk between you and the insurer.
World Nomads partners with some of the best insurance underwriters in the world to provide you with financially secure travel insurance. World Nomads underwriters include: Underwriters at Lloyd’s, ihi Bupa International, Millstream Underwriting, Chartis Insurance Company of Canada and National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa.
World Nomads is the travel insurance recommended by Lonely Planet. They cover you for up to 150 countries throughout the world. You can also specify whether or not you want your World Nomads travel cover to include North America. If you don’t require coverage for the US, then you will enjoy a reduced premium.
The comparison website Reviews.com has World Nomads listed in their top four budget travel insurers. So that’s a pretty good recommendation all in all.
What World Nomads Does NOT Cover You For
Rather than me just tell you how great World Nomads is, let me first list the things World Nomads most definitely does NOT cover you for.
First, they most definitely do not cover you in your home country – their policies are strictly for travel outside your home country.
Secondly, World Nomads does not cover any pre-existing medical conditions. Nor do they cover you for dental treatment. This is usual practice for all standard travel insurers.
Thirdly, and it’s very important to understand this so you don’t hold any false expectations: World Nomads, like all other insurances, does NOT cover you for any action or situation which suggests negligence was involved on your part.
If there’s a hint of negligence in the circumstances regarding your claim, chances are it will be considered as invalid. But that’s actually standard procedure for travel insurance policies with pretty well all insurers.
Important Points About Travel Insurance
Here are some other things you should pay attention to when dealing with a travel insurance company – whether World Nomads, or anyone else.
Report All Claims Within 24 Hours
Make sure you report any claim – whether loss, theft, break in or medical within 24 hours of it occurring. If you don’t do this, don’t be surprised if the insurance company holds you to its small print and refuses to accept your claim.
Retain All Paperwork And Forward To World Nomads As Required
Make sure you retain all related paperwork. In particular, in the case of theft or robbery, make sure you get an official police report.
Read Your Insurance Policy
It may not exactly be bedtime reading, but make sure you cast at least a look at your policy and understand what is covered by your policy. It’s practically a fact of life with insurance policies that the list of things and situations which are NOT covered is greater than the list of what is actually covered.
Sorry but that’s just the way it goes with insurance policies. No insurance covers everything, so don’t expect it to.
Make sure you read the conditions of your travel insurance policy and understand exactly what is covered and what is excluded.
No one enjoys reading insurance policy small print. For this reason World Nomads have created a coverage information summary for each policy, explaining in plain English what is covered and excluded.
Don’t forget that it is the actual policy terms which define precisely what’s covered and what’s excluded. So make sure you read this information – after all, it’s what you are paying for.
Misunderstandings can arise if you are not familiar with the procedure for making claims and the supporting documentation needed in order to support your claim.
My advice: take the trouble to check these requirements and conditions in advance with the World Nomads website.
That way you’ll be clear about what’s required in the event of having to make a claim later on.
Advantages of World Nomads Travel Insurance
In my opinion World Nomads travel insurance has a number of clear advantages over other insurance policies.
World Nomads Provides Five Coverage Areas All in One Policy
World Nomads policies provide five main areas of coverage: overseas medical provision, medical evacuation, baggage claims, theft, and trip cancellation – and all in the one policy.
Also a BIG PLUS with World Nomads for me is the fact that the whole process of arranging the insurance – and making subsequent claims with Nomads is all done online as standard.
Too many insurers still expect you to do everything by snail mail. For me that’s just not acceptable nowadays.
Another advantage of World Nomads is that you can extend your policy (or even buy your first policy) whilst you are already travelling – and without any penalty or surcharge.
Older Travelers Are Also Insured
All travel insurance policies are subject to an upper age limit set by their underwriters.
World Nomads has a higher age limit than many other travel insurers.
As a result, travel insurance from World Nomads is available to more older age group travelers than is the case with many other travel insurance policies.
Adventure Activities and Extreme Sports Are Also Covered
World Nomads Travel Insurance also covers many extreme sports and adventure sport activities.
Check individual policies for precise details of the cover that is included.
World Nomads is Reachable 24/7 Around the Clock
World Nomads aims to deal with all claims speedily and efficiently.
You can reach World Nomads both online and by telephone around the clock from anywhere in the world. 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Here’s Some Useful Tips When Booking Your Travel Insurance With World Nomads
Different insurance rates apply for single people, couples and families.
Make sure you specify whether you want coverage as a single, couple or a family.
You can save on cover if you are travelling as a couple, rather than purchasing two separate single policies.
Need Travel Insurance for the USA?
You can select cover to include the USA or to exclude USA.
Travel insurance cover that excludes USA is cheaper.
Looking For Long Term Travel Insurance?
Here’s a special tip for long-term travelers.
A 12 month policy with World Nomads can work out cheaper month-on-month than say an 18 month policy.
Check the tariffs for up-to-date comparison. You can always extend your policy later. Remember though that tariffs may change over time.
And finally…
I can’t guarantee that you will always be 100% satisfied with a policy from World Nomads – nor from anyone else for that matter.
But I can state that I have been 100% satisfied with the insurance policies that I’ve taken out with World Nomads so far – and that for that reason I’m going to continue using them in the future.
My advice: if you’re looking for low cost travel insurance that’s flexible, dependable, easy to arrange AND which lets you make your claims online – then check out World Nomads.
Get a Free Quote From World Nomads right now.
Travel insurance: simple & flexible
You can buy, extend and claim online, even after you’ve left home. Travel insurance from WorldNomads.com is available to people from over 140 countries. It’s designed for adventurous travellers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities.
Seven 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 150 countries. By focussing 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 extend your policy 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
If you have any questions about your travel insurance or travel safety in general, please contact WorldNomads.com directly.
