World Nomads

What World Nomads is

World Nomads is a travel insurance brand that sells plans online, not the insurer that carries the risk. On its US pages the disclosure is specific: "This advertisement contains highlights of the plans developed by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, which include travel insurance coverages underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, Principal Office located in Morristown, New Jersey." So for a US resident, World Nomads is the brand and storefront, Trip Mate developed the plans and administers claims, and United States Fire Insurance Company underwrites the insurance. The US FAQ adds that "World Nomads partners with Generali Global Assistance (GGA) to provide emergency and travel assistance services to US residents." Its About page says the company has been "protecting, connecting and inspiring independent travelers" since 2002, and offers "simple and flexible travel insurance and safety advice to help you travel confidently." It also builds in a donation option, letting a buyer "make a difference with a micro-donation when you buy with us."

The site runs separate versions by country, and states that "Coverage and plan availability will depend on your country of residence." Everything below is from the US plan pages, which say "World Nomads has four different plans for US residents, each with differing benefits and policy limits."

The four US plans and their limits

The US plan comparison lists limits "per person insured" for three single-trip plans. The Standard Plan, aimed at "Backpackers, budget travelers & families," lists trip cancellation of $2,500, emergency medical coverage of $125,000, and medical evacuation and repatriation of remains of $400,000. The Explorer Plan, labeled "RECOMMENDED" and aimed at "Thrill seekers, solo travelers & adventurous couples," lists trip cancellation of $10,000, emergency medical of $150,000, evacuation of $500,000, and an optional Cancel for Any Reason benefit of "Up to 50% of the non-refundable insured trip cost." The Epic Plan, for "Luxury travelers, bucket listers & cruisers," lists trip cancellation of $15,000, emergency medical of $250,000, evacuation of $700,000, and optional Cancel for Any Reason of "Up to 75% of the non-refundable insured trip cost." The tiers also differ on the smaller benefits. Trip delay is "Up to $250 per day, Maximum of $1,000" on Standard, "Maximum of $3,000" on Explorer and "Up to $500 per day, Maximum of $5,000" on Epic. Rental car damage is $35,000 on Explorer and $55,000 on Epic, and political, security and natural disaster evacuation is $25,000 on Standard and Explorer and $50,000 on Epic. The FAQ says a stolen passport can be reimbursed "up to $100 under the Baggage and Personal Effects benefit." The digital nomads page repeats the medical figures as "Standard Plan: $125,000 - Explorer Plan: $150,000 - Epic Plan: $250,000 - Annual Plan: $100,000."

The Annual Plan shows "Limits per person per 14 Day Trip," with emergency medical "Up to $100,000 per trip," medical evacuation "Up to $100,000 per trip," and trip cancellation of "$5,000 per individual Coverage Term." The annual page says "the max length per trip is 45 days" and that "trips you take must be over 100 miles from your home." The digital nomads page gives a trip length maximum of 180 days for each of the Standard, Explorer and Epic plans.

Every plan includes adventure activities. The US page says "Each plan covers more than 250 activities," and the table lists 250+ for Standard and Annual, 300+ for Explorer and 340+ for Epic, with higher-risk activities unlocked by plan: skydiving and paragliding sit in the Explorer Plan, while cliff diving and motocross sit in the Epic Plan. Hiking is included on all plans "up to 19,685 feet/6,000 meters." Non-insurance services on every plan include "24/7 Emergency Assistance" and "Pre-departure Telehealth Services."

Pre-existing conditions, exclusions and waiting periods

The US FAQ says "Most plans do not cover pre-existing conditions , however our Explorer and Epic plans have a 'pre-existing exclusion waiver' available if you purchase your travel insurance plan during a time-sensitive period and are healthy enough to travel when you first made the purchase." The underwriting disclosure also refers to "an exclusion for pre-existing medical conditions." The same FAQ lists things "never covered": expenses "within 100 miles of your home," incidents in countries "sanctioned by the US government," and "Any illegal or reckless acts." The digital nomads page adds that "Routine healthcare is not covered."

A plan can be bought after leaving home, with a condition: "You will be eligible for immediate coverage for accidents but may be subject to a waiting period for other benefits."

Who can buy and how claims work

Price depends on "The length of your trip," the destinations and the plan chosen, and a quote is needed to see it. Buyers can pick a single, couple or family plan, and "Up to seven dependents under the age of 25 may be added to your single-trip plan for free (excluding The Annual plan)." The FAQ adds: "All parties on a plan need to reside in the same state and be US residents." The site describes a "free look" period "built into every plan," its length set by state, during which a buyer who has not started the trip or claimed can cancel.

Claims start in the World Nomads membership portal, which passes the claimant to "the portal of our claim's administrator, Trip Mate." The FAQ asks for the incident to be reported "up to a maximum of 20 days from when the incident occurred," and the digital nomads page says to "submit required documentation within 90 days after the date of loss." The site calls the cover "secondary (or excess) insurance," so a claimant first has to seek payment from primary health cover or an airline and show what was denied. Emergency help goes through the 24/7 assistance team run with GGA, and plan questions go to Trip Mate with the Plan Number.

Who it suits

The US plans fit a US resident on a single trip of up to 180 days, or an annual buyer whose trips each stay within 45 days, who wants published limits by plan and adventure activities included without a separate rider. The Explorer and Epic plans suit travelers who want the pre-existing exclusion waiver or Cancel for Any Reason, both of which the site ties to those tiers. The plan table tags the Standard Plan "Budget friendly" and for "Short duration trips" and "Domestic travel." Residents of other countries see a different version of the site with different products.