2020 Insurance Review: World Nomads
Waterfall Hot Spring El Salvador
Safety is the most important thing on any traveler's mind. Sure, we like to bend the ideas of "safe" every once in a while, but so is life. Even with safety always being a concern, many travelers overlook the idea of having travel health insurance. Some I have spoken to, only realize it with regret after something unexpected had happened on their trip.In this post, I'm going to lay out why I suggest World Nomads, both from personal experience and otherwise. I'll show you what a good insurance policy consists of, plus all the extras that are covered when you choose World Nomads.
The way I see it...
When you buy a new car or motorcycle, what is one of the first thoughts that goes through your head? What about a house? Now, I don't own a home, but my vehicles will always have insurance on them no matter what. Why spend all that money on something you want to enjoy only to risk it all in the wind?If we are all willing to insure material objects without blinking an eye, why not insure the most important thing you own, which is yourself!
Travel is an addiction
Travel is alluring for so many reasons, one of which is the excitement that comes along with it. You get to experience a whole lot of things in a short amount of time.Everyone has their travel story gone wrong. No matter how cautious you are, something is bound to happen that was unexpected. All travelers know, however, this risk is well worth the reward.
When World Nomads helped me
I don't think anyone ever expects their belongings to get stolen. I didn't, at least. When my bag was stolen at a hostel in Mexico, I filed a claim with World Nomads. With a few requests on their end, I received a full reimbursement of the value of my bag and its contents.It didn't replace the items I lost, but it did help me with the comfort of my bank account not taking a hit. I am very grateful this is the worst reason I have had to use World Nomads while on the road, although there have been some serious close calls injury wise.
Why do I choose World Nomads?
World Nomads has been around since 2002, helping thousands of travelers every year. The majority of travelers I meet on the road use World Nomads, but what got me to choose this company above others?
Diverse offerings
World Nomads covers FAR more than just a hospital visit:
Diversity like this is unmatched, even when it comes to protecting your property. Another great thing I like about World Nomads is the ability to extend your service even while on the road.Many trips do get extended (hopefully yours, too!), and it is great peace of mind to be able to easily update your current service with new dates on the fly.
The difference between Standard and Explorer Plans
World Nomads offers two types of plans, Standard and Explorer. Both cover the list of diverse offerings mentioned above, although Explorer has a bit more to offer along with higher coverages.The Standard Plan is a sufficient service for most travelers. Designed for your typical traveler not embarking on any extreme ventures. Travelers who hike, ride ATVs, canoe, and similar activities would find this plan fitting. It is cheaper to buy than the Explorer Plan, and covers activities most travelers enjoy while on the road.The Explorer Plan is meant for travelers who are a bit more extreme while at their favorite travel destinations. If you are into things like free diving, cliff jumping, paragliding and similar activities, the Explorer Plan is probably your best bet.World Nomads has a huge list of activities they cover under both plans. Honestly, even if you are just looking for ideas of things to do while on the road, this list is definitely worth checking out! It surprised me how many things were on there.
Still not sure?
You know yourself best, and just how adventurous you can be on a daily basis. If you still aren't sure which plan you would like to choose, this link will help you a bit more.
Word to the wise
If you aren't sure how long your trip is going to be, I suggest entering the latest date you would potentially be traveling at one time. This keeps your cost much lower than signing up a second time.
Heads up!
In terms of the gear you are bringing with you, just keep in mind World Nomads is a health insurance at its core. It does have tons of extras, like covering your gear in case of loss, damage, or theft, but to a certain limit.World Nomads will cover phones, bags, and cheaper cameras, but may not fully cover very expensive camera gear.
Filing a claim
In case you need to a file a claim of theft of your property, you will want to have these things handy:
Receipt or way to prove the value of your stolen item.
A copy of the police report you filed when your item was stolen.
Pictures with you and your gear to show proof of possession.
Final Thoughts
Listen, World Nomads isn't perfect. But then again, nothing is, and nothing should be! All I can say about this company is its coverage is significant, and backed by many years of serving travelers just like you and I.I hope you found this guide to be helpful on your search for travel insurance. Just so you are aware, this is not a sponsored post, I am writing about World Nomads through my personal experience with the company. Having said this, if you do choose to make a purchase by clicking on any of the links above, I may receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.'Til next time,Pete - A Traveling Teacher