Why you need travel insurance

I’ve met a lot of travelers in my day who have lost big ticket items. Or, they’ve been robbed. Or, their flights have been canceled, rendering entire trips worthless. And, they’ve had no way of recuperating the costs for these things. That, my friends, is why it is so important to get travel insurance.

What travel insurance do I recommend?

I have used World Nomads for more than five years. Thankfully, I have never had to use it — although I came painfully close when I took a tumble down a cliff —  but other travelers I know have. But, that doesn’t mean when it comes time for my trip to London next week, I will even contemplate leaving Thailand without travel insurance. ‘Cause I won’t.

Don’t think something crappy won’t happen to you? It can. Just ask Hannah and Adam from Getting Stamped. While traveling last year in Namibia on an overland safari, they got caught in the middle of a sandstorm that nearly destroyed all of their camera gear.

“For days we were shaking sand out of clothes, our ears, and most detrimental — our cameras and lenses,” said Hannah. “Even though we brought wet bags for the cameras and only took them out briefly when it seemed safe, they still got trashed.”

Thankfully, the duo had travel insurance to cover their gear and got reimbursed for the extensive repairs of nearly $1000. Despite the length of time it took to get an estimate over to World Nomads (nearly two months after the damage first incurred), they were able to receive a check three days after emailing the paper work.

Sadly, their need for travel insurance didn’t stop there. While in Kuala Lumpur, the bloggers were also victims of a snatch thief, but ultimately got paid out for their losses.

If that isn’t enough to motivate you to get travel insurance (seriously, you guys, GET IT), how about Jeremy’s story?

During his 15-month trip, he filed two claims with the company. One was when his five-month-old camera decided to stop working. In order to get the full purchase value, he simply got a note from an authorized retailer and then received payment within a month. The second time he had to put his travel insurance into action was when his backpack got stolen in Peru — along with his SLR, computer, passports and more.

“I had digital receipts from everything from Amazon and, with a copy of the police report, I had the original purchase cost of everything refunded back to me in three weeks with no depreciation. So easy!,” he said. “We bought our insurance primarily to have the emergency health care coverage on the road and never considered that our electronics would get stolen and we’d need to file a claim (with more than the cost of our policy). Do not go without!”

About World Nomads

Trusted reliable underwriters

WorldNomads.com is backed by a suite of strong, secure, specialist travel insurers who give you 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 travelers from more than 150 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 extend your policy or claim online while you are still away. You can even buy a World Nomads policy if you’re already traveling.

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.

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

You can find out more about why travel insurance is important for your trip. If you have any questions about your travel insurance or travel safety in general, please contact WorldNomads.com directly.

** One last thing to mention: my plan covers me in my home country, too. In fact, if I need medical treatment or need to evoke the mighty insurance, so longs I am more than 100 miles away from my claim address, I can file a claim and be reimbursed.

Sign up for your travel insurance today.

Editor’s Note: I am an affiliate partner with World Nomads and I receive a tiny commission for each person who signs up via the links on this page. But, promoting World Nomads isn’t about the money, it is because I use them and know others who use them and have had wonderful experiences with them. I highly recommend World Nomads for your travel insurance. If you like what you read on this site, please know that supporting affiliate links helps to cover the operational costs of d travels ’round and put street food on my table.