World Nomads Travel Insurance www.worldnomads.com

World Nomads loophole

Conditions that are "similar", but unrelated to, a condition that was subject to a previous claim ARE NOT COVERED.  Here is an example, in World Nomads' own words:

"If you were to develop a new stomach condition not related to the previous stomach issue but a similar condition you would not be covered due to it would be considered pre-existing unless it was due to an injury or something totally unrelated." 

I would be happy to share their emails to me for posting on this site. 

This is a shocking and appalling loophole, especially for a policy that is marketed towards long term travellers, who are likely to get separate but "similar conditions" - such as stomach issues, the most common travelers' ailment.  This company is unethical and anyone who promotes it without mentioning this loophole is irresponsible (they likely didn't know, as this provision is not explicitly stated in the policy). World Nomads will not provide any further details on how they define a "similar condition" (affecting the same part of the body?  Having the same symptoms?  Being a virus or bacteria?), so if you make a claim after getting sick or injured once, you may not have coverage if you get sick or injured again (you have to file a claim to find out).  I have confirmed this loophole multiple times, so I know it wasn't just one agent giving incorrect information.  It seems fraudulent that they have this policy but do not state it in their policy documents (all the policy document says is that you only get one follow up visit per emergency, it says nothing about coverage being based on previous emergency claims).

I got bitten by a dog in India and had to get rabies shots. On the good side, World Nomads referred me to a travel clinic in Scotland (where I had flown a couple of days later) to receive the shots. On the awful side, they are now totally unhelpful and dodgy about reimbursing this simple and very modest expense. I filed a claim promptly on returning home, got an e-mail from World Nomads saying my claim had been received and would be processed, and then... nothing. Now, trying to contact someone who will see this through is extremely frustrating. The policy is very clear about reimbursing necessary medical expenses; why can't they reimburse one for under $100 in a prompt and helpful way? There's a lot of happy talk on their website about people in bad situations being reimbursed for their expenses, but at this point I don't believe them and wouldn't recommend World Nomads.

Had a ski trip to Norway scheduled in March and a bike trip to Denmark in June. Purchased Travel Guard Insurance for the Norway trip and World Nomad for the Denmark trip. Neither policy was a cancel for any reason. Then came Covid 19 and both trips were cancelled by the guiding vendors leaving me with the loss of the guide expense and two hotels for each trip. Travel Guard (AIG) paid for my losses in full. World Nomad would not permit a claim to be filed. Their excuse was "pandemic" was not included in the small print of coverage (nor was it mentioned in the exclusions). They wouldn't even consider a transfer of coverage to another trip or return of the premium. You never know the quality of your insurance coverage until you actually have to use it. Now I know Travel Guard delivers on their coverage. Will never consider World Nomad for any future travel.

Very disappointed

I've been travelling around the world for 30 years and the first time I make a travel insurance claim, having purchased trip insurance from World Nomads, they refuse to pay for a wisdom tooth extraction I had whilst on holiday. If this dental work had not been done the pain would have ruined my whole trip. Seriously, if they are not prepared to pay for this what about something more serious? How can you have confidence or trust in an organisation who will endeavour to weasel out of paying for even straightforward things? If this is representative of the industry I am appalled. I even had to chase them twice before they decided they weren't prepared to pay up. Appalling service. They were good at taking my money though.

I bought a single trip insurance policy to New Zealand for £193 but had to curtail the trip in transit after two days.

No provision for cancellation or trip disruption, and no refund on the policy.

I then found an ANNUAL travel insurance policy with better terms and conditions on Money Supermarket UK.

For half the price....

I filed a claim around Feb 8, 2019, and they are still giving me the run around. "Send _____ document." Again? Why? and "Oh, this police report states differently from your claim, why?" I have already called your office in Ireland, put on hold at length, to explain that. Then, you change claims assistants multiple times, ask me to resubmit documents again and again; and claim to not know what's going on.

2. They don't *read* what you are writing. Necessitating an international phone call to their underwriting office in IRELAND. Then, to be put on HOLD. And, after all of the hassle, they STILL don't get your claim right.

3. Multiple emails sent recently asking for an update. NO RESPONSE. Not the Claims Dept., not the Emergency email address. Finally, I wrote on their Facebook page, and got a response. However, that response was asking me to again submit documents that I have already submitted.

They are simply waiting for the customer to go away. HORRIBLE delays, and ridiculous hoops to jump through in order to get a claim filed, must less approved.

SHAME on writers getting paid to give World Nomads a good name. It is rotten to the core. Soooo simple to pay THEM money to get an "insurance" policy. Soooo difficult to get a claim approved.

The lack of efficiency of their services, their clunky portal where customers have to go to upload documents to file a claim. A portal that does not accept documents; does not tell you WHY the page won't load and let you go on to the next step -

all designed to get the customer to GIVE UP.

But, millions of $ are going into marketing their "insurance," rather than improving their claims service, their clunkety claims submission portal; their poor customer service, and corrupt business practices.

WORLD NOMADS SUCKS

The reason you by insurance is so that you are covered.

My baggage was delayed and I had PIR report and documentation and then denied my claim. Baggage Delay over a day is covered in the insurance. This is illegal for an insurance company to not uphold the plan that I bought.

First time for my girlfriend and I in 3 years of using this company that i needed to use their service . They were very helpful with finding a doctor. BUT, Problem with them is after you pay for the doctors visit and drugs needed out of your own pocket, you have to mail in the original receipts to them for them to reimburse you. I am travelling a year this time. This happened near the beginning of the trip. Im travelling countries with not so trust worthy mail services. So, i have to front the $550 for my appointment for a whole year till i get back home and can mail it in and claim it. Thats a big chunk of money out of our travel fund. Its a terrible system. Id suggest looking for a company that works with people who travel and knows that mailing in receipts from around the world isn't always possible. One star just for how absolutely stupid it is to claim anything through them.

I was affected by the Iceland air strike in December of 2017. I was supposed to fly to Newark then Bradley airport. My car was at Bradley aiport. I was able to fly to JFK. There is no way to get from JFK to Bradley except by UBER or a shared shuttle called the CT LIMO. I booked the limo and asked to be reimbursed. Nomads denied the claim. I would not recommend this company, and will not purchase from them again.

BE CAREFULL!! DONT CHOOSE THIS INSURANCE. THEY DONT REFUND ANYTHING IF YOU MISS FLIGHT. I MISSED A FLIGHT ( £250 ) BECAUSE OF PROBLEM CONEXTION AND THE HAVENT GIVEN ANYTHING.

I PAID £87 FOR THE INSURANCE.

UNFAIR

DONT TRUST THEM