Traveling can be an amazing experience, full of adventure and new discoveries. But no matter how well you plan your trip, unexpected emergencies can still happen. That’s why having comprehensive travel insurance is so important.
It provides coverage and assistance if you get sick or injured, your luggage is lost or stolen, your trip is interrupted or canceled, and more.
Two of the top travel insurance providers are Global Rescue and World Nomads. They both offer a range of plans and benefits to meet different travel needs and budgets. But how do you choose between them?
In this detailed comparison guide, we’ll go over the key features, coverage details, and pros and cons of Global Rescue and World Nomads travel insurance. Read on to learn which one is the better fit for your next trip.
At A Glance Comparison
| Aspects | Global Rescue | World Nomads |
| Type of Insurance | Emergency evacuation/security | Comprehensive travel |
| Focus | Serious medical emergencies | Broad coverage for trip disruptions |
| Best For | Adventurous travelers, extreme/high-risk trips | All types of travelers and trips |
| Evacuation Coverage | Included with all plans | Add-on only with some plans |
| Trip Cancellation | Not included | Included with most plans |
| Pre-existing Conditions | Covered with waiver purchase | Available if conditions are stable |
| Customer Service | 24/7 emergency assistance | Limited hours |
| Geographic Coverage | Worldwide | Worldwide |
Global Rescue Overview
Global Rescue is a specialty travel insurance provider focused solely on medical evacuation and security services.
Their plans are designed for adventurers, extreme sports enthusiasts, and those partaking in high-risk activities like mountaineering.
The highlight of Global Rescue plans is the emergency evacuation benefit.
If you suffer a life-threatening medical emergency anywhere in the world, Global Rescue will arrange and cover the costs of an emergency evacuation to the nearest adequate medical facility.
This could involve an air ambulance, a chartered flight, or any transportation necessary.
Global Rescue also offers security services like extraction from unsafe locations, disaster relief, and access to private crisis response teams. All of their plans include 24/7 access to critical services and field rescue teams.
Some key things to know about Global Rescue:
Pros
- Specialized in medical/security evacuations
- Evacuation coverage included with all plans
- Good for adventurous and high-risk trips
- 24/7 emergency assistance
Cons
- No trip cancellation/interruption benefits
- Limited overall coverage beyond evacuations
- Expensive compared to standard travel insurance
World Nomads Overview
World Nomads provides more well-rounded, comprehensive travel insurance for all types of travelers. Their plans bundle emergency medical coverage with protections for trip disruptions, cancellations, luggage damage, and more.
In addition to evacuations, World Nomads plans cover trip cancellation, interruption, and delay as well as emergency medical expenses, 24-hour assistance services, and lost luggage reimbursement. There are options to add on benefits like rental car damage coverage too.
Some key things to know about World Nomads:
Pros
- Broad, comprehensive coverage
- Good for all travel styles and risk levels
- Covers pre-existing medical conditions in many cases
- Online claims system is easy to use
Cons
- Evacuation not included with basic plans
- Limited to $100,000-$500,000 per policy
- Not specialized for high-risk adventures
Now let’s dive into the details of what these two providers cover.
Coverage Comparison
The table below summarizes the major coverage types and benefits offered by Global Rescue and World Nomads.
| Benefit | Global Rescue | World Nomads |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation | Included with all plans | Optional add-on with some plans |
| Emergency Medical Care | Up to plan maximum | Up to $500,000 or policy max |
| Trip Cancellation | Not included | Up to total trip cost (most plans) |
| Trip Interruption | Not included | Up to 150% of trip cost (most plans) |
| Travel Delay | Not included | Up to $750 ($150/day) |
| Missed Connection | Not included | Up to $750 |
| Baggage Loss/Damage | Not included | Up to $3,000 |
| Baggage Delay | Not included | Up to $500 |
| 24/7 Assistance Services | Included | Included |
| Security Evacuation | Included with all plans | Not included |
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment | Up to $25,000 | Up to $25,000 |
| Rental Car Damage | Not included | Optional add-on |
| Extreme Sports Coverage | Included | Included with some plans |
As you can see, Global Rescue is primarily focused on emergency evacuation, while World Nomads provides more well-rounded trip coverage. Let’s look at some key areas of coverage in more detail.
- Evacuation Coverage
Global Rescue’s standout benefit is emergency medical evacuation. It’s included with all of their plans, even at the basic level. They’ll arrange and cover unlimited transport costs to get you to the nearest hospital that can adequately treat your condition.
With World Nomads, emergency evacuation is only included if you select a plan with the Evacuation & Repatriation of Remains add-on. And even then, there is a coverage limit of $500,000. So Global Rescue is the better choice if medical evacuation coverage is your top priority.
- Trip Cancellation & Interruption
Trip cancellation insurance covers you if you need to cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances like illness or injury. Trip interruption kicks in if you have to cut your trip short for a covered reason. These benefits are excluded from Global Rescue plans.
World Nomads offers trip cancellation and interruption coverage on most of their plans. You’ll be reimbursed for any pre-paid, non-refundable trip expenses up to the total trip cost for cancellation, and up to 150% of the trip cost for interruption.
So World Nomads clearly wins out when it comes to trip cancellation/interruption protections.
- Sports Coverage
Global Rescue and World Nomads both cover emergency medical claims resulting from amateur athletic activities and adventure sports like snorkeling, hiking, and recreational skiing.
Global Rescue also covers high-risk extreme sports like heli-skiing, mountain climbing, whitewater rafting, and others at no additional cost.
For World Nomads, you need to add the optional Adventure Sports Rider to get protection for extreme sports. But even with this add-on, some very high-risk activities may not be covered. For hardcore thrill-seekers, Global Rescue is the better option.
- Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
A pre-existing condition is any injury, illness, or medical issue that existed prior to your policy purchase date. Most travel insurance companies exclude these from coverage.
Global Rescue will cover pre-existing conditions as long as you buy a waiver during initial policy enrollment. You can’t add it onto an existing policy, so it’s important to plan ahead if you have any pre-existing conditions.
With World Nomads, pre-existing conditions may be covered if they’ve been stable and controlled for the last 12 months. You need to complete a medical screening so they can review your particular condition.
So both insurers offer ways to cover pre-existing conditions, with World Nomads evaluating each case individually. Those with complex medical histories may have better luck getting coverage with Global Rescue.
- Security Evacuation
In addition to medical transport, Global Rescue offers security evacuations to get travelers out of unsafe situations like civil unrest, natural disasters, or violent crime. This service is included with all of their plans.
World Nomads does not offer security evacuations. So for travelers concerned about security risks or heading to potentially unstable regions, Global Rescue has a key advantage.
Also Read: How Global Rescue And Medjet Travel Insurance Stack Up?
Cost and Plan Comparison
Global Rescue and World Nomads both offer a range of plan options at different price points. Let’s look at some examples of what you might pay.
For a 2 week trip to Europe, here are sample quotes:
- Global Rescue Member Basic: $205
- World Nomads Explorer: $72
For a 10-day photography expedition in Peru:
- Global Rescue Member Pro: $315
- World Nomads Explorer: $94
And for a month-long tour of Southeast Asia:
- Global Rescue Family Member Premium: $755
- World Nomads Explorer: $248
As you can see, Global Rescue plans are significantly more expensive than comparable coverage from World Nomads. You’re paying a premium for their specialized evacuation services and high coverage limits.
For travelers prioritizing medical and security evacuation capabilities, Global Rescue provides robust, specialized coverage. But for more general travel protection, World Nomads provides strong value and versatility. Here is a review of World Nomads travel insurance.
Customer Service Comparison
Travel insurance claims and emergencies don’t always happen during business hours. So 24/7 customer assistance can be important.
Global Rescue has in-house critical services teams available 24/7 to coordinate evacuations and other emergency services. Their operations specialists have real-world experience responding to emergencies worldwide.
World Nomads also offers 24/7 global assistance through a third party provider. While they may not have the same specialized expertise as Global Rescue, they can still provide valuable support with medical referrals, evacuation coordination, and other emergency services.
For non-emergency claims like trip cancellation or lost luggage, World Nomads provides customer service via email and phone during normal business hours. Global Rescue members must work directly through third-party insurers for non-evacuation claims.
When it comes to emergencies, Global Rescue’s dedicated responders are a key advantage. But World Nomads has strong customer support for day-to-day insurance needs.
Also Read: How Global Rescue And Ripcord Travel Insurance Stack Up?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, World Nomads offers affordable, comprehensive travel insurance for all types of trips. Their plans bundle emergency medical coverage with useful benefits for trip interruptions, cancellations, delays, and lost luggage. Coverage limits go up to $500,000 and the claims process is straightforward. They’re a great option for most travelers.
Both Medjet and Global Rescue specialize in emergency medical transport and evacuation services. A key difference is that Global Rescue includes security evacuations from unsafe situations, while Medjet focuses solely on medical evacuations. Global Rescue also has higher evacuation coverage limits. So for high-risk and adventurous travel, Global Rescue generally provides more robust coverage.
There are many top travel insurance providers to choose from, including World Nomads, Allianz, IMG, Travelex, and more. The “best” option depends on your specific trip plans, health status, budget, and priority coverage areas. I’d recommend World Nomads for more general travel insurance needs given their combination of value, flexibility, and comprehensive coverage. Global Rescue is the leader for specialized evacuation coverage.
For mountaineering expeditions and other adventures above 6000 meters (about 20,000 feet), Global Rescue is likely the best option. Their plans were designed specifically for high-altitude climbers and include emergency evacuations from extremely remote areas. They have extensive experience rescuing climbers from the highest peaks worldwide. Just make sure your plan has a high enough coverage limit for the costs involved in very high-altitude rescues.
The Bottom Line
Global Rescue and World Nomads both provide quality travel insurance, but they excel in different areas.
Choose Global Rescue if you want:
- Robust medical/security evacuation coverage
- Specialized services for adventure travel and extreme sports
- Experienced crisis response teams
Choose World Nomads if you want:
- Affordable, well-rounded coverage
- Protection for trip cancellations and interruptions
- An easy claims process
- Coverage for basic adventure sports
For most leisure travelers, World Nomads is likely the best fit. But thrill-seekers, adventurers, and those visiting risky regions may want Global Rescue’s specialized offerings. Carefully evaluate your trip plans and risk factors as you choose a travel insurance provider.
With comprehensive coverage from providers like these, you can travel with confidence knowing help is only a phone call away if the unexpected strikes. Have a great trip!
