Everything You Need to Know About Insurance for Working Holiday and Other Adventures Abroad

Working Holiday travel insurance FAQ

What do I put as my coverage start date?

You should put your departure date, i.e. the day you’re leaving your home country.

How do I submit a claim?

Let’s say you need to go see a doctor.

With Globe WHV—as with many insurance companies—you will have to pay for the consultation then you will submit a claim to get eligible expenses refunded. Note that upfront payment isn’t always required in case of major emergencies, such as hospitalization but again, it depends on your insurance company.

For a routine consultation, you will have to submit all bills, receipts, and supporting documents—medical bills, diagnoses, pharmacy receipts showing prescription purchases, payment receipts, etc. It’s important to keep everything for a smooth claim process.

Globe WHV offers a convenient online platform for claims up to €500.

Note that claim processes vary widely. This is an important point to keep in mind when choosing your insurance company—efficiency is key when you had to pay upfront for some medical expenses!  

Can I ask for a refund on the remaining months on my policy if I go home earlier than planned?

Again, this varies widely across the industry.

Some insurance companies simply don’t offer this option. Others do but only if you didn’t submit any claim during your Working Holiday. Check before choosing if you’re not expecting to stay for the full duration of your permit.

Globe WHV will refund the remaining months on your policy as long as there are at least two months left on your policy, regardless of your claim history. An administrative fee of €20 applies.

If you have questions regarding Globe WHV’s processes, conditions, fees and more, reach out to the team on the forum, they answer dozens of questions every day.

Will I be covered if I take side trips to the US or Mexico? What if I decide to explore South-East Asia? And if I take a break in my home country?

Most insurance companies will cover you wherever you go but this is a good question to ask when gathering info about plans and policies.

Globe WHV will cover you anywhere you go during your Working Holiday adventure—in your main destination countries and wherever you end up just because. Note that in this case, the maximum coverage for medical expenses is €150,000 (vs. unlimited for your main destination country).

You will also be covered for medical emergencies occurring during trips back home not exceeding 30 days per year of coverage. In this case, the maximum coverage for medical expenses is €15,000.

I have a chronic or serious health condition. Can I still be insured?

Travel insurance is designed for emergencies and unforeseen situations so expenses related to pre-existing conditions are usually not covered. This is the bad news. The good news is, many travellers with various conditions such as diabetes, Crohn’s, HIV, etc., are still able to participate in a Working Holiday program even if their conditions make things a bit trickier.

The main issue is that you will have to cover most—and often all—expenses related to your pre-existing conditions. It’s important to research healthcare costs in potential destination countries and budget accordingly.

If travel insurance is a condition of your Working Holiday permit, be aware that some insurance companies may refuse coverage because of your pre-existing condition. Shop around because some do offer coverage with or without additional exclusions related to your health condition.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution because so much depends on your condition, the way you manage it, and your destination country. Most Working Holiday permit holders with a pre-existing condition end up finding something that works for them after researching costs, analyzing risks and contacting several insurance companies. Feel free to post on the forum to see if someone is in the same boat! There’s already a thread in French about chronic conditions and Working Holiday adventures. 

Will I be covered for any sports?

If your thing is jogging and swimming, probably. However, insurance companies tend to have exclusions for extreme sports (the definition varies but typically includes caving, diving, bungee jumping, etc.) and contact sports (e.g. boxing, karate, roller derby, rugby, etc.). 

If you’re serious about your practice, contact the local league or group and explain to you’d like to get coverage as a foreign temporary resident—they may be able to point you to the right place.

Finally, always read the fine print carefully for exclusion if you decide to try a new sport during your Working Holiday adventure.