What is volunteer insurance, and why should you take out specific insurance if you are going to do volunteer work

What is insurance for volunteering abroad?

• Insuring volunteer work abroad means taking out insurance that continues to provide coverage while you are working as a volunteer abroad

Why should you take out specialized travel insurance for voluntary work abroad?

• There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when volunteering abroad.
• During specific activities abroad, additional requirements may apply if your work involves extra risks. Only specific insurance policies offer coverage during these activities.
• The risk of accidents is sometimes higher during your work, for example because you are doing work you have little experience with or because of the nature of the work.
• Local projects or employers generally offer no or limited insurance that provides insufficient coverage during your work.
• When volunteering abroad and receiving minor financial compensation (or, for example, food or housing), your home country's health insurance coverage will potentially lapse. You will then need special insurance to remain insured for illness and accidents.
• Regular travel insurance policies generally provide coverage for trips of a limited number of days. If your trip or stay abroad exceeds the maximum number of days, this generally means that for the entire travel period, you will not be covered.
• Regular travel insurance policies generally only provide coverage for recreational travel without voluntary work activities. If you engage in activities other than recreational activities (such as volunteer work), this generally means that for the entire travel period, you will not be covered.

What is important to insure when you are going to work as a volunteer abroad?

• That you have insurance that is valid in the country or countries where you are going to travel and volunteer.
• That you are adequately insured for the sports and activities you are going to participate in during your period abroad
• That you are insured for emergency assistance and early return if something happens to you or your immediate family.
• That your medical expenses are insured up to the actual cost and not just for the standard costs. The costs per medical treatment vary greatly between countries.
• That you insure your luggage and take sufficient precautions against theft or damage.
• That you are well insured against personal liability.
• That you are well insured in case of accidents.
• That you only insure yourself for legal assistance if there is an immediate reason to do so, unless coverage is already automatically included in the insurance.
• That when performing work in healthcare, with wild animals, and with dangerous (agricultural) machinery, you take care to choose the right coverage.

What insurance do you need when volunteering abroad?

• See the advice guide to choose the most suitable insurance for you: 
  • International Insurances for volunteering abroad
  • International Insurances for backpacking and travel abroad