Doing educational volunteer work abroad

What is travel insurance to insure your trip or vacation?

• Travel insurance is insurance that provides coverage for risks during a trip or vacation abroad. This mainly concerns loss of or damage to your luggage, medical assistance in the event of accidents, for example, or repatriation costs if you need to be transported back to your home country urgently. In some cases, travel insurance coverage also applies in your home country.
• With continuous travel insurance, you are insured for all your trips throughout the year.
• With temporary travel insurance, you take out insurance for each trip for the duration of the trip.
• Cancellation insurance reimburses (all or part of) the travel sum, cancellation or accommodation costs if you have to cancel or interrupt your vacation.

Why should you take out travel insurance for a short trip, vacation, or long-distance trip?

• Travel insurance can provide coverage in the event of an accident or emergency while you are away.
• Travel insurance can provide coverage for damage and accidents during the adventurous or sporting activities you are going to do.
• Travel insurance can continue to provide coverage if your Dutch basic health insurance no longer provides coverage, or if the damage is only reimbursed at Dutch cost price.
• Travel insurance can provide coverage in the event of damage, loss, or theft of your luggage.
• Travel insurance can provide coverage if you are held liable for damage you cause to other people or their property.
• Travel insurance can provide coverage if you have to return home early because something has happened to you or your immediate family.

What is important to insure when you are going to travel?

• That you have insurance that is valid in the countries where you are going to travel and possible work.
• That you are adequately insured for the sports and activities you are going to participate in during your full 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 you pay close attention to choosing the right coverage when performing work or voluntary work during your world trip.

What insurance do you need for a trip or vacation?

• See the advice guides at international Insurances for Backpacking and Travel Abroad

What is backpacking insurance and travel insurance for backpackers?

• Backpacking insurance for backpackers means that you take out insurance that continues to provide coverage during all your activities abroad and is specifically intended for those who are traveling for a long time, traveling independently, or making frequent use of local transportation.

Why should you take out travel insurance specifically for backpacking?

• Travel insurance for backpacking can provide coverage in the event of an accident or emergency while backpacking.
• Travel insurance for backpacking can provide coverage for damage and accidents during your adventurous or sporting activities.
• Travel insurance for backpacking can continue to provide coverage if your Dutch basic health insurance no longer provides coverage, or if the damage is only reimbursed at Dutch cost price.
• Travel insurance for backpacking can provide coverage in the event of damage, loss, or theft of your luggage while backpacking.
• Travel insurance for backpacking can provide coverage if you are held liable for damage you cause to other people or their property.
• Travel insurance for backpacking can provide coverage if you have to return home early because something has happened to you or your immediate family while backpacking.

What aspects are important to insure when backpacking abroad?

• The duration of your trip: so that you are also covered during a very long backpacking trip, or can extend your coverage if you want to stay longer
• The activities during your trip: so that you can also participate in all kinds of sports and adventure activities that are excluded from travel insurance
• Coverage of your medical expenses during your trip: so that you are always covered, even if you go to work or if the costs in the event of an accident are higher than the Dutch rate
• Coverage for natural disasters and war during your trip: so that you don't have to return home immediately with your tail between your legs every time the Dutch government issues negative travel advice
• Your insurer's specialization: so that your insurer specializes in backpacking trips or long stays abroad, and doesn't treat you like an “all-inclusive sunglasses claimant.”

What insurance do you need when backpacking abroad?

• See the advice guide to choose the most suitable insurance for you:International Insurances for Backpacking and Travel Abroad

What is insurance for working with animals abroad?

• Insuring yourself for working abroad with animals means taking out insurance that continues to provide coverage during your paid, unpaid, or internship work abroad, where minor or major risks are involved.

Why take out insurance, and when is normal travel insurance no longer sufficient?

• There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance for work abroad.
• During specific work abroad, additional requirements may apply as soon as you start performing work that involves additional risks. Only special insurance policies offer coverage during this type of work. Almost all standard insurers exclude working with animals from coverage.
• The risk of accidents is sometimes greater during your work, for example because you are doing work with which you have little experience or because of the nature of the work. All over the world, there are reserves, rescue centers, and zoos where you can roll up your sleeves as a veterinarian, intern, or volunteer. Working with animals or wildlife is not without danger. No matter how cute they may look, or how tame they may behave. All animals can suddenly bite viciously or lash out with a claw or beak. Not only can this result in nasty injuries, but it can also transmit diseases that you would rather not have, and certainly not abroad.
• During work, internships, or volunteer work abroad where you receive a salary or compensation (for example, food or housing), your local health insurance coverage will normally lapse. You will then need special insurance to remain insured for illness and accidents.
• During your work, local employers generally offer no or limited insurance that does not provide sufficient coverage.

What should you pay attention to in your insurance policy if you are going to work abroad?

• Make sure you have insurance that is valid in the area where you will be traveling and working.
• That you have insurance that provides sufficient coverage for the work you will be performing.
• Make sure you are adequately insured for the sports and activities you will be participating in.
• 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 insure yourself for legal assistance if there is an immediate reason to do so, unless the coverage is already automatically included in the insurance.

Which insurance do you need for working, an internship, or volunteering with animals abroad?

• Check the info and advice guide on International Insurances for Working Abroad or International insurance for Volunteering Abroad

What is insurance for an internship abroad?

• Insuring an internship abroad means taking out insurance that continues to provide coverage during your internship abroad
• Insurance for internships abroad are also referred to as internship insurance. This internship insurance is specifically for when you go abroad for a long period of time to work as an intern, take courses, or conduct research abroad.

Why should you take out specialized travel insurance for an internship abroad?

• There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance for an internship abroad.
• During internship activities abroad, additional requirements may apply as soon as you start performing work that involves additional risks. Only specific insurance policies offer coverage during these activities.
• During your internship, the risk of accidents is sometimes greater, for example because you are doing work with which you have little experience or because of the nature of the work.
• During your internship, local employers generally do not offer insurance, or offer limited insurance that does not provide sufficient coverage.
• During an internship abroad where you receive financial compensation (or, for example, food or accommodation), 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 trips without work activities.

What is important to insure when you are going to be an intern abroad?

• That you have insurance that is valid in the area where you will be traveling and doing your internship.
• That you are adequately insured for the sports and activities you will be participating in.
• That you are insured for emergency assistance and early return in case something happens to you or your immediate family.
• That your medical expenses are insured up to the actual cost (what it actually costs), 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 and, preferably, also for liability during your internship.
• That you are well insured in case of accidents.
• That you insure yourself for legal assistance if there is an immediate reason to do so, unless the coverage is already automatically included in the insurance.
• Make sure you choose the right coverage for internship work in healthcare, with wild animals, or with dangerous machinery!

Check out more about international insurances

• Why and where to take out travel insurances for abroad
• Why and where to take out insurances that cover medical expenses abroad
• Insurance for activities abroad when you are Dutch

What is an expat insurance?

• Expat insurance is insurance that continues to provide coverage if you go to work abroad for a local or international employer for an extended period of time.
• Expat insurance is not only intended for expats, but for anyone who has a more permanent job abroad.

What is an emigration insurance, or insurance for moving and living abroad?

• Emigration insurance is an insurance that continues to provide coverage if you move abroad permanently or for an indefinite period of time.
• Emigration insurance is not only intended for emigrants, but for anyone who leaves their home country for an extended period of time and does not intend to return in the foreseeable future.

Why should you take out specialized insurance for emigration or working as an expat abroad?

• Emigration or expat insurance not only provides coverage for acute assistance in the event of illness or accident abroad, such as travel insurance, but can also provide coverage for existing conditions and ailments or non-urgent care.
• Emigration or expat insurance does not require you to maintain valid health insurance in your home country.
• Emigration or expat insurance provides coverage for preventive care or costs related to pregnancy and childbirth.
• Emigration or expat insurance also provides coverage for long-term treatments and chronic conditions without you having to return to your home country.
• Emigration or expat insurance often has no restrictions on the duration of the insurance, unlike travel insurance.
• Emigration or expat insurance usually maintains coverage in cases such as negative travel advice or acts of war.
• Emigration or expat insurance offers various solutions in the areas of disability, home and household insurance, goods transport, and liability.

What is important to insure when you are going to move abroad?

• That you have insurance that is valid in the country or countries where you are going to live and/or work.
• 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 are well insured against personal liability.
• That you are well insured in case of accidents.
• That you pay close attention to choosing the right coverage when performing work with additional health risks

When can you also live abroad for a longer period of time with travel insurance?

• There are also special expiring travel insurance policies that provide coverage without you having valid health insurance in your home country, however, these travel insurance policies are not intended for emigration or expats, but for stays outside your home country of up to a few years, for study, temporary work, volunteer work, and longer trips.
• See the information at International Insurances for backpacking and travel abroad

What insurance do you need for emigration or working as an expat abroad?

• See the information at International Insurances for expats and emigrants