best international travel insurance in australia

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The Best Travel Insurance for Australia in 2024

best international travel insurance in australia

Travelex Insurance Services »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

Generali Global Assistance »

World Nomads Travel Insurance »

GeoBlue »

Why Trust Us

U.S. News evaluates ratings, data and scores of more than 50 travel insurance companies from comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip, plus renowned credit rating agency AM Best, in addition to reviews and recommendations from top travel industry sources and consumers to determine the Best Travel Insurance for Australia.

Table of Contents

Travelex Insurance Services
Allianz Travel Insurance

Most travelers heading "Down Under" need to make quite the trek, and that's especially true for those planning a trip to Australia from the United States. Flying from Los Angeles to Sydney takes around 15 hours, and even more travel time is required to get to Melbourne and other destinations that require a layover on the way.

Plenty can go wrong en route to Australia as well as once you get there, and the potential for financial losses can be great if you're not careful. Not only can traveling long distances increase the risk of travel delays, but you also face the risk of flight cancellations, baggage delays, lost baggage and missed connections.

These are just some of the reasons why it makes sense to have a robust travel insurance plan in place before you fly overseas for a vacation in Australia. While any reputable travel insurance provider can provide you with protection for emergency medical expenses, your bags, travel delays and other various travel mishaps, we curated this list of top travel insurance plans for a trip to Australia specifically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Travel to Australia requires a huge commitment in terms of travel time and cost, which is why you'll want to make sure you have coverage that can reimburse you if something goes wrong. If your flight is delayed or canceled , your bags are lost in transit, or a missed connection leaves you stuck in another country for several days, having travel insurance means you can get reimbursement for unexpected hotel stays, meals you have to pay for and various incidental expenses.

Having travel insurance for Australia that includes medical coverage is also crucial since coverage provided in U.S. health plans will not apply.

Some travel credit cards offer coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions, travel delays, and lost or delayed baggage. However, credit cards are a poor source for coverage that protects against emergency medical expenses. Most credit cards do not offer coverage for emergency medical expenses or emergency medical evacuation at all, and those that do (such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve ) have insufficient coverage limits.

Travelex Insurance Services: Best for Families
Allianz Travel Insurance: Best for Flexible Cancellations
Generali Global Assistance: Best for Medical Emergencies
World Nomads Travel Insurance: Best for Adventure Travel
GeoBlue: Best for Travel Health Insurance

Kids ages 17 and younger are covered automatically with Travel Select plan

Primary coverage with no deductibles

Lower limits for medical expenses than some providers

100% trip cancellation coverage worth up to $50,000
150% trip interruption coverage worth up to $75,000
Trip delay coverage worth up to $2,000 for delays of five hours or longer ($200 daily limit applies)
Missed connection coverage worth up to $750 for delays of three hours or longer
Up to $50,000 in protection for emergency medical expenses (dental sublimit of $500)
Up to $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
Up to $1,000 in coverage for baggage and personal effects
Up to $200 in coverage for baggage delays of 12 hours or longer
Up to $200 in coverage for sporting equipment delays of 24 hours or longer
$25,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Optional CFAR coverage reimburses at 80%

Numerous plans to choose from

Lower coverage limits for medical expenses than some providers

Up to $100,000 per traveler in coverage for trip cancellations
Up to $150,000 per traveler in coverage for trip interruptions
Up to $500 per traveler in Trip Change Protector coverage
Up to $50,000 in emergency medical coverage per traveler
Up to $500,000 for emergency medical transportation per traveler
Up to $1,000 toward baggage loss or damage per traveler
Up to $300 per traveler in coverage for baggage delays of 12 hours or more
Up to $800 in protection for travel delays per traveler (daily limit of $200 applies)
$100 per insured person per day in SmartBenefits coverage for eligible delays
24-hour hotline assistance
Concierge services

Tailor medical coverage to your needs

Generous limits for emergency medical and medical evacuation coverage

Coverage for preexisting conditions only available with Premium plan

Optional CFAR coverage with Premium plan only reimburses at 60%

Trip cancellation coverage up to 100% of the trip cost
Trip interruption coverage up to 175% of the trip cost
Travel delay coverage up to $1,000 per traveler ($300 daily limit)
Up to $2,000 per person in baggage protection; $500 for delays
Up to $2,000 per person in coverage for sporting equipment; $500 for delays
Up to $1,000 per person in missed connection coverage
Up to $250,000 per person in coverage for emergency medical and dental procedures
Up to $1 million in coverage for emergency assistance and transportation ($10,000 limit for companion hospitality expenses)
Up to $25,000 per person in rental car coverage
Accidental death and dismemberment coverage

Coverage for more than 200 sports and activities

24-hour travel assistance services included

Low coverage limits within standard plans

No coverage for most preexisting conditions

Up to $10,000 in coverage for trip cancellations
Up to $100,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses
Up to $500,000 in protection for emergency medical evacuation
Up to $3,000 in protection for damage or theft to your bags or gear

Offers travel health insurance for lengthy trips abroad

Deductibles can apply

Some plans require a primary U.S. health insurance plan

Up to $1,000,000 medical maximum per insured person
Up to $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation per trip
Up to $50,000 in coverage for accidental death and dismemberment
Up to $2,500 in coverage for emergency family travel arrangements
Up to $25,000 in medical coverage for hazardous activities like skiing and diving
Up to $500 per trip in lost baggage and personal effects coverage ($100 limit per bag)
Up to $1,000 per trip period in post-departure trip interruption transportation
Up to $50 per day in post-departure trip interruption quarantine coverage (in the case of COVID-19)
Up to $25,000 in protection for repatriation of remains

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is an award-winning writer who has been covering topics like family travel, cruises, all-inclusive resorts and travel insurance for well over a decade. Johnson has researched and purchased travel insurance plans for her own trips, and she has successfully filed claims and received reimbursement more than once over the years. Currently, Johnson uses an annual travel insurance policy from Allianz to cover her family's many trips overseas each year. Johnson also works alongside her husband, Greg – who sells travel insurance for trips all over the world – in their family media business. Johnson also co-owns the travel agency Travel Blue Book .

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Australia's Best Travel Insurance for September 2024

Whether in 2024 you’re planning a resort holiday in Fiji, voyaging on a cruise , or hopping on a plane to Europe , it’s important to consider packing travel insurance .

But how could you go about finding the best policy? What features and perks could your holiday need, and which providers stand out for amazing coverage?

That’s where the Mozo Experts Choice Travel Insurance Awards come in.

Every year, Mozo’s expert judges compare dozens of travel insurance providers to see which ones fly above and beyond in terms of quality and value. Providers offering the best coverage take home a Mozo Experts Choice Travel Insurance^ win.

“Finding a policy may be a bit daunting, especially when policy features and costs can change depending on where you’re going and what you’re doing,” says Mozo Experts Choice Awards, Judge Peter Marshall.

“We wanted to examine everything across a range of holidays, head-to-head, to help Australians find the best value cover, and award those providers offering the best travel insurance.”

So without further ado, here are the winners crowned in 2024, along with some of the latest deals for this month highlighted by our editor's – and some expert tips on how you could find the best policy for your trip.

Expert recommendations: Mozo Experts Choice Award-winning best travel insurance policies

Each year, the Mozo Experts Choice Awards recognise travel insurance providers for having the most outstanding performance to suit the needs of different types of travellers.

Categories include Exceptional Value and Exceptional Quality for various policy types, from comprehensive, multi-trip, cruise, ski, and basic coverage.

Policies ranked highly for their quality are those that boast the most generous coverage (i.e. comprehensive travel insurance). Policies with great value offer a minimum level of coverage for the lowest price.

Our expert judges look at many factors when evaluating a travel insurance policy for an award, especially:

Price , including any excesses and limits, and how premiums vary based on the holiday.
Coverage , including benefits and exclusions.

The insurance company with the most standout wins for both quality and value will receive the prestigious Travel Insurance Company of the Year ^ award.

Judges also compare how well a policy travels for different popular destinations and kinds of trips so we can nail down the best picks for as many types of holidays as possible.

Check out the Mozo Experts Choice Travel Awards^ methodology report for 2024 to see how judges made their choices.

As always, every travel insurance policy will have its terms and conditions laid out in the product disclosure statement (PDS). Be sure to read the PDS properly and thoroughly before signing up!

Our goal at Mozo is to help you make smart financial decisions and our award-winning comparison tools and services are provided free of charge. As a marketplace business, we do earn money from advertising and this page features products with Go To Site links and/or other paid links where the provider pays us a fee if you go to their site from ours, or you take out a product with them. You do not pay any extra for using our service.

We are proud of the tools and information we provide and unlike some other comparison sites, we also include the option to search all the products in our database, regardless of whether we have a commercial relationship with the providers of those products or not.

'Sponsored', 'Hot deal' and 'Featured Product' labels denote products where the provider has paid to advertise more prominently.

'Mozo sort order' refers to the initial sort order and is not intended in any way to imply that particular products are better than others. You can easily change the sort order of the products displayed on the page.

Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice. It is also advised to review Target Market Determination(TMD) of products that you are considering. The TMD can be found on the provider's website.

Freely - International Travel Insurance*
Customisable, flexible coverage through the Freely app
10% off with a Mozo exclusive discount

Why it won: For those looking for sheer convenience, it’s hard to beat Freely’s all-in-one travel app. Customise this flexible policy by adding or taking away extras and coverage as you need it to suit your holiday. Friends suddenly invite you whitewater rafting? Add adventure sports cover (with conditions). Optional extras include gadgets, snow sports, cruise, motorcycle cover, and more. For a limited time, you could also nab 10% off your policy with the Promo Code “MOZO10” (T&Cs). Freely's travel insurance policies won two Mozo Experts Choice Travel Insurance Awards^ in 2024.

Zoom Comprehensive Travel Insurance*
Unlimited 24/7 emergency assistance
Optional extras for car rental or sports activities (T&Cs)

Why it won: Zoom’s Comprehensive Travel Insurance provides 24/7 emergency assistance to help protect you from unexpected events on your holiday. It also covers you for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, family emergencies and even more. Zoom picked up an award for Exceptional Value Essential Travel Insurance making it a a great choice for travellers looking for a great value package. Add optional cover for extras such as Rental Vehicle Excess if you are hiring a car or a Sports Activities Pack if you’re feeling adventurous.

Travel Insurance Company of the Year - World2Cover*
Multiple Mozo Experts Choice Awards^ winner in 2024
Unlimited emergency, cancellation, and medical cover (T&Cs)

Why it won: World2Cover’s comprehensive Top policy picked up wins for both Exceptional Value and Exceptional Quality Travel Insurance for the second year in a row, making it the obvious candidate for this prestigious crown. With unlimited emergency, cancellation, and medical cover (with conditions), World2Cover makes an extremely competitive choice for travellers hunting the most inclusions for the best value.

Standout perks include coverage for 38 pre-existing conditions (including migraines and sleep apnea), rental car excesses, and up to $2,000 for overseas dental treatment (all with T&Cs). Plus, many amateur and outdoor sports, like bungee jumping, can be covered at no extra cost (T&Cs).

Southern Cross Travel Insurance - International Comprehensive Family*
Unlimited medical and evacuation cover (T&Cs)
Optional extras for snow sports and motorcycle cover (T&Cs)

Why it won: Whether travelling alone or with your family, this single-trip comprehensive insurance policy aims to please with some great standard features. Unlimited medical and evacuation cover headline the policy, and you have the option to increase cancellation to unlimited (though this will add to your premium). Travelling solo overseas for less than two days? Southern Cross claims your premium could cost less than a meal. Unfortunately, pre-existing conditions aren’t automatically included, but you can apply to have them added with a medical assessment for an additional premium (with conditions). Southern Cross Travel Insurance also won two Mozo Experts Choice Travel Insurance Awards^ in 2024.

Travel Insurance Saver - Bare Essentials*
Unlimited overseas medical coverage (T&Cs)
Up to $2,500 emergency cancellation and $2,000 lost luggage and effects coverage (T&Cs)

Why it won: Underwritten by NIB, this impressive essentials policy performed well in terms of Exceptional Value ^.

While limits apply, eligible expenses you could claim under this policy include emergency cancellation, lost luggage , and replacement passport and travel documents coverage (T&Cs).

Cover-More - International Comprehensive+*
Multiple Mozo Experts Choice Award^ winner in 2024
On- and pre-trip cover if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 (T&Cs)

Why it won: This ultra-comprehensive policy impressed judges enough to nab the same two wins in 2023 and 2024 – one for Exceptional Quality and another for Exceptional Quality Annual Multi-Trip.

With generous coverage for a range of misadventures, including pre and on-trip COVID cover, up to $25,000 for lost or stolen luggage, unlimited overseas medical expenses, and special business trip benefits, Cover-More packs a punch for the holidays (T&Cs). You can also tailor your policy with optional extras like the Cancellations Extensions add-on to extend your coverage.

*Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.

Editor’s Picks: Top travel insurance policies for September 2024

Jump to our top picks, butter international travel insurance*, fast cover - comprehensive policy*, australia post comprehensive travel insurance*, australia post - comprehensive travel insurance*.

Unlimited medical cover
24/7 emergency assistance services

Be prepared for the unexpected on your adventures with Butter Travel Insurance. Get emergency medical and hospital cover. You’ll have COVID-19 cover and have the option of trip cancellation and interruption cover.

Customise your cover and choose from an array of added extras like Motorcycle, ski cover and so much more (T&Cs apply) and holiday with peace of mind every time.

Generous and flexible optional extras
43 pre-existing conditions automatically included (T&Cs)

Editor’s Pick: Looking for a solid all-rounder with amazing medical and COVID-19 benefits? Fast Cover’s comprehensive travel insurance policy makes a compelling option. Customers can select their cover based on region, activities, trip duration, and a host of optional extras like cruise, motorcycle, adventure, and rental vehicle excess insurance to tailor their plans for their holiday needs. Got any pre-existing medical conditions? Fast Cover offers cover for many pre-existing medical conditions, you just need complete a simple medical screening during the application process.

The comprehensive policy includes unlimited medical and cancellation cover, with unlimited medical cover if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 and a 5,000 limit for cancellation fees if you contract the virus and need to pull out of a leg of your journey. Keep in mind sub-limits, exclusions, and conditions apply, so make sure to read the PDS before signing up.

24/7 emergency support
Get a quote in minutes

Editor’s Pick: If you’re looking for cover from a name you can trust, Australia Post International Comprehensive Travel Insurance covers overseas medical expenses, cancellation costs and more (T&Cs apply). You can also get optional extras like cover for existing medical conditions and winter sports to tailor cover to your needs. Plus, you can also reduce your premium with your choice of excess.

Customer favourites: Best travel insurance from Mozo People’s Choice Awards

Expert recommendations are amazing, but what do real travellers think is the best insurance? Thankfully, the 2024 Mozo People’s Choice Awards have landed.

Mozo asked 1,487 of your fellow Australians which travel insurance providers they rate highly across a range of categories, from customer satisfaction and service to trustworthiness, sign-up and claims experiences, and whether they’d recommend them to a friend.

Winners were then given a Mozo People’s Choice Award, making them some of the best providers around (and in the air).

Here's a look at which categories each of this year's Mozo People's Choice Travel Insurance Award-winners won awards in:

Australia Post: Outstanding Customer Satisfaction, Excellent Claims Experience, Most Recommended
InsureandGo: Outstanding Customer Satisfaction, Excellent Customer Service, Highly Trusted, Sign-Up Experience
Commonwealth Bank: Excellent Customer Service, Highly Trusted, Most Recommended
Flight Centre: Highly Trusted
Medibank: Most Recommended
Won 3 Mozo People’s Choice Awards for 2024
Flexible excess
10% off discount for a limited time

Why it won: Sending yourself overseas? Australia Post has developed a first-class comprehensive international travel insurance policy that took home three Mozo People’s Choice wins in 2024. Aussies rates this provider highly for Excellent Claims Experience, Most Recommended and Outstanding Customer Satisfaction. And no wonder: Australia Post reckons you can get a quote in minutes. Tailor your policy by choosing your excess and level of coverage; the comprehensive plan comes with unlimited overseas medical and additional emergency expenses coverage, as well as benefits like money to resume your trip if cancelled for eligible reasons (T&Cs apply).

More best travel insurance winners

Rainbow of thongs ready for the Mozo Experts Choice Travel Insurance Award winners.

Here’s the full list of winners for the Mozo Experts Choice Travel Insurance Awards^ for 2024, broken down by category.

BEST VALUE TRAVEL INSURANCE

If your travel budget is tight, weighing up the value you’re getting in a policy is crucial. This year, Mozo’s expert judges wanted to highlight great value plans to make the comparison process easier.

From medical-only and essentials cover to more comprehensive and annual multi-trip policies, these providers offered a required set of inclusions at the best prices.

Exceptional Medical Only coverage winners simply needed to have unlimited emergency overseas medical cover, including unlimited COVID-19 medical cover.
Essential coverage winners needed to have at least $2,000 coverage per traveller for personal items and $2,500 cancellation coverage, plus unlimited medical coverage.
Comprehensive, ski, cruise, and annual multi-trip coverage winners needed at least $7,500 of luggage cover per person, plus $15,000 cancellation cover per adult. Policies must also have unlimited COVID-19 coverage and at least $2,500 each for additional expenses and cancellations. Multi-trip policies were also assessed for a single traveller jet-setting for 30-day trips in a 12-month period.

Mozo’s expert judges also assessed some providers based on the value they offer vacation activities like snow sports or cruise travel .

Check out the winners below.

Exceptional Value Medical Only Travel Insurance

These policies were the best value medical-only travel policies, based on the judges’ criteria.

Australia Post – Basic policy
Southern Cross Travel Insurance – International Medical Only policy

Exceptional Value Essential Travel Insurance

Want a little more coverage, such as lost luggage, on top of medical cover? Our expert judges thought these policies were winners.

Freely – International Travel Insurance policy
Tick Travel Insurance – Standard policy
Travel Insurance Saver – Bare Essentials policy
Travel Protect – Explorer policy
WAS Insurance – Discovery Ultimate policy
Zoom – Standard policy

Exceptional Value Comprehensive Travel Insurance

If you’re after the most coverage for the best value, these comprehensive policies are worth a look!

Chubb Australia – Prestige Single Trip policy
InsuranceandGo – Gold policy
Tick Travel Insurance – Top policy
World2Cover – Top policy

Exceptional Value Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

Heading to a few destinations in 2024? These multi-trip policies nabbed best value crowns.

ahm – Annual Multi-Trip policy
Medibank – Annual Multi-Trip policy
NRMA – Comprehensive Annual Multi-Trip policy
Qantas – Annual Multi-Trip policy
Southern Cross Travel Insurance – Multi-Trip policy

Exceptional Value Cruise Travel Insurance

Cruisin’ should be breezy! Mozo’s expert judges thought these winners earned their best value cruise wins.

AllClear – Gold Plus
Chubb Australia – Prestige Single Trip
Qantas – International Comprehensive policy
World Nomads – Explorer Plan

Exceptional Value Ski Travel Insurance

Hittin’ the slopes? Mozo's expert judges say these policies shouldn’t hit the wallet.

Medibank – Single Trip policy

BEST QUALITY TRAVEL INSURANCE

Some travellers want the best possible insurance, no matter the cost. That’s why Mozo’s expert judges analysed policies with the broadest and most generous cover for the Exceptional Quality travel insurance awards for comprehensive and multi-trip policies.

Exceptional Quality Travel Insurance

Cover-More – International Comprehensive+ policy
Flight Centre – YourCover Plus policy
Kogan – International Plus policy
NRMA – Comprehensive Plan policy
RAA – Premium policy policy
RAC – Comprehensive policy
RACQ – Premium policy
RACT – Comprehensive policy
RACV – Comprehensive policy
Webjet – Top policy

Exceptional Quality Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

Cover-More – Multi-Trip International Comprehensive+ policy
Webjet – Travel Safe Plus policy

What travel insurance do I need?

Collage of a blue suitcase surrounded by pink question marks.

When finding the best travel insurance policy for yourself, it’s important to compare as many different policies as possible. But what if you’re not sure where to start? Let’s break down the tiers and types of travel insurance on offer.

Travel insurance policies vary based on where you’re going and for how long. For example:

Domestic travel insurance can be great if you’re just exploring Australia.
International travel insurance can be great for a once-off trip abroad.
Multi-trip travel insurance can be great if you’re making more than one trip, locally or abroad (usually within the same year).

Once you’ve picked the kind of travel insurance you’re after, providers will usually offer multiple tiers (or levels) of coverage, such as medical only, essentials, or comprehensive insurance.

You may also be able to get complimentary credit card travel insurance , which comes as a perk of your credit card.

Travel insurance policies can also include optional extras that tailor your coverage for specific holidays, like backpacker travel insurance or senior travel insurance .

Many clues can point to a travel insurance policy ranking among the best – exceptional price, excellent coverage, and a thumbs-up from fellow Aussie travellers . But the best indicator that a policy rocks? It’s the best for you.

When comparing travel insurance policies, assess them like you’re giving out your own award: the win of your business! Read through the PDS, send for quotes, and ask yourself questions like:

Does this policy cover my holiday needs?
Is this within a price range I’m happy with? ( Cheap travel insurance has trade-offs).
Would I feel comfortable working with this provider when the worst happens?

If the answer is ‘yes’, you could be on to a winner.

Other considerations are important, too, however, especially the nitty-gritty details. For example:

Do you have to meet any terms and conditions before they settle your travel claim ?
Is there an excess to pay?
Are there any other perks, too, like frequent flyer points?
Do you have pre-existing conditions that could impact your coverage?

Because every situation is different, not every travel insurance policy is the best for everyone. Some people want an affordable price, while others want the most coverage, no matter the price.

Comparing what’s on offer can help you determine which travel insurances offer you the best value and quality for your holiday.

FAQs about travel insurance

While not mandatory in Australia, travel insurance can be a useful financial tool to have in your back pocket. The right level of coverage could help your finances weather all kinds of unexpected emergencies, from medical treatment to flight cancellations.

Some overseas destinations have made basic travel insurance mandatory for entry at the border (usually to cover the costs associated with treating COVID-19).

The best travel insurance coverage for you will depend on your needs and holiday. For instance, if you’re a relatively low-risk traveller who can pay for unexpected costs like flight cancellations or lost luggage out-of-pocket, a basic or essentials-only travel insurance policy could suit you.

However, if you’re looking for the most protection possible, or you’re doing adventurous travel activities like skiing, comprehensive travel insurance might be a better option. Comparing multiple policies can give you an idea of the coverage and value available to your situation.

Travel insurance prices depend on the policy, provider, excess, level of coverage, and destination you choose. Your price may also vary if you’ve included optional extras or expanded your limits for personal items like an expensive smartphone or to cover a pre-existing medical condition.

Mozo found the average cost for different travel insurance policies ranges from roughly $90 to well over $1,000, depending on the needs of the trip. Most settled between $200 - $400.

Forgetting to buy travel insurance before leaving can be inconvenient, but there are options. Some policies may not cover trips already in progress: read the product disclosure statement (PDS) and get quotes to see what benefits, costs, and exclusions you could get.

If you have a credit card, it’s also worthwhile investigating to see if you can get free travel insurance through your credit card company. Many will have activation requirements, like proving you’ve paid a certain amount of travel costs with your card.

Compare international travel insurance policies below.

Compare international travel insurance

Mozo experts choice awards won:

Exceptional Value Ski Travel Insurance - 2024
Exceptional Value Essential Travel Insurance - 2024
Exceptional Value Comprehensive Travel Insurance - 2024

International Travel Insurance

Covid medical cover, covid cancellation cover, overseas hospital, cancellation cover.

Get protection in a few simple steps with Freely travel insurance all in the palm of your hand. Freely Travel offers 24/7 emergency and medical support, 24/7 customer service. Plus, you can tailor your policy so you only pay for what you need, and adapt your cover in near real time. Add-ons such as car rental excess, snow sports or other activities also available. Receive 10% off your travel insurance policy with promo code: MOZO10. T&Cs apply, go to site for full detail.

Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.

To see the Pre-existing Conditions and Activities covered by this policy please visit our detailed page about this product.

Comprehensive

Enjoy unlimited medical cover and 24/7 emergency assistance services when you travel. Get unlimited cover for cancellation fees and prepaid travel expenses. Cover for luggage and travel documents. $5,000,000 personal liability cover.

Backed by the NIB, one of Australia’s largest travel insurance providers, Travel Insurance Saver brings you peace of mind on your travels. Compare three tiers of insurance cover, featuring benefits like 24 hour emergency assistance, emergency medical cover, luggage cover, cancellation cover and more.

Exceptional Value Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance - 2024

International Comprehensive Single

Enjoy the security of single trip cover on your next holiday with Southern Cross Travel Insurance. Get 24 hour emergency assistance, cover for cancelling or changing your journey before you leave, protection for lost, stolen or damaged goods as well as cover to replace lost or stolen cash, banks or travel documents. Be in to win 1 of 5 $1,000 cash prizes! T&Cs Apply. Offer ends 30 September 2023.

Exceptional Quality Travel Insurance - 2024
Travel Insurance Company of the Year - 2024

Be covered for international overseas and medical expenses. Emergency medical assistance 24 hours/365 days a year. Cover for cancellation fees and lost deposits. Cover for luggage and personal money. Dependents covered free of charge (conditions apply). Limited COVID cover available. Cancellation cover for COVID claims limited to $3,500.

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Travel Insurance Awards

While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.

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Editorial note: We may not cover every product in this category. For more information, see our Editorial guidelines .

15 international travel insurance options for australians in 2024.

Travel insurance can be used to help cover costs associated with the loss or damage to your luggage and belongings.

You can also use it for unexpected medical emergencies, as some insurance companies provide 24/7 support anywhere in the world and may assist with your safe arrival home.

It can be hard to compare international travel insurance policies in Australia because they come in all shapes and sizes, but with flexible options you can find the right balance between benefits and an affordable premium.

We’ve collected information about 15 travel insurance policies for Australians , looking at some of the areas to help you make your insurance policy decision that meet your needs.

Young friends with map and camera walking in city

Compare International Travel Insurance for 2024:

Fast Cover Comprehensive For Coverage
Cover-More Basic For Value Insurance
NRMA Comprehensive For Frequent Travellers
Qantas Travel Insurance (70+ Years) For Seniors
Southern Cross Comprehensive (Family Cover) For Families
nib Comprehensive For COVID-19 coverage
Australia Post Basic For Medical Only
Westpac Altitude Credit Card with Travel Insurance

Great Coverage

Fast cover international comprehensive.

Unlimited Overseas 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance & Hospital Expenses
Unlimited Overseas Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation cover
Unlimited Trip Cancellation cover
Trip disruption Expenses up to $50,000
Travel delay cover up to $2,000.
Permanent Disability cover up to $50,000
Accidental death cover of up to $25,000
Luggage & Personal Effects cover up to $15,000
Policies can be customised to suit the type of trip you’re taking. This does not include all benefits that are included under the Fast Cover Comprehensive Policy.

Fast Cover International Comprehensive Policy

Unlimited cancellation cover for non-COVID related cancellations, and up to $5,000 if your trip is cancelled or disrupted because of COVID-19.
Medical screening available for medical conditions.
Option to add cover for cruising, snow sports, motorcycle riding, rental vehicle insurance excess and the more adventurous adventure sports.
Up to $15,000 benefit for luggage and personal effects
High benefit for permanent disability at $50,000.

Fast Cover tells us that its International Comprehensive policies provide market leading medical coverage. Its Comprehensive policy includes COVID-19 Benefits with unlimited emergency medical expenses cover (including medical evacuations) and trip cancellation and disruption cover due to certain COVID-19 related events up to $5,000.

If you require cover for your existing medical conditions, they offer a simple online or over the phone medical questionnaire to help you obtain cover for those conditions.

Eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions may apply, please consult the PDS and TMD for further information before you make any decisions to buy.

Good Value for International Travel Insurance

Cover more international basic plan.

Unlimited overseas medical cover (including COVID-19)
37 pre-existing medical conditions covered automatically
$5,000 cover for luggage and personal effects
$2000 cover for emergency dental expenses
Variable excess
Good value with reasonable cover for a low premium

Cover-More International Basic Plan

Cancellation cover is additional/extra and choosing a cover to include it will impact your premium
Claim up to $5,000 if your trip is cancelled or disrupted because of COVID-19. However, you must have cancellation cover to receive this.
$600 benefit to replace essential personal effects if your baggage is delayed
Choose to pay an excess of $0, $100, or $200 on all claims. This will affect the amount you pay in premiums.

The Cover-More International Basic Plan offers impressive value with a very affordable premium. It covers the essential benefits a budget traveller needs for peace of mind, such as unlimited overseas medical cover. But there are also generous benefits not usually seen in cheap travel insurance, including $2000 dental cover and $600 for delayed luggage. Many cheaper insurance policies will not cover COVID-19 but Cover-More provides unlimited coverage for COVID-19 medical expenses, along with an optional $5,000 in COVID-related trip cancellation and disruption costs.

Annual Multi Trip Travel Insurance

Nrma international comprehensive plan.

Annual cover for journeys of up to 60 days
Optional COVID-19 trip cancellation or disruption cover
Unlimited overseas medical cover (including COVID-19)
24-hour emergency assistance
Variable excess
High benefit for loss of income, permanent disability and accidental death

Year-round cover to destinations over 250 km from your home
Option to choose up to $10,000 to cover rental vehicle excess
Claim up to $2,000 if you experience travel delays
Claim up to $12,000 for luggage and travel documents
$1,100 benefit to replace essential personal effects if your baggage is delayed
Cover for loss of income ($45,000), permanent disability ($30,000), and accidental death ($30,000)

The NRMA International Comprehensive Annual Multi-Trip Plan covers an unlimited number of trips (up to 60 days each) for an entire year so you don’t have to take out a new policy for every journey. Cover limits apply to each trip, which means your policy is reset every time you go away.

Choose the policy you need based on your travel habits, including the maximum trip duration (select between 30, 45, or 60 days), excess ($0, $100, or $250), and amount of cancellation cover.

However, NRMA doesn’t provide great automatic cover for pre-existing medical conditions so check the terms and conditions if you have ongoing medical concerns.

Travel Insurance for Seniors

Qantas international comprehensive travel insurance (70+ years).

40+ pre-existing medical conditions automatically covered
Unlimited overseas medical cover (including for COVID-19)
Unlimited overseas emergency dental expenses
Unlimited trip cancellation cover
Low standard excess of $100
Qantas points can be earned on policy purchase

43 pre-existing medical conditions are automatically covered, including Osteoporosis and Osteopenia, Hypertension, and High Cholesterol (conditions apply).
Claim up to $2,500 on travel expenses related to COVID-19, including trip cancellation or additional travel and accommodation costs.
Claim up to $15,000 for luggage and personal effects, including $3,000 for replacement passport and travel documents

Qantas is one of the most common travel insurance policies for seniors in Australia , with a policy specifically designed for senior citizens aged 70 and above. You won’t need to declare if you have one of the 43 medical conditions automatically covered but conditions generally require that you have no ongoing complications.

Comfort is assured with $1,500 provided for travel delays, $500 for delayed luggage, and $2,500 for COVID-19 trip cancellation and disruption costs. For those who don’t meet the age requirements, Qantas has similar comprehensive insurance for seniors under 69 years old.

For Families

Southern Cross International Comprehensive (Family Cover)

Free cover for all dependents under 21
Choose trip cancellation cover to suit your travels
Extremely high cover for luggage and personal effects
Generous cover for travel delays

Option to select anywhere between $5,000 and unlimited trip cancellation cover (per journey, not per person) — but the amount you choose will impact your premium
Claim up to $5,000 for trip disruptions or cancellations caused by COVID-19
The combined cover for luggage and personal effects at $50,000
$5,000 combined cover for baggage delays

Choose the Family Cover from Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) if you’re looking for impressive value and plenty of cover for all travellers. This policy automatically covers two adults and any dependent children who are under 21 years, not married or employed full-time, and depend financially on at least one adult listed on the policy. This NZ-based company provides one of the best family travel insurance policies for luggage and comprehensive options for COVID-19 expenses. No pre-existing medical conditions are automatically covered so if anyone in your family has an ongoing medical issue, they will need to apply for cover.

International Travel Insurance with Covid Cover

Nib comprehensive plan.

40+ pre-existing medical conditions covered automatically
$10,000 cover for coronavirus-related travel costs
No age limit

nib Comprehensive Plan International Travel Insurance

$1000 emergency dental cover
Choose your own cancellation cover to suit you
$12,000 cover for luggage, with $3,000 to replace passports and travel documents

nib Comprehensive is a great option if you’re looking for international travel insurance with thorough covid cover . Receive unlimited medical cover for COVID-19 and an unparalleled $10,000 in travel costs if your trip is affected by the coronavirus. That covers trip cancellation if a close relative or business partner back in Australia is hospitalised or dies due to COVID-19 while you’re away.

Other benefits are mid-range or even on the low end. Total permanent disability cover is $12,500 and personal liability is $2.5 million. Most comprehensive policies provide $25,000 and $5 million in cover respectively.

Medical Only

Australia post international basic plan.

Cover for COVID-19 self-isolation requirements
37 pre-existing medical conditions automatically covered
Permanent disability and accidental death cover
$5 million for personal liability cover

Unlimited cover for the cost of medical treatment and emergency repatriation or evacuation.
Claim up to $2,000 for emergency dental treatment
$10,000 cover for permanent disability and accidental death
$2,500 for additional expenses if you test positive for COVID-19 and need to self-isolate (with an additional $250 excess)

Credit Card with International Travel Insurance

Westpac altitude.

Complimentary with Westpac Altitude Rewards credit cards
Unlimited medical cover (including COVID-19)
Luggage cover up to $20,000 per person
Earn rewards points with every purchase

Westpac Altitude Complimentary International Travel Insurance

Up to $2000 per person for emergency dental cover
Up to $1600 cover for luggage delay
Some of the best cover for accidental death and loss of income
Provided with Westpac Altitude credit cards, including Altitude Rewards Platinum, Altitude Velocity Platinum, Altitude Qantas Platinum, Altitude Rewards Black, Altitude Velocity Black, Altitude Qantas Black
Cover for up to 6 consecutive months of travel for Black credit cards and 3 consecutive months for Platinum cards.
To be eligible for the complimentary travel insurance, you need to be an Australian resident who has purchased a return overseas travel ticket beginning and ending in Australia. You must also charge at least $500 of prepaid travel costs to your card account before leaving Australia.

Westpac Altitude credit cards are perfect for the frequent traveller looking to capitalise on their travel expenses and get comprehensive international travel insurance at the same time. Spouses and dependents (under 25 years old) will also be covered by the insurance if they’re travelling with you.

As a bonus, you can choose from the free Altitude Rewards program or the Qantas or Velocity programs (with a $50 fee) to start earning points on your purchases.

Since Bank of Melbourne, BankSA, and St George are subsidiaries of Westpac, they offer the same benefits in their complimentary insurance policies, though different card fees, interests, and benefits may apply.

Compare other popular international travel insurance policies

While we’ve listed our top 8 international travel insurance policies, there are plenty more choices to consider. We’ve provided a comparison of travel insurance policies from brands you’ll be families with, such as Allianz, Medibank, and Bupa, along with others from less well-known companies like World2Cover.

Here’s an overview of their features, cover, and inclusions:

Extremely high benefit for permanent disability and accidental death
$5,000 cover for trip cancellation because of COVID-19

InsureandGo Gold Policy

$15,000 cover for luggage and personal effects
Cover available for travellers aged 100 years and under, although a premium surcharge applies for those over 50 years old.

InsureandGo Gold is a great alternative comprehensive travel insurance policy, with generous luggage, trip cancellation, and COVID-19 cover. It has the highest level of cover for permanent disability and accidental death (set at $50,000 each). But the policy has no automatic cover for any pre-existing medical condition and you will need to be assessed to receive cover for any ongoing medical issue.

24-hour assistance with registered nurses and doctors available
Unlimited hospital and emergency evacuation expenses
Emergency dental included in medical cover

Allianz Comprehensive Travel Insurance

Claim up to $12,000 for luggage, including $5,000 for travel documents and credit cards
Apply to have your pre-existing medical condition covered

The Allianz Comprehensive Plan has built-in flexibility so that you can choose the policy that works best for your needs and budget. You can choose the level of cover for trip cancellations and vary the base excess amount. However Allianz does not cover trip cancellations or disruptions caused by COVID-19. No pre-existing medical conditions are automatically accepted — you will need to apply for cover.

$12,000 cover for luggage and personal effects
15% off for Medibank or ahm health members

Medibank International Comprehensive

Claim up to $5,000 for travel documents and credit cards
Upgrade to the Annual Multi-Trip policy for annual cover for up to 60 days
Up to 38 pre-existing medical conditions are automatically covered
21-day cooling off period

The Medibank International Comprehensive travel insurance policy is great if you’re already a Medibank or ahm health member since you’ll get 15% off the premium. Otherwise, it’s a mid-range policy for those looking for standard cover. The unlimited travel cancellation cover is its best feature, though it caps out at $5,000 for COVID-19 related cancellations (with an extra $500 excess).

Australian-based case managers
15% off for Bupa Health Insurance members

Bupa Comprehensive Travel Insurance

24/7 emergency hotline with access to registered doctors and nurses
Receive a full or partial refund on your premium if your trip is cancelled before departure because of COVID-19
Apply for pre-existing medical insurance cover

If you have Bupa Health Insurance, it may be worth looking into Bupa international travel insurance since you’ll get 15% off the premium. The policy provides a 24/7 emergency hotline where you’ll have access to Australian-based case managers, along with registered doctors and nurses. Bupa doesn’t provide cover for trip cancellations caused by COVID-19, although if you’re affected by border closures or mandatory quarantine before departure, you may be able to cancel your policy and receive a full or partial premium refund.

$3,500 cover for coronavirus-related travel costs
Unlimited travel cancellation cover
Generous cover for travel delay
38 pre-existing medical conditions covered automatically

World2Cover Top Cover

$2000 emergency dental cover
$15,000 cover for luggage, with $3,000 to replace passports and travel documents
Standard excess of $200 can be reduced to $100 or $0

If you’re looking for a great all-rounder with comprehensive COVID-19 benefits and generous cover for luggage and travel delays, you might want to look into World2Cover. Their Top Cover plan provides a combined $3,500 cover for cancellation costs, travel delays, and additional expenses due to COVID-19.

Unlimited cover for cancellation fees and lost deposits
At least 38 pre-existing medical conditions covered automatically

1Cover Comprehensive International Travel Insurance

$1,000 emergency dental cover
Claim up to $15,000 for luggage and $5,000 for important travel documents
Standard excess of $200 can be reduced to $100
2022 Experts Choice at the Mozo Awards

Awarded Mozo’s 2022 Experts Choice Award for high-quality travel insurance, 1Cover has great benefits for trip cancellation and disruption costs, with unlimited cover for cancellation fees and lost deposits, $5,000 for alternative travel expenses, and $2,000 for additional accommodation and travel expenses. However it provides no cover for trip costs (such as cancellations and disruptions) caused by COVID-19.

Up to $20,000 trip cancellation cover
Up to $2,000 cover per person for trip delay expenses
Cover for up to 6 consecutive months of travel
24/7 support through Allianz Global Assistance

ANZ Complimentary International Travel Insurance

Luggage benefit up to $12,000 per cardholder or spouse (dependants are included in the limit available to the cardholder or spouse)
$50,000 benefit per person for permanent disability
Complimentary international travel insurance is provided with ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum, Frequent Flyer Black, Rewards Platinum, Rewards Travel Adventures, Rewards Black, and Platinum credit cards.
To be eligible for the complimentary travel insurance, you will need to be an Australian resident who has purchased a return overseas travel ticket before leaving Australia. You must also charge at least $250 of prepaid travel costs to your card account before leaving Australia.

ANZ offers complimentary travel insurance on its Platinum and Black personal credit cards. Spouses and dependents (under 25 years old) will also be covered by the insurance if they’re travelling with you.

If extensive medical cover is important to you, this complimentary travel insurance might serve you well. Along with unlimited cover for medical expenses and evacuations, you can also claim up to $10,000 per person for loss of income, up to $50,000 per person for accidental death, and an unparalleled $50,000 for permanent disability — a benefit usually excluded from credit card travel insurance.

The best international travel insurance for Australians depends on a range of factors, including the level of cover you want and your budget. For comprehensive cover, it’s Fast Cover International Comprehensive . Cover-More’s Basic Plan offers the good value with extensive cover at an affordable premium while Australia Post International Basic Plan is excellent for medical-only cover.

For frequent travellers, consider NRMA’s Comprehensive Annual Multi-Trip policy . For seniors, look at Qantas Comprehensive Insurance for 70+ years and for families, Southern Cross International Comprehensive Family Cover .

While insurance isn’t always mandatory for international travel, the Australian Department of Health says it is “as important as a valid passport”. Some countries, including those in the Schengen Zone, require proof of travel insurance as part of the visa application or a condition of entry. Since the pandemic, it is a requirement in many countries that your travel insurance covers COVID-19 medical costs.

One of the best Australian travel insurance for COVID-19 claims is nib Comprehensive , which provides unlimited medical cover for COVID-19, along with $10,000 cover for trip costs if your travels are affected by coronavirus.

Travel insurance may help cover any medical costs, trip delays or cancellations, and missing or delayed baggage, all of which can arise from international flying. While travel insurance isn’t a mandatory condition for flying, many countries require proof of travel insurance for entry.

A number of factors influence the cost of your travel insurance, including:

Your travel itinerary (the destinations and the types of activities planned)
The level of cover (such as Essentials or Comprehensive)
The excess you choose
The number of people listed on the policy
Pre-existing conditions you may want covered
Extra cover you choose, such as ski cover or cruise cover.

This means with most policies, you have a degree of control over how much you want to cover and how much you pay in premium.

Before making any purchase of any Travel Insurance product you should always read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination and see whether the products considered suit your needs. Products compared do not show all features that may be relevant to you and your trip.

We don’t act for or give any advice on the service provider or product and whether they are right for you generally or personally. Please directly visit the relevant website of the above Travel Insurance provider for more information.

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S Money complies with the relevant laws pertaining to privacy, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism finance. This means you are required to provide I.D. when you place an order. It also means the order must be paid for by the same person ordering the currency and you must show your identification again when receiving your order.

Travel Insurance: Compare and Save

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Did the CrowdStrike outage affect your holiday?

The global IT outage caused by CrowdStrike's glitch caused chaos at airports and ruined or delayed many people's travel plans.

We spoke to some of Australia's leading travel insurers to see what's covered and what's not. Read on to see what you may be able to claim for.

Why compare travel insurance with Finder?

We compare prices from more travel insurance brands than any other site in Australia

We don't ask for your phone or email to see prices

You pay the same price as buying directly from the travel insurer

How do I compare travel insurance?

Use the travel insurance quoting tool
Tell us your trip details like destination, trip length and age
Get a list of quotes from your favourite travel insurers - you can even get these results emailed to you
Create a shortlist. Select up to 4 policies to compare benefits side by side

What does travel insurance cover?

Medical costs

Most travel insurance policies give you unlimited cover for medical expenses and 24/7 emergency medical assistance.

COVID-19 cover

You can get cover for COVID-related medical expenses now and up to $5,000 towards cancellation or rearrangement costs.

Flight cancellations

It can also pay to get you on an alternative flight. Plus, many will cover your accommodation costs if your trip is disrupted.

Lost luggage

You can get around $250 a day if your luggage is delayed by the airline. Many also cover stolen or accidentally damaged luggage.

See a full list of what travel insurance can cover

Accidental death
Overseas emergency dental expenses
Hospital cash allowance
Loss of income
Overseas emergency assistance
Overseas medical and hospital expenses
Permanent disability
Resumption of journey
Alternative transport for special events
Cancellation and amendment fees
Travel delay expenses
Daily delayed luggage allowance
Luggage and personal belongings
Theft of cash
Travel documents and bank cards
Personal liability
Rental car excess insurance
COVID-19 Medical Expenses
Rearrangement costs if you get COVID-19

I'm ready to compare travel insurace

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Compare Finder's travel insurance award winners

Customer satisfaction winner

Tick travel insurance has ranked first place for customer satisfaction in 2023 .

This survey was conducted by Dynata, where 95% of respondents said they would recommend Tick to a friend, and it scored the highest in the 'value for money' category.

Finder comprehensive travel insurance awards winner

Travel insurance - comprehensive winner

Southern Cross Travel Insurance has taken the top position in the 'Travel insurance - Comprehensive' category for the 2023 Finder Awards . Why? It's got to do with its wide COVID-19 coverage and how it handles cancellations due to unexpected events.

Adding to that, its average pricing was pretty affordable compared to other brands who offer less coverage for a higher price.

About why SCTI won

Finder travel insurance value awards winner

Value travel insurance winner

Fast Cover is the winner of the 2023 Finder Awards for the 'Travel insurance - Value' category. How? We compared the average prices of 28 international travel insurance policies, and Fast Cover came out on top.

But what does ' value' mean? It means we looked at more than just price. Fast Cover doesn't include everything on its policies, but it offers good value.

About why Fast Cover won

Finder domestic travel insurance award winner

Domestic travel insurance winner

InsureandGo has taken the top place for the 'Travel insurance - Domestic' category in the 2023 Finder Awards .

Why? We analysed 23 domestic policies and found that InsureandGo were generous with their benefit limits for things like cancellation and rental car excess insurance.

About why InsureandGo won

Finder seniors travel insurance awards winner

Seniors travel insurance winner

Southern Cross Travel Insurance is the winner of the 'Travel insurance - Seniors' category in the 2023 Finder Awards . Why? It has higher age limits and generous benefits.

We also appreciated SCTI's easy-to-read product disclosure statement. This means that customers can easily understand their policies, and travel with confidence.

Insurance innovation finalist

Fast Cover Travel Insurance's COVID-19 Benefits & Refund Policy earned it a place among the finalists in the Insurance Innovation category of this year's Finder Innovation Awards .

It goes further than many other insurers, covering COVID medical expenses and evacuation, up to $5,000 for COVID-related cancellations and additional expenses.

Best travel insurance

Meet our experts

Our team of insurance experts have published over 450 guides on travel insurance and are regularly cropping up on TV shows, including Sunrise, Seven News and 10News, with the latest travel insurance tips and tricks.

Whether you're heading overseas with the family or exploring somewhere closer to home, we're passionate about helping you get the best policy for your holiday.

Some top tips from travel insurance experts

"Good to know – only a handful of insurers including SCTI and CoverMore can cover you for trip cancellations or changes before your journey because of an unexpected event . The majority don't do this. They only cover you for certain reasons . So for example, if your flight was cancelled or delayed for a reason not listed in the PDS, you might not be covered."

Like many others, I’ve had plenty of delays and even flight cancellations while travelling since the pandemic. Insurance has a place in these events. I've just been lucky that none of these was due to COVID. For me, taking out a policy with high benefit limits for COVID coverage offers heaps of peace of mind. I don’t know why you'd risk travelling without it.

James Martin Finder’s insurance editor

Many people don't realise that travel insurance can include cover for your rental vehicle excess. Not knowing this means people may choose to reduce their rental vehicle excess instead of relying on their travel insurance coverage, and end up paying an additional fee to the rental car company. We recommend that you check your travel insurance policy to see if you can avoid paying the rental car company’s excess reduction fee.

Jo McCauley CEO - Southern Cross Travel Insurance

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel… plain and simple. Things can and do go wrong and you want to be covered for everything from losing luggage to needing prohibitively expensive medical treatment.

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon Freelance finance journalist

Travel insurance: 4 things you need to know

Travel insurance doesn't protect you from yourself

Your claim will be voided if the insurer finds that you failed to act responsibly. Consider this before you have a few too many drinks on your trip or jump on a moped without a helmet.

Rules about renting motorcycles and scooters on your holiday

Travel insurance will only cover you if you're riding with an Australian motorcycle licence or a valid licence in that country. You also need to be wearing a helmet and stick to a specific engine size.

You might need to pay more for activities such as skiing and motorcycling

This can be added when applying online. You'll find that most Australian insurers have a list of activities in the PDS which are covered for free.

You won't always be covered for natural disasters and pandemics

If you buy your policy after a natural disaster or a pandemic becomes a "known event" (e.g. it's in the news), you typically won't be covered, with the exception of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We recently had to cancel a trip to Europe due to a family emergency, resulting in thousands of dollars lost in tickets, accommodation bookings and more. Thankfully we had travel insurance through our credit card which made sure we were covered from when we booked. We received all money lost back in full for anything we couldn’t cancel."

Find out more about the type of travel insurance you need

Travel insurance guides for our most popular destinations

Looking for inner peace? Get peace of mind with the right cover in Bali.

Don't chew gum in Singapore, don't go there without the right travel insurance either.

With some of the highest medical costs in the world, travel insurance is a no-brainer.

Italy? France? Greece? Get cover for them all with a Europe travel insurance policy.

Get a travel insurance quote

Why you can trust our travel insurance experts

Frequently asked questions

What is travel insurance.

Travel insurance covers emergencies or accidents that might happen to you or your belongings while you're away from home. You pay a travel insurer a fee (known as a premium) that is calculated based on the risks associated with your trip. In exchange, your insurer will pay you for unexpected costs related to your trip such as the following:

Medical expenses if you're sick or injured overseas.
Reimbursing you if you need to cancel your trip or cut it short.
Covering your valuables and travel documents if they get lost, stolen or damaged.

Can I get travel insurance that covers COVID-19?

Yes, many insurers offer some cover for COVID-19 . You'll normally be covered if you get diagnosed with coronavirus and can't go on your trip, but you won't be covered for events like border closures.

What's the best travel insurance in Australia?

The best travel insurance depends on your circumstances – for example, where and who you're travelling with. To help you find the right policy, we created a best travel insurance guide where we've selected top picks for COVID-19 cover, domestic trips, families, pre-existing conditions and adventure trips.

Is travel insurance worth it?

Something going wrong at home is bad, but if something goes wrong overseas it can be catastrophic. From medical costs to flight cancellations, travel insurance is basically always worth it . Smartraveller , which is maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), says "if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel". Taking out a policy is a small price to pay compared to the thousands you could lose if something unexpected happens.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance costs have increased since the pandemic. However, it's possible to find a cheap policy for around $5 a day. Your age and travel destination will impact how much you pay.

Does travel insurance cover cancellations?

Yes. Travel insurance can cover you for flight cancellations if something unexpected happens and you're unable to go on your trip. It can also pay for additional accommodation costs and other pre-booked plans associated with disrupted or cancelled flights. However, read the product disclosure statement because some may only cover you for certain cancellations.

Are there age restrictions on travel insurance?

You can usually get travel insurance with most providers if you're a senior up to the age of 80 but you might not be eligible for annual or frequent traveller policies with some brands once you turn 65. If you have any pre-existing conditions, you may have to complete an online medical questionnaire and pay more for a policy.

Most policies will cover kids for free if they're travelling with a parent or guardian. You usually need to be under 23 to be eligible as a dependant, though this varies slightly between brands.

Can I just get complimentary credit card travel insurance?

Complimentary credit card travel insurance can offer similar cover to a standalone travel insurance policy but it often comes with lower caps on how much you can claim and many still do not cover COVID-19 .

You'll need to read the product disclosure statement (PDS) for the fine print regarding the excesses you will have to pay, the benefit limits, the maximum trip duration and which pre-existing medical conditions are automatically excluded.

If you find the few dollars you save isn't worth the risk of being out of pocket, consider taking out a standalone policy instead.

Will travel insurance cover me for my pre-existing medical condition?

It depends on your condition. Insurers will list what pre-existing conditions they automatically cover in the product disclosure statement.

If your condition isn't on the list, let your insurer know about your ailment and they will decide whether to cover you for claims related to that condition. You might have to pay more for a policy but you will still be able to get insurance.

What's a PDS?

A PDS (product disclosure statement) is a legally binding document that outlines what you're covered for. If something's not mentioned in a PDS then that insurer typically won't cover you for it. You'll also find a list of common exclusions, which are events you won't be insured for. Read more definitions of common travel insurance terms.

What's an excess?

An excess is the upfront fee you'll have to pay if you need to make a claim on your travel insurance policy. Depending on how risk-averse you are, you can opt for a higher excess , which will mean lower premiums (policy cost), but this might mean that smaller claims are not worth it.

Can I get flight only travel insurance?

Travel insurance to cover your flights only isn’t really a thing in Australia. A travel insurance policy will generally cover the cost of your flights and potential delays, while also covering a bunch of other things like medical expenses and your valuables.

Gary Ross Hunter

Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
Managing the cost of living

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61 Responses

I filled out a request for a travel insurance quote and have not received it

Hi Peter, you’re best to follow up with the travel insurance company you requested the quote from. Hope this helps.

I need a hard copy of my health insurance going over seas

You should be able to print your policy. You should have a copy on your email or you can access it from online banking. If you’re having any issues, perhaps contact your health insurer for some assistance.

Hope this helps!

Greetings I am taking a 19 day tour of Vietnam and Cambodia. During the tour I will be on a boat for one night in Halong Bay. InsureandGo advised that I need to take out a cruise premium because of the one night on a vessel. The cruise premium is double the price of its Gold premium. Is there a company that would be a better option for me?

Most insurers charge a higher premium for cruise cover, as they are pricing it based on risk. Insurers are aware that there’s a higher chance of claims related to cruising, such as illness, slips and fall injuries and cancellation fees, which can increase the premium paid.

Unfortunately you have to select cruise coverage for the entire trip, so you have a few options: – Pay the higher price and get the peace of mind of full coverage. – Pay for coverage without cruise cover, and take the risk of travelling knowing you have no insurance if something goes wrong on that one day. – Enquire about taking out 2 policies: one standard policy for the entire trip without cruise cover, and another 2-day policy to cover your cruise.

Some of the things cruise travel insurance may cover includes: Pre Paid Shore Excursions Cancellation Missed Cruise Departure Cabin Confinement/Loss of Enjoyment Missed Port Cover Formal Attire Cover Formal Attire Delay Allowance Unlimited medical cover and emergency assistance (on-board and while docked) Weather delays or natural disasters. COVID cover

Hello, I am finding it difficult to obtain the necessary information on-line. I am booked on a cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest with several stopovers and a train journey from Budapest to Prague. My flight is with a stop-over in Doha enroute to Amsterdam with a stop there of several nights. My return flight is from Prague again with a stopover in Doha. My holiday is from 24th September until 16th October, 2024. Are you able to provide me with your cheapest quote including Covid cover. Thank you for your time. Kind regards Judi Boxall

We’re a review and comparison site, so we don’t have any products or provider quotes ourselves and we’re unable to provide personal customer service.

However, if you pop your destinations (Amsterdam, Budapest, Prague, Doha) in the table above and add your age and travel dates, you’ll get a number of quotes and options for your travel insurance.

When the quotes are listed, you can add covid cover as an optional extra on the left hand side.

I am travelling overseas later this year and have activated my credit card insurance. However the policy does not cover me if I need to cancel/postpone my trip due to COVID 19. Is there a stand alone policy I can purchase to cover cancellation / postponed trip due to COVID before I leave? Many thanks

Hi Kaylene,

Yes you can check some options for covid cover when travelling here: https://www.finder.com.au/travel-insurance/covid-cover

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Travel Insurance Quotes

Compare quotes and read reviews from Australia's leading travel insurance brands. Do your comparison online to save time, worry and loads of money.

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No hidden fees.

Travel agents and airlines charge huge commissions. We don’t! Our travel insurance comparison is free to use. You'll be directed to the insurer's website to buy travel insurance without any sneaky charges.

On-board medical cover

Whether you're looking for cheap travel insurance or fully comprehensive cover for a domestic or international trip, you'll find the prices on our site are the same great prices you get buying travel insurance direct!

Data Protection

We promise to keep your data secure and not to sell your information to other companies. And we only ever send you relevant emails you have subscribed to.

Using our comparison is easy-peasy! One simple form makes it quick and easy to compare travel insurance quotes for your holiday. You'll get quotes online for your trip in seconds.

Rest Assured

All the policies we compare have 24/7 overseas emergency assistance to help in time of need. All brands are underwritten by reputable insurers like Allianz Australia Insurance Limited, Auto & General, Chubb, Great Lakes, Lloyds, QBE & more!

Product Choice

We compare heaps of policies for all types of travellers from some of Australia’s most reputable travel insurers. We compare 25+ insurance brands including, 1Cover, Fast Cover, Budget Direct, Insure and Go, Zoom & more!

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Need some help? Check out handy FAQS to help with all your curly travel insurance questions.

why .css-w6rwrx{color:var(--chakra-colors-primary);display:inline;} buy travel insurance?

We’re not silly, we know that plenty of Aussies go on holiday and have an amazing time exploring new and exciting places without buying travel insurance. But taking a gamble on your much-needed break can be risky. Here’s why!

Trust me, I'm not crackers!

Exxy Medical Costs

If you buy a policy for just one reason, this is it! Falling ill or being injured while travelling overseas can be extremely costly. Hospital costs in the USA can reach up to $10,000 per day, while emergency transport home for treatment can easily exceed $100,000! Ouch!

Disasters Can Strike

The excitement of getting on that plane has you knotted up like a pretzel. Picture your dismay if you had to cancel last minute. Worse still, imagine you’re mid-martini when bad news breaks. Should you need to return home, you’ll be covered for unforeseen events like injury or illness of a close relative.

Your Stuff Is Important

Loss, theft or damage to your prized possessions can be a common, yet gut-wrenching experience. If your personal belongings go AWOL while you’re away the right policy will pay to replace or repair them. Win!

Peace Of Mind

Travel insurance comes with 24/7 emergency assistance services which includes a team of doctors, nurses, travel agents and translators ready to support you in your time of need. ...Aaaand relax.

Because You Have To

Still not convinced? We hate to be the fun police, but some countries simply won’t let you in without cover! For example, it is mandatory to take out travel insurance when travelling to Thailand or Cuba.

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What Adventure Activities Are Covered?

Travel insurance is two words that could make all the difference to your holiday. Get the lowdown on how to choose the right travel insurance policy and the potential traps.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

Having pre-existing medical conditions doesn't mean you can't get cover or that it has to be expensive. It simply means that you need to dig a little deeper when doing your research.

Coronavirus, Travel Disruptions and Your Insurance

The rapid spread of covid-19 around the globe has thrown international travel into chaos. Find out what's covered if you're travelling during the coronavirus outbreak.

travel insurance .css-w6rwrx{color:var(--chakra-colors-primary);display:inline;} review

Not sure which policy to pick? Our travel insurance reviews are here to help! Thousands of Aussies have reviewed their travel insurers to give you the inside story on everything from claims handling to customer experience. Or perhaps you want to have your say? Whether you love or loathe your travel insurer rate and review them to help other Aussies pick the right policy for their holiday.

travel insurance .css-w6rwrx{color:var(--chakra-colors-primary);display:inline;} frequently asked questions

Have a travel insurance question? Here are some of the most common questions we get from our customers.

Does travel insurance cover coronavirus (covid-19)?

It depends! Unfortunately, the answer isn't a straightforward one. There are some situations where cover is available, and others where it is an exclusion. It largely depends on which insurer you bought your policy with ; when you bought it; where you're travelling to; when you're travelling; and, the reason for your claim. As travel continues to open up around the world, most (but not all) insurers provide cover for overseas hospital & medical expenses if someone named on the policy was positively diagnosed with COVID-19. Some insurers also provide cover for additional expenses and cancellation benefits.

Which is the best travel insurance in Australia?

The best travel insurance depends entirely on your planned trip and your circumstances. If you're a backpacker on a strict budget, you might want a no-frills medical-only policy, while if you've paid a lot in deposits or if you have pre-existing health conditions, a more comprehensive policy might be best for you. While there's no single best travel insurance that's right for everyone, finding a policy that works for you is easy when you use our quote comparison to start comparing prices and features. With Compare Travel Insurance, you can also read up on travel insurance reviews from customers to learn about their customer service and importantly claims experience.

What does comprehensive travel insurance cover?

Comprehensive travel insurance includes coverage for unexpected medical expenses overseas in the event of injury or illness, as well as cover if your luggage is lost or stolen, cancellation and disruption benefits if you need to cancel or are delayed for unforeseen reasons, as well as public liability cover. Go to our comprehensive travel insurance guide to learn more.

What do medical-only policies cover?

Medical-only trip insurance a.k.a basic policies generally only offer coverage for unexpected medical expenses overseas. Some basic policies also include a small amount of coverage for luggage or cancellations. Our website allows you to filter quotes for basic, mid-range and comprehensive travel insurance policies and their features to help you find the policy which is right for you.

Is it too late to buy travel cover?

Although we recommend buying a policy as soon as you've started paying deposits for flights, accommodation and tours, you can buy travel insurance at any point, even if you are already overseas . Exclusions often apply though, so be sure to check the PDS before you buy.

Can I purchase travel insurance at the airport?

Yes, you can. Generally speaking, you can purchase travel insurance up to a year before your trip, right up to boarding at the airport. With comprehensive travel insurance, you are covered for cancellation benefits from the moment you buy your policy, so we recommend buying it as soon as you start paying for flights, tours and accommodation.

Can I get travel insurance if I'm already overseas?

You can buy cover if you are already overseas, although each travel insurer has different rules on age limits and waiting periods. Check out our already overseas travel insurance guide to learn more.

Does travel insurance cover pregnancy?

You can buy travel insurance to cover you when you're pregnant, but every brand has different rules depending on how many weeks gestation you are, whether you've had complications, and whether you're looking for cover in case of emergency birth. Check out the handy table on our pregnancy guide for more information.

Do I need cover in Australia?

If you're an Australian resident, a domestic policy covers you for cancellations, luggage cover and often rental vehicle excess, but as you're covered by Medicare, medical coverage is not included. International visitors to Australia are currently not required to have travel insurance by law, but it is highly recommended to protect you from eye-watering medical bills and more.

Which is the cheapest policy?

The cost of travel insurance depends on a range of factors including your destination, duration of travel, age of travellers, planned activities, whether or not you have any medical conditions and the type of cover you choose (medical only, mid-range or comprehensive). The cheapest travel insurance is generally to less risky parts of the world - places with cheaper healthcare and less risk of injury, illness or theft - and policies which offer less coverage - so ones without benefits for adventure activities or pre-existing conditions. To get cheap travel insurance from Australia for your trip, create a quote and compare prices, but remember that the cheapest isn't always the best. You should consider your trip and what you require cover for.

Why should I buy travel insurance direct online?

Comparing prices and features online makes it easier to find the policy that's right for you and your circumstances. With comparetravelinsurance.com.au , the price you see is the same price direct from the insurer. Sometimes you're not after the best policy but rather the best bang for your buck and comparing prices and features online can save you time, worry and loads of money.

Our Travel Insurance Comparison Helps You Save Time, Worry And Loads Of Money!

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Comparetravelinsurance.com.au is Australia’s leading comparison site solely focused on travel insurance.

Our comparison is a free service that allows users to compare quotes in a few simple steps based on limited personal criteria. Comparisons supplied are not a recommendation or opinion about the suitability of a policy for a user. Comparisons are default ranked according to price and users have the ability to sort by popular cover levels. Whilst we compare a vast range of policies, we do not compare all providers in the market. Get free travel insurance quotes from Australia’s most trusted brands in just one search, including 1Cover, Fast Cover Travel Insurance, InsureandGo, Ski-Insurance, Travel Insurance Saver, Tick, Zoom Travel Insurance. Compare online and save today! The directors and shareholders are common with companies Zoom Travel Insurance and 1Cover Pty Ltd including it’s subsidiary brand Ski-insurance. CoverDirect takes all reasonable care when preparing this information but does not warrant its accuracy. Pricing information is supplied by the providers who participate on this site and should be verified with the insurer before you purchase. This site links users to the website of the provider to verify quotes and access the relevant PDS to understand what is, and is not, covered by a policy prior to purchase.

CoverDirect Pty Ltd owns and operates this website under AFS Licence 383590. 332 Kent Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia.

Search Smartraveller

Choice travel insurance buying guide.

Do you need travel insurance? How do you choose the right cover? What are you covered for?

CHOICE answers all the questions you need to know before leaving the country.

Download the CHOICE travel insurance buying guide [PDF 3.52MB] Download the CHOICE travel insurance cheat sheet [PDF 587KB] Who is CHOICE? Set up by consumers for consumers, CHOICE is the independent consumer advocate that provides Australians with information and advice, free from commercial bias. Visit choice.com.au .

Why travel insurance?

Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?

How to get travel insurance

Before you buy, how to save money on travel insurance.

How to read the product disclosure statement

What are you covered for?

Credit card insurance

How to make a complaint

If you’re leaving Australia, travel insurance is just as essential as a passport.

Holidays don’t always go as planned.

If you’re leaving Australia, travel insurance is just as essential as a passport. Medical expenses are the number one reason to get insurance, but sometimes other things can go wrong, such as trip cancellations, delays, lost luggage or even the big stuff like natural disasters and pandemics. If you end up out of pocket because of these things, insurance can make up for that.

The Australian Government won’t pay your medical bills.

In an emergency, the Australian Government can only help so much. The Consular Services Charter describes what the government can and can’t do to help Australians overseas.

If you end up injured or sick while overseas, you’ll be footing the hospital bill and the cost of flying home. If you’re really unlucky, that could cost you or your family hundreds of thousands of dollars.

68% of travellers mistakenly believe the Australian Government would ensure they get medical treatment if they need it overseas, and 43% believe the government would pay their medical bills.

Some countries won’t let you in if you don’t have insurance.

Singapore and the UAE require you to have travel insurance. Not to mention all 26 European countries in the Schengen Area if you’re applying for a visa to visit. Read the Smartraveller travel advice for information about your destination.

Reciprocal healthcare Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with several countries: Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. If you have Medicare, you can get subsidised treatment for essential services only in these countries, which often leads people to ask whether they still need travel insurance. The answer is yes, for the following reasons. You’re usually only covered for urgent care that can’t wait until you get home. If you’re very ill, travel insurance can pay for a medical escort to bring you home to Australia. You still may have to pay fees for treatment and medication. For example, in New Zealand reciprocal health care doesn’t cover you for free or subsidised care by a general practitioner or ambulance. Travel insurance can cover you for cancellations, delays, stolen items and more.

Remember to take your Medicare card with you. You’ll need it, along with your passport, to prove you’re eligible for reciprocal health care. For more information, visit servicesaustralia.gov.au .

Marco* had breathing difficulties on his way home from Europe, causing his flight to be diverted to the UAE. Hospitals in the UAE won’t admit you unless you have insurance or can pay an upfront fee. Marco’s family had to pay thousands of dollars for his treatment. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Do you need domestic travel insurance?

Most of us already have medical cover at home, be it Medicare or private health insurance or both. But there are still a few key reasons to consider domestic travel insurance.

Cancellation: If you’ve spent a lot on your holiday, then it’s not too much extra to buy travel insurance in case of the unforeseen.
Baggage cover: If you’re travelling with valuables, think about whether you want them covered for theft, loss or damage.
Car hire excess: You can save money using travel insurance to cover your collision damage excess, rather than paying the car hire company’s extra charge.

Does international travel insurance cover COVID-19?

Many travel insurers now offer limited cover for COVID-19, but the available cover varies quite a lot. Some policies only cover medical and repatriation costs if you get COVID-19 overseas, while other policies provide limited cover for cancellation costs in addition to medical and repatriation costs.

You should always check the details of your insurance coverage, particularly how it applies to COVID-19 and travel disruptions.

Over 90% of travellers will look for insurance that covers them for cancellation and medical expenses caused by COVID-19.

If you’re planning to go on a cruise, be extra careful. Some travel insurers may not offer COVID-19 cover for multi-night cruises or they may restrict the cover provided on cruises.

Also, don’t rely on the travel insurance on your credit card unless you check it closely – it may not cover claims related to COVID-19.

There are cooling-off periods for COVID-19 cancellation cover, so it’s best to buy your travel insurance at the same time as you book your trip. Some insurers may only cover cancellation if you test positive to COVID-19 and the policy was purchased more than 21 days before your scheduled departure date.

Make your travel plans COVID-safe

You need to be prepared for your travel plans to be interrupted at short notice. As travel insurance may not protect you from government border closures, general lockdowns or quarantine requirements in your destination country, the key is to book only with providers that allow you flexibility should things change.

Check the rules for travelling to your destination. For example, are there any entry requirements? What are the vaccination requirements? And what type of travel insurance do you need?
Read the terms and conditions of your airline, accommodation and travel tours before you book. Will they refund you if you can’t travel due to COVID-19? If they only offer a reschedule or a credit, will you be in a position to redeem the credit in future?
You can book flexible tickets for flights but be aware you usually have to pay the difference between the prices for the tickets you bought and the new tickets. So changing your flight dates at short notice can be very expensive.
If you book through a travel agent or booking site, what are their terms and conditions? Will they refund you or provide a credit? Are there cancellation fees?
If you pay by credit or debit card (and you selected ‘credit’ when you paid), you may have access to credit card chargebacks if something goes wrong.
Keep on top of the latest travel advice and requirements at smartraveller.gov.au . Travel restrictions can change at short notice.
If you do have to cancel, your travel insurer will ask you to claim what you can back from travel providers first. Read the CHOICE advice on how to get your money back on travel cancellations and ask your travel insurer if you can get a refund or partial refund of your travel insurance premium.

You can buy travel insurance from a travel insurer, travel agent, insurance broker, credit card provider, or even from your health, home or car insurer.

You can buy travel insurance online (direct from the insurer’s website, from a comparison site or through an airline booking site), over the counter or over the phone.

Buy travel insurance as soon as you know your travel dates. That way you’re covered if your trip is cancelled before you even leave or if you’re unable to travel at all.

You can certainly buy travel insurance quicker than it will take you to read this guide, but do you know what you’ll be covered for? Will you be covered if you trip over after having a drink? If you crash your scooter in Thailand? If you lose your wallet during a stopover? If you need to isolate because you contract COVID-19?

There are a lot of ‘what ifs’ to consider, depending on where you’re going and what you’ll be doing, so it’s worth reading the product disclosure statement (PDS) first to make sure you’ll be covered.

Will you use it? Hopefully not, but research by Smartraveller found that one in 4 Australian travellers experienced an insurable event on their last overseas trip. Most common insurable events Flight or tour cancelled Flight delayed more than 12 hours Received medical treatment Lost, damaged or stolen luggage Missed a connecting flight Lost, damaged or stolen cash or personal items Forced to cancel trip before departure What if the insurers don’t pay out? Australian travellers lodged almost 300,000 insurance claims in 2018–19, the last financial year before COVID-19 travel bans. Almost 90% of those were paid out. Top four reasons for declined claims Due to policy exclusions, or not included in the policy conditions Claim amount was below the excess Claim was due to a pre-existing medical condition Claim was for an item that was stolen while it was unattended

1. Where are you going?

The level of cover and the cost of travel insurance can vary depending on the region you’re travelling to, and some risks may be of greater concern than others. Not all travel insurance policies cover COVID-19 and other pandemics or epidemics such as SARS. And not all policies cover you for changing your plans due to a riot or civil commotion, for example. Travel insurance also may not be available for countries with travel alerts.

Look up your destination on smartraveller.gov.au and make sure you’re aware of any risks or safety advice.
Buy a policy that covers you for every country you’re travelling to or transiting through. If you’re going to Europe via a one-night stopover in the US, then get cover for the US and Europe. Usually a worldwide policy will cover this.

86% of travellers say they’re more cautious after the COVID-19 pandemic about travelling to places where it could prove harder to return home in a crisis.

You need different cover for different regions

Insurers sometimes apply policies to regions rather than having a policy for each destination.

Asia Pacific: Destinations such as New Zealand, Bali, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

Asia: Destinations such as India, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

Europe: Destinations such as the United Kingdom, Ireland and Western Europe.

Worldwide: All of the above as well as regions such as North America, South America, Japan and Africa.

These definitions differ for each insurer. For example, several insurers cover travel to Bali under their Pacific policy, while some will only cover travel to Bali under their Asian region policy.

2. How long are you going for?

Just a quick trip? Simply buy a standalone travel insurance policy for a set number of days.

Travel often? Consider an annual multi-trip policy or a credit card with complimentary travel insurance, but make sure it gives you the cover you need.

Tip: Annual multi-trip policies and credit card policies can restrict the length of each trip you take – anywhere from 15 to 365 days depending on your policy. Some allow you to pay for extra days.

3. What are you going to do there?

Cruising the open road on a moped? Carving up the ski slopes? Partying at a wedding? These things aren’t necessarily included in a travel insurance policy.

Scan the insurer’s list of included activities and those that you’ll have to pay extra for. And take it easy on the grog – if your alcohol or drug intake is the cause of an adverse event, it won’t be covered by your policy.

4. Are you taking any valuable items?

Do you need cover for a digital SLR camera or an expensive tablet or laptop? Cover for such valuables can vary from a few hundred dollars to thousands, and higher cover will often mean a higher premium.

Consider adding cover for portable valuables to your home insurance policy instead, but check on the excess and if the policy will cover you worldwide and not just in Australia.

Policies also vary when it comes to how they cover valuable items. Valuables in your check-in luggage often aren’t covered, while cover for baggage stored in your hire car is inconsistent. And baggage left unattended is never covered, which can include a bag that is stolen from the seat beside you in a restaurant while you’re looking the other way.

Make sure you have receipts for your valuables as travel insurance will not pay if you can’t prove you own them.

5. Do you have any medical conditions?

If you have a medical condition that existed before you bought your policy, it may not be covered. This can range from something as common as allergies or asthma through to diabetes, heart conditions and knee replacements.

If you’re not sure, the best thing to do is contact the insurer to ask whether they’ll cover your condition automatically or whether you need to do an assessment.

The Massoud family* was holidaying in Singapore when 13-year-old Nazreen had a recurrence of severe bronchitis, which had affected her in Australia before their trip. The family’s travel insurer refused to pay any hospital bills as Nazreen’s bronchitis was a pre-existing medical condition. As a result, the Massouds had to ask their friends to transfer the $17,000 they needed to cover Nazreen’s hospital expenses, additional accommodation and the cost of changing flights. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

It’s important to compare policies for cost and cover. Some travel insurance premiums increased by as much as 30% between March and June 2022.

Three-quarters (77%) of travellers are willing to pay more for insurance that covers pandemic-related claims.

The further out from your departure date that you buy travel insurance, the more you’re likely to pay for it, but you’ll be covered from the moment you buy your policy. For example, if you buy insurance 2 months before you fly, you effectively have cheap cover for any events that affect your travel plans in those 2 months.

If you pay for your trip in full 6 months in advance, but you only buy an insurance policy 2 weeks before you depart, you may not be covered for any cancellation costs if you contract COVID-19.

Left it until the last minute, or even later? Only a few insurers let you buy insurance once you’re already overseas (look for the ‘Have you already left Australia?’ checkbox when viewing policy options).

While not all policies offer online discounts, plenty do. Make sure you understand the policy and what it covers. Sometimes (but not always) a reduced price may mean reduced cover.

Tip: Check asic.gov.au/afslicensing to find out whether the agent has an Australian financial services (AFS) licence or is an authorised representative of a licence holder. Take the usual precautions when giving your credit card and other details over the internet.

Member discounts

Does your health, car or home insurance provider also sell travel insurance? Some companies give 10–15% discounts to existing members.

Shop around

Trying to negotiate with a website will probably get you nowhere, but if you’re buying over the phone or through a travel agent, give it a go. Travel agents pocket a commission when they sell you insurance, so if you find a better deal elsewhere, ask them if they can beat it.

Almost two-thirds (62%) of overseas travellers who buy insurance do so on or before the day of booking travel.

Use your credit card

Some credit cards come with ‘free’ travel insurance when you use them to buy a ticket, pay for other travel expenses or otherwise activate it (we say ‘free’ because you’ll pay a premium in fees for the card itself).

This type of insurance can sometimes be a money-saver, and the level of cover can be just as good or even better than standard insurance, but make sure it gives you the cover you need.

Compromise on cover

While good medical cover is always essential, you could save money on your premium by choosing a policy with lower or variable cover for cancellation, delays and lost baggage, especially if you aren’t spending big on your holiday or taking expensive items with you.

Have you read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)? According to research conducted in 2022, of those who bought travel insurance: 45% have skim-read the PDS 43% have read the PDS in detail 8% have left the PDS to another person on the policy to read 2% have not and will not read the PDS 2% don’t know

About that fine print

You’re about to click ‘buy’, so you may as well just tick this ‘I acknowledge I’ve read the product disclosure statement’ checkbox and bon voyage…

But wait – have you checked the fine print? In the insurance world, that ‘fine print’ is contained in the product disclosure statement, or PDS (that thing you said you’d read).

How to read the PDS

There are hundreds of policies out there and if you tried to read all the paperwork that comes with each policy, you’d have to extend your holiday just to recover.

If you don’t have time to read the whole PDS cover to cover, at least look for the following.

The table of benefits is an overall summary of your cover.
The policy cover section is essential reading and is generally split into ‘what we will pay for’ and ‘what we won’t pay for’.
General exclusions are also essential reading – these are events that aren’t covered by any section of the policy.
Pre-existing conditions can remind you of forgotten ailments and are essential reading for anyone with any kind of medical condition, no matter how mild.
The word definition table might contain a few surprises – it’s a good place to check on the definition of a ‘relative’ or a ‘moped’, for example.
The claims section lists some further pointers to be aware of (e.g. it’s a good idea not to admit fault or liability in the case of an accident) and the paperwork you may need to collect while you’re away if you need to make a claim, such as police reports.
COVID-19 cover section – many policies have a special section listing medical, cancellation and other cover available for COVID-19.
The 24-hour emergency assistance contact number (write it down and keep it handy).

The Weaver* family was relieved to have travel insurance when they needed to cancel their holiday. The family wanted to go skiing in New Zealand, but a few days before they were due to depart, 12-year-old Ruby had cold symptoms. A COVID-19 test showed she was positive. Ruby and her whole family had to isolate and their travel insurance paid their cancellation costs. *This is a fictitious but realistic example

The list of travel insurance disputes taken to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) reveals a battlefield of unread or misinterpreted terms and conditions. Between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021, AFCA received more than 2,000 travel insurance complaints related to COVID-19.

Not all travel insurance policies are the same, and the wrong policy can be almost as bad as none at all.

Peter* and his business partner had booked a business trip to South Korea and Japan from 21 February 2020 to 2 March 2020. On 20 February, Peter cancelled the trip on advice of his GP who said that due to the uncertainty of the extent of the COVID-19 outbreak, he should postpone the trip until it is safe to travel. Peter’s travel insurer denied his claim, saying the policy does not provide cover for cancellation due to medical advice. Peter made a complaint and AFCA ruled in his favour as COVID-19 had been publicly announced as an epidemic prior to Peter cancelling the trip and the doctor’s advice not to travel was prudent and reasonable. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Checklist – Are you covered for COVID-19? Are your medical costs covered if you contract COVID-19? Are your extra expenses such as accommodation covered if you can’t travel or your stay gets extended because you or your travelling companion tests positive to COVID-19? What happens if you were going to stay with someone but they’ve contracted COVID-19? Or your accommodation or tour company gets closed down because of COVID-19? Are your additional expenses covered? If the Smartraveller alert level is raised to ‘Reconsider your need to travel’ or ‘Do not travel’ due to a COVID-19 outbreak at your destination after you took out travel insurance, are you covered if you cancel your trip? Are your cancellation costs covered if you can’t travel or can’t return on your booked flights because you or your travelling companion contracted COVID-19? Are you covered for cancellation costs if your business partner or a relative back home gets sick with COVID-19 and you need to return earlier than planned? If you’re planning to go on a cruise, be extra careful. Some travel insurers may not offer COVID-19 cover for multi-night cruises. Are you covered for claims caused by government travel bans, border closures, or mandatory quarantine or self-isolation requirements at your destination?

And what are the catches?

Cancellations, baggage and personal items, sports and activities.

This is the number one reason to buy international travel insurance. Look for the insurer’s benefits table, usually on the quotes screen online or near the front of their PDS, for a quick overview of what they’re offering. Most policies have an ‘unlimited’ sum insured.

Pre-existing conditions

Some insurers don’t cover pre-existing conditions at all. Some will only cover pre-existing conditions with an extra fee and sometimes a medical assessment. Some automatically cover pre-existing conditions listed in their PDS, although few will cover mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety.

Insurers exclude cover for certain pre-existing medical conditions and generally don’t provide cover for any illnesses or incidents that arise from these. This includes terminal illness or any illness that shortens your life expectancy as well as organ transplants.

Minor pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, hypertension, diabetes, epilepsy, osteopenia and more are usually covered if:

the condition has been stable for more than 12 months

there is no planned surgery

you have not received treatment in the past 12 months.

Pre-existing condition spoiling your holiday plans? findaninsurer.com.au lists insurers that may provide cover for pre-existing conditions. Still having trouble finding cover? Enlist the help of an insurance broker.

Examples of conditions that usually need to be assessed before getting cover are coronary problems, lung disease, epilepsy, stroke or any surgeries in the last 2 years.

If in doubt, declare your condition to your insurer.

A disability shouldn’t prevent you from buying travel insurance, but it might make finding a good policy trickier and more expensive.

Is a disability a pre-existing condition?

It depends on the disability and the insurer. Many insurers will automatically cover travellers with limited mobility, cognitive impairments or vision/hearing impairments. But in some cases, this cover may come at an extra cost.

Check with the insurer, as some conditions will need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Having trouble getting cover?

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, insurers must assess the actual risks, rather than make assumptions about disabilities. If you’re having trouble getting insurance, a letter from a medical professional might help, particularly if they can state that you’re not likely to need medical or hospital treatment while on your trip.

Cover for your equipment

If you’re travelling with a wheelchair, mobility aid or hearing aid, you’ll need to insure that as well. Check single item limits, which are usually between $750 and $1,000 per item. If you have a piece of medical equipment that exceeds this, you’ll need to specify it and insure it separately.

Many insurance policies exclude hearing aids, so check the fine print and take out extra insurance if necessary.

Cover for your carer

If you’re travelling with a carer, it’s a good idea to be on the same policy in case travel plans change for either of you – that way you’re both covered. If you have a paid carer, ask your insurer whether they’ll cover the cost of a replacement carer should yours be unable to travel.

Babymooning

If you’re travelling while pregnant, be sure to check the following.

Are you covered for pregnancy complications? Some insurers don’t cover pregnancy at all.
Up until which stage of pregnancy? Pregnancy complications are usually only covered up until a certain stage (often between 23 and 32 weeks, depending on the insurer).
Childbirth: Not all insurers will cover childbirth. A premature birth in the US with intensive care and treatment could end up costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
IVF: Not all insurers will cover IVF pregnancies.
Do you have to pay extra to be covered?
Do you need medical approval to be covered?

Mental health

Many travel insurers won’t provide cover of any kind for hospitalisation, medication or missed travel caused by a mental health condition, whether that’s depression, anxiety or a psychotic episode.

Others will provide cover if you declare mental illness as a pre-existing condition and pay a higher premium. Check the PDS carefully; insurers may use different terms to describe the same mental health conditions, giving them wriggle room to deny a claim.

Insurers are highly unlikely to pay a mental health-related claim if they discover it was a pre-existing condition that you didn’t declare. The trouble is, an insurer might view a single visit to a therapist many years ago because of work stress, for example, as a pre-existing mental health condition.

Mental health and travel insurance have been a contentious issue for consumer rights groups including CHOICE – and it’s one that’s still evolving from a legal standpoint.

To find out if a travel insurance product includes mental health cover, check choice.com.au/travelinsurance , filtering for ‘mental illness related claims’. Then put the PDS under the microscope.

A woman in Victoria won a court case against her insurer after they declined her claim for the cancellation of an overseas trip due to depression. ‘We took out the travel insurance well in advance of the travel, and well before my depression. I was certainly under the impression that I was covered,’ she told CHOICE. ‘They just sent back a letter that said no.’ But her win (the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal awarded her $4,292 for economic loss and a further $15,000 for non-economic loss) was an isolated ruling. It’s still being debated whether or not a general exclusion for mental health claims is legal.

Most policies have an age limit, ranging right up to the 100-year-old seasoned adventurer. There are quite a few catches for older travellers, though.

Higher premiums: Insurers often charge older travellers more, and in some cases ‘older’ can be as young as 50.
Higher excess: Travellers as young as 60 but more commonly over 80 may be subject to a higher excess because of their age. The normal excess of around $100 to $200 is often increased to an excess of $2,000 to $3,000 for travellers 80 years and over for claims that relate to injury or illness.
Restricted conditions: Subject to medical assessment’, ‘reduced medical cover limits’, ‘reduced travel time’, ‘policy to be purchased 6 months in advance’ – all of these conditions can apply to travellers over a certain age.

You’ll probably want to be covered if your travel plans are cancelled for any reason, but be aware that insurers will come up with plenty of excuses to avoid paying up.

Terrorism: Most insurers cover medical expenses but very few cover cancellation expenses in the event of terrorism.
Pandemic or epidemic: Commonly excluded.
Military action: Commonly excluded.
Natural disaster: Covered more often than not.
Travel provider/agent insolvency: Commonly excluded.
Cancellation due to travel provider’s fault: Insurers commonly exclude cover for delays or rescheduling caused by the transport provider.

John* and his partner’s scheduled train service was delayed, seriously diverted, then terminated, which meant they missed their flight home by several hours. Re-booking fees, emergency accommodation and related fees cost them between $1,000 and $1,500, but the insurer wouldn’t pay the claim as it wasn’t in the policy. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

‘Unforeseen’

When an insurer refers to cover for ‘unforeseen circumstances’, it means something that wasn’t publicised in the media or official government websites when you bought the policy. Check the Smartraveller travel advice when you buy your travel insurance. If it became known before you bought the policy, you’re not covered. So the earlier you buy travel insurance, the more likely you are to be covered for the unexpected.

Exclusions and inclusions

When the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) looks at a complaint about an insurer, they expect you to prove the claim is covered by the policy, while the insurer must prove the claim is excluded by the policy. Specifically, AFCA expects you to ‘establish on the balance of probabilities that you suffered a loss caused by an event to which the policy responds’. That is, do you have a valid claim?

This means that you need to understand if your claim is covered under the listed events of the policy, or that it is not specifically excluded by the policy.

If, for example, you have cover for COVID-19, you aren’t covered for every event caused by the pandemic, but just by what is specifically stated in the PDS.

Margaret and Peter* booked a cruise departing from Darwin in March 2021. Shortly before departure, the Northern Territory Government issued a directive no longer allowing cruises to depart from the NT. Margaret and Peter’s cruise company arranged for the cruise to depart from Broome and flew the passengers to Broome for a cost of $300 per person. As Margaret had bought a policy that included some cover for COVID-19, she made a claim for $600. But this was denied by her travel insurer and her subsequent complaint to AFCA was unsuccessful. AFCA said, ‘The cause of the loss was a government directive to not permit the cruise to operate through the NT port. The insurer’s policy provides no cover for these circumstances. It also excludes losses arising from government intervention, prohibition or regulation.’ *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Travel insurance and Smartraveller advice Smartraveller, managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), assigns an overall advice level to more than 175 destinations. This advice level can affect your travel insurance cover. The advice levels are: Level 1 – Exercise normal safety precautions. COVERED. Level 2 – Exercise a high degree of caution. COVERED. Level 3 – Reconsider your need to travel. CHECK. Level 4 – Do not travel. USUALLY NOT COVERED. Travel warnings can work in your favour. If an insurer excludes cover for an event, they may still cover you to change your plans in response to updated advice from Smartraveller. But beware when travelling to a destination that has a ‘Do not travel’ warning. Most standard policies won’t cover you for ‘Do not travel’ destinations, including for COVID-19. A week after a volcanic eruption made world news, Sameer* booked a trip to Bali. He assumed the emergency would be over by the time he was due to fly a month later. Unfortunately, the volcano continued to erupt and Sameer’s flight was cancelled. His insurer declined his claim because he’d bought the flight and insurance after Smartraveller issued a travel alert about the volcanic eruption, and after it had been in the news. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Delays can be expensive, particularly if you have to pay for alternative transport or accommodation. And those extra expenses won’t always be covered.

Transport delay is only covered after a certain number of hours, usually 6, but you may have to wait as long as 12 hours before your cover kicks in.
Cover limits for transport delays are typically lower than other cover limits and are often limited per 24-hour period.
Insurers often exclude cover for rescheduling caused by the transport provider but some may cover additional accommodation and travel expenses in this scenario for travellers who are en route.

Baggage cover varies widely, with travel insurance policies ranging from $0 to $30,000. So, if you’re not carrying expensive items, you may be able to save on your premium by selecting a policy that provides lower coverage.

Individual items are subject to sub-limits that range from around $250 to as much as $5,000.
Higher item limits usually apply for electronic items like laptops, cameras, smartphones and tablets.
You can pay extra to specify items you want extra cover for (insurers are always happy for you to pay extra).
Valuables locked in a car or checked in on an airline, train or bus may not be covered.
Generally, any items left unattended may be excluded from cover, so keep your belongings close.

Jing* sat down to try on a pair of shoes in a busy London shoe shop, placing her handbag next to her on the seat. When she stood up to leave, she discovered her bag was gone. Her insurer refused to pay up because she had left her bag unattended in a public place. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Lost luggage

If an airline loses your luggage temporarily and doesn’t compensate you for that loss, you may be able to claim expenses for clothing, toiletries and other necessities, depending on your policy.

Cover usually only applies to luggage lost for more than 12 hours, though the minimum time limit varies per insurer, as does the level of cover.
If your policy has an excess (a fee that’s deductible from your payout), remember that this applies once per claimed event, and items below the excess level can’t be claimed.

Angelo and Diane* tried to claim $112 for meals and drinks when their connecting flight to Hawaii was delayed by 8 hours. Although their policy technically covered them for the cost, they were liable for an excess of $250, so their claim was denied. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

If you don’t feel like paying the ‘extra insurance’ the car hire company charges, then use the collision damage excess cover in your travel insurance.

Tip: Stick with recognised car rental companies in this case since this cover only applies if the car hire company already has its own comprehensive insurance.

Do you have the right licence?

Some countries require you to have an international driving permit. If you have an accident while driving on the wrong licence (or breaking that country’s law in any other way), you may not be covered.

Cruise-specific insurance

Cruises aren’t automatically included in all travel insurance policies. If you’re going on a cruise, make sure you have the right cover.

The Department of Health says: ‘Cruise ships carry a higher risk for spreading disease compared to other non-essential activities and transport modes. COVID-19, influenza and other infectious diseases such as gastroenteritis spread easily between people living and socialising in close quarters.’

Check travel insurance policies to make sure medical cover for COVID-19 is included, as some policies exclude this cover. Erica* stumbled and broke her femur during stormy seas while on a cruise. Her insurer covered the cost of evacuation and a partial hip replacement at a hospital in Noumea. They also organised and paid for her son to fly to Noumea to help her recover and return home to Australia. Five months later, the well-travelled 82-year-old was boarding a plane to Croatia for her next (fully insured) adventure. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Not leaving Australian waters?

You still need insurance. Doctors working on cruise ships don’t need Medicare provider numbers, so if they treat you, you can’t claim on Medicare or your private health insurance, even if you’re still in Australian waters.

Domestic travel insurance doesn’t cover medical costs, so you need either international travel insurance (check that it covers domestic cruises) or a domestic cruise policy.

Kerry* thought she’d done the right thing buying an annual multi-trip international travel insurance policy for a number of upcoming holidays, one of which was a round-trip cruise departing from and returning to Fremantle, Western Australia, with no port stops. When she had to cancel due to ill health, she discovered her policy wouldn’t cover her because the trip wasn’t considered an international one. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

When CHOICE compares travel insurers, we look at who covers which sports and adventure activities, such as skiing, ballooning, bungee jumping and scuba diving, to name a few.

But as always with insurance, the PDS may include some surprises. For example, several insurers we’ve reviewed will cover canyoning but they won’t cover abseiling, often a necessity in canyoning. Other policies in our comparison will cover abseiling, but not into a canyon.

If you’re planning on doing anything adventurous, check to make sure you’re covered. It’s not enough to simply look for the tick next to your chosen activity – you also need to check the definitions in the PDS.

Motorcycles and mopeds

Hiring a motorcycle or moped? Depending on which country you’re in, you might need a local or international motorcycle licence. You probably won’t be covered if you aren’t obeying the local law. And even if you are doing the right thing under local law, some policies still won’t cover you unless you have a motorcycle licence.

Are you wearing a helmet? Most countries say you need one by law, but that doesn’t mean it will be included in your hire. No helmet means no cover (in more ways than one).

Nhung* was injured after she rented a moped in Thailand only to find out the engine size was not covered by her insurance policy. Most insurers adopt the national standard for the definition of a moped – an engine capacity under 50cc. If the engine is bigger than that, it’s a motorcycle and you’ll need an Australian motorcycle licence. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Skiing and snowboarding

Some insurers cover skiing, often for an extra premium, but not so many cover skiing off-piste (away from the groomed runs). So, if you’re tempted to slide off the beaten path next time you hit the slopes, make sure you have a policy that covers off-piste ski runs (or pay for the optional extra cover).

Otherwise, if you run into a tree and have to be evacuated from the mountains, you may need to think about selling your home to pay for it.

It’s worth remembering that travel insurance only covers overseas costs. So if you break a leg while you’re abroad, your insurer will likely pay your hospital fees, but they won’t cover your ongoing physiotherapy once you’re back home.

Marianna* fractured her leg in 3 places while skiing with her partner and children in Japan. Because the family had bought additional cover for winter sports, they were reimbursed $35,466 for medical expenses, additional transport and accommodation, the cost of a nanny to look after the children, and business class flights back to Australia. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Alcohol and drugs

Overdoing it on vodka and float-tubing down a river isn’t likely to be covered by any policy. Insurers simply won’t pay for costs arising from you being under the influence of alcohol or drugs (except where taken under the advice of a doctor).

Even one or 2 drinks could be enough of an excuse for insurers to get out of paying.

Relatives can be relative Many policies cover the costs to travel home if one of your relatives dies or becomes sick. Bear in mind: an insurer’s definition of a ‘relative’ may differ from yours cover is usually dependent on the age of that relative, so the death of your 84-year-old grandma may not be covered your relatives are subject to the same pre-existing condition exclusions as you, so if your 84-year-old grandma died from a known heart condition, you may not be covered. you may be able to apply for your relative’s pre-existing condition to be assessed before you buy the policy. cover is limited to relatives that live in Australia, or in some cases New Zealand. So if your 84-year-old grandma is in China, you won’t be covered to fly there for her funeral. Amanda* and her husband had booked an overseas diving trip, but shortly before the trip Amanda’s mum passed away from pneumonia. They cancelled their trip and incurred cancellation costs and lost deposits of nearly $13,000. As the death of a parent was covered in their policy, Amanda made a claim. Their insurer denied the claim as Amanda’s mum lived in the United States and was undergoing treatment for lung cancer, so the insurer concluded that her death was caused by a pre-existing condition. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

So you’ve booked and paid for your holiday through a travel agent, but then the travel agent goes broke. You’ll get your money back, right? Not necessarily.

Only a few insurers will cover you for the insolvency of a travel provider, and that includes hotels, airlines and other transport companies that might go broke overnight (remember Ansett?). But there are a few ways to safeguard your hard-earned holiday.

Check whether your insurer covers you for insolvency.
Check whether your travel agent has insolvency insurance (this isn’t compulsory, so only some will have it).
Pay with your credit card. Some banks allow a chargeback if you pay for something on your credit card and don’t end up actually getting it.

Tip: Don’t accept any dodgy contract terms that require you to give up your chargeback rights.

2 out of 3 travellers assume their travel insurance will cover insolvency, but in 2017 less than a third of insurers actually provided this cover.

Credit card travel insurance

Some credit cards come with complimentary travel insurance. They’ll cover you for all the usual things like medical emergencies, cancellation and protection for baggage and items. But they do differ from standalone policies, so it’s essential you check the fine print.

Fees: You’ll pay a premium for these credit cards, usually between $100 and $450 per year.
Excess: The excess on credit card policies tends to be fixed at a higher rate (usually around $250), whereas it’s more variable on standalone policies.
Age limits: Some credit card policies have no age limit, which can be handy for older travellers.
Regions: Credit card travel insurance is not based on location, which means you can travel from Europe to the US without having to worry if your policy covers both areas. Bear in mind though that some regions (such as countries under United Nations embargo) may be excluded, and sometimes with US underwriters, travel to Cuba is excluded.
Baggage cover: Credit card insurance often offers higher coverage for baggage loss and damage.
Trip duration: Credit card insurance policies vary in how many days of coverage they’ll give you per trip – anywhere from a few weeks to 365 days – so check your limit if you’re going on a long holiday.
Pre-existing conditions: Chances are your credit card insurance won’t automatically cover your pre-existing condition. You’ll need to call your insurer and see if you need to pay an extra fee or premium.
Domestic travel: Credit card insurance doesn’t apply to domestic travel, although some cards will reimburse expenses associated with domestic flight delays and missed connections to international flights.
Making a claim: You may not be able to claim reimbursement unless you pay for purchases (such as emergency items after a baggage delay) with the same credit card.

27% of travellers who plan to buy travel insurance will get it through their credit card.

Is it activated?

Credit card insurance usually activates when you buy your air tickets (or sometimes other transport or accommodation expenses) using your card.

Policies require a minimum spend to activate – usually around $500. So if you scored your tickets on sale for $499, you won’t be covered.
If you want cover for your spouse or dependants, you must also buy their tickets on your card.
Some policies only activate if you book a return ticket. A one-way flight, or even 2 one-way flights, will leave you uninsured.
Some banks require you to notify them in order to get full coverage for each trip. While base coverage will still give you emergency medical treatment, you might not get coverage for property damage or luggage delays. Check whether you need to do anything to activate any extra features.
Some cards will cover you if you use rewards points to buy your tickets. Others won’t.

Is it worth it?

If you already have a credit card and use it regularly, the free comprehensive travel insurance on your card can save you money. And if you’re a regular traveller without a credit card, it’s worth considering if you travel at least once a year or every second year internationally.

David* booked a trip to North America for himself and his family, including his 11-year-old daughter Petra. The trip was cancelled because Petra got pneumonia. Unfortunately, David only activated his credit card travel insurance about an hour before the family was scheduled to fly out of Australia. The travel insurer denied his claim for cancellation costs because he knew about his daughter’s illness when he activated the policy. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Have you been knocked back on an insurance claim and want to dispute it?

Internal dispute resolution

Complain to the insurer first. They’ll usually keep you up to date about the progress of your complaint every 10 business days.

Once you’ve lodged your case and all the supporting information and documents, the insurer has 45 days to complete its internal dispute resolution process.

External dispute resolution

If you aren’t happy with the insurer’s decision, you can take your complaint to the Australian Financial Complaint Authority (AFCA). They’ll handle your case for free.

The AFCA will mediate between you and the insurer to find a resolution.
If mediation is unsuccessful, they may make a preliminary assessment or give a determination straight away on your dispute.
A determination is legally binding on the insurer but not on you.
There’s no appeal process with AFCA.
For more information, visit afca.org.au .

Legal action

If you’re unhappy with the AFCA determination, you might want to consider taking legal action against the insurance company.

Keep your travel insurance details with you at all times while on your trip and share them with family or friends before you leave.

Visiting Australia? Consider Travel Insurance

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Table of Contents

Different types of travel insurance

Do you need travel insurance for australia, which credit cards offer australia travel insurance, other ways to get travel insurance, if you want to get travel insurance for australia.

Now open to tourists after two years of pandemic-related closures, Australia is back on many travelers’ wish lists, and for good reason. Whether you’re interested in surfing on the Gold Coast, taking a road trip through the Outback or diving along the Great Barrier Reef, there are a lot of options to consider. But with so many adventurous — and potentially dangerous — activities, you may also want to think about purchasing travel insurance.

Let’s take a look at the different types of travel insurance for Australia, which credit cards provide complimentary coverage and other ways you can acquire insurance for added peace of mind.

A must-have for many, travel insurance can help cover unexpected costs related to travel mishaps, medical incidents or evacuations. However, not all travel insurance is created equal. There are a variety of types available for every kind of situation, and you’ll need to do some research to understand what’s worth purchasing and what might not be necessary.

Here are some common types of travel insurance:

Trip cancellation insurance . Used to recoup costs when you cancel a trip due to something unanticipated, like a medical issue.

Trip interruption insurance . Reimburses you for travel costs when you need to cut a trip short and return home unexpectedly.

Baggage loss insurance . Provides reimbursement when your baggage is lost, damaged or stolen.

Emergency evacuation insurance . Covers costs related to evacuating you to a different location, either for medical or safety reasons.

Travel medical insurance . Used to cover medical costs while traveling, either as a primary or secondary insurer, depending on the type of coverage you purchase.

Cancel for Any Reason insurance . A supplemental insurance that provides partial reimbursement of nonrefundable travel costs when you cancel a trip for any reason.

Rental car insurance . Covers costs related to damage or repair of a rental vehicle. This can be especially useful when renting a car in another country.

Accidental death insurance. Similar to life insurance, this coverage provides payment to a person of your choosing in case of death while you’re traveling.

You may also want to consider finding insurance that covers COVID quarantine costs. Not all policies include this coverage, so you’ll want to be sure it’s included if it’s important to you.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies, according to Nerds

While it’s not required for entry, it may be a good idea. Travel insurance can come in useful just about anywhere, especially because it’s difficult to anticipate things like travel delays and accidents.

If you’re fairly confident about your travel plans, you may be comfortable with the insurance provided by your credit cards, though be aware that they may have lower limits than you’d like.

Otherwise, purchasing a travel insurance policy is always an option. Keep in mind that rates will vary according to your travel destination, dates of travel, ages and total trip cost.

» Learn more: What you need to know before shopping for travel insurance

Even if you’ve decided not to buy travel insurance, you may already have some coverage. Plenty of travel cards include some form of complimentary travel insurance, though the types — and limits — you receive will vary depending on which card you hold.

Many Chase credit cards offer primary rental car insurance, which will cover you in the event of an accident without needing to involve your personal auto insurance company. You’ll need to decline the rental car company’s coverage and pay with your eligible Chase card .

You can find trip delay insurance, emergency medical evacuation, lost baggage coverage and more among the different protections offered by these cards. Here are some of the more common travel cards that provide complimentary travel insurance.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .

Chase Sapphire Reserve® .

The Platinum Card® from American Express . Terms apply.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card . (Benefits may change over time.)

United℠ Explorer Card .

You’ll want to read each card’s benefits guide very carefully before deciding which card to use. For example, both the The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offer lost luggage insurance. Terms apply.

However, insurance from the The Platinum Card® from American Express only applies in the event that you’ve either paid for the full fare with your AmEx card or have redeemed your AmEx points for the flight. Using your card to pay the taxes and fees on an award flight you’ve booked elsewhere — such as redeeming Delta SkyMiles for your flight — does not mean that you’ll receive insurance coverage benefits. Terms apply.

This is in contrast to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , whose lost luggage benefit is much more generous. In the event that your luggage is lost, you need only have paid the remainder of the charges for the flight after redeeming reward miles, points, coupons or other certificates. This means that charging just the taxes and fees on your card renders you eligible for benefits.

Aside from American Express and Chase cards, you may also want to consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card .

Capital One’s offering includes a plethora of travel insurance benefits, including primary rental car insurance, travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement, travel and emergency assistive services and more. Of course, in order to qualify for these benefits, you’ll need to have charged the trip to your card. Benefits may change over time.

» Learn more: The best credit cards with travel insurance

Even if your card provides complimentary travel insurance, you may also want to consider acquiring an additional policy — especially if you’re planning on some of the more adventurous activities you’ll find within Australia, such as camping in the Outback.

Health insurance benefits provided by credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® max out at relatively low levels, which may mean you end up paying out of pocket in the event of an emergency.

If you’re looking for a supplemental policy, you’ll want to check quotes from a variety of providers. You can do this manually, but websites such as Squaremouth will compare multiple policies at once, making it much easier to peruse offerings. You can also filter your search according to the type of coverage you’d like.

» Learn more: Is travel insurance worth it?

Travel insurance can provide peace of mind to the wary traveler. Whether or not you’re interested in purchasing travel insurance, a variety of credit cards offer complimentary coverage for incidents such as trip delays, emergency medical care, rental car collisions and lost luggage.

Otherwise, you may want to consider buying an additional policy to ensure that you’re covered. If this is what you’re looking to do, make sure to acquire quotes from a variety of providers in order to find the best deal possible.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g., plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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International Travel Insurance

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Travel Protect International Travel Insurance

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Why do i need international travel insurance.

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Best Australian Travel Insurance Providers

In today's dynamic world of travel, securing the right travel insurance is more than just a precaution; it's a necessity. This comprehensive guide delves into the intricate world of travel insurance, spotlighting key players in the Australian market and their unique offerings. From Fast Cover's tailored policies for Australian residents to Cover-More's extensive experience and diverse plan options, we explore what sets each provider apart. We also examine 1Cover's focus on comprehensive coverage and emergency assistance, and Southern Cross Travel Insurance's commitment to customer satisfaction and policy transparency. Additionally, we look at Freely's global approach and the mixed customer feedback it receives. This guide is designed to navigate you through the nuances of policy selection, customer experiences, and the comparative advantages of these top Australian travel insurance providers, ensuring you make an informed decision for your next journey.

Fast cover website overview, customer reviews from productreview.com.au, insights and considerations, cover-more website overview, 1cover website overview, southern cross travel insurance website overview, freely.me website overview, customer reviews from trustpilot, finding the ideal travel insurance: a guide, understanding travel insurance, coverage offered by travel insurance, factors influencing travel insurance costs, types of travel insurance, single vs. long-term policies, acquiring travel insurance, making the right choice, faqs on best australian travel insurance providers.

Fast Cover specializes in travel insurance, offering policies for both domestic and international trips. Their services are tailored to Australian residents, including Australian citizens and permanent residents, with a requirement for a valid Australian Medicare Card. They provide a range of travel insurance options, including single trip and frequent traveler policies, and cover various types of vacations like road trips, cruises, skiing, and family holidays.

Key Features:

COVID-19 Coverage : Fast Cover includes specific provisions for COVID-19 related claims, with a 72-hour no cover period for COVID-19 related claims and a 48-hour period for non-COVID-19 claims.
Awards and Recognition : The company has received multiple awards for their travel insurance services, including the Travel Insurance Award 2022 & 2023 and the Winner Travel Insurance of the Year 2022 & 2023.
Australian Based : The company is Australian-owned and operated, with all their specialist sales and claims teams based in Australia.
Variety of Policies : They offer insurance for different types of trips and travelers, including seniors up to 89 years of age, and provide unlimited medical assistance and cover.

Fast Cover Travel Insurance has a high rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 2,092 reviews on Australia's largest opinion site, ProductReview.com.au. The reviews highlight several positive aspects:

High Satisfaction : 94% of the reviews are positive, indicating a high level of customer satisfaction.
Value for Money : Customers rate the value for money at 4.5, suggesting that the premiums are competitive and reasonable.
Customer Service : The customer service is highly rated at 4.6, with many customers appreciating the friendly and helpful staff.
Claim Resolution Time : The time taken to resolve claims varies, with some resolved in less than a week, while others take longer.
Ease of Use : The website and application process are user-friendly, making it easy for customers to purchase and manage their policies.
Customization and Flexibility : How does Fast Cover tailor its policies to meet the diverse needs of different travelers, especially in the context of varying travel destinations and activities?
Claims Process : What are the experiences of customers who have had to make claims, especially in emergency situations or for complex issues?
Competitive Edge : How does Fast Cover's offerings compare with other travel insurance providers in terms of coverage options, pricing, and customer service?

Cover-More offers a range of travel insurance policies for Australian residents, including international and domestic travel, single trips, and annual multi-trips. They provide coverage for COVID-19-related medical costs, amendment, and cancellation costs, among other benefits.

COVID-19 Coverage : Cover-More includes cover for COVID-19-related overseas medical costs, amendment, and cancellation costs, with specific conditions and exclusions.
Variety of Plans : They offer different levels of coverage, including Comprehensive+, Basic, and Comprehensive plans, each with varying benefits and limits.
Additional Coverage Options : The policies cover a range of scenarios, including adventure activities, cruises, snow sports, and motorcycle/moped riding.
Customer Support : Cover-More emphasizes their 35+ years of experience and offers 24/7 emergency assistance.

Cover-More Travel Insurance has an average rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars from 2,880 reviews on ProductReview.com.au. The reviews present a mixed picture:

Customer Satisfaction : 57% of the reviews are positive, but there is a significant 41% of negative reviews.
Value for Money : The value for money is rated at 2.2, indicating some concerns about the cost-effectiveness of their policies.
Customer Service : Customer service is rated at 2.1, with mixed feedback regarding the helpfulness and efficiency of the support team.
Claim Resolution Time : There are varied experiences with claim resolution times, with some claims taking longer than expected.
Ease of Application : The process of applying for a policy is generally found to be easy by customers.
Policy Clarity and Transparency : How clear and understandable are Cover-More's policy documents and terms, especially in relation to COVID-19 coverage and exclusions?
Claims Processing Experience : What are the common challenges faced by customers during the claim process, and how effectively does Cover-More address these issues?
Comparative Analysis : How does Cover-More's offerings, customer service, and claim handling compare with other travel insurance providers in the market?

1Cover Travel Insurance offers comprehensive travel insurance with a focus on providing 24/7 emergency assistance services. Their policies cover overseas medical and hospital expenses, luggage, cancellation benefits, and more. They also include medical cover for COVID-19.

COVID-19 Coverage : 1Cover includes overseas medical cover for COVID-19 but not for trip cancellation due to COVID-19.
Range of Policies : They offer annual multi-trip policies, ski cover, domestic cover, cruise insurance, and cover for those already overseas.
Additional Benefits : Their policies provide unlimited overseas medical assistance, cancellation cover, luggage and personal effects cover, car rental excess, additional expenses, and credit card fraud cover.
Customer Feedback : 1Cover is rated 4.2 out of 5 based on over 1639 reviews, indicating a positive customer response.

1Cover Travel Insurance has a high rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 4,750 reviews on ProductReview.com.au. The reviews highlight several aspects:

High Satisfaction : 84% of the reviews are positive, suggesting a strong level of customer satisfaction.
Value for Money : The value for money is rated at 3.7, indicating that most customers find their policies to be cost-effective.
Customer Service : Customer service is rated at 3.6, with many customers appreciating the support provided, especially in emergency situations.
Ease of Use : The process of applying for a policy and making claims is generally found to be user-friendly by customers.
Policy Clarity and Coverage : How well does 1Cover communicate the details of their coverage, especially regarding COVID-19 related policies and exclusions?
Claims Processing Experience : What are the experiences of customers who have had to make claims, particularly in terms of efficiency and support provided?
Competitive Edge : How does 1Cover's offerings, customer service, and claim handling compare with other travel insurance providers in terms of value for money and customer satisfaction?

1Cover Travel Insurance appears to be well-received by customers, with high ratings for customer service and value for money. Their comprehensive coverage, including for COVID-19 medical expenses, and a variety of policy options cater to a broad range of travel insurance needs. Enhancing clarity around policy details, especially for COVID-19 related cancellations, could further improve customer satisfaction and trust.

Southern Cross Travel Insurance offers a range of travel insurance policies designed to cater to various travel needs. They emphasize their commitment to providing 24/7 emergency assistance and a high rate of claim approvals.

COVID-19 Coverage : SCTI provides information about their cover for COVID-19, which is a crucial aspect for travelers in the current climate.
Variety of Policies : They offer International Comprehensive, Annual Multi-trip, International Medical Only, Domestic, and Working Overseas insurance policies.
Claims Approval Rate : They highlight a 96% claim approval rate, indicating a high level of customer satisfaction in this area.
Emergency Assistance : 24/7 emergency assistance is a key feature, providing travelers with support whenever and wherever needed.
Self-Underwritten Policies : Unlike many insurers, SCTI underwrites their own policies, offering an end-to-end service.

Southern Cross Travel Insurance has an excellent rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3,010 reviews on ProductReview.com.au. The reviews highlight several positive aspects:

High Satisfaction : 93% of the reviews are positive, indicating a very high level of customer satisfaction.
Value for Money : The value for money is rated at 4.4, suggesting that customers find their policies to be cost-effective.
Customer Service : Customer service is highly rated at 4.4, with many customers appreciating the friendly and efficient support.
Policy Transparency : Customers appreciate the transparency of SCTI's policies, which are easy to understand.
Policy Clarity and Coverage : How effectively does SCTI communicate the details of their coverage, especially regarding COVID-19 related policies and exclusions?
Customer Support and Claims Processing : What are the experiences of customers in terms of support provided during emergencies and efficiency in claims processing?
Market Positioning : How does SCTI's offerings, customer service, and claim handling compare with other travel insurance providers in terms of overall customer experience and satisfaction?

Southern Cross Travel Insurance appears to be highly regarded by customers, with excellent ratings for customer service, value for money, and policy transparency. Their comprehensive coverage, including for COVID-19, and a variety of policy options cater to a wide range of travel insurance needs. Continuously maintaining high standards in customer support and claims processing will be key to sustaining their positive reputation in the travel insurance market.

Freely presents itself as a travel insurance provider for the modern traveler. The website is a global homepage allowing users to choose their country of residence, indicating that Freely offers its services in multiple regions.

Global Reach : Freely provides services in various countries, including the US and Australia.
Association with Cover-More and Zurich : The website mentions that Freely is provided by Cover-More Inc., a company of Zurich, suggesting a strong backing and reliability.
User Ratings : The site displays a high user rating of 4.8 based on 1,125 reviews, indicating positive customer feedback.

Freely has an average rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, based on 28 reviews. The reviews present a mixed picture:

Positive Reviews : 54% of the reviews are 5-star, indicating a significant portion of satisfied customers.
Negative Reviews : 21% of the reviews are 1-star, highlighting some dissatisfaction among customers.
Mixed Feedback : Customers have expressed both positive and negative experiences, with some praising the service and others criticizing it for various reasons, including claims handling and customer service.
Customer Service and Claims Handling : What are the specific issues faced by customers who have had negative experiences, especially regarding claims processing and customer support?
Policy Transparency and Coverage : How clear and comprehensive are Freely's policy details, especially in terms of coverage limits and exclusions?
Reputation and Trust : Considering the mixed reviews, how does Freely's reputation compare with other travel insurance providers, and what steps could they take to improve customer trust and satisfaction?

Freely, backed by Cover-More and Zurich, appears to have a global presence in the travel insurance market. While there are positive customer experiences reflected in their high rating on their website, the mixed reviews on Trustpilot suggest areas for improvement, particularly in customer service and claims processing. Understanding and addressing these customer concerns could be key to enhancing their overall service quality and reputation.

Embarking on a journey often involves uncertainty, and travel insurance acts as a crucial safety net. This guide will help you navigate the process of finding the best travel insurance to suit your needs.

Travel insurance is designed to mitigate significant financial risks during your travels. While it might not be necessary for less expensive trips, it's a valuable asset for costly, international, or unpredictable journeys, especially in the COVID-era.

In the year ending April 2021, travelers spent an average of $234 on travel insurance for trips lasting two to three weeks, as reported by Squaremouth. This cost represents just over 6% of the average trip cost.

Selecting the right insurance plan depends on various factors. Let's explore the common travel insurance needs, factors affecting costs, different insurance products, and how to get covered.

The coverage you need will dictate the type of policy you should choose. Here’s a breakdown:

Travel Medical Plan : Covers medical expenses not included in your regular health insurance.
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation : Assistance if you need to be transported to a hospital or back home due to illness or injury.
Trip Cancellation, Interruption, and Delay : Reimbursement for nonrefundable reservations if you need to cancel or cut your trip short, or face delays.
Cancel for Any Reason Coverage : Refunds nonrefundable reservations for any cancellation reason.
Baggage and Personal Belongings : Covers lost, stolen, or damaged luggage.
24-Hour Assistance Services : Help with finding legal assistance abroad.
Car Rental Collision Insurance : Covers rental car damages.

The cost of travel insurance varies based on:

Trip Length and Cost : Longer and more expensive trips typically have higher insurance costs.
Local Healthcare Costs : High healthcare costs at your destination can increase insurance prices.
Pre-existing Medical Conditions : Existing health issues can raise the cost.
Coverage Scope : More comprehensive policies are pricier.
Age : Older travelers often face higher rates.
Optional Supplements : Add-ons like "Cancel For Any Reason" can increase costs.

Travel insurance is usually sold as a comprehensive package, but some providers offer customizable policies. The most common types include:

Travel Medical Insurance : Provides health coverage while traveling, excluding routine medical events and often certain adventure sports.
Trip Cancellation, Interruption, and Delay : Covers nonrefundable costs due to cancellation or delays for specific reasons.
Baggage and Personal Belongings : Reimburses for lost or damaged luggage and belongings.
Emergency Medical Assistance, Evacuation, and Repatriation : Covers medical expenses and transportation in emergencies.
24-Hour Assistance : Offers around-the-clock help for various travel-related issues.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance : Pays a lump sum for accidental death or loss of limb, sight, speech, or hearing.
Rental Car Coverage : Covers damages to rental cars.
Single Trip Insurance : Ideal for one-off trips, priced based on the trip cost.
Long-Term Travel Insurance : Covers multiple trips, suitable for frequent travelers, with some limitations on trip length and coverage scope.

When considering travel insurance, assess what coverage you already have, such as through credit cards. Then, decide on additional coverage needed. Common methods to obtain travel insurance include:

Credit Cards : Some offer free travel insurance benefits when used for booking.
Travel Agents and Reservation Sites : Offer easy-to-purchase insurance during booking.
Insurance Companies : Direct purchase allows for customized policies.
Comparison Sites : Compare different policies and quotes in one place.

To find a policy that meets your specific needs and budget, compare offerings from various providers. Consider using comparison sites that feature a range of plans and customer reviews.

Selecting the right travel insurance involves understanding your coverage needs, comparing costs, and considering various policy types. Whether you opt for a single trip or long-term policy, ensure it aligns with your travel plans and offers the necessary protection.

1. Which insurance is best for visitors to Australia?

The best insurance for visitors to Australia depends on individual needs, including the duration of stay, types of activities planned, and personal health considerations. Companies like Cover-More, 1Cover, and Southern Cross Travel Insurance are notable options, each offering various plans that cater to different requirements. It's important to look for policies that cover medical expenses, trip cancellations, and any specific activities you plan to engage in while in Australia.

2. What is the most reliable insurance company in Australia?

The reliability of an insurance company can be gauged by its customer service reputation, claim approval rate, and policy transparency. Southern Cross Travel Insurance is highly regarded in these aspects, as indicated by their high customer satisfaction ratings and a 96% claim approval rate. However, reliability can also be subjective based on individual experiences, so it's advisable to read customer reviews and compare different providers.

3. Who is best for travel insurance?

The best provider for travel insurance can vary based on individual travel needs and preferences. For Australian residents, Fast Cover, Cover-More, and 1Cover are among the top choices, each offering unique features and coverage options. Fast Cover is noted for its tailored policies and high customer satisfaction, while 1Cover is known for its comprehensive coverage and emergency assistance. It's essential to compare policies and consider factors like coverage extent, customer service, and ease of claim processing.

4. Is travel insurance worth it for Australia?

Yes, travel insurance is generally worth it for Australia, especially considering the unpredictable nature of travel and the potential high costs of medical care for non-residents. Insurance can cover unforeseen medical expenses, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and other emergencies. For international travelers, it's particularly important as they may not be covered by Australia's healthcare system. The peace of mind and financial protection it offers often outweigh the cost of the premium.

5. How much is travel insurance in Australia?

The cost of travel insurance in Australia varies based on several factors, including the length of the trip, the age of the traveler, the level of coverage desired, and any additional riders or coverage for specific activities. On average, travelers spent about $234 on travel insurance for trips lasting two to three weeks, as reported by Squaremouth. This cost represents approximately 6% of the average trip cost. However, prices can vary widely, so it's advisable to get quotes from multiple providers to find the best rate for your specific needs.

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Australia Travel Insurance

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Key takeaways

Do I need travel insurance to visit Australia?

Best travel coverage for visiting australia, what does travel insurance for australia cover, what isn’t covered by travel insurance for australia, how much does travel insurance for australia cost, tips for getting the best australia travel insurance, australia travel information & requirements, australia travel insurance faqs, related topics.

Australia Travel Insurance: Trip Info & Quotes for U.S. Visitors

To travel to Australia, you must have a valid U.S. passport , but you don’t need a visa.
The Australian government doesn’t require American tourists to purchase travel insurance, but it’s wise to have at least medical and medical evacuation coverage since your U.S. health insurance won’t work in Australia .
In addition to medical emergencies, travel insurance can also cover things like trip cancellations, trip interruptions and rental car damage .
According to our research, our top picks for travel insurance for Australia come from Travel Insured, Travelex and Faye ( skip ahead to view these plans ).
We recommend using an online comparison tool to find the best travel insurance policy to suit your needs.

Our top picks for the best australia travel insurance

Travel Insured International: Best for Robust Coverage
Travelex Insurance Services: Best for Basic Medical Coverage
Faye Travel Insurance: Best for Digital Claims Process & App

Our top picks for travel insurance for Australia

Travel insured international, travelex insurance services, faye travel insurance.

Australia doesn’t require U.S. tourists to buy travel insurance, but we highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive policy before your trip commences.

Below are some risks you may encounter that would make purchasing travel insurance worthwhile .

Risks with adventure activities

Australia is one of the best places to visit if you love parasailing, paragliding, hot air ballooning, diving and other adventure activities. Unfortunately, these activities are risky, so there’s a chance that you’ll break a bone or sustain some other type of injury.

Travel insurance covers medical expenses and other costs associated with these injuries, ensuring you don’t end up with a huge hospital bill. This type of insurance is especially helpful if you plan to explore the Great Barrier Reef, take an excursion into the Outback or swim near the shoreline of one of Australia’s beautiful beaches.

Risks due to wildlife

Australia is full of dangerous critters, from venomous spiders and snakes to aggressive kangaroos. Depending on where you visit, you may end up encountering an unfriendly Tasmanian devil. U.S. medical insurance typically doesn’t work in Australia, so it’s important to have travel insurance for these unexpected situations. If you’re bitten by a Tasmanian devil or sustain some other wildlife-related injury, travel insurance takes the place of your regular medical insurance.

Risks due to bushfires

Bushfires have a high heat output and can cause a significant amount of damage in a short amount of time. If you find yourself in Australia during one of these fires, you may have to contend with damage to your rental car or your personal belongings. Comprehensive travel insurance may reimburse you for damaged or destroyed items, or it may reimburse your rental car agency for the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle.

Risks related to long-distance driving

Australia has many isolated regions that are hundreds of miles from the nearest populated area. You may have to drive several hundred miles to reach your destination, so it’s important to have travel insurance before you set off on an adventure.

Best for Robust Coverage

Why we like it.

Travel delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
Generous $150,000 non-medical evacuation coverage
24/7 emergency travel assistance included
CFAR and IFAR coverage not included
Baggage delay coverage only kicks in after 12 hours
No rental car coverage

Best for Basic Medical Coverage

Plans can be customized with upgrades
Children 17 and under included for free with some plans
Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions available
CFAR coverage is available as an add-on to a comprehensive travel insurance plan
Optional CFAR coverage only reimburses 50% of prepaid travel expenses, which is less than some competitors
Travel Select plan only has $50,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses, which is lower than some competitors
The baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour waiting period
CFAR coverage is not available with all Travelex plans

Best for Digital Claims Process & App

Editor's take

Faye is a new travel insurance disruptor that offers an innovative solution to travel insurance with a digital-first approach. What sets them apart is their user-friendly solution to a traditionally bureaucratic system. With Faye, users can manage everything online or via the Faye app – including the entire booking and claims process. Although it’s a newer provider in the travel insurance industry, Faye is already rising as a fan favorite among young, tech-savvy travelers and digital nomads who want quick, convenient, and reliable travel insurance without having to go through an agent.

Apart from their online-first approach, Faye is easy to use and caters to all types of travelers including those who may want help via phone support.

Another feature that sets Faye apart from the competition is their plan offerings. Faye offers one base plan with an array of comprehensive coverage and optional add-ons to customize your plan.

Potential Add-ons include:

Rental car care
Cancel for any reason
Vacation rental damage
Adventure & extreme sports

If you are looking for a convenient and cost-effective way to insure your vacation, consider opting for Faye travel insurance. *Note: Coverage limits and availability may vary by state of residence.

Read our full review

Friendly agents
Easy-to-use mobile app
Fast reimbursements for eligible claims
Prompt replies to questions
Long wait times for reimbursement
Difficulty reaching Faye outside of email & virtual chat

Travel insurance can cover a wide range of circumstances, but each plan has different inclusions and exclusions. Here is a look at the most important types of travel insurance coverage to consider getting when visiting Australia.

Trip cancellation insurance

Australia is far away and is a developed nation on par with the United States. That means trips to Australia are usually quite expensive. It’s never fun to cancel a vacation you’ve been looking forward to for months, but it’s even worse when a cancellation results in significant financial losses.

Trip cancellation insurance protects you if you have to cancel your trip to Australia for a reason stipulated in the policy. For example, if one of your travel companions is diagnosed with a serious illness before your departure date, you can use your insurance to recoup pre-paid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

If you want to have coverage for any type of circumstance, you can also purchase cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance . Typically sold as an add-on, this type of coverage will reimburse you for around 50% to 70% of your total prepaid costs .

Trip delay insurance

To get to Australia, you may have to rely on the services of multiple common carriers. For example, you may have to fly to Australia and then take a ferry to your final destination. Trip delay insurance reimburses you for any expenses you incur as the result of a common carrier delay. If your flight is canceled, for example, your insurer may reimburse you for meals, a hotel, additional transportation costs, and other related expenses.

Trip interruption insurance

Imagine that you arrive in Australia, enjoy a few days of fun and then come down with a severe illness. You’re so sick that you have to return to the United States sooner than expected. Trip interruption insurance reimburses your pre-paid, nonrefundable expenses in this type of scenario. It should also cover the cost of adjusting your travel plans or accessing emergency assistance services.

Travel medical insurance

As noted previously, it’s unlikely you will be be able to use your U.S. health insurance in Australia . Therefore, it’s important to have travel medical insurance to cover things like urgent care, hospitalization, blood tests, CT scans and other healthcare services. If you’re injured while snorkeling or suddenly develop appendicitis during your trip, you can rest easy knowing that your medical expenses are covered.

Medical evacuation insurance

If you’re injured in the Outback, you can’t exactly hop in a cab and get to a hospital within a few minutes. Medical evacuation insurance covers the cost of transporting you to a healthcare facility that’s capable of meeting your needs. For example, if you need emergency assistance, your policy may cover the cost of air medical services (like helicopter transportation).

Insurance for personal items

We recommend that you leave your valuables at home, but if you just have to take jewelry, designer clothing or expensive sports equipment on your trip, make sure your travel insurance includes coverage for lost, stolen and damaged items. This type of coverage reimburses you if a common carrier loses or damages your luggage or its contents.

Rental car coverage

Rental car coverage can protect you under the following circumstances:

You’re involved in an auto accident caused by someone else.
Someone vandalizes your rental vehicle.
Someone steals your rental vehicle.

If your policy includes this type of coverage, your insurer will reimburse the rental agency any time you experience a covered loss. For example, if you get into a fender-bender in one of Sydney’s famous traffic jams, your insurance company should reimburse the rental agency for the cost of repairs.

Travel insurance for Australia doesn’t cover the following:

Pre-existing conditions: If you’re diagnosed with a medical condition like asthma or diabetes before you buy your travel insurance, your insurer won’t pay for medical expenses associated with that diagnosis. In some cases, however, you can opt for a plan with a waiver. This can ensure coverage for pre-existing conditions during your trip.
Illegal activities: Travel insurance doesn’t cover expenses arising from any illegal activities, such as injuries that occur while under the influence of illicit substances.
Fear of travel: If you book a trip and then suddenly develop a fear of flying, your insurance company won’t reimburse you for your pre-paid expenses. The same applies to a fear of seeing a spider or encountering a Tasmanian devil during your trip.
Expected events: Travel insurance doesn’t cover expenses associated with events that you knew about (or should have known about) before a trip. For example, if you book a trip and buy insurance after a named storm has started developing, your insurer won’t reimburse you if the storm forces you to cancel or interrupt your trip.

For a trip to Australia, we found that the cost of travel insurance ranges from less than $1 per day to around $11 per day depending on the type of coverage.

To give you a better idea, we requested multiple quotes from leading travel insurance providers.

These quotes are based on the following criteria:

Age: 35 years old
Destination: Australia
Trip Length: 7 days
Trip cost: $2,000

You can see our quotes for basic travel insurance in the following table. The cheapest travel insurance plan costs just under $1 per day .

Example Where Plan Doesn’t Reimburse the Full Trip Cost

The plans in this next table are more comprehensive. In addition to medical and medical evacuation coverage, they also include trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage. According to our quotes, these plans cost between $7 and $11 per day .

Example Where Plan Does Reimburse the Full Trip Cost

Your costs won’t be exactly the same, as insurance companies base their premiums on these factors:

Trip cost: Insurance companies reimburse you for up to 100% of your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses. The more your trip costs, the more your insurance provider has to pay you if you experience a covered loss. Therefore, the cost of your insurance plan depends on the cost of your trip.
Age: Older people are more likely to develop serious medical problems while traveling, so it costs more to insure a 60-year-old or 70-year-old traveler than it does to insure someone in their 20s.
Insurance benefits: Some travel insurance plans come with more benefits than others. For example, a plan that offers $1 million in medical evacuation coverage will cost more than a plan that comes with only $100,000 in medical evacuation coverage.
Destination: Some destinations are riskier than others, so insurance companies charge different rates based on your itinerary.
Add-on coverage: You may need to purchase add-on coverage, such as insurance for adventure activities. If so, you’ll pay an additional premium for the extra benefits.

To find the best travel insurance for your needs, follow these tips:

Consider how you’re getting to and around Australia.

You’ll have to take an airplane from the United States to Australia, but depending on your plans, you may also need to ride a train or take a ferry at some point. The more carriers you use, the more likely you are to experience delays and other problems, increasing the amount of coverage needed.

Think carefully about what you plan to do.

If you want to visit the Sydney Opera House and check out the Australian Museum, you won’t need as much coverage as someone who plans to camp in the Outback or go parasailing over the Gold Coast. You may also want to limit your cancellation costs by purchasing cancel-for-any-reason coverage.

Time your purchase carefully.

Although you can buy Overseas Visitors Cover when you arrive, it’s typically cheaper to purchase travel insurance well in advance of your trip.

Are there COVID-19 restrictions for U.S. tourists?

No. Australia has no COVID-19-related restrictions for American travelers. However, the Australian government does recommend getting the COVID-19 vaccine, wearing masks and practicing good hygiene.

Do I need a visa or passport to travel to Australia?

Yes. You need a valid U.S. passport with at least one blank page for your entry stamp.

Is it safe to visit Australia?

The United States and Australia have a strong diplomatic relationship. Although there’s always some level of risk involved in traveling to a foreign country, Australia is generally safe for Americans. The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 1 travel advisory , indicating that you don’t need to take any special safety precautions when visiting the “Land Down Under.”

What travel insurance do I need to travel to Australia?

You’re not required to purchase travel insurance for Australia, but we highly recommend that you do. You never know when you’re going to have an emergency or encounter some kind of problem during a trip. To find the right policy to suit your needs, try using an online comparison tool .

Does American health insurance work in Australia?

In most cases, no. Medicare and Medicaid only work in the United States, and most private health insurance companies will only cover expenses if you use U.S. medical facilities.

Can foreigners buy travel insurance in Australia?

When you travel to Australia, you have the option of buying Overseas Visitors Cover. However, not many companies provide this type of coverage. There may also be waiting periods for medical coverage. Therefore, we recommend that you buy travel insurance before you leave the United States.

About the Author

Leigh Morgan is a seasoned personal finance contributor with over 15 years of experience writing on a diverse range of professional legal and financial topics. She specializes in subjects like navigating the complexities of insurance, savings, zero-based budgeting and emergency fund development.

In the last five years, she’s authored over 300 articles for credit unions, digital banks, and financial professionals. Morgan is also the author of “77 Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse,” a book focused on helping caregivers protect the elderly from financial scams.

In addition to her writing skills, she brings real-world financial acumen thanks to her previous experience managing rental properties as part of a $34 million real estate portfolio.

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Which travel insurers cover you for cruises?

Cruises are officially back on the cards and people are queuing up to get on board. here's how to make sure you're covered..

Fact-checked

Checked for accuracy by our qualified fact-checkers and verifiers. Find out more about fact-checking at CHOICE .

Need to know

Most travel insurers cover cruises but there are some exclusions and fine print to be aware of
For example, you won't be able to claim for events that occur because you've had too much to drink
You need to make sure you declare your pre-existing medical conditions

With the restrictions on cruises finally lifted post-pandemic, the industry has bounced back in a big way this year and is more popular than ever.

But some people lost thousands of dollars on cancelled cruises during the COVID-19 travel bans and some cruise lines might not even let you on board without travel insurance.

So if you're planning a cruise, read on to discover how to choose the travel insurance policy that's best for you.

On this page:

Travel insurance for overseas cruises

Which travel insurers cover international cruises, what cruise travel insurance won't cover, do i need insurance for australian cruises, when to buy travel insurance for a cruise.

Most travel insurers cover international cruises that start and end in Australia, usually as an optional extra (we haven't looked at cover for cruises that start and/or end overseas).

Some providers also offer tailored cruise travel insurance, which can give you access to additional inclusions that are unique to cruising and that may not be covered in standard policies, such as cover for missed ports, missed departures, or cabin confinement due to illness.

When choosing a policy, it's important to make sure the region you're visiting is covered and that it suits your needs and itinerary.

Check the policy age limit, as some policies cover you up to the age of 100 but others only cover you up to 69.

It's also worth noting that if you want cancellation coverage in case a relative in Australia becomes ill or dies, the relative will also need to meet the age limit on the policy and satisfy the existing medical condition requirements.

Australian authorities no longer require people to prove they've had a COVID-19 vaccination in order to board, but it may be required for some destinations such as New Caledonia, and cruise ships are still a higher risk setting for diseases like gastroenteritis and respiratory infections, including influenza (flu) and COVID-19. So check if you have medical and cancellation cover for COVID-19 and other illnesses.

Existing medical conditions and pregnancy

As with other types of travel insurance, some pre-existing medical conditions may not be covered, and others will need to be disclosed in order to be covered. If in doubt, contact the insurer to discuss your needs.

It's also worth noting that pregnancy is considered an existing medical condition. Some insurance policies cover pregnancy up to 30 weeks, but most cruise lines won't allow you on board if you're more than 24 weeks pregnant.

Travel insurance and alcohol

Some people liken cruises to a floating RSL club, but the combination of alcohol and a seagoing vessel can cause accidents.

In an Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) case, Phil* fell down a flight of stairs on a cruise ship and suffered a moderate brain injury, skull fracture and right lung contusion.

All travel insurers have a clause that excludes cover for claims resulting from a person being under the influence of alcohol

Phil said the area was not well lit and the steps would have been slippery, while his wife said he was walking steadily. He was taken to a hospital in Austria and a test showed that he had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.198%.

The insurer had an exclusion for "any conduct engaged in whilst under the influence or effect of alcohol or drugs", and AFCA sided with the insurer, determining that Phil's claim for expenses should be denied.

All travel insurers have a similar clause that excludes cover for claims resulting from a person being under the influence of alcohol.

* Not their real name. Policyholder names are not disclosed in AFCA case records.

Even if you book a cruise that won't be leaving Australian waters, you may still need travel insurance as shipboard medical expenses might not be covered by Medicare. Check that your travel insurance does cover medical costs – you may need international or cruise-specific insurance. Domestic travel or health insurance won't cut it.

Doctors working on cruise ships don't need Medicare provider numbers, so check with your cruise line if they have a Medicare doctor on board. If they don't, and they treat you, you can't claim on Medicare or your private health insurance, even though you never left Australia.

Domestic travel insurance doesn't cover medical costs, so you'd need either international travel insurance (check that it covers domestic cruises) or special 'domestic cruise' insurance, which is available from a few select insurers.

Cruises are often booked well ahead of time, so you could be forgiven for forgetting or delaying the purchase of your travel insurance. But if your cruise is cancelled ahead of time and you don't yet have cover, you could lose your money. The earlier you buy the policy, the better.

On the flip side, there aren't many insurers that cover you more than a year out from starting your trip. If you book your trip more than a year out, shop around for a policy that will cover you.

Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.

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Best Travel Insurance Providers for Seniors

The journalists on the editorial team at Forbes Advisor Australia base their research and opinions on objective, independent information-gathering.

When covering investment and personal finance stories, we aim to inform our readers rather than recommend specific financial product or asset classes. While we may highlight certain positives of a financial product or asset class, there is no guarantee that readers will benefit from the product or investment approach and may, in fact, make a loss if they acquire the product or adopt the approach.

To the extent any recommendations or statements of opinion or fact made in a story may constitute financial advice, they constitute general information and not personal financial advice in any form. As such, any recommendations or statements do not take into account the financial circumstances, investment objectives, tax implications, or any specific requirements of readers.

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Our Pick Of The Best Travel Insurance Providers For Seniors In Australia

Published: Jul 9, 2024, 10:05am

Editorial note: Forbes Advisor Australia may earn revenue from this story in the manner disclosed here . Read our advice disclaimer here .

Despite the cost-of-living crisis and high inflation, travel is booming in 2024, with older Australians more likely than other groups to hit the road or take to the skies.

According to recent research from Tourism Research Australia, trips declined by 13% for the youngest group of travellers (15-24 years) in the September quarter of 2023, compared to the previous year’s quarter, while those aged 55-64 years and 65 years and over increased their travel by 8% and 10% respectively across the same period.

And while travel insurance is vital at all ages, it’s especially important as we age and become more likely to suffer falls or complications. Travel insurance allows travellers to access life-saving medical treatment in an emergency overseas, when medical and hospital fees vary. It can also help cover costs to get your trip back on the road after unforeseeable mishaps, or get you home safely if you need to cut the holiday short.

Not every insurance policy caters to people over a certain age, and others may impose benefit limits for certain activities for older travellers. Our dedicated Australian research team has dug through the fine print of policies open to seniors so we can outline the details of the best seniors travel insurance in Australia and whom they may suit. Leading policies are analysed across numerous data points, and ranked by our editorial team to reflect the most generous travel insurance suitable for seniors.

Note: The below list represents a selection of our top category picks, as chosen by Forbes Advisor Australia’s editors and journalists. The information provided is purely factual and is not intended to imply any recommendation, opinion, or advice about a financial product. Not every product or provider in the marketplace has been reviewed, and the list below is not intended to be exhaustive nor replace your own research or independent financial advice. For more information on how Forbes Advisor ranks and reviews products, including how we identified our top category picks, read the methodology selection below.

Related: Best Travel Insurance for Australians

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Our methodology, what is seniors travel insurance, types of travel insurance, senior travel insurance: what to look for, can seniors over 75 get travel insurance, pre-existing medical conditions: are you covered, travel insurance coverage for children and grandchildren, typical exclusions in seniors travel insurance, final thoughts, frequently asked questions (faqs).

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On Fast Cover’s Secure Website

Medical cover

Unlimited, 24/7 Emergency Assistance

Cancellations

Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)

Key Features

25-Day Cooling Off Period, Australian Based Call Centre, 4.6 Star Product Review Rating

Cover-More Travel Insurance

On Cover-more’s secure website

Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental

Yes, amount chosen by customer

Option of Cruise Cover

Unlimited medical

Yes (some sub limits apply)

99 (with acceptance criteria)

The comprehensive travel insurance offering from Cover-More is a suitable option for seniors (up to 99 years of age) seeking the peace of mind that cover for pre-existing medical conditions can provide. The policy’s wide range of automatically covered conditions includes carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, and some common heart conditions.

Be sure you meet any criteria related to these and other conditions, and please note that asthmatics over 60 aren’t automatically covered. We also liked the option to add on cruise cover, the generous $15,000 in coverage for luggage, $2.5 million in personal liability cover, $60,000 in funeral and repatriation expenses, and unlimited overseas medical cover. However, dental expenses are capped at $2,000.

Many pre-existing medical conditions covered without assessment
$15,000 luggage cover with item limit increases available
$2,000 overseas dental expenses cap

Yes (automatic)

The comprehensive travel insurance offering from nib provides generous cover that will suit many seniors’ travel plans, with additional flexibility. It’s a great option for nib health insurance customers who receive a 10% premium discount, or anyone travelling with their children who can also be covered by the policy (as long as they’re under 25). Medical expenses that may crop up on your overseas trip should be sorted with the unlimited cover, and cruise cover is included as standard. We also like that policyholders can choose the amount of coverage for cancellation costs, with the only limit being $2,000 on travel agent cancellation fees.

This policy gets another gold star for covering numerous pre-existing medical conditions as standard, including things like allergies, epilepsy, Hashimoto’s Disease and many others (as long as you fit the criteria). However, only $1 million is covered for personal liability expenses. Also note the $8,000 limit on hospital compensation (at $50 per day), and that the permanent disability cover of $12,500 is relatively low.

10% discount for nib health insurance members
Cruise cover automatically included
Lower permanent disability cover

The Travel Insurance Saver policy operates via nib’s underwriting service and therefore provides very similar benefits, minus the discount offered to nib health insurance members. Like the nib comprehensive policy, you’ll receive unlimited cover for medical expenses and anything that happens on a cruise as standard, as well as the freedom to choose the amount you’d like covered for cancellation costs (apart from the $2,000 limit on travel agent cancellation fees).

Many pre-existing medical conditions are included in the policy without the need for a medical assessment, including allergies, epilepsy, Hashimoto’s Disease and more, provided you meet the relevant criteria. But don’t forget the $8,000 limit on hospital compensation (at $50 per day), and that if you are permanently disabled while travelling cover tops out at $12,500. This policy also only covers $1 million in personal liability expenses.

Cruise cover automatically included.
Unlimited overseas medical expenses covered
Liability cover tops out at $1 million

If you’re a whizz with technology and under the age of 99, Freely could be your ideal travel insurance provider. You can purchase and manage a comprehensive policy suited to seniors via the Freely app which enables a convenient claims process and easy access to important policy documents. We appreciated that the unlimited overseas medical cover also includes dental expenses, and that cruise cover can be added onto the policy.

Personal liability is covered to $3 million, and if the worst were to happen—that you pass away or become permanently disabled while travelling—expenses related to this are covered up to $25,000. A number of medical conditions are automatically covered, from bunions to congenital blindness and deafness, just be sure you meet the criteria for each. However, there is only $5,000 allotted to cancellations, which should be factored in if you’re planning a costly trip with payments made ahead of time.

Numerous pre-existing medical conditions covered without assessment
Unlimited overseas medical and dental cover
$5,000 limit on cancellation cover

Allianz Australia is a suitable choice for seniors looking for a reputable underwriter and some generous conditions. Chief among these is the ability to add cruise cover—a big plus among older travellers— and the fact there is no age limit on taking out a policy. We also liked the unlimited medical expenses, alongside personal liability coverage up to $5 million.

Another bonus: children and grandchildren are covered if they are travelling with you 100% of the time, are aged under 25 years and not in full time employment. However, coverage for pre-existing conditions required a medical assessment, and there is no cover for any expenses for medical evacuation, funeral expenses incurred overseas or return of remains unless it has been approved by Allianz Global Assistance.

Cruise cover can be added
No age limit to policy
Pre-existing medical conditions require assessment

Travellers of all ages and life stages can take out Bupa’s comprehensive policy, but anyone who currently holds health insurance through the company can access a 15% discount as a loyalty bonus. Simply enter your membership number when prompted as you’re applying, and you’ll get a tidy discount across the policy, which includes unlimited medical, health and emergency cover.

Top marks as well for the handy add-ons, such as cruise cover and increased item limits for more valuable personal effects, as well as the $5 million personal liability cover and $60,000 for funeral and repatriation expenses. Please note that you will be required to do an online medical assessment for any coverage of pre-existing medical conditions.

15% discount for Bupa Health Insurance members

While the company’s name may elicit a cringe, Boomers Travel Insurance presents a high quality, flexible offering for travellers of any age that’s underwritten by the reputable Allianz Australia Insurance. The policy’s generous benefits include $10,000 in cover for luggage with the option to increase item limits for more valuable possessions, the option to add on cruise cover, and $5 million in personal liability cover.

It’s a great option for families, as children and grandchildren are also covered if they are joining you for your entire journey, as long as they are under 25 and not employed full-time. While the policy includes unlimited overseas medical, hospital and emergency expenses, it’s important to note that all pre-existing medical conditions need to be assessed and approved by the company when you apply for coverage.

Luggage cover can be increased for valuable items

Yes (dental limits apply)

Seniors seeking out travel insurance that automatically covers a wide range of pre-existing medical conditions (without a medical assessment required) alongside generous benefits should consider Australia’s Post’s International Comprehensive Travel Insurance. Knowing you’ll be covered if a claim arises from conditions like hypertension, epilepsy, hiatus hernia and some autoimmune disorders provides extra peace of mind for anyone juggling health complications later in life (just be sure you meet the criteria for each condition).

There’s no age limit for policyholders, nor any limits on overseas medical and hospital care, as well as additional emergency expenses. We also liked the generous $5 million personal liability cover, and $12,000 in repairs or replacement for luggage (sub limits for certain items do apply). If you’re concerned about potential dental issues while travelling, do note there is a $2,000 cap on dental expenses. And if you’re an asthmatic over 60, this particular condition won’t be covered.

Medibank Travel Insurance (Comprehensive)

Medibank is one of the largest private health insurance providers in Australia, and its comprehensive travel insurance policy is similarly reliable for senior travellers. It is especially good value for anyone who already holds a health insurance policy with Medibank – those with standard health insurance memberships will receive a 15% discount, and Medibank Priority health members will see a 20% premium reduction.

It includes generous policy features like unlimited cover for overseas medical and cancellation expenses, $15,000 in luggage cover with flexible sub limits for specific items, and $5 million in personal liability cover. Cruise cover can be added as an optional extra for those travelling the high seas, and a wide range of pre-existing medical conditions are covered without policyholders having to apply or undergo a medical assessment. Keep in mind there is a $2,000 limit on overseas dental cover.

15% discount for Medibank health members.
Many pre-existing medical condistions covered without a health assessment.
$2,000 limit on dental cover.

Undisclosed

With unlimited overseas medical, dental and cancellation cover, the comprehensive travel insurance policy from RACV is an attractive policy for travellers of all ages. While the Victorian insurance company doesn’t specify an age limit on this policy, it provides cover suitable for seniors while offering a 15% discount to RACV members, no matter the type of insurance they hold with the company.

We appreciate the extremely generous $15 million personal liability cover, the $15,000 in luggage cover with flexible sub limits, and that a range of pre-existing medical conditions are covered without an assessment. Please note that travellers over 50 can’t be covered for diabetes, and those over 60 aren’t covered for asthma.

Cruise cover can be added.
15% discount for RACV members.
Age limits apply for some pre-existing medical conditions.

Yes (some conditions apply)

COTA has specialised in the seniors’ insurance space since 1992, and is currently underwritten by Pacific International Insurance. Major selling points that could serve older travellers well include the automatic inclusion of cruise cover, $12,000 in cover for lost or stolen luggage, and no age limits applied to the coverage.

While overseas medical expenses coverage is unlimited with this policy, we thought it important to note the caps on dental cover ($1,000) and hospital compensation (up to $8,000 with a limit of $50 per 24 hours). Medical evacuation and repatriation expenses are unlimited, but there is relatively low cover for permanent disability caused while travelling ($12,500). And if you require cover for pre-existing conditions, you’ll need to undergo an assessment.

Caps on overseas hospital and dental expenses

Southern Cross Benefits is a reputable underwriter for this comprehensive policy available to travellers at any age . It includes generous benefits like $25,000 cover for lost luggage and unlimited medical and evacuation costs, although sub limits do apply (such as a $2,000 limit for dental expenses and a $100,000 limit on medical costs related to terrorism).

The $50,000 coverage for death, permanent disability and funeral expenses is notably higher than similar policies, but personal liability costs are only covered up to $1 million. While bank cards and other travel documents are covered up to $1,000 if lost, there is no cover for credit card fraud. Anyone with existing medical conditions or injuries will need to apply for these to be covered in case they are the cause of expenses while travelling.

Generous death and disability cover
No cover for credit card fraud

89 (with age limits to snow and adventure packs)

Fast Cover caters to travellers aged up to 89 , although snow sports cover is unavailable after the age of 69 and the adventure pack age limit is 74 or under. Dental cover for travellers of all ages is limited to $1,000.

Happily, cruise cover can be an add-on at any age, personal liability is covered up to $5 million, and Fast Cover offers an online medical screening for all pre-existing medical conditions to determine if it can be covered on your policy.

Medical screening available for pre-existing conditions
Cruise cover can be added on
Select snow sports and adventure packs limited to younger travellers

Our editorial team analyses and rates the travel insurance policies you’re reading about today. We don’t aim to evaluate every policy on the market, but we go to great lengths to extensively research and report on the most popular choices among consumers.

To find the best travel insurance for seniors, we meticulously assessed the desirable policy attributes for this kind of insurance customer across 17 datapoints. These factors are weighted to reflect the importance of each. The four most important factors considered were limits around age, death and disability cover, unlimited medical cover and cruise cover—features that were likely to be of interest to seniors.

As mentioned, we didn’t include price in this assessment, as quotes vary between travellers based on a huge range of factors, from their destination to optional extras, as well as health and medical histories. The data points were as follows:

Emergency Assistance: Does the policy offer a 24-hour medical or emergency hotline?
Credit card fraud: If you fall victim to credit card fraud while travelling, will your credit card be replaced and any stolen funds reimbursed?
Pre-existing medical conditions: Does the policy cover pre-existing medical conditions, and are you required to undergo a medical assessment to be covered for these? The more conditions automatically covered, the better, although we note that online medical assessments are relatively straight-forward these days.
Lost luggage: Will your lost luggage be covered? Higher limits and extra flexibility to increase sub limits scored extra points.
Cancellations: Does the policy cover cancellation fees, and what is the limit or any sub-limits?
Cruise cover: Is cruise cover included as standard or can you add it on?
Online discounts: Are there any discounts on offer?
Maximum age covered: What is the maximum age covered in the comprehensive policy? Having no age restrictions is ideal, but otherwise: the higher the better.
Cover for medical expenses: Is it unlimited or is there a set total price for the medical expenses covered?
Cover for dental expenses: Does the policy cover emergency dental work overs overseas? If so, is a limit specified?
Covid cover: Is cover for expenses that arise from events and illnesses related to Covid-19 included in the policy, such as cabin confinement in the case of an outbreak? If so, what does this entail, and are there any limits?
Cover for children and grandchildren travelling with you: Are grandchildren or children covered for free under this policy? If they are, what terms and conditions must your family members meet to qualify?
Personal liability: If you unintentionally injure someone else or damage their property, what is the maximum personal liability expense that the insurance company will pay out?
Funeral costs: Are funeral costs covered, and up to what price? Limits on repatriation of remains from overseas should be considered here if they’re not included under a different policy point.
Accidental death: What is the claim limit if the worst were to occur and you pass away from unforeseeable circumstances while travelling?
Accidental disability: If you are permanently disabled after an accident while on holiday, what’s the maximum amount you can access?
Customer service: What level of customer support does the insurance company offer? Do they offer live online chat and phone services, and are these channels available on weekends or outside business hours midweek?

About Star Rankings

You will note that we have included a star rating next to each product or provider. This rating was determined by the editorial team once all of the data points above were considered, and the pros and cons of each product attribute was reviewed. The star rating is solely the view of Forbes Advisor editorial staff. Commercial partners or advertisers have no bearing on the star rating or their inclusion on this list. Star ratings are only one factor to be considered, and Forbes Advisor encourages you to seek independent advice from an authorised financial adviser in relation to your own financial circumstances and investments before you decide to choose a particular financial product or service.

When you search for seniors travel insurance online, you can find specialised policies for people over a certain age. Many insurance companies that offer these define ‘senior’ as being over 75. However, some will have a higher minimum age and others will impose age-based coverage restrictions for anyone over 55.

The majority of travel insurance companies don’t provide tailored seniors cover, and instead recommend their comprehensive travel insurance policies to older travellers. These policies often have very high or even no age restrictions, and can cover a range of complex health and travel needs.

When our research team scoured the market to find travel insurance policies best suited to seniors, we analysed comprehensive offerings to assess how generous they were for seniors. Age limits, cover for unlimited medical expenses and the availability of cruise cover, a popular option among retirees, were all key considerations.

Remember: ForbesAdvisor has not analysed price as one of its metrics as this varies greatly between insurers and depends on a number of individual variables. Age is one of these variables, and, as a whole, senior travellers can expect to pay higher premiums for travel insurance. As always, it’s important to check the fine print so you know what you are, and aren’t, covered for.

While each travel insurance provider offers different levels of coverage under different names, there are usually three types of international travel insurance: basic, essentials and comprehensive. The cost of travel insurance will change depending on the option you chose, with basic usually the cheapest and comprehensive the most expensive.

Speaking broadly, this is what the three policy tiers generally cover:

Basic: A policy under the basic banner will usually cover things like overseas emergency medical and hospital expenses, unavoidable cancellations, replacing lost or damaged luggage, and personal liability for if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property. Basic policies often come with age restrictions, so may not be suitable for seniors.

Essentials: This is generally a mid-range policy that includes everything covered by basic travel insurance, as well as cover for some riskier activities or higher benefit limits. Similarly, an essentials policy may not be open to people over a certain age.

Comprehensive: If you’re after all of the essentials, higher benefit limits, and more cover for a wider range of activities, then a comprehensive travel insurance policy may fit the bill. Many travel insurance companies may not offer a policy explicitly for seniors, but their comprehensive options—which usually cover broader medical care and have higher or no age limit—will suit most senior travellers.

If you’re travelling within the bounds of Australia, domestic travel insurance could also be useful. However, the inclusions and coverage in these policies aren’t always relevant to international travel insurance, and so shouldn’t be compared alongside the policies listed below.

Choosing an insurance policy is personal, as it depends on factors like your age, your health needs, the belongings you want protected while travelling and your specific holiday plans. So, you should always consider policies in line with your personal and financial circumstances. However, there are a few common elements of travel insurance that seniors should consider when comparing policies:

Unlimited medical, hospital and emergency cover: You’ll find many comprehensive policies list unlimited cover for overseas medical expenses. This is a vital component of travel insurance, as you can’t predict if you’ll encounter emergency health situations and the cost of treatment may be very high in some countries, especially America . Keep an eye out for any limits around dental expenses and hospital compensation limits.

Automatic cover for pre-existing medical conditions: Some policies will automatically cover a number of common illnesses and injuries, while others will ask you to apply for coverage for all existing medical conditions (or a combination of both). In both cases, your medical history will need to meet certain criteria for that condition to be covered. Having more conditions automatically covered by a policy makes the application process smoother for seniors with complex health needs, and means the insurance provider probably isn’t increasing premiums based on the your health status.

Cover for children and grandchildren you’re travelling with. Many comprehensive policies will provide cover for your children and grandchildren if they’re travelling with you at no extra cost. This is great for families, but usually comes with some caveats. Kids and grandkids will often need to be travelling with you for 100% of your trip to get coverage, will need to be under a certain age (often 25 or younger), and can’t be working full-time. Be sure to check your family meets all the criteria before assuming any extra travellers are covered under your policy.

Cruise cover: Cruising the globe is a popular adventure for many older travellers, but it comes with risks like any other activity. Things like on-board medical treatment, incidents that happen on shore-trips and medical evacuations from cruise liners can be extremely expensive, and they generally aren’t covered by a standard policy. Many comprehensive policies offer cruise cover as an optional extra to add onto your policy, and some include it as standard in coverage. If you’re headed for the high seas, investigate which option suits you best.

No age limits, age-based excesses or benefit exclusions: Many senior-specific travel insurance policies or comprehensive policies will allow people of all ages to take out insurance, which is essential for older travels. Keep an eye out for any additional excesses that may be applied to older travellers when making a claim, or any activities or pre-existing conditions that won’t be covered if your age exceeds the insurance company’s cap.

People over the age of 75 can take out travel insurance, but not every provider or policy will cover you. Basic policies usually have an age cap at 75 (or sometimes even lower), so seniors over 75 will need to take out comprehensive travel insurance or specific policies tailored to seniors.

Make sure you carefully examine the product disclosure statement (PDS) of each policy for any specific activities or benefits that have age restrictions or limits, as this can vary considerably between providers.

In every PDS, you’ll find a long list of pre-existing medical conditions that are or are not covered. While every policy is different, having certain health conditions may disqualify you from travel insurance cover at any age.

However, many common pre-existing conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, asthma and some heart conditions are automatically covered in many policies. This means if you make a claim that’s directly or indirectly related to these conditions, your insurance provider will likely cover you assuming you met the criteria for the claim.

Be sure to check any criteria around these conditions related to changes in medication, recent surgeries or other complications. And remember: some policies may apply age limits for specific conditions which they do cover. For example, older asthmatics often won’t be automatically covered, while younger travellers with the condition will.

Some providers allow you to apply for cover of pre-existing medical conditions that aren’t on the pre-approved list. You’ll generally need to undergo a medical assessment to apply, and if approved, you’ll likely be charged an extra premium or higher excess for the coverage.

Many seniors and comprehensive travel insurance policies will include cover for any of your children and grandchildren joining your travels. This is generally included as standard, but comes with strict criteria that your family must meet in order for them to be covered by your policy. In many cases, children and grandchildren are required to be:

Travelling with you for 100% of your trip
Under a certain age (often 25 or even younger)
Not working full-time and, in some cases, be financially dependent on you

Younger travellers may have different travel insurance needs from seniors, so it’s important to ensure your policy covers everything that might impact your kids or grandkids while they’re travelling with you. And if your family continues their journey when you head home, they will need to take out their own insurance for the remainder of their trip in order to be covered.

All travel insurance policies have a number of activities or situations that aren’t covered, no matter your age. Seniors should always read policy documents carefully to see if there are any additional age restrictions on things like adventure sports or certain pre-existing medical conditions.

Some exclusions will be outside your control, but there are other actions you can take that may void your cover. Common seniors travel insurance exclusions include:

Any pre-existing condition which has not been declared, whether it’s automatically covered or not.
Any expenses caused by asthma if you’re over 60 (a common age-based medical restriction).
If you are involved in any illegal activity.
If you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the relevant event.
Travelling to a destination with Smartraveller warnings under a ‘do not travel’ classification.
If you take part in risky activities that aren’t covered by your policy, like snow sports or high-altitude hiking.
Anything that happens on a cruise ship if cruise cover is not included in your policy (either as an automatic inclusion or added as an optional extra).
Pandemics and epidemics, unless specifically outlined in your policy, which you’ll find is often the case with expenses related to Covid-19.

There are numerous travel insurance options available to seniors, no matter your age or your ability. The key to finding a suitable policy for you is in the fine print.

As you’re researching and comparing policies, be sure to pore over policy documents for limits to cover, specific age-based restrictions, options for additional cover versus automatic inclusions, and any policy features which will best suit the kind of international holiday you’re taking.

What is the best travel insurance for seniors over 70 in Australia?

The best travel insurance for any individual is a policy that offers the most relevant features within their budget. We’ve researched travel insurance policies that include features that are likely to appeal to seniors, but everyone should compare and consider these policies to see if they meet their personal and financial needs.

Is travel insurance more expensive for over 75s?

As some risk factors are higher for older travellers—often those associated with existing medical conditions and injuries—you may find your travel insurance quotes increase with age. Every insurance provider has their own method for calculating premiums, so the level to which age does impact price will differ between quotes.

There’s no magic age where your premiums skyrocket, but some insurance companies do set their standards for ‘seniors travel insurance’ for people aged 75 and over.

What's the difference between single and multi-trip travel insurance?

With most travel insurance policies, you’ll need to select the dates you’ll be travelling, and only bookings or events that happen in this timeframe will be covered. This is referred to as a single-trip policy. If you’re a regular globetrotter, you might consider multi-trip travel insurance. Otherwise known as annual travel insurance, this kind of policy can cover you for numerous holidays within a 12-month span.

Multi-trip insurance can be more affordable overall, but you’ll get the most value out of it if you have consistent travel habits, as you’re effectively paying at a set level for each trip. This means if you want more expensive features for just one trip—say, cover for your laptop while travelling or to go scuba diving—the increased premium is applied across all your travel for the year.

You’ll usually need to set the maximum duration for the trips you plan to take ahead of time, with most policies allowing for 60-day holidays and a few up to 90 days. You’ll also need to select the countries you’re likely to travel to in the year, as insurance companies need to assess the risks involved with each destination.

If you’re living it up in retirement and think you will travel often enough within the year to warrant this cover, make sure you don’t exceed the maximum trip length for any single excursion. You won’t be covered by your policy if you extend your trip.

Remember: some insurance providers only offer multi-trip policies to travellers under 75, so be sure to check you qualify.

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

Pre-existing medical conditions can include all manner of illnesses or injuries you know you have when you purchase an insurance policy. These may or may not be covered by your travel insurance, and some insurance providers will want to conduct a medical assessment before agreeing to cover you for these conditions.

I am going on a cruise. Will travel insurance cover me?

Yes, some comprehensive travel insurance policies offer coverage while you’re on a cruise as a standard inclusion. Most other providers will offer this kind of cover as an optional extra for an additional fee.

What is the age limit for senior travel insurance?

It depends on the travel insurance provider. Many insurers that cater to older Australians either won’t set a limit or will set it at 99, while others will void insurance for anyone over the age of 75. Many will cover travellers, but impose a higher excess for those over a certain age. Others will not cover older travellers for certain high risk activities. For example, Fast Cover stipulates that the adventure pack is not available to travellers over 74, while the snow pack not available to travellers over 69.

Which age group is travelling the most?

While traditionally younger people are more likely to travel than older cohorts, lately it has been the other way around. According to recent statistics from Tourism Research Australia, comparing the September 2023 quarter to the previous period the year before, trips declined by 13% for those aged 15-24 years, while those aged 55-64 years and 65 years and over increased their travel by 8% and 10% respectively across the same period.

The information provided by Forbes Advisor is general in nature and for educational purposes only. Any information provided does not consider the personal financial circumstances of readers, such as individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Forbes Advisor does not provide financial product advice and the information we provide is not intended to replace or be relied upon as independent financial advice. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. Forbes Advisor encourages readers to seek independent expert advice from an authorised financial adviser in relation to their own financial circumstances and investments before making any financial decisions. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Forbes Advisor provides an information service. It is not a product issuer or provider. In giving you information about financial or credit products, Forbes Advisor is not making any suggestion or recommendation to you about a particular product. It is important to check any product information directly with the provider. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Target Market Determination (TMD) and other applicable product documentation before making a decision to purchase, acquire, invest in or apply for a financial or credit product. Contact the product issuer directly for a copy of the PDS, TMD and other documentation. Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our partners. For more information, read our Advice Disclaimer here .

Olivia Gee is a Sydney-based writer and editor working across personal finance, lifestyle and sustainability. She is an insurance expert with ASIC RG146 Tier 2 Certification to provide general insurance advice. Her work has been published in Time Out, Money magazine and Guardian Australia, among other publications.

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