covid 19 travel insurance australia

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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.

Related content

No matter who you are, where you're going and what you're doing, get travel insurance. Learn how to choose a policy that's right for you.

This page provides mature travellers with information to prepare for a hassle-free journey. Properly preparing before you travel will help you have a safe trip.

Browse our general advice pages on a range of travel topics, to learn what you need to know before you go.

Travel Insurance with COVID Cover

All Medibank Travel Insurance Plans have some COVID-19 cover included as standard.

Plus, Medibank and ahm health members save 15%.

What is travel insurance with covid cover?

A travel insurance policy with COVID-19 benefits includes cover for certain unforeseen COVID-19-related scenarios and can help reduce the financial risk of travelling. Depending on the level of cover you choose, benefits can include such things as COVID-19 overseas medical expenses, trip amendments & cancellation costs, and additional expenses.

COVID-19 policy benefits are for both international and domestic plans, but it's important to understand that not all COVID-19 scenarios will be covered. Continue reading to learn more about what you are - and aren't covered for when it comes to travel insurance with covid cover.

What COVID-19 benefits do we offer?

When taking out travel insurance with Medibank, cover will be provided for some common scenarios related to COVID-19. This means there's no need to "add covid cover" when purchasing Medibank Travel Insurance because every policy will come with some level of inbuilt covid cover.

Which benefits are included and the cover amount will depend on the travel insurance plan you select. Benefits may include: 

Cover for COVID-19 overseas medical costs ¹

Cover for covid-19 cancellation and amendments ², cover for additional covid-19 expenses ³.

Limits, sub-limits, conditions, and exclusions apply to COVID-19 travel insurance benefits. Please read our  Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)  for full details.

COVID-19 travel insurance options

All Medibank Travel Insurance Plans contain some inbuilt COVID-19 Cover. The information below helps you understand some of the high level inclusions at a glance.

International Comprehensive Travel Insurance

• $Unlimited  COVID-19 overseas medical costs 1
• Up to $10,000  for COVID-19 trip cancellations and amendments 2
• $Unlimited  additional expenses if diagnosed with COVID-19 on trip and admitted to a hospital 3
• Up to $5,000  additional expenses if diagnosed with COVID-19 and unfit to travel 3

International Medical Only Travel Insurance

• $Unlimited  COVID-19 overseas medical costs 1
• No cover provided for COVID-19 trip cancellation and amendments
• $Unlimited  additional expenses if diagnosed with COVID-19 on trip and admitted to hospital 3

Domestic Travel Insurance

• No cover provided for any COVID-19 medical costs
• Up to $5,000  for COVID-19 trip cancellations and amendments 2
• Up to $10,000  additional expenses if diagnosed with COVID-19 on trip and admitted to hospital 3
• Up to $5,000  additional expenses if diagnosed with COVID-19 and unfit to travel 3

Limits, sub-limits, conditions, and exclusions apply to COVID-19 travel insurance benefits. Please read our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for full details.

Multi-award winning travel insurance

We're proud to be winners of Mozo's Experts Choice awards in 2022 & 2023 and Canstar's 2023 Most Satisfied Customer - Travel Insurance award.

Travel insurance with COVID-19 cover: what is included?

COVID-19 benefits are available on our International Comprehensive and Medical Only , and Domestic travel insurance plans. Covid benefits apply to both Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip policies. 

What is covered depends on the type of policy you purchase. COVID-19 benefits may include:

Pre-trip cancellation:², cover for your on-trip cancellation and amendment costs:², additional expenses:³, cancellation due to a relative or business partner having life-threatening covid-19:², $unlimited overseas medical costs:¹, cover for essential health care workers:.

What is not covered:  

• Cancellation and Amendment cover is not available if you purchase an International Medical Only Plan.
• Medical and Hospital Expense cover is not available on a Domestic Plan.   

Medibank Travel Insurance is proud to offer COVID-19 benefits, but unfortunately, we can’t cover every scenario that may arise as a result of COVID-19.

For example, we will not pay any claims arising from or caused by COVID-19 if: 

• Your destination is subject to a ‘Do not travel’ advice on the Smartraveller website at the time you enter the country or part of the country. (This ‘Do not travel’ exclusion does not apply if your destination is Australia or New Zealand).
• Your claim is related to you having travelled on a multi-night ocean or sea cruise and you have not purchased the additional Cruise Cover for your policy. (Note: Cabin confinement cover is not available even if Cruise Cover has been added). 
• Your costs are related to a government directed border closure.
• Your costs are due to mandatory quarantine or isolation orders required to cross a border, such as a border between states, countries, or regions. 

It is important to read the  Product Disclosure Statement  before you consider purchasing a travel insurance policy. Please take note of limits to cover. For full details on our covid travel insurance benefits, please read the  PDS  here.

FAQs: Before you travel

Remember to check the PDS  for full details. For more information, contact 13 23 31 .

Is COVID-19 cover an additional add on?

No, our COVID-19 benefits are in-built into every Medibank Travel Insurance policy. This means you do not need to add additional COVID-19 benefits cover when purchasing a policy. 

However, don't forget that if you are travelling on a multi-night ocean or sea cruise then you will need to make sure you have purchased  Cruise Cover  to be eligible to make any claims that are in any way related to cruise travel (this includes COVID-19 related cruise claims). 

Not every policy has the same level of covid cover, so it's important to carefully read the  PDS  to understand any limits, sub-limits, conditions and exclusions that apply to COVID-19 benefits. 

Will the COVID-19 benefit cover me if I’m diagnosed with COVID-19 and need to cancel my trip?

If you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 by a qualified medical practitioner and they confirm that you are unfit to travel, you may be able to claim the non-refundable cancellation costs. 

Cover details: 

• Domestic Plan: Cancellation and amendment benefit limit $5,000.
• International Comprehensive Plan: Cancellation and amendment benefit limit $10,000.
• International Medical Plan: No cover for cancellation and amendment costs.

Cover conditions:

• Subject to evidence of your positive COVID-19 diagnosis as diagnosed by a qualified medical practitioner who certifies you are not fit to travel. 
• There is no cover if symptoms or diagnosis occurred prior to buying your policy.
• Pre-booked sea and ocean cruises are included provided you added  Cruise Cover  to your policy.

Will the COVID-19 benefit cover me if I am deemed to have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and need to cancel my trip?

Unfortunately, no cover is provided if you are deemed to be a close contact and must isolate and can therefore no longer go on your trip. 

Will the COVID-19 benefit cover me if I want to cancel as the government issued a ‘do not travel advice’ to my destination after I booked?

Unfortunately, no. If you booked your trip to a destination deemed safe to travel by the Australian Government and purchased Medibank Travel insurance, but prior to travelling that destination is now under a ‘Do not travel’ warning on smartraveller.gov.au , you may need to cancel your trip due to the risks of travel. There is no cancellation cover when cancelling your trip due to COVID-19 related travel warnings, regardless of the warning level.

• Cover applies for this event if the country or part of the country you travelled to was not subject to “Do not travel” advice on the smartraveller.gov.au website at the time you entered the country or part of the country. However, for trips in Australia or New Zealand, the Smartraveller “Do not travel” condition will be waived.
• This cover is subject to evidence of your positive COVID-19 diagnosis (confirmed by a qualified medical practitioner).
• No costs or expenses are covered if a quarantine or isolation order is placed on you by a government or public health authority.

Can I buy travel insurance if I am not vaccinated?

Yes, there are no limitations on getting an insurance policy with Medibank due to vaccination status.

FAQs: During your trip

Remember to check the  PDS  for full details. For more information, contact 13 23 31 .

Who should I contact if I get COVID-19 while overseas?

If you suspect you have COVID-19 you should call the Medibank 24/7 emergency assistance line. They'll be able to give you advice on what you need to do in order to make a claim against your policy. This can include how and where find a qualified medical practitioner to confirm a COVID-19 diagnosis. 

Learn more about our 24/7 emergency assistance .

Will Medibank Travel Insurance COVID-19 benefit cover me if I am diagnosed with COVID-19 while travelling and need to extend my stay?

If you get sick on your journey and need to extend your stay because a qualified medical practitioner certifies that you're unfit to travel as a result of COVID-19, then you'll be able to claim up to $5,000 of additional accommodation and transport expenses. 

If you are hospitalised as a result of COVID-19 then $10,000 of additional expense cover applies to Domestic Plans and $Unlimited additional expense cover applies to International Comprehensive and Medical Only Plans to help cover the cost of additional accomodation and transport as a result of extending your stay.

Please note, there is no cover for this event if your COVID-19 diagnosis requires you to enter a period of cabin confinement while on board the cruise ship, even if your policy includes Cruise Cover.

• Cover applies for this event if the country or part of the country you travelled to was not subject to “Do not travel” advice on the  smartraveller.gov.au  website at the time you entered the country or part of the country. However, for trips in Australia or New Zealand, the Smartraveller “Do not travel” condition will be waived.
• Other expenses you may incur (such as food, drinks, groceries, laundry etc.) are not included.

Terms conditions and exclusions apply, for full details, make sure you check out the  PDS .

Will Medibank Travel Insurance COVID-19 benefits cover me if I’m diagnosed with COVID-19 while travelling and need medical treatment?

Yes, on the International Comprehensive and International Medical Only plans, cover is available if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 by a qualified medical practitioner and require medical treatment overseas.

Non-cruise travel: Yes, cover is available.

Cruise travel:  Yes, cover is available for overseas emergency medical expenses and ship-to-shore expenses if Cruise Cover is added to your policy.

There is no cover for medical expenses on the Domestic plan.

• Cover applies for this event if the country or part of the country you travelled to was not subject to “Do not travel” advice on the smartraveller.gov.au website at the time you entered the country or part of the country. 
• For trips in Australia or New Zealand, the Smartraveller “Do not travel” condition will be waived.
• Cover is subject to evidence of your positive COVID-19 diagnosis (confirmed by a qualified medical practitioner).

Do I need medical proof of my COVID-19 positive test result?

Yes, you will need a qualified medical practitioner to diagnose you with COVID-19 and certify that you are unfit for travel. A positive test result will not be sufficient proof to make a claim. 

Ready to book?

Great, use our handy tool for a quick and easy online quote or give us a call on 132 331 to chat through your options.

Things you should know

1  Medical cover will not exceed 12 months from onset. Medical evacuation cover subject to claim approval. 

2  Conditions and limits apply to COVID-19 cancellation cover. Cancellation cover applies to the International Comprehensive and Domestic policies. See the  Combined FSG/PDS  for more information.

3  Cover is for reasonable Additional accommodation expenses (room rate only) and Additional transport expenses. Conditions apply to COVID-19 additional expense cover. See the  Combined FSG/PDS  for more information.

Limits, sub-limits, exclusions and conditions apply. This is general advice only. Medibank Private Limited, ABN 47 080 890 259, an Authorised Representative, AR 286089, of Travel Insurance Partners Pty Limited, ABN 73 144 049 230 AFSL 360138 arranges the insurance on behalf of the insurer. The insurer is Zurich Australian Insurance Limited ABN 13 000 296 640, AFSL 232507. Please consider your own needs and the  Combined FSG/PDS  to decide if this product is right for you. For information on the Target Market and  Target Market Determinations , visit  medibank.com.au/travel-insurance/help/

Request a call back

Leave your details and a Medibank expert will be in touch to take you through your options. In providing your telephone number, you consent to Medibank contacting you about health insurance.

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COVID-19 Health Assist - Expression of interest

Complete this form to express your interest in one of our programs. If you're eligible, a member of our team will call you within 2-3 business days.

What program are you interested in?

Sorry, only members with current Hospital cover are eligible to participate in these programs

Eligible Medibank members with Extras cover are able to access a range of telehealth services included on their cover - you can find out more here . Alternatively, if you would like to talk to one of our team about your cover, we're here on 132 331 .

Your membership details

Please provide your details so we can know how to contact you.

Your contact details

By clicking Submit, I understand that Medibank or its subsidiaries may contact me to discuss my eligibility for the Covid-19 Heath Assist program(s), and will disclose my personal information within the Medibank Group of companies and to third party service providers. Please see Medibank’s privacy policy for further information about how Medibank will handle my personal information, and how to contact Medibank: https://www.medibank.com.au/privacy/

Thank you for expressing your interest in one of our COVID-19 Health Assist programs.

If you are eligible, one of our health professionals will call you in 2-3 business days to discuss your situation and help to enrol you in the relevant program.

There is no cost to participate, however some referred services may incur an out of pocket cost.

• Join CHOICE

Does travel insurance cover COVID-19 or other pandemics?

What you're covered for when travelling during an epidemic or pandemic like covid-19..

Fact-checked

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

Australians are back on the international travel bandwagon, but many of us still have bad memories of travel plans that went south due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With those hard-learned lessons behind us, you'll want to ask the tough questions of your travel insurance policy for any future trips. Will travel insurance cover COVID-19 medical expenses or cancellation due to related government travel bans or isolation requirements? And will travel insurance policies cover future pandemics or epidemics?

On this page:

Can you get travel insurance to cover COVID-19?

Which travel insurers cover covid-19, domestic travel insurance for covid-19, does travel insurance cover covid-19 on a cruise, can you get a refund on travel insurance, your travel insurer declined your covid-19 claim. now what, does travel insurance cover pandemics or epidemics (other than covid-19).

Many travel insurance policies will provide limited cover if you or your travelling companion get COVID-19.

Cover will likely be limited to medical, and sometimes quarantine and cancellation costs if you contract COVID-19. Some policies may cover you for expenses if you can't travel because you're a close contact.

Travel insurance is unlikely to cover you for cancellation due to government travel bans.

Many of the most popular travel insurers in Australia, like Cover-More, Allianz, Tick and Travel Insurance Direct, provide cover for COVID-19. The table below shows which international travel insurance policies cover COVID-19 medical and cancellation costs if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 while overseas. 

You may have to pay an optional extra fee for COVID-19 cover. Check the insurer's product disclosure statement (PDS) for more details. 

• 'Variable' means multiple cover options are available and you can select the level of cover you require (for an additional fee).
• Cancellation may not cover you if you're deemed a close contact but haven't tested positive yourself. 

* No cancellation prior to departure; $5000 if you contract COVID-19 on your trip.

Does travel insurance cover medical expenses for COVID-19?

Policies that cover medical expenses for COVID-19 will pay for emergency medical and hospital, and medically assisted repatriation to Australia, if deemed necessary. Most policies that cover COVID-19 provide unlimited cover for medical expenses.

Does travel insurance cover cancellation due to COVID-19?

Some policies will cover cancellation and amendment expenses if you get COVID-19 before you leave or while you're overseas. These policies may also cover you for cancellation and amendment expenses if you're deemed a close contact of someone who tests positive to COVID-19, but this isn't always the case. The cover amount can be limited to as little as a couple thousand dollars, so check with your travel insurer specifically to find out what they'll cover because it can be tricky.

Below are some of the typical exclusions for cancellation cover.

• Cooling-off periods for COVID-19 cancellation cover are usually 72 hours.
• Cover-More and other policies underwritten by Zurich, such as Flight Centre, AHM and Medibank, place restrictions on COVID-19 cancellation cover if you bought the policy within 21 days of your departure date. Check your PDS for details.
• Most (but not all) policies that cover COVID-19 cancellations will provide limited cancellation cover if a non-travelling relative residing in Australia has contracted COVID-19.
• These policies may also cover cancellation and amendment costs if you're designated a close contact of someone with COVID-19 and are required to self-isolate while on your trip.
• Travel insurance is unlikely to cover cancellation costs if you're unable to travel due to general travel restrictions, like lockdowns at home or at your destination, or government travel alerts due to COVID-19.

Does travel insurance cover additional expenses and quarantine costs for COVID-19?

If you contract COVID-19 while on your overseas trip, some policies will provide limited cover for additional accommodation and meal costs under specific circumstances, such as:

• if you're denied boarding scheduled public transport because you have tested positive to COVID-19
• if you have to go to hospital or self-isolate with COVID-19.

If you're ordered into quarantine while overseas because you've contracted COVID-19, some policies will cover your quarantine expenses. However, if you're ordered into quarantine as a close contact, without having contracted COVID-19, very few policies will cover your expenses in this scenario.

There are several insurers selling domestic travel insurance, but not all insurers will cover COVID-19. Domestic travel insurance doesn't cover medical expenses, because that's covered by Medicare or your private health insurance. So you'll just need COVID-19 cover for cancellation or additional expenses if you're travelling around Australia. 

Read the travel insurance PDS to check whether you're covered for cancellation if you, or someone you're travelling with, catches COVID-19. Travel insurance is unlikely to cover you for government travel bans.

Travel insurance for an Aussie holiday may be worth considering if you're:

• spending a lot of money on your trip
• carrying expensive equipment, such as custom-made surfboards
• hiring a car, as some travel insurance can cover the damage excess .

Travel insurance policies that offer cruise cover will often (but not always) cover medical costs if you contract COVID-19. Some of these policies will also cover you if you need to cancel your trip due to COVID-19, or if a non-travelling relative in Australia has contracted COVID-19.

If you're going on a cruise, you'll usually have to pay an extra fee to add cruise cover to your travel insurance, or buy a separate cruise-specific policy. Cover for COVID-19 is restricted, so check your PDS for details.

Travel insurance policies have a 14-day cooling-off period (or longer). If you change your mind in this period, you can cancel your policy and get your money back from the insurer.

AFCA (the Australian Financial Complaints Authority) considers a credit or refund of your premium a fair outcome where:

• you got a refund or credit from all of your travel providers, so there's nothing left to claim on your travel insurance
• your travel insurance policy has a COVID-19-related exclusion that prevents you from claiming on the policy.

Ask your travel insurer what they can do for you.

Partial policy refunds

From the moment you buy a travel insurance policy, cover kicks in for cancellation due to unforeseen events. So if your insurer offers you a refund, they may calculate a partial refund to take into account the cover that you've already received with your policy. 

AFCA considers proportionate refunds for the remaining unused period fair, but your insurer should outline how they calculate it. 

Visit AFCA's website for more information on what they deem fair treatment from insurers when it comes to COVID-19 claims.

Read your travel insurance PDS. In the first instance, it's up to you as the policyholder to establish that you have a valid claim under the policy terms and conditions. That generally means handing in lots of documentation. 

Then it's up to the insurer to decide if your claim is valid and that there are no policy exclusions that should be applied. 

If you disagree with the insurer's decision regarding your claim, raise a complaint via their internal dispute resolution service. 

If you don't get a satisfactory result from the insurer's internal dispute resolution,  escalate your complaint to AFCA , which is the external ombudsman for the insurance industry.

The chance of experiencing a pandemic similar to COVID-19 in a lifetime is estimated to be 38%. Many travel insurance policies now cover COVID-19 to some extent, but not as many policies will cover future pandemics or epidemics other than COVID-19.

There are several policies that cover COVID-19 for medical expenses, but not other pandemics, and very few policies now cover cancellation expenses for pandemics that aren't COVID-19.

An  epidemic  is an outbreak of disease that happens in a wide geographic location and affects a lot of people. 

A  pandemic  is an epidemic that has spread throughout a whole country or across continents. 

Which travel insurers will cover pandemics or epidemics (other than COVID-19)?

Insurers such as Allianz, Travel Insurance Direct and Cover-More cover pandemics or epidemics for medical costs, but Travel Insurance Direct and Cover-More exclude cover for cancellation costs incurred due to a pandemic that isn't COVID-19. 

The table below shows which international travel insurance policies cover pandemic medical and cancellation costs if you're diagnosed with an illness that's classified as a pandemic or epidemic by the World Health Organisation while overseas. Bear in mind that if the pandemic or epidemic is classed as a 'known event' before you buy the policy, then cover will probably be excluded.

When an event becomes 'known' is a grey area, but generally it's when it's publicised in the media or on official government websites. So check the Smartraveller information for your destination before you go

* If the policyholder is diagnosed with a pandemic or epidemic illness.

** Excluding avian influenza.

Stock images:  Getty, unless otherwise stated.

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Travel Insurance Quotes

Please Note - If you are cruising around Australia you need to select Pacific. With Regions, variances can apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East. You are not required to enter stop-over countries if your stop-over is less than 48 hours.

If you don’t know where you’re traveling to within the next 12 months, choose Worldwide to ensure you’re covered no matter where you go. If you’re travelling to multiple countries choose the region that you are visiting that is furthest away (excluding stopovers less than 48 hours). In most cases you will be covered for the closer regions as well. For example, if you choose Europe, you will also be covered in the Middle East, Asia and Pacific.

Worldwide means anywhere in the world

Americas means USA, Canada, South America, Latin America, Hawaii and the Caribbean

Europe means all European countries, including UK

Middle East refers to the area from Syria to Yemen; Egypt to Iran

Asia generally means Asia and the Indian subcontinent. For some insurers this excludes Japan*

Pacific means the South West Pacific, Australia and Indonesia/Bali*. Select Pacific for domestic cruises in New Zealand waters

New Zealand means domestic travel within New Zealand only

*Note: Variances apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East. Check that your destination is covered once directed to your chosen insurer’s site.

We compare quotes from over 25 travel insurance brands in Australia. Do your comparison online to save time, worry and loads of money.

WHY AUSSIES LOVE COMPARE TRAVEL INSURANCE

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.

Great Prices

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, Amex, Budget Direct, Insure and Go, Virgin Money, Zoom & more!

Travel Insurance Extraordinaire At Your Service

Need some help? Use the search box below to find answers to all those tricky questions. We’ve got heaps of expert  travel insurance tips to help you get the best policy for your upcoming holiday!

Why 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!

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

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.

Trending TRIP COVER  Tips And Guides

ultimate guide to travel insurance

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 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 REVIEWS

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  Frequently Asked Questions

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 Comparision Helps You

Save time, worry and loads of money.

Stay up to date with our latest news, deals and special offers.

Your privacy is important to us.

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. This site compares the following brands: 1Cover, AllClear, Budget Direct, Downunder, Fast Cover Travel Insurance, Insure4Less, InsureandGo, iTrek, Simply Travel Insurance, Ski-Insurance, Travel Insurance Saver, Travel Insuranz, Wise Traveller, Zoom Travel Insurance . The directors and shareholders are common with companies i-Trek Pty Ltd, 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.  Located at Level 12, 338 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia.

For further information view our FSG and Terms of Use . Contact us by calling 1300 659 411.

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Travel Insurance COVID-19

Compare travel insurance with Savvy and get covered for COVID-19.

Fact checked

Get a Travel Insurance Quote

• 100% free to use. No obligation.

For almost two years, Australians waited for the pandemic to pass so they could travel again. Now that domestic and international travel has resumed, travel insurance providers have started offering coverage for pandemic-related events, allowing you to plan your next holiday without having to worry as much about COVID-19 getting in the way.

Comparing with Savvy allows you to find affordable travel insurance that protects you if your trip is impacted by COVID-19. Take the guesswork out of finding the best travel insurance and find the right deal for your travels today.

Does travel insurance cover COVID-19-related expenses?

Some travel insurance providers offer coverage for COVID-19-related expenses. However, this coverage tends to vary depending on the policy you choose. That’s why it’s important to compare deals so you get the best coverage to suit your needs.

Many providers require you to take out comprehensive travel insurance if you want cover for COVID-19-related expenses. Plenty of these comprehensive insurance policies allow you to claim between $2,500 and $5,000 in non-refundable costs, as long as you bought the insurance at least three weeks before your departure. Claimable expenses include:

• Ambulance and hospital treatment.
• Cancellation of accommodation, tour and flight bookings because you or a close relative or business partner contracts COVID-19.
• Funeral or repatriation costs if you die overseas.
• Care for your pets back home if you need to extend your stay abroad due to a COVID-19 diagnosis.
• Quarantine hotel and COVID-19 testing costs. A few countries and cities require you to quarantine upon arrival in the country at your own cost. If you’re travelling to Hong Kong , you’ll be required to isolate for 14 days at your own cost and undergo two COVID-19 tests before you’re free to roam the city.

A few basic packages can also cover you for medical expenses if you require hospitalisation due to illness, although they won’t allow you to get your money back for cancelled flights or accommodation.

What isn’t included in COVID-19 travel insurance?

While there are insurance policies on the market which cover you for COVID-19-related costs while on a holiday, there are some restrictions on what you can claim. Many of the policies won’t cover you if you travel to a country against government advice. The government regularly updates its travel warnings on other countries, with a number deemed high-risk destinations for a variety of reasons including civil unrest or COVID-19.

Many providers won’t cover you for border closures , travel bans or lockdowns back home or abroad which result in you being unable to travel. When you’re comparing with Savvy, make sure you find a policy which allows you the flexibility to get a refund on your premium if you’re unable to enjoy your holiday. Otherwise, if there’s a snap lockdown in your destination and you’re unable to enter the country, you could be left out of pocket from the cost of flights or hotels.

Most insurers also won’t cover you for cancellation due to quarantine more broadly, such as if you’re deemed a close contact of a COVID-19 case overseas or at home. Many also view not wearing a mask in a high-risk setting or visiting a COVID-positive person as ‘risky behaviour’ and may void your claim.

How else should I compare travel insurance policies?

Doing your homework is the best way to find the right travel insurance policy for you. When you’re comparing deals with Savvy, you’ll need to weigh up several factors to ensure you get the coverage you need. These include:

Comprehensive or basic

Look closely at what each of these options covers and assess whether it’s worth a little extra money for a little extra protection. Few insurers offer COVID-19 protections within their basic policies, so you’ll more than likely need to take out comprehensive insurance if you want coverage. Comparing with Savvy will allow you to see the difference between providers clearly, helping you make a clear-cut decision.

Inclusions and exclusions

Comparing insurers will allow you to see what’s included in their policy and what isn’t. Many insurers cover things such as overseas medical expenses, cancellations and the excess on your hire car. However, some policies won’t cover the loss or theft of your luggage or only cover up to a lower monetary limit in lost possession (such as $2,000). Doing your homework allows you to get the most out of your travel insurance.

Optional extras

If you’re planning on doing some thrill-seeking while you’re abroad, you might want to check you’re covered if something unexpected does happen. Insurers offer optional extras such as snow sport or skiing coverage or add-ons if you decide to go scuba diving, sky diving or paragliding. By comparing with us, you can boost your chances of finding a provider which has the extras you need or includes such events in their main policy.

Countries covered

If you’re jet setting across the globe, it’s a good idea to triple-check that the countries you’re travelling through are covered by your insurance. This includes any you’re stopping over in for a few hours while you await a connecting flight. If you test positive for COVID-19 during a stop-over and require treatment, but don’t have insurance, it could end up costing you a pretty penny.

Insurance companies require you to pay a gap whenever you make a claim. The excess you pay on your travel insurance varies from provider to provider but you usually get to choose how much you can afford to pay if you do make a claim. Make sure the excess you set on your travel insurance policy is affordable for you and won’t stretch your budget too much.

Types of travel insurance

International.

International travel insurance can offer cover for a range of events, including medical expenses, lost luggage or items, cancellation fees and more when you're overseas and a long way from home.

If you're journeying within Australia, domestic policies are designed to offer many of the same protections as international travel insurance (with the exception of medical expenses).

Single trip

The most standard and common type of travel insurance, this policy can cover you for one trip starting and ending in Australia (and is available for both international and domestic travel).

Annual multi-trip

As the name suggests, this type of travel insurance covers multiple trips over a 12-month period. Depending on your insurer, you may be able to take an unlimited number of trips up to 90 days each.

You don't have to have a return ticket booked to take out cover while you're overseas. One-way travel insurance enables you to access cover without a set end date, such as if you're moving temporarily.

You may need to take out specialist coverage if you're setting sail on a cruise. Fortunately, cruise insurance can cover emergency evacuation, cabin confinement and more.

Just because you're older doesn't mean travel insurance isn't still important. If you qualify for cover, seniors' travel insurance can offer greater peace of mind for included events while you're travelling.

Adding winter sports or ski cover to your policy can add protection against damage to your equipment, piste closure due to bad weather and activities such as back-country skiing, heliskiing and more.

Adventure sports

Looking to enjoy some adventure sports on holiday? An adventure sports pack can grant you cover for a range of activities, such as hiking, scuba diving and motorcycle or scooter riding.

Jetsetting with the whole clan in tow? Some insurers offer family travel insurance, which enables you to include yourself, your partner and your dependent children under one policy to help you save.

If you're travelling interstate or overseas with your partner (or simply another friend or family member), you may be able to access a discount by taking out a joint or duo travel insurance policy.

Why compare travel insurance with Savvy?

Reputable insurance partners, fast and convenient online process.

You can complete the quote, comparison and purchase process online through Savvy quickly and easily.

Competitive quote costs

Regardless of the type of insurance you’re looking for, we can help you compare between competitive quotes.

Top tips for saving money on your travel insurance

Consider your destination.

Travel insurance premiums are more expensive if you visit some countries over others, primarily due to the cost of health care. For example, it can cost more to visit countries such as the United States and the United Arab Emirates due to their expensive medical treatment. It’s worth considering if you may want to travel to a country with cheaper health care, such as Greece, Italy and Sweden.

Insure early

Buying your travel insurance sooner than later allows you to be covered for more non-refundable costs in the event you have to cancel your trip. That means there’s a higher likelihood you can be reimbursed for deposits paid on your hotels, flights and tours.

Consider annual travel insurance if you’re flying often

If you have multiple trips planned or you are a frequent flier, annual travel insurance can often be cheaper than taking out individual policies for each trip. Not only can it save you money, but it’s also less hassle because you’re covered for up to 90 days over the course of a year.

Paying a larger excess

Every time you make a claim on your insurance, you pay an excess and the provider settles the remainder of the cost. Choosing to pay a greater amount in this instance can save you money on your premium, as you’re willing to put more of your own money towards your claim.

Checklist for before you take out COVID-19 travel insurance

Check your destination's travel status.

Pay close attention to the news and government advice about travel warnings regarding certain countries. From time to time, the government will issue warnings if there is a real risk to travellers posed by COVID-19, protests or terrorist attacks in a certain country. You generally won’t be covered if you get sick or injured visiting one of these countries, so make sure your destination has the all-clear before booking your flights and shopping around for travel insurance.

Brush up on your country's COVID-19 rules

While the majority of the globe has reopened to travel, there are still some rules in place around COVID-19. There are countries which still require you to test upon arrival and if you test positive, you may need to isolate at your own cost, so finding a provider who can cover you for that is important.

Book flexible flights and accommodation

Most airlines offer what are known as ‘flexible’ flights, which are airfares you can cancel or switch the dates of at no additional cost if you’re impacted by COVID-19. Hotels also offer amendable bookings, which can make it easier for your insurance company to reschedule your bookings.

Organise travel insurance early

Most travel insurance policies have cooling-off periods between 14 and 30 days. Purchasing your insurance early allows you to be covered if your trip is cancelled before you leave, allowing you to potentially recoup money on flights, accommodation and other holiday-related expenses.

Compare providers with Savvy

Just like you’d shop around for your flights and accommodation, it’s a good idea to do your homework before taking out domestic or international travel insurance. Savvy allows you to draw on our vast industry knowledge to find the right policy for your trip, saving you time and leaving you with more holiday spending money.

Frequently asked COVID-19 travel insurance questions

Many countries won’t grant you entry if you’re unvaccinated and can’t produce proof of vaccination. If you're travelling to the United States, Canada, New Zealand France and Italy, you’ll need to be fully vaccinated upon entry. However, there are still parts of the world, such as the United Kingdom, Thailand, Mexico, Ireland and India which will allow unvaccinated travellers entry. While being unvaccinated won’t directly affect your premium, you may not be covered if you don’t follow government advice at your chosen destination.

Yes – you can get basic travel insurance which includes coverage for medical treatment overseas. This is a popular policy for backpackers or those travelling on a budget who don’t necessarily need all the bells and whistles that come with comprehensive insurance. Basic coverage could be handy if you only want coverage for COVID-19, but you’ll have to make sure that a medical-only policy covers you in this area also.

Some providers may allow you to extend the length of your coverage if you fall ill due to COVID and need to pay for additional transport and accommodation. However, this isn’t the case for all providers, which is why it’s handy to double-check with your insurer to make sure you’re covered.

Yes – some travel insurance providers can offer you COVID-19 coverage if you’re over 65. However, this isn’t the case for all insurance providers so it’s important to check it’s included before purchasing. Providers have various age limits in place which mean you’ll likely pay higher premiums or could be cut off from certain types of coverage over a certain age. For example, some companies won’t let those over 70 or 80 purchase annual travel insurance or winter sports coverage. Others may insist you take out comprehensive travel insurance while you’re overseas.

Most travel insurance policies cover death in the event you die abroad, including if you die from COVID-19. If you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 overseas and pass away, your insurance will help cover the cost of repatriating your body or ashes and your funeral depending on the coverage you have. They’ll also likely cover the cost of any cancellation or booking amendment fees.

There are a few providers who offer coverage for COVID-19-related expenses onboard a cruise ship sailing through international waters. However, not all cruise insurance policies offer this protection, so it’s important to compare to ensure you get the coverage you need while sailing the high seas. Medical expenses can be covered through Medicare if you’re on a domestic cruise ship (provided the doctor is registered with Medicare), but being treated for COVID-19 on international waters can be costly depending on the part of the world you’re in. If you need to be evacuated via helicopter, it could cost you $100,000 if you’re not insured.

Helpful travel insurance guides

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Explore your travel insurance options for your next destination

Travel Insurance for New Zealand

Travel Insurance for Portugal

Travel Insurance for London

Travel Insurance for Dubai

Travel Insurance for Greece

Travel Insurance for Prague

Travel Insurance for Sweden

Travel Insurance for Argentina

Travel Insurance for Belgium

Travel Insurance for Jordan

Travel Insurance for Malta

Travel Insurance for Amsterdam

Travel Insurance for Bali

Travel Insurance for Bangladesh

Travel Insurance for Sri Lanka

Travel Insurance for Hungary

Travel Insurance for China

Travel Insurance for Norfolk Island

Travel Insurance for Hong Kong

Travel Insurance for the UK

Travel Insurance for Europe

Travel Insurance for Tunisia

Travel Insurance for the Middle East

Travel Insurance for Costa Rica

Travel Insurance for Oman

Travel Insurance for Indonesia

Travel Insurance for Brazil

Travel Insurance for Abu Dhabi

Travel Insurance for Africa

Travel Insurance for Bermuda

Disclaimer: We do not compare all travel insurance brands currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and does not consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.

Savvy earns a commission from our partners each time a customer buys a travel insurance policy via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via their websites.

Before purchasing your policy, we recommend you refer to the provider’s PDS for any further information on the terms, inclusions and exclusions.

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You can now get COVID-19 travel insurance. Here's what it does and doesn't cover

Australians travelling overseas for the first time since international borders reopened are paying hundreds of dollars for travel insurance — but the fine print reveals some very big COVID-related exclusions.

Key points:

• Major companies including NIB and Qantas are starting to sell travel insurance again
• Most are offering limited protection for medical and travel expenses if people get COVID while overseas
• No policies cover people for general lockdowns or border closures outside Australia or New Zealand

Sydney couple Beth and Larry Lee are about to fly to the United States to meet a grandchild they've never seen in person.

"I'm the kind of person [who] watches people at airports and cries when the people they know come in," Ms Lee says.

"So, I'm really excited, but also a little nervous."

The Lees' nerves about their trip to the United States comes down to the unpredictability of post-COVID travel.

A recent survey by consumer group Choice found only 23 per cent of Australians were confident making travel plans.

"There are nerves because, if something happens, we might get stuck over there. We might end up in hospital," Mr Lee says.

"And we won't have money to cover that."

To try to protect themselves financially, Beth shopped around for travel insurance that could cover them for COVID-related issues.

She called several companies and got knocked back, before finding one with a supplementary policy for COVID-19.

What does their COVID travel insurance cover?

The Lees' travel insurance with the company Southern Cross cost $698 for two people for three weeks to the United States.

It was slightly more expensive than standard cover because the retired couple have some pre-existing medical conditions.

The Lees were only able to take out their policy to travel to the United States after the Smartraveller travel advice was downgraded from "do not travel" to instead "travel with caution", due to its ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks .

When it comes to what their policy covers for COVID-19, the Lees are protected for:

• Medical expenses if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 while on their journey
• Costs to change their travel arrangements if they, or a relevant person, are diagnosed with COVID-19 before they leave and their journey is cancelled or amended
• Costs to change their travel arrangements if they, or a relevant person, are diagnosed with COVID-19 after they leave and their journey is interrupted or cut short.

Importantly, if the travel advice to the United States changes to "do not travel", ABC News has confirmed that Southern Cross will not cover them for COVID-19 expenses if they decide to push forward with their plans.

"They would be able to claim under our COVID-19 cover for costs to [cut short] their journey and return to Australia, as the change happened after they left and was unexpected," Southern Cross said in a statement.

"It's really important people monitor when they're travelling around.

"You could be in New York and, while you're there, there's a huge surge in COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles. Smartraveller updates change to say "do not travel" to Los Angeles because of the surge.

"If you go to that high-risk city, regardless of government advice, and catch COVID, there won't be cover. If you go anyway, against government advice, and have an unexpected medical event, then there would be cover."

It's also important to note that Australia has  reciprocal healthcare agreements with 11 nations, including the UK, New Zealand and Italy .

This covers Australians travelling there for urgent medical treatment, however, often not the entire bill. Evacuations also aren't covered by reciprocal healthcare agreements. 

What about lockdowns or border closures?

The most glaring omission from the Lees' travel insurance is coverage that would see them refunded travelling costs or compensated for rearranging plans in the event of general COVID-19 lockdowns or border closures.

Southern Cross says providing this sort of generalised cover for travellers would simply be too expensive.

"Our customers also want affordable travel insurance, so our policies currently don't provide cover for lockdowns, which would expose us to much greater insured losses," the company explains.

"Were our policies to provide lockdown cover, they'd be less affordable, so fewer people would have insurance cover."

Yet, as the current situation in Europe highlights, lockdowns are still very much a consideration for travellers .

The Lees feel somewhat less nervous, knowing that their travel insurance covers them for contracting COVID-19 and associated medical and cancellation expenses.

They're both vaccinated but will still be travelling to San Francisco and then on to Los Angeles with caution.

"We're going to do rapid antigen testing twice a week while away," Beth says.

"We probably will not go into a restaurant to eat inside over there.

"We've thought about it and are taking as many precautions as we can. We want to see our family, we pray we'll get back there safely and come back safely."

They're still nervous about not being covered for rolling lockdowns or border closures.

"That's the tricky one," Larry says.

"You could certainly book into a place and be left high and dry. That could be a problem.

"We don't want to go into our superannuation. And it could take huge amounts of money."

The retired teachers have so far spent $10,000 on their short-term accommodation and flights to the United States.

Their flights aren't refundable but they may be able to get travel credits if their plans need to change.

They've intentionally booked short-term rentals where the cancellation policies say they can be given full refunds until just up to a few days before they're due to check-in.

"We love to travel, so we won't stop travelling," Beth says. 

"We're aware of the fact that your travel plans can be up-ended at any time."

Is this the best COVID travel insurance on offer?

ABC News contacted a range of other major insurers that are offering overseas travel insurance, including Allianz, CoverMore and NIB.

None of them offers overseas travel insurance with COVID protections beyond what Southern Cross was selling, except CoverMore, which offers some general lockdown coverage for travel to New Zealand. (More on that later.)

Allianz is also offering customers a partial refund of the insurance that they paid for if they get caught out by general COVID-19 issues.

Pre-COVID, NIB was one of the bigger providers of travel insurance, with $200 million in premiums taken every year.

"But, of course, throughout COVID-19, things have been much tougher. And, you know, we've been losing money," NIB's chief executive Mark Fitzgibbon tells The Business.

NIB had to exit the market altogether this year after its financial backer — or underwriter — AXA ended its financial arrangement.

"Travel insurance is not the most popular category for global insurers at the moment, for obvious reasons," Mr Fitzgibbon says.

"We thought we had another underwriting arrangement in place but it fell apart at the last minute. So, frankly, we've had to scramble to establish a new underwriting partnership.

"We [now] have and, very soon, we'll be back online and selling travel insurance across Australia and New Zealand."

The NIB policy that will be on offer — underwritten by new backer Pacific International Insurance — will be very similar to the coverage offered by Southern Cross, without any protection for general COVID-19 lockdowns or border closures.

Mr Fitzgibbon says it's unlikely that NIB would ever offer this sort of coverage. He says this doesn't come down to the insurance companies who sell premiums, but the underwriters who carry the financial risk of paying out policies.

"You talk to people at some of the global underwriters, and they certainly confirm that it's not an insurable risk if the entire world shuts down and closes borders. The financial consequences are just too dire."

Unclear if premiums to rise dramatically

Mr Fitzgibbon says premiums will rise due to the extra pandemic coverage.

"There'll be a little bit of pressure on premiums as a result of that additional COVID cover, but we're talking maybe 5 to 10 per cent. Nothing particularly egregious," he predicts.

After a "collapse" in the market of 99.3 per cent at the start of COVID, insurance comparison website Compare The Market is currently experiencing a return of browsers looking for deals.

The website's travel insurance specialist, Warren Duke, says brands are also slowly re-entering the market.

"At this stage, we've not seen any travel insurers that have included cover if you need to cancel because of a border closure," he says.

"But we're all hoping that border closures and travel bans are a thing of the past.

"So, hopefully, that won't be much of an issue going forward.

"We've not seen prices change to a great degree at this stage. It's a little bit hard to tell because not all insurers have returned to the market.

"We're probably a couple of months away from understanding if the impact of introducing COVID-19 cover has had a dramatic impact on the price of policies."

What about add-on travel insurance?

Many people buy overseas travel insurance directly from companies, including Larry and Beth Lee.

However, there's also travel insurance that people sometimes buy when purchasing plane tickets or even the sort many get given for free by banks when signing up for credit cards.

The Australian airline Qantas halted sales of travel insurance during the pandemic.

ABC News has confirmed that it has just resumed selling travel insurance with a product offered through NIB, meaning people who buy travel insurance through the airline should get the general COVID-19 coverage that the insurer offers.

Online ticket sales website FlightCentre is also selling travel insurance through CoverMore which, as well covering people internationally if they catch COVID-19, offers additional protection including:

• For essential workers who have their leave revoked due to COVID-19 and can no longer travel
• If the person you were planning on staying with in Australia or New Zealand has to go into quarantine for COVID-19 and you need to find new accommodation
• If your accommodation in Australia or New Zealand is cancelled for a deep clean
• For refunds, if your holiday activities in Australia or New Zealand are cancelled due to COVID-19.

When it comes to free travel insurance offered to people when signing up for credit cards, it appears the coverage for COVID-19 is exceedingly limited.

ABC News looked at the policies for the big four banks. All exclude pandemics as a general rule.

"While there is a broad exclusion on pandemics, including COVID, this is consistent with other types of travel insurance across the industry," Commonwealth Bank said in a statement.

"We are looking at ways to offer broader cover to provide better protection for customers."

"The travel insurance offered through some CBA credit cards is complimentary. Customers can, if they choose, take up additional cover for extra cost."

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Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

COVID-19 and travel

Find out about travel requirements and steps you can take to stay safe.

Domestic travel within Australia

Domestic travel requirements are determined by state and territory governments. Check the websites of local health departments for information about travel to:

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• South Australia
• Western Australia .

Travelling overseas

The Australian Government does not currently have any COVID-19 requirements in place for travellers entering and departing Australia.

COVID-19 however continues to pose a health risk in Australia and overseas. We strongly encourage wearing masks and being vaccinated while travelling internationally. You should practice good cough and hand hygiene, and physically distance from others where possible.

Some countries, airlines and vessel operators may have COVID-19 travel requirements in place. Check the requirements of any:

• countries you are travelling to, or transiting through
• airlines or vessel operators.
• Smartraveller website
• Australian Government – international travel information .

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is important if you become sick with COVID-19 overseas. Make sure your insurance includes:

• transit destinations
• inclusions for COVID-19
• other add-ons like cruise specific insurance.

Some destinations also require travellers to hold travel insurance as a condition of entry.

Cruise travel

Check with your cruise provider or travel agent for up-to-date travel requirements for your ship and destination/s. You can also contact the relevant state or territory government to find out if any requirements apply for your destination.

Outbreaks onboard a cruise

Cruise ships carry a higher risk for spreading disease compared to other types of travel. COVID-19, influenza, and other infectious diseases spread easily between people living and socialising in close quarters.

If an outbreak of COVID-19 occurs on your cruise, you may need to:

• quarantine on the ship
• disembark and follow the local rules in the state or territory or country you are in.

Before you travel, check the  Smartraveller advice on cruises . Contact your travel agent or cruise operator for specific information on their COVID-19 safety protocols.

• Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Best travel insurance in Australia May 2024

We analysed 50+ travel insurance policies so you don't have to – check out our shortlist or compare quotes to find the best travel insurance for you..

• Get an online quote in just a few minutes
• Free cover for dependent kids, under 21 travelling with you
• Optional add-on cover for your valuables

• Health members get 15% off
• Cheaper than average
• COVID cancellation

• Covers children up to age 25
• Kids travel for free
• COVID cover included

• Claim up to $5,000 for COVID cancellations
• Claim up to $50,000 for cancellation costs
• $7,500 rental car excess cover

In this guide

Compare quotes to find the best travel insurance for you

Get help finding the best travel insurance policies, why you can trust our research, great for value, great for covid cover, great for families, great for domestic travel, looking for the best travel insurance in australia, tips to find best travel insurance with covid cover, best travel insurance faqs.

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Our insurance specialists have gathered 300+ quotes for 50+ popular Australian travel insurance policies. We shortlisted 4 policies based on 2023 Finder Awards , customer reviews and expert analysis. Remember, there's no single best travel insurance policy that suits everyone's needs, since we all have different travel plans and needs.

Show summary

• Great for value: Southern Cross Travel Insurance
• Great for COVID cover: Medibank travel insurance
• Great for families: World2Cover
• Great for domestic travel: InsureandGo

Insurance plans analysed

PDS features analysed

Recent travelers surveyed

2.6 million

Quotes served since 2014

See how this score is calculated

Pros and cons

• It's affordable compared to other popular insurers including Cover-More and Allianz.
• Its PDS is much easier to understand compared to the other 28 other international policies we looked at.
• High customer ratings on Finder (4.16/5) and other popular review websites such as product review (4.7).
• Our awards data suggests Fast Cover and Medibank tend to be slightly cheaper.
• Customers rated Tick more highly in the Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards.
• $2,500 cap on cancellations is low and risky for expensive trips. For example, it's unlimited with Fast Cover.

How Southern Cross Travel Insurance compares

*Example quote based on a single 40-year-old travelling to Bali for 2 weeks. Comprehensive policies. Data collected in October 2023.

Why we picked it

SCTI has one of the best claims experiences and an easy-to-read PDS. It's not just us that thinks so. It earned a finalist spot for General Insurance Claims Team of the Year at The International Travel & Health Insurance Journal Awards and won the Best Plain English Legal Document at the most recent Plain Language Awards.

SCTI also received a mere 3 complaints to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) in the latest period. By comparison, Mitsui, which underwrites insurers including InsureandGo, received 47. Very large insurers such as Zurich and AWP (Allianz) received 325 and 95.

It's also consistently good value. On average, it's one of cheapest comprehensive travel insurers, according to our 2023 Finder Awards research. Out of 28 policies, only Fast Cover and Medibank were marginally cheaper.

The majority of comprehensive travel insurance policies cover COVID now but Medibank is a standout. Its $10,000 limit for COVID related trip cancellations is double the majority of insurers. Considering that 42% of Australians spend an average of $6,765 on holidays , Medibank is a safe choice. It also has a helpline that lets you chat to a doctor at any time.

• $10,000 cap for COVID cancellation costs and unlimited medical expenses.
• It's cheap – $233 less than average, according to 300+ quotes we gathered.
• 15% discount for health members (making it the cheapest out of 28 policies).
• ahm and Travel Insurance Saver also cover up to $10,000 for cancellations.
• Only Medibank and ahm health members can access discount.
• $15,000 cap for luggage. SCTI and Cover-More have a $25,000 cap.

How Medibank Travel Insurance compares

Out of 19 comprehensive travel insurance policies, Medibank was one of three to come with a $10,000 cap on COVID related cancellations. ahm and Travel Insurance Saver also cover COVID related cancellations. However, Medibank has a higher Finder Score.

Additionally, our research showed a Medibank international policy cost $353 on average for a 2-week trip overseas. That's $233 cheaper than average, according to our research of 28 policies. It's even cheaper if you're a Medibank or ahm member. It could knock $53 off a $353 policy.

World2Cover lets kids under 25 travel for free, so long as they're financially dependent on you. Most insurers including Cover-More and Southern Cross stop offering free cover when your children turn 20. It has a 9.4 Finder Score and out of the 50+ Product Disclosure Statements I looked at, it was one of the easiest to understand.

• Can cover kids up to the age of 25
• Up to $3,500 Covid cancellation cover per person – that's more than SCTI and Cover-More
• Unlimited cancellation cover
• Its underwriter received 43 complaints to AFCA – 21 more than Chubb and 40 more than SCTI (similar sized insurers)
• $5,000 rental car excess is lower than some e.g. Southern Cross ($10,000) and Allianz ($6,000)

How World2Cover Travel Insurance compares

*Example quote based on two 40-year-olds travelling to Bali for 2 weeks with 3 children aged 14, 12 and 7. Comprehensive policies selected. Data collected in October 2023.

Out of 20 travel insurers, World2Cover was one of the only brands to cover children up to the age of 25. It also doesn't have a limit on how many dependents can travel for free. Allianz can also cover kids on a family policy. However, it typically cost more in our research.

• It's very cheap. Out of 23 insurers, it's $180+ less than average.
• Get 10% off your travel insurance policy, using the code Finder10.
• Up to $7,500 towards car rental excess cover. That's $2,500 better than most.
• We found its PDS can be confusing and hard to understand.
• Cover-More, Fast Cover and SCTI also offer reasonably priced domestic policies.
• You absolutely need to read the PDS beforehand. There are lots of conditions attached to every benefit.

How InsureandGo Travel Insurance compares

*Example quote based on a single 40-year-old travelling in Australia for 1 week. All are domestic policies. Data collected in October 2023.

It's competitively-priced and won Finder's 2023 Best Domestic Travel Insurance Award. We looked at 23 domestic travel insurance policies as part of the awards and scored the same 14 features for every policy. These benefits included COVID rearrangement costs, theft or damage to luggage and rental car excess cover.

InsureandGo scored highly for a number of benefits including rental car excess cover, COVID cover, cancellation cover and luggage cover. You get up to $50,000 for cancellations, $25,000 for travel delays, $8,000 for lost luggage, $5,000 for COVID cancellation and rearrangement costs and $7,500 for rental car excess cover.

Similarly, it's good if you plan to rent a car while you're away. InsureandGo's top policy will cover the rental car excess for up to $7,500 if your car is damaged, stolen or involved in an accident. The average is $5,000. This sometimes isn't enough to cover the excess rental car companies charge.

It is also cheaper on average. Overall, it ranked in first place.

Top 5 policies in travel insurance – domestic

• InsureandGo Gold Domestic
• Australia Post Domestic Travel Insurance
• Cover-More Domestic Comprehensive Travel Insurance
• NRMA Domestic Comprehensive Travel Insurance
• Southern Cross Domestic Travel Insurance

Its main drawback is its Product Disclosure Statement which contains lots of conditions and could leave room for instances where you won't be covered. For example, it can cover cancelling your trip before departure but only for a specific number of reasons. These include: " your unforeseeable death, injury or illness; you have to go to court to be a witness or be on a jury (but not as an expert witness); there is an accident involving a vehicle you were planning to travel in, which happens within seven days before the date you planned to leave and means you cannot use the vehicle (This only applies to self-drive holidays). "

Keep in mind: there's no single best travel insurance policy that suits everyone, since we all have different travel plans and needs.

Over 2 million left Australian shores in December 2023, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics . That's an annual increase of 500,000+ people.

To help you figure out what travel insurance company is the best in 2023, we asked over 1,200 Australians for their opinion and got our insurance experts to rate some of Australia's well-known brands.

Most travel insurers offer COVID cover now and most will cover you for similar COVID-related travel expenses . However, there are still some things you can do to make sure you're getting the right policy for you:

Take out cover for all travellers

Whether you're travelling with your partner or the whole family, make sure that you add them to the insurance policy. That way, if someone catches COVID but you don't, you'll still be covered for expenses.

Get a policy as soon as you book your trip

That way, you're covered if you get sick and need to cancel. A few insurers including Cover-More and Easy Travel Insurance also won't accept COVID-related claims within 21 days of your trip, so make sure you take out cover at least 3 weeks before you jet off.

Check the exclusions

It can be tedious but make sure you give the exclusions in the PDS a read before you buy. For example, you won't be covered for costs related to border closures. It means that you might be out of pocket for prepaid accommodation or booked airline tickets if the government of that country imposes a lockdown.

Jillian, Kerry and Tyson travelled from Sydney to Dallas. 10 days in, Tyson (Jillian's son) caught COVID, a day before the family was supposed to leave for a ski trip in Colorado. As a result, they had to rearrange their travel plans.

Unfortunately, Jillian got COVID later and the family had to send Tyson and Kerry home to Sydney, while Jillian stayed another 4 days until she tested negative. She then rebooked her trip home.

Their insurer, Southern Cross Travel Insurance , covered just under $3,000 in costs . The family paid a $500 excess to claim on 2 events.

Get a free travel insurance quote

Why you can trust Finder's travel insurance experts

We're experts

We're independent

We're here to help

What's the best travel insurance with covid cover.

All the top picks we've selected come with COVID cover but Fast Cover goes a little further than most. Like many other insurers, it can help pay for COVID-related medical expenses, cancellation costs and additional accommodation. It can also cover childcare costs and medical evacuation.

How far in advance should I buy travel insurance?

It's worth getting travel insurance as soon as you book your trip. That way, you're covered straight away. If something happens – say you get sick or your flight is cancelled or delayed – you're covered.

Is it best to get a single trip or annual policy?

Single trip policies may be best if you don't plan on travelling much over the next year or, if you're going on a long trip ( annual policies cap the length you're allowed to travel per trip – typically 30, 45 or 60 days).

Annual (or multi-trip) policies may be better if you're a jet-setter who intends to travel several times a year. Generally speaking, an annual policy may work out cheaper than paying for 4 single-trip policies in a year.

But be aware, annual plans have been a little harder to come by since the pandemic.

What's considered a pre-existing condition for travel insurance?

Essentially, a pre-existing condition is any medical condition you've been diagnosed with, in a specified time period, prior to taking out cover. Such conditions include heart problems, high blood pressure and diabetes.

What's the best travel insurance for Bali?

There have been several flight cancellations and delays to Bali recently. Most travel insurance polices can reimburse you for flight cancellations. However, it's worth going with an insurer that will also cover additional travel expenses such as accommodation and pre-booked excursions. It can be very frustrating if something happens but if the cancellation is due to circumstances out of your control, your insurer is likely to cover you.

What's the best travel insurance for the US?

The US has a notoriously expensive healthcare system so it's worth getting a travel insurance policy that comes with unlimited medical expenses cover at the very least. Fortunately, most comprehensive policies offer this. Other important medical-related expenses worth considering are:

• Hospital cash allowance. An amount you'll be given per day if you're hospitalised to pay for additional expenses.
• Resumption of journey. This can help pay you to get home if you're very sick.

Gary Ross Hunter

Gary Ross Hunter is 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).

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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.

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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What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is designed to cover you for a range of unexpected events that could happen when you’re travelling overseas or in Australia. Allianz Travel Insurance can cover costs like travel delays or emergency medical treatment, or the cost of replacing items that were lost or stolen during your trip. 1

We have Basic, Comprehensive, Domestic, and Multi-Trip Plans to choose from, with varying levels of cover to help you when you need it most. Our plans are available for singles, duos or families. Read through our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for detailed information about our plans to see which level of cover is right for you.

Find the right cover for your trip

Basic Travel Insurance

• Overseas emergency assistance 1
• Overseas medical and hospital expenses 1
• Personal Liability 1

Comprehensive Travel Insurance

• Overseas medical assistance and expenses 1
• Unexpected trip cancellation 3
• Loss of or damage to luggage and personal effects 1
• COVID-19 benefits 2

Domestic Travel Insurance

• Travel delay expenses 1
• Rental vehicle excess 1

Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

Additional cover options.

For an additional premium, you can choose to add an Adventure Pack, Cruise Pack, or Snow Pack to eligible plans. Increased Item Limits Cover can also be added to insure your luggage, personal effects or valuables should something happen to them while travelling.

You have the option to vary the base excess when you buy your policy (premium adjustment will apply depending on the excess selected). The choice is yours.

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Choose what suits your needs, single cover, family plan, ready to get started, frequently asked questions.

Without travel insurance, you run the risk of incurring some significant expenses that may take years to pay off.

If you’re travelling overseas, travel insurance is an important consideration for unexpected medical bills and hospitalisation. Other unforeseen expenses could include the replacement of lost or stolen luggage, delays or cancellations to your trip, and many other unfortunate scenarios.

We don’t cover medical expenses under our Domestic Travel Insurance policy. However, you may wish to take out insurance for domestic flight changes or cancellations, lost or stolen baggage, or rental vehicle excess. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for more information.

Travel insurance may cover you for a range of unexpected events that may affect your trip, such as emergency medical assistance if you become ill or injured while travelling overseas, including arranging your evacuation if needed.

Other incidents that travel insurance may cover include costs due to unexpected delays and cancellations, rental vehicle excess, and personal liability. You also have the option to purchase additional cover for activities such as adventure sports or skiing, although this isn’t available on all plans.

Cover limits vary from insurance provider to insurance provider, as do policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions, so it’s important to read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure you fully understand what’s covered, the limits applying to the policy, and to make sure the policy is appropriate for your needs.

The length of your Travel Insurance policy is largely dependent on the travel dates you supply. When obtaining a quote, or buying a policy, you’ll be prompted to enter in your departure and return dates – this will be the period of cover for all benefits except the cancellation benefit, which begins from the date your policy is issued.

The period of cover is also shown on your Certificate of Insurance, which is sent to you at the time of purchase. You may want to extend the length of your holiday abroad (and therefore need an extension of your period of cover) and you may be able to do this within specified timeframes.

If you think you may travel more than once a year, you may wish to consider a Multi-Trip policy . Different start and end dates apply, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for full details.

It’s up to you when you buy Allianz Travel Insurance, however, keep in mind these three things:

• You can buy our Travel Insurance up to 12 months in advance.
• You must buy Allianz Travel Insurance before you start your journey. Your journey starts when any traveller named on the Certificate of Insurance leaves home or work in Australia to begin travel.
• Depending on the plan you choose you may have trip cancellation cover, which covers unexpected trip cancellation, rescheduling or shortening from the date your Certificate of Insurance is issued. So, consider buying our Travel Insurance as soon as you’ve booked and paid for some or all your trip as you may be covered for such events before you depart.

Yes, if you change your mind after you buy your Travel Insurance policy, you may cancel it within 14 days of your Certificate of Insurance being issued.

You’ll be given a full refund of the premium you’ve paid, provided you’ve not started your journey and don’t intend to make a claim or exercise any other right under your policy.

When considering which policy is right for you, make sure you consider your needs, as well as your financial situation. Reading the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination (TMD) is a good place to start as they will give you more detail, so you can decide if the plan is right for you.

Allianz Travel Insurance offers a number of travel insurance plans – Basic , Comprehensive , Domestic , Non-Medical or Multi-Trip Travel Insurance . You can see more detailed information on our Compare Cover Options page .

This product has a general exclusion, with limited exceptions, against epidemics and pandemics. That means we don’t cover claims that arise from, or are related to, an epidemic or pandemic.

However, you’re covered under selected benefits in this product if, during your period of cover, you’re positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, such as COVID-19.

Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement to see which benefits offer cover in the event that you contract a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, and the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions that apply.

Note: There is no cover under any benefit of this policy if your claim arises because you did not follow advice or a warning that has been issued by the Australian Government or a reliable mass media source. This applies even if an Australian government has given you permission to travel, or you fall under a specific exemption where there is otherwise a travel ban in place.

If you have any questions call us on 13 1000 .

If you need to shorten your journey while travelling, or are prevented from travelling due to a COVID-19 border closure or mandatory quarantine period, you may be entitled to receive a partial or full refund on your premium. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for more information.

Eligibility criteria applies. Contact us on 1800 440 806 or email us .

There is no cover under any benefit of this policy if your claim arises because you didn’t follow an advice or warning that a reasonable person would have been aware of, that has been issued by the Australian government (when a ‘reconsider your need to travel’ or ‘do not travel’ alert is in place), which can be found on Smartraveller ; or which was published in a reliable mass media source.

Before buying travel insurance, and while you’re travelling, check Smartraveller and Allianz Partners for travel alerts or advisories for your intended destination(s).

Note: This applies even if an Australian government has given you permission to travel, or you fall under a specific exemption where there is otherwise a travel ban in place.

Tip: Subscribe to Smartraveller to get travel alerts and advisory updates by email.

Refer to General Exclusions in the Product Disclosure Statement for a full list of exclusions.

If you have any questions, call us on 13 1000 .

A general exclusion, sometimes referred to as a policy exclusion or exclusion, is an exclusion that applies to all policy benefits.

Should a general exclusion apply, your travel insurance policy won’t provide cover for the specified event, activities or circumstances.

Refer to General Exclusions in the Product Disclosure Statement provided at the time of purchase for a full list of exclusions.

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Give us a call, or send us a message, follow us on, *conditions apply.

• Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for full details.
• Policy terms, conditions, limits, exclusions, and sub-limits apply to particular types of losses, premium refunds (full or partial) or claims. This product has a general exclusion, with limited exceptions, against epidemics and pandemics. That means we don’t cover claims that arise from, or are related to, an epidemic or pandemic. However, you’re covered under selected benefits in this product if, during your period of cover, you’re positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, such as COVID-19. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement to see which benefits offer cover in the event you contract a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, and the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions that apply.
• Terms, conditions, limits, exclusions and sub-limits apply. Cancellation cover is only available on Comprehensive, Domestic and Multi-Trip Plans. Refer to Cancellation and General Exclusions sections of the Product Disclosure Statement for full details.
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Any advice here does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply. Before making a decision about this insurance, please consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)/Policy Wording and Supplementary PDS (if applicable). Where applicable, the PDS/Policy Wording, Supplementary PDS and Target Market Determination (TMD) for this insurance are available on this website.

Travel Insurance is issued and managed by AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 AFS Licence No. 245631, trading as Allianz Global Assistance (AGA) as agent of the insurer Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFS Licence No. 234708 (Allianz). Travel Insurance is underwritten by the insurer Allianz. Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply.

We don’t provide advice based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision, please consider the Product Disclosure Statement available on this website. If you purchase this insurance, AGA will receive a commission that is a percentage of the premium. Ask us for more details before we provide you with any services on this product.

Click here for our travel alert about the Israel – Gaza conflict. Due to the current conflict in Ukraine, our policies exclude coverage for any trips to Russia, Ukraine or Belarus. Check out latest travel alerts here before buying a policy.

Covid-19 Travel Insurance Benefits

Are you looking for travel insurance with coverage for Covid-19 related events? InsureandGo policies provide you with several travel insurance benefits related to Covid-19. We are all excited to travel again and we want to give travellers peace of mind on their next holiday, domestically or overseas. We understand the travel landscape has changed and our travel insurance policies need to account for the new risks that travellers can face. Our Covid-19 travel insurance will give you additional coverage whenever you are ready to explore the world again.

Always visit Smartraveller to understand if your destination is marked as safe to travel. If your destination is marked as a “do not travel” on Smartraveller website, travel insurance coverage is not available. The below content is a summary only, always check the  PDS  for full details and  Target Market Determination  to understand if our policies are right for you.

For more information, check the FAQ’s below or visit our help centre  here

Overseas policies

Our One-Trip and Cruise policies can cover you for the following benefits, in case your trip is impacted by Covid-19:

• Overseas medical expenses (Unlimited Coverage in our Silver and Gold policies, not included in our Bare Essentials Policies): We will pay for the necessary and reasonable medical costs incurred outside of Australia as a result of you being medically diagnosed with COVID-19. This includes emergency medical, surgical, hospital, ambulance and repatriation costs where necessary.
• you being medically diagnosed with COVID-19 after you purchase the policy,
• a close relative being diagnosed with Covid-19 after purchasing the policy and the treating doctor confirms in writing the level of infection is life threatening or
• a travelling companion being medically diagnosed with Covid-19 after purchasing the policy

We will pay up to the amount shown in the Table of benefits for:

• travel and accommodation expenses and pre-paid meal expenses which you have paid or have agreed to pay under a contract and which you cannot reasonably recover from any sources;
• the cost of excursions, tours and activities which you have paid for and which you cannot reasonably recover from any sources;
• your additional reasonable and necessary travel and accommodation expenses, incurred after departure, that are over and above what you had originally budgeted to pay, where you need to catch-up to your original schedule;

Domestic Policies

Our Single-Trip and Cruise Domestic policies also provide benefits for Covid-19 related events. Medical expenses in Australia are covered by Medicare or Private Health Insurance, so there are no medical benefits related to Covid-19 in our domestic policies. However, we provide coverage for the Cancellation or amendment of your trip if your travel plans are impacted by Covid-19.

• you being medically diagnosed with COVID-19 after you purchase the policy and you are unfit to travel
• a travelling companion being medically diagnosed with Covid-19 after purchasing the policy and they are you are unfit to travel

Most Common Questions

Am i covered if i get covid-19 overseas.

Our Silver and Gold levels of cover provide benefits for necessary and reasonable medical costs also necessary and unavoidable cancellation or amendment of your trip, related to a diagnosis of COVID-19. See the  PDS  for the details of what is covered. 

Am I covered for Cancellation if there is a border closure?

Unfortunately our policies exclude any claims arising from border closures, or any other claims relating to any government travel bans, “Do not travel” warnings; or mandatory quarantine or self-isolation requirements related to cross border, region or territory travel.

Can I claim for cancellation if a family member gets Covid-19?

Under the InsureandGo Silver and Gold levels of cover, we will provide coverage if it is necessary and unavoidable for you to cancel or amend your trip if a close relative in Australia is diagnosed with Covid-19 after purchasing the policy and the treating doctor confirms in writing their level of infection is life threatening.

Can I claim for cancellation if a travelling companion gets Covid-19?

Our Silver and Gold levels of cover provide benefits for necessary and unavoidable cancellation or amendment of your trip if your travelling companion is medically diagnosed with COVID-19 after purchasing the policy. See the  PDS  for the details of what is covered. 

Can I claim for cancellation if I get diagnosed with Covid-19 before going away?

Yes, our Silver and Gold policies provide coverage if it is necessary and unavoidable for you to cancel your trip if you are diagnosed with Covid-19 after purchasing your policy.

Am I covered for quarantine or travel delay if I get Covid-19 while overseas?

Our Gold and Silver policies provide coverage for your reasonable additional travel and accommodation expenses if you are unexpectedly forced into quarantine whilst overseas as a result of being diagnosed with Covid-19. We cannot provide cover if you are forced into quarantine for any other reason other than you being diagnosed with Covid-19.

What should I do if I get diagnosed with Covid-19 while travelling?

If you are diagnosed with Covid-19 while travelling, please contact us on  +61293333999  or email  [email protected] . Our teams will guide you through the process on what to do and how to submit your claim.

Useful Numbers

Emergency assistance:

Non emergency claims:

Insure&Go?

Here is why....

Award winning travel insurance company

24 hours emergency assistance

All medical conditions considered

Cover up to 100 years old (Cruise and Bare Essential policies cover up to 79 years of age)

Unlimited overseas medical expenses cover

Unlimited cancellation in our Gold policies

• health insurance
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Travel insurance

Travel in Australia or overseas with our flexible travel insurance options and have a peace of mind with our COVID-19 travel insurance be nefits. Learn More

Our International Comprehensive cover includes:

• Unlimited^ overseas medical and hospital expense cover
• Cancellation cover*
• Cover for lost, damaged or stolen goods±

Mozo Experts Choice Award winners

Mozo Experts choice awards (opens in a new tab)

ahm and Medibank members get 10% off!

Our comprehensive cover includes, domestic travel.

• Pre-trip cancellation cover up to $10,000*
• Rental car insurance excess automatically included up to $5,000
• New for old - we’ll waive the depreciation deduction for any new items purchased in the last 2 years#
• + Plus heaps more

International travel

• Your kids are covered at no extra cost~ (if they’re under 21 and travelling with you)

Why ahm travel insurance?

Overseas medical-only cover.

The ‘just in case’ option for medical emergencies abroad.

Comprehensive cover

Our most popular cover for international or domestic trips that won’t break the bank.

COVID-19 Travel Insurance Benefits

With our new COVID-19 travel insurance benefits you can have greater confidence and extra peace of mind to book a domestic or overseas holiday.

Need help choosing cover?

1300 617 409.

8am – 7pm Monday to Friday ( ) 9am – 4pm Saturday 10am – 3pm Sunday

24/7 Emergency Assistance General enquiries or for 24/7 emergency assistance worldwide.

Submit a travel insurance claim online or by post.

Travel warnings

Important travel warnings and advice.

Common questions

What COVID-19 benefits are included in ahm travel insurance?

See all our common questions regarding COVID-19 and ahm travel insurance.

Why do I need travel insurance?

Because stuff happens, even when you’re on holiday!

ahm travel insurance includes unlimited^ overseas medical and hospital expenses cover, just in case you get sick or injured while you’re travelling outside of Australia.

Depending on the type of cover you choose, ahm travel insurance can also cover your luggage, valuables, cancellations and much more. †

Get a quote

How do I know what I’m covered for?

Check out the Combined Product Disclosure Statement/Financial Services Guide (opens in a new tab) (PDS/FSG) which includes details of everything your cover includes and excludes. Make sure you read it so you know exactly what you’ve paid for. No one likes being caught out in the rain!

Do I need insurance if I’m travelling in Australia?

Travel insurance isn’t just for overseas trips. It can help provide financial cover for a range of unexpected incidents or accidents that can happen anywhere, even if you’re travelling our big backyard.

Find out more about domestic travel insurance .

What if my trip gets cancelled?

To get cover for trip cancellation, choose either the International Comprehensive Single Trip cover or International Comprehensive Annual Multi-Trip cover. You can add an extra cancellation amount to make sure your trip is covered if things go pear-shaped.

$3,000 cancellation cover is automatically included on the International Comprehensive Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip plans.

$10,000 cancellation cover is automatically included on the Domestic Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip plans. To make a claim for trip cancellations, you’ll need to meet certain criteria, which you can find in the Combined PDS/FSG. (opens in a new tab)

Find more about making a claim .

How do I make a travel insurance claim?

You can make a travel insurance claim online or download and complete a travel insurance claim form and return it by post with any supporting documents.

Find out more about making a claim .

How can I get help while I'm travelling?

With ahm travel insurance, you get access to our emergency assistance team of doctors, nurses, travel agents and case managers who are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If something happens, give us a call using one of the numbers below:

New Zealand - 0800 931 760

UK - 0808 234 2686

USA - 1844 210 9967

Canada - 1844 210 9967

Any other country - +61 (0) 2 8907 5662

Am I covered if my phone or laptop gets lost, stolen or damaged?

Never fear, cover is provided for your valuables up to a certain amount depending on the level of cover you choose. You can also get higher items cover with an additional premium for your valuables (e.g. cameras, laptops, smartphones).*

You’ll be back online and taking selfies in no time!

My luggage is lost, am I covered?

Lost luggage is the worst! To get cover for lost luggage, choose either Comprehensive Single Trip cover or Comprehensive Annual Multi-Trip cover.*

If you’re travelling with valuables, see “Am I covered if my phone or laptop gets lost, stolen or damaged?”.

What if I get sick or injured while on my trip?

Anything can happen when you’re on holidays, which is why having travel insurance with overseas medical and hospital expenses cover is important.

If you’re travelling overseas, ahm travel insurance offers you unlimited^ overseas medical and hospital expenses cover (subject to the conditions outlined in the Combined PDS/FSG ).

If you’re sick overseas and need assistance to find the nearest medical clinic, give us a call at anytime.

Can I ride a motorcycle or moped while I’m away?

Riding a motorcycle or moped is not one of the activities included in your ahm travel insurance.

To get cover for motorcycle & moped riding, choose either Comprehensive Single Trip cover or Comprehensive Annual Multi-Trip cover and add it as an extra.

Conditions apply to this cover. Read the Combined PDS/FSG for more details.

How much is travel insurance?

Everyone’s travel plans are different. The cost of travel insurance varies depending on factors like your destination, how long you’re travelling for, and any add-on’s you might need to suit your trip. You can also choose different excess options to suit your budget.

Planning a trip? Get a quote online with ahm travel insurance. 

Does ahm travel insurance cover cruises?

We sure do! If your trip includes a multi-night sea or ocean cruise overseas or outside Australian coastal waters, then you'll need to add Cruise Cover to your policy to be insured for claims relating to your cruise (e.g. cancelling the cruise) or that occur while on your cruise (e.g. getting sick or injured on-board a cruise vessel). By adding cruise cover, you’ll also get a range of additional benefits like cabin confinement and sea sickness.

You don’t need to add Cruise Cover if you’re travelling on a single-night cruise, on a river cruise (e.g. European river cruise, or a Murray River cruise), only taking a ferry trip, cruising in Australia or in Australian coastal waters (e.g. a Kimberley Cruise) or are sailing. (Note: Sailing is not covered in International Waters).

It’s best to get a quote to suit your trip needs to help avoid any unforeseen sea shenanigans.

Does ahm travel insurance cover for rental cars?

Yes - our Comprehensive International and our Domestic travel insurance policies include cover for rental car excess. This cover applies if you:

• hire a rental car;
• are the nominated driver on the rental car agreement; and
• have comprehensive motor vehicle insurance for the rental car for the hire period.

Make sure you check the PDS (opens in a new tab) for how rental car excess works on your travel insurance policy so you can have added protection when you hit the road on your vacay.

Do I need travel insurance for domestic travel in Australia?

Just because you’re not overseas, doesn’t mean things can’t go wrong. Our Domestic Travel insurance cover includes things like cover for lost or damaged goods, rental car excess and pre-trip cancellations (plus heaps more).

Because even down under, adventure comes with its share of surprises. So, depending on the level of travel insurance cover you need, get a quote to find out what best suits for your local vacay.

Can I add more than one person to my policy?

You sure can - when you’re getting a travel insurance quote, make sure you add everyone you need on the policy, and you’re all set.

Don’t forget, with our comprehensive cover your kids are covered at no extra cost~ (if they’re under 21 and travelling with you).

~Your children or grandchildren travelling with you who are under 21 years of age, who are not in full time employment and are financially dependent on you.

Does ahm travel insurance cover skiing or snowboarding?

If you’re planning on hitting the slopes while on holidays, which includes snow skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling, you can add-on our Snow Sports Cover option when getting a travel insurance quote.

Do I get a discount on ahm travel insurance being a health member?

You sure do! Both ahm and Medibank health members get 10% off travel insurance policies.

What happens after I complete my ahm travel insurance quote?

Once you’ve finished your ahm travel insurance quote and purchased your travel insurance policy online, you’ll get email confirmation straight away with your Certificate of Insurance plus the info and important documents you might need, like your PDS.

Does ahm travel insurance cover me if I’m pregnant?

Yes, you can get a travel insurance policy that gives you cover up to your 26th week of pregnancy (i.e. up to 25 weeks, 6 day). However, please note the following important points:

• If you know about the pregnancy at the time you purchase the travel policy, you’ll need to complete an online medical assessment if either of the following apply to you: - there have been complications with this or any previous pregnancy; - you are having a multiple pregnancy (e.g. twins or triplets); or - the conception was medically assisted (including hormone therapies and IVF). Make sure you also complete any additional questions in an online medical assessment to determine that you’re eligible and can get a quote. If you have any questions about the online assessment or want to chat it through, feel free to give one of our customer service agents a call on 1300 690 138 – we’re here to help.
• Cover is only provided for unexpected serious pregnancy complications which occur before the 26th week of pregnancy.
• No cover is provided for childbirth or the health of a newborn child, no matter what stage of the pregnancy you are at when the child is

If you’re an expecting mother, make sure you consider everything before taking out a travel policy, especially if you’re traveling past the 20th week of the pregnancy.

Check out the Product Disclosure Statement (opens in a new tab) for all the details on pregnancy cover.

Things you should know

Limits, sub-limits, conditions and exclusions apply.

This is general advice only. This product is distributed by Australian Health Management Group Pty Limited (ABN 96 003 683 298, AR 266711) and administered by Travel Insurance Partners Pty Limited (ABN 73 144 049 230, AFSL 360138). Travel insurance is underwritten by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (ABN 13 000 296 640, AFSL 232507). Please consider your own needs and the Combined FSG/PDS to decide if this product is right for you. For information on the Target Market and Target Market Determinations , visit ahm.com.au/travel-insurance/forms-and-guides.

Unlimited overseas medical and hospital expense cover

Medical cover will not exceed 12 months from the onset of the illness or injury. Only applies to international policies.

Cover for lost, stolen or damaged items and travel documents

Comprehensive plans only. Item and aggregate limits apply.

Your kids are covered at no extra cost (if they’re under 21 and travelling with you)

Your children or grandchildren travelling with you who are under 21 years of age, who are not in full time employment and are financially dependent on you.

We’ll waive the depreciation deduction for any new items purchased in the last 2 years

You must provide a receipt for proof of purchase

COVID-19 exclusions apply

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International Basic

Essential cover designed for Australian travellers on a budget.

Pre-trip cover if you're diagnosed with COVID-19

On-trip cover if you're diagnosed with COVID-19^##

Unlimited~ overseas emergency medical expenses^

Up to $5,000 luggage cover

Existing medical conditions cover available

Optional cancellation cover

Single Trip policies

Annual Multi-Trip policies^

Rental vehicle insurance excess

International Comprehensive

Extensive cover and benefit limits to provide extra financial protection.

Pre-trip cover if you're diagnosed with COVID-19#

On-trip cover if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 while travelling^##

Up to $15,000 luggage cover*

Optional cancellation cover with Cancellation Extensions

Single Trip or Annual Multi-Trip^^ policies

Rental vehicle comprehensive cover

International Comprehensive +

Everything our Comprehensive Plan includes and more + higher benefit limits.

Pre-trip cover if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 before travelling#

Up to $25,000 luggage cover*

Business trip benefits

* Item limits apply.

~ Cover will not exceed 12 months from onset of the illness, condition, or injury.

^ For cruise-related expenses, Cruise Cover must be included in the policy. There is no cover for cabin confinement related to COVID-19.

^^ Policy availability subject to age, trip duration and area of travel. Policies may not be available to all travellers.

# Up to $5,000 per policy (or the amount chosen if this is less) applies to International Comprehensive Plan and Comprehensive+ Plan policyholders with Amendment or Cancellation Costs cover included. You must be diagnosed with COVID-19 and certified by a qualified medical practitioner as being not fit to travel for cover to apply.

## Up to $5,000 per policy (or the amount chosen if this is less) applies per policy for policyholders with Amendment or Cancellation Costs cover included. You must be diagnosed with COVID-19 and certified by a qualified medical practitioner as being not fit to travel for cover to apply. A special excess applies.

Searching for COVID-19 cover?

To help you explore the world with confidence, our travel insurance provides cover for COVID-19-related:

Overseas medical costs*~#

Amendment and cancellation costs*^

Additional expenses*#^

*Limits, sub-limits, conditions, and exclusions apply.

~Medical cover will not exceed 12 months from onset.

#Cover for medical costs related to COVID-19 is not available on our Domestic Plans.

^A special excess will apply.

Holiday hasn't  gone to plan?

You can submit a Cover-More travel insurance claim online at any time – and from anywhere.

Get emergency support, fast. We're here 24/7.

When adventure awaits... we can help provide cover.

Setting sail for two or more nights? You'll need to let us know and Cruise Cover will be added to your policy.

Snow Sports

Hitting the slopes? Consider protecting your winter getaway with one of our two levels of Snow Sports Cover.

Adventure Activities

Planning on engaging in extreme activities? We've got two additional Adventure Activities Cover options for you.

Motorcycle & Moped

Want to take to the road on two wheels? See if one of our Motorcycle/Moped Riding Cover options is right for your trip.

We're by your side when you need us most

We've been protecting Australian travellers for over 35 years. Read our customers' Cover-More travel insurance reviews to discover how our expert team provides exceptional care during uncertain times.

Mosquito bite in Bali

Shannon was bitten by a mosquito in Bali, which caused Dengue Fever.

"Cover-More were absolutely fantastic. I wasn't responding well to medical treatment, so they flew in a specialist from Singapore to accompany me all the way home. I'm so glad I had Cover-More travel insurance."

Boat crash in Thailand

Natalie was involved in a speedboat crash in Thailand, which resulted in a fractured pelvis and a brain haemorrhage.

"Luckily I had Cover-More insurance. They took care of everything and made sure we had the best medical treatment available."

Accidental fall in Poland

Irene was visiting family in Poland when she had a fall, which resulted in a bad fracture and extensive medical costs.

"Amazing. I can't praise them highly enough. Wonderful, wonderful people... Nobody should travel without insurance."

Protect your trip with us - get a free travel insurance quote now.

How can we help you travel smarter.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or a first-timer, we’re here to help you feel empowered to travel further, safely.

Finding cover for Existing Medical Conditions (EMCs)

Have an EMC? We can provide cover for various conditions to help keep you exploring, safely.

7 ways COVID-19 has changed the way we travel

Worried about travel risks during COVID-19? Discover how you can help ensure a safer trip.

What you should know before you hit the slopes

Planning a ski trip at home or abroad? Don't depart without reading our expert advice.

Got a question about travel insurance? We're here to help

What is travel insurance.

Travel insurance is a specific type of insurance that helps cover several costs and disruptions when travelling both domestically and overseas. Levels of cover differ per plan; however, travel insurance typically protects against trip cancellation, delays, lost luggage and personal belongings, overseas medical expenses and repatriation, and personal liability.

Most travel insurance providers offer single or multi-trip policies, which can cover multiple countries within a specific timeframe. Things like the destination, length of trip, optional additional cover for specific activities and pre-existing medical conditions all help determine the cost of a travel insurance policy.

How much does travel insurance cost?

The cost of a travel insurance policy varies from traveller to traveller because various factors affect the amount payable.

At Cover-More, we consider a number of factors when calculating the total amount payable. The following is a guide on these key factors, how they combine and how they may impact the assessment of risk and therefore the premium paid:

• Area: higher risk areas cost more.
• Departure date and trip duration: the longer the period until you depart and the longer your trip duration, the higher the cost may be.
• Age: higher risk age groups cost more.
• Plan: International Comprehensive+, which provides more cover, costs more than International Comprehensive or Domestic.
• Excess: the higher the excess the lower the cost.
• Cruise cover: additional premium applies.
• Cancellation cover: on some policies you can choose your own level of cancellation cover. The more cancellation cover you require, the higher the cost may be.
• Adding cover for Existing Medical Conditions and pregnancy (where available): additional premium may apply if a medical assessment is completed and cover is accepted by us.
• Options to vary cover (where available): additional premium applies.

While a cheaper policy cost upfront may seem appealing, always read the Product Disclosure Statement to ensure your needs are adequately covered should an incident occur.

How does travel insurance work?

Travel insurance protects you when travelling domestically or internationally by providing coverage against unforeseen circumstances that may impact your travel plans. By purchasing travel insurance with cancellation cover prior to departure, your policy can help by providing cover for the costs of trip cancellations should you no longer be able to travel, as well as the costs of overseas medical treatment, lost passports, and personal items while you’re travelling.

The customer usually pays for these costs upfront, before being reimbursed by the travel insurer upon claim approval. To approve a claim, travel insurers require documentation such as medical reports, itemised medical bills or police reports to confirm the incident occurred.

However, at Cover-More, if our customer becomes ill overseas, they can also contact our 24-Hour Emergency Assistance team for support and to seek approval for expensive medical bills to be paid directly by us to the medical care provider/s instead.

Always read the Product Disclosure Statement before purchasing a travel insurance policy to ensure it provides adequate coverage for your circumstances.

What does – and doesn’t – travel insurance cover?

Unfortunately, travel insurance can’t cover absolutely everything. This highlights the importance for travellers to read the  Product Disclosure Statement  before purchasing to avoid becoming frustrated if claims are unsuccessful. It will contain details on the situations you likely won’t be covered in, including cancellation, pre-existing medical conditions, theft or loss of belongings, adventure sports, COVID-19 scenarios and more.

For full details of the exclusions within our Cover-More travel insurance plans, consult the  Product Disclosure Statement  .

When is the best time to purchase travel insurance?

The best time to purchase travel insurance is as soon as a trip is booked, as this can increase protection. When purchased ahead of time, a Cover-More customer can cancel their travel insurance policy for a full refund within the 21-day cooling-off period. If the policy is purchased before departing on the trip, claims for rearrangements and cancellations caused by unforeseen circumstances can also be made where cancellation cover is added to the policy.

Best International Travel Insurance for May 2024

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Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

If you're planning your next vacation or trip out of the country, be sure to factor in travel insurance. Unexpected medical emergencies when traveling can drain your bank account, especially when you're traveling internationally. The best travel insurance companies for international travel can step in to provide you with peace of mind and financial protection while you're abroad.

Our top picks for the best international travel insurance

• Best overall: Allianz Travel Insurance
• Best for exotic travel: World Nomads Travel Insurance
• Best for trip interruption coverage: C&F Travel Insured
• Best for families: Travelex Travel Insurance
• Best for long-term travel: Seven Corners Travel Insurance

How we rate the best international travel insurance »

Compare the top international travel insurance

As a general rule, the most important coverage to have in a foreign country is travel medical insurance , as most US health insurance policies don't cover you while you're abroad. Without travel medical coverage, a medical emergency in a foreign country can cost you. You'll want trip cancellation and interruption coverage if your trip is particularly expensive. And if you're traveling for an extended period of time, you'll want to ensure that your policy is extendable. 

Here are our picks for the best travel insurance companies for international travel.

Best overall: Allianz

Allianz Travel Insurance  offers the ultimate customizable coverage for international trips, whether you're a frequent jetsetter or an occasional traveler. You can choose from an a la carte of single or multi-trip plans, as well as add-ons, including rental car damage, cancel for any reason (CFAR) , adventure sport, and business travel coverage. And with affordable pricing compared to competitors, Allianz is a budget-friendly choice for your international travel insurance needs. 

The icing on the cake is Allyz TravelSmart, Allainz's highly-rated mobile app, which has an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars on the Google Play store across over 2,600 reviews and 4.8 out of five stars from over 22,000 reviews on the Apple app store. So, you can rest easy knowing that you can access your policy and file claims anywhere in the world without a hassle.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.

Best for exotic trips: World Nomads

World Nomads Travel Insurance  offers coverage for over 150 specific activities, so you can focus on the adventure without worrying about gaps in your coverage. 

You can select its budget-friendly standard plan, starting at $79. Or if you're an adrenaline junkie seeking more thrills, you can opt for the World Nomads' Explorer plan for $120, which includes extra sports like skydiving, scuba diving, and heli-skiing. And World Nomads offers 24/7 assistance, so you can confidently travel abroad, knowing that help is just a phone call away. 

Read our World Nomads Travel Insurance review here.

Best for trip interruption: C&F Travel Insured

C&F Travel Insured offers 100% coverage for trip cancellation, up to 150% for trip interruption, and reimbursement for up to 75% of your non-refundable travel costs with select plans. This means you don't have to worry about losing your hard-earned money on non-refundable travel costs if your trip ends prematurely. 

Travel Insured also stands out for its extensive "reasons for cancellation" coverage. Unlike many insurers, the company covers hurricane warnings from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Read our C&F Travel Insured review here.

Best for family coverage: Travelex

Travelex Travel Insurance offers coverage for your whole crew, perfect for when you're planning a family trip. Its family plan insures all your children 17 and under at no additional cost. The travel insurance provider also offers add-ons like adventure sports and car rental collision coverage to protect your family under any circumstance. Got pets? With Travelex's Travel Select plan, you can also get coverage for your furry friend's emergency medical and transportation expenses. 

Read our Travelex Travel Insurance review here.

Best for long trips: Seven Corners

Seven Corners Travel Insurance offers specialized coverage that the standard short-term travel insurance policy won't provide, which is helpful if you're embarking on a long-term trip. You can choose from several plans, including the Annual Multi-Trip plan, which provides medical coverage for multiple international trips for up to 364 days. This policy also offers COVID-19 medical and evacuation coverage up to $1 million. 

You also get the added benefit of incidental expense coverage. This policy will cover remote health-related services and information, treatment of injury or illness, and live consultations via telecommunication. 

Read our Seven Corners Travel Insurance review here.

How to find the right international travel insurance company 

Different travelers and trips require different types of insurance coverage. So, consider these tips if you're in the market to insure your trip. 

Determine your needs 

• Consider the nature of your travel (leisure, business, or adventure) and the associated risks (medical emergencies, trip cancellations, etc.).
• Determine your budget and the amount of coverage you require. 
• Consider the duration of your trip and the countries you'll be visiting, as some policies won't cover specific destinations. 

Research the reputation of the company 

• Look for the company's reviews and ratings from reputable sources like consumer advocacy groups and independent website reviews. 
• Check the provider's financial stability and credit ratings to ensure it can pay out claims reliably. 
• Investigate the company's claims process to ensure it can provide timely support if you need to file a claim.

Compare prices

• Get quotes from multiple providers to compare rates and coverage options.
• See if the company provides discounts or special offers to lower your cost. 
• Look at the deductible or any out-of-pocket expenses you may have to pay if you file a claim to determine if you can afford it. 

Understanding international travel insurance coverage options 

Travel insurance can be confusing, but we're here to simplify it for you. We'll break down the industry's jargon to help you understand what travel insurance covers to help you decide what your policy needs. Bear in mind that exclusions and limitations for your age and destination may apply. 

Finding the best price for international travel insurance

Your policy cost will depend on several factors, such as the length of your trip, destination, coverage limits, and age. Typically, a comprehensive policy includes travel cancellation coverage costs between 5% and 10% of your total trip cost.

If you're planning an international trip that costs $4,500, you can expect to pay anywhere from $225 to $450 for your policy. Comparing quotes from multiple providers can help you find a budget-friendly travel insurance policy that meets your needs.

How we reviewed international travel insurance companies

We ranked and assigned superlatives to the best travel insurance companies based on our insurance rating methodology . It focuses on several key factors, including: 

• Policy types: We analyzed company offerings such as coverage levels, exclusions, and policy upgrades, taking note of providers that offer a range of travel-related issues beyond the standard coverages. 
• Affordability: We recognize that cheap premiums don't necessarily equate to sufficient coverage. So, we seek providers that offer competitive rates with comprehensive policies and quality customer service. We also call out any discounts or special offers available. 
• Flexibility: Travel insurance isn't one-size-fits-all. We highlight providers that offer a wide array of coverage options, including single-trip, multi-trip, and long-term policies.
• Claims handling: The claims process should be pain-free for policyholders. We seek providers that offer a streamlined process via online claims filing and a track record of handling claims fairly and efficiently. 
• Quality customer service: Good customer service is as important as affordability and flexibility. We highlight companies that offer 24/7 assistance and have a strong record of customer service responsiveness. 

We consult user feedback and reviews to determine how each company fares in each category. We also check the provider's financial rating and volume of complaints via third-party rating agencies. 

International travel insurance FAQs

Which company has the best international travel insurance.

The best insurance policy depends on your individual situation, including your destination and budget. However, popular options include Allianz Travel Insurance, World Nomads, and Travel Guard. 

Are there any limitations or exclusions international travelers should be aware of?

You should pay attention to any limitations regarding covered cancellations, pre-existing conditions, and adventure activities. For example, if you're worried you may have to cancel a trip for work reasons, ensure that you've worked at your company long enough to qualify for cancellation coverage, as that is a condition with some insurers. You should also see if your destination has any travel advisories, as that can affect your policy. 

What insurance do you need for international travel?

Typically, your regular health insurance won't cover you out of the country, so you'll want to make sure your travel insurance has adequate medical emergency coverage. Depending on your travel plans, you may want to purchase add-ons, such as adventure sports coverage, if you're planning on doing anything adventurous like bungee jumping.

Should you get travel insurance for international travel?

Travel insurance is worth the price for international travel because they're generally more expensive, so you have more to lose. Additionally, your regular health insurance won't cover you in other countries, so without travel insurance, you'll end up paying out of pocket for any emergency medical care you receive out of the US.

How far in advance should international travelers purchase travel insurance?

You should purchase travel insurance as soon as possible after making payment on your trip. This makes you eligible for add-ons like coverage for pre-existing conditions and CFAR. It also mitigates the chance of any losses in the days leading up to your trip. 

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Travel Insurance For Vietnam: Everything You Need To Know

Updated: Apr 26, 2024, 11:14am

Table of Contents

Do australians need travel insurance for vietnam, what does travel insurance for vietnam cover, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Vietnam is an increasingly popular travel destination for Australians, with the country even hoping to encourage more Aussies to visit by potentially waiving visa requirements in due time.

The Southeast Asian country is set to be high on the list for Aussies going overseas in 2024. The number of Australian tourists in Vietnam now exceeds pre-pandemic levels: more than 317,000 Australians visited Vietnam in 2019 , while there were 390,000 Aussie visitors in 2023.

Plus, as more and more flights become available, such as low-cost carrier Vietjet Air launching a direct service between Hanoi and Melbourne earlier this year, getting to Vietnam is becoming easier for Australians.

If the direct flights, fascinating history, vast scenery and delicious food aren’t enough to convince Australian travellers, the cost may be. Vietnam is considered one of the cheapest travel destinations in the world for Australian tourists due to our strong conversion rate against the Vietnamese Dong and the nation’s low cost of living in comparison to our own.

And while cheap thrills may be what you’re after on your vacation, it’s important not to skimp on the necessities that may cost that little bit extra—such as travel insurance. This guide outlines what you need to know regarding travel insurance in Vietnam.

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$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited

Investing in travel insurance is a good idea for any overseas trip. Travel insurance policies can help protect you from having to dive deep into your pockets, with many offering unlimited medical treatment while abroad and cancellation cover for your trip should the unexpected occur.

Travel insurance is not just handy for medical purposes or travel changes, either. Your personal items can be covered, should any baggage go missing or an important item be stolen—which, unfortunately, often occurs in Vietnam.

Smarttraveller warns Australians to be alert at all times in Vietnam, considering petty theft–including bag slashing–is common in tourist areas and crowded places, especially during holiday times. Snatch-and-grab theft by thieves on motorcycles is also common, the website states.

Like most international travel insurance policies, you will be able to find basic coverage for your trip to Vietnam, or choose to opt for a more comprehensive, albeit more expensive, policy.

While a basic policy will often cover medical expenses and lost luggage,a comprehensive policy includes a lot more. Most basic policies also likely won’t offer compensation for travel delays, stolen cash, accidental death and more.

Additionally, if you are going on a trip to multiple countries within the year, it may be worth opting for an ‘annual multi trip’ insurance instead—making sure that there are no exclusions to the regions you are wishing to visit.

Visa Requirements For Australians Travelling to Vietnam

You’ll still be allowed to travel to Vietnam if you don’t invest in travel insurance, but you do so at your own risk—and, as stated, it is highly advised to have a travel insurance policy for any overseas trip.

However, what you cannot do is enter Vietnam as an Australian tourist without a tourist visa. While Vietnam will grant Australian citizens visas on arrival, applying for one online is much easier.

A tourist visa costs under $100 AUD; however the exact price depends on your length of stay.

The Vietnamese government may consider waiving visas for Australian citizens, especially since many other SEA countries have done so such as Indonesia and Thailand .

However, at the time of writing, Forbes Advisor Australia has confirmed that Australian citizens must still obtain a visa to visit Vietnam for tourism purposes.

The exact inclusions of your travel insurance will be dependent on your personal policy and the provider.

However, generally speaking, you can expect a travel insurance policy for Vietnam to offer some level of cover for:

• Medical expenses;
• Lost, damaged or stolen luggage;
• Travel cancellations or delays ;
• Personal liability;
• Credit card fraud;
• Covid-19 expenses;

If you are partaking in certain sports and activities, you will need to make sure that you choose a policy that covers them. You’ll also need to make sure that your policy covers any pre-existing medical conditions as well.

Plus, if you are travelling with valuables, you may wish to opt for a policy that lets you increase the protection cover on your items.

Ultimately, you need to consider what your trip consists of, what you will be taking with you, and your physical health to establish what policies would be appropriate for you.

From there, you can compare quotes of different policies and providers to ensure you have the optimal—yet affordable—cover for your trip to Vietnam.

Does Travel Insurance Cover The Ha-Giang Loop?

Considered one of the most scenic motorcycle routes in the world, the Ha-Giang Loop is a popular tourist activity in Vietnam for adventurous travellers. If the Ha-Giang Loop is one of your goals, you’ll need to make sure you have travel insurance that covers motorcycling.

Occasionally a policy may include this as one of their included ‘sports and activities’, but it is more often the case that you will need to purchase an additional ‘adventure pack’ that is either specific to, or includes, motorsports.

Even so, when purchasing an additional pack to cover motorbikes, you need to be cautious of the conditions. For example, some policies will only cover motorcycle riding if the bike you are riding has an engine under a certain size.

Often, coverage will cease and claims won’t be accepted if you haven’t been wearing the correct safety equipment such as boots and a helmet, or have been under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

What Does Travel Insurance Exclude?

Your travel insurance policy may exclude some activities that you wish to partake in, unless you can opt-in to purchase an additional adventure pack as explained above in regards to motorbike riding.

Just like with the inclusions of a policy, the exclusions depend on what type of policy you choose, and what provider you go with.

Commonly, however, you won’t be covered for instances where you:

• Break the law;
• Are under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• Partake in an excluded activity;
• Receive medical treatment for a pre-existing condition that was not disclosed;
• Travel to a ‘Do Not Travel’ destination as outlined by Smarttraveller.

As always, it is essential to read the product disclosure statement (PDS) of your travel insurance policy carefully to understand what you will and won’t be covered for while overseas.

Do I need a visa to travel to Vietnam?

Yes, as of April 2024, Australian tourists still need a visa to travel to Vietnam. This visa can be obtained on arrival, or purchased online prior to travel. The visa takes approximately three days to process online, and the cost depends on how long you intend to stay in the country.

Does international travel insurance cover Covid-19?

Many comprehensive travel insurance policies now cover Covid-19, including medical conditions related to Covid-19 or trip cancellations due to a Covid-19 diagnosis. However, it is not guaranteed that all policies will. It’s important to check your policy’s PDS carefully to understand what it will and will not cover in regards to Covid-19 for both you and your travelling companions.

Related: Travel Insurance And Covid: Are You Covered?

How much does travel insurance cost for Vietnam?

The cost of your travel insurance for a trip to Vietnam will depend on your age, your health, the activities you wish to partake in, and the length of your stay.

For example, for a 34 year old with no pre-existing medical conditions travelling to Vietnam for two weeks, a policy from some of our top choices for comprehensive travel insurance would cost around $130 (based on quotes from Cover-More , 1Cover , and Fast Cover ).

The prices of these quotes would change depending on a chosen excess, cancellation cover, and any additional coverage options you may choose to purchase such as adventure packs or cruise cover.

Related: How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

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Sophie Venz is an experienced editor and features reporter, and has previously worked in the small business and start-up reporting space. Previously the Associate Editor of SmartCompany, Sophie has worked closely with finance experts and columnists around Australia and internationally.