best travel insurance to australia

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The Best Travel Insurance for Australia in 2024

Travelex Insurance Services »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

Generali Global Assistance »

World Nomads Travel Insurance »

GeoBlue »

Why Trust Us

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

Table of Contents

• Travelex Insurance Services
• Allianz Travel Insurance

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

Primary coverage with no deductibles

Lower limits for medical expenses than some providers

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

SEE FULL REVIEW »

Optional CFAR coverage reimburses at 80%

Numerous plans to choose from

Lower coverage limits for medical expenses than some providers

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

Tailor medical coverage to your needs

Generous limits for emergency medical and medical evacuation coverage

Coverage for preexisting conditions only available with Premium plan

Optional CFAR coverage with Premium plan only reimburses at 60%

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

Coverage for more than 200 sports and activities

24-hour travel assistance services included

Low coverage limits within standard plans

No coverage for most preexisting conditions

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

Offers travel health insurance for lengthy trips abroad

Deductibles can apply

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

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

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

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

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These are the scenarios when travel insurance makes most sense.

The best travel insurance – 3,000 policies analysed (seriously…!)

It wasn't our idea of fun, but now your trip can be..

• 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

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Did the CrowdStrike outage affect your holiday?

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

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

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.

Save 10% on InsureandGo policies with Finder

Protect your trip with Qantas Travel Insurance

Get 10% off Kogan travel insurance policies

Get 10% off on Tick travel insurance policies

ahm and Medibank members get 10% off travel insurance

Earn Velocity Points with Cover-More

Get 8% off your Wise and Silent policy

15% off travel insurance for Medibank Private members

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

What's the best type of travel insurance?

There are two main levels of travel insurance; basic and comprehensive. A basic travel insurance policy can cover you for health and medical emergencies. A comprehensive policy can cover your possessions too as well as other things like cancellation.

What's the best travel insurance with COVID cover?

Most policies will include some level of COVID cover so what's best can depend on how much you've spent on your trip. For example, many policies include COVID cover for up to $5,000. If your trip is costing you $9,000 then this might not be good enough for you. We've found higher limits with Medbank; here you're covered for up to $10,000 if your trip is cancelled due to COVID related reasons.

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

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

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Domestic travel insurance can provide cover for trip cancellation (domestic flights), loss or damage to luggage and expensive items, car rental excess charges and much more. Find out why domestic travel insurance is worth getting and compare policies from Australian insurers.

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Search Smartraveller

Choice travel insurance buying guide.

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

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

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

Why travel insurance?

• Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?

How to get travel insurance

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

• How to read the product disclosure statement

What are you covered for?

• Credit card insurance

How to make a complaint

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

Holidays don’t always go as planned.

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

The Australian Government won’t pay your medical bills.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Do you need domestic travel insurance?

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

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

Does international travel insurance cover COVID-19?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Make your travel plans COVID-safe

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Where are you going?

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

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

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

You need different cover for different regions

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. How long are you going for?

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

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

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

3. What are you going to do there?

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

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

4. Are you taking any valuable items?

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

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

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

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

5.   Do you have any medical conditions?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Member discounts

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

Shop around

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

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

Use your credit card

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

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

Compromise on cover

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

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

About that fine print

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

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

How to read the PDS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And what are the catches?

Cancellations, baggage and personal items, sports and activities.

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

Pre-existing conditions

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

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

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

the condition has been stable for more than 12 months

there is no planned surgery

you have not received treatment in the past 12 months.

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

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

If in doubt, declare your condition to your insurer.

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

Is a disability a pre-existing condition?

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

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

Having trouble getting cover?

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

Cover for your equipment

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

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

Cover for your carer

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

Babymooning

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

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

Mental health

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘Unforeseen’

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

Exclusions and inclusions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lost luggage

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

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

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

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

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

Do you have the right licence?

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

Cruise-specific insurance

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

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

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

Not leaving Australian waters?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Motorcycles and mopeds

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

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

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

Skiing and snowboarding

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

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

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

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

Alcohol and drugs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Credit card travel insurance

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

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

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

Is it activated?

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

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

Is it worth it?

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

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

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

Internal dispute resolution

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

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

External dispute resolution

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

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

Legal action

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

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

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Australia's Best Travel Insurance for September 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Freely - International Travel Insurance*

• Customisable, flexible coverage through the Freely app
• 10% off with a Mozo exclusive discount

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

Zoom Comprehensive Travel Insurance*

• Unlimited 24/7 emergency assistance
• Optional extras for car rental or sports activities (T&Cs)

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

Travel Insurance Company of the Year - World2Cover*

• Multiple Mozo Experts Choice Awards^ winner in 2024
• Unlimited emergency, cancellation, and medical cover (T&Cs)

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

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

Southern Cross Travel Insurance - International Comprehensive Family*

• Unlimited medical and evacuation cover (T&Cs)
• Optional extras for snow sports and motorcycle cover (T&Cs)

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

Travel Insurance Saver - Bare Essentials*

• Unlimited overseas medical coverage (T&Cs)
• Up to $2,500 emergency cancellation and $2,000 lost luggage and effects coverage (T&Cs)

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

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

Cover-More - International Comprehensive+*

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

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

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

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

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

Butter international travel insurance*.

• Unlimited medical cover
• 24/7 emergency assistance services

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

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

Fast Cover - Comprehensive Policy*

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

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

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

Australia Post Comprehensive Travel Insurance*

• 24/7 emergency support
• Get a quote in minutes

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Australia Post:  Outstanding Customer Satisfaction,  Excellent Claims Experience,  Most Recommended
• InsureandGo:  Outstanding Customer Satisfaction,  Excellent Customer Service,  Highly Trusted,  Sign-Up Experience
• Commonwealth Bank:   Excellent Customer Service,  Highly Trusted,  Most Recommended
• Flight Centre:  Highly Trusted
• Medibank:  Most Recommended

Australia Post - Comprehensive Travel Insurance*

• Won 3 Mozo People’s Choice Awards for 2024
• Flexible excess
• 10% off discount for a limited time

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

More best travel insurance winners

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

BEST VALUE TRAVEL INSURANCE

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

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

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

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

Check out the winners below.

Exceptional Value Medical Only Travel Insurance

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

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

Exceptional Value Essential Travel Insurance

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

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

Exceptional Value Comprehensive Travel Insurance

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

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

Exceptional Value Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

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

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

Exceptional Value Cruise Travel Insurance

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

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

Exceptional Value Ski Travel Insurance

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

• Medibank – Single Trip policy

BEST QUALITY TRAVEL INSURANCE

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

Exceptional Quality Travel Insurance

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

Exceptional Quality Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

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

What travel insurance do I need?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FAQs about travel insurance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Compare international travel insurance policies below.

Compare international travel insurance

Mozo experts choice awards won:

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

International Travel Insurance

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

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

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

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

Comprehensive

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

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

• Exceptional Value Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance - 2024

International Comprehensive Single

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

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

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

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Travel Insurance Awards

Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.

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

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Important information on terms, conditions and sub-limits.

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

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• Key Takeaways

Do I need travel insurance to visit Australia?

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

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

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

Our top picks for the best australia travel insurance

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

Our top picks for travel insurance for Australia

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

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

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

Risks with adventure activities

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

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

Risks due to wildlife

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

Risks due to bushfires

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

Risks related to long-distance driving

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

Best for Robust Coverage

Why we like it.

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

Best for Basic Medical Coverage

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

Best for Digital Claims Process & App

Editor's take

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

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

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

Potential Add-ons include:

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

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

Read our full review

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

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

Trip cancellation insurance

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

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

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

Trip delay insurance

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

Trip interruption insurance

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

Travel medical insurance

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

Medical evacuation insurance

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

Insurance for personal items

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

Rental car coverage

Rental car coverage can protect you under the following circumstances:

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

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

Travel insurance for Australia doesn’t cover the following:

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

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

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

These quotes are based on the following criteria:

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

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

Example Where Plan Doesn’t Reimburse the Full Trip Cost

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

Example Where Plan Does Reimburse the Full Trip Cost

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

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

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

Consider how you’re getting to and around Australia.

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

Think carefully about what you plan to do.

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

Time your purchase carefully.

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

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

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

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

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

Is it safe to visit Australia?

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

What travel insurance do I need to travel to Australia?

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

Does American health insurance work in Australia?

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

Can foreigners buy travel insurance in Australia?

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

About the Author

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

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

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

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Travel insurance

Tickets, money, passport, travel insurance!

For many people, buying travel insurance is like grabbing your toothbrush - a last-minute afterthought before rushing off to the airport. But preparing for a great holiday should also mean preparing for the holiday from hell... just in case. We show you how to pick the right level of insurance for your trip and how to understand the exclusions in the fine print. Plus, what you should know about the automatic cover offered by some credit cards. 

Review and compare

Buying guides

Travel health

Got the wrong kind of travel bug? Here's how to stay healthy on holidays.

Insurance products

Looking for car, travel, health, home and contents, life or pet insurance? Here's the small print!

How to manage your money when you travel

Heading overseas? Avoid big fees and unfair exchange rates.

Annual Travel Insurance Quotes

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

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

No hidden fees.

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

Great Prices

If you have a serious case of wanderlust, an annual policy might be just the ticket for you. Get cover for an unlimited number of trips in 12 months for one price. You’ll be sure to save a bucket too!

Product Choice

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

The World Is Your Oyster

Want annual cover, but not 100% sure where you’re going over the course of the year? No worries, just buy a Worldwide policy and you’re free to roam wherever and whenever you wish. #wanderlust

Frequent Flyers Points

Jetsetters can find a policy that will cover for flight cancellations (for unforeseen reasons) even if tickets were booked using points.

Spontaneous Trips

Lightbulb moment - lets go on holiday!! With an annual policy you don’t need to tell your insurer each time you travel. Say hello to spontaneity :)

travel insurance extraordinaire .css-1eehdh8{color:var(--chakra-colors-bananaLight);display:inline;} at your service

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

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

An annual travel insurance policy is for travellers who leave home multiple times a year on shorter trips. This differs from a year-long single trip policy, which provides continuous cover for you to be away from home for one twelve-month long trip.

Annual travel insurance policies have different maximum trip duration limits - that is, the maximum number of days you can spend overseas before you have to come home again. For example, if you purchase a 30-day annual travel insurance policy, you can go on a ten-day trip to Bali for a friend's wedding in April, go on a seven-day Pacific cruise in July, go trekking for three weeks in New Zealand and have a month-long break over Christmas in the USA, and they can all be covered under the one policy.

Check out our guide on annual travel insurance and the limits that apply.

If you don’t know where you’re travelling 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 appropriate region for your trip. Stopovers of less than 48 hours generally do not need to be included (excluding USA and Canada).

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, New Zealand and Indonesia/Bali*. Select Pacific for domestic cruises in Australian waters Australia means domestic travel within Australia only

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

Depending on your circumstances, such as your age, and your trip durations and destinations, it can sometimes be cheaper to buy two or three single trip policies than an annual policy, so there are savings to be made by shopping around and comparing your options.

tips .css-w6rwrx{color:var(--chakra-colors-primary);display:inline;} for frequent travellers

What Adventure Activities Are Covered?

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

Annual Travel Insurance Guide

Taking two or more flights per year? An annual multi-trip policy is the convenient way to be covered all year round, no matter where you travel. Learn the ins and outs of annual travel insurance with our guide.

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.

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

What does annual travel insurance mean?

This may seem like a silly question, but believe it or not, it confuses a lot of travellers! A multi-trip policy, also known as a frequent traveller policy covers you for an unlimited number of short trips throughout the year. Not to be confused with a single-trip policy which is one trip that lasts anywhere from 2 days to 12 months in duration.

Can I buy an annual multi-trip policy at any age?

No, annual multi-trip policies tend to have age limits of around 65 years. Check out our annual travel insurance guide to learn more. Use our quote box above to compare frequent traveller policies to see what cover is available for your age.

How many trips can I take a year with annual cover?

Are there trip duration limits?

Yes, that's the catch! When purchasing an annual policy, you must allocate a maximum trip duration which means you cannot go on holiday for more days than specified. See our guide for annual policy trip limits.

Am I covered for business and leisure trips?

Most insurers cover you whether you're travelling for business or pleasure but the benefits may vary. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” travel insurance for business travellers so it would pay to contact your insurer directly if you had something specific in mind. Some insurers offer annual business or corporate travel insurance and business equipment may not be covered under personal policies if you're not personally out of pocket.

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

If you're travelling with one travel insurance policy for a whole year, you're going to want peace of mind that you've got the right one for you and your needs. So if you've read the PDS and still can't decide, consider checking out the thousands of reviews left by Aussie travellers about their experience with their travel insurer. Were they helpful on the phone? Was their website easy to use? And most importantly, how did they go when customers needed to claim?

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

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

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

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

15 international travel insurance options for australians in 2024.

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

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

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

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

Compare International Travel Insurance for 2024:

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

Great Coverage

Fast cover international comprehensive.

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

Fast Cover International Comprehensive Policy

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

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

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

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

Good Value for International Travel Insurance

Cover more international basic plan.

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

Cover-More International Basic Plan

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

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

Annual Multi Trip Travel Insurance

Nrma international comprehensive plan.

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

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

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

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

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

Travel Insurance for Seniors

Qantas international comprehensive travel insurance (70+ years).

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

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

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

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

For Families

Southern Cross International Comprehensive (Family Cover)

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

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

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

International Travel Insurance with Covid Cover

Nib comprehensive plan.

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

nib Comprehensive Plan International Travel Insurance

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

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

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

Medical Only

Australia post international basic plan.

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

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

Credit Card with International Travel Insurance

Westpac altitude.

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

Westpac Altitude Complimentary International Travel Insurance

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

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

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

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

Compare other popular international travel insurance policies

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

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

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

InsureandGo Gold Policy

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

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

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

Allianz Comprehensive Travel Insurance

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

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

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

Medibank International Comprehensive

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

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

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

Bupa Comprehensive Travel Insurance

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

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

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

World2Cover Top Cover

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

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

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

1Cover Comprehensive International Travel Insurance

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

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

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

ANZ Complimentary International Travel Insurance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Credit cards
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Great Ways To Redeem Qantas Points

1. Book a free flight with Jetstar, Qantas or a partner airline

• 2. Upgrade to Premium Economy, Business or First Class 
• 3. Book accommodation using Qantas Hotels 
• 4. Explore tours, packages & travel experiences 
• 5. Book a car rental via Avis or Budget  
• 6. Shop at Qantas Marketplace or Kogan.com 
• 7. Order your alcohol on Qantas Wine 
• 8. Go to the movies for free  

9. Get tickets for upcoming shows

How to redeem qantas points.

Building up a sizable number of Qantas points requires some effort and consistency. So, when it comes time to redeem them you should familiarise yourself with all of your options and consider what’s most important to you. 

For example, would you prefer to get a free flight in economy or pay for a ticket and get an upgrade to business class? Is it better to save your points for your next big overseas trip or redeem them regularly to reduce your monthly expenses? With more redemption options than ever before, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your Qantas points. 

The main redemption categories include: 

• Flight rewards 
• Hotel rewards 
• Holiday packages 
• Car rentals 
• Qantas Marketplace 
• Qantas Wine 
• Leisure & entertainment.

Nine easy ways to redeem Qantas points

While earning Qantas points can feel like a game, the best part is redeeming them. Regularly log into Qantas Frequent Flyer to discover new partners, offers, and ways to use your points — just have your membership number and Qantas pin handy. 

Use (and earn) points on every Qantas or Jetstar flight and with oneworld partner airlines. You can choose between Classic Flight Rewards (requiring fewer points but offering fewer options) and Classic Plus Flight Rewards (requiring more points, but providing better availability).

For example, booking a one-way economy flight from Sydney to Tokyo may cost around 31,500 Qantas points.

The Qantas Points Calculator is the best way to see how far your Qantas rewards will take you. 

2. Upgrade to Premium Economy, Business or First Class 

Upgrades are popular ways to redeem Qantas points for us Australians who travel 24+ hours to many destinations. 

For example, upgrading a one-way economy flight from Sydney to London could cost around 87,700 points for premium economy or 130,800 for business class.

Keep in mind that upgrades aren’t just for international flights. You can also upgrade your economy ticket on domestic routes. 

3. Book accommodation using Qantas Hotels 

You can use a minimum of 5,000 Qantas points to book a hotel, interstate or abroad. 

For example, a two nights at a hotel in Sydney could cost anywhere between 25,407 and 372,008 points.  

Redeeming this way works just like booking your flight — with the option to use points, cash or a combination of both. 

🤓 Nerdy Tip

You can’t pay for an Airbnb with Qantas points, but you can book one through the Qantas website. Eligible members can earn up to 3 points per $1 spent. 

4. Explore tours, packages & travel experiences 

Are you more inclined to travel in a group or prefer an organised tour? Qantas provides carefully curated holiday experiences, flight and accommodation packages, and tours. If you pay with a mix of cash and points, you’ll earn points on the money spent on bookings. Some providers offer bonus points as well. 

For example,   if you book the Iconic Northern Lights Rail and Sail tour before 16 October, 2024 and only use points to cover half the cost, you could still earn 16,497 points — 3 points per $1 spent — on the portion paid in cash.

Keep an eye on the Qantas website for last-minute deals and new experiences closer to home. 

5. Book a car rental via Avis or Budget  

Use your Qantas points to hire a car through Avis or Budget and fill up at a BP service station on your next trip.

6. Shop at Qantas Marketplace or Kogan.com 

Redeem your points for your favourite — or at least most frequently used — products in the Qantas Marketplace. The online store features over 1,200 brands and thousands of items, including electronics, clothing, kitchen accessories and appliances, and more. 

You can also directly shop in-store or online with a handful of partners, including Kogan.com, to save money on the things you already buy, like necessary household items. Or, you can just treat yourself and others with gifts.

7. Order your alcohol on Qantas Wine 

Skip a trip to BWS or Dan Murphy’s and order your favourite tipples online at Qantas Wine. Find your favourite Australian and international alcohol brands and discover new varieties. Check out discounts on mixed cases to score a deal. 

For example, you could pick up a dozen popular bottles for 36,000 points.

8. Go to the movies for free  

Sign up to HOYTS Rewards and link your Qantas Frequent Flyer to use your points for free movie tickets. Book your desired movie session online to redeem Qantas points. 

Link your Qantas Frequent Flyer for complimentary or discounted tickets to events and concerts offered via Ticketek, Australia’s biggest ticketing website. Search for upcoming or last-minute tickets for gigs, sporting events, theatre, and comedy shows.

DIVE EVEN DEEPER

Frequent Flyer Program Guide: How Do Qantas Points Work?

Qantas Frequent Flyer, the rewards scheme from Australia’s largest airline, has over 15 million members. Here’s what you need to know about using Qantas points and how the loyalty program works.

What Are Qantas Status Credits?

Learn how to earn, redeem, and track Qantas Status Credits to unlock exclusive perks like lounge access and priority boarding.

NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Credit Card Overview 2024

The NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Credit Card costs $250 per year and earns Qantas Points — a rewards program from Qantas Airways.

Credit Card Points In Australia

Credit card points are a type of reward. You earn points on purchases and can redeem them for cashback, travel, gift cards, etc. The value of a point fluctuates.

About the Author

Amanda Smith is a freelance journalist and writer. She reports on personal finance, technology, culture, and human interest. Amanda has written stories about retirement planning for Business Insider, the connection…

• Travel Insurance
• Best Travel Insurance Providers for Seniors

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

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

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

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

Published: Jul 9, 2024, 10:05am

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related: Best Travel Insurance for Australians

Featured Partners

Cover-More Travel Insurance (Comprehensive)

Nib travel insurance (comprehensive), travel insurance saver, freely (comprehensive), allianz (comprehensive), bupa (comprehensive), boomers travel insurance (comprehensive), australia post (comprehensive), medibank travel insurance (comprehensive), racv travel insurance (comprehensive), cota (comprehensive).

Southern Cross Travel Insurance (Comprehensive)

Fast Cover (Comprehensive)

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

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Fast Cover Travel Insurance

On Fast Cover’s Secure Website

Medical cover

Unlimited, 24/7 Emergency Assistance

Cancellations

Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)

Key Features

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

Cover-More Travel Insurance

On Cover-more’s secure website

Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental

Yes, amount chosen by customer

Option of Cruise Cover

Unlimited medical

Yes (some sub limits apply)

99 (with acceptance criteria)

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

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

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

Yes (automatic)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• 15% discount for Bupa Health Insurance members

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

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

• Luggage cover can be increased for valuable items

Yes (dental limits apply)

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

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

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

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

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

Undisclosed

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

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

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

Yes (some conditions apply)

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

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

• Caps on overseas hospital and dental expenses

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

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

• Generous death and disability cover
• No cover for credit card fraud

89 (with age limits to snow and adventure packs)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Star Rankings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is travel insurance more expensive for over 75s?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

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

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

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

What is the age limit for senior travel insurance?

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

Which age group is travelling the most?

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

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