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You can review and edit the key elements of your travel insurance policy, including:

• Updating your traveller details
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• Editing your trip dates
• Cancelling your policy

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You can also call us on 1300 72 88 22 (we're here to help Monday to Friday 8am - 7pm, Saturday 9am - 4pm, and Sunday 10am - 3pm AEDT) or email us at [email protected] .

Limits, sub-limits, conditions and exclusions apply. Insurance administered by Cover-More Insurance Services Pty Ltd (ABN 95 003 114 145, AFSL 241713) on behalf of the product issuer, Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (ABN 13 000 296 640, AFSL 232507). Any advice is general advice only. Please consider your financial situation, needs and objectives and read the Combined FSG/PDS before deciding to buy this insurance.

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Travel Insurance

You have spent a lot of time planning and saving for your upcoming vacation. Your departure date will be here before you know it. However, we all know things don’t always go according to plan. What would you do if something unexpected happened before or during your trip? For instance, your flight is canceled or delayed, you experience a medical emergency, or your baggage is lost during transit?

Travel insurance can help provide a much-needed safety net if:

• You or a family member get sick the day before your departure, and you cannot travel  - Opens a dialog   
• You have a medical emergency while on your trip  
• You arrive at your destination, but your bags do not  
• You miss your plane due to a car accident on the way to the airport  

These things and more can happen and a travel insurance plan can provide valuable benefits that help cover expenses when they do.

Travel with confidence knowing that your travel insurance also provides 24/7 travel and emergency assistance. You can relax and enjoy your vacation knowing that help is just a phone call away should you need assistance 1-844-246-8470.

Don’t let an unexpected event interfere with your vacation; let a travel insurance plan help protect you against the unexpected.

Please Note: To be eligible for the waiver of pre-existing medical condition exclusion, the protection plan must be purchased within 21 days from the time you make your initial trip payment. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. For details: https://47-0351.covermore.com

Travel Insurance is offered and provided by Cover-More Inc., a company of Zurich, as made available through CWC Travel Inc., for Costco Travel. Plans are not available to residents of New York at this time. The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions are contained in the insurance Policy. Cover-More Inc. CA Agency License #0N13321. Insurance coverage underwritten by individual member companies of Zurich in North America, including Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC #16535).

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CoverMore Travel Insurance: Everything You Need to Know

Written and researched by Michael Kays (Travel Insurance Expert) | Fact Checked by Danya Kristen (Insurance Agent).

Planning a trip involves more than just booking flights and accommodations. Ensuring you’re covered for unforeseen circumstances through a solid travel insurance plan is crucial too.

One provider that’s become a go-to for many travelers is CoverMore. If you’re considering purchasing a policy from them, this comprehensive guide to CoverMore Travel Insurance is here to aid your decision.

In this article...

Who is CoverMore?

CoverMore is an Australian-based travel insurance provider that’s been operating since 1986.

Its experience, customer-centric approach, and extensive range of insurance products have earned CoverMore a place among the top travel insurance providers globally.

They serve millions of customers each year, providing coverage for everything from trip cancellation to medical emergencies.

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✅  Atlas America

Up to $2,000,000 of Overall Maximum Coverage, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Medical coverage for eligible expenses related to COVID-19, Trip Interruption & Travel Delay.

✅  Safe Travels Comprehensive

Coverage for in-patient and out-patient medical accidents up to $1 Million, Coverage of acute episodes of pre-existing conditions, Coverage from 5 days to 364 days (about 12 months).

✅  Patriot America Platinum

Up to $8,000,000 limits, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Coinsurance for treatment received in the U.S. (100% within PPO Network), Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions covered.

What Does CoverMore Travel Insurance Cover?

CoverMore provides a broad spectrum of coverage to cater to various traveler needs. Let’s look at the primary aspects their policies cover:

• Medical and Dental Expenses: CoverMore provides comprehensive medical and dental coverage, which includes hospital stays, surgical procedures, outpatient treatment, and emergency dental expenses.
• Amendments or Cancellation Costs: If you have to amend your travel plans or cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances, CoverMore offers coverage to minimize your financial loss.
• Luggage and Travel Documents: CoverMore provides coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and personal effects. This also extends to travel documents, including passports and credit cards.
• Delayed Luggage Allowance: If your luggage is delayed by a transport provider, CoverMore provides an allowance for you to purchase essential clothing and toiletries.
• Rental Car Insurance Excess: If you plan to rent a car during your travels, CoverMore’s coverage includes rental car insurance excess.
• Resumption of Journey: If you must return home due to an unexpected event, CoverMore will cover the cost of resuming your journey.
• Hospital Incidentals: If you’re hospitalized while traveling, CoverMore provides a daily allowance to cover incidental expenses.
• Personal Liability: CoverMore provides coverage in case you become legally liable for injuring another person or damaging their property.

Why Choose CoverMore Travel Insurance?

When evaluating travel insurance options, it’s natural to wonder why you should opt for CoverMore. Here are some reasons:

• Global Assistance: CoverMore operates its own global assistance network, ensuring round-the-clock access to medical and travel specialists wherever you are in the world.
• Flexible Policies: With CoverMore, you can choose from various policy options, allowing you to find one that best suits your travel needs and budget.
• High Medical Coverage Limits: CoverMore offers high coverage limits for medical and dental expenses, which is particularly beneficial for travel to countries where healthcare costs are high.
• Wide Range of Pre-existing Medical Conditions: CoverMore considers cover for a wide range of pre-existing medical conditions, making it a preferred choice for many travelers.

CoverMore Travel Insurance: Customer Reviews

Customer reviews offer invaluable insights when you’re considering a product or service. With an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 on Product Review, CoverMore is generally well-received by its customers.

Customers frequently praise the company for its efficient claims process, helpful customer service, and comprehensive coverage . However, some customers have noted that the cost of CoverMore’s policies can be higher than some competitors.

As always, it’s essential to read policy documents carefully and ensure you fully understand what’s covered before purchasing a travel insurance policy.

CoverMore Travel Insurance vs. Other Providers

As with any service, it’s beneficial to compare CoverMore with other travel insurance providers before making a decision.

While CoverMore shines in its comprehensive coverage and high medical limits, its prices can be higher than other providers. If cost is a primary concern for you, it might be worth exploring other options.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for robust coverage and don’t mind paying a bit extra for the peace of mind, CoverMore could be an excellent choice. The decision ultimately depends on your personal needs, travel plans, and budget.

This guide has aimed to shed light on CoverMore Travel Insurance, helping you make an informed decision about whether it’s the right choice for you.

Remember, the best travel insurance policy is one that offers the coverage you need at a price you’re comfortable with.

Happy and safe travels!

FAQs about CoverMore Travel Insurance

Does CoverMore cover COVID-19 related claims? Yes, CoverMore offers coverage for COVID-19 related claims under certain conditions. Be sure to check their policy details for the latest information.

Can I get a CoverMore policy if I have a pre-existing medical condition? Yes, CoverMore considers cover for a wide range of pre-existing medical conditions. However, you must declare all conditions during the application process.

What should I do if I need to make a claim with CoverMore? If you need to make a claim, you should contact CoverMore’s claims department as soon as possible. Remember to keep all relevant documentation, as you’ll need it to support your claim.

Can I get coverage from CoverMore if I’m traveling to multiple countries? Yes, CoverMore offers travel insurance for single and multiple destinations. You’ll need to list all countries you plan to visit when applying for a policy.

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• Travel Insurance

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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.

Readers of our stories should not act on any recommendation without first taking appropriate steps to verify the information in the stories consulting their independent financial adviser in order to ascertain whether the recommendation (if any) is appropriate, having regard to their investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. Providing access to our stories should not be construed as investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or product, or to engage in or refrain from engaging in any transaction by Forbes Advisor Australia. In comparing various financial products and services, we are unable to compare every provider in the market so our rankings do not constitute a comprehensive review of a particular sector. While we do go to great lengths to ensure our ranking criteria matches the concerns of consumers, we cannot guarantee that every relevant feature of a financial product will be reviewed. We make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information. However, Forbes Advisor Australia cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of this website. Forbes Advisor Australia accepts no responsibility to update any person regarding any inaccuracy, omission or change in information in our stories or any other information made available to a person, nor any obligation to furnish the person with any further information.

Cover-More Comprehensive Travel Insurance Review

Published: Mar 20, 2024, 2:42pm

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

Cover-More Travel Insurance offers Australians high-quality cover within its comprehensive plan, including unlimited medical cover that extends to Covid-19. While dental isn’t included in the unlimited medical cover, it is still covered up to $2,000. Plus, Cover-More provides automatic cover for nearly 100 sports and activities, making it a great choice for the adventurous traveller.

Related: Best Travel Insurance Providers for Australians

• Unlimited medical cover
• Maximum age limit of 99 years of age
• Automatic cover for nearly 100 sports and activities
• Snow, cruise and adventure cover cost extra
• Dental not included in unlimited medical cover
• No online discounts

Table of Contents

About cover-more travel insurance, what is covered by cover-more, does it cover me for covid, what about pregnancy, what about sports and activities, customer service.

Cover-More Travel Insurance is part of the Zurich Insurance Group, with the Australian Cover More Travel Insurance policies underwritten by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited. Cover-More was established in 1986 in Sydney, and claims to protect more than 15 million travellers per year with its policies.

The company has won numerous industry awards over the years, and its comprehensive policy has received a 3.3 star ranking from 2843 customer reviews on Australia’s leading consumer review site, ProductReview.

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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

Covid Cover?

Maximum age limit?

99 years old

Lost luggage cover?

Yes, up to $15,000

Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Medical Cover

Including medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment & medical transport costs

$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited

Cover-More’s Comprehensive Travel Insurance policy is available for travellers up to 99 years of age, subject to meeting the acceptance criteria. Dependent children are also automatically included up to 21 years of age, provided they are financially dependent and are not in full time employment–making this policy a good choice for family holidays.

While Cover-More doesn’t state a maximum amount of credit card fraud it will cover in its comprehensive plan, it does say that it will repay the legal liability of illegal use and also provide a replacement. As for personal liability, this is covered up to $2.5 million.

Additionally, missed connecting flights are covered up to $3000, and there is cover for hire car excess up to $5000 as well. Cancellations are also covered, with the amount chosen by the customer upon taking out the policy.

Lost luggage

Yes, the Cover-More Comprehensive Travel Insurance policy includes lost luggage cover up to $15,000. Sub limits apply; however, item limits can be increased when taking out the policy if required.

Cover-More’s Comprehensive Travel Insurance policy comes with unlimited medical cover. This includes COVID-19 (as explained below) and some pre-existing medical conditions.

There are 32 conditions that are automatically covered in Cover-More’s policy, provided they meet certain criteria. These conditions include epilepsy, asthma, coeliac disease and more.

Other medical conditions require an assessment to determine whether cover will be provided, and may incur an additional premium on the policy. Cover-More urges policyholders to disclose all medical conditions upon taking out a policy to ensure the correct level of cover is provided throughout the trip.

Is Dental Cover Included in Medical?

Dental is not included in Cover-More’s unlimited medical cover. However, policyholders are covered for dental costs up to $2,000.

Related: Review of Travel Insurance Saver Insurance

Yes, Cover-More includes Covid-related medical expenses within its unlimited medical cover. There is also cover up to $5,000 for trip cancellations due to Covid, and additional expenses–such as emergency accommodation if required to isolate–are covered up to $2,500.

Related: Are You Covered for Covid?

When it comes to pregnancy, a single-child pregnancy is automatically covered with Cover-More’s comprehensive plan. For multiple babies, or if the pregnancy was IVF-assisted, policyholders must apply for extra cover upon taking out the policy.

The pregnancy cover that Cover-More provides is only up to week 24 of the pregnancy, and only for serious and unexpected complications. Childbirth is not covered.

Cover-More provides its customers with plenty of choice when it comes to cover for sports and activities on their holiday. Automatically included in the travel insurance policy are 96 different activities, which range from windsurfing and swimming with dolphins to paint balling and archery.

Some activities that are automatically included come with extra conditions in order to be covered, such as hiking/trekking only up to 2000 metres, and hot air ballooning as a passenger through an organised activity only.

Cover-More adds that all activities listed within its 96 automatic-inclusions must be undertaken recreationally and in a non-professional capacity, with certain limits and sub-limits applying.

For travellers looking for travel insurance that covers other sports and activities outside of the 96 listed, Cover-More provides optional add-ons at an extra cost. This includes adventure activities, snow packs and cruise cover.

Cover-More offers its customers 24/7 emergency assistance via a dedicated overseas medical and emergency assistance team known as Cover-More Assist. Policyholders can contact Cover-More Assist by calling +61 2 8907 5619 from anywhere in the world.

There is also a general customer service phone line, and a separate claims line. Alternatively, customers can choose to submit claims online via the Cover-More website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is there a discount for cover-more travel insurance.

No. At the time of writing, there are currently no online discounts for Cover-More Travel Insurance.

Cover-More does frequently run promotions for its customers (such as the chance to win a $2,000 Visa giftcard or 15% off your policy), with these promotions and deadlines found online at the Cover-More website.

Does Cover-More Travel Insurance cover Covid-19?

Yes, Cover-More’s Comprehensive Travel Insurance policy includes cover for Covid-19. As Cover-More offers unlimited medical cover, COVID-19 related medical needs are included within this.

There is also cover up to $5000 for trip cancellations due to Covid, and additional expenses that incur due to contracting COVID-19 are covered up to $2500.

Is Cover-More Travel Insurance good?

Forbes Advisor compared a wide range of travel insurance policies to find the best choices for Australians. Cover-More Travel Insurance was rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by Forbes Advisor, and also has a 3.3 star ranking from 2,843 customers on independent site, ProductReview.

It is considered a good travel insurance option for Australians, largely due to its unlimited medical cover–which includes Covid coverage–and its many automatically included sports and activities.

Where Can I Find The Cover-More Policy Document?

Cover-More offers a range of different travel insurance policies to Australians, each with differing product disclosure statements (PDS) outlining their inclusions and limitations. The comprehensive plus policy’s PDS can be found here , while the standard comprehensive offering’s policy document can be found here .

For all PDS’ from Cover-More, including its domestic travel insurance offering , you can find them online on the Cover-More website .

Who underwrites Cover-More Travel Insurance?

Cover-More travel insurance is underwritten by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited.

How do I contact Cover-More Travel Insurance?

For general enquiries, Australians can contact Cover-More Travel Insurance by calling 1300 72 88 22.

For policy holders requiring emergency assistance, you can call Cover-More Assist 24/7 from any country on +612 8907 5619.

To make a claim over the phone, policyholders should call 1300 36 26 44.

Complaints can be made via the general enquiries line, by submitting a form online , or emailing [email protected].

Does Cover-More offer domestic travel insurance?

Yes. Along with Cover-More’s comprehensive offering, as reviewed above, the travel insurance provider also provides plans for those travelling domestically.

Cover-More’s domestic plan made it onto Forbes Advisor Australia’s list for our pick of the Best Domestic Travel Insurance , scoring 4 stars out of 5.

From our review, we found that the Cover-More Domestic policy is available for all ages up to 99 years, subject to acceptance criteria such as pre-existing medical conditions. Delays are covered up to $1000, missed connections are also covered up to the value of $2000, and the value of cancellation cover is chosen by the customer.

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

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

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Experts say travel insurance is crucial: Here's how it actually works

Whether you're a frequent traveler or setting plans for an upcoming vacation, unexpected circumstances such as bad weather can cast a cloud over a trip, which is why experts suggest investing in travel insurance.

Recently, Hurricane Beryl marked an "early and violent start" to the typical storm season. NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad confirmed in a mid-season update earlier this month that Beryl was "the earliest category-5 Atlantic hurricane on record" -- and peak storm season is right around the corner.

With increased risk of disruptions during hurricane season through November and more people opting for shoulder season getaways after avoiding summer crowds , travelers should prepare for such worse-case scenarios to avoid losing money on hotels, activities and other bookings.

Everything you need to know about travel insurance

With an array of options in the market and various individual reasons to invest in a plan that protects your purchases, "Good Morning America" tapped top industry experts to provide insights to help ensure that even if your next getaway gets rained out, your bank account won't be drained as well.

"Things can go wrong in ways that you can't begin to imagine. And if you're unlucky and unfortunate enough to be in that position, you don't want to come back from your trip with a debt to pay off as well," Daniel Green, trip insurance expert and co-founder of Faye Travel Insurance, told "GMA."

Understand the basics before you buy bespoke coverage

Katy Nastro, spokesperson for Going.com, formerly known as Scott's Cheap Flights, told "GMA" that first and foremost, folks need to "understand all the ways in which you are already protected before dishing out for things you don't need."

"When it comes to flight insurance, under federal law, you are already protected to get a full refund or rebooked on a significantly delayed flight or cancellation, regardless of the reason," she said. "With new regulations that airlines must comply with by the end of October, seeing your refund back to your payment method will get a lot faster and more seamless."

Nastro said "many travel credit cards already have built-in trip insurance that can protect you when the unexpected happens," citing perks from the Chase Sapphire Reserve card that provide "reimbursements up to $10,000 per person for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses when an interruption happens."

You should always buy insurance for one simple reason -- when you start thinking -- 'I hope we have insurance,' it's one minute too late

"These cards often pay sooner than the airlines do for expenses due to misplaced bags," she added.

Nastro also suggested to check on coverage across state lines with any existing medical or car insurance policies, which could help cut down on costs.

"Specifically, when it comes to medical insurance, medical care around the world is generally a fraction of the cost compared to what it is in the U.S. So, while it could be good to have if you need stitches in Vietnam, it probably won't break the bank," she said.

Because travel insurance is subjective, Nastro said "it's worth considering when you exhaust your existing coverages to see where you might have some gaps."

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How does travel insurance work and what's actually covered?

"A great example is when you have a trip with multiple components that aren't purchased together, like a flight and cruise," Nastro told "GMA." "The cruise won't wait when your flight has been rebooked for the next day, so in this scenario, it might be worth looking at insurance on the cruise portion. You can typically add insurance after the fact, but reading the fine print is critical."

"Trip or travel insurance tends to be cheaper to buy, but is restricted to what is actually covered and often has red tape in terms of getting that reimbursement. For example, if you have an illness and need to cancel your trip, policies might require a doctor's note," she continued.

She added, "Travel insurance with 'cancel for any reason' policies tends to be more expensive to purchase, but more inclusive in terms of what is considered a 'covered' reason. The biggest caveat is that they offer a partial refund -- 50% to 75% of nonrefundable expenses."

When it comes to weather, she reiterated that reading the fine print is critical, because "the coverage typically offered is for extreme weather and scenarios where the operator cannot operate for 24 hours or more, so a typical summer thunderstorm won't make the cut."

Green added that, generally, if a customer buys travel insurance from an airline provider, since the carrier "doesn't know all the details of your trip" beyond the price and date of the flight, "if you're renting a car and traveling around -- or staying in a $4,000 hotel, you might only have $1,000 worth of insurance because at the checkout screen of American or United or Delta, they just didn't know about those costs."

"That's why I think it makes a lot more sense to buy insurance directly from either a website portal or an agent that can show you the main limits, so you know all the things you spent are covered as part of the policy," he said.

As Nastro pointed out, payment for claims can become a sticky situation, which is why Green helped craft an more seamless way to alleviate issues by providing the reassurance of immediate reimbursement: "If you have Apple Pay or Google Pay, you can access that money instantly after the claim is settled," he told "GMA."

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Green co-founded Faye just before the COVID-19 pandemic sent the travel industry into a tailspin, but said now, "the concern on the American mind more than anything is who's gonna pay for this? Especially in these days of inflation, if you're paying significant amounts of money for travel, and something goes wrong, you'd like to at least be made whole."

3 categories to consider for travel insurance coverage

Green explained that travel insurance can generally be broken into three categories: your investment in the trip, your belongings such as luggage and passports, and your health.

For anyone booking travel on their own, without a travel agent or adviser, Green highlighted the difference between buying travel insurance directly versus clicking "yes" on an app or checkout screen.

"You're not always being offered insurance that's in your best interest if you're just hoping that whatever your credit card comes with, or whatever your airline gives you at the end of the checkout is going to provide everything you need," he said.

He noted that one important tip for any type of travel coverage purchase is "the earlier you tell your insurance company that something has gone wrong, the more likely it is that they can help you while you're on your trip -- and helping sometimes means paying for expenses so that you don't have to be out of pocket and get reimbursement."

Weather-specific products for travel inconveniences

Products like Sensible Weather offer more specific elements to cover scenarios such as rain during a beach vacation or lack of snow for a ski trip, which may derail plans.

"The idea of travel inconvenience payments, it just takes the sting out of things," Green said. "In those scenarios, you just get a fixed, agreed amount of money -- sort of no questions asked -- You just have to prove that you actually experienced the loss in question, and then you get the full amount."

"You should always buy insurance for one simple reason -- because usually at the point when you start thinking to yourself, 'Wow, I hope we have insurance,' it's one minute too late," Green said. "Hurricane season is the perfect example of that. Once a hurricane is named, you generally can't make any claims related to the hurricane if you didn't already buy a policy."

"What we're learning about the current hurricane season is the weather is becoming unpredictable all the time," Green said. "We've heard about days where the weather was so hot in Phoenix that airplanes couldn't take off from the tarmac, hurricanes coming sooner than expected, or power failures causing an airport to not be able to operate -- and because those things are so unpredictable, playing the game of wait and see before buying your insurance rarely make sense versus justbuying it around the time you buy your trip and not having to worry about that aspect again."

How much plans cost and limitations

"There is no one size fits all when it comes to travel insurance," Green noted.

However, he said "there are rules of thumb" that industry experts often follow: "You should be willing to spend up to 10% of the cost of your trip on your insurance."

"The two biggest factors that usually affect the cost of your insurance is your age at the time of purchase, not at the time of travel, and the value of your trip," he said, adding that "every company is different."

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FAQs About Cover-More Travel Insurance

Everything you want to know about our Cover-More travel insurance

Got a question about travel insurance and our Cover-More plans?

From how to contact us in an emergency or to speak to our policy sales team, to what to consider when choosing cover and how to make a Cover-More travel insurance claim, see below for the answers to our customers’ most asked questions.

Ready to protect your trip? You can get a free quote in minutes online.

If the answer to your question is not on this page, please contact our friendly Customer Service Team on (0800) 500 225.

Skip ahead to read frequently asked questions about:

• Cover-More travel insurance cover

Policy changes, refunds, and complaints

Destinations and plans, how can i contact cover-more travel insurance.

• General enquiries: (0800) 500 225
• Emergency Assistance: +61 2 8907 5240  For toll-free assistance phone numbers in popular destinations, you can find all our Cover-More's emergency numbers here.
• Claims: (0800) 500 225
• Complaints: you can submit a complaint via the online form on this page .

Cover questions

Will cover-more cover me for a one-way trip.

Yes, our policies can provide cover for one-way trips provided you are not staying overseas for longer than 12 months.

Will Cover-More Travel Insurance cover me if I'm going overseas for over a year?

No. The maximum duration of our single trip policies is 12 months.

Cover commences at the time you leave your home and ceases at the time you return to your home.

Does Cover-More Travel Insurance offer Business travel insurance plans?

Travelling for business? Our Comprehensive+ Plan includes a Business Pack, which offers many benefits to business travellers, such as:

• Cover for the loss, theft, or damage of business equipment
• Business equipment hire in the event your equipment is lost, stolen or damaged
• Alternative staff replacement if you must return home because of a disabling injury, sickness, or disease
• Kidnap and ransom cover
• Stolen business money cover

This Business Pack is available on both international and domestic policies under the Comprehensive+ Plan. See the Policy Wording for policy limits, sub-limits, exclusions, and conditions that apply.

We also offer a dedicated Business Policy, which offers annual cover designed for business travellers who go away multiple times during the year. The policy:

• Can protect travellers up to 74 years
• Provides cover for an unlimited number of trips throughout the year up to the maximum duration you’ve selected
• Gives you the choice of 30, 60, or 90 days for the maximum duration of any one trip (the longer the duration you choose, the higher the premium)
• Provides protection where the destination is more than 100km from your home
• Includes up to six weeks of leisure travel during the year

To decide if this cover is suitable for you and your business travels, please consult the Policy Wording .

To purchase our Cover-More Business Policy please contact our Customer Service team on (0800) 500 225.

How many accompanied children are allowed to travel on a Cover-More Travel Insurance policy?

The maximum number of accompanying children on our leisure policies is 10, if they are your own children or grandchildren, and they have the same itinerary as yourself.

Accompanying children are defined as your own children or grandchildren, who are identified on the certificate of insurance, travelling with you on the journey, under 21 years of age, financially dependent on you and not in full-time employment.

Does Cover-More Travel Insurance provide cover for damage to my rental car?

We provide two different types of protection for rental vehicles:

• Rental vehicle insurance excess – available on our Comprehensive and Comprehensive+ Plans
• Rental vehicle comprehensive cover – available on our Comprehensive+ Plan only

Rental vehicle insurance excess cover

When you hire a rental car, you will typically receive a rental car agreement that lists an excess amount you are liable to pay if there is damage to the rental vehicle. It is the reimbursement of the excess amount you have paid to the rental car company that our Cover-More comprehensive policies can provide cover for, if you need to make a claim for rental car insurance excess and it is approved.

Remember to read the exclusions and limitations listed in the Policy Wording as these will apply. We will not pay for:

• any payment or any claim for which you are not liable under the vehicle rental agreement for loss or damage to the rental vehicle
• any payment or any claim where you have not met the terms of your vehicle rental agreement
• any payment or claim where the rental vehicle is not driven by you or in your charge or is driven by a person not named on the vehicle rental agreement and policy.

Please refer to the Policy Wording for coverage limits.

Contact our Customer Service team on (0800) 555 225 if you wish to increase your cover.

To help understand how much cover you may need, consider checking with your rental car company and check what their standard insurance excess amount is.

Rental vehicle comprehensive cover

This rental vehicle cover includes benefits beyond the insurance excess, such as misfuelling, lock out, cancellation of Rental Agreement fees, and more.

This cover applies if you:

• have purchased a Cover-More Comprehensive+ policy;
• hire a rental vehicle;
• are the nominated driver on the rental vehicle agreement; and
• have comprehensive motor vehicle insurance for the rental vehicle for the hire period.

You must also:

• take all reasonable steps to protect the rental vehicle against loss and damage;
• ensure the rental vehicle value does not exceed $200,000 and that it is not more than 10 years old.

Please read the  Policy Wording for full details and coverage limits.

Does Cover-More Travel Insurance cover skiing/snowboarding/snowmobiling?

Yes, we can provide cover for snow sports. This cover is available when you add one of our Snow Sports Cover options to your travel insurance policy for an additional premium.

We offer two types of cover so you can choose the cover that suits you best:

• Snow Sports: this provides cover for on-piste snow skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. This cover is suitable for travellers spending their time at ski resorts, as off-piste or backcountry skiing is not covered.
• Snow Sports+: this cover includes the above activities as well as off-piste snow skiing/boarding and guided heli-skiing/boarding tours. This is suitable for more advanced skiers or those planning more adventurous activities.

Please note you will NOT be covered if:

• You are racing.
• You are participating in a professional capacity. “Professional” means undertaking any activity for which financial payment is received from another person or party.

Please refer to the Policy Wording for specific coverage options.

Will Cover-More Travel Insurance cover me if I am taking part in a race or sport competition?

Unfortunately travel insurance can’t cover absolutely everything. Our travel insurance – including additional cover such as Snow Sports Cover and Adventure Activities Cover – offers cover only when you are engaging in sports and activities in a non-professional capacity.

“Professional” means undertaking any activity for which financial payment is received from another person or party.

Please refer to the Policy Wording for more information.

Does Cover-More Travel Insurance cover claims if the incident occurs while under the influence of drugs or alcohol?

It’s important to understand situations that may affect your Cover-More travel insurance claim before you travel.

As outlined in the Policy Wording under General Exclusions, we will not pay for:

• chronic use of alcohol;
• substance abuse, drug abuse (whether over the counter, prescription or otherwise); or
• ingestion of any non-prescription drug or substance (e.g. marijuana, ecstasy, heroin).
• which is evidenced by the results of a blood test which show that your blood alcohol concentration level is the equivalent of 950 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath or above. (As a point of reference, a breath alcohol limit of 950mg/l is almost four times the legal driving limit range in New Zealand which is currently 250mg/l or 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood); or
• the report of a medical practitioner or forensic expert;
• the witness report of a third party;
• Your own admission; or
• the description of events you described to us or the treating medical professional (e.g. paramedic, nurse, doctor) as documented in their records.

Can I get a refund if I cancel my Cover-More Travel Insurance policy?

If you cancel your policy within a cooling-off period of 21 days after you are issued your Certificate of Insurance, you will be given a full refund of the premium you paid, provided you have not started your journey, or you do not want to make a claim.

After this period, you can still cancel your policy, however, we will refund you a proportion of the premium for the unexpired period of cover (less any non-refundable government charges and taxes that we have paid and are not recoverable).

You are not entitled to a refund if you have started your journey, you want to make a claim, or exercise any other right under your cover.

If you purchased your policy from our website and you want to cancel your cover, please contact our team by calling (0800) 500 225 (within New Zealand) or +64 (0) 9 308 212 (from overseas) or by emailing [email protected] .

To complete the cancellation of a policy, you must be the policyholder and you will need to provide your policy number to our team.

Any refunds will be paid onto the card used for purchase.

If you purchased your policy through a travel agent and wish to cancel it, please contact your agent directly.

How do I make changes to my Cover-More Travel Insurance policy?

For any changes to your policy including:

• Change of personal details (name, address, date of birth, etc.)
• Changing travel dates
• Including optional cover within your policy to vary your cover (e.g. Cruise Cover, Snow Sports Cover, Adventure Activities Cover, and Motorcycling/Moped Riding Cover)
• Updating your pre-existing medical conditions information

…please contact our Customer Service team to assist you on (0800) 555 225.

How do I get a copy of my policy documents?

If you have lost your copy of your Certificate of Insurance (COI), please check the email that you would have received confirming the purchase of your policy. A copy of your policy certificate will be attached.

If you cannot find that email, please call our Customer Service team on (0800) 500 225 and provide your name, date of birth and address and we will send you a copy. If you purchased your policy through an agent or broker, you can also request a copy of your documents from them.

Am I still covered if I arrive home later than the return date on my Cover-More Travel Insurance policy?

When you purchase your policy, you need to make sure that the travel dates you enter cover the entire journey: from the date you leave your home in New Zealand to the date you return home after your journey.

“ Home ” means your usual place of residence in New Zealand.

“ Journey ” means the period commencing at the time you leave home and ceasing at the time you return home.

On an Annual Multi-Trip policy, the destination/s within your journey must be more than 100 kilometres away from your home, or, if they’re less than this distance, your journey must include at least one night of paid accommodation booked with an accommodation supplier or provider (such as a hotel, Bed & Breakfast, serviced apartment, or peer-to-peer service such as Airbnb).

“ Period of Insurance ” means:

• in respect of Single Trip Policies: from the time you commence the journey or the travel start date shown on your Certificate of Insurance (whichever is later) until the time you complete the journey or the travel end date shown on your Certificate of Insurance (whichever is the earlier).
• the time that you complete the journey; or
• the expiry of the maximum insured duration per journey (this maximum duration is shown on your Certificate of Insurance); or
• 12 months from the travel start date shown on your Certificate of Insurance.

If you are delayed from returning home due to no fault of your own, your policy will automatically extend until you are able to return home by the quickest and most direct route.

However, if you arrive home later than the return date on your Cover-More travel insurance policy and this is not because of the above, cover will cease from the return date listed on your Certificate of Insurance.

You can contact Cover-More before the expiry of your policy to discuss options you may have.

How do I make a complaint to Cover-More Travel Insurance?

If you think we have let you down in any way, or our service is not what you expect (even if through one of our representatives), please let us know.

We will put you in contact with someone who can help to resolve the complaint.

See our guide to lodging a complaint for details, which includes our complaints form.

Luggage questions

Will cover-more travel insurance cover me if i am travelling with expensive luggage.

Most of our travel insurance plans include luggage and travel documents cover, which can protect items such as your phone, camera, laptop, jewellery, watch or one item specified by you.

The benefit limit per plan can be seen below, however, item limits do apply.

If you’re travelling with expensive luggage, you may be able to increase your luggage item limit for an additional cost when you apply for a quote. The extra cover can then be added to your policy for an additional premium.

If you make a luggage claims, receipts or valuations no more than 24 months old must be available if requested by our team.

What is the luggage benefit limit on Cover-More Travel Insurance plans?

Our benefit limits for luggage and item limits that apply to any type of luggage claim vary between plans, items and the level of coverage you choose.

You should check the Policy Wording to find out the exact limits that apply to luggage items when considering our plans.

While you can claim up to the luggage section limit for multiple items that have been lost, stolen or damaged, each individual, pair or set of items (such as a set of golf clubs vs. each individual club) will have a limit as well.

Does Cover-More Travel Insurance cover if my luggage is delayed by a transport provider?

If a transport provider overseas delays all pieces of your checked luggage for more than 12 hours, there may be provision to claim for the purchase of essential items of clothing and toiletries.

Make sure you keep all receipts for the essential items you purchase.

You must also get a written report from the transport provider confirming the delay and how long it was for.

Does Cover-More Travel Insurance apply depreciation to luggage items?

For luggage items aged 0-24 months, we do not apply or deduct depreciation to approved Cover-More travel insurance claims.

For luggage items aged more than 24 months, a percentage of depreciation will be applied depending on the item’s age.

Read more about depreciation on our Policy Wording .

If you have any questions about how the amounts have been calculated during a claim, please contact our office directly on (0800) 500 225.

Claims questions

How long do i have to lodge a cover-more travel insurance claim.

You must advise us of any claim or occurrence that may result in creating a travel insurance claim as soon as possible and within 60 days of the return date shown on your Certificate of Insurance. You can do this by sending us a completed claim form.

If you are still within the 60-day time frame but believe you may exceed it, please contact our Customer Service team on (0800) 500 225 to alert them to the fact.

If you believe you may exceed the time frame because you are awaiting documentation relevant to your claim, please submit your claim in the meantime and provide us with your documentation once available.

Visit our Claims page for further information.

Can I wait until I return home from travel before submitting a Cover-More Travel Insurance claim?

Claims can be submitted both during and after travel. Our Online Claims Portal allows you to submit your claim from anywhere in the world.

How do I lodge a new claim or check the status of an existing claim with Cover-More Travel Insurance?

If you would like to make a new Cover-More travel insurance claim, you can do so by visiting our Claims page here.

You can lodge a claim through our Online Claims Portal and upload copies of any supporting documentation that supports your claim. This is the quickest and easiest way to lodge a claim.

You may also download a copy of our paper claim form and lodge a claim through the post or email if you would prefer. You will receive an email notification when your claim has been received and registered.

If you would like to check the status of an existing claim, you can log onto the Online Claims Portal , which will show you the status of all the claims associated with your policy. You can also contact our Customer Service team on (0800) 555 225.

How long will it take to settle my Cover-More Travel Insurance claim?

We aim to respond to all claims within 10 working days.

If we need to request more information from either you or a third party (such as your doctor or travel agent) to make a decision on your claim, then your claim could be delayed.

We will notify you within 10 working days if more information is needed to process your claim.

We will tell you about the progress of your claim every 20 working days.

Once we have all the documentation required, we will respond within 10 working days from the date we receive each document that is sent to us or have sufficient information to make a decision on your claim.

To reduce any delays, please send all the documentation mentioned in the Online Claims Portal and on the claim form for your type of claim. If you cannot provide something, please explain this clearly when submitting your claim.

What happens if my Cover-More Travel Insurance claim is related to a large event that happens overseas?

For many large-scale events (e.g. terrorist attacks, major weather events, etc.) that occur around the world, we will prepare specific advice and publish this on our website. This advice will give you an understanding of the event and exactly what cover is provided for in relation to it.

All of our advice can be found on our Travel Alerts page .

If we do not have any advice on a specific event you want to know about, please contact our Customer Service team on (0800) 500 225.

What do I do if the section of the Cover-More Travel Insurance policy I want to claim under isn't available in the Online Claims Portal?

If you are submitting your claim via the Online Claims Portal , please select the "Other" option when you are prompted for the section of the policy you would like to claim under.

I have all my claims documentation and would like to submit it to Cover-More – do I have to mail the documents in?

The quickest option for your claim to be processed is to submit your claim and associated documents via our Online Claims Portal. Documents can also be submitted via email, fax, and mail.

While we do not require the originals of your documents, we may require them later for auditing purposes, so we ask that you keep the originals available if we request them.

Do I have to provide receipts for Cover-More Travel Insurance claims?

We always ask for receipts in the first instance. This is a policy requirement and provides us with documentary evidence of purchase.

It is your responsibility to provide us with evidence to support your claim for an item. This is ‘proof of ownership’.

Please note:

• we will accept the original or a copy of a purchase receipt, invoice and/or bank statement showing the purchase, the date of the purchase and the amount paid
• we may consider valuation certificates (issued prior to the relevant time), ATM receipts and warranty cards with accompanying bank statement of purchases
• we will not accept photographs, packaging, or instruction manuals as proof of ownership

If you do not have the receipts, please indicate that on your online claim submission when prompted.

Who has the authority to speak to act on my behalf while I am overseas?

If you need to extend the period of insurance, we do not require the authority, just a policy number and new end dates.

If you would like someone to lodge a claim on your behalf, anyone can log onto the Online Claims Portal as long as they have your policy details. Our Claims team will contact you to make sure that we have all the correct details before assessing your claim.

If you need someone to act on your behalf to amend your policy coverage, we will require you to provide the authority.

If you wish to list someone as having authority to speak or act on your behalf, please contact us and provide the name and DOB or mobile number as a way of identifying the person.

You or someone acting on your behalf can contact us on (0800) 500 225.

Why is my claim being investigated by Cover-More Travel Insurance?

Sometimes the size of a claim or the difficulties in gathering information can mean we might use an investigator who can gather information more quickly and accurately. This can help speed up the processing time of your claim and make sure that we have considered all factors before making a decision.

Why does Cover-More split payments or deposits instead of paying the whole amount for the claim?

At times, we will be able to approve one part of a claim while we still need to continue to gather information on another part.

Rather than delay the entire claim, we usually elect to settle the parts we can.

This means you will be financially better off more quickly while we continue to assess the remainder of the claim.

What happens to my replacement item or credit voucher if I don't user it within 6 months?

Please contact our Claims team on (0800) 500 225 and we can contact our supplier to have the voucher re-activated.

Medical questions

Does cover-more travel insurance cover overseas dental expenses.

Our international travel insurance plans can cover overseas emergency dental expenses to the limit of $3,000.

Our Inbound Plan (for non-New Zealand residents travelling to New Zealand) can provide cover for emergency dental expenses in New Zealand up to the limit of $3,000.

Cover is provided for the usual and customary cost of emergency dental treatment provided outside New Zealand by or on the advice of a qualified medical practitioner or dentist to relieve pain or temporarily restore function.

There is no cover for routine dental treatment, or dental expenses involving the use of precious metals, whitening, or involving cosmetic dentistry.

Will Cover-More Travel Insurance cover medical expenses incurred in New Zealand?

There is limited cover for medical expenses incurred in New Zealand if you are a New Zealand resident.

If you are travelling to New Zealand on our Inbound Plan, cover may be available.

Do I need to complete a medical assessment every time I take out a new Cover-More Travel Insurance policy?

If you have existing medical conditions that you want covered by your travel insurance policy, yes, for each new policy you buy we require you to complete a new medical assessment.

If you have an Annual Multi-Trip Policy and you are diagnosed with a new condition and make further bookings, you may be required to complete a new medical assessment.

Will Cover-More Travel Insurance cover me if I have an existing medical condition?

Our travel insurance policies can automatically provide cover for some existing medical conditions (subject to the criteria outlined in the Policy Wording). Other existing medical conditions will require assessment and, if approved, an additional premium will be applicable.

Our online medical assessment can be completed by generating a quote via our website and following the steps as prompted.

Please read the applicable  Policy Wording for coverage details.

How long will it take for Cover-More Travel Insurance to assess my existing medical condition?

In most cases you will receive an outcome on completion of a Cover-More medical assessment online.

The medical assessment can be completed as part of generating an online quote via our website.

What existing medical conditions are automatically covered by Cover-More Travel Insurance?

These are some of the existing medical conditions that can be automatically covered, subject to policy requirements (please refer to the criteria applicable to each condition below in the Policy Wording):

• Bell’s palsy
• Coeliac disease
• Congenital blindness
• Congenital deafness
• Hip replacement
• Knee replacement
• Shoulder replacement
• Hip resurfacing

If your existing medical condition is not able to be automatically included, cover for existing medical conditions can be assessed by completing a Cover-More medical assessment during the online quote process.

Be sure to refer to the applicable Policy Wording for coverage details.

Note: if you do need to complete an online medical assessment, we need to assess all your diagnosed conditions, not just the ones you want covered.

If you have any questions about the online assessment or prefer to talk with a customer service agent, please contact us on (0800) 500 225.

Will Cover-More Travel Insurance bring me back to my home in New Zealand if I am sick or injured overseas?

All policyholders have access to our Emergency Assistance team, who are contactable 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can reach them by calling +61 2 8907 5240.

Our team of doctors, nurses, case managers and travel agents can provide the following services to all policyholders:

• Locate a doctor or hospital if you become ill or injured away from home – and help connect you with an English-speaking doctor too.
• Help you find a medical facility nearby and monitor your medical care.
• Paying bills - Becoming ill overseas can be expensive so significant medical expenses can be paid by us directly to the hospital if your claim is approved.
• Keeping you travelling or get you home – our team can decide if and when it is appropriate to bring you home and will coordinate the entire exercise.
• Help if passports, travel documents or credit cards are lost - If you need assistance in contacting the issuer of the document, our emergency assistance team can help.
• Help to change travel plans - If your travel consultant is not available to assist with rescheduling in an emergency, our team can help.

Note: certain services are subject to your claim being approved.

Does Cover-More Travel Insurance cover pregnancy?

We may be able to provide travel insurance cover for pregnancy. If you know you are pregnant at the relevant time, you will need to apply for cover for your pregnancy if:

• There have been complications with this pregnancy or a previous pregnancy;
• You have a multiple pregnancy e.g. twins or triplets; or
• The conception was medically assisted e.g. using assisted fertility treatment including hormone therapies or IVF.

“Relevant Time” in respect of:

• Single Trip policies means the time when the policy is issued.
• Annual Multi-Trip policies means the time the policy is issued, or, for any subsequent trips, the time the first payment was made towards that trip.

Please complete additional questions in an online Cover-More medical assessment to determine eligibility and obtain a quote. If you have any questions about the online assessment or prefer to talk with a customer service agent, please contact us on (0800) 500 225.

Pregnancy restrictions

Whether or not you have to apply for pregnancy cover, the following restrictions apply to claims arising in any way from the pregnancy of any person:

• Cover is only provided for serious, unexpected pregnancy complications that occur up until the 24th week of pregnancy (i.e. up to 23 weeks, 6 days). Gestational age is measured in weeks and days and is calculated from the last known date of your menstrual period or calculated from staging ultrasound.
• Childbirth is not covered.
• Costs relating to the health or care of a newborn child are not covered, irrespective of the stage of pregnancy when the child is born.

Expectant mothers should consider if our travel insurance is right for them, as costs for childbirth and neonatal care overseas can be expensive.

Always read our Policy Wording before deciding on our travel insurance.

Do I need to list all my destinations when I get a quote on a new Cover-More Travel Insurance policy?

When you generate a quote for a travel insurance policy, we ask for the destinations you will travel to so that we can make sure we give you the best price.

To help us, in the quote box under “Where are you going?”:

• Enter or select every country you will be travelling to wherever possible.
• For each country you select, cover for travel to all other countries within that region are also included regardless of whether the countries are selected or not.

What to do if you do not know every single country you will be travelling to:

• If you are not sure of all your destinations, you can select a region instead. Cover then applies for travel to all countries within that region. (i.e. Europe or Africa.)

Have a question we haven’t answered here? Contact our Customer Service team on (0800) 500 225.

Ready to book your next trip?

Find out how our travel insurance can help keep you travelling safely today.

Finder Travel Insurance Awards 2024

Our experts reviewed 30 different travel insurance providers to select our finder product award winners for 2024..

The Finder Travel Insurance Awards 2024 celebrate the best travel insurance products across 3 different categories; best domestic travel insurance, best international travel insurance for value and best international travel insurance for comprehensiveness. See who came out on top.

Best Travel Insurance - Domestic

Tick Travel insurance won the 2024 award for best domestic travel insurance because it scored highly for rearrangement and cancellation costs, lost and delayed luggage features and rental car excess, while remaining comparatively affordable.

Highly commended

• InsureandGo Travel Insurance

InsureandGo Travel Insurance came highly commended in the domestic category because it has generous coverage limits while remaining comparatively well-priced.

Qantas Travel Insurance

Qantas' domestic policy came highly commended in the domestic category. This is because it's policy had higher benefit limits but was still at the more affordable end of the spectrum.

Best Travel Insurance - Value

Wise and Silent Travel insurance won the 2024 value award because it's cheaper on average than the other international policies we analysed, yet it covers you for more.

Tick Travel Insurance

In addition to being the domestic winner, Tick is also our international value runner-up. That's because it's one of the most competitively priced policies on the market.

Travel Protect Insurance

Travel Protect ranked in highly commended for the international value award, out of the 30 policies we analysed because it is well-priced for how many benefits it offers.

Best Travel Insurance - Comprehensive

Tick Travel insurance won the 2024 comprehensive award because it goes further than the majority of insurers. It scored highly for cancellation costs and rental car excess. It's also competitive on price compared to the other 30 international policies we analysed.

World2Cover Travel Insurance

World2Cover Travel Insurance ranked in highly commended for comprehensiveness out of the 30 international policies we analysed. It scored highly for features including rearrangement costs and rental car excess insurance.

Travel Protect ranked in highly commended for comprehensiveness. This is because it offers generous coverage limits yet remains comparatively well-priced.

How we picked our Finder Travel Insurance Awards

Our team of experts reviewed over 30 travel insurance providers to select our Finder Travel Insurance Award winners for 2024. We scored each of them on the following features:

• Accidental death
• Rearrangement costs
• Cancellation costs
• Luggage delay
• Lost luggage and belongings
• Personal liability
• Rental car excess
• Theft of cash
• Total and permanent disability
• Travel documents (international categories only)
• COVID-19 expenses (international categories only)
• Hospital cash allowance (international categories only)

From there, we collected and analysed 450 different travel insurance quotes. The winners were then calculated based on a mix of features and pricing.

Meet our experts

Piyush Pillai , Insights analyst

Piyush is an insights analyst at Finder and is responsible for developing the methodology for Finder's Product Awards. He holds an MBA from Macquarie University and a MSc in Banking and Finance from the University of London.

Peta Taylor , Publisher for Insurance

Peta is passionate about demystifying complex insurance products to help users make well educated decisions with confidence. She is part of Finder's insurance awards team and works alongside editorial and insights experts to bring users the best insurance products every year.

Fascinated by our Finder Awards?

Check out the categories, learn more and get involved!

• Product Awards
• Customer Satisfaction Awards
• Green Awards
• Innovation Awards

Explore our past Award winners

Winners and finalists in 2023.

• Southern Cross Travel Insurance
• NRMA Travel Insurance
• Fast Cover Travel Insurance
• Medibank Travel Insurance

Best Travel Insurance - Seniors

• Worldcare Comprehensive Travel Insurance
• HIF International Comprehensive Travel Insurance
• Australia Post Travel Insurance
• Cover-More Travel Insurance

Peta Taylor

Peta Taylor is a publisher at Finder, working across all of insurance. She's been analysing product disclosure statements and publishing articles for over 2 years. Peta is passionate about demystifying complex insurance products to help users make well educated decisions with confidence. Peta is part of Finder's insurance awards team and works alongside editorial and insights experts to bring users the best insurance products every year. See full bio

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Travel Insurance for a New Zealand Vacation (2024)

with our partner, Faye

Alex Carver is a writer and researcher based in Charlotte, N.C. A contributor to major news websites such as Automoblog and USA Today, she’s written content in sectors such as insurance, warranties, shipping, real estate and more.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the best travel insurance companies

Whether you plan to ski the slopes in Queenstown or sample the wineries in Wellington, travel insurance for New Zealand can offer financial protection and peace of mind. From medical emergencies to flight delays, unforeseen circumstances can occur while traveling. If things don’t go to plan, travel insurance can help recoup your losses by reimbursing nonrefundable trip costs.

We at the MarketWatch Guides Team have analyzed the best travel insurance companies to help you review travel insurance advantages, costs and coverage options for a New Zealand vacation.

Compare The Best NZ Travel Insurance Companies

Use the table below to compare the costs and coverages of our top recommended travel insurance companies that will cover a trip to New Zealand:

Do I Need Travel Insurance for New Zealand?

New Zealand does not require visitors to have travel insurance to enter the country. But it is recommended if your health insurance does not extend to emergency treatment abroad.

Framed by forested mountains, volcanoes, glaciers and beaches, New Zealand is known for its natural wonder. But considering the country’s vast landscape and unpredictable weather, it can take hours to reach remote places in an emergency. Whether you’re hiking, mountain biking or snowboarding, travel insurance can reimburse the cost of medical care in case of injury.

New Zealand extends some health care coverage to temporary visitors with its Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) Program . However, the program may not cover all medical costs. Purchasing travel insurance can further protect you from financial burdens by offering additional medical coverage.

The weather in New Zealand is notoriously volatile , with extremes at each end of the year. Due to its geographical position, New Zealand is prone to natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Such events could cause trip cancellations or travel delays. Travel insurance can reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses (like your flight or hotel) if you experience an interruption due to severe weather.

Cancel for Any Reason Coverage

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage allows you flexibility to cancel your trip for reasons outside those predetermined by your travel insurance policy. However, since CFAR coverage is considered a policy add-on, it is more expensive than a standard policy.

This type of coverage is also subject to disclaimers, deductibles and restrictions. You must meet certain requirements to qualify for CFAR insurance, including:

• You have to cancel your trip within a certain timeframe, like at least 48 hours before your departure date.
• You only have a specific number of days after booking your trip to buy CFAR coverage. Most insurance providers have a limit of 10 to 21 days after booking.

Gear Theft Protection

You may want to bring cameras, sporting gear or other valuables if you’re planning to explore New Zealand’s diverse destinations. Whether you want to photograph the rich Maori culture or mountain bike through the forest, gear theft protection can help recoup the cost of lost or stolen goods.

Each travel insurance policy will include specific coverage limits and exclusions regarding stolen or damaged gear. Gear theft protection is worth considering if you wish to bring the following on your trip:

• A laptop, tablet or smartphone
• Professional camera and equipment
• Sporting equipment (like a surfboard or kayak)

Note that your insurance may not cover the full value of your items, so review the policy wording and product disclosure statement carefully to determine your coverage. If the total of the items you plan to bring exceeds your benefit limit, consider leaving some items at home.

Medical Emergency Insurance and Emergency Medical Evacuation

Although the ACC offers some medical coverage to non-residents, the program does not always cover the full cost of treatment. If your health insurance does not extend coverage in other countries, you can safeguard yourself with travel insurance for medical emergencies .

Travel medical insurance covers emergency medical expenses in the event of an injury or illness. Most providers also cover evacuation to your home country if you can’t receive health care locally and repatriation if you die while traveling.

A standard travel insurance policy may include the following medical emergency and assistance coverage:

• Hospital admission costs
• Surgical operations and related fees
• Ambulance costs
• X-rays and lab tests
• Emergency dental fees

When booking your trip insurance, be sure to declare any pre-existing medical conditions like asthma or high blood pressure. While some providers do not extend coverage for pre-existing conditions, others may offer a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver.

Travel medical insurance also may not extend to injuries sustained as a result of extreme sports, but some providers may offer add-on coverage. Read your policy’s full details for restrictions and exclusions.

Rental Car Protection

New Zealand boasts an extensive network of public transport, making it easy to travel around big cities like Auckland and Wellington. But you may prefer to rent a car to explore on your own schedule.

As a tourist, you can legally drive for up to 12 months in New Zealand as long as you have a current driver’s license. If your license isn’t in English, you’ll need to obtain an English translation. Otherwise, you can opt for an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) issued or written in English.

New Zealand requires rental car companies to include basic insurance for coverage against accidents. The level of protection varies by provider, but usually covers the following:

• Collision damage waiver
• Windshield protection
• Roadside protection
• Theft protection

The insurance will include an excess or deductible or the amount of money you pay before the insurance policy covers the costs. Your rental car provider may offer a daily fee in exchange for reducing or eliminating the excess.

For example, let’s say that your rental car agreement offers a standard policy with a $1,000 excess. If your rental vehicle is damaged and costs $3,000 to repair, you’ll only need to pay the $1,000. As long as you’ve met the terms and conditions in your contract, the rental company will cover the remaining $2,000.

While you can purchase travel insurance with rental car protection, it may not be necessary for a trip to New Zealand. Consider existing rental car coverage before adding more with a travel insurance policy.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Whether it’s extreme weather or natural disasters, unexpected circumstances can impact your trip to New Zealand. Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable costs like your flight, hotel or travel excursions if you have to cancel your trip due to the following reasons:

• Death of a traveling companion or family member
• Diagnosis of a serious medical condition or injury
• Natural disasters or dangerous weather conditions
• Domestic or international terrorism
• Legal obligations like jury or military duty

How Much Does New Zealand Travel Insurance Cost?

The cost of travel insurance can vary depending on your coverage preferences, personal details and travel logistics. Some providers offer single-trip plans for a one-time visit or annual multi-trip coverage if you travel more often.

Cheap travel insurance options are available if you are on a budget. To receive a quote from a provider, you’ll be required to submit the following information:

• Destination country
• Your country of residence
• Age and the number of travelers
• Trip duration
• Total trip price

We requested quotes from ten travel insurance companies for their most affordable plan for a trip to New Zealand. The below quotes are for a 30-year-old traveler from Florida, traveling to New Zealand for ten days in September 2024, with a total trip cost of $4,000. Policies include coverage for cancellations, interruptions, delays, medical care and evacuation.

These quotes were collected in April 2024 for a trip in September 2024.

Each of the above insurance plans includes the following coverage:

• Trip cancellation
• Trip interruption (including travel delays)
• Medical evacuation
• Emergency medical care
• COVID-19 -related medical care and trip cancellation

How Do I Get Travel Insurance for New Zealand?

Before you buy travel insurance for your New Zealand trip, check to see if your current health insurance plan or credit card offers some level of coverage. If you have private health insurance, it may include coverage for international travel and medical emergencies. Or you might have flight, rental car or other form of travel insurance through your credit card.

We recommend requesting a free quote from at least three travel insurance companies. Be sure to compare various trip insurance options and consider factors like COVID-19 coverage, emergency assistance and trip cancellation. Make sure your chosen travel insurance covers what you need. Carefully review policy wording for exclusions and consider add-ons to cover additional expenses.

New Zealand Safety Tips

According to the Global Peace Index , New Zealand is ranked as the second-safest country in the world. But crime can still happen while traveling. We’ve included the below information and travel tips to help you safely navigate New Zealand.

Crime and Safety

New Zealand is considered a safe destination for travelers, but it is not crime-free. Be careful not to leave valuables in campervans or parked cars near trailheads or tourist spots. When in the big cities, avoid walking alone late at night or in unlit alleyways.

Day Trips, Tours and Excursions

With fjords, dormant volcanoes and hidden beaches, New Zealand boasts a diversity of day trips. But don’t overestimate your ability or underestimate the risks of exploring the great outdoors. Plan your adventures ahead of time, use a local guide or tourist service if necessary, and be sure to research the destination and weather.

Some tourists may also plan to visit both New Zealand and Australia on the same trip. If you purchase travel insurance, check to make sure your policy covers travel to multiple destinations.

As of January 2023, New Zealand has lifted all pandemic-related restrictions . International travelers are not required to provide a vaccination passport or negative PCR test to enter the country. You are not required to wear a mask on public transport but may still encounter mask advisories in medical facilities or other buildings.

You will be required to self-isolate for seven days if you contract the coronavirus while in New Zealand.

Is Travel Insurance for a New Zealand Vacation Worth It?

It’s ultimately up to you to decide if travel insurance is worth it for your New Zealand vacation. Standard travel insurance can offer coverage for unexpected trip cancellations, lost baggage , flight postponements and other travel inconveniences. Although New Zealand offers some medical coverage for foreigners, the country will not always cover the full cost of your care. Travel insurance can extend emergency medical coverage if you are hurt or get sick while abroad.

If you opt for a more comprehensive travel insurance plan, you can consider add-on options like CFAR coverage, rental car damage or sporting gear protection for added peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance for New Zealand

How can i claim flight compensation for a trip to new zealand.

Travel insurance offers protection against financial loss if your flight is canceled or delayed. Otherwise, flight compensation is subject to the conditions of each airline and reimbursement is not guaranteed.

Do I need travel insurance for New Zealand?

Travel insurance is not mandatory for U.S. citizens entering New Zealand, but it is highly recommended if your health insurance does not extend abroad. Travel insurance can also protect you from financial loss if your trip is unexpectedly canceled, you experience travel delays or are traveling with expensive gear.

What is the best travel insurance for a New Zealand vacation?

The best travel insurance plan depends on your preferences, coverage needs and budget. To determine the best policy for you, compare at least three options. Pay attention to the coverage limits, policy exclusions and overall cost. Make sure you select a policy with enough coverage to offset potential financial losses.

What documents do I need to travel to New Zealand?

U.S. citizens must provide a valid passport and travel document to visit New Zealand. Your passport must be valid for at least three months prior to your planned departure date. Tourists from the U.S. must also have a travel visa or an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) to enter New Zealand.

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides. com .

MarketWatch Guides may receive compensation from companies that appear on this page.
The compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear, but it does not influence the recommendations the editorial team provides. Not all companies, products, or offers were reviewed.

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Know Your Rights: Cancelled or Delayed Flights

Have you ever experienced a lengthy flight delay or cancellation? It can put a dampener on your trip and is another thing to stress about.

Although flight disruptions are not uncommon , it is important to understand your rights as a passenger so you’re equipped to deal with this unfortunate situation.

Check out our guide to your passenger rights in Australia and other popular international destinations, too!

You may be surprised to learn when you are and are not entitled to compensation.

Skip ahead to read:

What happens if your flight is delayed or cancelled?

• Are you entitled to compensation in Australia?
• Your passenger rights in Europe
• Your rights in the USA
• Your rights in New Zealand
• Your rights in Indonesia
• Making a consumer complaint against the airline
• How to avoid ruining your holiday with flight disruptions

Get a free online quote for your travel insurance today!

See Cover-More's travel delay benefit to find out how you can be protected.

It is important to remain calm when your flight is cancelled or delayed. Experts suggest asking the ticket agent to sign your ticket over to another carrier to complete your journey.

Although airline’s contract of carriage does not guarantee you being transported to your destination on time, Australian Consumer Law states that the supplier must supply their service to the consumer “within a reasonable time”.

With each airline having its own policy on delayed and cancelled flights, most airlines will offer to rebook you on their own airline or subsidiary .

Are you entitled to compensation for your delayed or cancelled flight in Australia?

In Australia , there are no clear-cut guidelines when it comes to flight delays and cancellations as it varies for every airline.

Airlines are not obligated to compensate passengers whose flights are deferred or cancelled in Australia, and will not necessarily take responsibility if you fail to book a connecting flight.

However, they are required by law to assist you in rescheduling your flight if you are bumped from an oversold flight. Each airline has specific policies in place to manage delayed or cancelled flights.

Most passengers are not entitled to receive compensation if a holdup occurs due to extraordinary circumstances that could not be avoided.

Examples include extreme weather conditions, political instability, risks, security and unexpected flight safety shortcomings.

Compensation if your flight is delayed in Australia

You may be entitled to meal or hotel vouchers by some airlines if your flight is delayed due to extenuating circumstances.

Compensation if your flight is cancelled in Australia

Most airlines will either rebook you on their next available flight to your destination at no additional charge or provide you a credit for future travels.

Ensure you read your airline’s full terms and conditions in regards to your passenger rights for delayed and cancelled flights.

Flying across different time zones? See our tips for avoiding jet lag . 

What are your passenger rights in Europe?

If you are travelling from any airport situated in the European Union (EU) or flying into an EU airport with an EU-based airline (or one from Iceland, Norway or Switzerland), you are eligible for compensation depending on the number of delayed hours and distance of the flight.

The table below illustrates a detailed guideline to your rights and compensations.

Source: Choice

If your flight’s departure time is delayed and depending on the delay length, you are entitled to :

• meals and refreshments
• hotel accommodation if necessary, including transfer costs
• two telephone calls, fax messages or emails

You can find out further information about the scheme here.

It is important to note that passengers are not entitled to compensation if the flight is cancelled due to unexpected circumstances, but may still receive a refund - which doesn’t occur in Australia.

What are your passenger rights in the USA?

Similar to Australia, the United States will not offer compensation for any losses that occur from a passenger’s flight being delayed.

However, if you are involuntarily bumped from your flight , passengers can be compensated with a set amount from airlines, including international flights leaving the USA. See the below table for more.

What are your passenger rights in New Zealand?

New Zealand is another country that has a compensation scheme in place to help passengers with delayed or cancelled domestic flights.

If your domestic flight within New Zealand is cancelled or delayed because of internal issues, including mechanical faults or airline staffing problems, you are entitled to compensation from the airline.

This also applies if you’re bumped off your flight due to overbooking.

Compensation from the airline in New Zealand may cover meals, transfers, missed events and missed flight connections. You can claim up to 10 times the cost of your ticket with the airline, or the cost of the delay (whichever is the lower amount).

As an affected passenger, you will be able to claim compensation directly from the airline for your delayed domestic flight. If you experience any issues, you can contact New Zealand’s Disputes Tribunal.

Keep in mind that if factors outside of the airline’s control, such as instructions from air traffic control or bad weather events, cause flight disruptions then you will not get compensation .

Heading off on an adventure soon? Make sure you check out our ultimate holiday preparation checklist before you go.

What are your passenger rights in Indonesia?

As a popular holiday destination for Australians, it’s good to know what your passenger rights are when flying through Indonesia .

Indonesia does have a scheme that offers passengers compensation, if your domestic flight is delayed for more than four hours, unless it’s because of bad weather or technical reasons. If you are affected, you’re entitled to Rp300,000 compensation .

When it comes to being denied boarding due to overbooking or being bumped off your flight, the airline must arrange comparable air transportation for you to arrive at your destination at a similar time and at no extra charge.

If they can’t arrange this, the airline is required to provide you with refreshments, meals, transfers and accommodation.

Can I make a consumer complaint against the airline?

Under Australian fair trading laws, you have the right to make a complaint to the airline if it fails to deliver an adequate service.

In the event of a dispute with an airline, you should attain the following documents :

• flight itinerary;
• boarding passes;
• receipts of any costs incurred; and
• any communications with the airline.

To find about more, visit the ACCC website here . 

Want more travel tips and tricks? Head over to our epic travel blog for the latest !

How can you avoid having your holiday ruined with flights delays or cancellations?

#1. pick flights with morning routes.

Take advantage of choosing an early morning flight to avoid being caught in the “ripple” effect of airline delays.

Even the smallest delays throughout the day can potentially grow and eventually cancel entire flights.

If you book morning flights, you have a better chance of squeezing onto another flight later in the day if your initial one is cancelled or delayed - especially if they are popular routes.

#2. Be careful booking discounted flight fares

Choosing a heavily discounted fare  from budget airlines can come with restrictions on cancelling or changing a booking.

With less flexibility than full fares, some bookings can be non-refundable and may attract cancellation fees and surcharges.

Check your airline’s fees and surcharges policy for specific information about the fare rules on your itinerary.

#3. Pack the essentials in your carry-on

Make sure you have packed the essentials in your carry-on bag rather than in your checked-in luggage, as you won’t have access your suitcase once it leaves the check-in desk.

Pack any essential medication you need in your carry-on bag, so you can access it in case of long delays or if your checked luggage is lost or delayed once you arrive at your destination.

Bring toiletries so you can freshen up during long delays, and keep a mobile phone charger on hand (plus, any other power cables for devices you plan to use!). The last thing you want is to have your phone run out of battery while you’re waiting around the airport.

It can also be worthwhile to have a change of clothes and a jumper with you, as you may be waiting a while depending on the length of your flight delay.  

Check out our other helpful tips for surviving a flight cancellation  here!

#4. Plan ahead as much as possible

If you are preparing for a flight and concerned about delays, make sure to keep an eye on the weather forecast.

Weather can be unpredictable, and severe weather can occur at any time.

If an extreme weather warning has occurred, always call the airline to check for any updates. Knowing in advance can help you prepare alternative travel plans.

Another way to make your travel journey less stressful is to have alternative flights chosen beforehand. If you flight is cancelled, having your alternative flight information on hand will let the airline know a potential solution to your issue.

#5. Request an insurance letter from your airline

If your flight has been cancelled, you will need the airline to confirm it in writing. Contact your airline and ask for a travel insurance letter.

You will be required to provide the reason why your flight was cancelled and the details of your new flight, if you wish to make a travel insurance claim for out-of-pocket expenses.

This letter allows travel insurance companies to check if the reasons for the delay are covered under your chosen policy when considering a claim.

Consider protecting your trip with travel insurance. Get a free quote from Cover-More .

To find out more about Cover-More's travel insurance benefits, visit:

• Travel delays benefit
• Delayed luggage allowance
• Cancellation and ammendment cover
• Full Product Disclosure Statement

Please note: every effort was made to ensure the information provided in this blog was accurate at the time of publication, but is subject to change.