working holiday travel insurance

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Working holiday travel insurance.

Are you planning an adventure abroad? A working holiday might be just what you need to mix travel and work. But before you pack your bags, it’s important to make sure you have the right travel insurance to protect you during your trip. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about working holiday travel insurance.

What is a Working Holiday?

A working holiday is a type of visa that allows you to travel to another country and work while you’re there. It’s a great way to experience a new culture, learn a new language, and earn some money to help fund your travels. Working holiday visas are available for citizens of certain countries and have specific requirements, such as age limits and proof of funds.

Why Do I Need Travel Insurance for a Working Holiday?

Travel insurance is essential for any trip abroad, but it’s especially important for a working holiday. When you’re working in another country, you’re exposed to a new set of risks and hazards that you might not be familiar with. Working holiday travel insurance can help protect you in case of accidents, illnesses, or other unexpected events that could disrupt your trip or your work.

What Does Working Holiday Travel Insurance Cover?

Working holiday travel insurance typically includes coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation or interruption, and personal liability. Depending on the policy, it may also include coverage for lost or stolen luggage, flight delays or cancellations, and emergency evacuation. It’s important to read the policy carefully to understand exactly what is covered and what is not.

How Much Does Working Holiday Travel Insurance Cost?

The cost of working holiday travel insurance depends on a variety of factors, including your age, the length of your trip, and the level of coverage you need. On average, a basic policy might cost around $50-$100 for a month-long trip, while a more comprehensive policy could cost several hundred dollars. It’s important to shop around and compare policies to find the best coverage at the best price.

What Should I Look for in a Working Holiday Travel Insurance Policy?

When you’re shopping for working holiday travel insurance, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure the policy covers the activities you’ll be doing while you’re abroad. If you plan to participate in adventure sports or other activities, make sure the policy includes coverage for those activities. Second, make sure the policy includes coverage for medical emergencies and evacuation. Finally, read the policy carefully to understand any exclusions or limitations.

Where Can I Purchase Working Holiday Travel Insurance?

Working holiday travel insurance is available from a variety of insurance companies and travel agencies. You can also purchase it online from a variety of providers. When you’re shopping for insurance, make sure to compare policies and prices to find the best coverage for your needs.

What Should I Do if I Need to Use My Working Holiday Travel Insurance?

If you need to use your working holiday travel insurance, the first thing you should do is contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. They will be able to guide you through the claims process and help you get the care you need. Depending on the situation, you may need to pay for medical expenses up front and then file a claim for reimbursement later.

Working holiday travel insurance is an essential part of any working holiday abroad. It can help protect you in case of accidents, illnesses, or other unexpected events that could disrupt your trip or your work. When you’re shopping for insurance, make sure to compare policies and prices to find the best coverage for your needs. With the right insurance, you can enjoy your working holiday with peace of mind.

Red White Adventures

Best travel insurance for working holiday visa.

Over the years, we’ve been on Working Holiday Visas in 5 different countries combined: Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Canada! So we know a thing or two about what it’s like being on those visas and what is needed.

One of the most important things you want to make sure you’ve got sorted before you embark on your working holiday visa is to have proper insurance!

Some countries straight up require that you have full insurance for the entire duration of your stay while others are a bit less strict with it.

Either way, we highly suggest you have a travel insurance that covers you (including when you work!) because, at the end of the day, it’s about your personal health and safety as well as your finances in case *knock on wood* something were to happen to you during your time abroad.

In this post, we dive into what we think is the best travel insurance for a working holiday visa – why it’s good, what’s covered, how much it costs, and much more.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means if you decide to use the links and make a valid purchase, we will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you <3

Table of Contents

Why SafetyWing travel insurance for a working holiday

We know looking for insurance can be quite painful (mentally at least) and we’ve personally spent hours and hours researching and reading through different policies.

It really feels like a hassle to find the best-priced, most convenient, and best rated option. But it has to be done!

After travelling for the past 8 years doing working holiday visas in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the Czech Republic, and Denmark (and now working remotely as digital nomads) we’ve done our fair share of research on travel insurance.

And what we’ve found to be the best insurance is SafetyWing .

SafetyWing is affordable, easy to get, and covers you pretty much anywhere no matter where you’re from or where you’re going!

It can all be done online and the customer service is awesome and responsive which is probably the most important thing when looking for the right company.

As with any insurance, there are a few restrictions and limitations of the insurance but before signing up for SafetyWing (their “nomad insurance”), you can send them a message in the chat to confirm that they cover exactly what you need.

They normally get back to you within a few minutes and you can ask clarifying questions if you have to!

What is the price of SafetyWing travel insurance?

One of the first things you’d probably want to know about your insurance is how much it’s going to cost, right?

Like with most insurances, the price goes up depending on your age but if you’re on a working holiday visa, you’re likely in your 20s or early 30s.

In that case, the starting cost for the insurance is $56.28 for 4 weeks . That is $2.01 a day!

If you want any additional coverage such as for extreme sports and electronic theft, there are also add ons available. But the base price is $56.28 per 4 weeks which comes out to $733.65 a year.

Please note that some countries require for you to have the insurance fully paid for the entire duration of your stay on your working holiday visa.

When Jo did hers in Canada, her insurance had to be paid for a full year and it had to be valid from before she entered the country.

If that is the same case for your visa, all you have to do is toggle on the “I want to pay up front for a trip with an end date” option when you sign up (the insurance can be cancelled and refunded at any time).

Are you eligible for travel insurance? 

Let’s just keep this brief because it’s quite simple…

If you’re doing a working holiday visa, you will be eligible for travel insurance. SafetyWing covers every single country you can do a working holiday in so it’s that simple.

“But doesn’t the insurance depend on which country I am from?”

Yes, it does. But the only country SafetyWing doesn’t cover is if you’re from Cuba.

You can double-check your eligibility on their website. Just input the country you’re from and the country you’re going to on a working holiday visa.

Check to see if you’re eligible for SafetyWing travel insurance

Ready to purchase working holiday travel insurance?

So if you’re eligible (which you should be), if the insurance covers the country you’re going to (also should), and if you’re happy with the price, then you’re good to book the travel insurance.

If you already have your flights booked and know which day you’re starting your journey, you can select the date for when you want your insurance to start – and then set it for however long you think you will be gone for.

As we said before, make sure you check your visa requirements. A lot of working holiday visas require that you have insurance for the full duration of your visa.

If you end up going home earlier or want to extend your trip onto another visa or country, you can make adjustments as you go.

SafetyWing’s insurance is super easy to get, easy to cancel, and just way more convenient than dealing with some of these old-school travel insurances. We especially love the option to chat with them whenever we have questions!

Other questions about travel insurance for working holiday

Travel insurance is one of those things that can easily get quite overwhelming because there are so many things you need to keep track of including what is covered and then factoring into that how much it costs.

It’s something you don’t really want to deal with but have to.

We’ve listed out some of the frequent questions below and hopefully, they’ll help give you the answers you need. If not, you can always leave a comment below or DM us on Instagram @redwhiteadventures !

What is covered by the travel insurance?

Probably the most important question to ask is “What is covered by my travel insurance?”

Every insurance is going to be different so it can sometimes be a bit of a jungle to navigate (which is why the live-chat option on SafetyWing’s website is so good). SafetyWings nomad insurance provides coverage for unexpected illness or injuries, including eligible expenses for hospital, doctor or prescription drugs.

It provides this coverage for you while you’re travelling outside of your home country (perfect for a working holiday visa).

In addition, it provides emergency travel-related benefits such as evacuation from local unrest, unplanned overnight stays, and lost checked luggage.

It does not cover routine checkups and preventative care.

Also read: World Nomads vs SafetyWing: Which Nomad Health & Travel Insurances Is Best?

How long is my coverage good for?

You can sign up for automatic travel insurance extensions every 4 weeks until you cancel or for a maximum of 364 days – like a subscription.

If you’re going on a working holiday visa, make sure to check if you need to get a full year’s insurance before entering the country you’re moving to!

You may also like…

• World Nomads vs SafetyWing: Which Nomad Health & Travel Insurances Is Best?
• Bansko Nomad Fest: Celebrating the Digital Nomad Lifestyle
• What Is the Best Bank for Digital Nomads?
• 7 Epic Locations to Live in Spain as a Digital Nomad
• 8 Reasons Why You’ll Want to Be Living in Prague

Recap of finding travel insurance for working holiday 

We hope this post helped answer all the questions you may have about finding the right insurance for your working holiday experience!

If you are ready to sign up for SafetyWing or want to learn more, you can click here !

And if you have more questions please comment below or send us a DM on Instagram. We know trying to find travel insurance for your working holiday is challenging, so we’re happy to try to help you out!

That’s why we created this post and why we recommend SafetyWing. It’s a simple process. You know exactly what to expect, the customer service is great, and the price is pretty affordable for what you get.

Travel insurance is one thing we wouldn’t cheap out on because the moment you need it you’ll be grateful you signed up with a good one!

We hope you have the best time on your working holiday visa whether you’re going to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or wherever!

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Where do you live

All persons to be insured must reside at a permanent address within the EEC ( Excluding Switzerland, Russia, Belarus, Montenegro and the Ukraine) to be eligible for cover.

Can I take out this insurance if I am already travelling?

When cover is purchased after an Insured Person has departed their home to commence their journey, there is a fixed period of 48 hours prior to cover commencing. Any illness arising during this initial 48 hour period will be an excluded Pre-existing Medical Condition. In the event of serious injury in connection with an accident, you will be covered from the date you take out cover subject to the accident being independently witnessed and also verified by a Medical Practitioner.

There is no 14 Day Cooling off Period and no premium refund will be made if the insured Person has already travelled.

family family 

Definition of a couple

A couple is defined as 2 adults who have been permanently living together at the same address for more than six months, who intend to travel together.

If you do not qualify as a couple, please select individual(s)

Annual Multi-Trip Durations

Annual Multi Trip policies are designed for multiple short holidays leaving from and returning to your home country.

Annual Multi Trip trip limits:

Standard policy - 30 days

Premier policy - 70 days

If you need continuous cover for a year (home visits allowed on policies over 4 months long) select Single Trip or One Way. You can travel around as much as you like, to as many different countries as you like, with a Single Trip or One Way policy.

One Way Trip

Please note a Single Trip policy can cover travels with no return ticket booked, a One Way policy is intended for:

Emigrating to new country where you intend to permanently live

Returning to your home country permanently

All cover ceases upon arrival at final destination

Select the type of policy most suitable for your needs.

Single Trip: A flexible policy with no limits on how many countries you visit or how long you’re away for. Suitable for all types of travel whether it be short term/long stay or backpacking. No return ticket required and unlimited home visits offered on policies over 4 months long.

One Way Trip: Means you are Emigrating to a new country where you intend to live permanently or, returning to your home country permanently. Cover will end upon arrival at your final destination. Please note: There is no cover for emergency return travel expenses if you do not have an original return ticket.

Annual Multi-Trip: This policy covers an unlimited number of trips throughout the 12 month Period of Insurance. Each trip has a maximum stay validity depending on the type of policy chosen. For example, for Standard Policies, the maximum duration of any trip shall not exceed 30 days and for Premier policies, the maximum duration of any trip must not exceed 70 days. 

If you are already travelling it is not possible to purchase the annual multi-trip policy.

Geographical Areas

Europe: Europe means the continent of Europe West of the Ural Mountains, and includes the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, Iceland, Jordan, Madeira, the Canary Islands, the Azores and Mediterranean Islands as well as all countries bordering the Mediterranean. Australia & New Zealand: a) For any period of cover purchased, a 48 hour stop-over anywhere in the World for both outward and return travel will be included. b) If the period of cover purchased is two months or more, a stop-over of 7 days/nights anywhere in the World will be included. Worldwide excluding North America & Mexico: (North America means the USA, Canada & Mexico.) a) For any period of cover purchased, a 48 hour stop-over anywhere in the World for both outward and return travel will be included. b) If the period of cover purchased is two months or more, a stop-over of 7 days/nights anywhere in the World will be included. Worldwide including North America & Mexico: Worldwide means anywhere in the World including the USA, Canada & Mexico.

Automatic Trip Extension   If the Insured Person is prevented from completing their travel before the expiration of this Insurance as stated under the Period of Insurance on the Booking Invoice or Validation Certificate (as applicable) for reasons which are beyond their control, including ill health or failure of public transport, this Insurance will remain in force until completion but not exceeding a further 31 days on a day by day basis, without additional premium. In the event of an Insured Person being hijacked, cover shall continue whilst the Insured Person is subject to the control of the person(s) or their associates making the hijack during the Period of Insurance of a period not exceeding twelve months from the date of the hijack. Please ensure you arrange cover for the entire duration of your travel

Where you normally reside

Where do you normally reside? Where do you normally reside? Please use the drop down box to choose your country of residence. Note we can only insure residents of the UK & EEA Countries. Can I take out this Insurance if I’m already abroad? If you are normally a resident of the UK or EEA Countries and your insurance has run out, you may take out cover online with us. This is on the understanding that nothing has occurred at the time of taking out the cover which has led to a claim or may lead to a potential claim. Note you cannot take out our Multi-Trip Insurance if you are already abroad. Do you have minimum residency requirements? No. If you are, for example, a British Passport holder and have right of abode in the UK, we are not concerned as to how many months in the past year you have been in the UK provided at the time of arranging this insurance you have a UK residential address.

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Working While Abroad

Non manual/clerical work such as working in an  office ,  bar/restaurant  work or  teaching English  as a foreign language is covered automatically.  If you'll be  volunteering ,  WWOOFing  or partaking in any sort of manual labour,  like working on a farm  or  conservation work  our activity pack add-on can cover you..

Ski Season / Seasonaire cover

If you’ll be working at a ski resort or travelling just to ski/snowboard for a season, our Winter Sports add-on can cover skiing/snowboarding in your leisure time. Lift operator work and or work of a manual nature is covered with our Activity Pack add-on. Non manual work like working in a chalet or restaurant is covered automatically.

Unlimited Home Visits

If your policy is over 4 months you can put your travels on hold and return home at any time should you feel the need. We are happy to offer completely unrestricted access back home even if you’re just feeling a little homesick! We have no limits, so you can come back for as long or as short as you like!

Extend Cover from Overseas

If at any point you realise you're not quite ready to return home, you can extend your insurance to include the remainder of your trip. Even if you don't have a policy with us.

Cover for 156+ Activities

Whether you'll be scuba diving, jet skiing, bungee jumping, sky diving, trekking above 2,600m or kayaking. Our Activity Packs can cover various levels of adventurous sports.

Get Cover if Already Travelling

You don't need to be in your Home Country to get cover, you can buy a policy from anywhere in the world, as long as you hold residency status in the UK or EU. Just follow the Quote form to get a price and complete your purchase.

Up to £10m Medical Cover

24 hour emergency helpline, cancellation & baggage cover, claim while you're travelling, working holiday travel insurance.

Travelling overseas means you leave the security of the NHS behind in the event of a medical emergency. Enjoy peace of mind on your working holidays abroad with travel insurance from the adventure travel experts. Whether you're headed to Canada on the IEC program to work in a ski resort, or fancy being a lifeguard in Australia, teaching English in your favourite foreign city, coaching sports, or helping to provide essential services in a developing country, we can help you make the most of your adventures overseas.

Big Cat specialises in affordable working holiday travel insurance for Working Travellers, Backpackers, Winter Sportsters, and all-round Adventurers.  What’s more, we’ve tailored our policies to cover not just the essentials but also some added benefits too.

Know what activities you might do when travelling abroad

There are so many activities you can do overseas, but some of these may not automatically be covered by travel insurance.

For example, if you’re injured in a motorcycle accident or fall and break a bone while horse riding, you must have these activities covered by your insurance to be able to make a claim. If they’re not covered, you’ll have to personally pay the bill for any medical costs which can be very expensive.

Big Cat automatically covers a huge list of activities including kayaking, snorkelling, hiking and cycling.

If you want to do more adventurous activities like quad biking, trekking below 4,600 metres or walking the Inca Trail, our Activity Pack  add-on will make sure that you don’t miss out.

Key Features of our Working Holiday Travel Insurance.

• 24 hour Emergency Medical Assistance
• Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses up to £10 million.
• Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Expenses up to £10 million.
• Personal Liability up to £2 million.
• Baggage & Personal Effects up to £2,000.
• Gadgets & valuables cover up to £1000. 
• Legal Expenses up to £15,000.
• Personal Money up to £500.
• Tickets up to £1,000.
• Passport and Visa up to £300.
• Winter Sports and Ski Season Cover.
• Money-back 14-day cooling off period if you decide to cancel prior to departure.

Some FAQ's:

Riding a motorbike or scooter up to 125cc is automatically covered with all our policies. Riding a motorbike over 125cc can be covered with our Activity Pack Add-on.

If you are a pillion passenger on a motorcycle tour, such as the Ha Giang Loop, this is covered automatically and does not require any Activity Packs or any relevant licences.

When riding, you must always ensure you:

• Wear an appropriate crash helmet.
• Obey the Local road rules and laws
• Have the relevant licence(s) required to ride a motorcycle in the country or countries you will be riding in. If the country you’re in requires you to obtain a specific in-country licence to legally ride a motorcycle, then to be covered, you must obtain this licence.
• If all that’s required is an International Driving Permit (IDP), and you hold an IDP, then there’s no need to go about getting any more licences.
• Be aware that an IDP will only allow you to ride the same class of vehicle as your home licence allows. So, if you’re not licensed to ride a motorbike at home, you’re not licensed to ride a motorbike abroad under your IDP. It's up to you to make sure you are licensed for the type of motorcycle you hire.
• You should always ensure the bike is fully insured (motor insurance arranged by the company that owns the bike) as there is no Personal Lability cover whilst riding a bike. We cannot cover any participation in competitions or racing or any kind.

If you get sick while travelling or you're seriously injured you are covered for emergency medical treatment including:

• Hospitalisation
• Ambulance costs
• Surgery and follow up treatment
• Visits to the Doctor
• Repatriation
• Prescribed Medicine
• Emergency dental treatment to relieve pain and suffering (limited to £350)

24hrs Medical Emergency Assistance.

Decide Canada’s not for you, and want to return earlier than your full period of insurance?

Other insurers will tell you to wave goodbye to your money, but Big Cat lets you claim a partial premium refund for the unused time you didn’t stay in Canada.

How does the EARLY RETURN REFUND work?

Let’s say you buy a 24-month policy to cover your time in Canada. But after nine months, you decide that Canada’s not for you, and you want to return home. You may have invested a substantial amount for your 24 months Big Cat policy, most of which you’ll now no longer need. Unlike most insurers, Big Cat is happy to offer you a partial refund on the redundant portion of your insurance as a fair’s fair consolation. Please note that travel insurance premiums are not calculated on a pro-rata basis, as such, no refund is calculated in this manner either.

How does Big Cat calculate the amount of EARLY RETURN REFUND?

We take the length of time of the original policy and subtract the actual amount of time you have used, and payout the difference, deducting a £50 Cancellation Charge.

Are there other conditions that apply to my EARLY RETURN REFUND?

• Only applicable to 24 month IEC policies.
• We are not able to offer refunds to cover the first 6 months of the policy.
• No refund can be given on a policy where a claim has been made or is likely to be made prior to the cancellation of your Big Cat policy.
• You must be back in your home country and notify us by email of your wish to cancel the policy within 14 days of your arrival, please also provide us with proof of your return to the UK (flight ticket / e-ticket / boarding pass).
• All refund calculations are based on the base premium paid only. Add-ons are non-refundable.

Can you give an example of how much I could receive back in my EARLY RETURN REFUND?

Say you took out a 24-month budget IEC policy costing £525.24, then you wish to cancel the policy after 9 months. Our 9-month budget IEC policy costs £312.55. So we deduct £312.55 from £525.24 = £212.99

Then we apply the £50 Cancellation Charge, refunding you a total of £162.99.

Temporary return to home country (Single trip policies only) Where cover has been purchased for a total duration of 4 months or more, and you want to return to your home country during the period of insurance for any reason that is not directly or indirectly caused by arising or resulting from, or in connection with a claim under this insurance all cover under this policy will be suspended from the time that you clear customs in your home country and restarts after the baggage check in at the international departure point for the return flights, international train or ferry to the overseas destination. Any illness, disease, injuries, accidents which existed, showed symptoms or were diagnosed in the previous trip(s) during this period of insurance will not be covered in the restarted period of insurance.

To add any of our Activity Packs, just follow the Quote form - to stage 3 - there you will find all of the optional extras.

Means WWOOFing, fruit picking, casual farm work. Other Manual Work can be covered as long as it does not involve the use of plant/trade/industrial/agricultural machinery (other than tractors) or non-domestic power tools.

Please get in touch if you'd like to find out if we can provide cover for any light manual work you will be doing.

WWOOfing is classed as Permitted Manual Work, so with the Activity Pack, you’re covered.

(see above)

Yes, bar work or working in a chalet is automatically covered with all of our policies.

Non-manual/clerical work is covered automatically with a Big Cat policy. So, there’s nothing you need to add to be covered for things like teaching, caring or nursing.

With the Activity Pack, we can also cover work of a more manual nature. This can include things like WWOOFing, partaking in community or wildlife based conservation work, charity based supervised building / renovation projects or other permitted manual work (defined below).

Cover is excluded for any activity that involves the use of industrial machinery (other than tractors) or non-domestic power tools.

Applying for a Working Holiday Visa?

New Zealand

Big Cat Travel Insurance Services, a trading name of Flynow.com Ltd (registration No.FRN 745388)   is an Appointed Representative of Campbell Irvine Ltd (registration No.306242) who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You may check this on the Financial Services register www.fca.org.uk  or by contacting them on (0) 800 111 6768. © 2023 Big Cat Travel Insurance Services.  All rights reserved.

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List of automatically covered medical conditions that do not need to be declared

Acne, ADHD, Allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis) provided that you have not needed hospital treatment for this in the last 2 years, Allergic rhinitis, Arthritis (the affected person must be able to walk independently at home without using mobility aids), Asthma (the diagnosis must have been made when the affected person was under the age of 50, and the asthma be controlled by no more than 2 inhalers and no other medication), Blindness or partial sightedness, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Cataracts, Chicken pox - if completely resolved, Common cold or flu, Cuts and abrasions that are not self-inflicted and require no further treatment, Cystitis - provided there is no on-going treatment, Deafness, Diabetes (which is controlled by diet or tablets only), Diarrhoea and vomiting - if completely resolved, Eczema, Enlarged prostate - benign only, Essential tremor, Glaucoma, Gout, Haemorrhoids, Hay fever, Ligament or tendon injury - provided you are not currently being treated, Macular degeneration, Menopause, Migraine - provided there are no on-going investigations, Nasal polyps, PMT, RSI, Sinusitis - provided there is no on-going treatment, Skin or wound infections that have completely resolved with no current treatment, Tinnitus, Underactive Thyroid (Hypothyroidism), Urticaria, Varicose veins in the legs.

Important information

If you have a medical condition in addition to any of the automatically covered medical conditions, all conditions will be excluded from cover unless declared to the medical screening helpline.

What is classed as a medical condition?

a Any respiratory condition (relating to the lungs or breathing), heart condition, stroke, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, allergy, or cancer for which you have ever received treatment (including surgery, tests or investigations by your doctor or a consultant/ specialist or prescribed medication).

b Any psychiatric or psychological condition (including anxiety, stress and depression) for which you have suffered which you have received medical advice or treatment or been prescribed medication for in the last five years.

c Any medical condition for which you have received surgery, in-patient treatment or investigations in a hospital or clinic within the last 12 months, or for which you are prescribed medication.

Any premium for medical screening quoted can be paid directly. This can be done either before or after taking out a policy with us. The policy and medical extension connect automatically, no reference numbers need to be exchanged.

Choosing not to declare a medical condition will not invalidate cover, but any costs incurred in relation to an undeclared condition will not be covered.

If making a declaration all medical conditions must be declared, you can't choose to only declare certain conditions.

Medical conditions can only be declared for up to 12 months at a time. A second declaration will have to be made after 12 months if necessary.

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Choosing Travel Insurance for Your Working Holiday

Along with filing taxes , buying travel insurance is likely to be the least exciting part of your working holiday. It is, however, a pretty important part.

Injury and illness can happen wherever you are in the world, but medical care usually isn’t free.

This post will help you choose the best working holiday travel insurance for you, with advice and tips gained from our own experiences living and working in four different countries.

There are affiliate links in the text ahead. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. 

Insurance for work AND play

It sounds obvious but before you buy travel insurance, make sure it covers what you will do on your trip. Most standard travel insurance policies only cover pleasure activities, so make sure having a job and working is OK.

If you’re thinking of doing a ski season, coverage for skiing, snowboarding and all manner of other snow-related activities is, (somewhat unsurprisingly) absolutely essential.

Coverage to visit home

A lot can happen in a year or two; sometime during your working holiday, you may find yourself wanting or needing to return to your home country for a short visit or event like a wedding or funeral.

Returning to your home country automatically cancels most travel insurance policies unless specifically stated otherwise, but a minority allow one or two short trips (typically up to 14 days).

Long policies and extensions

With working holidays available in Canada, New Zealand and Australia for up to two years in length, you will, therefore, need travel insurance lasting up to two years in length too.

The problem is that there are not many insurance companies that offer policies of this length. There are however at least a couple of different options for the most common nationalities for working holidays. Head to the bottom of the article to read about these options.

One-way flight

Flights can usually only be booked 12 months in advance, so if you’ve planned a long trip or prefer being spontaneous, it is very likely you will be flying out on a one-way flight.

Some insurers do not cover people on one-way flights, so be sure to check that this isn’t an issue when purchasing your working holiday travel insurance.

A fair amount of insurers, however, do not cover people on one-way flights.

The importance of adequate coverage

So maybe you’re reading this thinking you’ll just buy any old policy to satisfy a border guard and it won’t matter too much.  

The thing is, it does matter because if you actually have to claim on an insurance policy, you want your coverage to be valid.

Without a valid policy, your chances of getting any money from your travel insurance are close to nil.

To process a claim, an insurer will ask for all sorts of evidence to support your request such as flight tickets alongside medical receipts.

If you have done something to invalidate your insurance (arrived on a one-way flight, visited home one too many times), it is likely to be discovered. And then you’ll be out of luck and money.

Working holiday requirements

Valid insurance for the entirety of your planned stay is often a condition of your working holiday visa/work permit.

Border guards do not necessarily ask everyone for proof of it, but you will be sent home if you do not have it. Simple as that.

If you only have six months insurance, you may only be given a visa/work permit for six months.

Secondly, insurance is also important if the worst happens. Or not even the worst case scenario happens, as things go.

With a working holiday visa in hand, you are still a foreigner in your new country and are not necessarily entitled to the same free or low-cost healthcare other residents are.

Even if you do manage to register for local healthcare through employment or otherwise, it may only cover basic rather than emergency care (did you know you have to pay for ambulances in Canada and Australia?!)

Local healthcare will also not allow you (or your remains) to be flown home to your home country due to serious injury or death. Without insurance, your family would have to pay for this. No-one thinks it will ever happen to them until it does.

How to search for the best travel insurance for your working holiday

The first place to start is with the actual travel insurance policy. Yep, the small print!

If there is some legalese you do not understand (or you have a specific question regarding the coverage), reach out to the insurer to be sure.

As a British citizen, I used True Traveller as my working holiday travel insurance provider (before I became a Permanent Resident of Canada) as they ticked all the boxes for me:

• 24 month policies available
• Medical (and personal liability) coverage in the millions of £s
• One-way flights OK
• Lots of special activities covered including winter sports
• Multiple visits home allowed (with no maximum length!)
• A variety of jobs covered
• An excellent online reputation of paying out for claims (check the reviews)
• Policies can be started when ‘already travelling’
• Extensions possible if on short policy

True Traveller also offer policies for EU citizens, including those from Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands. 

Not from a country covered by True Traveller? No problem.

More working holiday insurance providers

Australian citizens  – Consider Cover More or Fast Cover . With Cover More, 2 x 1 year policies would provide coverage for 24 months. For Fast Cover, an initial 12-month policy can be purchased and then extended for another 12 months on the departure date.

New Zealand citizens – Check out Cover More . 1 x 12 month policy and another 11 month policy would provide coverage for 23 months. Winter sports coverage is available for an additional premium.

Not from any of the countries listed? Best Quote are travel insurance specialists partnered with some of the largest and most reputable insurance providers in Canada.

Through them, it is possible to review, compare and purchase IEC specific insurance policies with up to 2 years of coverage.

The 2 year IEC policies cover basic (non-competitive) ski cover as standard. Some options also include coverage for Covid19 related claims. There are various coverage amounts available (most starting at $100,000), and adjustable excess levels as well.

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Check out these other posts about working holidays

IEC Working Holiday Canada Extension Guide

IEC Working Holiday Canada: Arrival Checklist

Working Holiday Visa 2024 Canada IEC: Ultimate Application Guide

One half of the Canadian/British couple behind Off Track Travel, Gemma is happiest when hiking on the trail or planning the next big travel adventure. JR and Gemma are currently based in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Saturday 4th of January 2020

Canadian here! Looking to buy a travel health insurance for a working holiday visa to Sweden for up to a year. I'm finding it hard to find options =( It also needs to have a cancellation policy in case my visa is rejected, and hopefully has the option for short visits home.

Any leads appreciated. Thanks!

As a Canadian, I personally use World Nomads. Visits home are allowed. Most insurance providers offer a short window for cancellation after the initial purchase. So I'd suggest that you don't purchase the insurance until the last minute, if possible.

Wednesday 3rd of June 2015

Thanks for such useful information. I was wondering whether all insurance companies that offer insurance compatible with IEC is around the same price as True Traveller.

Thursday 4th of June 2015

Hi Harriet,

There are only a few companies out there that offer 2 year travel insurance for British IEC participants. There are a couple that are cheaper than TT.

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How to choose the best working holiday travel insurance.

Securing comprehensive health insurance is highly advisable when embarking on a Working Holiday Visa journey to Australia. In accordance with immigration office regulations, it is obligatory to possess health insurance that offers coverage prior to departing for Australia. Regardless of whether you’re on a global expedition with a brief stopover in Australia or intending to stay for an extended period during your Working Holiday, it is crucial to have robust health coverage in place, be it for unforeseen accidents or routine healthcare needs. Here are some pointers to assist you in selecting the most suitable Working Holiday Travel Insurance.

Travel Insurance Criteria

Quality of service.

In addition to the insurance provider’s popularity, the quality of services offered plays a pivotal role in determining the insurance’s overall excellence. Once again, it’s advisable to gather information and seek feedback from fellow backpackers. They can provide valuable insights into whether an insurance company has treated them satisfactorily, how promptly reimbursements were processed, and within what timeframes. If you’re not yet in Australia, you can inquire through online forums, Facebook groups, and similar platforms.

Key factors to consider include:

• Ease of enrollment.
• Flexibility in extending the insurance contract (especially if you plan to stay longer than a year).
• Quality of customer service, including their responsiveness to inquiries.
• Refund schedules (how long do they take to refund your claims?).

These factors will aid you in making an informed choice when selecting your Working Holiday Travel Insurance.

Price of Insurance

Now, let’s delve into the topic we’ve all been eager to discuss: pricing! It’s natural to be enticed by the allure of the cheapest available insurance option, but it’s essential to consider whether it adequately covers your needs. Opting for the lowest-cost option might leave you with insufficient coverage, and you might regret your decision. Conversely, selecting the most expensive insurance doesn’t necessarily guarantee the best coverage. Ultimately, the choice hinges on your individual requirements and budget.

Therefore, it’s advisable to compare the various insurance options before making a decision. In general, we recommend steering clear of both the priciest and the cheapest options. To give you a ballpark figure, most insurance plans fall within the range of 450 to 550 EUR per year. Keep in mind that you can tailor the coverage duration to your specific needs by selecting the number of months required.

Popularity of Insurance

As is often the case with various products, the popularity of a health insurance provider frequently serves as a reliable gauge of its quality. This popularity isn’t solely the result of advertising efforts; it’s often a testament to the trustworthiness and reputation of the provider. When you explore different websites, forums, or blogs, you’ll notice that certain insurance companies are consistently mentioned. It’s true that many sites and blogs may promote their insurance partners (i.e., sponsored content), but when you repeatedly encounter the same names across multiple sources, it’s a promising sign of quality.

For a more candid perspective, it’s advisable to seek advice from fellow travelers. Keep in mind that individual experiences can vary widely, and negative experiences tend to be more vocalized than positive ones. People often express dissatisfaction when things go awry but remain silent when everything goes smoothly.

As you delve into exploring the offerings of various insurance companies, you might have already observed the extensive list of what these insurance policies encompass. To prevent getting overwhelmed by this wealth of information, let’s focus on the primary guarantees you should prioritize:

• Repatriation assistance;
• Support for medical expenses up to a certain threshold;
• Hospitalisation costs up to a certain threshold;
• Reimbursement of an airline ticket in case of early return;
• Public liability;
• Baggage insurance;
• Accident capital;
• Ambulance costs (you often require a seperate insurance for this in Australia);
• Search/rescue costs.

While you’re enjoying your stay, the urge to partake in various activities is almost inevitable. It’s essential to verify in advance whether your insurance includes coverage for these specific activities. If you intend to work, especially in roles deemed “hazardous” like construction, fishing, or farm work, keep in mind that you may need additional insurance. Always ensure that your insurer provides coverage for the activities you plan to engage in.

Countries covered

Some insurers will only cover costs in the country you are doing your WHV in. Make sure to check which other countries your insurance covers as there is a lot to see close to Australia!

Medicare cover

It’s important to consider that if you hail from specific countries with agreements in place with Australia (including the UK, Ireland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, Malta, Belgium, Finland, and Italy), you may have the opportunity to benefit from Medicare coverage. This means that as long as you maintain your health insurance in your home country, you can apply for Medicare coverage upon arriving in Australia, entailing coverage for certain medical expenses. However, it’s crucial to bear in mind that Medicare does not provide comprehensive coverage. For instance, expenses related to medical transport are not included, and if you plan to work in Australia, you’ll often discover that very little is covered.

Additionally, it’s important to note that Medicare does not extend its coverage to any travel-related issues, such as lost baggage. Furthermore, it does not provide coverage for medical needs outside of Australia during your travels to other countries.

When to take out Travel Insurance?

Before taking any further steps, it’s essential to pose some questions to yourself:

• When do you plan to enroll?
• How long will your stay be?
• Will you remain exclusively within your Working Holiday country?
• What types of activities are on your itinerary?
• What is the procedure for reimbursement?

In most cases, if not all, it’s wisest to enroll before your departure. This way, your insurance will become active as soon as you arrive in the country. You have the flexibility to select the activation date when purchasing the insurance.

The subscription period aligns with the duration of your intended stay in the country, ranging from 1 to 12 months. It’s crucial to ensure that your chosen insurance provider permits extensions if you’re contemplating extending your Working Holiday Visa for an additional year. Additionally, check that the option for online extension is available if needed.

What does the insurance include?

We will now review the different types of coverage offered by insurance providers, valuable information for understanding what to take into account!

Medical fees

For instance, there are expenses associated with hospitalization, medical transport, and maternity-related costs (although not always covered). Certain insurance plans may even provide a daily allowance for extended stays. Additionally, they extend coverage to include physical consultations, medical tests, and examinations.

Furthermore, some insurers offer partial reimbursement for dental and optical expenses.

• Assistance in the event of illness or injury encompasses various aspects. This includes criteria for repatriation of the injured individual, coverage of travel expenses for a relative in case of hospitalization, and vice versa.
• Travel Assistance addresses the diverse expenses you might encounter during your journey. This can involve actions such as providing bail advances, covering legal fees, or offering support during sea or mountain-related incidents.
• Assistance in case of death , while somewhat somber in nature, is nonetheless crucial to consider. For instance, in the unfortunate event of a loved one’s passing, insurance can facilitate a return trip to enable you to be close to your family during this difficult time.

Insurance guarantees

First and foremost, your luggage and personal belongings are a primary concern. In the event of delivery delays, which might require you to purchase clothing or a new toothbrush, your insurance can provide compensation. Additionally, they may offer reimbursement if your belongings are stolen or suffer partial or complete damage during your journey.

Another critical aspect is personal liability coverage. In essence, your insurance will safeguard you when you bear personal responsibility for injuries or property damage, such as in a car accident. It’s imperative to understand the coverage limits, as these amounts can escalate swiftly.

Lastly, during your flight, whether outbound or return, the insurance can provide compensation in cases of flight delays or cancellations.

Exclusions in your contract

This section holds significant importance as it outlines the situations where your insurance coverage will not apply. Hence, it’s of utmost importance to thoroughly review all these terms and conditions. For instance, within this section, you will discover the catalog of uncovered sports, typically including extreme activities like bungee jumping and free fall, among others. Additionally, it provides insight into the medical expenses that are not eligible for reimbursement.

Also read: How To Get Medical Treatment In Australia

Working Holiday Guide

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Read about our cover for Covid-19 included on all policies here

All our policies include cover for Covid-19 as standard, to help you decide if this cover is suitable for your needs please view our dedicated Covid Page which explains how your cover applies in a number of circumstances.

While we recommend you read our Covid Page to understand in more detail the cover we include as standard the information below provides you with an overview of the core cover.

• You or a close relative are diagnosed with or have contracted COVID-19
• You are required to self-isolate, subject to a positive test result/confirmation from a GP
• Someone you were due to travel with or stay with on your trip needs to self-isolate.
• You have been denied boarding at your UK departure point because you have COVID-19 symptoms
• If you need to come home early because a close relative has COVID-19
• The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or other regulatory authority in a country in which you are travelling in advise you to evacuate or return home.
• Emergency medical treatment, repatriation and other expenses
• Additional transport and accommodation if you are unable to return home as planned.

Our policies DO NOT require you to be vaccinated against Covid. Please note however that our policies do not offer any cover if you fail to hold the relevant documentation as required by your airline (or other public transport such as a cruise ship or train) or destination country. For example if your destination country requires you to provide either proof of being fully vaccinated or a current negative test certificate and you are denied boarding/entry due to not providing valid documents there is no cover under our policies.

Our policies do not cover the costs of Covid testing or vaccination either prior to, during, or post your trip.

Please note that all cover noted above is subject to terms and conditions.

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Travel Smart with Outbacker!

Working Holidays and a Return Trip to the UK

Cover up to 230 Sports and Activities

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Who is going, important conditions.

This policy is only valid for permanent UK residents aged 18 to 40 years old at the time of purchase who are registered with a UK GP and for trips departing from the United Kingdom and returning to the United Kingdom. Cover is not provided for a trip already in progress.

Please note: If you travel to a country where the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) or other regulatory authority advise against travel there will be no cover under this policy, even if the country would be otherwise covered.

working holiday travel insurance

Key policy benefits, work & travel, activities cover, medical assistance, money & passport.

Outbacker Travel Insurance policies do not cover ANY pre-existing medical conditions.

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• More info Australia is a popular destination for both Working Holiday Visas and tourists, however, it is also worth considering Australia as a destination for studying. Better yet, foreign students are in great demand, with many nationalities. Many choose to study in Australia to improve their English skills, travel around Australia and to gain an international degree. Many choose to study in Australia.
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Working Holiday Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a major consideration when preparing for your departure abroad, no matter where you are travelling to. Some wonder if it is essential to take a policy out, and others wonder what is the best insurance to leave with complete peace of mind. Nobody wants to think about what can go wrong whilst travelling or picture the worst case scenarios such as a car crash, snake bites or surf accidents… But it is easy to forget you could also just get a bad cold and need to see a doctor. So even if it’s not the most entertaining part of preparing your travels, it is important to research travel insurances. This comprehensive article answers all your questions and helps you choose the coverage that best suits your needs for your trip.

Table of Contents

Working Holiday travel insurance: Comparison

There are a few insurances that offer special health insurance policies for travellers on a Working Holiday visa (in Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Argentina, etc). This is why we have drawn up a comparison of Working Holiday travel insurances for Australia & New Zealand that will make it easier for you to choose one that best meets your needs.

There are a plethora of comparison websites with search engines that spit out an overwhelming number of travel insurances. It’s difficult to make a general comparison though, as individual interests and plans differ. We have been working successfully with the partners listed below. If their policies don’t meet your needs, you will surely find a travel insurance provider that offers what you want, when doing your own research. We don’t recommend you to take out a cheap cover. Always compare travel insurance before subscribing.

SafetyWing is a company that specializes in providing travel medical insurance for digital nomads, remote workers, and long-term travelers. Founded with the aim of creating a safety net for the global workforce, SafetyWing offers flexible , comprehensive coverage that can be initiated and adjusted according to the unique needs of individuals who live and work from different parts of the world. Unlike traditional insurance policies that require long-term commitments, SafetyWing operates on a subscription basis. You can choose to start, pause, or stop your coverage as your travel plans change. SafetyWing provides coverage for unexpected medical expenses , including accidents and illnesses, as well as travel-related issues such as trip interruptions, lost checked luggage, and natural disasters.

Go Walkabout (UK citizens only)

Go Walkabout offers a very competitive Travel Insurance to UK citizens traveling with a Working Holiday Visa.

Go Walkabout is a travel insurance company known for offering a wide range of insurance products tailored to meet the diverse needs of travelers. Specializing in policies for backpackers, those taking working holidays, and individuals embarking on once-in-a-lifetime adventures like gap years or extended overseas stays, Go Walkabout is committed to providing comprehensive coverage that ensures peace of mind. Their offerings include cover for medical emergencies , trip cancellations, lost or stolen baggage, and even specific activities that are often excluded by standard policies, such as adventure sports. With a focus on flexibility and customer service, Go Walkabout aims to make the process of purchasing and using travel insurance straightforward and hassle-free, ensuring travelers can focus on enjoying their journey with the assurance that they are well protected.

Go Walkabout Working Holiday policy has been specifically designed to cover a large range of jobs you might be doing whilst away from the UK. It also covers activities: 99 sports, activities, and leisure pursuits (without extra cost) , but you can also have a multitude of other activities covered with the addition of further activity packs.

Prices depend on different factors, such as your age, the length of your trip, visited countries, etc. But you can get a quick quote by clicking on the button below. Make sure to use our promo code   ABG10 to get a 10% discount!

True Traveller

True Traveller is a travel insurance company highly regarded by backpackers, adventurers, and long-term travelers for its comprehensive and flexible insurance options . They offer three Policies called True Value, Traveller and Traveller Plus. True Value is designed for travellers under 40 years of age , and is designed for last minute travellers and backpackers . The Traveller policy, is designed for holiday makers and adventurous travellers alike, and Traveller Plus gives enhanced medical and cancellation cover .

What sets True Traveller apart is its ability to provide coverage for a vast selection of adventure activities that many other insurers exclude, making it a popular choice for those engaging in hiking, skiing, scuba diving, and more. Customers can tailor their insurance to suit their specific travel plans, with options for single trips, multi-trip coverage, and extended stays. True Traveller is known for its straightforward claims process and excellent customer support , ensuring that travelers have access to assistance whenever they need it, wherever they are in the world.

World Nomads

World Nomads is a simple and flexible travel insurance for international travel. One of the key features of World Nomads is its flexibility . Policies can be purchased and modified online, even after the trip has begun, making it an ideal choice for long-term travellers and those whose plans are fluid.

World Nomads covers more than 100 countries worldwide except those that have specific Government ‘Do Not Travel’ warnings in place, and any sanctioned countries. So before or after your Working Holiday Adventure in Australia, you can easily have a stop over for a few days or even for a few months in other countries like Indonesia or New Zealand while being covered.

What truly sets World Nomads apart is its deep commitment to the travel community , offering not just insurance, but also a wealth of resources, travel guides, and safety tips to help travellers prepare for their journeys.

Prices depend on different factors like country of residence, age, duration of your travel, and countries you are going to visit. To get a quote, click on the button below.

Note: We receive a fee when you get a quote from the agencies listed above when you use the links provided. We do not represent these agencies. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Remember, not all insurances offer the same cover in relation to luggage, emergency care, the practice of extreme sports, or even a possible repatriation or return to the country. Let’s say your teeth have caused a bit of pain lately, so make sure that emergency dental costs are covered. If you plan to go scuba diving, have a look if scuba diving is included. If you’re keen to travel for more than a year, choose a health insurance policy that will cover you for up to 24 or even 36 months. Most importantly, tick off the main criteria that are reimbursement of medical expenses and hospitalization, repatriation, and civil liability.

Read also : How to choose the best Working Holiday Travel Insurance

How to choose the best Working Holiday travel insurance?

There are quite a few health insurance providers, all of which have special features. To make the right decision, you need to thoroughly inform yourself and choose insurance that best suits your needs . This means, don’t skip reading the details.

When should I take out travel insurance?

It is advisable to take out health insurance as soon as you know your departure date. So wait until you have obtained your WHV and bought your plane ticket to subscribe. We advise you to subscribe a little in advance (2 or 3 weeks before departure).

In any case, insurance will not cover illnesses or accidents occurring before the contract takes effect.

If you are already abroad, do not panic! You can also take out insurance to cover you if you’ve already started travelling and already overseas. However, a waiting period may be applied (except in the event of contract renewal), always check with the insurance company prior taking out a policy.

Do I need a travel insurance?

When travelling abroad, you are generally more active and venturesome. Even though in most cases, you are as fit as a fiddle when coming out of the surf or back from a hike, there is always a chance that something goes wrong. Moreover, conditions in foreign countries are different, so the likelihood of falling sick is higher. Here are some of the reasons why you should get covered before leaving:

Healthcare System in Australia

You should think about getting a travel insurance for Australia to cover the services not included in the Medicare insurance, which are important for you and in case something goes wrong. It is also important for the time you are travelling overseas before or after your Work & Travel adventure.

Citizens of the  United Kingdom,the Republic of  Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia, Malta  can benefit from the Australian Health Care System (Medicare) thanks to  bilateral agreements  with Australia. For others, as Medicare is limited to citizens and permanent residents, travellers or temporary residents are not entitled to claim any benefits from Medicare. You should check if your national insurance plans cover international travel . If not, it is highly recommended to get a travel insurance.

As a member of the United Kingdom , you are eligible for Medicare . However, you aren’t covered at work for example, or when you need repatriation back to the UK if necessary. That’s why you need to consider getting a travel insurance.

The cost of living is high in Australia. The same goes for medical expenses, hospitalisation, etc. Here some examples of prices:

• Consultation with a general practitioner: from 80 AUD;
• Consultation at a dentist: 200 AUD;
• One day of hospitalisation: from 1500 AUD excluding care.

If you did not get any health insurance that covers you in Australia, these expenses are obviously yours. To make it short, if you don’t want to pay for potential medical expenses in full yourself, take out travel insurance!

Unsuitable Bank Card Insurance

Some travellers leave with a Visa Master or Gold Mastercard, thinking they will be covered no matter what. First of all, note that credit card insurance generally only covers you for a maximum period of three months. Working Holiday Makers usually come to Australia anywhere between six to 24 months (or 36!). Moreover, in general these cards only cover emergencies and repatriations, not traditional care such as consultations with a GP and medication.

Health Risks in Australia

By leaving for a few months, or even for one or two years, to Australia you will be of risk of having accidents . Nevertheless, every year backpackers leave for Australia without insurance trying to save some money, but end up finding themselves in really delicate situations. Australia can be an adventurous country and it is not uncommon to undertake exciting activities such as skydiving, scuba diving, cliff jumping etc. Inherently, the risk of accidents is higher when the danger can be part of the excitement. Even during a road trip, you might run into accidents. In the worst case we must also think about our families. In case of death, the cost of repatriation of the body and funeral expenses can be extremely expensive. Nobody wants to think about these things, but they do happen and it is better to be prepared beforehand.

Aside from the risk of accident you can get sick while traveling in Australia. A simple cold, food poisoning, a toothache…small annoyances of everyday life that can quickly eat up your travel budget if you do not have insurance.

Koalas and kangaroos aren’t the only animals that call Australia home! Pay particular attention to  mosquitoes ! Although the risk is low, cases of dengue have been revealed in northern Queensland. Mosquitoes are also vectors of transmission of the Ross River virus or Murray Valley encephalitis (similar to Japanese encephalitis). Again, the risk is very low, but it is never too safe to protect yourself against mosquito bites.

Australia is home to a variety of venomous creatures , including snakes, spiders, jellyfish, and marine animals like the blue-ringed octopus. While encounters with these creatures are relatively rare, it’s important to be cautious, especially in natural habitats, and know what to do in case of a bite or sting.

Australia’s high pollen levels and unique flora can trigger allergies and asthma for some individuals. The country also experiences periodic dust storms and bushfire smoke that can affect air quality. Those with respiratory conditions should carry necessary medication and stay informed about air quality reports.

Precautions and Preparedness

Know the local emergency number in australia: ‘000’.

The most important number is “ 000 “, which includes police, firefighters, and ambulances, who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This number is common to the whole of Australia.

Royal Flying Doctor Service for remote areas

In remote areas, it may take some time before these help desks can help you. In this case, contact the  Royal Flying Doctor Service , a group of doctors and pilots who can fly in to rescue you from the outback. These are the numbers for different states: 

SA (Outback Areas): 1800 RFDS SA (1800 733 772)

NT (Central Australia): 1800 1MRACC (1800 167 222)

NT (Top End/Darwin): 000 (St John NT)

HF Radio: (4010kHz, 6890kHz or 8165kHz)

Emergency Poison Advice

Poisons Information Centre provides the latest poisons information to the public, and toxicology advice to health professionals on the management of poisoned and envenomed patients. Telephone advice is available 24/7 on 131126 from anywhere in Australia.

First Aid kit

Carry a basic first aid kit and any personal medications with you.

Am I reimbursed for healthcare costs while I am abroad

Isn't my bank card insurance enough for my trip.

If you have a premium bank card (Visa Premier or Mastercard Gold), you can benefit from cover for up to 90 days. However, most WHV stays last between 6 and 24 months. These cards will not cover standard medical care, but only emergencies and repatriation. Basic cards generally do not offer health cover for travelling abroad.

Am I covered in other countries during my trip?

This will depend on the insurance company you choose. However, in most cases, you are covered worldwide as long as your working holiday visa is valid. So you will be covered in your working holiday host country and also in the rest of the world if you decide to travel during your WHV. Be careful, however, to check the cover that applies outside your whv country (often tourist cover, so you won’t be covered in the event of an accident at work, for example).

How do I renew or extend my travel insurance?

It’s quick and easy! All you have to do is go to your insurer’s website and take out a new policy with new dates. The start date of the new policy must, of course, be the day after the end of your first policy. This will ensure that you don’t run into any problems if an incident or illness occurs between the two policies. If this were the case, there would unfortunately be no coverage.

Updated on 19/02/2024

How to get an ABN?

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Working holiday travel insurance

Take cover.

Incoming trip? It’s time to take cover. We require all our BUNAC travellers to have travel insurance before taking part on our programs. Here’s why you need it and how we can help.

Protecting you and your trip

Travel insurance is the superhero of the travel world. Hear us out. Travel insurance protects your travel plans before you go, covers you for lost and stolen items while you’re away, and covers your medical expenses and costs to return home if you’re ill or have an accident. In short, it gives you the power to travel with peace of mind – which in our eyes, is pretty much priceless. And as we happen to think our travellers are also pretty priceless, we want to make sure you’re adequately covered for your trip.

For UK travellers

We wouldn’t trust your trip with just anyone. We’ve teamed up with Go Walkabout Insurance to offer no obligation quotes for our BUNAC participants. Taking care of travellers since 1999, their range of specialist policies are designed to meet our program requirements, and include working holiday insurance, long stay and backpacker insurance, summer camp USA insurance, and adventure sports and activities insurance. Get a quote now .

Other passport holders

For all non-UK passport holders booked onto the Intern in Britain program, we have partnered with Global Secutive to offer a comprehensive medical insurance, with the option to add on baggage and trip cancellation cover. Get a quote now .

The cost of not having travel insurance

*Sharp intake of breath*. No one needs to be making this phone call home...

USD $130,000

The cost of treating a stomach bug or infection in a US hospital with flights home.

EUR €36,000

The cost of surgery after a quad bike accident in Greece with flights home.

EUR €18,000

The cost of surgery for a broken leg in a Spanish hospital with flights home.

Travel insurance checklist

Travel insurance is the last thing you want to think about, but the first thing you need when things go wrong. On any policy, make sure you check the following:

• Are you covered to work, teach or volunteer abroad? (Not all standard holiday policies cover this)
• Does your visa stipulate that you must have a certain amount of medical or repatriation cover?
• If travelling on an annual policy, are you within the permitted number of days for a single trip?
• If you’re travelling to the USA or Canada, does your worldwide policy include North America?
• If you’re planning a ski season, do you have wintersports cover for all or part of your trip?

Travel insurance FAQs

When should i buy travel insurance.

Most insurers won’t allow you to purchase travel insurance when you’re overseas, so you must buy your policy in your home country before you go. We’d recommend buying your insurance once your visa is confirmed and you’ve started to book flights and pay for your program cost. Although your policy won’t start until the day you depart, you’ll be covered for cancellation (within your policy conditions) from the day of purchase.

What if I already have insurance?

If you already have a policy through your bank or credit card, please check the details carefully. BUNAC programs aren’t your average fly and flop (also a big fan of these, FYI), so make sure your policy not only covers the activities you want to do, but also covers you to work or volunteer abroad. If you have an annual policy, also check you’re within the single trip validity – for example, you may only be allowed to travel for 30 or 60 days at a time.

Is travel insurance included on my J-1 visa?

If you’re taking part in either our Summer Camp USA, Work USA, Intern USA or Grad USA programs, then US medical cover is a requirement of your J-1 visa and is included in your BUNAC program cost. This is designed to cover you for medical expenses for the duration of your J-1 visa only. You should also take out adequate travel insurance to cover you for cancellation, luggage, valuables and repatriation costs.

What happens if I need to cancel due to COVID-19?

Our COVID-19 Booking Promise gives you the confidence, control and flexibility to continue to book onto our BUNAC programs. Our COVID-19 Booking Promise means you’re guaranteed a refund or the option to transfer your booking (less any third-party fees, such as non-refundable visa costs and embassy fees) if you cannot proceed with your program due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions. Please read the full policy details here .

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• Working Abroad Travel Insurance

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 Six Different Policies

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Travel Insurance for Working Abroad

If you are travelling abroad and intend to find work overseas, you must ensure that your chosen travel insurance policy will cover you in the workplace. Many policies do not, as they are only intended to cover leisure travel and will not compensate you if you have an accident whilst working. Therefore, ensuring that you purchase a suitable working abroad insurance policy is essential. 

The purpose of working abroad travel insurance is to allow those who travel outside of their home country the ability to work safely. Whether the work entails hospitality jobs, domestic labour, or simply going on a gap year, working abroad insurance covers you for any accidents you may have and for working in specific environments in particular roles.

Short or Long Term Work Abroad Insurance Policies

Our AIG Longstay & Backpacker policies are suitable for :

• Manual work, construction sites, working with machinery
• Farm work, including working with animals and agricultural machinery
• Working on an animal sanctuary with wild animals, including big cats etc
• Long stay working trips up to 18 months duration
• Volunteering, charitable or paid work
• These policies are not online – please phone 0161 973 6435 or email [email protected] for quotes or booking.

Our Silver, Gold, and Diamond policies are suitable for:

• Clerical work
• Bar and restaurant work
• Fruit and vegetable picking
• Light farm work
• Voluntary and charitable work
• Light manual work using hand tools or hand power tools
• Work with small domestic animals in a supervised environment

What are the Types of Working Abroad Travel Insurance? 

Working travel insurance can cover you for a variety of different roles. The risks and responsibilities involved in your job will determine which type of working holiday insurance you should opt for.

Finding and purchasing working travel insurance for office and clerical work or for working in bars and restaurants is fairly easy, and many insurance policies will cover light farm or agricultural work such as fruit and vegetable picking on a casual basis.

It is much more difficult however to find working abroad travel insurance that covers manual labour or construction work, particularly involving working with machinery or tools, and any agricultural farm labour (particularly those that use large machinery or vehicles). This isn’t impossible, however, and here at Navigator Travel, we do offer different working abroad insurances to cover all of these types of employment.  

If you run your own company or business, it may be that you have to travel for work-related activities or events and, thus, you must choose an appropriate business travel insurance policy for you. 

If you need cover for more potentially hazardous work, such as working with machinery, large or wild animals (including in an animal sanctuary or refuge) using heavy power tools, or heavy manual labour, you would be better off choosing our AIG Longstay & Backpacker, Adventures or High-Risk Voyager policies. These cover a remarkable range of employment, including those mentioned above.

Please be aware that our insurance policies are subject to conditions, including wearing any recommended safety clothing or equipment and strictly following all recommended safety advice and precautions during your employment. 

What’s the Difference Between Working Holiday Insurance and Travel Insurance?

General travel insurance policies will only cover you for travel that is for leisure, whereas working travel insurance will cover you for the work and employment that you intend to be doing when abroad.

Some distinct differences and terms must be considered when looking at the difference between these two types of travel insurance. 

Working abroad insurance will not cover personal liability claims that may arise in the workplace, meaning that if you cause injury to someone else or damage property whilst working, your claim will not be covered by any of the aforementioned policies.

When considering medical insurance for working abroad, our aforementioned working travel insurance policies cannot be used to claim additional compensation for death, loss of sight or limbs, or for disabilities related to workplace accidents. You also won’t be provided cover for income protection in the event of injury in these policies. 

When considering regular travel insurance policies, these typically cover baggage loss or damage to differing levels. However, this normally does not include adequate cover for expensive tools and equipment. Therefore, if you are planning on travelling abroad with these items, you should consider a travel insurance policy that includes this coverage. 

Regular travel insurance policies also normally only cover your medical costs, for ambulances, hospital treatments, surgery, and repatriation for example, rather than any additional compensation. This excludes all types of work, whether paid, unpaid, volunteering or charity work.

When looking for travel insurance for working overseas for extended periods, remember that not all policies will allow you to return home mid-term. When searching for year-long work abroad insurance policy, or travel insurance for periods longer than this, we would encourage you to consider whether you are covered for returning mid-term or at particular times of the year. We would also advise you to check what cover can be offered for claims arising from pre-existing medical conditions.

Navigator Travel Insurance Services Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can i be covered for manual work.

Navigator has several policies that can cover you for manual work at no additional cost, though there are a few exclusions, such as working on ladders and scaffolding above two storeys high.

Can I be insured for working abroad with heavy machinery?

Some Navigator policies, such as Adventures and High-Risk Voyager, will cover you whilst using machinery, including tractor driving, using combine harvesters and other agricultural machines.

Am I covered for Personal Liability claims whilst working?

No, you aren’t covered for Personal Liability claims whilst working. Work-related liability claims are excluded from our working travel insurance policies. So, if you injure someone else or damage property whilst working leading to you being sued, your travel insurance will not cover you for this. Should you be looking to cover this, you should either enquire about this with your employer or gain an additional separate professional liability policy.

Will Navigator policies cover me working with animals?

Policies such as Navigator Silver, Gold and Diamond will cover you to work with domestic animals and many species of wild animals at no extra cost. They will not cover working with dangerous or “big game” animals, but the Adventures and High-Risk Voyager policies will.

Can I be covered for doing voluntary or charitable work overseas?

Navigator Travel can cover most types of volunteering, from teaching and working with children to working in hospitals or manual work and conservation. Whether you are backpacking abroad or specifically going for a volunteering or charity-based opportunity, it’s worth bearing in mind that there may be additional charges if your volunteering includes working with potentially dangerous animals.

If you have any queries or need assistance with quotes or booking, please do not hesitate to call us on 0161 973 6435 or email [email protected]

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Cover from 2 to 18 months.

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Cover for up to 45 days.

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Travel and work abroad with your WHV insurance.

Working Holiday Visa insurance

from 33 € / month

my working holiday VISA insurance SERVICES

Your Working Holiday Visa insurance up to 12 consecutive months for the world and 24 consecutive months for Canada from 33€/month .

Full coverage for your professional or manual activities (catering, wwoofing, fruit-picking, grape-picking, farming, etc.).

·        Direct payment of medical expenses in case of accident or illness  (hospitalization, physician visits, additional treatments and emergency dental care

·        Early return transportation and medical evacuation to your home country in emergency,

·        Luggage and personal effects insurance (in case of theft or loss)

·        Third-party liability insurance while abroad

Your insurance also covers you up to 3 months in your country of residence in case of early return

Travel insurance certificate mentioning medical coverage for illnesses including Covid-19 or accidents for your visa sent by email upon subscription.

What should I do if I need assistance abroad?

- Call the assistance service available 24/7 to confirm the coverage, answer your questions and help you to schedule medical appointments.

-   With your Personnal AVI account you can access to all your insurance documents, certificates, and make your claims.

COVERAGE FOR COVID-19 INCLUDED

COVID CERTIFICATE BY EMAIL IMMEDIATELY

The main exclusions of coverage on travel insurances are : any  illness and/or injury that has been diagnosed and/or treated by continuous hospitalization, day hospitalization or outpatient hospitalization during the 6 months prior to his/her departure , consequences of the use of medication , drugs , narcotics and assimilated products not available by prescription and of the abuse of alcohol as well as any deliberate act by the insured that may trigger the coverage of this contract. Note : coverage is not applicable in countries where it exits  civil or foreign war .

THE MOST COMPLETE WORKING HOLIDAY VISA INSURANCE COVERAGE

Assistance covid-19, medical expenses, travel expenses, accidental death, personal liability coverage, luggage insurance, other assistance coverage, your question about the whv insurance, mandatory documents.

You receive the Covid certificate by e-mail at subscription.

Manual work

With AVI coverage for manual work is included without extras

Coverage at home

You will remain covered for 3 months after your return home.

avi WORKING HOLIDAY VISA INSURANCE accompanies me

What is a WHV?

The PVT Working Holiday visa was created for people, from 18 to 35 years old, who wish to live an overseas experience in a country that has signed a PVT agreement.

The purpose of the WHV visa is to discover a country while working for a maximum of 1 year (24 months for Canada). This is how, many young travelers from all over the world open themselves up to new cultures and new ways of life. The PVT Working Holiday visa is obtained under certain conditions. Indeed, the PVT holder with a French passport can stay on a PVT Working Holiday visa in the following countries Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Mexico, Uruguay, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Canada, Singapore, Brazil and Peru.

The PVT Working Holiday visa gives the ability to young travellers to work in the host country to finance their trip.

What is a WHV travel insurance, and what is it for?

If you are going to work temporarily abroad as part of Working Holiday Visa, Social Security and your health insurance do not work, while medical expenses in Asia, Latin America or Canada for example are very high.

Furthermore, PVT travel insurance is now required in most PVT or Working Holiday Visa countries. The immigration department will ask you for a travel insurance certificate upon your arrival or when you apply for a WHP visa. This certificate will be sent to you automatically by email once you have applied. You can also retrieve it at any time from your AVI International account. 

Through this package of benefits, we have thought of everything so that you can leave with a clear mind:

-         Benefits with  no deductible -         Direct coverage without any advance payment -       33 € per month, covering travelers from 2 to 12 months , and up to 24 months for Canada -         Professional and manual activities covered without additional premium -         Medical expenses covered up to 1 000 000 € -         3 months coverage in your home country in case of early return -         An online insured area with 24-hour access to travel insurance documents and useful contacts

Am I eligible for WHV insurance?

Are you under 35 years old and going to live a WHV experience abroad? Then this insurance is for you.

If you are not, we invite you to look at the offer that is best suited to your travel plans:

I am going on a touristic trip of less than 2 months

The Routard insurance is the right insurance for you. It covers you for all your tourist stays from 1 week to 2 months anywhere in the world. *

I am going abroad for more than 2 months

Are you planning to go abroad for 2 to 24 months? Marco Polo travel insurance is made for long stays.

I am going abroad for an internship or to study

For your internships and studies in Europe or around the world, the Planet Studies insurance is adapted to your needs.

I am going on an Au Pair stay

AU PAIR International insurance has been specially designed for you.

What if I have a problem abroad?

If you are abroad and you need assistance for:

-         a medical appointment, -         a hospitalization, -         repatriation,

Contact the assistance center available 24/7 at the number on your travel insurance card (sent by email or available at any time on your Personal online account). 

Want to know more? Consult our article and the different destinations and terms of the PVT - Working Holiday.

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International Medical Insurance from AVI; Ease the Pain with the Right Policy for You by AVI Travel Insurance.

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Working Holiday Travel

For voluntary or paid work abroad

Cover your work and travel plans if you plan to undertake paid or voluntary work for your time away.

You will then have the peace of mind that your medical costs (and potential repatriation back to the UK) would be covered if you suffer an injury at work or in your leisure time, alongside all of the other benefits of comprehensive travel insurance cover.

The Working Holiday policy:

• Covers you to do a wide range of jobs whilst away – make sure that you choose the right Work Pack for your plans
• Can cover you to be away from the UK for up to 2 years
• Has the comprehensive benefits of a standard travel insurance policy, whilst also covering you to work

Which Work Pack will I need to choose?

If you are solely planning to do bar, cafe, office administration or retail work – our standard Walkabout or Walkabout Plus policies will provide suitable cover.

If you are doing any other forms of work, you will need to take out our Working Holiday policy. A wide variety of job roles and occupations have been put in to one of our four Work Packs.

Here is a selection of the jobs covered under our Work Packs, please see further down the page for the full list of jobs covered under each of the Packs:

Pack 1 (included in your quote as standard)  – TEFL Teacher, Farm Labourer with no use of machinery or contact with livestock, Au Pair, Fruit picking without using machinery, Working at an Animal Sanctuary with Domestic or Farm Animals.

Pack 2  – Farm labourer with the use of a tractor, machinery or contact with livestock, Sports Coach, Veterinarian or Veterinary Nurse working with Domestic or Farm Animals, Dancer, Working at an Elephant Sanctuary.

Pack 3  – Car Mechanic, Horse Riding Instructor, Pool Lifeguard, Nurse.

Pack 4  – Veterinarian or Veterinary Nurse working with Wild Animals, Electrician, Plumber, Working in an Animal Sanctuary with Wild Animals.

Working Packs

Working Pack 1 (included as standard)

Working Pack 2

Working Pack 3

Working Pack 4

Please note that the Working Packs do have some limitations, as we can’t offer cover if travellers are:

• Working Underground
• Working outdoors at heights above two storeys
• Lifting weight in excess of 25kg

Also,  please note that no cover would be in place under the personal liability sections of our policies whilst working  and you also wouldn’t be eligible for the lump-sum payments under the personal accident section, if an incident occurred whilst working. You would, however, be covered for emergency medical expenses that are the result of an accident at work. It is assumed that employers would have their own insurance in place for personal liability, but it is advisable that you check this with prospective employers.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to  contact us . You can get a quote from the link at the top of the page, or alternatively, submit a  working holiday travel insurance quote request . Once we receive a completed request, we will be able to confirm if cover can be offered, and the cost of cover. We usually respond to quote enquiries the same working day or the morning of the next working day.

Working Holiday Policy Frequently Asked Questions

I am doing voluntary work, without receiving payment, do I still need to get the Working Holiday policy?

The nature of voluntary work varies a great deal, but the key thing is that you are performing a job or occupation in a working environment – even if you aren’t getting paid to do it- and the respective risks and responsibilities are still present. If your voluntary role purely involves office, cafe, retail or bar work, then this can be covered under our standard  Walkabout or Walkabout Plus  policies. If, however, you are doing anything beyond the scope of this, then you will need to look at our Working Holiday policy for valid cover. The Work Pack that you will need to apply when getting a quote depends on what you plan to do, and when deciding, please consider all the things that you will be doing, if it is a varied role, and pick the highest Work Pack that is relevant. You can take a look at the Work Packs above.

I am only working for part of my trip away, do I still need to get the Working Holiday policy?

No matter if you are doing paid or voluntary work for part, or all of your time away from the UK (and you aren’t solely doing office, bar, cafe or retail work), then you will need to take out the Working Holiday policy for the entire duration that you will be away from the UK. It isn’t possible to downgrade your policy type part-way through a policy, so you need to opt for the Working Holiday policy for the entire duration of your time away, for cover to be valid.

My employer is providing me with medical cover whilst I’m away, so do I still need to take out the Working Holiday policy?

Yes. Whilst it’s great that your employer or the charity that you will be volunteering for, are organising medical cover whilst you’re away, this isn’t a replacement for Working Holiday policy cover. From our point of view, our policy underwriters require us to cover the full risk that a traveller represents, after taking all of their plans into account (this includes their work plans). An example of why this is the case:

• A traveller is working as a teacher at a school, and falls down a flight of stairs. He receives medical treatment for his injuries, which is paid for by his employer. He recovers, then leaves this job and heads off travelling. A few weeks later, he starts to suffer pain from his injuries and tries to claim on his travel insurance. If he was working in a role that he wasn’t covered for, then he wouldn’t be able to claim for further medical expenses from his travel insurer – as they weren’t covering him to work as a teacher. His employer’s medical cover won’t pick up the tab, as he no longer works for them – so he has no valid cover and has to pay for treatment himself.

Another key thing to consider, is that one of the key benefits of travel insurance is cover for repatriation back to the UK (which can be very costly) if you are seriously injured, for treatment to continue back here. It is very unlikely that an employer’s medical cover will extend to cover this, and again, you may be forced to pick up the tab for this yourself, if suitable cover hasn’t been taken out.

What does personal liability mean?

Personal liability is one of the benefits offered by all of our policies, and offers cover if you unfortunately damage or cause loss to somebody, in relation to an incident caused by you, and the person or organisation affected tries to recover the loss via the legal process. This is always in place in your leisure time, as long as none of the exclusions listed in your policy wording document, apply. This benefit is effectively “turned off” whilst you’re at work, as it is a benefit that is typically supplied by either an employer or a voluntary organisation/charity – but it is best to check directly with yours, just to confirm that this is the case. Personal liability would not be in place under any of our policies, whilst doing any form of work.

I am doing a study course whilst away. Would this potentially need to be covered under the Working Holiday policy?

Depending on what you are studying, this may involve being in potentially risky settings, such as a laboratory – or it may involve placements where you are effectively carrying out some form of job role. If your study is purely classroom or office based, then you wouldn’t need a Working Holiday policy – but if it involves being in a laboratory environment, working with animals, there are any kind of musical or theatrical performances, or you are performing a job role in another environment, then you would need to select the Working Holiday policy (choosing the most appropriate Work Pack to match your plans).

I have a 1-year Working Holiday visa for Australia, but hope to apply for my 2nd year Working Holiday visa, can I extend my policy - or take out a new one while I’m away?

There is an expectation that you select the full duration that you intend to be away from the UK at the outset, for a policy to be valid if a claim arises. To corroborate this, our Underwriter’s Claims team would expect you to have one of these acceptable forms of proof of your intention to return to the UK by your selected end date. As an example, if you have a 1 year Working Holiday visa, but only set your policy up to last for 6 months, this could cause a problem, unless you had a return flight booked to reflect the fact that you would be back in the UK by the policy end-date.

If you do decide to stay away for longer than originally planned, get in touch, and we will ask you to complete an  extension enquiry form  to let us know all of the relevant information that we need to know before we decide if we can offer the extension, and send you a link to pay the additional amount quoted. It’s important that you get in touch as soon as you make this decision, as you risk invalidating your policy, if you don’t update the details to reflect your revised plans. If your policy has already expired, please contact us as we may still be able to extend your cover.

I will be working away from the UK for a year, but haven’t booked a return flight yet, will my policy be valid?

Whilst you don’t need to necessarily have a return flight booked to take out a valid policy, you will need to set the policy up for the entire duration that you plan to be away, and also make sure that you have one of these  approved forms of proving when you plan to be back in the UK . If you subsequently book a flight for a later date than that which is recorded on your policy, please get in touch to update us with this change, and we will consider extending your policy accordingly (subject to completion of an  extension enquiry form ). Another factor to bear in mind, is that the Underwriter’s Claims team will have an ever-growing expectation that you will have bought a return flight, as you approach the end of your policy.

I’m not sure yet what job I will get whilst I’m away, or it may change. Can this be altered on my policy?

Yes, Work Packs can be upgraded whilst you’re away, as long as you contact us (and pay any additional quoted premium) before you start doing the new job that falls in a higher Work Pack. We can’t however, downgrade a Work Pack, if you start doing a job in a lower one, but cover is in place in lower Work Packs, as well as your chosen one. If you have taken out a Backpacker, Longstay, Traveller, Traveller Plus, Walkabout or Walkabout Plus policy, but will now be doing a form of work not covered by one of these, we may be able to upgrade your policy to a Working Holiday policy, with the appropriate Work Pack applied – but this can result in a relatively high premium being charged for this change (as the upgrade is applied to the entire duration that you are away).

I can’t see the job that I plan to do, listed under any of the Work Packs, does that mean that I can’t get cover?

Not necessarily! Although there are lots of occupations listed, and there is a great variety, it isn’t possible to list every potential job that travellers could potentially do, so it could well be that we could cover your job – but you need to check with us first, by either giving us a ring on 01424 223964 or  getting in touch to request a quote . Unfortunately, the risky or unpredictable nature of some jobs, means that we can’t offer cover, but we may be able to point you in the direction of an insurer who might be able to do that.

If you’re struggling to find your job listed in the Work Packs, try looking for an alternative title for the same role e.g. cleaner/janitor and make sure that you check all of the Work Packs to see what is the most appropriate Work Pack e.g. Doctor (not surgeon/anaesthetist and not Armed Forces) is listed in Work Pack 2, and Doctor (surgeon, anaesthetist and nor Armed Forces) is categorised as Work Pack 4.

Please note that we are only able to offer cover to travellers who are resident with their main home in the UK and who are registered with a UK GP.

Find out more about  farm work travel insurance ,  ski instructor travel insurance ,  teaching english abroad travel insurance  and  working with animals travel insurance .

See an overview of the benefits of all of our policies.

Read the full cover details in the Policy Wording Documents

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The Best Working Holiday Travel Insurance for Australians

Matt graham.

• 9 March 2024
• Preparing to Move Overseas

When applying for a working holiday visa , most countries require you to have adequate travel insurance covering your entire stay. In fact, your visa application may be rejected if you don’t have a suitable insurance policy.

Even if it’s not mandatory for your working holiday visa, getting the right travel insurance is still extremely important! That’s because it will protect you if something goes wrong during your trip. It doesn’t just cover medical costs, but many other unexpected events that can happen when you’re travelling as well.

There are lots of companies that sell travel insurance to Australians. But it can be difficult to find one that meets both your own needs and the visa requirements for a working holiday.

If you’re travelling to Europe, your travel insurance may also need to include minimum coverage for certain things like repatriation costs.

This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about long-term travel insurance for Australian backpackers. This includes policies that meet the special requirements for European working holiday visa applications.

Just want the TL;DR version?

You’ll find a list of travel insurance options suitable for Australians on a working holiday towards the end of this article .

But if you have the time, we’d recommend reading this guide in full as there are lots of important things to consider before buying travel insurance!

Single-trip policies don’t let you visit home during your working holiday year

Most policies have a maximum validity of 12 months, annual multi-trip policies aren’t suitable for long-term trips or living overseas, some insurance won’t cover you while working overseas, insurance requirements may differ between countries, southern cross travel insurance, axa schengen travel insurance, insureandgo backpackers insurance (not currently available), just want a cheap option, list of other travel insurance options, other resources to help you plan your working holiday, frequently asked questions (faqs), things backpackers should consider when choosing travel insurance.

Of course, your travel insurance policy doesn’t just need to meet the visa requirements. It also needs to work for you!

Make sure you read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully to ensure your policy covers all of the places you’ll be visiting and the types of activities you’ll be doing. For example, if you’ll be doing lots of skiing, make sure you choose a policy that covers snow sports. Some insurers only offer coverage for snow sports if you purchase this as an add-on.

If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, you should also check whether your insurer covers these.

Tip: PDS documents can be long and confusing to read! When looking for specific information in a travel insurance PDS, search for keywords such as “repatriation”, “COVID” or “sport” to easily find the section that you’re looking for.

Complimentary credit card travel insurance is not generally considered acceptable for working holiday visa applications.

If you’re not sure whether your visa application will be successful, keep in mind that some insurance policies have a “cooling-off” period of between 2-4 weeks. This lets you cancel your policy for a full refund if you change your mind within the cooling-off period. This is only possible if you haven’t yet started your trip.

Here are some other common problems that backpackers may encounter when purchasing a long-term travel insurance policy…

Most single-trip travel insurance policies cover a single return journey from Australia.

The coverage usually ends the moment you return home to Australia, even if there are still many months left to run on your policy. This could cause problems if you plan to return to Australia for a short, temporary visit during your gap year .

There is generally an exception if the reason you need to return home mid-trip is the sudden illness or death of a relative. In this case, many policies will allow you to resume your trip and continue to cover you while outside Australia. The insurance may even pay for your trip back to Australia. But this doesn’t include planned holidays or family visits.

Workaround: If this affects you, consider purchasing a backpacker insurance policy that specifically allows you to return to Australia for one or more short visits. Fast Cover also lets you return to Australia mid-trip without automatically ending your insurance coverage.

Most travel insurers only offer coverage for a maximum single-trip length of 12 months. A small number of insurers, such as Travel Insurance Direct, won’t even let you choose a policy end date more than a year after the date of purchase. This could be a problem if you plan to be away for more than a year.

Workaround: Freely lets you buy travel insurance for trips lasting up to 18 months, and Southern Cross Travel Insurance lets you buy a two-year policy if you have a working holiday visa for Canada, USA or UK.

Several other insurers will also let you extend your initial policy for up to an additional year for an extra fee.

If you plan to travel a bit more after your working holiday ends, but before returning to Australia, you may also consider purchasing a separate one-way travel insurance policy that commences outside of Australia. This would cover the period from when your working holiday finishes until your arrival back into Australia.

As an alternative to a single-trip policy, most travel insurers offer annual multi-trip insurance. This covers multiple return trips from Australia, but only up to a certain trip length. They’ll also only cover you for a maximum total amount of time spent outside Australia during a given year.

Beware: For this reason, annual multi-trip policies are generally unsuitable for working holidays.

Most travel insurance offers some level of coverage in case something happens while you are working overseas, such as during a working holiday. But there are exceptions as standard single and multi-trip travel insurance policies are generally designed for people going overseas for a holiday or short business trip.

Insurers that do cover overseas work may have exclusions for certain types of jobs that involve manual labour or are considered high-risk. These include occupations such as firefighting or working with animals. If this applies to you, check the PDS before purchasing your insurance.

Workaround: Some travel insurers offer specialist backpacker or “working overseas” policies that cover overseas work, including Southern Cross Travel Insurance.

If your Australian travel insurance doesn’t cover this, you may also consider getting local health insurance in the country where you are working. (In some countries such as Germany or the Netherlands, this may even be legally required.)

Extra travel insurance requirements for Europe

If you’re applying for a working holiday visa in a Schengen country such as Germany , Greece or Poland , there may also be specific requirements about what your travel insurance must cover.

Most Schengen Area countries have similar minimum travel insurance requirements for Type-D Schengen visa applicants. This includes working holiday visa and Work & Holiday visa applicants.

When applying for a working holiday visa in Europe , your travel insurance would typically need to provide at least €30,000 worth of coverage for all of the following:

• Emergency medical/hospitalisation expenses
• Medical evacuation costs (i.e. the cost of flying you back to Australia for hospital treatment)
• Repatriation costs (i.e. the cost of transporting your mortal remains back to Australia if you die)

At the current exchange rate, €30,000 is roughly equivalent to AUD50,000. This amount varies as the EUR/AUD exchange rate fluctuates.

Many travel insurance policies offer cover for the repatriation of mortal remains, but for less than the required amount. So, pay extra attention to this!

Your insurance must be valid in all Schengen member states and be valid for the entire length of your trip . This means that if you apply for a 12-month visa but your travel insurance is only valid for 9 months, your working holiday visa may only be approved for 9 months.

Some countries, such as Germany, will also check that your health insurance covers pandemics such as COVID-19.

As part of your working holiday visa application, you may need to provide evidence that you hold travel insurance that meets this minimum criteria. That may include providing your certificate of insurance, and showing excerpts from the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) which clearly state the level of coverage for the items listed above.

If your insurance doesn’t meet the minimum standards required by the country you’re travelling to, your visa application could be rejected . So, it’s really important to check the rules and your travel insurance policy carefully!

Visa conditions may differ between European countries. So, you should always confirm the requirements set by the specific country where you’re applying for your working holiday visa.

Countries that have reciprocal health care agreements with Australia , such as Belgium, Sweden and Norway, may have more lenient travel insurance requirements for Australian working holiday visa applicants. But this isn’t necessarily the case for all countries with a reciprocal Medicare agreement. You may still need to get travel insurance in order to get your visa.

Recommended travel insurance for backpackers

As you can see, selecting a suitable backpacker travel insurance policy can be a bit of a minefield!

To help you out, here are a few travel insurance options that may be suitable for Australians on different types of working holidays…

Freely offers affordable and flexible long-term travel insurance to Australians heading overseas for up to 18 months. That’s six months longer than the maximum period most other Australian insurers will cover! This makes Freely travel insurance ideal if you’re planning a full-year working holiday with a bit of extra travel between leaving and returning to Australia.

Although Freely normally provides up to $20,000 of cover if you die while overseas, there is an exception for people holding a valid Schengen Visa such as a working holiday visa in a Schengen member country. This makes it a suitable travel insurance option for working holidays in Europe.

This is the exact wording from the Freely PDS regarding cover for repatriation costs:

We  will pay reasonable overseas funeral or cremation expenses or the cost of returning  your  remains to Australia if: a) you  die during the  period of insurance . In either event the maximum amount  we  will pay in total will not exceed $20,000; or b)   you  hold a valid Schengen Visa and  you die in a Schengen Member state during the  period of insurance . In either event the maximum amount  we  will pay in total will not exceed 30,000EUR for expenses incurred in that Schengen Member state.

Freely also lets you extend your trip by changing your return date in the App. And you can pay for Daily Boosts to do things like skiing or motorcycling – you pay-per-day, as needed.

Plus, there’s a 21-day cooling-off period. You can get a full refund if you change your mind within 3 weeks of buying the policy and haven’t yet started your trip or made a claim.

Here are some key facts about Freely travel insurance:

• Underwriter: Zurich
• Cover for emergency medical expenses including evacuation: Unlimited
• Cover for repatriation of mortal remains: $20,000 or €30,000 with a valid Schengen visa
• Maximum policy length: 18 months
• Coverage ends as soon as you return to Australia? Yes

Fast Cover is currently one of the only travel insurers in Australia that will let you return home to Australia for any reason while you’re still insured for your trip, and won’t automatically terminate the rest of your cover.

This is what the Fast Cover PDS says in the “Period of Insurance” section. The following excerpt applies to all Fast Cover travel insurance policies:

If you return home early for any reason, cover from your policy will be suspended from the time you return to your home until the time you leave your home to continue your trip. You must have 14 days remaining of the period of insurance as noted on your Certificate of Insurance. Following the resumption of your trip your policy will remain valid until the end date shown on your Certificate of Insurance or your permanent return home, whichever comes first. We will not pay any costs in relation to your return to Australia unless the costs are covered by this policy.

Although the maximum policy length you can purchase is for one year, Fast Cover provides the option to extend your insurance up to a travel period of 2 years.

Unfortunately, all of Fast Cover’s international travel insurance policies have a sub-limit of $20,000 for “bringing your remains back to your home in Australia”. This does not meet the Schengen visa requirements.

Fast Cover also offers a 25-day money-back guarantee.

Here are some key facts about Fast Cover travel insurance:

• Underwriter: Lloyd’s
• Cover for repatriation of mortal remains: $20,000
• Maximum policy length: 12 months (can extend for a total trip length of up to 24 months)
• Coverage ends as soon as you return to Australia? Not necessarily

Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) offers a dedicated “Working Overseas” travel insurance policy designed for Australian expats and backpackers on working holidays. As such, it also covers some types of work that you might do overseas and a range of medical services you might need while living overseas, including physiotherapy and dental care.

Going on a working holiday in Canada, the USA or the UK? You can get up to 24 months of cover on a single certificate with SCTI! Although Southern Cross only sells policies for trips up to 12 months online, you can buy a longer policy by calling them . This could be particularly useful if you’re participating in International Experience Canada and staying for the full two years available.

The trade-off is that the Southern Cross Working Overseas policy is among the most expensive travel insurance available to young Australians.

Here are some key facts about Southern Cross travel insurance:

• Underwriter: Southern Cross (SCTI underwrites its own policies)
• Cover for repatriation of mortal remains: $50,000
• Maximum policy length: 12 months (Australians getting a working holiday visa in Canada, USA or UK can get a 24-month policy over the phone)
• Coverage ends as soon as you return to Australia? Yes, unless your early return to Australia is due to an unexpected event (such as the unexpected death or serious illness of a relative under 85 years old)

Most Australian travel insurance options require you to start and finish your journey in Australia. Some will still offer you a policy if you’re already overseas, but with extra limitations – and you still need to return to Australia at the end of your trip.

If you’re not starting or ending your trip in Australia, and you just want up to six months of cheap travel insurance that meets the requirements for visas in Schengen countries, AXA’s Schengen travel insurance could be suitable. AXA is not an Australian company, but you can purchase AXA Schengen insurance as an Australian resident.

Here are some key facts about AXA Schengen insurance:

• Underwriter: AXA Insurance
• Cover for emergency medical expenses including evacuation: €30,000 (with Schengen Low Cost policy) or €100,000 (with Schengen Europe Travel policy)
• Cover for repatriation of mortal remains: €30,000
• Maximum policy length: 6 months
• Coverage ends as soon as you return to Australia? No. In fact, it doesn’t matter whether you start, end or visit in Australia – this just covers your medical and other basic expenses while in Europe.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, InsureandGo offered special backpackers insurance with a maximum trip length of 540 days (almost 18 months). This insurance also came with the option to return to Australia mid-holiday for visits of up to 14 days, without voiding the insurance. Although it didn’t meet the Schengen visa requirements, this was a fairly good option for working holidays in other countries.

Unfortunately, InsureandGo has temporarily suspended sales of this type of insurance.

We compared the cost of travel insurance for a 25-year-old Australian travelling to Europe for one year with each of the providers listed in the table below . The cheapest insurance options appeared to be with Travel Insurance Saver, Australia Post and Tick Travel Insurance.

Tip: Save 10% on Australia Post Travel Insurance using the promo code TRAVEL10.

If you’d like more options, we’ve included some key information about the cover available to Aussies from a range of insurers in the table below:

The list above is not necessarily exhaustive, but contains some of the most useful options for Australians who need travel insurance for a working holiday.

If you’re travelling to Europe, please note that Tick and Southern Cross Travel Insurance provide AUD50,000 coverage for the repatriation of mortal remains. This would generally meet the EUR30,000 requirement, but this depends on the current exchange rate.

As of March 2024, AUD50,000 is equivalent to around EUR30,300 so should meet the Schengen visa criteria. But a few months earlier, this would not have been the case.

Planning a working holiday overseas? Working Holidays for Aussies has lots of other resources that can help you prepare for this exciting time in your life!

We have working holiday visa guides for all of the 40+ countries that offer these visas to Australian citizens:

These 45 Countries Offer Working Holiday Visas to Australians

See the full list These 45 Countries Offer Working Holiday Visas to Australians

These articles might also help you on your journey…

How to Survive the First Weeks After Moving Overseas

Read the article How to Survive the First Weeks After Moving Overseas

How to Find Work Overseas

Read the article How to Find Work Overseas

The Cheapest, Fastest Ways to Transfer Money Overseas

Read the article The Cheapest, Fastest Ways to Transfer Money Overseas

How to Send Your Bags to Another Country Affordably

Read the article How to Send Your Bags to Another Country Affordably

Each country sets its own travel insurance requirements for backpackers. When applying for a working holiday visa in Europe, you’ll need to show proof of travel insurance that provides at least EUR30,000 of cover for emergency medical, evacuation and repatriation costs.

The complimentary travel insurance that comes with some credit cards may not meet the required standards for a working holiday visa and may not be accepted. Depending on the country you’re travelling to, you may need to purchase a separate travel insurance policy that meets the visa requirements.

Yes, travel insurance is extremely important as it will protect you if something goes wrong during your travels. It is also a mandatory requirement when applying for many working holiday visas.

Most Australian international travel insurance policies provide some level of cover for events relating to COVID-19, including if you or your travel companion contract COVID-19 and need medical treatment or need to alter your trip. However, things like border closures are not generally covered. Check the PDS for details about what your insurance policy may or may not cover.

A one-way travel insurance policy is designed only to cover you while you are in transit to an overseas destination. The cover will generally end within 24 hours of your arrival at your intended destination.

In general, you need to purchase travel insurance before you start your trip and you need to plan to return to Australia (or your home country) at the end of your trip. However, if you’ve already left the country, some insurers do offer travel insurance to cover the remainder of your trip until you get back to Australia. These policies typically do not provide any cover during the first few days after you purchase the policy and may have a higher excess.

When applying for a Schengen visa, your travel insurance must include at least EUR30,000 of coverage for emergency medical, evacuation and repatriation costs, including for the repatriation of mortal remains back to your home country.

Please note that the information on this page is general in nature only and does not consider your personal circumstances. Please consider your own personal circumstances and if in doubt, seek independent advice, before purchasing a financial product such as an insurance policy.

This page may contain affiliate links. Working Holidays for Aussies may receive a commission if you make a purchase using a link provided on this page.

While best efforts are made to keep this information updated, we do not guarantee its accuracy. If you spot an error, would like to suggest new information to be added or simply have a question, please let us know in the comments .

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2 thoughts on “ the best working holiday travel insurance for australians ”.

Hi, I’m just trying to get insurance that meets the requirements for a German Working Holiday Visa. I’m just struggling to find one that covers for pandemics, which is a requirement. I was just wondering if you had any advice on finding an appropriate insurance policy or knew any which provide cover for pandemics? Thank you

You are correct that most travel insurance policies have a general exclusion for pandemics. However, many policies will cover certain costs relating to COVID-19, specifically.

Perhaps you could clarify with the German Consulate General whether you just need insurance that covers COVID-19, or whether it needs to be all pandemics – and if so, do they have a policy they suggest that meets this criteria?

If it just needs to cover medical, repatriation, hospitalisation and coronavirus travel costs relating to pandemics (but not necessarily other general expenses relating to pandemics), NIB and Travel Insurance Saver may work. (See https://api.nibtravelinsurance.com/products/v1/nibau/regulatoryWordingDocuments/INT-COM/HTML?Partnergroupid=9 and search for the word “pandemic” to see the relevant section in the PDS.)

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Travelling to New Zealand?

Orbitprotect has your travel insurance requirements covered..

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We offer plans designed to provide comprehensive cover for New Zealand bound  international students ,  non-NZ residents , visitors on  working holiday  visas and  seasonal workers . Our online system is fast, secure and easy to use when you make a claim.  We’re proud to offer high quality service and quality protection at a competitive price.

Working out what kind of travel insurance is right for you isn’t always straightforward. If you don’t know where to start, we’ve made things easy with our Find Your Plan page. This provides a starter for considering what type of OrbitProtect travel insurance may be right for you based on your answers to some general questions.  The page will give you the name of one plan, but other OrbitProtect plans may be suitable for you.

It should only take a few minutes. This isn’t financial advice, and you can contact us if you have any questions about OrbitProtect plans.

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I'm a financial planner, and I'd recommend annual travel insurance to anyone who loves to travel abroad

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• Frequent and spontaneous travelers will likely benefit from annual travel insurance policies.
• Your credit card may come with some travel protections, but it may not be enough.
• When choosing a policy, look at what it covers, not just what's cheapest.

Summer is just a few months away — and if you're planning a vacation this year, the last thing you want is an unexpected event to derail your plans (and cost you hundreds).

Flights get delayed or canceled constantly. Luggage disappears into the ether. Medical emergencies occur in remote destinations. Yet many jetsetters simply cross their fingers and hope for the best rather than prepare for the worst.

That's why, as a financial planner, I believe it's crucial to consider protecting your trips with the right insurance coverage. One option often overlooked, particularly by frequent travelers, is annual travel insurance .

Annual travel insurance covers all your trips within 365 days. Unlike stand-alone travel insurance, which only covers you for a specific trip, an annual policy covers any trips you take within the year.

That's why I tell clients who travel frequently that an annual policy is a good choice for their needs. By opting for an annual plan, you don't have to go through the hassle of booking multiple policies and potentially save money compared to purchasing individual trip coverage. Here's how it works.

What to look for in a policy

While specifics may vary depending on the insurer and plan tier, most include the following key benefits:

• Trip cancellations or interruptions: You may be able to get reimbursed for expenses (even nonrefundable ones!) related to an illness, injury, or natural disaster that forced you to cancel or cut your trip short.
• Emergency medical and dental care: If you fall ill or get injured while traveling, your insurance can help cover the cost of medical treatment.
• Emergency evacuation: In a serious medical emergency or security situation, your policy will arrange and pay for transportation to a hospital or back to your home country.
• Lost, delayed, or damaged baggage: If your luggage is lost, delayed, or damaged during your trip, you can get financial coverage for essential items while you wait for your stuff to be recovered or replaced.
• Trip delays and missed connections: When your travel plans are disrupted due to issues like mechanical problems or severe weather, you may get reimbursement for additional expenses incurred, like meals, lodging, and transportation.

It's important to note that annual travel insurance plans have limitations. Certain high-risk activities, pre-existing medical conditions, and travel to specific regions may be restricted or require additional coverage.

Some travelers may assume that their credit card's built-in travel protections are enough. While many travel rewards credit cards offer perks like rental car insurance, trip cancellation, and baggage reimbursement, the coverage limits are often much lower than a dedicated annual travel insurance plan.

Credit card coverage for emergency medical care is also particularly limited — capped at a few thousand dollars — which may not be enough in the face of a major international medical emergency.

How much travel justifies an annual plan?

For the occasional traveler who takes one or two trips a year, single-trip policies will probably work for you. But if you fall into any of these buckets, you may want to consider an annual policy:

• Regular international travelers (three or more trips abroad yearly)
• Road warriors frequently away for work
• Adventurers engaging in high-risk activities like heli-skiing, scuba diving, or mountain climbing
• Cruisers and tour group travelers
• Students or retirees taking extended trips throughout the year
• Those visiting developing countries with limited medical care

Annual plans cover all of your trips within a 365-day period after purchasing. They're basically a bundle of multiple policies into one package deal. This means you only have to buy one policy to manage, locking in your coverage for the year.

How to decide if an annual policy makes sense for you

Start by reviewing your travel plans this year — and your risk tolerance. Calculate how much buying individual travel insurance policies would cost you over the next year and compare it to the price of an annual plan.

Don't just focus on the premium — carefully evaluate coverage limits, exclusions, and deductibles to ensure you have enough protection for your needs.

An annual policy gives you the flexibility to take spontaneous trips without the hassle of obtaining last-minute insurance. More importantly, it provides peace of mind, knowing that you're covered for a wide range of travel disruptions and emergencies.

As the busy summer travel season ramps up, definitely explore protecting your trips with insurance, especially if you're jetting off internationally. Spending hours on the phone trying to rebook canceled flights or worrying about affording an overseas medical emergency is no way to vacation.

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