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Travel insurance for the USA

Enjoy an unforgettable american adventure.

From the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to the natural beauty of Yellowstone National Park, the USA is brimming with travel possibilities. With 50 states and spanning nine time zones, the staggering size of the country and the sheer number of bucket list attractions means that no American holiday ever feels long enough.

However, travelling to the United States can also pose a few risks, including costly medical care, travel disruptions, pickpocketing and violent crime.

Comprehensive travel insurance for the USA can provide cover for many of the most common risks that travellers to the USA may face. So, what should a comprehensive travel insurance policy cover, what should you know, and how can you stay safe on your American adventure?

Do New Zealanders need travel insurance for the USA?

While the USA is one of the most popular international destinations for Kiwi travellers, you may wish to better protect yourself with comprehensive travel insurance on your trip. Many have read horror stories of uninsured travellers being stung with expensive medical bills, stranded due to natural disasters and suffering lost and stolen valuables in the USA. 

At SCTI, we’re committed to giving Kiwi travellers the confidence they need to relax and enjoy their American holiday to the fullest. 

What does a comprehensive travel insurance policy for the USA cover?

So, what should your travel insurance policy for the USA cover? Whether you’re hitting the beaches of Los Angeles or the streets of New York City, it’s important that your policy has a wide range of benefits with adequate cover limits. Let’s take a look at five must-haves for your USA travel insurance.

1. Medical and hospital cover in the USA

Healthcare in the USA is generally of an excellent standard, but it’s also notoriously expensive. Hospitals have even been known to refuse treatment to uninsured travellers and demand large up-front deposits before providing medical care.

If you find yourself in a medical emergency in the USA, it’s a good idea to present your Certificate of Insurance to the hospital when you are admitted.

We’ve paid countless medical claims from some travellers in the United States, and it’s no surprise that a large number of our most expensive claims are from visitors to that country.

Our International Comprehensive  travel insurance policy includes cover for unlimited medical expenses and medical evacuation if required. Our policy includes cover for:

• Medical treatment
• Doctors’ visits
• Prescribed medication
• Specialist treatment
• Medical transport costs
• Emergency dental treatment
• Cash allowance
• Accompanying person.

We understand how disruptive and upsetting a medical emergency can be on holiday, which is why we offer 24/7 emergency assistance and the support of qualified medical advisers. You can contact our team if you’ve been admitted to hospital and your medical expenses are likely to exceed $2,000 or if you’ve been told you need a medical flight upgrade. If you’re concerned about your health you can speak to our medical team for advice – but remember if you’re experiencing severe symptoms seek urgent medical advice or call the local ambulance service. 

2. Rental vehicle excess

One of the best ways to explore the endless plains of the USA is by hitting the road. Cruising down the iconic Route 66 in a rental car is a true bucket-list adventure, but one that requires careful planning.

In some states, travellers can legally drive on a New Zealand full driver's licence for up to 12 months after their arrival. In others, an International Driving Permit  is required. If, as a result of an unexpected event, the rental vehicle you have hired is stolen or damaged, you’re covered for rental car excess of up to $5,000 under your travel insurance. If you’re planning on renting a car  for a great American road trip, remember to:

• Obey local driving laws
• Hire your vehicle from a licensed rental agency
• Comply with the terms of the rental vehicle agreement
• Only drive on formed or paved roads
• Don’t drink and drive under any circumstances.

3. Cover for lost, stolen and damaged valuables

Losing your luggage can easily turn into a traveller’s nightmare, especially when passports and travel cards are involved. We know how frustrating and costly a travel mishap like this can be, which is why our International Comprehensive travel insurance policy can provide cover for personal items that are lost, stolen or damaged as a result of an unexpected event.

Travellers to the USA, especially those visiting the bigger cities like New York City, Los Angeles, Boston and Chicago, should be on the lookout for pickpockets . Petty theft is common in America and unsuspecting tourists are the prime target. Take constant care of your possessions and be sure you never leave valuables unattended. Please note that our International Comprehensive travel insurance policy has terms and conditions around property and in what situations we provide cover.

4. Travel insurance for cancellations and delays in the USA

Whether it’s a connecting flight or an important event, cancellations and delays are another frustrating reality of travelling. Our International Comprehensive travel insurance policy offers cover for changes to your journey before and after you leave to help minimise these disruptions to your journey.

If your trip to the USA is cancelled or changed due to an unexpected event before you leave New Zealand, our travel insurance can provide cover for cancellations fees and prepaid travel costs.

If the unexpected happens during your holiday, your policy offers cover for transport, accommodation, meals, activities and tour costs if you cannot reach your next destination on time, or if you need to cut your trip short and return to New Zealand.

5. Natural disaster cover

Yosemite’s towering peaks, Colorado’s winter slopes, challenging Hawaiian waves - the USA can be an adventure traveller’s playground. However, it’s not immune to a range of natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornados  and more.

Your USA travel insurance should include natural disaster cover in case your travel plans are thrown into disarray due to an unexpected natural event. 

If your prepaid travel arrangements (such as flights, accommodation and excursions) need to be changed or cancelled because of an unexpected natural disaster in the USA and your insurance started before the event occurred, our comprehensive travel insurance policy can offer cover if you need to cancel or change the dates of your prepaid travel plans.

If you’re stuck overseas because your flight has been delayed or cancelled due to an unexpected event, we can offer cover for the cost of expenses, including scheduled transport and accommodation expenses incurred while you are waiting to return home. Please note that our International Comprehensive travel insurance policy has terms and conditions around additional expenses and which situations we provide cover for.

How to stay safe in the USA

The United States is a generally safe and welcoming country for New Zealanders, but health and safety should be at the top of any traveller’s mind. As well as staying up-to-date with current travel warnings on the Safe Travel website , visitors should keep a few things in mind when travelling to the USA.

Watch out for crime and pickpockets

Reports of pickpocketing in the USA have been rising in recent years , but many of the scams used by these thieves have stayed the same for decades. Take particular care of your valuables on crowded city streets, while riding on public transport and in congested areas like escalators.

Many modern-day pickpockets prefer to work in teams, using an accomplice to act as a distraction or “stall” while someone with sleight of hand fishes for your valuables before handing them to yet another team member for the getaway. As a rule of thumb, if somebody shows an unusual amount of interest in you or insists on grabbing your attention, stay wary of your surroundings.

Stay healthy

Good health habits are a great way to avoid upsetting medical disruptions to your holiday. Remember to practice safe eating when enjoying the USA’s famous food scene . This includes:

• Using your best street-food judgement 
• Avoiding hot meals that have gone cold and cold meals that have gone warm
• Using extra care at communal eateries like buffets

Practice safe adventure travel

Whether it’s hiking, climbing, skiing or surfing, you’ll find your flavour of adventure travel in the land of red, white and blue. Remember to pack carefully, stick to your limits, choose licensed tour operators and understand your insurance cover when enjoying the great outdoors.

Avoid political unrest

Unfortunately, the USA has seen several events of political and social turbulence in recent years, sometimes resulting in rioting and curfews. If your trip coincides with political unrest, obey government advice, stay up to date with the news and avoid any demonstrations.

Large gatherings can be unpredictable, and tensions can boil over quickly, turning even peaceful demonstrations into seriously dangerous environments.

Stay safe on the roads

Ask any Kiwi who has rented a car in the United States and they’ll all say that the first time driving on the right-hand side of the road can be a mind-bending exercise. If you’re planning a USA road trip , keep in mind that local driving laws, bustling eight-lane highways, converting kilometres to miles and driving on the right can add up to a real challenge of concentration.

Before your trip, consider watching a few dashcam driving trips in the USA on YouTube to get a feel for the flow of the road. This will help your mind to adapt once you get behind the wheel.

USA travel insurance exclusions

We’re proud to provide travellers with an award-winning comprehensive travel insurance option, but it’s important to remember that no travel insurance offers cover for everything. Your USA travel insurance may not include cover for things like:

Cover for pre-existing medical conditions (PECs)

Pre-existing medical conditions (PECs) aren’t automatically covered under our International Comprehensive travel insurance policy but can be added as extras when buying your policy.

If you want cover for pre-existing medical conditions, there are a few definitions that you should be aware of, and you’ll need to complete our medical assessment to find out if we’ll offer you cover and the cost.

If you’re unsure about pre-existing conditions and how they may affect your policy, you can contact us to find out more – we know how important it is to be sure what you are and aren’t covered for when choosing your policy.  

Non-medical evacuation and political unrest

Travel insurance doesn’t automatically cover the need for evacuation due to political unrest, so as mentioned above, be sure to check your policy wording  and stay up to date with the news and reconsider your need for travel should your trip coincide with unrest.

Extreme sports and adventure activities

Some sports and activities aren’t always covered, even with a comprehensive policy. Read your policy documentation carefully to check that any activities you’re planning on partaking in are covered by your policy.

Embarking on an American adventure is an exciting experience, but it comes with its share of risks, including safety concerns and unexpected medical expenses. Travel insurance is essential for your next trip to the USA – whether you’re strolling the iconic streets of New York City or traversing the states by way of road trip, you’ll want to be sure you’re covered!

The content of this article is general and provided for information purposes only. Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) doesn’t guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness or currency of any article.

This article may contain hyperlinks to other websites owned or operated by third parties, or references to third party products or services. SCTI isn’t responsible for, and makes no recommendation about, the content or accuracy of any third party website, or for the suitability or performance of any product or service. The inclusion of a link in this article doesn’t imply that SCTI endorses the website or third party product/service.

What you need to know

This page includes some information about our products but, as with all insurance policies, terms and conditions apply. For our terms and conditions (including information about exclusions, excesses and sub limits) we recommend you read the relevant policy documents to ensure our travel insurance products are right for you.

You can find the relevant documents for all our policies here:  International Comprehensive , Annual Multi-trip ,  Domestic ,  Working Overseas ,  Visiting New Zealand ,  International Student  

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Great options to suit your travel within New Zealand or overseas

Overseas cover & annual multi-trip cover

Our overseas travel covers medical, dental and hospital treatment*, lost luggage, and personal liability, and can get you and your family home in certain emergencies.

Travel a lot? Take out our annual multi-trip option and you’re covered for as many trips as you like, for 12 months.**

Find out more

Domestic Cover

If your plans while travelling in New Zealand change unexpectedly, we can cover the cost of cancelling or amending your flight, accommodation or rental car bookings and other expenses, up to $10,000.

Inbound Cover - Visiting NZ

Are you a non-resident visiting friends and family in NZ, or on a working holiday? Our Inbound plan can cover medical and dental expenses, luggage and travel documents, rental vehicle insurance excess, personal liability and more!

Travel Cover During Covid-19

Planning an adventure? Check out our scenario-based FAQs explaining how we could cover you if Covid-19 plays havoc with your trip: AMI Travel Cover and Covid-19 FAQs

Find out before you go – our Covid-19 Benefits Destination Guide explains how AMI Travel cover applies when travelling to different international destinations: Covid-19 Benefits Destination Guide

Still unsure? Ask us a question

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Policy benefits

Medical and dental expenses

Additional expenses

Amendment or cancellation costs

Luggage and travel documents

Delayed luggage allowance

Rental vehicle insurance excess

Travel delay

Resumption of journey

Missed connections

Special events

Hospital incidentals

Loss of income

Accidental death

Legal expenses

Personal liability

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This is only a summary of benefits provided. Please refer to AMI Travel Policy Wording for full details of the cover provided. Please read the entire document carefully to understand what this policy covers. Importantly, please note that conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits apply.

Specific terms, conditions and exclusions apply to Covid-19. See the policy wording for the most up to date information.

* Cover will not exceed 12 months from the onset of the illness or injury. Medical and dental expenses cover is limited to $1,500 for treatment provided in New Zealand. This $1,500 sub-limit does not apply to our Inbound Plan. ^ Cover chosen applies per policy. See the policy wording . • Item limits apply for any one item, set or pair of items including attached or unattached accessories. You may increase these item limits if you wish. See the policy wording . # If you or your travelling companion are diagnosed with Covid-19 by a qualified medical practitioner and are unable to travel, you can claim cancellation or amendment costs for your prepaid trip up to a benefit limit of $10,000 per policy on an international Plan or $5,000 per policy on a Domestic Plan or if applicable, up to the level of cover purchased for cancellation (whichever is lower). There is also no cover if symptoms or diagnosis occurred prior to buying your policy. ~ The maximum liability collectively 14, 15, and 16 is $15,000 International Plan, and $10,000 on a Domestic Plan

This is only a summary of the benefit provided. Please refer to the policy wording . For details of the cover provided. Please read the entire document carefully to understand what the relevant policy covers. Importantly, please note that conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits apply, and this summary of benefits table may change at any time.

Before you travel

Travel safety

Find out more information about events that may affect you when you travel.

Travel tips

Our team of intrepid Kiwi travellers has come up with a list of handy travel tips to help make your holiday even better.

AMI Travel insurance is underwritten by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited ("ZAIL") incorporated in Australia, ABN 13 000 296 640, trading as Zurich New Zealand. IAG New Zealand Limited (“IAG”), of which AMI is a business division, is not the insurer. IAG receives a commission for the issue of AMI-branded travel policies arranged through Cover-More (NZ) Limited (“Cover-More”). Cover-More administers the policy and acts on behalf of Zurich New Zealand. IAG does not guarantee Zurich New Zealand or Cover-More.

AMI Travel Website Disclaimer 12072022

Limits, sub-limits, conditions, and exclusions apply. Standard excess may apply.

AMI Travel insurance is administered by Cover-More NZ Ltd, underwritten and issued by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (ZAIL) incorporated in Australia, ABN 13 000 296 640 , trading as Zurich New Zealand. For further information see Zurich New Zealand's financial strength rating .

Any advice is general advice only. Consider the AMI Travel Policy Brochure and wording therein before deciding to buy this product. IAG receives a commission for the issue of AMI branded travel policies arranged through Cover-More (NZ) Limited ("Cover-More").

IAG New Zealand Limited ("IAG"), of which AMI is a business division, is not the insurer. IAG does not guarantee Zurich New Zealand or Cover-More.

Quick and easy claims We're here for you if something disrupts your trip. Save time and submit your claim online.

Where are you going.

Worldwide including the Americas, the Caribbean and Antarctica: Antarctica (Cruising), Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Rep, Ecuador, El Salvador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, Virgin Islands.

Africa, Middle East, Indian Sub-Continent and Asia (other): Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Azores, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Chad, China, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo (Dem. Rep), Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, India, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea (north), Korea (south), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macau, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mauritania, Mozambique, Maldives, Malawi, Mali, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Reunion, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Europe: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Herzegovina, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Maderia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, Vatican City.

UK: Channel Islands, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, United Kingdom, Wales.

South East Asia, Hong Kong, Japan: Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Nauru, Northern Marianas, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

South Pacific and Norfolk Island:  Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Niue, Norfolk Island, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa.

New Zealand Only:  New Zealand domestic travel

New Zealand Inbound Travellers :   New Zealand

Dates of Travel

Departure date (travel start date).

Single Trip - The date you depart New Zealand

Cover under the Amendment or Cancellation Costs benefit begins from the time you buy your policy. Cover under all other sections begins from the Travel Start Date you select.

Annual Multi-Trip - The date your policy will commence

Cover under the Amendment or Cancellation Costs benefit begins from the time you buy your policy. For further information, we recommend you read the definition of "Relevant Time" in the Policy Wording.

Return date - (Travel end date)

Single Trip - The date you return to your home

Annual Multi-Trip

Regardless of what you enter as the Return date, you will be quoted for a 12 month Annual Multi-Trip policy.

For further information we recommend that you read the definition of "Relevant Time" in the Policy Wording.

Traveller Details

Age of each traveller at issue date

Simply enter the age of each traveller including children.

Only use as many boxes as you have travellers.

Do all travellers live in New Zealand?

New Zealand resident travellers are able to purchase Travel Insurance policies from us to any area of travel and any country/destination.

Non-New Zealand resident travellers are only able to purchase a Travel Insurance policy if travelling inbound to New Zealand.

For Non-New Zealand resident travellers wanting to purchase Travel Insurance to travel to any other part of the world other than travel to New Zealand, please contact us as we may still be able to offer cover to you.

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Travel Insurance Quotes

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

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

Worldwide means anywhere in the world

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

Europe means all European countries, including UK

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

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

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

New Zealand means domestic travel within New Zealand only

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

We compare quotes from heaps of travel insurance brands in New Zealand. Do your comparison online to save time, worry and loads of money.

WHY KIWIs LOVE COMPARE TRAVEL INSURANCE

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

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It doesn’t matter whether you're looking for cheap cover or fully comprehensive, a domestic or international policy, you'll find the prices on our site are the same great prices you would get buying travel insurance direct !

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

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

Feel secure

All the companies we compare have 24/7 emergency assistance & are underwritten by reputable insurers like Chubb Insurance New Zealand Ltd and Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's.

Product choice

We compare heaps of policies for all types of travellers from some of New Zealand's most reputable travel insurers. We compare brands including, 1Cover, Amex, Zoom & more!

Travel Insurance Extraordinaire At Your Service

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

Travel Insurance  Frequently Asked Questions

Does travel insurance cover coronavirus(covid-19).

It depends! Unfortunately, the answer isn't a straightforward one. There are some situations where cover is available, and others where it is an exclusion. It largely depends on which insurer you bought your policy with ; when you bought it; where you're travelling to; when you're travelling; and, the reason for your claim. One thing that is for certain - you're unlikely to be covered for claims relating to the coronavirus for future travel if you haven't yet purchased a travel insurance policy as this is a known event.

Which is the best travel insurance in New Zealand?

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

Is it too late to buy cover?

It's better late than never. We recommend buying a policy as soon as you've booked and started paying deposits for flights, accommodation and tours, but you can buy travel insurance at any point. Even if you forgot and are already overseas . Exclusions may apply though, so be sure to check the PDS and eligibility criteria before you buy.

Can I get cover for my medical conditions?

Cover is available for most medical conditions. Whether or not you need to declare your conditions and whether an additional charge will apply depends on the condition, its stability, current treatment, the recency of the diagnosis and your age. Minor conditions such as allergies, cataracts, and certain diabetes are often covered free of charge. However other medical conditions such as arthritis, any kind of cancer, heart conditions and hip & knee replacements require medical screenings and additional charges are likelt to apply. Today, most insurers use online medical screening software which makes it easy to declare your conditions and get covered in minutes. Although finding cover for terminal illnesses in New Zealand is difficult. Learn more about covering your conditions with our guide on declaring your medical conditions .

Can I purchase travel insurance at the airport?

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

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

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

Does travel insurance cover pregnancy?

You can buy travel insurance to cover you when you're pregnant, but different brands will have different rules around how many weeks gestation they will provide cover up until. Terms may also vary on whether you've had complications, have a multiple pregnancy, conceived via IVF and whether you're looking for cover in case of emergency birth. Check out the handy table in our pregnancy guide for more information.

Do I need cover in New Zealand?

Unexpected events can happen anywhere. It is just as important to have domestic cover when travelling around New Zealand as it is when travelling overseas. If you're a New Zealand resident, a domestic policy covers you for cancellations, luggage cover and often rental vehicle excess. Medical coverage is not included, but you'll be eligible for publicly funded health care services. For non-residents visiting New Zealand, discover International visitors to New Zealand are currently not required to have travel insurance by law, but it is highly recommended to protect you from eye-watering medical bills and more.

Which is the cheapest policy?

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

Why should I buy travel insurance direct online?

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

Trending Tips And Guides

What activities are covered?

Are you a self-confessed adrenaline junkie? If you’re planning on doing some risky activities on your trip make sure you know if they’re covered, as not all of them are!

Pre-existing medical conditions

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

coronavirus and travel insurance

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

Why Buy Travel Insurance?

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

Exxy Medical Costs

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

Disasters Can Strike

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

Your stuff is important

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

For your peace of mind

Travel insurance will take a load off so you can get some R&R. A comprehensive policy will cover you for an array of sticky situations while you're travelling within New Zealand, or overseas.

Because You Have To

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

TRAVEL INSURANCE REVIEWS

Not sure which policy to pick? Our travel insurance reviews are here to help! Thousands of Kiwi's have reviewed their travel insurers to give you the inside story on everything from claims handling to customer experience.

Or perhaps you want to have your say? Whether you love or loathe your travel insurer rate and review them today to help other savvy shoppers with their travel insurance.

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CoverDirect NZ Limited (INC 3526051) owns and operates this website.

Our comparison is a free service that makes it easy for users to compare multiple quotes, saving both time and money. Our comparison ranks quotes according to price and is limited to those insurers that have agreed to participate on the site. CoverDirect NZ Limited does not hold a financial services licence. The comparison does not take your personal circumstances into account; as such, all information provided should be considered general and should not be considered as advice or a recommendation. Whilst we take all reasonable care when preparing this information, we do not warrant its accuracy. Pricing information is supplied by the insurance providers and ALL policy details should be verified with the before you purchase. This site links users to the website of the insurance provider to verify quotes and access the relevant PDS to understand what is, and is not, covered by a policy prior to purchase. We do not issue insurance. Users purchase directly from the travel insurance provider.

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Bite the Big Apple

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Want a taste of the big apple? Party in the city of angels? Or a gamble in sin city? Zoom's USA travel insurance will cover you for unexpected holiday hurdles. Cover includes medical expenses should you fall sick or become injured in America, as well as cover for trip cancellation, lost luggage, family emergencies & more! What are you waiting for? Zoom to it!

WHY BUY WITH ZOOM

medical cover

Medical fees in the states can be extortionate! Relax knowing that your hospital expenses are covered with Zoom's unlimited medical coverage. Zoom to top notch cover!

Travel delays

Setbacks on your sojourn are never much fun. Cover your USA travel disruptions in a flash with Zoom travel cover. We keep things zippy!

luggage COVER

Your stuff is precious and we get that. Take off on your American adventure knowing your luggage is protected with Zoom.

Family emergencies

Had to rush home or cancel your trip due to a family emergency? We'll cover your non-refundable deposits so you can focus on the rest.

kids go free

Family holiday to Florida? Save your pennies for Disneyland as all dependants under 19 are included under your policy at no additional cost. Say what!?

rental car excess

Planning on driving route 66? If you're hiring a sweet set of wheels in the land of stars and stripes then our rental vehicle excess add-on is a must.

easy claims

We've done away with lengthy forms and have kept our claims process simple. We guarantee to assess fully documented claims in a flash.

Peace Of Mind

Zoom to Zen. You can sit back and relax on your holiday knowing that you’re covered by award winning travel insurance.

USA TRAVEL INSURANCE  FAQ'S

Got some curly questions in regards to your USA travel insurance cover? Be in the the know before you go with answers to the most common queries below.

Am I covered medically while holidaying in the USA?

Yes, all our policies cover for unlimited medical coverage. Zoom provides cover for your overseas medical expenses including hospital stays, surgery, doctor visits, emergency evacuation and repatriation home if required. We can provide written guarantees of payment of reasonable expenses directly with your hospital in emergency situations. Phew!

What happens if I need medical assistance in America?

Have complete peace of mind on your USA holiday. Zoom provides immediate support through our emergency assistance provider, First Assistance. Help is just a phone call away any time of day 365 days a year. This includes access to medical advisors, medical transfers and emergency evacuation if required. We also assist with passing on messages to family and returning unsupervised dependants back to New Zealand.

How do alcohol and drugs affect my cover?

 When it comes to alcohol we advise you to drink in moderation. One too many Long Isand Ice Teas or Manhattans could see you jeopardizing your cover. Please note that we may exclude any claims where excessive drugs or alcohol have been involved.

Am I covered for adventure activities?

We automatically cover a wide range of adventure sports including cycling, kayaking, bunjee jumping, horse riding and more. You can also buy our Adventure Pack to cover additional adventure sports. 

I have high value items; how much can I insure them for?

If you have an expensive item that you just can’t leave behind you can insure it separately for up to $5,000. Please note that high value item cover is only available under our comprehensive plan .

Am I covered for pick pocketing?

Yes, you’re covered for muggings provided of course, you were acting with reasonable care (i.e. did not leave your belongings unattended). If you’re the victim of a pickpocket, you’d be covered for loss, theft and damage to your luggage and personal effects. If you are robbed it’s important that you get a police report and contact us as soon as possible.

Am I covered for cruises automatically?

No, not automatically. You must purchase our cruise pack in order to be covered for any medical treatment you receive on board and for helicopter evacuation should you require emergency medical assistance.

What age limits apply to Zoom travel insurance policies?

You must be under the age of 85 to buy a policy with Zoom. Those under 79 years can purchase a policy for a maximum trip duration of 365 days. Those aged between 80-85 years can purchase a policy for a maximum trip duration of 184 days only. You must also be under the age of 69 to purchase our add-on ski or adventure packs.

Can I reduce my excess with Zoom products?

Yes you can reduce the standard excess of $200 by paying a excess reduction fee within the payment process. 

What is a dependant?

This means your dependant children or grandchildren under the age of 19 at the date of policy issue who are travelling with you.

USA  QUICK GUIDE

The USA is a stunning patchwork of diversity and travellers really are spoilt for choice wherever they go in the land of Uncle Sam. Across 50 states, you’ll find fascinating history and culture, unforgettable food, shopping to die for, first-class ski fields, beaches for days, jaw-dropping natural scenery, and many unforgettable people. What are you waiting for? Zoom to the USA! No matter which kind of stars and stripes experience you're planning, Zoom can cover your trip with a range of plans.  You can minimise your costs with Medical Only cover, or choose to buy  Comprehensive Travel Insurance for extra protection to cover things like travel delays and cancellation. Compare Zoom's Travel Insurance plans  online today.

VISAS FOR AMERICA

Getting around, best time to visit, where to go, must know tips, zooming elsewhere.

Long-haul flights can be a killer, so be kind to yourself.  Most airlines will permit travellers to stopover at no extra charge in destinations through which they connect to their final destination, so why not plan a shopover in  Singapore  or hit an Asian hotspot such as  Bankgkok or Kuala Lumpur to break up the journey.  Is taking two holidays in one sounding sweet?  You could schedule in a restful stop-before-you-flop island getaway in Hawaii, Tahiti or Fiji on your way home. No matter where you're zooming to, we've got plenty of helpful advice on other popular travel destinations to check out. What are you waiting for? Zoom to it!

Zoom travel insurance offers simple, flexible travel insurance for maximum peace of mind no matter where you're zooming to.

Top Searches

Popular destinations.

Compare Travel Insurance

Compare Outstanding Value Travel Insurance

Compare Travel Insurance By Destination

Outstanding Value Travel Insurance Awards

Click profile to compare 5-Star Outstanding Value Travel Insurance:

International travel, trans-tasman travel, south pacific cruise, seniors travel, 5-star international travel insurance, 5-star trans-tasman travel insurance, 5-star south pacific cruise travel insurance, 5-star seniors travel insurance.

2023 Outstanding Value Travel Insurance Awards

Compare Travel Insurance by Destination

Canstar’s full travel insurance Star Ratings break down the best insurance providers and products for the following global holiday destinations, plus all destinations for senior travellers:

• Africa & Middle East
• Domestic Cruise
• Pacific Cruise
• Seniors – all destinations

Important information

• The Star Ratings in this table were awarded November 2023. The current features, rates and fees may be different to what was rated. The Star Rating shown is only one factor to take into account when considering a product. See our Ratings Methodology .
• The initial table display is sorted by Star Rating and then alphabetically by company.
• Any advice on this page is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this general financial advice is right for your personal circumstances. You may need financial advice from a qualified adviser. Canstar is not providing a recommendation for your individual circumstances.  See our Detailed Disclosure .
• Data in the table is updated from time to time to reflect product changes notified to us by product issuers. Check current product details and investment options with the product issuer. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement before making a purchase decision.
• The table above may not include all providers in the market and may not compare all features relevant to you. Canstar is not providing a recommendation for your individual circumstances.
• Canstar may earn a fee for referrals from its website tables, and from sponsorship (advertising) of certain products. Payment of sponsorship fees does not influence the star rating that Canstar awards to a sponsored product. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and sponsorship may vary between providers, website position, and revenue model. Sponsorship fees may be higher than referral fees. Sponsored products are clearly disclosed as such on website pages. They may appear in a number of areas of the website such as in comparison tables, on hub pages and in articles. Sponsored products may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product’s rating, price or other attributes. The table position of a sponsored product does not indicate any ranking, rating or endorsement by Canstar. See  How We Get Paid  for further information.

Compare Travel Money Cards

Headed off overseas and looking for the best in money cards? Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular cards in New Zealand:

The display order does not reflect any ranking or rating by Canstar.

This information is not an endorsement by Canstar of travel money cards or any specific provider. Information correct as of 20/09/23. For full pricing details see individual providers’ websites.

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What is travel insurance and why do you need it when you travel?

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is financial cover for emergencies, accidents or loss that might occur to you or your belongings while you are travelling either domestically or internationally.

Why do you need travel insurance?

The New Zealand government website SafeTravel recommends travel insurance for anyone taking a trip away from home, especially overseas.

If you don’t have travel insurance and you lose your luggage, have an accident, medical emergency, or legal incident, you could face huge bills.

Cancelled flights and hotel accommodation can leave you out of pocket by thousands of dollars, but medical expenses can be even worse. A health emergency overseas can end up costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

However, if you have travel insurance, you can travel confidently knowing you can get financial help in an emergency.

What else should you do before you travel?

In addition to organising travel insurance, before you leave:

• If you are going overseas, visit the SafeTravel website’s Travel Advisories page to ascertain the current risks of travelling to your chosen destination. If a country is flagged with a “Do Not Travel” advisory, be aware that you may not be able to obtain insurance for the trip.
• Regardless of where you are going, register your plans with SafeTravel. Your details will be stored securely and only used to reach you in an emergency.
• Ensure you have all the relevant travel documentation to take with you on your trip, and that a trusted friend or relation in NZ has a copy, too.
• Record the contact details of the New Zealand Embassy in your country of destination – just in case you need it.

Types of travel insurance and what they cover

There are two types of travel insurance cover policies.

1. Domestic travel insurance

Domestic travel insurance policies usually cover you for events such as:

• Lost or stolen luggage or other items
• Cancelling your trip unexpectedly due to illness, accident, holiday leave being revoked, or a natural disaster at home or at your intended destination
• Rental vehicle excess you have to pay if you have an accident driving a hire car
• Legal liability: the vast majority of policies researched include coverage for legal liability. Don’t take this as an excuse to break the law, though – you may end up invalidating your policy!

Domestic travel insurance usually doesn’t cover you for:

• Medical cover. However, this is not a big problem because, as long as you’re in New Zealand, you can still access publicly funded health services or your private health insurance , if you have it
• Certain “hazardous pursuits”. If you’re doing dangerous activities on your holiday, such as skiing, scuba diving, bungee jumping or rock climbing, you need to disclose it on your application. However, even if you disclose it, you still might not be covered for an accident that happens because of that activity, as it may be excluded from the policy. Ensure you read your policy terms and conditions carefully

2. International travel insurance

International travel insurance policies usually cover you for events such as:

• Medical or dental emergency. Typical emergency medical cover will include hospital admission, emergency care and medical evacuation to another country’s hospital. If your medical situation is not an emergency, it is recommend you contact your insurer before you receive treatment, to check if it’s covered by your policy
• Repatriation if you fall sick overseas and need to be evacuated back to NZ for treatment. Or if tragedy strikes, repatriation covers the cost of flying your body and belongings back home to NZ. Some travel insurance policies also include a separate sum for funeral expenses
• Lost or stolen luggage, passport or other items. Replacing luggage and travel documents is the most common claim for travel insurance
• Legal liability if you break a local law and need a lawyer and/or interpreter. Ignorance of local law is no excuse in most countries, so make sure you check SafeTravel before you depart. For example, in some Muslim countries it is an offence to wear a bikini on a public beach. If you break a law on purpose, your travel insurance policy may not cover your legal fees

International travel insurance usually doesn’t cover you for:

• High-risk countries. Check the government’s SafeTravel website for the travel advisory status of your destination. Countries flagged with a “Do Not Travel” advisory may not be covered under your policy
• Risky behavior. Any injury or loss caused by you behaving recklessly while you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be excluded from cover. This doesn’t apply to medication prescribed to you by a doctor and taken as prescribed
• Pre-existing medical conditions. If you have experienced symptoms of a condition before travelling, even if the condition wasn’t diagnosed, medical expenses for it will generally not be covered. Read your policy’s terms and conditions carefully
• High-value items. Many policies have a dollar limit that you can claim for each item, which may not be as much as it costs to replace the item
• Notification period. Your policy may specify that you need to notify your insurer of an accident or event within a specified timeframe, such as 24 hours. It’s important to be aware of that notification period and to call your insurer as soon as you can, in the event of a potential claim
• Loss of items left unattended. Keep an eye on your belongings at all times. You might not be covered if you leave your wallet and keys wrapped in a towel on the beach, or hidden in a shared room, or even in your checked-in luggage
• Hazardous pursuits. Dangerous activities such as scuba diving, bungee jumping, rock climbing, off-piste skiing and hang-gliding are usually excluded, but they can often be added to your policy for an extra fee. Also be aware that riding a moped or motorcycle overseas might also not be covered, even if you are legally entitled to ride one in NZ

NB: No travel insurance policy will cover you for every single thing that might go wrong while you’re away, so it’s important to read your policy’s terms and conditions carefully to discover the full extent of your cover.

Travel insurance glossary of terms

• Accident : An unexpected, unforeseeable, or unusual event that was unintended and caused loss or harm while you are on a trip covered by your policy.
• Accommodation : Any type of dwelling or lodging that you pay a fee to stay in overnight.
• Additional expenses : Additional expenses for accommodation and transportation that occur because of events such as illness, natural disasters, loss of travel documents, and transport union strikes.
• Beneficiary : The person who would receive compensation from your insurance policy if you were to pass away during your travels.
• Benefits: What your insurance provider gives you according to the terms of your policy. Benefits can apply if you make a claim or they can apply if a certain event happens, e.g. during an emergency.
• Cancellation or amendment costs : The cost of cancelling, changing, or rearranging your journey because of unforeseen circumstances outside your control such as illness, accidents and extreme weather events.
• Claim: A request for your insurance provider to pay certain expenses back to you in accordance with your policy.
• Cover or coverage : The extent of protection given to you by your policy. If you are covered for an event, it means that you can claim back from your insurance provider a specified amount of expenses you incurred during that event.
• Current market value : The amount of money you could get for an item if you sold it in the current local market. This amount is based on the original cost, the current condition and age of the item, and what it could be sold for in its present state.
• Damage: Harm or injury to a person or property, resulting in the property losing value or not being able to be used properly.
• Disability : A physical or mental condition that restricts a person’s movements, senses or activities. A disadvantage or handicap, especially one imposed or recognised by the law.
• Emergency medical care : Medical care that is needed in an unexpected emergency. This does not include any type of regular medical care or foreseeable medical needs.
• Endorsement: Any special condition listed on your insurance policy as an extra reason for you to buy the policy.
• Excess: The excess is an amount that you pay instead of the insurer, e.g. “the first” $250 or $500 of a claim. Insurers usually have either a policy with different excess options that you choose between, or separate policies that each have a different excess amount. You can pay a lower premium if you have a higher excess, but you need to be sure that you could afford to pay the excess unexpectedly if you had to make a claim.
• Exclusions : Anything that is not covered by your policy. Common exclusions include travel to high-risk countries, dangerous activities such as bungee jumping, risky behaviour, such as taking alcohol or drugs, pre-existing medical conditions, and loss of items left unattended.
• Home: Your usual place of residence in New Zealand.
• Incidental:  Costs associated with an unexpected covered event, which are not directly related to the event.
• Inclusions: Any event, item or expense that is covered by your policy.
• Injury: Anything that physically harms you and occurs by accidental or violent means, which is covered by your policy.
• Journey: One of the terms insurers use to talk about the period you’re covered for, from the time you leave home until the time you return to your home. Also known as your trip, voyage, or travels.
• Limit/benefit limit: Policies have a limit on the amount of benefits you can claim per year or per journey.
• Luggage and personal effects: Personal items that you own or carry with you on a trip that is covered. This includes but is not limited to: suitcase or backpack, clothing, jewellery, computer or laptop, your phone and other portable electrical devices or equipment.
• Medically necessary: Medical treatment that is needed to preserve your health, is suitable to treat your symptoms, and can be safely provided in your current location. This does not include treatment or procedures that are performed in your current location because it is merely convenient.
• Natural disaster: An event caused by nature and not by any human activity, including earthquakes, storms, bushfires and floods.
• Overseas medical expenses: Expenses incurred overseas for ambulance transport, hospital admission, surgical nursing, and emergency dental treatment.
• Period of cover: The time your travel is covered by your policy.
• Personal liability cover: Cover for costs incurred for which you are legally liable. You are legally liable if your negligence causes loss or damage to someone else’s property. Personal liability also covers you for injury to a person who is not a member of your family or travelling party. Personal liability cover does not cover damage you caused deliberately or that breaks the law; damage caused by your business or your employee; your ownership or use of a vehicle, aircraft or watercraft; or you passing on an illness to someone else.
• Policy:  The travel insurance contract you have taken out with an insurance provider.
• Pre-existing condition: A medical condition that existed in any form before you signed up for the insurance policy, whether or not you had your symptoms examined by a health practitioner. Your policy may usually list a time limit for the condition to be pre-existing, e.g. you have seen a medical practitioner in the past 90 days before you started your journey, or you have been prescribed a medication within the past 60 days.
• Premium: The amount you pay your insurance provider for your travel insurance cover. Your premium must be paid on time for your travel to be covered.
• Reasonable: When associated with an expense or cost, “reasonable” refers to what is usual, needed, and matches the standards of your previously scheduled travel.
• Refund: Cash or company credit that can be given to you as reimbursement for your expenses, according to the terms of your policy.
• Rental car insurance excess : The excess charged if your hire car is damaged or stolen.
• Resumption of journey benefit : The benefit you receive if you claim the expense of resuming your travels. You can make a claim if you had to return to New Zealand suddenly due to a serious injury, illness, or the death of one of your relatives or business partners in New Zealand.
• Sudden illness or serious injury : Illness or injury that occurs during your period of cover and requires immediate treatment by a health practitioner.
• Travel delay : Scheduled transport that is delayed by over six hours. Scheduled transport can include plane flights, trains, trams, buses, ferries or cruises.
• Unforeseen: Any circumstance that is out of your control. This can include illness, accident, cancelled flights, or natural disasters.

Which travel insurance providers are assessed by Canstar's ratings?

Products from the following travel insurance providers were rated in Canstar’s 2023 Travel Insurance Star Ratings and Awards:

• 1Cover Direct Insurance
• AA Insurance
• Air New Zealand
• American Express
• Chubb Insurance
• Cover-More Travel Insurance
• House of Travel
• Southern Cross Travel Insurance
• World Nomads

Recent Award Winners

View Canstar's Outstanding Value Travel Insurance Awards

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COMPARE TRAVEL INSURANCE

Compare our travel insurance plans to see the full list of benefits.

COMPARE PLANS (Benefits are per adult)

Expand to see benefits in detail

• OVERSEAS EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE* 24 Hour emergency medical assistance services, access to trained medical advisers, medical evacuation, hospital expense guarantees, ambulance fees, messages to family, and funeral arrangements
• MEDICAL EXPENSES INCURRED OVERSEAS * Overseas medical treatment if you are injured or become sick overseas, including hospital stays, surgery, prescription drugs, and doctor visits.
• INLUDES DENTAL EXPENSES* Cover for emergency dental treatment for the relief of sudden and acute pain to sound and natural teeth
• HOSPITAL CASH ALLOWANCE An allowance of $50 per day if you are hospitalised for more than 48 continuous hours whilst overseas
• ACCIDENTAL DEATH A benefit payable if you die because of, and within 12 months, of an accidental bodily injury sustained during your journey. (no excess applies)
• PERMANENT DISABILITY* A lump sum benefit if you suffer a total permanent disability as result of an accidental injury during your trip. (no excess applies)
• Cancellation & Trip Disruption
• CANCELLATION FEES AND LOST DEPOSITS Cover for cancellation fees and prepaid travel expenses that you cannot recover when your trip is cancelled or cut short due to unexpected events such as illness, injuries, accidents, strikes and natural disasters.
• ADDITIONAL ACCOMODATION & TRAVEL EXPENSES Covers the cost of additional travel and accommodation expenses incurred if you cannot continue on your journey because of an injury or sickness whilst overseas. (no excess applies)
• INCLUDES FAMILY EMERGENCY Cover for additional travel expenses such as your return flight to New Zealand if a relative of either you, or travelling companion requires hospitalisation or dies unexpectedly. (no excess applies)
• INCLUDES EMERGENCY COMPANION COVER Additional accommodation and travel expenses you incur to remain with your travelling companion. (no excess applies)
• TRAVEL SERVICES PROVIDER INSOLVENCY Covers costs if you have to rearrange, cancel or cut short your journey due to insolvency of certain travel service providers.
• RESUMPTION OF JOURNEY* Reimbursement for the cost of airfares for you to return to the place where your journey was interrupted in the event of a relatives death or hospitalisation, following serious injury or illness. (no excess applies)
• DISTRUPTION OF JOURNEY* Cover for reasonable meal and accommodation expenses if your journey is disrupted for more than 6 hours due to circumstances beyond your control. (no excess applies)
• ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT EXPENSES* Reasonable travel expenses incurred to reach special events such as weddings, funerals, conferences and sporting events on time following transport delays beyond your control. (no excess applies)
• Luggage & Personal Items
• LUGGAGE AND PERSONAL EFFECTS Repair or replacement cost of any personal effects that are lost, stolen or accidentally damaged during your journey. This includes items such as cameras, laptops, tablets and mobile phones.
• TRAVEL DOCUMENTS & CREDIT CARDS* Replacement cost of lost or stolen travel documents including passports and credit cards. This includes costs incurred due to fraudulent activity on your credit card not already covered by the financial institution.
• THEFT OF CASH* Cover for cash, bank notes, currency notes, postal orders or money orders stolen from you during your journey.
• LUGGAGE & PERSONAL EFFECTS DELAY EXPENSES* Cover to purchase essential personal items following your luggage and personal effects being delayed, misdirected or misplaced by your carrier for more than 12 hours. (no excess applies)
• Personal Liability
• PERSONAL LIABILITY Cover for legal liability including legal expenses for bodily injuries or damage to property of other persons as a result of a claim made against you.
• Rental Vehicle Excess
• RENTAL VEHICLE EXCESS Cover for the excess payable on your rental car's insurance in the event of accidental damage or theft during the car rental period.
• OVERSEAS MEDICAL EXPENSES* Hospital and medical expenses incurred overseas as a result of an injury arsing from an act of terrorism.
• CANCELLATION & REARRANGEMENT* Irrecoverable costs to cancel or rearrange your travel and accommodation following terrorist threats and a subsequent upgrade in travel advice for a planned travel destination directly affected. (no excess applies)
• EVACUATION & CURTAILMENT* Evacuation to the nearest place of safety and alternative accommodation and travel expenses for you to resume your journey or return to New Zealand.
• HIJACK AND KIDNAP* If you are kidnapped, or the aircraft or vessel you are travelling on is hijacked, we will pay for each 24-hour period that you are held captive.
• Loss of Income
• LOSS OF INCOME* Weekly benefit payable if you become disabled within 30 days of an injury you sustained during your journey, and you are unable to work more than 30 days after returning to New Zealand. (no excess applies)
• $10 Million

Comprehensive

Comprehensive plus.

• OVERSEAS EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE^
• MEDICAL EXPENSES INCURRED OVERSEAS ^
• INLUDES DENTAL EXPENSES^
• HOSPITAL CASH ALLOWANCE
• ACCIDENTAL DEATH
• PERMANENT DISABILITY^
• CANCELLATION FEES AND LOST DEPOSITS
• ADDITIONAL ACCOMODATION & TRAVEL EXPENSES
• INCLUDES FAMILY EMERGENCY
• INCLUDES EMERGENCY COMPANION COVER
• TRAVEL SERVICES PROVIDER INSOLVENCY
• RESUMPTION OF JOURNEY^
• DISTRUPTION OF JOURNEY^
• ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT EXPENSES^
• LUGGAGE AND PERSONAL EFFECTS
• TRAVEL DOCUMENTS & CREDIT CARDS
• THEFT OF CASH^
• LUGGAGE & PERSONAL EFFECTS DELAY EXPENSES^
• PERSONAL LIABILITY
• RENTAL VEHICLE EXCESS
• OVERSEAS MEDICAL EXPENSES
• REARRANGEMENT OR REPATRIATION
• HIJACK AND KIDNAP^
• LOSS OF INCOME^

If you claim for the same or similar services/facilities under Sections 6, 7, 7A and/or 7B, we will only pay the higher of the two amounts, not both. Sub-limits may apply, please refer to the relevant sections in the Policy Wording. * means that the benefit is not covered while travelling in New Zealand.

FREQUENT TRAVELLER TRAVEL INSURANCE

Get comprehensive cover all year round. If you’re planning several trips this year a frequent traveller policy can save you time and money.

Our annual multi-trip policy covers an unlimited number of trips over a 12 month period. We give you the same level of cover as our comprehensive plus international plan, meaning you get to cover less. You can choose your trip duration from 15 days or 30 days.

Because life’s a trip

Before You Buy

Top searches, popular destinations, customer rating.

About us | Contact us | Policy Wording | Privacy

Travel Insurance You Can Trust

What country are you going to?

Select the Area of travel in which you will spend most time. NOTE: If you are spending more than 20% of your trip time in the Americas Area, it is compulsory to select a destination in the Americas Area for your policy.

If you are quoting a multi-trip policy please select “see region list” and select a destination in the appropriate region. For example United States for Worldwide cover or Spain for European cover.

When are you going?

Please select the departure and return dates for your trip.

For multi-trip policies the departure date will mark the start of your cover and it will automatically run for a year from that date.

Who is travelling?

Simply enter the age of each traveller including Adults and Accompanied Children*. Enter the age they are now.

Only use as many boxes as you have travellers.

*As per the Policy Wording: "Accompanied Children" means Your children or grandchildren plus one non-related child per adult policyholder who are identified on the Certificate of Insurance and travelling with You on the Journey, provided they are not in full-time employment and they are under the age of 21 years at the Relevant Time. If an Accompanied Child is in full time employment then they will need to purchase their own policy.

If you require a policy for more than 6 travellers, please contact Cover-More on (0800) 500 225 as we may still be able to offer cover to you.

Travel Alert: Important Information Regarding Coronavirus COVID-19 Benefits Now Available

Key benefits of Cover-More travel insurance

COVID-19 Cover

We provide COVID-19 Benefits on our Options Plan (both Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip policies) to help you travel within New Zealand and overseas with greater confidence.

Luggage and Travel Documents

We offer up to $25,000^ cover for luggage and travel documents on our International Options Plan . This provides protection for items such as cameras, laptops, and mobile phones.

Emergency Assistance

Our policyholders have 24/7 access to our emergency assistance team. They’re here to help ensure you are safe, well, and can keep travelling.

Travel Delay/Cancellation

We automatically include coverage for travel delay of over six (6) hours, up to $2,000. For cancellation cover, you can customise your policy by selecting an amount that suits your needs.

Access to Virtual Care

Our Cover-More customers can access our Virtual Care service for free. If you’re feeling ill and our Emergency Assistance team believes you're eligible for support via a virtual doctor (for example, you don't require a physical exam), we can provide you with access to booking a virtual consult at a time that suits you.

Rental Vehicle Insurance Excess

If you’re hiring a vehicle on your holiday – or driving your personal vehicle on a domestic trip – our premium Options Plan can help protect you by providing cover for your excess amount if you’re involved in an accident.

Types of travel insurance cover we offer

International

A trip of a lifetime overseas can be costly and sometimes scary if you have to visit a foreign hospital. Our 24/7 emergency assistance team is there to help policyholders navigate foreign hospitals, and to organise payment for medical services. A case of gastro in the USA once cost over $100,000.

Existing Medical Conditions

Our premium Options Plan and budget-friendly Essentials Plan can provide automatic cover for over 35 conditions, and we’ll consider all other existing medical conditions. To find out if you’re eligible for cover, simply declare all your medical conditions when generating a quote.

Our travel insurance policies automatically include cover for cruise ship related claims. Any injuries or accidents onboard the ship aren’t covered by ACC, and ACC won’t cover the cost of transporting you home. That’s where travel insurance comes in.

Annual Multi-Trip Policy

Travel frequently? Annual Multi-Trip policies are ideal for travel enthusiasts who expect to take a few trips each year. You can purchase an Annual Multi-Trip policy on either our Options or Essentials Plans, saving you from organising a new policy every time you travel.

Exploring New Zealand? Our Options Plan can help protect your domestic trip from unforeseen incidents if you’re travelling more than 100km from your home or spending at least one night in paid accommodation.

For Seniors

Celebrate the golden years and travel the globe. It’s time to ticket items off that bucket list. Our plans offer existing medical assessments for travellers who require cover for medical conditions.

Adventure Sports

Love the outdoors and adventure? Our policies include a number of adventure sports including jet-skiing, parasailing, snorkelling, and more. Adventure sport accidents can be painful. Protect yourself and your finances.

Looking to save on travel insurance so you can spend more on your trip? Make sure you have a look at our Essentials Plan, providing great cover at an affordable price.

Ski & Winter Sports

If you’re hitting the slopes on your next trip, consider including our Snow Sports option in your policy. If you’re on-piste snow skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling, or cross-country skiing, we can provide emergency medical cover and more. 

Travel insurance: w hat’s the big deal?

Everyone hopes that their trip goes smoothly, sometimes that isn’t always the case. From skiing accidents in Vancouver to insect bites in Thailand, travel insurance can help protect you from the unexpected. Our 24/7 Medical Assistance team are there to help with emergencies while on your trip, and our Claims team are available to help process your claims. We encourage our customers to read the Policy Document before purchasing a policy to ensure you know what you’ve got cover for. Read more about why you should consider travel insurance .

Cover-More customer reviews

Cover-More travel insurance was reviewed on 28 February 2024 on Google and rated 4.6 stars based on 419 reviews.

Senka contracted Dengue fever in Bali, Indonesia, and spent five days in the hospital.

"When I was in hospital I spoke to Cover-More every day, and because I was in Bali on my own that was so reassuring."

Claim cost: $1,637

Diane’s father, John, fractured his hip on holiday in Australia and required surgery.

"Cover-More has been absolutely fantastic, I cannot fault them. They were in touch with me every day and they checked up on us to make sure dad was OK."

Claim cost: $10,933

Tom suffered a stroke on the first day of his holidays on the Cook Islands and had to be repatriated home.

"With all the help and care that I got, I’ve really dodged a bullet, and I couldn’t ask for anything more."

Claim cost: $114,780

Cover-More can protect your next trip with:

• 24/7 emergency assistance
• Online claims portal
• Choice of excess levels
• Options to vary your cover, including cancellation, snow sports, and luggage and personal effects
• Unlimited+* overseas emergency medical expense cover on our International Options Plan
• 21-day cooling-off period~

Travel insurance FAQs

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

Most travel insurance providers offer single or multi-trip policies, which can cover multiple countries within a specific timeframe. The destination, length of trip, specific activity add-ons and pre-existing medical conditions all help determine the cost of a travel insurance policy. Policies can be purchased at the time of booking a trip up until the time a traveller leaves their home.

Travel insurance varies for individual travellers based on the options selected by them, so prices vary from person-to-person. The cost of a travel insurance policy is determined by:

• Age of traveller/s: the older the traveller, the higher the policy cost may be.
• Number of travellers included in the policy: a higher number of travellers creates more variables, therefore increasing risk.
• Length of trip/s: a single trip policy is generally around half the amount of a multi-trip policy, making the latter more cost-effective for frequent travellers, while shorter trips often pose less risk of medical incidents and travel interruptions, resulting in lower costs.
• Destination/s: costs vary greatly depending on the countries and regions covered by a policy. For example, regions such as Europe will often be cheaper than trips to the USA because of the high cost of medical treatment in America.
• Level of coverage: travellers can opt for cheaper travel insurance as well as comprehensive, more expensive plans to cater to their different needs.
• Existing medical conditions: a customer’s policy will increase if their medical history shows an increased risk of possible medical treatment requirements while travelling.

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

Travel insurance protects you when travelling domestically or internationally by providing coverage against unforeseen circumstances that may negatively impact your travel plans.

By purchasing travel insurance prior to departure, your policy can help cover the costs of trip cancellations should you no longer be able to travel, as well as the costs of medical treatment, lost passports and personal items while you’re travelling. The customer usually pays for these costs upfront, before being reimbursed by the travel insurer upon claim approval.

To approve a claim, travel insurers require documentation such as a police report or medical bill to confirm the incident occurred.

Always read the Policy Wording before purchasing a travel insurance policy to ensure it provides adequate coverage for your circumstances.

Unfortunately, travel insurance can’t cover absolutely everything. This highlights the importance for travellers to read the Policy Wording before purchasing to avoid becoming frustrated when claims are unsuccessful. It will contain details on the situations you likely won’t be covered in, including:

• Cancellation: simply changing your mind prior to your trip may not be sufficient for a successful claim.
• Pre-existing conditions: if medical conditions aren’t disclosed or covered by the policy at time of purchase, exclusions may apply to coverage related to those conditions. 
• Theft or loss of belongings while left unattended: travellers must take care of their belongings as they would as home.
• Incidents occurring as a result of reckless behaviour: claims arising from excessive drinking or taking recreational drugs will likely be rejected.
• Winter and adventure sports: claims resulting from participation in high-risk sports will be void unless covered by the policy.
• Terrorism and extreme weather events: travelling to specific regions against the advice of the government or your insurer may result in unsuccessful claims because the events are no longer unforeseeable circumstances.

For full details of exclusions within a travel insurance plan, consult the Policy Wording.

Purchasing a policy soon after a trip is booked has a number of benefits and increases a traveller’s protection.

When purchased ahead of time, a traveller can cancel their travel insurance policy for a full refund within the cooling-off period. If the policy is purchased before the customer leaves their home to depart for their trip, claims for rearrangements and cancellations caused by unforeseen circumstances can also be made.

By considering travel insurance as an essential part of booking a holiday - not an afterthought when at the airport - travellers are likely to be covered should an incident arise before take-off.

See all travel insurance FAQs .

*Medical cover will not exceed 12 months from onset. Medical and dental expenses cover is limited to $1,500 for treatment provided in New Zealand. This $1,500 sub-limit does not apply to the Inbound medical section. Emergency dental expenses are limited to $1,500. ~Cooling-off period is available if you wish to cancel your policy within 21 calendar days of the date of purchase and you have not made a claim under the policy or departed on your journey.

Read our disclosure information under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013

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June 1, 2020

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after

Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after

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At Allianz, we continue to show our commitment to sports through our sponsorship with the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee. Read More >>

Entry Requirements & COVID-19 Travel Resources 

Confused about entry requirements for your destination? Our  interactive map shows current travel rules and restrictions for each destination, including info on COVID-19 testing, necessary travel documents and quarantine periods.

Find out how our  Epidemic Coverage Endorsement can protect your next trip from certain losses related to COVID-19.

Why do I need travel insurance?

Because sometimes..., you have to cancel a trip last-minute..

Travel insurance can reimburse you for your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs — including vacation rentals, car rentals, hotels and flights — if you have to cancel for a covered reason.

Travel delays leave you stranded.

Travel insurance can reimburse you for eligible meals, accommodation and transportation expenses during a covered delay.

You get sick or hurt when you're far from home.

Travel insurance can reimburse you for care following a covered medical emergency while traveling. We can even arrange and pay for a medical evacuation if needed.

Fender-benders are unavoidable.

Renting a car means taking on a big financial risk; even a tiny scrape can cost you hundreds. Low-priced rental car insurance lets you drive worry-free.

You need help in a hurry.

Whether you're planning a week-long road trip or a weekend getaway, you never know what might happen. Travel insurance gives you access to our 24-Hour Assistance hotline for expert, personalized support in a crisis.

Why go with Allianz Travel Insurance?

As a world leader in travel protection, we help more than 70 million people answer the call of adventure with confidence every year.

We're Protecting You

From protection for trip cancellation to medical bills abroad, our benefits are designed to help you explore reassured.

We're There For You

We've got your back with award-winning 24/7 assistance and a worldwide network of prescreened hospitals to help you get the right care.

We're Built For You

From our Allyz ® TravelSmart app to proactive SmartBenefits, we innovate for the way you travel today - and tomorrow.

TRAVEL RESOURCES

How Travel Insurance Works

How the Cancel Anytime Upgrade Works

What Does Rental Car Insurance Cover?

Is It Too Late to Buy Travel Insurance?

The Comprehensive Guide to Annual Travel Insurance

5 Ways the Allyz ®  TravelSmart App Can Help During Winter Travels

Travel Insurance with Emergency Medical Benefits

Destination Guide: Croatia

Travel Insurance & COVID-19: The Epidemic Coverage Endorsement Explained

More Travel Resources »

LATEST COVERAGE ALERTS

The events listed below are considered "known and foreseeable" for travel insurance purposes on the date listed next to the event. Please consult your policy for more information.

More Coverage Alerts »

Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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• Domestic Travel Insurance

International Travel Insurance

• Make a Claim
• COVID-19 FAQs

Cover for your overseas adventures

Even when you’re in the early planning stages of your trip, it’s important to consider taking out travel insurance. That’s because AA Travel Insurance policies can cover for cancellation and loss of deposits before you even go. So if something happens in the lead-up to your trip, we can be there to help you. With International Travel Insurance, you’ll be supported 24/7 no matter where you are in the world, with help just a phone call away.

Our three plans -  Essentials, Comprehensive, and  Frequent Traveller, have been designed with flexibility in mind, and provide different benefits and limits. Click here for an instant online quote. 

Get a quote

Cover for some COVID-related situations^

All plans include some cover for epidemic and pandemic diseases, like COVID-19, in some situations:

• If you're diagnosed with the disease after you purchase your policy and can't go on your trip or have to go home early
• If you’re quarantined or put into self-isolation by the NZ Government because you’re suspected of having been exposed to the disease and can’t go or continue on your trip
• If you’re denied boarding on any scheduled public transport service based on the suspicion that you have the disease.

^The policy still has a general exclusion for epidemics and pandemics and does not cover disinclination to travel due to fear or change of mind. Cover is only provided if you have not commenced your journey against the New Zealand Government’s advice not to travel. There is no cover for lockdowns, changes in government alert levels, quarantine or mandatory isolation applying to a population or part of a population.

Terms, conditions, limits, sub-limits and exclusions apply and these are set out in the Policy Wording. Please refer to the  Policy Wording  for full details.

Cover Options

The Essentials plan has been designed for those who only need limited travel insurance cover.

Comprehensive

The Comprehensive plan provides the highest level of cover, offering all the benefits under the Essentials plan and more.

Frequent Flyer

Designed for those who travel regularly, the Frequent Flyer plan can cover all trips taken during a 12-month period (up to 60 days duration per trip)

Business Cover

Cover for you when the main intention of your trip is for business purposes.

Offers additional business benefits.

Compare plans

^Sub-limits apply.

This table is a summary only. For all of these benefits, p lease make sure you read the  Policy Wording  to understand the definitions, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions that apply.

AA International Travel Insurance Benefits

10% discount for aa members*.

AA Members can receive a discount on all policies. Simply provide your valid AA Membership number on application.

24/7 Emergency Assistance

With AA Travel Insurance, you’ll have access to the Allianz 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team. A single call will put you in touch with a specialist who will be able to help you.

Cover for pre-existing medical conditions

Under the Comprehensive plan, you can apply to get your pre-existing medical conditions covered. If accepted, this can give you that extra peace of mind during your holiday.

Cover for missed connections or travel delays

If you miss connections or have any travel delays because of unexpected situations, you will be able to claim up to the maximum benefit limit based on your policy type. This includes additional hotel and travel costs.

All plans include selected cover for epidemic and pandemic diseases, like COVID-19 in some situations:

• If you're diagnosed with the disease and you can't go on your trip or have to go home early
• If you’re quarantined or put into self-isolation by the NZ Government if you’re suspected of having been exposed to the disease

Cover before you depart

Your trip is protected from unforeseen cancellation and loss of deposits the moment your cover is confirmed.

For all of these benefits, please make sure you read the Policy Wording to understand the benefit limits, terms or exclusions that apply.

^The policy still has a general exclusion for epidemics and pandemics, and does not cover disinclination to travel due to fear or change of mind. Cover is only provided if you have not commenced your journey against the New Zealand Government’s advice not to travel. There is no cover for lockdowns, changes in government alert levels, quarantine or mandatory isolation applying to a population or part of a population. Please refer to the Policy Wording for full details.

^Terms, conditions, limits, sub-limits and exclusions apply and these are stated in the Policy Wording . Customers considering the purchase of a travel insurance policy should read the Policy Wording to check what is and isn’t covered.

Have a question?

Our friendly New Zealand-based team are here to help. Give us a call anytime from 8:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, or pop into one of our AA Centres to speak to a consultant.

Call: 0800 630 115

Frequently asked questions

What countries does my selected cover^ for epidemic and pandemic diseases (including Covid-19) cover?

All countries that do not appear on the Level 4 warning “Do not travel” advisory listed on SafeTravel.

SafeTravel houses all warnings inclusive of non-Covid-19 advisories which are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

If I contract Covid-19 prior to travelling do I have selected cover^ for epidemic and pandemic diseases?

Cover is in place, providing that the country you are travelling to does not have a MFAT, SafeTravel or New Zealand Government Level 4 warning “Do not travel” in place.

If I contract Covid-19 in transit to my destination country do I have selected cover^ for epidemic and pandemic diseases?

Cover is in place, providing that the countries you are travelling to do not have a MFAT, SafeTravel or New Zealand Government Level 4 warning “Do not travel” in place.

Does selected cover^ for epidemic and pandemic diseases still apply if I am unvaccinated?

Cover is in place as there is no requirement to be vaccinated/boosted under our policy. However, if the destination country requires an inbound traveller to be vaccinated, then the traveller must be able to meet these entry requirements. This also applies to the condition of carriage for example of the airline they are travelling. There is no cover if denied boarding or entry to a country due to not meeting the carrier or country vaccination requirements.

Are there any mandatory epidemic and pandemic insurance requirements to enter certain countries?

Many countries, even before the pandemic, had compulsory health and travel insurance requirements, but many more have since added rules – typically around Covid-19 medical expenses and the associated costs. The coverage type and amount varies by vaccination status and country.  Prior to travelling, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination.

If I had Covid-19, should I declare this as a Pre-existing Medical Condition?

At the time of purchasing your policy if you have previously had Covid-19 and are now testing negative, are feeling well with no symptoms at all, then you do not need to declare this as a Pre-existing Medical Condition. A Covid-19 positive test result at a later date would be considered a new infection.

However, if you are:

• still testing positive; or
• still displaying Covid-19 signs and symptoms; or
• have been diagnosed with 'long Covid';

and you wish to have cover, you need to disclose the condition as a Pre-existing Medical Condition and an additional premium may be payable.

Our insurance partner

AA Travel Insurance policies are brought to you by the New Zealand Automobile Association Incorporated (AA), are issued and managed by AWP Services New Zealand Limited trading as Allianz Partners and underwritten by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473 (Incorporated in Australia) ("Hollard"). You should consider the  Policy Wording  before making any decisions about this insurance policy. Terms, conditions, limits, sub-limits and exclusions apply.

Financial Strength Rating

The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473 (Incorporated in Australia), ("Hollard"), has been given a financial strength rating of A (Strong) issued by Standard and Poor's. View the full details on the  Financial Strength Rating .

An overseas policyholder preference applies. Under Australian law, if The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd is wound up, its assets in Australia must be applied to its Australian liabilities before they can be applied to overseas liabilities. To this extent, New Zealand policyholders may not be able to rely on The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd’s Australian assets to satisfy New Zealand liabilities.

Financial advice

The New Zealand Automobile Association provides general information about AA Travel Insurance products and services so that you can make a choice that best meets your needs. Information provided does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or goals and is not intended to be financial advice. If you'd like to receive financial advice, you can get professional advice from a registered financial adviser.

More information

Contact us Policy Wording Make a claim Terms and conditions AA Traveller Member Benefits

*AA Members can receive a 10% discount on AA Travel Insurance. Simply provide each traveller’s valid AA Membership number on application. Discount applies to AA Member cover premium, including any additional pre-existing cover, but does not apply to additional cover for high value items.

The only travel insurance that earns you Airpoints Dollars ™

Start your travel insurance quote

Where are you going.

Single Trip

Select a country in the area of travel based on where you will spend the most time on your journey

Note: If you plan to spend more than 20% of your time in the Americas or Antarctica, you must select a country from the area that includes these countries.

Annual Multi-Trip

Select a country you are planning to visit in the area which will cover all the countries you plan on visiting over the year. If you plan to visit a country in the Americas, or Antarctica, you must select a country in the area that includes these countries.

Cover includes domestic journeys provided the destination is more than 100 km from your home in New Zealand. If less than 100 km, your trip must include at least one night paid accommodation booked with an accommodation supplier or provider.

• United States of America (USA)
• Cook Islands
• Not Sure? See Region List
• Antarctica - Sightseeing Flight
• Antigua And Barbuda
• Cayman Islands
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Falkland Islands
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Puerto Rico
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Vincent and Grenadines
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• United States of America
• Virgin Islands, U.S.
• Afghanistan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Burkina Faso
• Cape Verde Islands
• Central African Republic
• Congo, The Democratic Republic Of
• Czech Republic
• Equatorial Guinea
• Faroe Islands
• French Guiana
• Guinea-Bissau
• Ivory Coast
• Korea, Republic Of
• Liechtenstein
• Moldova, Republic Of
• Netherlands
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• Trinidad And Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• United Arab Emirates
• Vatican City
• Northern Ireland
• United Kingdom
• Lao People's Democratic Republic
• Marshall Islands
• Philippines
• American Samoa
• French Polynesia
• New Caledonia
• Norfolk Island
• Papua New Guinea
• Solomon Islands
• Western Samoa
• New Zealand

Dates of Travel

Departure date (travel start date).

Single Trips

The date you depart your home in New Zealand

If you purchase this policy on your trip after leaving home, this cover is subject to a 3-day no-cover period. This means there is no cover under any section of the policy for any event that has occurred already or that arises within the first 3 days of buying the policy.

Cover under the 'Amendment or cancellation costs' benefit begins from the time you buy your policy.

Cover under all other sections begins from the departure date you select.

Annual Multi-Trips

The date your policy will commence

For further information we recommend you read the definition of 'Relevant Time' and 'Period Of Insurance' in the Policy Wording.

Return Date (Travel End Date)

The date you return to your home in New Zealand

Your Annual Multi-trip Policy will expire 12 months from the commencement date of the policy.

Ages of travellers

Who is going.

Enter the current age (at todays date) of each traveller, including children, who you want to cover with insurance.

Click Add+ if you need to add more travellers

Accompanied Children are your children or grandchildren plus one non-related child per adult policyholder who are identified on the Certificate of Insurance and travelling with You on the Journey, provided they are not in full-time employment, they are financially dependent on You and they are under the age of 21 years. See the Policy Wording for more information.

Do all travellers live in NZ?

Most policies can only be issued to New Zealand citizens and permanent residents of New Zealand who:

• Will be returning to New Zealand at the completion of the period of insurance and within 12 months of the journey commencing;

If you are visiting New Zealand from another country you should select New Zealand as your Destination

Travel insurance for your flight, holiday or adventure

Whether you travel once a year or you're a frequent flyer, we have comprehensive travel insurance options for single and annual multi-trips – overseas or travel around New Zealand.

Air New Zealand travel insurance also includes medical expenses and limited cancellation expenses related to Covid-19.

Plus, you can earn Airpoints Dollars™ on every policy or pay using Airpoints Dollars.

Covid-19 cover included

We provide Covid-19 benefits on both Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip policies to help you travel with greater confidence.

Access to a Travel Doctor

As a policyholder you have access to our bonus Travel GP service free of charge. If you're feeling ill and need to talk to a doctor we can put you in touch with an Australian-based doctor via telemedicine.

Existing Medical Conditions

We can cover a range of existing medical conditions. There are 39 already included in our policies, and you can apply online as part of your policy purchase.

Free cover for children

Free travel cover for accompanying children or grandchildren under 21.

Travel Delay

We automatically include coverage in our comprehensive policies for travel delay of over 6 hours.

Use your Airpoints Dollars™

You can use your Airpoints Dollars to purchase your travel insurance policy. Sign in at any time.

Free look period

Once you’ve purchased make sure you read the policy. If you're not sure you can cancel within 21 days and get a full refund. ** 

Why choose Travel insurance from us?

Air New Zealand has partnered with Cover-More Travel Insurance to bring you world-leading comprehensive insurance for travel within New Zealand and around the world.

Cover-More is part of the Zurich Insurance Group, one of the world’s largest insurance companies. For more than 30 years, Cover-More travel insurance and their 24/7 emergency assistance services have helped Kiwis all over the world.

• aid.govt.nz
• mfat.govt.nz
• NZ Embassies

Official advice for New Zealanders living and travelling overseas

• Before you go
• Quick checklist and tips
• Disability information
• Dual Citizenship
• Going to Australia?
• LGBTQIA+ travellers
• Staying healthy while travelling
• Passports and visas
• Solo travellers
• Travel insurance
• Travelling with a criminal conviction
• Work and income benefits
• Travel advisories
• By destination
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• Travel tips - travel to Europe
• Middle East
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• Travel tips - travel to the United States
• South East Asia
• About our advisories
• Travel advisory risk levels
• News features
• When things go wrong
• Arrest and detention
• Contingency planning for New Zealanders overseas
• Financial difficulties
• Hostage taking and kidnapping
• Illness and injury
• Internet dating scams
• Internet fraud and international scams
• Large-scale emergency
• Lost, stolen or damaged passport
• Missing persons
• Nuclear incident
• Victims of crime
• Family issues
• Child abductions
• Combating sex crimes against children
• Inter-country adoptions
• Travelling with children
• Our services
• New Zealand embassy locator

United States of America

• Travel Advice /
• Section pages:
• Reviewed: 7 June 2023, 08:45 NZST
• Still current at: 19 April 2024
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Related news features

• Outbreaks of Polio Reviewed: 19 February 2024, 13:30 NZDT
• United States of America: Wildfires Reviewed: 5 October 2020, 10:47 NZDT
• Brexit: New Zealanders in the United Kingdom Reviewed: 5 February 2020, 15:15 NZDT
• Travelling as a Dual Citizen Reviewed: 21 January 2020, 11:58 NZDT
• Mosquito-borne Illnesses Reviewed: 10 September 2018, 09:05 NZST
• Aviation security enhancements for flights to the United States and United Kingdom Updated: 22 March 2017, 16:08 NZDT
• United States of America: 90 Day Visa Waiver and Zero Tolerance Posted: 24 June 2016, 16:49 NZST
• View all news

If you are planning international travel at this time, please read our COVID-19 related travel advice here , alongside our destination specific travel advice below.

Exercise increased caution

Exercise increased caution  in the United States due to the threat of terrorism (level 2 of 4).

Terrorism The United States Department of Homeland Security regularly issues terrorism-related advice and updates. For current alerts, see the US National Terror Advisory System webpage.

The United States remains a target of terrorist interest, both from international terror groups and from domestic-based individual’s adhering to various forms of violent extremist ideologies. Credible information assessed by US authorities indicates that individuals or groups have developed both the intent and capability to conduct terrorist attacks in the US. Attacks could be indiscriminate, targeting law enforcement officials, government buildings and areas frequented by foreigners including transport hubs and major events.

New Zealanders in the United States are advised to keep themselves informed of potential risks to safety and security by monitoring the media and other local information sources. Follow any instructions issued by the local authorities and be aware of your surroundings in public places such as shopping malls, markets, monuments, places of worship, tourist destinations, demonstrations, large gatherings and on public transport.

In the event of an attack, leave the area as soon as it is safe to do so. Avoid the area in case of secondary attacks.

Crime Petty crime such as theft and pickpocketing can occur, particularly in urban centres, tourist locations and on public transport. New Zealanders should stay alert to their surroundings, stay vigilant on public transport and avoid leaving belongings unattended, including in rental vehicles.

There is a higher incidence of violent crime and firearm possession than in New Zealand. In many states, it is legal for United States citizens to openly carry firearms in public. Violent crime has targeted individuals and groups from the LGBTQIA+ community and those with diverse ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds. However, crime rates vary considerably across cities and suburbs and while tourists are rarely targeted, there is always a risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. New Zealanders should take care when travelling in unfamiliar areas including on public transport. Research your destination before travelling and seek local advice if you are concerned about levels of criminal activity.

Active shooter incidents occur in the United States. For advice on how to respond to an active shooter situation, please see the US Department of Homeland Security website .

You should exercise caution if crossing the border by car into Mexico from Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. There have been increased incidents of crime associated with drug trading and some foreign nationals have been targeted indiscriminately.

Be aware of rental and financial scams via websites and social media. Credit card and ATM fraud including debit card cloning is also a risk to travellers.

Civil Unrest and Political Tension Protests and demonstrations regularly occur. We advise New Zealanders to follow any advice issued by the local authorities, monitor local media for developments and avoid all demonstrations, protests and rallies as even those intended as peaceful have the potential to result in violence.

Natural Disasters The US can experience severe weather events, such as hurricanes, especially in May or June to November regularly impacting the eastern seaboard, Gulf Coast, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

Tornados are most frequent and at their highest intensities across the Central Plains and parts of the Midwest. While tornadoes can form at any time of year, conditions are most favourable in the spring and summer months (March to September). 

Severe snowstorms during winter can cause disruptions to critical infrastructure, including power cuts. Winter storms may also lead to widespread flight delays and cancellations.

Many parts of the US are also prone to earthquakes including Alaska, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington state and the US Virgin Islands.

Contact your travel operator or airline for the latest departure information, and monitor local weather forecasts.  If there is a severe weather event, or natural disaster, follow the advice of the local authorities and keep your family and friends back in New Zealand informed of your safety and well-being.

General Travel Advice The Transport Security Administration website provides guidance for airline passengers travelling to the United States.

Travellers carrying electronic devices, such as laptops and mobile phones, should be aware that these devices may be subject to security checks by United States border authorities.

Immigration regulations are strictly enforced. Overstaying can result in detention then deportation. See our United States travel tips .

New Zealanders travelling or resident in the United States should have comprehensive travel and medical insurance policies in place. Medical costs in the United States are extremely high and the New Zealand government cannot assist with medical expenses. 

New Zealanders in the United States are encouraged to register their travel with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Travel tips

• For current health alerts
• Travel to the United States

The New Zealand Embassy Washington DC, United States of America

Street Address 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States of America Telephone +1 202 328 4800 Fax +1 202 667 5227 Email [email protected] Web Site https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/americas/united-states-of-america/new-zealand-embassy-to-the-united-states-of-america/ Hours Mon - Fri 0830 - 1700 hrs

The New Zealand Consulate-General Los Angeles, United States of America

Street Address Suite 600E, 2425 Olympic Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90404, United States of America Telephone +1 310 566 6555 Fax +1 310 566 6556 Email [email protected] Web Site https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/americas/united-states-of-america/new-zealand-consulate-general-los-angeles/ Hours Mon - Fri 0830 - 1300, 1330 - 1630 hrs

New Zealand Consulate-General Honolulu, United States of America

Street Address 733 Bishop Street, 2020, Honolulu, HI 96813 Telephone +1 808 675 5555 Fax +1 808 675 5561 Email [email protected]

New Zealand Consulate-General New York, United States of America

Street Address 41st Floor, 295 Madison Ave, New York, 10017, United States of America Telephone +1 212 832 4038 Fax +1 212 832 7602 Hours Mon - Fri 0900 - 1230 hrs for consular calls

New Zealand Consulate Atlanta, United States of America

Street Address 47 Hawk Road, Newnan, Georgia 30263, United States of America Telephone +1 (404) 290 9727 Email [email protected]

New Zealand Consulate Boston, United States of America

Telephone +1 781 430 9996 Email [email protected]

New Zealand Consulate Chicago, United States of America

Street Address 1223 Oakwood Lane, Glenview, IL 60025 Postal Address 1223 Oakwood Lane, 6400 Shafer Ct 60025, Glenview, IL Telephone +1 312-953 4251 Email [email protected]

New Zealand Consulate Houston, United States of America

Street Address 4424 W. Sam Houston Pkwy North, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77041, United States of America Telephone +1 713 670 4384 Email [email protected]

New Zealand Consulate Oregon, United States of America

Street Address 430 SW 13th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97205, United States of America Telephone +1 503 803 7129 Email [email protected]

New Zealand Consulate Sacramento, United States of America

Street Address 44733 North El Macero Drive, El Macero, CA 95618 - 1066, United States of America Telephone +1 530 756 8013 Email [email protected]

New Zealand Consulate Salt Lake City, United States of America

Street Address 1655 Linden Lane, Bountiful, UT 84010, United States of America Telephone +1 801 237 2664 (Direct), +1 801 296 2494 (Voicemail) Email [email protected]

New Zealand Consulate San Francisco (Northern California), United States of America

Postal Address PO Box 1276, Burlingame, CA 94010, United States of America Telephone +1 (650) 342-4443 Email [email protected]

New Zealand Consulate Seattle, United States of America

Street Address 4010 Lake Washington Blvd NE, Suite 300, Kirkland WA 98033, United States of America Telephone +1 425 829 4568 Email [email protected]

New Zealand Consulate Vermont, United States of America

Street Address 211 Ordway Shore Road, Shelburne, Vermont 05482, United States of America Telephone +1 (802) 489 5677 Email [email protected]

See our regional advice for North America

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New zealand embassy united states of america.

Telephone: +1 202 328 4800

Fax: +1 202 667 5227

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/americas/united-states-of-america/new-zealand-embassy-to-the-united-states-of-america/

Hours: Mon - Fri 0830 - 1700 hrs

New Zealand Consulate-General United States of America

Telephone: +1 310 566 6555

Fax: +1 310 566 6556

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/americas/united-states-of-america/new-zealand-consulate-general-los-angeles/

Hours: Mon - Fri 0830 - 1300, 1330 - 1630 hrs

Please check below for New Zealand Consulates in this country

Related advice from other countries

• United Kingdom

Other pages in this section:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade 195 Lambton Quay Private Bag 18 901 Wellington 5045 New Zealand

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Travel Insurance

Cheapest travel insurance of April 2024

Mandy Sleight

Heidi Gollub

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 9:52 a.m. UTC April 11, 2024

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WorldTrips is the best cheap travel insurance company of 2024 based on our in-depth analysis of the cheapest travel insurance plans. Its Atlas Journey Preferred and Atlas Journey Premier plans offer affordable travel insurance with high limits for emergency medical and evacuation benefits bundled with good coverage for trip delays, travel inconvenience and missed connections.

Cheapest travel insurance of 2024

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our team of travel insurance experts analyzes hundreds of insurance products and thousands of data points to help you find the best travel insurance for your next trip. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content . You can read more about our methodology below.

• 1,855 coverage details evaluated.
• 567 rates reviewed.
• 5 levels of fact-checking.

Best cheap travel insurance

Top-scoring plans

Average cost, medical limit per person, medical evacuation limit per person, why it’s the best.

WorldTrips tops our rating of the cheapest travel insurance with two plans:

• Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheaper travel insurance plan of the two, with $100,000 per person in emergency medical benefits as secondary coverage and an optional upgrade to primary coverage. It’s also our pick for the best travel insurance for cruises .
• Atlas Journey Premier costs a little more but gives you $150,000 in travel medical insurance with primary coverage . This is a good option if health insurance for international travel is a priority.

Pros and cons

• Atlas Journey Preferred is the cheapest of our 5-star travel insurance plans.
• Atlas Journey Premier offers $150,000 in primary medical coverage.
• Both plans have top-notch $1 million per person in medical evacuation coverage.
• Each plan offers travel inconvenience coverage of $750 per person.
• 12 optional upgrades, including destination wedding and rental car damage and theft.
• No non-medical evacuation coverage.

Cheap travel insurance for cruises

Travel insured.

Top-scoring plan

Travel Insured offers cheap travel insurance for cruises and its Worldwide Trip Protector plan gets 4 stars in our rating of the best cruise travel insurance .

• Worldwide Trip Protector offers $1 million in emergency evacuation coverage per person and a rare $150,000 in non-medical evacuation per person. It also has primary coverage for travel medical insurance benefits, which means you won’t have to file medical claims with your health insurance first.
• Cheap trip insurance for cruises.
• Offers a rare $150,000 for non-medical evacuation.
• $500 per person baggage delay benefit only requires a 3-hour delay.
• Optional rental car damage benefit up to $50,000.
• Missed connection benefit of $500 per person only available for cruises and tours.

Best cheap travel insurance for families

Travelex has the best cheap travel insurance for families because kids age 17 are covered by your policy for free when they’re traveling with you.

• Free coverage for children 17 and under on the same policy.
• $2,000 travel delay coverage per person ($250 per day) after 5 hours.
• Hurricane and weather coverage after a common carrier delay of any amount of time.
• Only $50,000 per person emergency medical coverage.
• Baggage delay coverage is only $200 and requires a 12-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for seniors

Evacuation limit per person

Nationwide has the best cheap travel insurance for seniors — its Prime plan gets 4 stars in our best senior travel insurance rating. However, Nationwide’s Cruise Choice plan ranks higher in our best cheap travel insurance rating.

• Cruise Choice has a $500 per person benefit if a cruise itinerary change causes you to miss a prepaid excursion. It also has a missed connections benefit of $1,500 per person after only a 3-hour delay, for cruises or tours. But note that this coverage is secondary coverage to any compensation provided by a common carrier.
• Coverage for cruise itinerary changes, ship-based mechanical breakdowns and covered shipboard service disruptions.
• Non-medical evacuation benefit of $25,000 per person.
• Baggage loss benefits of $2,500 per person.
• Travel medical coverage is secondary.
• Trip cancellation benefit for losing your job requires three years of continuous employment.
• No “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) upgrade available.
• Missed connection coverage of $1,500 per person is only for tours and cruises, after a 3-hour delay.

Best cheap travel insurance for add-on options

AIG offers the best cheap travel insurance for add-on options because the Travel Guard Preferred plan allows you to customize your policy with a host of optional upgrades.

• Travel Guard Preferred upgrades include “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , rental vehicle damage coverage and bundles that offer additional benefits for adventure sports, travel inconvenience, quarantine, pets, security and weddings. There’s also a medical bundle that increases the travel medical benefit to $100,000 and emergency evacuation to $1 million.
• Bundle upgrades allow you to customize your affordable travel insurance policy.
• Emergency medical and evacuation limits can be doubled with optional upgrade.
• Base travel insurance policy has relatively low medical limits.
• $300 baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour delay.
• Optional CFAR upgrade only reimburses up to 50% of trip cost.

Best cheap travel insurance for missed connections

TravelSafe has the best cheap travel insurance for missed connections because coverage is not limited to cruises and tours, as it is with many policies.

• Best-in-class $2,500 per person in missed connection coverage.
• $1 million per person in medical evacuation and $25,000 in non-medical evacuation coverage.
• Generous $2,500 per person baggage and personal items loss benefit.
• Most expensive of the best cheap travel insurance plans.
• No “interruption for any reason” coverage available.
• Weak baggage delay coverage of $250 per person after 12 hours.

Cheapest travel insurance comparison

How much does the cheapest travel insurance cost?

The cheapest travel insurance in our rating is $334. This is for a WorldTrips Atlas Journey Preferred travel insurance plan, based on the average of seven quotes for travelers of various ages to international destinations with a range of trip values.  

Factors that determine travel insurance cost

There are several factors that determine the cost of travel insurance, including:

• Age and number of travelers being insured.
• Trip length.
• Total trip cost.
• The travel insurance plan you choose.
• The travel insurance company.
• Any add-ons, features or upgraded benefits you include in the travel insurance plan.

Expert tip: “In general, travelers can expect to pay anywhere from 4% to 10% of their total prepaid, non-refundable trip costs,” said Suzanne Morrow, CEO of InsureMyTrip.

Is buying the cheapest travel insurance a good idea?

Choosing cheaper travel insurance without paying attention to what a plan covers and excludes could leave you underinsured for your trip. Comparing travel insurance plans side-by-side can help ensure you get enough coverage to protect yourself financially in an emergency for the best price. 

For example, compare these two Travelex travel insurance plans:

• Travel Basic is cheaper but it only provides up to $15,000 for emergency medical expense coverage. You’ll also have to pay extra for coverage for children.
• Travel Select will cost you a bit more but it covers up to $50,000 in medical expenses and includes coverage for kids aged 17 and younger traveling with you. It also offers upgrades such additional medical coverage, “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage and an adventure sports rider that may be a good fit for your trip.

Reasons to consider paying more for travel insurance 

Make sure you understand what you’re giving up if you buy the cheapest travel insurance. Here are a few reasons you may consider paying a little extra for better coverage. 

• Emergency medical. The best travel medical insurance offers primary coverage for emergency medical benefits. Travel insurance with primary coverage can cost more than secondary coverage but will save you from having to file a claim with your health insurance company before filing a travel insurance claim.
• Emergency evacuation. If you’re traveling to a remote location or planning a boat excursion on your trip, look at travel insurance with a high medical evacuation insurance limit. If you are injured while traveling, transportation to the nearest adequate medical facility could cost in the tens to hundreds of thousands. It may make sense to pay more for travel insurance with robust emergency evacuation coverage. 
• Flexibility. To maximize your trip flexibility, you might consider upgrading your travel insurance to “ cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage . This will increase the cost of your travel insurance but allow you to cancel your trip for any reason — not just those listed in your policy. The catch is that you’ll need to cancel at least 48 hours before your trip and will only be reimbursed 50% or 75% of your trip expenses, depending on the plan. 
• Upgrades. Many travel insurance plans have optional extras like car rental collision and adventure sports (which may otherwise be excluded from coverage). These will cost you extra but may give you the coverage you need. 

How to find the cheapest travel insurance

The best way to find the cheapest travel insurance is to determine what you’re looking for in a travel insurance policy and compare plans that meet your needs.

 “Travel insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every trip is different, and every traveler has different needs, wants and concerns. This is why comparison is key,” said Morrow.

Consider the following factors when comparing cheap travel insurance plans.

• How often you’re traveling. A single-trip policy may be the most cost-effective if you’re only going on a single trip this year. But a multi-trip travel insurance plan may be cheaper if you’re going on multiple international trips throughout the year. Annual travel insurance policies cover you for a whole year as long as each trip doesn’t exceed a certain number of days, usually 30 to 90 days. 
• Credit card has travel insurance benefits. The best credit cards offer perks and benefits, and many offer travel insurance-specific benefits. The coverage types and benefit limits can vary, and you must put the entire trip cost on the credit card to use the coverage. If your trip costs more than the coverage limit on your card, you can supplement the rest with a cheaper travel insurance plan.
• The coverage you need. When looking for the best travel insurance option at the most affordable price, only buy extras and upgrades you really need. A basic plan may only provide up to $500 in baggage insurance, but if you only plan to take $300 worth of clothes and accessories, you don’t need to pay more for higher coverage limits.

Is cheap travel insurance worth it?

Cheap travel insurance can be worth it, as long as you understand the plan limitations and exclusions. Taking the time to read your policy, especially the fine print, well before your trip can ensure there won’t be any surprises about what’s covered once your journey begins.

“If a traveler is looking for coverage for travel delays, cancellations, interruptions, medical and baggage — a comprehensive travel insurance policy will provide the most bang for their buck,” said Morrow. But if you’re on a tight budget and are only worried about emergency medical care and evacuation coverage while traveling abroad, stand-alone options are cheaper.

Before buying travel insurance, you should also consider what your health insurance will cover. 

“Most domestic health insurance plans, including Medicare, will not cover medical bills abroad,” said Morrow. Even if you’re staying stateside, you may find value in an affordable travel insurance plan with medical coverage if you have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). 

A cheap travel insurance plan is better than none at all if you end up in a situation that would have covered some or all of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance . From those top-scoring travel insurance plans, we chose the most affordable for our rating of the cheapest travel insurance.

Insurers could score up to 100 points based on the following factors:

• Cost: 40 points. We scored the average cost of each travel insurance policy for a variety of trips and traveler profiles.
• Medical expenses: 10 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with emergency medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Medical evacuation: 10 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 10 points. We gave full points to travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
• Missed connection: 10 points. Travel insurance plans with missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more received full points.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave points to travel insurance plans with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75%.
• Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in after a delay of 6 hours or less.
• Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a travel insurance plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.
• Hurricane and severe weather: 5 points. Travel insurance plans that have a required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage of 12 hours or less received 5 points.

Some travel insurance companies may offer plans with additional benefits or lower prices than the plans that scored the highest, so make sure to compare travel insurance quotes to see your full range of options.

Cheapest travel insurance FAQs

When buying travel insurance, cheapest is not always the best. The most affordable travel insurance plans typically offer fewer coverages with lower policy limits and few or no optional upgrades. Add up your total nonrefundable trip costs and compare travel insurance plans and available features that cover your travel expenses. This strategy can help you find the cheapest travel insurance policy that best protects you from financial loss if an unforeseen circumstance arises.

Get the coverage you need: Best travel insurance of 2024

According to our analysis, WorldTrips , Travel Insured International and Travelex offer the best cheap travel insurance. Policy coverage types and limits can vary by each travel insurance provider, so the best way to get the cheapest travel insurance plan is to compare several policies and companies to find the right fit for your budget.

A good rate for travel insurance depends on your budget and coverage needs. The most comprehensive travel insurance plan is usually not the cheapest. But cheap trip insurance may not have enough coverage or the types of coverage you want. Comparing different levels of coverage and how much they cost can help you find the best cheap insurance for travel. 

The average cost of travel insurance is between 5% to 6% of your total travel expenses for one trip, according to our analysis of rates. However, you may find cheaper travel insurance if you opt for a plan with fewer benefits or lower coverage limits. How much you pay for travel insurance will also depend on the number of travelers covered, their ages, the length of the trip and any upgrades you add to your plan.

Travel insurance covers nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs — up to the policy coverage limits — when your trip is interrupted or canceled for a covered reason outlined in your plan documents. Even the cheapest travel insurance policies usually provide coverage for:

• Medical emergencies.
• Trip delays.
• Trip interruption.
• Trip cancellation.
• Lost, stolen or damaged luggage.

However, if you’re looking to save on travel insurance, you can shop for a policy that only has travel medical insurance and does not include benefits for trip cancellation .

Even when you buy cheap travel insurance, you can often use upgrade options to customize your policy to meet your specific needs. 

Some common travel insurance add-ons you may want to consider include:

• Rental car damage coverage. 
• Medical bundle.
• Security bundle.
• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
• Adventure sports bundle.
• Pet bundle.
• Wedding bundle.
• “Cancel for work reasons” coverage.
• “Interruption for any reason” (IFAR) coverage.
• “Cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage .

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Mandy is an insurance writer who has been creating online content since 2018. Before becoming a full-time freelance writer, Mandy spent 15 years working as an insurance agent. Her work has been published in Bankrate, MoneyGeek, The Insurance Bulletin, U.S. News and more.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

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Top Travel Insurances for New Zealand You Should Know in 2024

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Links on this page, including products and brands featured on ‘Sponsored’ content, may earn us an affiliate commission. This does not affect the opinions and recommendations of our editors.

New Zealand is known for its breathtaking landscapes, including glaciers, fjords, and the Southern Alps, as well as its unique Maori history. Visitors also come to experience the adventure activities, such as hiking, skiing, and rafting, and to see the unique wildlife like the Kiwi bird. Although travelling to New Zealand can be an accessible holiday destination for many people, out-the-pocket healthcare costs in the country tend to be expensive, so it's a very good idea to arrive there with travel insurance under your belt.

Luckily, online global insurances (known as 'insurtechs') specialize in cost-savvy travel insurance to New Zealand and other countries worldwide. Our list below explores the four services we believe provide the best deals for young travellers, adventurers, everyday holidaymakers looking for comprehensive but affordable coverage, and longer-term expats.

New Zealand Insurance Profile

Here are a few of the many factors influencing the scope and cost of travel insurances for New Zealand:

Best Travel Insurances for New Zealand

• 01. Should I get travel insurance for New Zealand? scroll down
• 02. Best medical coverage: VisitorsCoverage scroll down
• 03. Best trip insurance: Insured Nomads scroll down
• 04. Best mix for youth and digitial nomads: SafetyWing scroll down
• 05. FAQ about travel insurance to New Zealand scroll down

Heading to New Zealand soon? Don't forget to check the following list before you travel:

• 💳 Eager to dodge high FX fees? See our picks for the best travel cards in 2024.
• 🛂 Need a visa? Let iVisa take care of it for you.
• ✈ Looking for flights? Compare on Skyscanner !
• 💬 Want to learn the local language? Babbel and italki are two excellent apps to think about.
• 💻 Want a VPN? ExpressVPN is the market leader for anonymous and secure browsing.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for New Zealand?

No, there's currently no legal requirement to take out travel insurance for travel to or through New Zealand.

However, regardless of whether or not it's legally required, it's always a good idea to take our health insurance before you travel — whether to New Zealand or anywhere else. For what's usually an affordable cost , taking out travel insurance will mitigate most or all of the risk of financial damage if you run into any unexpected troubles during your trip abroad. Take a look at the top five reasons to get travel insurance to learn more.

With that said, here are the top three travel insurances for New Zealand:

VisitorsCoverage: Best Medical Coverage

Among the internet's best-known insurance platforms,  VisitorsCoverage  is a pioneering Silicon Valley insurtech company that offers comprehensive medical coverage for travellers going abroad to New Zealand. It lets you choose between various plans tailored to meet the specific needs of your trip to New Zealand, including coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and travel disruptions. With its easy online purchase process and 24/7 live chat support, VisitorsCoverage is a reliable and convenient option if you want good value and peace of mind while travelling abroad.

• Coverage 9.0
• Quality of Service 9.0
• Pricing 7.6
• Credibility 9.5

VisitorsCoverage offers a large variety of policies and depending on your needs and preferences, you'll need to compare and explore their full catalogue of plans for yourself. However, we've chosen a few highlights for their travel insurance for New Zealand:

• Policy names: Varies
• Medical coverage: Very good. Includes coverage for doctor and hospital visits, pre-existing conditions, repatriation, mental health-related conditions, and many others.
• Trip coverage: Excellent - but only available for US residents.
• Customer support: FAQ, live chat and phone support
• Pricing range: USD 25 to USD 150 /traveller /month
• Insurance underwriter: Lloyd's, Petersen, and others
• Best for: Value for money and overall medical coverage

Insured Nomads: Best Trip Coverage

Insured Nomads is another very good travel insurance option, especially if you're adventurous or frequently on the go and are looking for solid trip insurance with some coverage for medical incidents too. With Insured Nomads, you can choose the level of protection that best suits your needs and enjoy a wide range of benefits, including 24/7 assistance, coverage for risky activities and adventure sports, and the ability to add or remove coverage as needed. In addition, Insured Nomads has a reputation for providing fast and efficient claims service, making it an excellent choice if you want peace of mind while exploring the world.

• Coverage 7.8
• Quality of Service 8.5
• Pricing 7.4
• Credibility 8.8

Insured Nomads offers three travel insurance policies depending on your needs and preferences. We go through them below:

• Policy names: World Explorer, World Explorer Multi, World Explorer Guardian
• Medical coverage: Good. Includes coverage for doctor and hospital visits, pre-existing conditions, repatriation, and many others.
• Trip coverage: Good. Includes coverage for trip cancellation and interruption, lost or stolen luggage (with limits), adventure and sports activities, and many others.
• Customer support: FAQ, live chat, phone support
• Pricing range: USD 80 to USD 420 /traveller /month
• Insurance underwriter: David Shield Insurance Company Ltd.
• Best for: Adventure seekers wanting comprehensive trip insurance

SafetyWing: Best Combination For Youth

SafetyWing is a good insurance option for younger travellers or digital nomads because it offers flexible but comprehensive coverage at a famously affordable price. With SafetyWing, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you're covered for unexpected medical expenses, trip cancellations, lost or stolen luggage, and more. In addition, SafetyWing's user-friendly website lets you manage your policy, file a claim, and access 24/7 assistance from anywhere in the world, and, unlike VisitorsCoverage, you can even purchase a policy retroactively (e.g. during a holiday)!

• Coverage 7.0
• Quality of Service 8.0
• Pricing 6.3
• Credibility 7.3

SafetyWing offers two travel insurance policies depending on your needs and preferences, which we've highlighted below:

• Policy names: Nomad Insurance, Remote Health
• Medical coverage: Decent. Includes coverage for doctor and hospital visits, repatriation, and many others.
• Trip coverage: Decent. Includes attractive coverage for lost or stolen belongings, adventure and sports activities, transport cancellation, and many others.
• Pricing range: USD 45 to USD 160 /traveller /month
• Insurance underwriter: Tokyo Marine HCC
• Best for: Digital nomads, youth, long-term travellers

How Do They Compare?

Interested to see how VisitorsCoverage, SafetyWing, and Insured Nomads compare as travel insurances to New Zealand? Take a look at the side-by-side chart below:

Data correct as of 4/1/2024

FAQ About Travel Insurance to New Zealand

Travel insurance typically covers trip cancellation, trip interruption, lost or stolen luggage, travel delay, and emergency evacuation. Some travel insurance packages also cover medical-related incidents too. However, remember that the exact coverage depends on the insurance policy.

No, you'll not be required to take out travel insurance for New Zealand. However, we strongly encourage you to do so anyway, because the cost of healthcare in New Zealand can be high, and taking out travel insurance will mitigate some or all of the risk of covering those costs yourself if you need medical attention during your stay.

Yes, medical travel insurance is almost always worth it, and we recommend taking out travel insurance whenever visiting a foreign country. Taking out travel insurance will mitigate some or all of the risk of covering those costs yourself in case you need medical attention during your stay. In general, we recommend VisitorsCoverage to travellers worldwide because it offers excellent value for money and well-rounded travel and medical benefits in its large catalogue of plans.

Health insurance doesn't cover normal holiday expenses, such as coverage for missed flights and hotels, but in case you run into medical trouble while abroad, it may cover some or all of your doctor or hospital expenses while overseas. However, not all health insurance providers and plans offer coverage to customers while abroad, and that's why it's generally best to take out travel insurance whenever you travel.

Although there's overlap, health and travel insurance are not exactly the same. Health insurance covers some or all of the cost of medical expenses (e.g. emergency treatment, doctor's visits, etc.) while travel insurance covers non-medical costs that are commonly associated with travelling (e.g. coverage for missed flights, stolen or lost personal belongings, etc.).

The cost of travel insurance depends on several factors, such as the length of the trip, the destination, the age of the traveller, and the level of coverage desired. On average, travel insurance can cost anywhere between 3% and 10% of the total cost of the trip.

A single-trip travel insurance policy covers a specific trip, while an annual one covers multiple trips taken within a one-year period. An annual policy may be more cost-effective for frequent travellers.

Yes, you can sometimes purchase travel insurance after starting your trip, but it is best to buy it before the trip begins to ensure maximum coverage. If you do need to buy insurance after you've started your trip, we recommend VisitorsCoverage , which offers a wide catalogue of online trip and medical insurance policies, most of which can be booked with immediate effect. Check out our guide to buying travel insurance late to learn more.

Yes, you can most certainly purchase travel insurance for a trip that has already been booked, although we recommend purchasing insurance as soon as possible aftwerwards to ensure all coverage is in place before your journey begins. Check out our guide to buying travel insurance late to learn more.

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See our recommendations for travel insurance to other countries worldwide:

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• Travel insurance is intended to cover risks and financial losses associated with traveling.
• Coverage can include trip cancellation, baggage protection, medical care, and emergency evacuation.
• When filing a claim, be specific and comprehensive in your documentation to ease the process.

Whether it's a trip across the world or a trip across the state, having travel insurance provides major relief if things go awry. Flight delays, lost baggage, illness, injuries, and other unforeseen events can disrupt even the best-laid plans. With a major disruption comes the potential for unanticipated expenses.

Travel insurance and the coverage it offers can help keep you protected and save you money in the long run.

Overview of Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurance policies protect travelers from financial losses should something go wrong during their trip. You can customize which coverages you want to include, and there are several to choose from.

"Common types of coverage include trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage protection, coverage for medical care if you get sick or hurt during your trip, and emergency medical evacuation," says Angela Borden, a travel insurance expert and product strategist for travel insurance company Seven Corners.

Travel insurance plans offer nonrefundable payments and other trip-related expenses. While monetary compensation is a primary benefit, there is another valuable perk of travel insurance. It can provide peace of mind.

What does travel insurance cover?

Your specific travel insurance plan (and its terms and conditions) will determine the minutia and specifics of what is covered. As with most other forms of insurance, a general rule of thumb is the more you spend, the better your coverage.

"Travel insurance can be confusing, so it's best to research a reputable company that specializes in travel insurance and has a long history of successfully helping travelers all over the world," says Borden.

Trip cancellation and interruptions

A travel insurance policy can reimburse you for a prepaid, nonrefundable trip if it is canceled for a covered event, such as a natural disaster or a global pandemic.

Trip interruption insurance covers you if you're already on your trip and you get sick, there's a natural disaster, or something else happens. Make sure to check with your travel insurance providers to discuss any inclusions, coverage, and more.

Travel delays and missed connections

Travel delay insurance coverage provides reimbursement for any expenses you incur when you experience a delay in transit over a minimum time. Reimbursements can include hotels, airfare, food, and other related expenses.

Medical emergencies and evacuations

Typically, US healthcare plans are not accepted in other countries. So travel insurance with medical coverage can be particularly beneficial when you are abroad. Medical coverage can also help with locating doctors and healthcare facilities.

Medical transportation coverage will also pay for emergency evacuation expenses such as airlifts and medically-equipped flights back to the US. Out of pocket, these expenses can easily amount to tens of thousands of dollars. Certain plans may even transport you to a hospital of choice for care.

Travel insurance generally does not include coverage for pre-existing conditions. That said, you can obtain a pre-existing condition waiver, which we will talk about later.  

Baggage and personal belongings

Most airlines will reimburse travelers for lost or destroyed baggage, but be prepared for limitations. Travel insurance plans will typically cover stolen items, such as those stolen out of a hotel room. This may not include expensive jewelry, antiques, or heirloom items. Typically, airlines have a few days to recover your bag.

In the meantime, you can make a claim to pay for items like certain toiletries and other items you need to pick up. If your bag is truly lost or you don't get it for an extended period, you can file a true lost baggage claim.

What does credit card travel insurance cover?

A major perk on several travel credit cards is embedded credit card travel insurance . Typically, you will need to use the specific card for the transaction (at least with partial payment) for travel coverage to kick in.

Each card has specific rules on what exactly is covered. But one of the industry leaders is the $550-per-year Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. Here's a snapshot of what is covered with this specific card:

• Baggage delay: up to $100 reimbursed per day for up to five days if a passenger carrier delays your baggage by more than six hours.
• Lost and damaged baggage: up to $3,000 per passenger per trip, but only up to $500 per passenger for jewelry and watches and up to $500 per passenger for cameras and other electronic equipment.
• Trip delay reimbursement: up to $500 per ticket if you're delayed more than six hours or require an overnight stay.
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection: up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses.
• Medical evacuation benefit: up to $100,000 for necessary emergency evacuation and transportation when on a trip of five to 60 days and traveling more than 100 miles from home.
• Travel accident insurance: accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $100,000 (up to $1,000,000 for common carrier travel).
• Emergency medical and dental benefits: up to $2,500 for medical expenses (subject to a $50 deductible) when on a trip arranged by a travel agency and traveling more than 100 miles from home.
• Rental car coverage: primary coverage for damages caused by theft or collision up to $75,000 on rentals of 31 days or fewer

More protections are included with cards with an annual fee, but there are exceptions. The no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Flex , for instance, includes up to $1,500 per person (and up to $6,000 per trip) in trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.

However, there are some differences between credit card travel coverage and obtaining coverage from a third party.

"Credit card coverage does not typically provide travel medical benefits," Borden says. "For protection if you get sick or hurt while traveling, you'll want a travel insurance plan with medical coverage."

Whether you get your travel insurance in a standalone policy or through a credit card, it's important to review your plan details carefully. In either case, there may be exclusions and other requirements such as deadlines when filing a claim, Borden notes.

What travel insurance coverage do you need to pay more for?

Knowing what travel insurance doesn't cover is as important as knowing what it does cover.

"Travelers should understand that travel insurance benefits come into play only if a covered reason occurs," Borden says. Most standard travel insurance plans won't reimburse you for the following:

Cancel for any reason (CFAR)

Cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance covers a trip cancellation for any reason, not just a covered event. your standard benefits won't kick in unless it's a covered event. For instance, you'll be reimbursed simply for changing your mind about taking a trip.

That said, CFAR travel insurance is not without its downsides. For one, it's more expensive than traditional insurance, and most CFAR policies will only reimburse you for a percentage of your travel expenses. Additionally, CFAR policies aren't available for annual travel insurance . 

You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance here.

Foreseen weather events

Sudden storms or unforeseen weather events are typically covered by standard travel insurance plans. There are exceptions to be aware of. For example, an anticipated and named hurricane will not be covered.

Medical tourism

If you're going to travel internationally for a medical procedure or doctor's visit, your travel insurance plan will not cover the procedure itself. Most medical travel plans also won't cover you if something goes wrong with your procedure.

Pre-existing conditions and pregnancy

Those with specific pre-existing conditions, such as someone with diabetes and needing more insulin, will not be covered by most plans. In addition, pregnancy-related expenses will likely not be covered under most plans.

That said, you can obtain a pre-existing condition waiver for stable conditions. In order to obtain a wavier, you will need to purchase travel insurance within a certain time frame from when you booked your trip, usually two to three weeks, depending on your policy.

Extreme sports and activities

Accidents occurring while participating in extreme sports like skydiving and paragliding will typically not be covered under most plans. However, many plans offer the ability to upgrade to a higher-priced version with extended coverage.

Navigating claims and assistance

When a trip goes awry, the first thing you should do is document everything and be as specific as possible with documentation. This will make the claims process easier, as you can substantiate and quantify your financial losses due to the delay.

For example, your flight home has been delayed long enough to be covered under your policy, you'll want to keep any receipts from purchases made while waiting. For instances where your luggage is lost, you will need to file a report with local authorities and document all the items you packed.

Cancellation protection also requires meticulous attention to detail. If you're too sick to fly, you may need to see a doctor to prove your eligibility. If an airline cancels a flight, you'll also need to document any refunds you received as travel insurance isn't going to reimburse you for money you've already gotten back. 

Part of the benefit of CFAR insurance is the reduced paperwork necessary to file a claim. You'll still need to document your nonrefundable losses, but you won't have to substantiate why you're canceling a trip.

Choosing the right travel insurance

Each plan should be personalized to meet the insured party's needs. Some travelers prefer to stick to the bare minimum (flight cancellation benefits through the airline). Others want a comprehensive plan with every coverage possible. Before you buy anything, set your destination. Are there any travel restrictions or changes pending? Does your destination country require emergency or other medical coverage?

If the destination airport is known for lost or delayed luggage, travelers should keep important items in carry-ons. Lost or delayed luggage coverage protects insured parties in the event of a significant delay or total loss.

Second, check current credit card travel benefits to avoid redundancies. Savvy travelers don't need to pay for the same coverage twice.

Finally, consider your individual needs. Do you have a chronic medical condition, or do you feel safe with emergency-only medical coverage? Keep in mind, this does not include coverage for cosmetic surgery or other medical tourism. Do you have a budget limit for travel insurance? Asking and answering these important questions will help every traveler find the right product.

Most travel insurance plans are simple, and Business Insider's guide to the best travel insurance companies outlines our top picks. Remember, read your policy and its specifics closely to ensure it includes the items you need coverage for.

No one likes to dwell on how a trip might not go as planned before even leaving. However, at its core, travel insurance provides peace of mind as you go about your trip. While the upfront cost may seem significant, when you compare it to the potential expenses of a canceled flight, emergency evacuation, or a hefty medical bill, it's a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.

Get Travel Insurance Quotes Online

Protect your trip with the best travel insurance . Compare travel insurance quotes from multiple providers with Squaremouth.

What does travel insurance cover frequently asked questions

Does travel insurance cover trip cancellations due to a pandemic like covid-19.

Coverage for pandemics vary from policy to policy. Some travel insurance companies have specific provisions for pandemic-related cancellations, while others may exclude them entirely.

Are sports injuries covered under travel insurance?

Sports injuries are often covered under travel insurance, but high-risk or adventure sports might require additional coverage or a special policy.

Can travel insurance provide coverage for travel advisories or warnings?

Travel advisories have different effects on your travel insurance depending on your policy. Traveling to a country already under travel advisory may invalidate your coverage, but if you're already traveling when a travel advisory is announced, you may be covered.

How does travel insurance handle emergency medical evacuations?

Travel insurance usually covers the cost of emergency medical evacuations to the nearest suitable medical facility, and sometimes back to your home country, if necessary.

Are lost or stolen passports covered by travel insurance?

Many travel insurance policies provide coverage for the cost of replacing lost or stolen passports during a trip.

If you enjoyed this story, be sure to follow Business Insider on Microsoft Start.

Protect Your Trip »

Best places to visit in may 2024.

With its pleasantly warm weather and thinned crowds, May is the perfect time to take a trip before the expensive summer season. Considering sights, weather, traveler sentiment and annual events (among other factors), U.S. News rounded up the best places to visit in May. Whether you're looking for an outdoor adventure in a national park, a quick Memorial Day getaway or a leisurely beach vacation , you can't go wrong with these destinations. Vote for your favorite locales below to help determine next year's list.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Laguna beach, st. vincent & the grenadines, victoria & vancouver island, yellowstone national park.

When May comes around in Bryce Canyon National Park, the snow is nearly gone, which means the park's main road and popular trails are likely to be open. Highs are typically in the 60s during the day, too – ideal conditions for hiking and biking this Utah park's paths. Visitor numbers start to ramp up this month, but it's still early enough in the season that you're unlikely to have to jostle for a view at the popular Bryce Point, which overlooks Bryce Amphitheater, a landscape of otherworldly rock spires (called hoodoos).

This Portuguese island chain in the Atlantic Ocean offers a little bit of everything for active travelers, from geoparks and waterfall hikes to paragliding. Though the weather here is always a bit unpredictable, the chances of wind and rain are lower in May. The water temperature also begins to warm up for must-do activities like snorkeling or swimming with dolphins, and with fewer swells than the winter months, beginner surfers will feel more comfortable trying to hang ten. As an added bonus, the biggest festival in the Azores – the Feasts of Santo Cristo dos Milagres – typically occurs in May.

Travelers looking for a vacation filled with unique and heart-pumping activities should set their sights on Cappadocia. This mountainous region in central Turkey is home to a UNESCO-listed national park, centuries-old underground cities, ancient cave dwellings, magnificent rock formations and more. Plus, thanks to average temperatures in the 60s and 70s in May, activities like soaring high above the Göreme Valley on a hot air balloon tour and driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle past fairy chimneys couldn't be more pleasant.

As one of the warmest and driest times of year in Palawan, May welcomes travelers with open arms. Take advantage of the minimal rainfall by experiencing all of the outdoor activities and attractions that this Philippine island has to offer –spoiler alert, there are a lot. Spend time relaxing on Palawan's white sand beaches, island-hopping or even swimming with gentle whale sharks. Water sports are popular in this destination as well, from diving Tubbataha Reef to kayaking El Nido's Big Lagoon.  

Visiting Granada, Spain, in May is a no-brainer. Average temperatures in the mid-70s, blooming flower displays (at Generalife Gardens) and a full roster of events make this Andalusian city a must-visit in the spring. Día de la Cruz and Feria del Corpus Christi, two of the city's most popular celebrations, are both held in May, and travelers won't want to miss seeing Granada come alive with music, flamenco dancers and more. Save time during your trip for a guided tour of the Alhambra and strolling through the Albaicín neighborhood.

May falls within this Peruvian city's winter season, though you probably wouldn't notice thanks to its consistently mild temperatures (highs hover in the 60s). This month rarely sees rain showers, and you'll encounter fewer tourists at archaeological wonders like La Catedral – which sits in the restaurant- and coffee shop-filled Plaza de Armas – and Machu Picchu – a bucket list destination and UNESCO World Heritage Site located about 50 miles northwest of Cusco. If you're up for a challenge, hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This difficult trek through the area's towering mountains takes about four days to complete.

With 33 beaches, this eastern Caribbean island is a sun worshipper's dream, and May temperatures in the upper 70s and 80s are perfect for basking on its white sands . Spend warm days venturing to offshore cays, exploring fishing villages and watching yacht races during the Anguilla Regatta, typically held every May. Since this is the start of the island's rainy season, the weather can be wetter and more humid than the winter months, but visitors will be rewarded with cheaper accommodations. 

May is a great time for a trip to this seaside Spanish city before the heat and humidity become unbearable. Can't-miss architectural marvels to check out include Antoni Gaudí's whimsical Park Güell and the Gothic-style Sagrada Família. Budget time for visiting some of Barcelona's highly regarded museums, such as the Picasso Museum, and relax at Barceloneta beach before stopping at a nearby seafood restaurant for some of the best paella in the city. What's more, the city plays host to a number of events come May, including film and music festivals

Craggy coastline views, a world-famous aquarium and a superb farm-to-table dining scene draw tourists of all types to Monterey, California. Though temperatures here remain in the 60s for most of the year, rainfall drops significantly in May. Popular festivals also make this a great time of the year to visit. Come early in the month for the Pacific Grove Good Old Days Street Festival, which showcases local artisans and craft vendors, plus a variety of food booths. And near the end of the month, the three-day California Roots Music & Arts Festival celebrates reggae artists.

Visit Laguna Beach for a perfect sunny-and-70, laid-back beach vacation. May is part of this Southern California town's spring shoulder season, so you'll find fewer people on popular stretches of sand like Main Beach and Crescent Bay Beach. Plus, the quieter month is ideal for relaxation-focused activities, such as outdoor yoga and hiking. When travelers need a break from reconnecting with themselves or nature, they can check out Laguna Beach's thriving art scene, which includes hundreds of galleries, studios and public works of art.

Bright turquoise water, gorgeous white sand and lush green vegetation await vacationers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Composed of 32 islands and cays, this Caribbean archipelago is perfect for a tropical getaway. May falls between the country's peak winter season and its hurricane-prone low season, making it an ideal time for scuba diving and snorkeling in the Tobago Cays Marine Park, swimming and soaking up some rays at Canouan's beaches and hiking to beautiful waterfalls like Dark View Falls. Travelers will also want to check out the country's 20-acre Botanical Gardens, the oldest available in the Western Hemisphere.

Victoria, British Columbia's capital city, sits on the southern portion of Vancouver Island. Not only does this Canadian destination boast comfortable highs in the low 60s in May, it is just a short ferry ride from Seattle (less than three hours), making it perfect for a quick weekend getaway . Spend your visit strolling through the 55-acre Butchart Gardens, which are bursting with colorful tulips and cherry blossoms come May, then get out on the water on a whale watching tour. Before heading home, don't forget to shop for souvenirs along Government Street.

Considered the birthplace of democracy and drama, Athens boasts a historical legacy that is hard to top. The main reason to visit is to see the ancient city's impressive ruins, which you'll find at the Acropolis and Ancient Agora. For an additional look at Athens' past, check out the incredible Greek artifacts on display at the National Archaeological Museum and the Benaki Museum of Greek Culture. May vacations are especially enjoyable thanks to comfortable daytime temps hovering in the mid-70s.

By late May, most of Yellowstone's trails and must-see attractions are open, welcoming eager nature enthusiasts seeking a breath of fresh air. The average 50-degree temperatures provide a brisk but comfortable atmosphere for a hike on one of the Old Faithful area's trails or a kayaking excursion on Yellowstone Lake. For a glimpse of wildlife, head to Lamar Valley to view wolf pups emerging from their dens. Keep in mind that if you visit during Memorial Day weekend, you'll likely run into crowds.

With warm weather year-round (average temperatures sit in the 80s), there's never a bad time to visit Singapore. But in May, this Asian city-state on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula welcomes events such as the Singapore Cocktail Festival, the Singapore International Festival of Arts and the Singapore HeritageFest. When you're not enjoying your time at one of Singapore's cultural events, check out top attractions like Gardens by the Bay, a futuristic nature park that is home to the Supertree Observatory and the Cloud Forest.  

Vote to Add these Destinations to the Rankings

Kruger National Park

Mont-Tremblant

Miami Beach

Newport, RI

Mexico City

Indianapolis

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Best Places to Visit in Spring

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Dubai flooding: Everything you need to know if your Emirates flight is cancelled

Dubai chaos leaves hundreds of thousands stranded around the world, article bookmarked.

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Helen and Roman from Manchester should be heading home from New Zealand today after visiting family near the capital, Wellington. The couple have been told their Emirates flights via Dubai are cancelled and there is no clear timetable for getting them back to the UK ; Helen is running short of medication.

Gwen and her husband are stranded in paradise – Bali , to be precise – with no certainty about when they might leave. “We can’t seem to get any contact with Emirates to be advised of another flight to the UK,” Gwen tells The Independent . She adds: “We don’t want to be stuck in Dubai at the airport. Can you update us on the position and offer any advice?”

They are just four of the hundreds of thousands of passengers who have been stranded by the unprecedented storm and flooding in Dubai.

On a typical day, 250,000 people pass through the world’s busiest international airport; Dubai overtook London Heathrow for this title several years ago.

But over the past 48 hours the vast majority have seen their flights cancelled, diverted or heavily delayed due to flooding.

Bizarrely, the way that air passengers’ rights rules are structured means that people who have yet to leave the country are in a far stronger position than those in far-flung corners of Asia , Australasia and Africa.

These are the key issues.

What’s the problem?

A severe storm began in the early hours of Tuesday 16 April. Dubai was drenched in a year and a half’s worth of rain in a single day , killing at least one person and disrupting travel through the airport that handles more international passengers than any other.

Flooding and associated disruption is continuing to cause widespread cancellations.

All airlines using Dubai International Airport affected, with British Airways flights from London Heathrow diverting in successive days to Bahrain and Abu Dhabi .

But passengers on Emirates – which flies more people on intercontinental journeys than any other airline – are collectively facing far bigger problems.

How bad are things?

A snapshot by The Independent of all the overnight Emirates departures due to arrive in Dubai from the UK on Thursday morning shows the scale of the problem. Bear in mind that most of the aircraft used are Airbus A380 “SuperJumbo” planes carrying more than 500 passengers.

• Cancelled: London Heathrow (three), London Stansted, Birmingham and Glasgow. That represents around 3,000 people who did not arrive as expected on Thursday. Crucially, because the outbound flights were cancelled, a similar number did not fly out from Dubai to the UK.
• Delayed: The minimum delay arriving in Dubai was two hours, for a single flight from Heathrow. A second Stansted flight was three hours late, while arrivals of another flight from Heathrow and one from Newcastle were four hours late. But the standard delay was six hours, affecting passengers from Gatwick, Heathrow, Glasgow and Manchester.

Once in Dubai, though, their problems could just be beginning. Hundreds of flights are delayed, and onward connections on Emirates to destinations such as Colombo in Sri Lanka , the Seychelles and Kolkata in India are cancelled.

Many Emirates flights are resuming, but with planes, pilots and cabin crew scattered around the world it will be some time before a full schedule is running again.

When flights resume, the passengers who are booked on those departures take priority – with people who may have been waiting for days at the back of the queue.

What does Emirates say?

“Emirates extends our sincerest apologies to impacted customers who have experienced delays and disruption to their travel plans caused by bad weather and road conditions.

“We appreciate how difficult it is for everyone affected. While some customers have been able to return home or reach their destination, we are aware that many are still waiting to get on flights.

“Our teams are working hard to restore our scheduled operations, as well as secure accommodation and other amenities for affected customers at the airport. Our primary concern will always be the safety of our customers and crew, and this will never be compromised.”

The airline adds that Dubai airport “remains congested” and warns: “There may still be delays to arriving and departing flights.”

Emirates says: “Customers impacted by flight cancellations should contact their booking agent, DM us [@EmiratesSupport on X/Twitter], or visit emirat.es/support for rebooking.”

What is the position for British travellers due to be flying out to or via Dubai?

Air passengers’ rights rules mean they are in a strong position. Any airline that cancels a flight from a UK airport, for any reason, must provide passengers with:

• An onward flight as soon as possible, including on a rival airline if seats are available. For example, a passenger from London to Sydney could expect to be rebooked via Hong Kong, Singapore or Doha if Emirates has no room but Cathay Pacific, Singapore or Qatar Airways does.
• Hotels and meals as appropriate until they can reach their destination.

No cash compensation is payable because the cause of the delay is beyond Emirates’ control.

Passengers in Dubai awaiting an onward connection – what is the outlook?

Emirates says: “While some customers have been able to return home or reach their destination, we are aware that many are still waiting to get on flights. Our teams are working hard to restore our scheduled operations.”

The airline says it is trying to “secure accommodation and other amenities for affected customers at the airport”.

Anyone who arrived from the UK (or anywhere in the European Union) is entitled to a hotel, meals and an onward flight on any airline as soon as possible.

Passengers travelling in the opposite direction have no such legal protection.

Airlines generally provide stranded passengers with accommodation and meals, but such is the pressure on hotels that this may not happen. There is no legal obligation to arrange care.

What about people stranded in Asia, Africa or Australasia with connections via Dubai?

As they are flying on a non-British/non-European airline from outside the UK/EU, they have no formal rights besides the general principle that the airline will get them home when possible.

Travel insurance may cover added costs, and possible make a modest payment (typically £25 for each 12 hours) for the length of the delay.

I’m booked on a package holiday. Does that make a difference?

If you have bought flights and accommodation at the same time from the same provider, you have an extra layer of consumer protection. The Package Travel Regulations mean that the company that sold you the trip is responsible for ensuring the holiday goes ahead as planned – and must take action if it does not. For example:

• If you are booked to travel to the Maldives via Dubai, the holiday firm could look for alternative flights.
• Should your short break to Dubai be impossible because of cancelled flights or conditions on the ground, you are due a full refund.
• Stranded on the other side of the world? The holiday company must find a solution for you, and ensure your welfare while you wait.

If I pay for my own hotel or alternative flight, can I claim it back from Emirates?

That depends. If you are in the UK – or stranded in Dubai en route from the UK to a third country – and Emirates has been unable to provide you with these, then you should be able to claim. In all other circumstances, such as being stranded in Bali, it is unlikely the airline will pay up.

Travel insurance may help.

What about other airlines flying in and out of Dubai?

They are also facing big problems. Flydubai, the short-haul cousin of Emirates, made dozens of cancellations on Tuesday and Wednesday, with many flights on Thursday heavily delayed.

FlyNas, the Saudi budget airline, has cancelled more flights than any other on Thursday.

Other carriers, including British Airways and Royal Brunei, have grounded some UK flights, but operations overall are not as badly affected because Dubai represents only a tiny proportion of flying for most airlines.

I have a flight to or via Dubai next week. Should I worry?

Probably not. Emirates and other carriers should be back on track, and as mentioned anyone with a booking for a flight that goes ahead takes precedence over those who may have been waiting a week after a cancelled flight.

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