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RACV Travel Insurance

Racv has multiple plans tailored to domestic and international travel, but if you’ve got something out of the ordinary on the itinerary, you might not be covered..

In this guide

Summary of RACV's International Comprehensive policy

How does racv travel insurance cover covid-19, what policies does racv offer, here's a breakdown of racv travel insurance features, standard features, optional add-on, how to make an racv travel insurance claim, here's the bottom line about racv travel insurance, frequently asked questions, compare your travel insurance quotes.

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• By becoming an RACV member, you can access generous discounts on its insurance policies. We struggled to find another insurance provider offering similar benefits.
• Enjoy free cover for dependent children under the age of 25 on any policy. This is better than the industry standard that limits dependants to those under the age of 18 or sometimes 21.
• RACV doesn't have much choice of optional cover and its detailed list of exclusions could be a turn-off for some. If you're looking for cover for some adventure activities, like sky diving , you'll have to look elsewhere.

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Table updated January 2023

RACV covers COVID-19 in a variety of scenarios that include medical expenses and cancellation. Here's what you can expect:

• Cancellation fees and lost deposits for travel and accommodation arrangements if your trip is cancelled or cut short due to COVID-19
• Medical, hospital and emergency expenses outside of Australia if you are diagnosed with COVID-19
• Emergency or additional expenses including travel and accommodation costs if you are diagnosed with COVID-19
• Funeral expenses if you, your children or your grandchildren die while overseas
• Boarding kennel or cattery fees if you're delayed beyond your return date
• Travel delay expenses if your scheduled transport is delayed due to COVID-19

However, some exclusions apply, so it's important to review RACV's product disclosure statement (PDS) to ensure you'll have enough cover when you need it the most.

RACV's COVID-19 benefits are only available under its Comprehensive and Domestic policies. Plus, there is also a combined maximum benefit of up to $3,500 for cancellation, additional and travel delay expenses. This might not be enough cover if you're planning a big trip.

If RACV's COVID-19 cover isn't quite hitting the mark, we've compared all the providers that offer cover for COVID-19 .

RACV has a wide variety of travel insurance to choose from. If you're heading overseas, you've got Comprehensive, Essentials, Basics and Annual Multi-trip policies. For travel around Australia, there are Domestic, Domestic Cancellation and Rental Car Excess policies.

International Comprehensive

International Essentials

International Basic

Annual Multi-trip

Domestic Cancellation

Rental Car Excess

This insurance is issued by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd (Tokio Marine & Nichido). It comes with a 21-day cooling-off period and a choice of excess .

The cooling-off period gives you 21 days from the date of issue of your policy to make sure this is the right policy for you. You'll receive a full refund provided you have not started your trip and that you do not want to make a claim or exercise any other right under the policy.

These are some of the main insured events that RACV will cover you for if something goes wrong on your trip. Some of these inclusions are only available for certain levels of cover (e.g. Comprehensive versus the Basics policy ).

• Accidental death and disability
• Cancellation fees and lost deposit
• Financial default
• Funeral expenses overseas
• Loss of income
• Overseas medical, dental and hospital
• Rental car excess
• Special events
• Travel delay

Even RACV's comprehensive cover doesn't include everything. If you're finding your chosen policy a bit lacking, there are some optional benefits that you can add on for an additional premium.

• Cruise cover is all about loss or damage when you're exploring the high seas . It covers medical expenses and medical evacuation while on board the ship.
• Ski and winter sports cover is essential if you plan on hitting the slopes . This add-on covers medical expenses, equipment hire and even prepaid ski passes, ski hire, tuition fees or lift passes if you fall ill.

RACV has a ton of standard inclusions, especially if you opt for its Comprehensive cover , but, as with any insurer, there are certain conditions in which your policy won't pay out. They include the following:

• The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issuing a "Do Not Travel" advisory to your country or region of intended travel
• Errors, omissions or failure to obtain the relevant visa , passport or travel documents
• You drive a vehicle ( including a motorcycle ) without a current Australian driver's licence or a valid licence for the country you're in (even if that country doesn't require you to hold one)
• Travel booked or undertaken against the advice of your doctor
• Travel booked or undertaken to seek medical treatment or review
• Being under the influence or addicted to intoxicating liquor or drugs except a drug prescribed to you
• Elective surgery including cosmetic treatment, body piercing or tattooing
• Some adventure activities, including engaging in open water sailing , going rock climbing using ropes or climbing equipment and sky diving
• Diving underwater using an artificial breathing apparatus
• Unexpected pregnancy complications after the 26th week or childbirth after the 26th week that is accelerated by accidental injury

Make sure you review RACV's PDS for a detailed breakdown of what you can expect to be covered for, found under its list of general exclusions .

You can contact the RACV claims team at 1300 207 387 to start the claim process. Alternatively, the quickest way to make a claim is by using the online claim lodgement following the steps below.

• Head to https://racv-onlineclaim.tmnfatravelinsurance.com.au/Account/Register
• Register with the email address you used to purchase your policy
• Complete your claim details by answering all sections
• Upload any supporting documents relevant to your claim
• Submit and your claim should be assessed within 10 working days

RACV offers one of the most varied suites of travel insurance offerings that we've seen. With 7 different levels of cover, you're likely to find something to fit both your budget and travel plans. Key benefits include free cover for dependent children under 25, no additional premium for motorcycle or scooter riding and new for old replacement of luggage.

The downside of RACV's cover is its lack of optional add-ons and long list of exclusions. Where some of the best travel insurance policies shine is the ability to tailor your insurance to make sure you're fully covered for every scenario. With RACV, if you're planning any high-risk activities or need to insure any of your belongings above the benefit limits , you're out of luck.

RACV not quite hitting the mark? You can compare it to other travel insurance companies here to find a better fit.

What company is the underwriter for RACV insurance?

RACV insurance is issued by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd (Tokio Marine & Nichido) ABN 80 000 438 291, AFSL 246548.

Is RACV Australia owned?

Yes, RACV is a locally-owned, unlisted public company that has been operating since 1903.

Can I make changes to my policies?

Yes. You can extend your cover at no extra charge if your delay is due to a reason covered under your policy. You can apply to extend any single trip policy for any other reason by contacting RACV directly at least 5 days before your policy's expiration date.

Does RACV travel insurance cover adventure activities?

Yes, some adventure activities are covered as standard and others are covered under certain conditions. For example, bungee jumping , jet boating and quad biking are covered provided you use a commercial operator and you don't need any special skills or a high level of fitness to participate.

RACV also has a list of high-risk activities that are excluded from cover altogether. These include motocross, canoeing grade 5 rapids and above and any kind of professional sport.

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Cristal Dyer is a travel writer at Finder. She has been writing about travel for over five years and has visited over 40 countries around the world. Cristal currently travels full-time, writing about her favourite cities and food finds, and she is always on the lookout for amazing flight deals to share.

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16 Responses

Going on a cruise and plan to have a few drinks, not excessive though, wondering if we are covered if we have had a drink and anything happens.

Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.

Normally insurers will have a general exclusion that prohibits claims where alcohol was the root cause. You can learn more about how travel insurers treat alcohol and drug use. To know the level of your travel insurance cover, please contact your provider directly.

I hope this helps.

Thank you and have a wonderful day!

Cheers, Jeni

does RACV travel insurance cover being picked up from a cruise ship at sea

Thank you for leaving a question.

Upon verifying in the terms and conditions for RACV. If you take out any of the international travel insurance policies, you’re covered with cruise travel insurance which covers the following:

Overseas medical expenses and medical evacuation Cancellations Luggage and personal items 24-hour emergency assistance Emergency expenses overseas Pre-existing medical conditions and pregnancy

Hope this helps! Reggie

Does RACV Travel Insurance cover cost of repatriation to home should I have a serious accident or contract a serious disease or medical condition where I am required to return home on a special stretcher etc. and/or require in flight and travel assistance and/or medical assistance?

Thanks for getting in touch.

Basically, RACV Travel insurance includes “Amendment or Cancellation Costs”. They will cover your trip amendments or cancellation due to circumstances outside your control and unforeseen at the relevant time. So in the event that you are sent home due to a serious accident or you got a serious disease or medical condition while overseas, you may have to contact RACV to confirm if you can get a claim for your trip cancellation costs.

Although they have Resumption of Journey, they will only cover you for this if your repatriation is due to the sudden serious injury, sickness, disease or death *of a relative or business partner in Australia*. RACV can cover you for economy class transport costs.

Cheers, Joshua

I would like to know if RACV travel insurance covers you for a break up of relationship therefore not wanting to travel anymore?

Thanks for your comment.

The Comprehensive RACV travel insurance policy covers amendment or cancellation costs due to circumstances outside your control and unforeseen at the relevant time. Therefore, RACV (or any other travel insurance provider) will not provide any cover for cancellation due to breakup of relationship.

You may try to contact RACV about this as cover varies from policy to policy.

Regards, Jhezelyn

does t/ insurance cover property rental if owners cancel my booking

Thanks for getting in touch. You will need to contact RACV about this as cover varies from provider to provider and policy to policy but generally policies won’t for scheduling and cancellations of that nature.

Cheers, Richard

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Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

Planning multiple getaways doesn’t mean you need separate travel policies. Stay covered on the trips you take within 12 months with RACV Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance.

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•   Benefits
•   Summary of cover
•   Travel alerts
•   Getting a quote
•   Policy documents

What is annual multi-trip travel insurance?

If you’ve scheduled several trips on your calendar for the next 12 months, an annual travel insurance policy could be suitable for you. RACV Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance gives you and your family an unlimited number of trips for a full year - on trips where you travel more than 250km from home. 

Whether you’re travelling solo or with your family, for fun or for business, an annual travel policy can provide cover when you need it most.

RACV Members get 15% off RACV Travel Insurance

Cover designed for your busy year

We all travel for different reasons, which is why RACV Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance can be tailored to your needs. Start by choosing your max duration limit of 30, 45 or 60 days per trip or choice of excess.

Once each trip is complete, the sum insured under each section in the annual travel insurance policy will be reinstated automatically.

Whether you need yearly holiday insurance for separate trips with your family or annual travel insurance for a year of domestic holiday’s or business trips around the world, these policies can provide you with coverage.

Yearly worldwide travel insurance

Whether you’re soaking up the sun in Spain or enjoying your leave in Thailand, annual travel insurance gives you cover on the important things. RACV Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance provides cover for:

• Cancellation fees and lost deposits #
• Overseas medical, hospital and dental #^^
• Emergency expenses #

Even for domestic travelling, if your destination is further than 250km from your home, you’re covered under the RACV Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance policy.

#Limits and sub-limits apply. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement  for full details

^^This benefit covers reasonable overseas medical and hospital costs as a result of an injury (including that arising from a Terrorist Act) or illness occurring which first shows itself during your period of insurance. Benefits may be paid up to 12 months from the time you received treatment for the injury or illness, but only for reasonable expenses incurred during that time. Medical treatments must be provided by a legally qualified medical practitioner. You must notify us as soon as practicable of your admittance to hospital.

Family cover for no extra cost (1)

Family holidays are a lot of fun, but they involve more preparations to ensure everyone travelling is protected. And with more luggage to potentially lose, getting cover for the whole family should be considered.

RACV Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance provides cover for your Dependent(s) at no extra cost when they travel with you. You just need to list each family member on the policy. Conditions apply. 1

1. Dependents such as children, grandchildren, stepchildren, and foster children aged 25 or under at no extra cost provided they are travelling with you the whole time, are financially dependent on their parents or grandparents, not working full time and do not require a medical assessment.

Why choose RACV Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance?

Kids travel free.

Not all roads are travelled alone. That’s why these annual travel insurance plans keep your family covered for free when they travel with you. This includes your partner and Dependent(s). 1

Annual multi-trip benefits

These 12-month travel insurance policies seek to provide cover on your next holiday. From overseas medical, hospital and dental cover*, to insurance for luggage items* and cancellation fees*, annual multi-travel insurance provides the protection you need.

All year assistance

Travelling safely requires having reliable cover. And if you’ll be travelling regularly, annual travel insurance cover is there for you on each trip. With multiple inclusions and an international team available 24/7, you can depend on your cover all year round when you travel. 

*Limits and sub-limits apply. 

Frequent flyer? Make the most of your mileage with RACV travel tips

RACV summary of cover

RACV Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance provides year-long travel insurance for singles and families. Discover what’s included in the cover below.

Protect yourself and your family from the risks of travelling far from home with cover that stretches over multiple trips throughout the year. From overseas hospital fees to the costs that come from travel delays, RACV Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance covers you for unexpected holiday events and expenses.

Summary of Cover

Annual multi-trip (per adult).

Section 1 Cancellation Fees and Lost Deposits

1A: Unforeseen Circumstances#

$unlimited^^

1B: Death, Injury or Illness of Your Relative, Your Travelling Companion or Your Travelling Companion’s Relative#

1C: Emergency Worker Leave+ (Sub Limit)

Section 2: Overseas Medical, Hospital, Cash in Hospital, Dental and Related Expenses

2A: Overseas Medical and Hospital

$unlimited**

2C: Overseas Dental#+ (Sub Limit)

2G: Funeral Expenses Overseas*+ (Sub Limit)

Section 3: Luggage and Personal Money

3B: Travel Documents+ (Sub Limit)

3C: Luggage Delay+ (Sub Limit)

3E: Personal Money+ (Sub Limit)

Section 4: Emergency Expenses

4A: Emergency Expenses

4B: Resumption of Travel+ (Sub Limit)

4C: Emergency Expenses for Death, Injury or Illness of Your Relative, Your Travelling Companion or  Your Travelling Companion’s Relative

$unlimited^^**

4D: Special Events

Section 5–24

5: Accidental Death*

6: Accidental Disability*

7: Your Legal Liability

$10,000,000

8: Rental Car Excess

9: Loss of Income

10: Financial Default

11: Domestic Pets^

12: Domestic Services ^

13: Travel Delay

Not Applicable

14: Hijack and Kidnap*

Ski and Winter Sports optional add-ons

15: Ski and Winter Sports Overseas Medical and Hospital

16: Equipment Hire^

17: Ski Pack^

18: Piste Closure^

19: Bad Weather and Avalanche^

20: Lift Pass*

COVID-19 Benefits

21: COVID-19 Overseas Medical and Hospital and Emergency Expenses#

22: COVID-19  Cancellation Fees and Lost Deposits

23: COVID-19  Additional Expenses# and Special Events

24: COVID-19 Travel Delay#

*#Limits and Sub Limits apply. See pages 10-23 for details. ^^$unlimited means that generally there is no cap on the maximum dollar amount which may be paid out for this benefit, subject to the specific terms and conditions, sub-limits and exclusions that apply to this benefit. **$unlimited means that generally there is no cap on the maximum dollar amount which may be paid out for this benefit, subject to the specific terms and conditions, sub-limits and exclusions that apply to this benefit. This benefit covers reasonable overseas medical and hospital costs as a result of an injury (including arising from a Terrorist Act) or illness occurring which first shows itself during Your Period of Insurance. Benefits may be paid up to 12 months from the time You received treatment for the injury or illness, but only for reasonable expenses incurred during that time. All medical treatments must be provided by Your Treating Doctor or Our Consulting Medical Officer. You must notify Us as soon as practicable of Your admittance to hospital. *This cover is per person listed in Your Policy. ^This cover is per policy. +This Sub Limit is a subset of this overall policy benefit section. *** Sub Limit and Policy Limit may apply – please refer to sections 1B and 4C in the PDS The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations . For copies, visit racv.com.au . RACV Travel Insurance issued by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548. Terms & conditions apply, refer to the PDS . Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) Ltd AR 001243563 is an authorised representative of the issuer and receives commission for each policy sold or renewed.

Luggage item limits

Insuring your luggage items with RACV Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance covers them for up to $15,000. Whether you’re travelling with your prized golf clubs or your laptop, these travel insurance policies take the sting out of losing expensive items. Discover the amounts for specific luggage items below.

Policy benefits

Annual multi-trip.

Medical Devices

RACV policy options and add-ons

When choosing your annual holiday insurance, the best cover will be tailored to your needs and situation. RACV Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance offers a range of policy options and extra benefits that you can add onto your plan – giving you the chance to create the cover that suits you best.

Whether you have medical conditions or are preparing for an adrenaline-filled ski trip, choosing the right add-ons can take a big risk out of your worldwide adventures. Find out what you can add to your yearly travel insurance policy below.

Cover for medical conditions

Travelling with medical conditions doesn’t mean you miss out on annual travel insurance cover. Check out the different conditions that are covered by RACV Travel Insurance policies  here , for all other conditions you can complete an online assessment to see if we can cover them as well.

Ski and winter sports cover

A ski holiday is a great way to cool off and get your blood pumping. If you’re planning a winter trip, the right add-on will keep you covered from injuries related to winter sports. Find out more about ski and winter sports and activities cover  here . 

Excess options

You can choose to vary your Excess, which is the amount you must pay if you have a claim. The Excess you choose will either increase or reduce your Premium. The Plan Type you select has the following Excess ranges:

• Annual Multi-Trip policy has a choice of $0, $100 or $250

Cruise cover

If you require cover for a Cruise, please select the Cruise option when purchasing a policy. This will determine the Premium you pay.

Cover for international river cruising is included automatically and you do not need to select the Cruise option.

Cruise Cover is required for all Ocean Voyages of more than one night.

Travel alerts, claims and policy documents

Travel alerts.

RACV Travel Insurance won't cover you for countries/regions with a DFAT travel advisory of "Do Not Travel".

• Smart traveller
• Recent travel alerts
• COVID-19 travel advice & FAQs

Review or manage your policy

For full details on how you’re covered, read the RACV Travel Insurance Product Disclosure Statement.

• Make a claim
• Find a policy document
• Contact us on 13 13 29

Save more as an RACV Member

International Sim Card

Airport Parking

International Driving Permit

The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations . For copies, visit racv.com.au. Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) Ltd AR 001243563 is an authorised representative of the issuer and receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. RACV Travel Insurance issued by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548. Terms & conditions apply, refer to the PDS.

Travel Insurance Sales 13 13 29

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Claims 1300 207 387

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Home > Travel Insurance > RACV Travel Insurance Review

RACV Travel Insurance Review

Learn more about RACV’s travel insurance policies to find out about their coverage and fees and compare them with other insurers today.

Fact checked

For more than a century, RACV has provided roadside assistance and a range of other services to its more than two million members. The Melbourne organisation has branched out in that time, widening the scope of its services to products such as home and travel insurance and becoming a leader in those markets.

If you’re looking for the best travel insurance, Savvy can help you compare RACV’s policies with its competitors so you can find the most suitable deal for your next holiday. You’ll be able to weigh up all the factors, from claim limits to benefits to inclusions and exclusions.

Find out what they can offer you here before getting a quote with Savvy today.

*Please note that Savvy does not represent RACV for its insurance products.

More about RACV travel insurance

What travel insurance policies does racv offer.

RACV’s online travel insurance policies include:

• International Comprehensive: this policy offers unlimited medical treatment and cancellation cover, protection for your luggage and travel documents and even pays for the additional cost of boarding your pet if you’re travel home is delayed. You’re also covered for a range of COVID-19-related expenses such as cancellation, hospital costs and cancellation.
• International Essentials: offering many of the same benefits as the comprehensive policy, RACV’s cheaper Essentials plan comes without COVID-19 or pet cover and lower claim limits.
• International Basics: this policy offers protection for the bare necessities, including overseas hospital and dental expenses, funeral costs if you die on holiday, limited coverage for your luggage and generous personal liability cover.
• Domestic Travel Insurance: this type of domestic travel insurance policy offers cover for lost luggage, cancellation fees and deposits, travel delays and any travel agent fees. RACV also offers domestic travel insurance for seniors .
• Annual Multi-Trip Insurance: planning a few international or domestic trips across 12 months? This policy is designed for frequent travellers and covers you for cancellation fees and lost deposits, overseas healthcare and any emergency expenses. You’re able to make an unlimited number of trips (up to 60 days in individual length) over the year. However, they must be more than 250km from your home.

However, it pays to compare quotes with Savvy to help you find the best travel insurance policy for your needs, no matter if you’re planning a holiday to Poland or a trip across Australia.

What optional extras are available through RACV?

RACV, like many other providers, provides optional extras for both international and domestic holidays . These include:

• Ski and winter sports cover: hitting the snow fields on your European holiday or carving up the snow-capped mountains in Thredbo? RACV allows you to purchase a comprehensive, essentials, basics or domestic ski add-on which covers you for a range of incidentals, including equipment hire, piste closure and bad weather or avalanches.
• Cruise cover: this optional extra provides coverage for any medical expenses and evacuation, lost or delayed bags, cancellation and any emergency expenses.

What exclusions should I be aware of when buying travel insurance through RACV?

Finding the best travel insurance policy can be a bit like striking gold. However, even the product which is best suited to you won’t cover absolutely every incident that occurs on your holiday. Some of the general exclusions on RACV's coverage include:

• Loss, theft or damage because you don’t take reasonable care
• Loss of enjoyment or a prospective business opportunity
• Claims relating to travel to a country against government advice
• Failure to provide a document your insurer has requested
• If you’re injured or suffer a loss due to war or a revolution at your destination
• Claims resulting from you breaking the law
• Accidents caused by the consumption of alcohol or drugs

If you’ve found a policy that catches your eye, make sure you review the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before you set your decision in stone.

What we think of RACV travel insurance

What we like, generous personal liability.

While many travel insurance companies offer personal liability coverage in the ballpark of $2.5 million or $5 million, RACV allows you to claim up to $10 million if you’re involved in legal troubles on your holiday.

Children under 25 covered for free

Taking the children or grandchildren on holiday with you? RACV allows you to add anyone under the age of 25 years old to your travel insurance policy at no additional cost.

Ride a motorcycle at no extra cost

Planning on carving up the busy streets of your holiday destination on two wheels? RACV provides automatic coverage for motorcycle , moped or scooter riding while you’re on holiday.

What we don't like

Higher premium for cruises.

Unlike some travel insurance providers who offer cruise coverage automatically as part of their policies, RACV requires you to purchase an add-on to get covered if you’re sailing the high seas.

Limited coverage for pregnancies

If you’re an expectant mother, RACV offers limited cover for pregnancy in its policies. You’ll only be covered for unexpected complications before your 26th week or premature birth.

Modest pre-existing coverage

While RACV’s travel insurance policies automatically cover illnesses such as acne, certain types of diabetes, gout and sleep apnoea, they’ll require you to undergo a medical assessment if you have a more serious illness, such as a heart condition.

Types of travel insurance

International.

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

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

Single trip

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

Annual multi-trip

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

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

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

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

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

Adventure sports

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

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

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

Why compare travel insurance with Savvy?

Reputable insurance partners, fast and convenient online process.

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

Competitive quote costs

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

Frequently asked questions about RACV travel insurance

Yes – RACV provides cover for certain COVID-19-related expenses on its comprehensive international travel insurance policy. This allows you to be covered for any medical costs if you’re diagnosed with coronavirus, lost deposits or cancellation fees if you test positive and can’t travel and any delay to your plans.

If something goes wrong while you’re on holiday, you can make a claim 24/7 through RACV’s website. This involves you setting up an account using the email address that you purchased your policy with and creating a password.

From there, you’ll be required to complete the online claim form and provide ample detail about the incident and evidence through medical or police reports and receipts. Once you’ve filed your claim, RACV’s website says it can take up to ten days for claims to be processed.

The cost of travel insurance is different for everyone, as it’s determined by a unique set of variables, including:

• Your date of birth
• Your chosen destination
• The level of coverage you buy
• Any optional extras you need
• Pre-existing medical conditions you need to disclose
• The policy excess you choose
• The type of insurer and insurance policy you buy

An annual multi-trip travel insurance allows you to take several journeys across one year (usually allowing up to 60 travel days for each trip) whereas a single-trip policy allows for coverage on only one return holiday. If you haven’t got a return flight, a one-way travel insurance policy protects you for just one leg of the journey for up to 12 months. In most cases, you’ll be able to extend your cover by an extra 12 months.

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Travel insurance

RACV Comprehensive review

One trip policy..

This is the provider of the insurance product and correlates with the Financial Services Provider (FSP) as registered with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. You can look up your insurer's provider in the AFCA comparative tables to see how common it is for consumers to bring a travel insurance dispute to AFCA about them.

In years (up to and including the number stated). For policies listed as '100+', there is no age limit.

Maximum age for dependants listed on the policy. In years (up to and including the number stated).

Does the policy list pre-existing medical conditions that are automatically covered.

Does the policy cover pre-existing medical conditions that are not listed as automatic cover on the policy (on application and subject to approval)

The lower the number, the better. It's the time period before booking your trip that a medical condition would be covered if you've had no symptoms,  medication or treatment (as long as that condition isn't specifically excluded). If for example, your condition last showed symptoms 18 months ago, but the time period here is 12 months, then you'll be covered subject to the other conditions of the policy.

Are claims covered that arise from pregnancy or pregnancy complications?

Until which stage pregnancy is covered for single births (up to and including).

Are medical costs covered for the mother if childbirth occurs up to the maximum pregancy stage

Limit for medical and emergency evacuation and repatriation expenses for illness or injury.

Expenses for an accompanying person such as a member of the travelling party, a friend or a close relative (not necessarily listed as insured on the certificate of insurance) to travel to the sick policyholder overseas, remain with them in hospital and accompany them home during an emergency repatriation.

Daily hospital cash allowance per person.

Minimum number of hours the insured must be continuously hospitalised before receiving the hospital cash allowance.

Limit for dental as a result of an accident.

Limit for dental as a result of sudden and acute pain.

Limit for overseas funeral costs and the return of mortal remains per deceased person, in the event of the death of the policy holder. There may be a separate limit for 'return of mortal remains' and 'overseas funeral costs', so check the policy terms for more details.

Limit for additional accommodation and travel expenses if the policy holder cannot travel due to injury or sickness.

The limit for additional travel expenses per person if travel is interrupted by an insured event (not including injury or sickness as that is covered separately under 'Additional travel expenses for injury or sickness'). Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy covers you for additional travel expenses per person if travel is interrupted due to a lost or stolen passport or travel documents. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether or not the policy covers you for additional accommodation and travel expenses if you need to curtail travel due to the serious illness or injury of a relative at home. May be subject to assessment of pre-existing conditions for the relative.

Limit for resumption of a journey interrupted due to the serious illness, injury or death of a relative. May be subject to assessment of pre-existing conditions for the relative. Check the policy terms for more details. 'Cancellation cover chosen' means variable cover options are available.

Whether the policy covers you for cancellation or amendment expenses.

Limit for cancellation or amendment expenses. 'Cover chosen' means variable cover options are available.

Limit for cancellation expenses for transportation bought using frequent flyer points.

Limit for travel agent cancellation fees.

Whether the policy covers you for losses arising out of insolvency of a travel services provider (e.g. airline, accomodation provider, bus line, shipping line, railway company, motor vehicle rental agency). Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy covers you for cancellation expenses due to insolvency of a travel agent. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy covers you for cancellation expenses due to unexpected/involuntary retrenchment. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy covers you for cancellation expenses due to cancellation of pre-arranged leave from work for members of the Defence Force and Federal, State or Territory Emergency Services. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy covers you for cancellation expenses due to cancellation of pre-arranged leave from work for non-emergency services occupations. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Are stolen or damaged personal belongings covered

The overall limit for stolen or damaged personal belongings.

Limit for a single unspecified item.

Limit per item for a video or photo camera. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Limit for a laptop or tablet. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Limit for a smartphone. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Limit for any prescribed medications. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Overall limit for specified items, available for an extra premium. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Cover for belongings locked in a luggage compartment of a car out of sight during the day. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Cover for belongings locked in a luggage compartment of a car out of sight overnight. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Cover for valuables such as laptops, tablets, mobile phones, jewellery or cameras locked in the luggage compartment of a car. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Cover limit per person for lost or stolen cash. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Overall limit for a single person for baggage lost temporarily. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

The minimum period of time in hours before which cover applies for temporarily lost baggage. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Limit for additional travel expenses to reach a special event such as a wedding, conference or sporting event on time if the scheduled transport is cancelled or delayed.

Limit for additional travel expenses to reach pre-paid travel arrangements on time if the scheduled transport is cancelled or delayed. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy is automatically extended if your journey is extended due to unforeseen circumstances.

Limit for additional meal and accommodation expenses if scheduled transport is delayed.

The minimum number of hours before transport delay is covered. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Limit per person per 24-hour period for this transport delay. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Is the collision damage excess for a hire car covered?

Limit for collision damage excess for a hire car. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Does the policy cover cancellation and additional expenses for claims due to transport incidents like mechanical breakdown and accidents?

Does the policy cover cancellation and additional expenses for claims due to strikes?

Does the policy cover claims due to mental health illness experienced for the first time on the trip, and not classified as an ongoing or existing medical condition?

Does the policy cover claims due to COVID-19?

Does the policy cover claims due to pandemics other than COVID-19?

Does the policy cover claims due to natural disaster?

Does the policy cover claims due to civil unrest?

Does the policy cover claims due to terrorism?

Does the policy cover claims due to war?

Average rating

Compare international travel insurance 2024 | choice.

RACV Finance Travel Insurance

Important information on terms, conditions and sub-limits.

Are you considering RACV for your next travel insurance policy? We’ve gone through the fine-print to answer your burning questions about RACV so you can find the right policy for your needs.

About RACV Finance

RACV (Royal Automobile Club of Victoria Limited) is a mutual organisation with over 2 million members. Founded in 1903, RACV began as a social club for car and motorcycle owners but has grown to become Victoria’s largest mutual organisation with a range of products and services in areas like insurance, motoring services, financial services, member advocacy, and holiday resorts. RACV travel insurance is underwritten by the Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd.

RACV travel insurance policies

RACV offers three tiers of domestic travel insurance , as well as three tiers of international travel insurance . These tiers range from Basics, to Essentials, to Comprehensive. RACV also offers an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy, if you’re looking for an extended policy that will cover multiple holidays within a one-year period.

• Single Duo Family

Limits shown apply

Covid medical cover

Covid cancellation cover

Overseas emergency hospital expense

Overseas emergency medical assistance

Maximum excess

Cancellation fees

Pay extra for no excess

Luggage and personal effects

Additional accomodation & travel

Emergency companion

Resumption of journey

Hospital cash allowance

Accidental death

Permanent disability

Loss of income

Credit Card fraud and replacement

Travellers cheques

Travel documents

Rental vehicle excess

Alternative travel expenses

Personal liability

Pre existing conditions

Cardiovascular disease

Mental health illness

High cholesterol

High blood pressure

Blood thinning medication

Activities covered

Bungee jumping

Conservation work

Mountain biking

Mountaineering

Rock climbing

Scuba diving

Snow sports

Ocean Cruise

Comprehensive

$10,000,000

Assessment required, may cost extra

Annual Multi-Trip

Any information provided on this page should be considered a summary and general advice only. All information should be verified before purchase via the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

Does RACV travel insurance have COVID-19 coverage?

RACV does provide some coverage for COVID-19, however, inclusions will vary depending on your policy and level of cover. For the full story, check the terms and conditions included in the PDS.

What other optional extras can I add to my RACV policy?

Cruise cover

If you’re travelling on a cruise ship, then you’ll need to purchase RACV’s cruise travel insurance on top of your policy, even if your cruise stays within Australian waters. If you do not get this optional extra, then any claims related to any part of your journey on a cruise ship will not be covered. You can pay the premium for cruise cover on any of RACV’s policies, which will cover you for that policy’s included benefits while on the portion of your journey that takes place on a cruise ship. 

Ski and winter sports cover 

Snow travel insurance is important if you’re hitting the slopes, and without it, you may not be covered for any claims relating to snow sports. Through RACV, the ski and winter sports cover is only available if you pay an extra premium on top of either a Comprehensive or Essentials policy, or if you have an annual multi-trip plan. 

Are pre-existing medical conditions covered under RACV’s travel insurance?

RACV automatically includes cover for some pre-existing medical conditions , although you must declare your pre-existing conditions and have them listed on your certificate of insurance in order to be covered. So, make sure you disclose any conditions that you do have at the time of applying. 

While you may have to pay an extra premium for your condition, some conditions are covered under your policy’s premium already. 

If your pre-existing medical condition is not eligible for automatic cover, you must apply to have a medical assessment. Contact RACV on 13 13 29, or complete your medical assessment online, as part of the travel insurance quote process, at http://www.racv.com.au . They will then be able to tell you if your condition can be covered. 

What do I do if there’s an emergency during my trip?

If there’s an emergency, contact RACV’s 24-hour emergency assistance and claims line on: 

+61 2 8055 1699

How do I make a claim with RACV travel insurance?

To make a claim, head online to RACV’s website and either register or log in to your account using the email address you used to purchase your policy. You will need to have supporting documents which are relevant to your claim, like receipts, police reports, or hospital invoices. RACV will aim to notify you of the success of your claim within 10 working days. 

Is it possible to cancel my RACV travel insurance policy?

You can cancel your policy and receive a full refund within 21 days of purchasing it, provided you have not started your journey, have not made a claim, or intend to make a claim. If you want to cancel after the 21-day cooling-off period, then you may be able to receive a partial refund, at RACV’s discretion. 

To talk to RACV about cancelling your policy, call them on 13 13 29. 

How does the Mozo Community rate RACV travel insurance?

Scroll down to see how the Mozo community has rated RACV’s travel insurance policies in terms of factors like value for money and trust.

RACV Finance travel insurance

Overall 8.3

Value for money

Policy coverage

Customer service

Claims handling

Recent RACV Finance travel insurance customer reviews Recent RACV Finance travel insurance customer reviews

RACV Finance Travel Insurance review

Overall rating   10 / 10

Reliable, efficient, excellent customer service

Amazing customer service when originally taking out the travel insurance and then when we needed to submit a claim. Extremely reliable and efficient

Full review

Value for money   9 / 10

Policy coverage   9 / 10

Customer service   10 / 10

Claims handling   10 / 10

Trust   10 / 10

Astrid, Western Australia, reviewed over 3 years ago

Overall rating   7 / 10

Highly recommended!

I find this one is the cheapest with the best service, very fast and reliable to process claims!

Value for money   7 / 10

Policy coverage   7 / 10

Customer service   7 / 10

Claims handling   7 / 10

Trust   7 / 10

Steven, Western Australia, reviewed over 3 years ago

Overall rating   8 / 10

Great value for money - much better than others

Our experience is with RACV- great coverage, relatively easy to understand policy, long term, no age discrimination like AAMI.

Value for money   8 / 10

Trust   8 / 10

Marlene, Victoria, reviewed almost 10 years ago

Compare RACV travel insurance policies with other travel insurance providers

With so many travel insurance options now available to Aussies, it's important that you research your options before you head off on your trip overseas. Get started by using Mozo's travel insurance comparison tool to find a policy that fits your needs. All you have to do is complete the form, which includes the dates of your travel, your destination and how many people you'll be travelling with, for a quick comparison of some top travel insurance policies for Aussies.

Don't forget to also check out Mozo's  guide to travel insurance , or drop by our  travel hub  for the latest articles and tips to help you save lots on your holiday abroad. 

Compare Travel Insurance from major brands including:

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

Who we are and how we get paid

Our goal at Mozo is to help you make smart financial decisions and our award-winning comparison tools and services are provided free of charge. As a marketplace business, we do earn money from advertising.

We do not compare all brands in the market, or all products offered by all brands. At times certain brands or products may not be available or offered to you. If you proceed with a travel insurance policy through Mozo, Mozo may receive a referral fee.

• Travel Insurance
• Best Travel Insurance Providers for Seniors

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

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

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

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

Our Pick Of The Best Travel Insurance Providers For Seniors

Published: Jul 19, 2023, 1:05pm

Preparing for a holiday is a treat at any age, but all travellers, regardless of whether you’re backpacking or retired, need to tick off essential travel admin like purchasing travel insurance before the fun begins.

This ensures you can access life-saving medical treatment in an emergency overseas, when medical and hospital fees vary wildly. It can also help cover costs to get your trip back on the road after unforeseeable mishaps, or get you home safely if you need to cut the holiday short. This safety net can be especially important for more mature travellers with complex health and travel needs.

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

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

Related: Best Travel Insurance for Australians

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Travel Insurance Saver

Cover-more travel insurance (comprehensive), nib travel insurance (comprehensive), freely (comprehensive), allianz (comprehensive), bupa (comprehensive), boomers travel insurance (comprehensive), australia post (comprehensive), medibank travel insurance (comprehensive), racv travel insurance (comprehensive), cota (comprehensive).

Southern Cross Travel Insurance (Comprehensive)

Fast Cover (Comprehensive)

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

• Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance
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Fast Cover Travel Insurance

On Fast Cover’s Secure Website

Medical cover

Unlimited, 24/7 Emergency Assistance

Cancellations

Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)

Key Features

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

Cover-More Travel Insurance

On Cover-more’s secure website

Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental

Yes, amount chosen by customer

Option of Cruise Cover

Unlimited medical

Yes (some sub limits apply)

Yes (automatic)

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

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

• Cruise cover automatically included.
• Unlimited overseas medical expenses covered
• Lower permanent disability cover

99 (with acceptance criteria)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• 15% discount for Bupa Health Insurance members

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

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

• Luggage cover can be increased for valuable items

Yes (dental limits apply)

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

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

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

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

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

Undisclosed

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

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

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

Yes (some conditions apply)

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

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

• Caps on overseas hospital and dental expenses

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

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

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

89 (with age and coverage limits on certain benefits)

Fast Cover caters to travellers aged up to 89 , but benefit limits and coverage restrictions can apply for anyone over 60, depending on which age bracket you sit within. Travellers up to 79 years of age have unlimited cover for overseas medical expenses, cancellations (although there is a $1,500 cap on travel agent fees), and trip disruption and resumption costs. Those aged 80-89 will need to pay a $2,000 excess for cancellations related to sickness or injury.

Also note that snow cover isn’t available to anyone aged 70 or older, the adventure pack age limit is 74, and dental cover for travellers of all ages is limited to $1,000. Happily, cruise cover can be an add-on at any age, personal liability is covered up to $5 million, and there are a large number of pre-existing medical conditions covered for people of all ages (as long as you satisfy the criteria related to those conditions).

• Many pre-existing medical conditions covered without assessment.
• Cruise cover can be added on.
• Age and cover limits apply to certain benefits for older travellers.

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

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

As mentioned, we didn’t include price in this assessment, as quotes vary between travellers based on a huge range of factors, from their holiday itinerary to optional extras they want included and health and medical histories. Each of the elements we considered when finding the most senior-friendly travel insurance providers are outlined below.

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

About Star Rankings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There are numerous travel insurance options available to seniors, no matter your age nor your ability. The key to finding a suitable policy for you is in the fine print.

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

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

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

Is travel insurance more expensive for over 75s?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

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

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

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

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

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Us coast guard no longer searching for 20-year-old who jumped from royal caribbean cruise.

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The United States Coast Guard is no longer searching for a 20-year-old man who jumped overboard on a Royal Caribbean cruise , the military branch reportedly said.

The Coast Guard began scouring the seas last Thursday, but has since called off its unsuccessful search for the unidentified passenger, the Daily Mail reported Tuesday.

The vacation became a tragedy for one family when their loved ones helplessly saw the young man jump over the side of the deck which some onlookers said appeared to be an impulsive leap.

The 18-story Royal Caribbean Liberty of Seas was sailing between Cuba and the Bahamas’ Grand Inagua Island during the shocking moment.

One passenger previously told The Post the man was pretty drunk before jumping over and appeared to be bickering with his father.

“As we were walking from the hot tub back to the elevators, his dad and brother were walking towards us. His dad was fussing at him for being drunk, I guess,” Bryan Sims said. “When we got to them, he said to his dad, ‘I’ll fix this right now.’ And he jumped out the window in front of us all.” 

Royal Caribbean said last week its crew quickly began looking for the man along with the Coast Guard before the federal government took over the search. 

The Post has sought comment from the Coast Guard.

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We managed to stretch our $12,000 European vacation budget to cover first-class plane tickets and a 12-night cruise. Here's how.

• Allie Hubers, a freelance travel writer, spent $20,000 on cruises in 2022.
• A two-week trip to Europe with her husband, which cost $12,000, was the most expensive one.
• She breaks down all of the costs, including flights, hotels, the cruise, dining, and more.

This as-told-to story is based on a conversation with Allie Hubers , a 29-year-old freelance travel writer. It's been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider verified Hubers' expenses.

My husband Luke and I met in college at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota during our sophomore year. We have traveled together over the past 10 years, including trips to Europe , Asia, and Africa, and hopped on cruises around countries like Morocco, Thailand, Malaysia, Croatia, and Italy.

I'm a freelance travel writer, and Luke is a pilot with the US Air Force. He's been flying since he was 16. We both have high levels of wanderlust and traveling together is how we keep our marriage strong.

We allocate a budget to travel every month and our favorite way to travel is cruising . In 2022, we spent a total of $20,000 on cruises. The most expensive trip we went on was a 12-night cruise around Europe .

At the time, Luke had just returned from a months-long deployment, so we wanted to spend some quality time together. We had a $12,000 budget, which included the cruise , first-class airfare, tickets to an Ed Sheeran concert, and hotel stays. We had been saving for this trip for years. Here is a a breakdown of our budget.

Cost of plane tickets: $4,000

We spent $1,200 each on economy tickets with Delta Air Lines from Florida to London. We ended up upgrading to first-class Delta One the night before our flight. The upgrade cost $800 each. We hadn't taken a special trip together for years, so the splurge was well worth it.

This isn't standard for us, but an enticing upgrade offer was too tempting to turn down.

Cost of concert tickets: $476

Luke and I are big fans of Ed Sheeran . He was playing a set in Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. We snagged general admission tickets for around $116 each.

We both love his song "Tenerife Sea." When we first met in college, we added Tenerife — an island in Spain — to our bucket list. We ended up going to Tenerife during our 12-night cruise, and it was just as beautiful as the song made it out to be.

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We also got tickets for Imagine Dragons at the last minute, and those tickets were $244.

Cost of hotel stays: $621

During our trip, we stayed in four hotels. We spent two nights at The Edition, a five-star hotel near Soho in London . While a night's stay at The Edition costs around $670, we used 60,000 Marriott points each night and didn't have to pay cash.

We also spent a night at The Montcalm East Autograph in London for $350 and our last night at the Renaissance London Heathrow for $111 before flying back to the US.

To attend Ed Sheeran's concert, we spent a night at Newcastle Marriott Hotel Metrocenter, which cost $160. When we returned to London, we spent a night at Bankside Autograph Collection, a luxury hotel near the River Thames. A night's stay there costs around $600, but we used 45,000 Marriott points and redeemed our stay for free.

Cost of the 12-night cruise: $2,800

The 12-night cruise on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas was $2,800 for the two of us. We initially booked an interior cabin , the cheapest room category, and ended up getting upgraded to an obstructed balcony room a few days before sailing. The upgrade ended up being free.

Stops along the cruise included Spain's Canary Islands, including Tenerife, and Lisbon in Portugal. We spent our days exploring new countries, having seaside cocktails, and reconnecting after so much time apart.

Cost of food and transportation: $2,055

We went on a three-night dining package for $240. On board the cruise, we purchased two specialty dining meals and on Chef's Table experience for $574. In total, including what we spent on food in London, we spent around $1,170 on dining out, coffee, and drinks.

Transportation took a big chunk of our budget. Ubers, taxis, and scooters cost a total of $528. We rented a car to get us to and from the concert venue for $186, with gas costing around $40. We also took the train to get around, and that amounted to $131.

Miscellaneous costs: $2,000

We spent $639 on souvenirs, gifts, and shopping . On board the cruise, excursions weren't free, so it cost us $214 for two excursions in the Canary Islands. Other expenses included internet on the cruise for $374 and roaming with T-Mobile for $103.

We also flew my sister to Florida to watch the dogs and provided her with a meal service for two weeks. That cost a total of $670.

There was no skimping or budgeting for this trip. We had no regrets about the money we spent on this cruise vacation.

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