travel insurance cruises australia

• Travel Insurance
• Best Travel Insurance For Cruises

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 Cruise Travel Insurance

Published: Mar 28, 2024, 11:11am

Cruising was put on pause during Covid, but like most post-pandemic travel, it has since become a popular option for thousands of Australian holiday-makers.

According to Statista, revenue in the Australian cruising market is expected to grow by 9.48% per year, resulting in an expected market value of $US1.25 billion by 2027. And, with airfares remaining high across many international sectors, and increasing number of Aussies are opting for cruises.

A poll by insurance provider InsureandGo in January found that three in four of those surveyed have developed an interest in a cruise vacation, with the 57% of the under-50s now likely to opt for the all-inclusive cruise holiday.

Of course, when cruising in domestic or international waters, travel insurance is vital. What many travellers may not realise, however, is the need for a specific type of insurance to cover the risk factors and events specific to cruising—whether it’s missed ports cover, emergency evacuation or even formal wear cover for missed black-tie events.

That’s why for Australians looking to set sail, we have taken a look at the wider cruise insurance market and picked out our favourite providers of cruise travel insurance based on the cruise-related cover they offer.

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.

Featured Partners

InsureandGo

Budget direct, southern cross, our methodology, do you need special travel insurance for a cruise, what does cruise insurance cover, covid cover on a cruise, frequently asked questions (faqs).

• Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance
• Best Seniors Travel Insurance
• Best Domestic Travel Insurance
• Travel Insurance Cost
• Travel Insurance For Bali
• Travel Insurance For Fiji
• Travel Insurance For The USA
• Domestic Travel Insurance
• Pregnancy Travel Insurance Guide
• Travel Insurance And Covid: Are You Covered?

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

Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Medical Cover

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

$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited

Cabin Confinement Cover

Covered for covid, missed ports cover.

InsureandGo offers a specific cruise insurance policy to its customers which is available to those aged up to 79 years old on the bare essentials cruise policy and 100 years old for the more comprehensive cover. There is unlimited medical cover on-board (including for diagnoses and treatment related to Covid), and a $5,000 cancellation cover if travellers need to cancel due to contracting the virus. Furthermore, cabin confinement is covered up to a total of $2,500 with $75 towards every completed 24-hour period.

Missed ports cover is also included with $100 for each port up to a total of $1,000, which is paid if your cruise docks at fewer ports than what is scheduled on your original cruise itinerary. There is also compensation for cruise delays, and InsureandGo regularly runs online discounts for consumers to find the best deal.

• Cabin confinement covered up to $2,500
• Unlimited medical including Covid
• Regular online discounts
• No specific cover for formal wear
• No live chat functionality
• Only covered up to 79 on bare essentials cruise policy

To be insured for a cruise via 1Cover, you will need to purchase a cruise pack on top of an existing policy. If you’re cruising in Australia, you’ll need to purchase a domestic policy and if you’re cruising in Australia as well as international waters, you’ll need to purchase a comprehensive policy. You will then need to add a cruise pack to each of these.

While all ages are covered with 1Cover, there is a $3,000 excess for travellers over 80 years old and a maximum coverage length of six months. There is unlimited medical and dental cover while onboard, and cover related to Covid-19 diagnosis, pending certain conditions.

• Missed ports cover
• Covid included in unlimited medical cover
• Positive customer reviews
• No online discounts
• $3000 excess for travellers over 80 years old
• No livechat functionality

Allianz offers its cruise insurance via a cruise pack on both domestic and international policies. All ages are covered, medical cover while cruising is unlimited (including for Covid), and cancellation due to Covid is also recognised. Allianz also covers cabin confinement up to $500 if you are confined for more than a 48-hour period.

Unfortunately, Allianz does not offer any compensation for missed ports, however, there is cover for missed shore excursions. This means if you pre-paid for an excursion on-shore and then are unable to go for either medical reasons or reasons outside of your control (such as not docking at the port), you will be reimbursed up to $1,000.

• Covid is covered under medical expenses
• Cover for missed onshore activities cover
• No missed ports cover
• Must be purchased as an add-on to existing policy

With Budget Direct, you can only take out a cruise insurance policy if you first purchase an international travel insurance policy and then add on the cruise pack. The cruise pack covers all ages, nearly 30 pre-existing medical conditions, and unlimited medical treatment. It also includes dental treatment onboard up to $2,000 and cabin confinement up to $1,500.

Budget Direct also offers compensation for missed ports cover if you cannot dock due to unforeseen circumstances, as well as missed shore excursions for any tours or activities that were pre-paid. At the time of writing, Budget Direct is offering a 15% online discount.

• Unlimited medical cover
• Some poor customer reviews
• No specific formal wear cover

If you purchase a domestic or international travel insurance policy with Bupa, you will have the option to purchase an additional cruise pack, which is available to all ages. It offers unlimited medical cover, including overseas medical and hospital expenses in the event that you are diagnosed with Covid; cancellation cover for Covid; and $500 for cabin confinement in the event that you are confined for more than a 48-hour period.

Unfortunately, there is no missed ports cover with the Bupa cruise pack. However, there is a marine rescue diversion cover which is paid out if your cruise must divert in order to complete a marine rescue. Additionally, there is cover up to $1,000 if you miss a pre-paid on-shore excursion due to unforeseen circumstances.

• Cancellation cover for Covid
• All ages are covered
• Must purchase cruise pack as an add-on
• Cabin confinement capped at $500

While Medibank allows all ages to purchase its cruise pack (when purchased in addition to an international travel insurance policy) it has reduced coverage for those aged over 70. For those under 70, there are 34 pre-existing conditions automatically covered, unlimited onboard dental and medical (including Covid), medical evacuation for Covid and cabin confinement up to a total $1,500 for more than 24 hours ($100 per day).

Missed port cover is also included up to a total of $1,000 for unforeseen circumstances, and missed shore excursions are covered up to $1,000, granted they were pre-paid and are non-refundable. While there is currently a 15% online discount, it is only available to Medibank members.

• Many preexisting conditions automatically included
• Unlimited medical and dental
• $1,500 cabin confinement cover
• Cover is reduced for those over 70
• Discount only available for Medibank members
• Average customer reviews

Cruise cover is available as an add-on to Cover-More’s international travel insurance plan and is available for those aged up to 99 years of age, pending acceptance via set criteria. There are 32 pre-existing conditions that are automatically covered, as well as unlimited medical and dental cover, including for Covid. There is also cancellation cover related to Covid, with the amount depending on whether the cruise has already departed.

Meanwhile, cabin confinement is covered up to $100 per day when the period of confinement is more than 24 hours, up to a maximum cover of $1,500. Missed ports and missed excursions are also covered up to $1,000 each.

• No online discount
• Tougher criteria for older travellers

Whether you are travelling domestically or internationally on your cruise, you will need to purchase the cruise ‘boost’ plan to Freely’s international travel insurance policy. The plan is available up to 99 years of age, with unlimited on-board medical and dental. There is also cover available for Covid, however, an excess applies for medical and cancellation cover related to the virus. Cabin confinement is also covered up to a maximum of $1,500 (if not related to Covid).

Missed ports cover and missed on-shore excursions cover are also insured up to $1,000 each. As Freely is new on the market, it does not have a large amount of reviews online, and has only scored 1.0 stars out of 5 from fewer than 10 reviews, at the time of writing. More reviews would be required to form an accurate picture of Freely’s customer satisfaction levels.

• Cover up to 99 years
• No discounts
• Covid not covered under ‘cabin confinement’
• Small number of reviews

Cabin Confinement

With Southern Cross travel insurance, cruise cover can be added to both the domestic and the international travel insurance policies depending on where you are travelling. Cover is up to age 118, although there are no pre-existing conditions that are automatically covered (assessment is required for all). There is, however, unlimited medical cover with certain sub-limits applying, as well as emergency dental and Covid cover.

Unfortunately, there is no specific cover available for cabin confinement, nor is there any cover for missed ports or missed on-shore excursions. There is cover for special events under cancellation cover, although this again requires meeting certain criteria.

• Positive online reviews
• Cover up to 118 years old
• Preexisting conditions not automatically included
• No cabin confinement cover
• No missed ports or onshore excursions cover

In order to choose our top picks for the best travel insurance for cruises, Forbes Advisor Australia looked at and analysed nearly 30 different travel insurance providers. In doing so, we found the top nine ranking providers after carefully considering a range of factors.

These factors, and the details of such, were:

• The underwriter: who underwrites the insurance policy;
• Cruise cover type: if it is a standalone policy or an optional add-on;
• How the cruise insurance needs to be purchased: whether you need to purchase a domestic or international policy before you can add cruising, or if it can be purchased individually;
• Maximum age covered: what ages are covered by the policy, and if there are any conditions for travellers above a certain age (such as a higher excess);
• Pre-existing conditions: how many, if any, pre-existing conditions are automatically covered, and what requirements are necessary to have other pre-existing conditions covered;
• Onboard medical and dental treatment: whether or not the onboard medical cover is unlimited and, if so, whether dental is included within that medical treatment or if it has its own sublimit;
• Medical Covid cover: if Covid is included within the unlimited medical cover, or any conditions that would make it void;
• Cabin confinement cover: whether or not you are compensated for cabin confinement due to medical reasons or unforeseen circumstances, as well as how long the confinement must be to qualify and the total compensation amount;
• Emergency evacuation: if you are covered for emergency evacuation due to a worsening medical condition onboard when not nearby to a port;
• Stolen items cover: cover for any stolen items such as laptops or phones;
• Formal wear cover: cover for any damage or theft of formal wear, due to the popularity of black tie events on cruises;
• Lost luggage cover: general lost luggage cover, including sub-limits of items;
• Missed ports cover: whether you’re covered if your cruise misses a port if you are unable to dock due to unforeseen circumstances;
• Missed on-shore excursions cover: whether or not there is any compensation and reimbursement for activities and excursions that are pre-paid and missed, whether due to medical reasons or due to not being able to port;
• General cancellation cover: any general cancellation cover available, such as if you have to cancel the trip prior to embarking or due to Covid;
• Average consumer rating: what the average consumer rating out of 5 is from customers via Australia’s independent review site, ProductReview;
• Online discounts: any online discounts available at the time of writing, and whether there are conditions in order to receive such discount (such as being a customer of the insurer already); and
• Customer service: the customer service capabilities of the company, including any emergency lines and ease of making claims.

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.

It depends on the insurer. As there are certain events unique to cruises, as well as certain risks associated with travelling by sea, many travel insurance companies offer cover that’s tailored to cruising. Others simply cover cruising as part of their comprehensive plans, addressing the terms and conditions of cruising in the pds.

Among those who offer cruising as separate from other travel insurance, there are two main ways to ensure you’re covered for cruising: some providers allow you to directly purchase a distinct cruise policy, while others require you to purchase an add-on or a ‘cruise pack’ as an adjunct to one of their pre-existing policies.

When analysing the above policies, we also looked at how these were offered by each provider, and considered what the cruise pack was called (if it was an additional add-on), and the level of difficulty for the consumer in understanding their cruise cover.

Domestic Cruise Cover

If you are cruising in Australian waters, you may think that an Australian domestic policy would cut it: but that isn’t necessarily the case. While some policies will allow you to add a cruise pack to a domestic policy if only travelling in domestic waters, it is common for insurance providers to offer the international policy instead—and then ask you to pick ‘domestic cruise’ as the cruise destination under the international policy.

This is because once your ship leaves the port, you’re no longer covered for hospital or medical expenses by Medicare–meaning you won’t be covered for any expenses incurred on-board the ship even if you are travelling in Australian waters. You’re also not covered by Medicare or private health when you’re on land for cruise excursion even if you’re in an Australian state or territory–instead you will need to pay for the onboard medical staff who are not Medicare registered GPs and often very expensive.

This is why a domestic travel insurance policy isn’t enough coverage; you need, at the very least, international comprehensive insurance, with unlimited medical cover.

Travel insurance is encouraged when travelling overseas, and cruising is no exception. With a different travel style comes different travel needs, so here is a brief outline of some of the common events and coverage unique to cruise insurance.

Weather can be unpredictable at the best of times, and can play havoc with cruising schedules. While your itinerary will have planned ports to stop at, allowing you to go onto land and visit different destinations, changes may be made to your itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances, such as weather restrictions, natural disasters or mechanical failures.

If you are unable to dock at your designated port or ports, some insurers may offer compensation–known as missed ports cover. Commonly, there is an amount of cover for each port missed (such as $250, for example) and a total maximum cover. This is commonly $750 across the insurance market.

You will usually need a written statement from the cruise company confirming the reason for missing the port, and proof that the port was part of your original itinerary, in order to make a claim with most insurance providers.

Missed On-Shore Excursions

Similar to missed ports cover, missed on-shore excursion cover is for excursions and activities that you cannot attend at a port: whether because the port was missed, or due to other unforeseen conditions.

These unforeseen conditions included cabin confinement, medical reasons, circumstances outside of your control or other unexpected events as covered under the particular policy.

There is usually a limit to the amount of cover the insurer will provide (commonly around $1000), and it can only be put towards the nonrefundable cost of a pre-paid excursion.

Stolen or Damaged Formal Wear

It’s a common occurrence on cruises to have formal evenings, including Great Gatsby-themed nights and black tie events. Because of this, the majority of cruise-goers often have formal attire in their luggage, from tuxedos and evening gowns to expensive jewellery.

As with all insurance policies, the details of the formal wear cover will vary from provider to provider. Commonly, you’ll have a monetary value of cover if your formal wear is stolen, accidentally damaged or permanently lost, however, some other providers may provide cover if your formal wear is delayed before the time of vessel departure and also cover the cost to hire or replace the formal wear in the meantime.

Some policies do not have formal wear cover specifically, but rather include formal wear as a sub-limit with the general lost luggage cover included in the policy.

As we learnt during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, cruise ships can be a breeding ground for infections. The Ruby Princess was a clear indicator of this, with the Australian cruise ship playing host to more than 850 infected passengers.

Cruise ships have since had to adapt–as have cruise insurance policy providers–to ensure travellers are protected should an outbreak of a Covid happen again (or of any other virus, for that matter).

Commonly, cruise providers will offer a cabin confinement allowance if you are confined to your cabin or in a medical facility for a certain period, up to a maximum amount. This can cover a daily stipend for you to use on room service or for any needs you require while confined.

The maximum cover is usually around $1,500, so anything around that ballpark is considered a good cabin confinement offer.

Most cruise insurance policies offer unlimited medical cover while on board the ship, and most ships have extensive medical facilities to help protect you should you fall ill or injure yourself. But in this day and age, Covid is something all travellers would want to be covered for, too.

Of the top nine cruise insurance providers Forbes Advisor Australia chose, all of them offered Covid cover. Any insurer that didn’t offer this specification was ranked lower, due to the increased need for Covid cover in general–but especially while sailing at sea.

The level of cover for Covid varies across providers, but it is expected that travellers are covered for hospital and medical needs under the unlimited medical cover. Some providers may have certain excess requirements for certain Covid-related claims, and may also cover cabin confinement should you fall ill with the virus.

More premium providers will also include Covid as a reason for cancellation prior to embarking on your trip, and a reason to be able to claim missed ports cover or missed on-shore excursions. There may be excess requirements with these claims, or certain sub-limits depending on the provider.

It’s essential that you read the product disclosure statement before taking out a cruise insurance policy so you know exactly what you’re covered for, Covid-related and otherwise.

Should you have travel insurance for a cruise?

Yes, if you are going on a cruise, you should purchase travel insurance. In fact, most cruise companies will not allow you to embark on the cruise without a travel insurance policy. As cruises have different requirements for travel insurance, you will need to ensure your international comprehensive cover includes cruising, purchase a policy that is specific to cruising, or an add-on a cruise pack to your regular policy. You can find out how to purchase the policy through your travel insurance provider, as they each have different processes.

What type of insurance do you need for a cruise?

To travel on a cruise you need a cruise-specific travel insurance, travel insurance which offers cruise cover as an add-on or comprehensive travel insurance that includes cruising.

Which companies offer cruise insurance?

There are many different insurance companies that offer specific cruise insurance, including health insurance companies, such as Medibank and Bupa, to newer insurance startup companies focused on travel insurance, such as Freely.

Is there specific travel insurance for cruises?

Yes, there is specific travel insurance available for a cruise, which is sometimes called a ‘cruise pack’ and can be added onto your travel insurance, as well as dedicated cruise cover that is all-encompassing. Some insurers don’t offer special cruise policies or packs, but simply include it in their comprehensive policies.

Do I need cruise travel insurance on a domestic cruise?

Yes, you do. This comes as a surprise to many, but even if you are only cruising in Australian waters, once your ship leaves the port, you’re no longer covered for hospital or medical expenses by Medicare. Furthermore, even during shore excursions in Australia, you are not coveerd by Medicare or private health entitlements, and instead must rely on privately funded onboard medical staff. That is why cruise travel insurance is important.

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

•   " id="mainPhoneNumber">  
• Annual Travel Insurance
• Cruise Travel Insurance
• Family Travel Insurance
• Seniors Travel Insurance
• Ski Travel Insurance
• Budget Direct
• Fast Cover Travel Insurance
• Insure4Less
• InsureandGo
• Simply Travel Insurance
• Ski-Insurance
• Travel Insurance Saver
• Travel Insuranz
• Wise Traveller
• Zoom Travel Insurance
• See more companies...
• Travel Insurance Tips
• Covid-19 Help
• Read Reviews
• Write a Review

CRUISE Insurance Quotes

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

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

Worldwide means anywhere in the world

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

Europe means all European countries, including UK

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

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

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

New Zealand means domestic travel within New Zealand only

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

We compare quotes from over 25 travel insurance brands in Australia. Do your comparison online to save time, worry and loads of money.

WHY COMPARE TRAVEL INSURANCE IS LOVED BY CRUISERS

No Hidden Fees

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

On-Board Medical Cover

Oh buoy, whether it’s a bout of food poisoning or a slip on the deck that sends you to the on-board doctor. you can rest assured your cruise policy will cover your expensive out-at-sea medical bills.

When You Go Off Course

Don’t fret if your flight is cancelled due to bad weather and you miss your boat setting sail – your cruise insurance will cover you for any pre-paid expenses you incur.

Product Choice

Ships ahoy! We compare cruise policies for all types of travellers from Australia’s reputable travel insurers. Compare  25+ brands  including 1Cover, Amex, Budget Direct, Zoom Travel Insurance and more!

Cruisey Convenience

Don’t waste time visiting 10 websites separately. Using our cruise comparison will put you nautical miles ahead of the pack. Save yourself time and money by comparing your cruise insurance today.

Your Belongings

Aye aye captain! Most people pack a schmick camera on the boat to take pics of all those amazing views. Be confident all your valuables are covered with the right cruise cover.

Travel Insurance Extraordinarie At Your Service

Don’t rock the boat baby! Eugene has the answers to all sorts of travel insurance queries . Use our quick search below to makes sure you’re covered from ship to shore. Aye aye captain!

cruisING insurance  explained

Setting sail? You're not alone. Cruising is one of the fastest-growing holiday types amongst Aussie travellers. Whether you're cruising internationally or in domestic waters, medi-evacuations costing around $10,000 are just one reason you shouldn't leave home without cruise travel insurance.

With some brands, cruising is automatically covered in their comprehensive policy, while other insurers offer it as an optional add-on. We've taken the hunting around and guesswork out of it - simply enter your trip details with Cruise selected, and compare cruise travel insurance quotes from more than 25 of the top travel insurers. Remember to include the country of every port you are visiting, or regions like 'Pacific' or ' Europe' when entering your quote.

Why might you need cruise coverage? If you fall ill before you travel, you may have provision to claim back any lost deposits. If 20,000 leagues of sea get between you and your wallet, a comprehensive policy may cover lost cash, cards and replacing your all-important passport. And perhaps most importantly, when you're off exploring the world, it's important to know that you've got medical coverage should something unexpected happen.

Medicare myth stings Aussies at sea

What does cruise insurance cover.

• Medical costs onboard: It's an unpleasant reality but we all fall ill and get injured, even while taking the dream cruise of a lifetime. Cruise travel insurance would provide cover for medical, surgical, hospital treatment and ambulance services. Your pre-existing conditions may also be covered, provided you cleared them with your insurer beforehand.  
• Emergency evacuations : In the event that you fall ill or are injured and require emergency medical attention on land, cruise cover will pay for your emergency evacuation to the nearest hospital. Such costs can be exorbitant and far beyond the reach of most travel budgets so this benefit can’t be overlooked.  
• Luggage and personal belongings: Lost, stolen or damaged belongings can put a huge dampener on your experience at sea. Provided you were taking reasonable care of your possessions, they’d be covered up to a set limit, depending on your cover level. Your policy may provide additional cover for valuables which is worth noting when travelling with high value items.  
• Cancellations: Life sometimes gets in the way of your holiday plans.  If you were to fall ill or were unable to board your cruise due to an unforeseen reason, travel insurance may cover your non-refundable cruise costs. Depending on your level of cover, you may be eligible to claim back all your lost costs. Cancellation cover kicks in as soon as you purchase your policy so it’s best to buy cover as soon as possible.   
• Cabin confinement : Cabin confinement is a necessary evil when it comes to containing the spread of disease on board a cruise ship. It’s to everyone’s benefit that patients are quarantined to avoid contagion but it’s no picnic for the poor passengers forced to stay holed up in their cabins. Thankfully travel insurance can ease the pain by reimbursing you for each day you are confined up to the maximum amount outlined in your policy.  
•   Formal wear : Getting dressed up to the nines is part of the fun of cruising. But your black-tie and glam evening attire is probably on the pricier side, which can make it risky to take-on board. Some cruise policies cover your formal wear in the event of theft or damage, along with your other high-value belongings (i.e., phones, cameras and laptops). Check your policy to know your cover limits.  
• Missed departure : Running late is never a nice feeling but missing your cruise departure date is especially unpleasant. Should you miss your cruise departure due to an accident, bad weather or mechanical breakdown, travel insurance will cover any additional travel and accommodation expenses you require before getting back on board.  
• Pre-existing conditions : Having an illness or injury doesn't rule out your ability to get cover. Your pre-existing condition may be covered automatically or granted by application. It’s worth shopping around when comparing cruise policies as some insurers will cover a wider range of conditions, albeit at a premium.  
• Missed port cover : While not all cruise policies feature this benefit, missed port cover reimburses passengers in the event that bad weather or mechanical breakdowns cause them to miss their port stop. This benefit can be hugely helpful in mitigating the disappointment of a missed port stop.

Trending cruise   Tips 

Cruise travel insurance guide

Like any holiday, there are risks. With so much time spent on the water, and so much of your journey dependent on various port authorities, the only way to truly relax is to know you’re covered should something go wrong.

What does cruise insurance cover?

What many people don't realise is that even if you're cruising Australian waters, once your cruise ship has left port, you are no longer covered for medical expenses by Medicare or your usual private health care provider.

Pre-existing medical conditions

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

Cruise Insurance FAQs

Am i covered automatically for going on a cruise.

It depends! Some insurers cover you for cruising automatically, others require you to purchase their cruise pack in order to covered on land and sea. If you click 'more info' within the quote results, we tell you if the policy covers for cruises automatically. Alternatively, when you are directed to your chosen insurers site to buy, they will ask you if you want to add extras like cruise, activities, high value items and more. Make sure you select YES at this point if you are taking a cruise.

Do I need cruise insurance for domestic cruises?

Yes, you are required to purchase cover for cruising even when your just sailing in domestic waters to be covered for any medical treatment you receive on board and for helicopter evacuation. You should select 'Pacific' in the quote process even if you're only cruising around Australia.

How much does it cost to visit the on-board doctor?

Even a quick trip to the on-board doctor can set you back a few bob! Consultations and medications on board are charged at private rates. These can amount to $250 for just a quick 10-minute appointment - so make sure you buy cruise insurance to cover you for any medical treatment you may require at sea.

Do I need to list every port we are visiting?

Yes, please include all destinatioins in your quote. If it's easier, you can opt to select a region. For example, if you are visiting Tonga, Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Instead of adding all destinations separately you can just select 'Pacific'.

What age can I buy travel insurance until?

Although you can compare seniors quotes up to the age 120 on Comparetravelinsurance.com.au, some insurers do have age limits you should be aware of. Our handy guide provides more details on seniors travel insurance age limits. 

What pre-existing illnesses does seniors travel insurance cover?

Most insurers have a list of pre-existing medical conditions that are automatically covered for free like asthma, cataracts, some types of diabetes, hypertension which do not require an assessment or declaration form to be submitted. If you have a pre-existing medial condition not listed, you may be able to get cover for an additional fee. Depending upon the seriousness and recency of the condition, your application may require further assessment. See more about pre-existing conditions and medical assessments here.

Are golf clubs covered?

Not all travel insurance policies cover your golf clubs as standard, or luggage limits may apply. Make sure you do your research to make sure you are covered for clubs that are damaged in transit whilst in the hold. Or for damage to clubs whilst in use. See more information about who offers golf cover here. 

Does seniors travel insurance cover hearing aids or false teeth?

Mid-range and Comprehensive policies provide cover for your items - but single item limits apply. Usually you will be covered for around $750 per item. If your hearing aids of false teeth (or any other high velue item) is worth more than this, you'll need to tell your insurer so they can make sure you are properly insured.  

Travel Insurance Reviews

Choosing the best cruise travel insurance for you and your needs can be tricky - but our delightful customers are here to help. Thousands of Aussie travellers have reviewed their travel insurer so you can have the inside story on the policy, the customer service and the claims process before you buy.

Do you want to help your fellow travellers? Whether you're in love with your insurer or would rather leave them, review and rate them now.

Our Travel Insurance Comparision Helps You

Save time, worry and loads of money.

Stay up to date with our latest news, deals and special offers.

Your privacy is important to us.

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

Our comparison is a free service that allows users to compare quotes in a few simple steps based on limited personal criteria. Comparisons supplied are not a recommendation or opinion about the suitability of a policy for a user. Comparisons are default ranked according to price and users have the ability to sort by popular cover levels. Whilst we compare a vast range of policies, we do not compare all providers in the market. This site compares the following brands: 1Cover, AllClear, Budget Direct, Downunder, Fast Cover Travel Insurance, Insure4Less, InsureandGo, iTrek, Simply Travel Insurance, Ski-Insurance, Travel Insurance Saver, Travel Insuranz, Wise Traveller, Zoom Travel Insurance . The directors and shareholders are common with companies i-Trek Pty Ltd, Zoom Travel Insurance and 1Cover Pty Ltd including it’s subsidiary brand Ski-insurance. CoverDirect takes all reasonable care when preparing this information but does not warrant its accuracy. Pricing information is supplied by the providers who participate on this site and should be verified with the insurer before you purchase. This site links users to the website of the provider to verify quotes and access the relevant PDS to understand what is, and is not, covered by a policy prior to purchase.

CoverDirect Pty Ltd owns and operates this website under AFS Licence 383590.  Located at Level 12, 338 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia.

For further information view our FSG and Terms of Use . Contact us by calling 1300 659 411.

Loading Quotes...

Please login or register to continue. It'll only take a minute.

Login with Facebook

Login with Google

• There was an error logging in, please try again.

Enter your email and password

• There was an error on your registration, please try again.

Don't you have an account?

Just checking you are a human

• United States
• United Kingdom

Cruise travel insurance

Cruise travel insurance can cost as little as $6 a day. pop in your trip details, filter to see cruise options and compare quotes from 13 brands – that’s more than any other site in australia..

Use a comma or space to separate ages. Add kids under the age of 1 by typing a “0” 0 traveller(s)

Include travel deals and helpful personal finance content from Finder

By submitting this form, you agree to our Privacy & Cookies Policy and Terms of Service

In this guide

Do you need special travel insurance for a cruise?

Is cruise travel insurance worth it, can you get travel insurance for covid on a cruise, compare cruise travel insurance benefits, how to find the best cruise travel insurance, cheap cruise travel insurance, frequently asked questions.

Destinations

What you need to know

• Aussies love cruises, with 26% of us considering taking a cruise soon.
• Alas, things can go wrong at sea, and costs like medical expenses can blow out quickly.
• Travel insurance that covers cruising is kind of essential, but not too expensive.

'Cruise travel insurance' is typically a normal travel insurance policy with cover for cruising added onto the policy. You'll get all the standard travel insurance benefits, such as cover for cancelletions and medical care, but it offers some extra, cruise specific coverage. This might include:

• Onboard medical expenses,
• Emergency evacuation,
• Missed ports,
• Missed cruise departure,
• Cabin confinement,
• Formal cruise attire,
• Marine rescue diversion, and more.

Travel insurance is almost always worth it, and cruise travel insurance is even more so. The main reason for this is because you will really want medical coverage on your trip.

You're probably won't be covered by Medicare on a cruise, so all medical bills will ahve to be paid out of your own pocket. Medical bills can reach the thousands when they're not subsidised, and cruise ships charge a premium for everything. Cruise insurance can reimburse you if something goes wrong. If something goes really wrong, you can also get cover for evacuation expenses to get you to an Aussie hospital quickly.

Yes, lots of travel insurance policies now cover COVID-related expenses if you catch the virus. This can include onboard medical expenses, medical evacuation and cancellation or rearrangement costs. For example, if you catch COVID before your cruise, you can cancel and get reimbursed for your trip, usually up to $5,000.

A small proportion of Australians (10%) say they don't plan to book a cruise in the next 12 months because COVID has ruined it, according to a 2023 Finder survey.

COVID still makes up 11% of all claims. On average we are paying out claims for cancellation and travel disruption due to COVID to the value of $1,500, which is a sizeable cost.

Jo McCauley CEO - Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Based on our research, we believe these are the most important features of a cruise travel insurance policy.

Note: This information was last updated March 2024 * Missed port cover: Cover if your cruise skips a scheduled port due to weather restrictions or mechanical breakdowns. ** Cabin confinement: Cover if you're confined to you cabin (usually for more than 48hrs) due to a serious illness.

The best cruise travel insurance is a policy that is most suited to your individual needs. It's not just one specific policy. To help you find the best cruise travel insurance, follow the simple steps below.

Choose a single trip or annual multi-trip policy. Think about all the trips you'll be taking over the next 12 months. If there are 2 or more, an annual policy will save you money and time.

Compare brands. Some brands cover more than others and come with higher limits for certain benefits.

Choose a brand you trust. If you've never bought cruise travel insurance, look at forums for reviews . Just be careful, since reviews are written by the general public and are heavily influenced by negative outcomes.

Buy your cruise travel insurance as early as possible. Most insurers will cover your cancellation fees if you have to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances, so it pays to buy early .

If you're travelling on a budget and need an affordable policy, getting cheap cruise travel insurance is possible but you might have to sacrifice a few benefits. The most important thing is to have cover for medical treatments and emergency evacuation. Anything on top of that is a bonus.

The table below shows how the cheapest policies usually cover medical and emergency assistance only on cruises. It also shows the price difference among the cheapest, and why paying a bit more money for a policy gives more benefits for your cruise.

We got these prices in November 2023 for a 30-year-old going on a South Pacific cruise for 14 days, with a standard excess of $200.

Meet our travel expert Angus Kidman

Angus Kidman is the international editor-at-large at Finder. He's an award-winning journalist, avid travel enthusiast and passionate frequent flyer. Angus appears regularly on Sunrise, Today, The Project, Seven News and other TV and radio shows to share his expert tips.

Angus's top cruise insurance tips

• Remember, you're not covered by Medicare on a cruise, even if it's only in Australian waters. Make sure you get cover - on-ship treatment is super-pricey.
• Comprehensive insurance should cover missed connections, but reduce the risk by allowing plenty of time for connecting flights if you're not cruising from your home city.
• Drinks package warning: travel insurance likely won't cover your for inuries that occur while you're drunk.

Why you can trust Finder's travel insurance experts

We're experts

We're independent

We're here to help

Do i need cover for each location i visit.

You don't need separate policies, but you do need to tell your insurer every place you will be visiting by sea or by land. This helps them work out the price of your quote.

Most travel and cruise insurance policies provide automatic cover for stopovers of up to 48 hours.

Does cruise travel insurance cover me if I get sick?

Yes, cruise travel insurance covers your medical expenses while onboard. It can also give you an allowance if you're confined to your cabin for more than 48 hours due to a sickness such as gastroenteritis. This benefit is called cabin confinement.

What if I'm just taking a short cruise as part of a longer holiday?

You will still need cruise insurance, but technically only for the length of the cruise. However, it can be tricky to find a single policy that lets you split your cruise and non-cruise portions. Here are your best options:

• Stick with a cruise policy for the whole trip. Remember, cruise insurance covers you on and off land, and you may find that this option is not much more expensive than a normal policy anyway.
• Double up by getting a standard policy and a cruise policy. If you're only out to sea for a couple of days, you might consider buying cruise insurance on top of the normal travel insurance that's covering the rest of your trip. You'll be paying twice, but hey, if you save a few bucks, you're still ahead. Just remember you won't be able to make the same claim on both policies.
• Work out an arrangement with the insurer. If you don't want to double up or pay for cruise insurance when you won't be using it, try contacting an insurer and see if they can create a custom policy for you.

Can I get insured for my cruise if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

Yes, it’s possible, especially if you can prove that your pre-existing condition is stable or you haven’t had any significant issues for at least 12 months.

Am I covered for activities that I'll be doing on the cruise such as snorkelling and other watersports?

Not necessarily, so check the fine print. You may need to purchase an additional adventure sports pack to make sure you have the cover you need.

What region should I include when getting cruise insurance?

When you take out travel insurance, include every country that you'll be visiting. If you miss one, any claim you make could be denied. If you're cruising domestically, probably select the Pacific region, which will usually include New Zealand, Bali, the south-west Pacific and Norfolk region, and the waters in between. If you're still unsure what region to select for your domestic cruise, check out your insurers product disclosure statement (PDS) for confirmation.

Gary Ross Hunter

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

More guides on Finder

Finder is giving away a $200 Mastercard gift card to one Finder member who writes a review on Product Review.

The number of uninsured vehicles on Australian roads is on the rise, according to new research by Finder.

You could easily score up to 25,000 bonus Velocity Points right now.

Finder’s Credit Card Report 2024 has uncovered the impact of rising costs on Australian credit card use.

Amidst rising living expenses and a seemingly insatiable appetite for new cars, Skoda decided to double down on a value centric approach.

The next Bitcoin halving is less than 3 weeks away - but what exactly is it?

The Galaxy A55 ticks the majority of the boxes of what we’d want from a mid-range phone.

SPONSORED: Ready for a mobile upgrade? We show you why you might want to opt for an Android with Vodafone for your next phone.

The Federal Court has found Vanguard made a number of false or misleading claims about its sustainable investments.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to buy Wen, lists some exchanges where you can get it and provides daily price data on $WEN.

How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?

Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.

Important information about this website

Advertiser disclosure.

finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles

We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.

Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.

How we make money

We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.

Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.

Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money .

Sorting and Ranking Products

When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.

Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.

• Travel Insurance Compare Our Plans Popular Benefits COVID-19 Benefits International Plans Domestic Plans Comprehensive Insurance Annual Multi-Trip Inbound Plan Cruise Ski & Snowboard Motorcycle & Moped Adventure Activities Seniors Medical Conditions
• Emergency Assistance
• Travel Alerts COVID-19 International Travel Tool Cover-More App
• Manage Policy
• travel_explore Not sure? See region list.

Where are you going?

Enter the destination(s) you plan to visit or select them from the list of countries and regions in the dropdown.

Planning a stopover? If you’re in a country for less than 72 hours, you do not need to list it as a destination.

Don’t currently know all the countries you’ll be visiting? You can select a region to obtain cover for all countries within that region, or you can select “Anywhere in the world”. Important: If selecting “Anywhere in the world”, your policy will not provide cover for claims arising in countries that are subject to sanctions. Your safety is paramount, so please read and familiarise yourself with the “ Standing Travel Alert for High Risk and Sanctioned Countries ” when undertaking worldwide travel – and before making any side trips to neighbouring countries – to ensure you have adequate cover.

Going on a cruise? If your cruise is in inland Australia (e.g. on the Murray River) or in Australian coastal water (e.g. the Kimberley), enter or select “Australia”. If your cruise embarks and disembarks from Australia ports only without any stopover at a port outside of Australia (e.g. a “Sampler Cruise” or cruise from Sydney to Brisbane), enter or select “Domestic Cruise”. If your cruise is overseas (e.g. a European river cruise, a Caribbean cruise, or a cruise from Sydney to Hong Kong), enter or select the country or region you will spend the most time in during your trip.

Want to come to Australia on our Inbound Plan? Select “Australia Inbound”.

When do you depart?

Enter the date you will leave your home to start your trip.

When do you return?

Enter the date you will arrive home based on AEST (considering any time differences/zones and travel times).

Duration of each trip?

Select the maximum trip duration that best suits your needs.

The maximum trip duration you select will apply to each separate trip you take during the 12-month period of your policy.

For cover to apply, you cannot take trips that exceed this maximum duration. If you make a claim related to a trip that exceeds this maximum duration, it may be declined.

The maximum trip duration you select will be shown on your Certificate of Insurance.

Age of each traveller?

Enter the age (as of today) of each adult and child to be included on the policy.

Cruise Travel Insurance Benefits

Protect your cruise holiday from medical expenses and more

Whether you’re on a cruise to the Pacific Islands, sailing through the Caribbean, or exploring the seas of Australia’s tropical north, cruise travel insurance benefits can help protect your trip from costs if something goes wrong.

At Cover-More, our goal is to provide you with quality cruise insurance benefits to help keep you safe. If you’re going on a multi-night cruise on the sea or ocean, you must tell us about your cruise for Cruise Cover to be added to your policy and an extra premium will apply. (This cover is not required for river cruises within Australia or international destinations.)

Still deciding whether to take a cruise or not? Read our helpful guides on how to choose the best cruise for you , and essential travel advice for your cruise . (Plus, check out our useful holiday preparation list , too.)

If you have specific questions about our Cover-More cruise insurance benefits, read our Cruise Cover benefits FAQs .

Skip to read:

Why do I need cruise travel insurance benefits?

Will medicare cover me for a cruise in australia, what happens if i get sick on a cruise, does cover-more travel insurance include cruise insurance benefits, what are cover-more's cruise travel insurance benefits, how do i buy cover-more's cruise cover.

• Do Cover-More's cruise travel insurance benefits cover medical costs?

Do Cover-More's Cruise Cover benefits cover emergency evacuations?

Does cover-more travel insurance cover existing medical conditions on a cruise.

Cruises are a great way to relax , bask in the sun and enjoy the sea breeze while exploring new destinations. So, it may come as a shock if your cruise experience isn’t exactly smooth sailing.

From delayed luggage to falling seasick, it can be difficult to predict what will happen on board – let alone the money you may lose if you must cancel your cruise before you even leave home.

Cruise Cover benefits can provide cover for medical costs on board, help you if you need to be medically evacuated off the ship, and provide reimbursement for lost luggage and non-refundable expenses (up to the cancellation amount you have added to your policy).

To enjoy the cruise holiday you deserve, we recommend you consider travel insurance for cruising for extra peace of mind, and support when you need it most.

No. Cruise ships are not obligated to have doctors registered to practice in Australia on board. This means if you visit a doctor on board, it may not be covered by Medicare and you may end up with out-of-pocket expenses.

This is why you should consider travel insurance for any cruises you take in Australia.

At Cover-More, our International plans include overseas medical expenses cover when you enter/select “Domestic Cruising” as your travel area and when you tell us about your cruise when you purchase travel insurance.

Our Cover-More cruise insurance international plans can include cruise cover when you tell us you are travelling on a sea or ocean cruise for two or more nights.

Domestic and international cruise ships do offer onboard medical assistance, but the medical staff are only there to stabilise your condition.

If you require urgent medical attention while on a cruise, you may need to be evacuated from your cruise and taken to hospital – which can be extremely costly depending on where you are in the world.

That’s where cruise travel insurance benefits can help when cruise cover is added to your international plan.

With our Cover-More cruise insurance benefits included in your policy, we can not only assist with medical costs, but you’ll have our expert 24-hour Emergency Assistance team on hand to help if you are hospitalised.

Travel insurance benefits for cruising are automatically included in our Cover-More travel insurance plans when you tell us you are travelling for two or more nights on a sea or ocean cruise.

If you are taking a multi-night cruise (except for river cruises within Australia), you must answer “Yes” to the question “Will you be travelling on an ocean or sea cruise for two or more nights?” and pay the additional premium to be protected in the event something goes wrong on your cruise. (This cover is not required for river cruises within Australia or international destinations.)

To see full details of our cruise insurance benefits, read the PDS .

Our Cruise Cover provides travellers with many benefits to assist if an accident, mishap, or delay occurs on their cruise holiday.

Our Cruise Cover benefits and benefit limits per adult are as follows:

Please refer to the PDS for limits, sub-limits, exclusions, and conditions that may apply to our travel insurance benefits for cruising.

Ready to get a quote? You can generate one online now.

Ready to book your cruising holiday and purchase our Cruise Cover to protect it? You can buy a travel insurance policy with cruise benefits through our website or by calling us on 1300 72 88 22.

To get a cruise quote online:

• Enter the area of travel you want cover for in the quote box . For international trips with cruises, choose the country, region, or “Anywhere in the World”. For domestic trips with cruises, choose “Domestic Cruise” – not “Domestic” – and an international plan with overseas medical expenses will be available. Our Domestic plans exclude cover for any medical expenses in Australia. (See below for more details on choosing your destination.)
• Select the dates of your first trip.
• Enter in the ages of travellers.
• Click ‘Get Quote’ to go to the next page.
• Select the best plan for you from the options displayed on the screen, including whether you want a Single Trip policy or an Annual Multi-Trip policy if the option is available to you.
• You’ll then be asked if you are travelling for two or more nights on a sea or ocean cruise. By selecting “Yes”, an additional premium will be added to your policy, and the cruise benefits will be included when the Certificate of Insurance is issued.
• Continue down the page to fill in the rest of your details.
• Declare any of your existing medical conditions.
• Pay for your policy.

Additional helpful information on how to choose the correct destination when getting a quote:

• If you’re cruising within Australia on an inland waterway (e.g. a Murray River cruise) or within Australian coastal waters (e.g. a Kimberley cruise where the cruise does not leave these waters), please chose or enter “ Australia ” for a Domestic Plan.
• If you're cruising from a port in Australia to another port(s) in Australia that does not stop at a port outside of Australia (e.g. a cruise from Sydney to Brisbane or a Kimberley cruise that leaves Australian waters), please choose or enter “ Domestic Cruising ” for an International plan which includes SECTION 1: Overseas Medical and Dental (including emergency repatriation/evacuation).
• If you're cruising overseas, possibly stopping in many destinations (e.g. a European river cruise, a Caribbean cruise or a cruise from Hong Kong to Sydney) or from a port in Australia to another port or ports outside Australia (e.g. Sydney/ Singapore), please enter every country you will be travelling to or enter a region.

Before purchasing our cruise travel insurance, read the PDS to ensure a Cover-More policy is right for you.

Do Cover-More's cruise travel insurance benefits cover medical costs on board?

Yes, our Cruise Cover benefits can provide cover for medical expenses incurred on board the ship and if you are offloaded from the ship. Without this type of cruise insurance benefit, you could be out of pocket hundreds or thousands of dollars for a medical incident that happens whilst on a cruise.

One Cover-More customer visited their onboard cruise doctor after a sniffle that developed into influenza. Although quick, the doctor’s visit resulted in a $700 medical fee. Luckily, they had a Cover-More policy with Cruise Cover, and we were able to settle their claim.

To find out how much it costs to protect your cruise, get a Cover-More quote online now.

Note: our claims are subject to approval.

Our cruise insurance benefits are vital in helping protect you against more serious medical claims, especially those that result in your emergency evacuation from a cruise.

It doesn’t matter if you’re on a cruise off the shores of Australia or on an overseas cruise, if you’re in the middle of the sea or ocean, it can be incredibly expensive to be transported to the nearest hospital via air or sea.

In 2016, one of our customers fractured their leg on a cruise ship in the South Pacific. The air ambulance cost to bring them back to Australia for surgery totalled $86,000.

To protect your cruise with Cover-More, get a quote online or call 1300 72 88 22.

Not all existing medical conditions are automatically included in our plans, so you will need to go through the same medical assessment process we use for general travel.

If all of your conditions do not meet the existing medical condition criteria to be automatically included, you will need to complete an online medical assessment and if the cover is approved, pay the extra premium to us for cover. Ensure you disclose all your existing conditions to ensure you have the right cover.

You can visit our existing medical conditions (EMC) page to view a comprehensive list of conditions we cover.

Please note: if you are not approved for your existing medical conditions, we can still provide cover for lost luggage and travel documents, and any illness or injury not relating to your EMC.

Got more questions? Find your answers over on our dedicated FAQs for cruise travel insurance page .

Want us to protect your cruise holiday?

Find our Cruise Cover and get ready to set sail.

~ Cover will not exceed 12 months from onset of the illness, condition, or injury.    ^Cover chosen applies per policy.    If you do not tell us about your cruise, claims in any way related to your multi-night cruise, and multi-night cruise travel or that arise while on a multi-night cruise are specifically excluded by this policy.

• 1300 409 322 Australian Based Call Centre

Travel Insurance For Australian & International Cruise

The following information applies to policies purchased from 30th October 2023 onwards. For policies purchased prior to 30th October 2023: you can find the PDS relevant to you in your policy confirmation email, by logging into MyPolicy , or you can contact us for assistance.

What is cruise insurance?

Cruise travel insurance provides you with cover in case of emergencies on-board the cruise ship as well as on any shore excursions.

Whether you’re taking a cruise from Australia to the USA or the other way round, planning to enjoy a cruise trip around Asia, or simply taking an around Australia cruise, accidents and other unforeseen events like losing your luggage can happen. And that’s why you should consider travel insurance for cruises. With the right cruise insurance policy you can ensure you have cover for unexpected medical, hospital, evacuation and repatriation expenses.

All of our cruise policies include unlimited access to an experienced   Emergency Assistance   team available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. If you run into trouble or need advice while on your cruise holiday, help is just a phone call away from anywhere in the world.

And if you have an existing medical condition , we may be able to help - our travel insurance can provide cover for many existing medical conditions. Check out our Medical Conditions page for more information about medical screening for your existing medical and pregnancy conditions including information about the General Exclusions that may apply*.

Australian Cruise Insurance

Australians love to cruise ! And being the sixth largest country on the planet, and the world’s largest island, that’s a whole lot of coastline for you to explore!

Even if your cruise is along the Australian coastline, your domestic cruise plans may still hit a snag (figuratively speaking!). Buying Australian cruise ship travel insurance can help if sudden illness, injury or severe weather prevents you from starting or even continuing your cruise.

5 Things you should know about travel insurance for Australian domestic cruising

• Evacuation or repatriation cover in medical emergencies is included.
• You can be covered for unexpected cancellation to protect the deposits you’ve already paid for your cruise.
• Medical screening is available for your medical conditions.
• A huge list of leisure and sport activities are cover ed , including snorkelling, fishing, body boarding and helicopter rides.
• Your cruise policy can cover you whilst you're on your cruise ship and also while you're sightseeing on land.

Domestic Cruise Travel Insurance

Domestic cruise insurance provides you with cover while you’re cruising along the Australian coastline and sleeping onboard the cruise ship.

If you’re simply taking a ferry ride for a few hours in the harbour or just going on a river cruise, you can purchase our Domestic Plus travel insurance .

Do I need travel insurance for cruises in Australian waters?

Even if you’re simply taking cruises around the Australian coast, it’s a good idea to be covered just in case something unexpected happens: you may have to cancel your Australian cruise before you’re even able to leave your home due to an unexpected sickness or injury, not be able to continue your domestic cruise trip because you’ve injured yourself while embarking or disembarking, or accidentally drop and damage your phone while taking photos of the stunning view.

Another reason to consider buying domestic cruise travel insurance is that you may be injured whilst visiting a remote location, and need to be evacuated to where the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) or ambulance is able to pick you up to take you to a medical facility for treatment.

Buying Australian domestic cruise travel insurance can reimburse you for your unexpected expenses or provide you with evacuation cover.

What is included in travel insurance for an Australian cruise?

The cover that you can have for your domestic cruise will depend on the type of travel insurance you choose to buy. You can have cover for:

You unexpectedly cancelling your domestic cruise

The Cancellation benefit can reimburse you for the payments or deposits you’ve already made towards your trip, not just for the cruise around Australia itself, but also any domestic flights, accommodation and excursions.

This benefit provides you with cover before you leave for your cruise, and also during your cruise if you have to cut your trip short due to a sickness or injury.

You have cover for many activities that may be offered on your cruise in Australia, including snorkelling, paddle boarding, diving up to 10m and fishing.

Into adventure cruising? With the Adventure Pack add-on , you can be covered for more adventurous activities including scuba diving up to a maximum depth of 30m, water skiing and deep sea fishing.

Emergency evacuation transfer to medical transport

The emergency evacuation benefit provides cover for you to be evacuated to where you can be picked up by air or land ambulance, or the Royal Flying Doctor Service in the event of a medical emergency.

Luggage and personal belongings

Cameras, hearing aids, phones and the other personal belongings that you bring with you on your domestic cruise can be covered under the luggage and personal belongings benefit .

Disruptions to your trip

If your cruise around Australia is disrupted because you, your travelling companion or a family member back home is seriously sick or injured or a natural disaster prevents your cruise from continuing, you can claim for the additional transport and accommodation expenses that you incur.

Travel delay expenses

If your planned transport is delayed for more than 6 hours from your scheduled departure time, you can claim for the travel delay expenses that you may incur as a result of the delay, including accommodation, food and taxi fares.

Special event transport expenses

If your booked transport is delayed or cancelled, which means you’ll miss your domestic cruise, you can be reimbursed for the cost of another mode of transport to get you cruising on time.

Theft of Cash

You can claim to be reimbursed for cash up to $250, if this cash is stolen from you while you’re on-board your ship or from a secure locked compartment.

What Australian cruises can I have cover for?

Cruises that take you along the Australian coastline, along rivers and estuaries can be covered by Australian cruise travel insurance.

Some of these cruises include:

• Kimberley region (Broome to Cockatoo Island, Exmouth, Wyndham, Mitchell Plateau, Darwin back to Broome or reverse)
• Rowley Shoals
• Montebello Islands
• Western Australian coastline (Freemantle to Broome or reverse)
• Albrohos Islands
• Great Barrier Reef
• Sydney to Hobart
• Southern Australian coastline
• Arnhem Land
• Torres Strait Islands

If you’re not sure if Australian cruise travel insurance can provide cover you for your type of cruise, contact us now to confirm via email [email protected] or phone 1300 409 322 .

What isn’t included in Australian cruise travel insurance?

We are not able to cover the following:

Medical Cover

As you can use your Medicare Card or private health insurance to cover your medical expenses or hospitalisation, there’s no medical cover for domestic cruises (including for out of pocket expenses).

Delay of luggage and personal effects

If your luggage is delayed, misdirected or misplaced by your airline or cruise operator, you should contact your airline or the cruise line as soon as you can.

Lost or stolen credit/debit cards or fraud

You should notify your bank immediately if your credit or debit cards are lost, stolen or damaged.

Cruising that does not follow the coastline

We can only provide cover for domestic cruises that follow the Australian coastline, along rivers and estuaries. Any domestic cruises which take you out into open waters away from the Australian mainland are not able to be covered under Australian cruise travel insurance, including cruises that cruise in the region of or stop at:

• Ashmore Reef
• Christmas Island
• Cocos (Keeling) Islands
• Lord Howe Island
• Norfolk Island
• Thursday Island

You do not need Australian cruise travel insurance if you are only taking a river cruise. For river cruises, you can purchase Domestic Travel Insurance .

For cruising in open waters away from the Australian mainland, you can purchase international cruise travel insurance .

If you’re unsure if your domestic cruise can be covered, contact us now via email [email protected] or phone 1300 409 322 to confirm.

Will Medicare cover me for a cruise in Australia?

Cruises along the Australian coast give you the advantage over an overseas trip: if you’re sick or injured, you’ll be admitted to an Australian hospital and be treated by Australian doctors, and you can use your Medicare card and your private health insurance to cover the medical expenses.

Does cruise travel insurance cover time on land?

When you’re on shore excursions on the mainland, travel insurance for domestic cruising can provide you with cover for:

• Trip disruptions if you or your travelling companion become sick or injured while you’re seeing the sights
• Lost, stolen or damaged belongings, including phones or cameras

How does the Repatriation or Evacuation benefit work?

If you’re seriously sick or injured in a remote location and need urgent medical assistance, you should contact our Emergency Assistance Team on   02 8320 7999  or the AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority) on   1800 641 792   / +61 2 6230 6811 to arrange an evauation for you. 

The repatriation and evacuation benefit provides for any necessary private transport (e.g. a helicopter or seaplane) to pick you up and transfer you to where an ambulance or the Royal Flying Doctor Service can take over.

As you’re travelling domestically, there’s no cover under your domestic cruise travel insurance for medical costs in Australia, including air ambulance (plane or helicopter), the Royal Flying Doctor Service or road ambulance. Once you’re transported to a location where an ambulance or Royal Flying Doctor Service are able to pick you up, your Medicare card or private health insurance can be used for any medical expenses that you incur.

Can I get travel insurance for my Australian cruise?

 travel insurance for australian cruises is available to:.

• Travellers up to the age of 89.
• Australian citizens, permanent and temporary residents.
• Travellers who have paid for their domestic cruise up to 12 months in advance and want to take advantage of the cancellation benefit, in case they’re not able to go on their cruise because of unexpected sickness or injury.
• If you’re pregnant and considering going on a babymoon cruise before your baby arrives, you should check out our Medical Conditions page for more information about medical screening if you have a pregnancy condition, including information about the General Exclusions that may apply*.
• Travellers who are intending to do adventure activities  such as snorkelling, diving, fishing or helicopter flights. You should check to see if the activity is  covered  or if you need to add the Adventure Pack to your policy for the activity to be covered.

 Australian cruising travel insurance can be purchased by:

• Duo travellers  including spouses, couples, de facto, siblings, cousins, friends and work mates
• Families  including grandparents travelling with their grandchildren and multi-generational travellers
• Singles or solo travellers

What is the best cruise travel insurance in Australia?

The best travel insurance for domestic cruising is one that’s able to cover you for the type of cruise and other activities you're planning on doing.

When looking for a travel insurance policy for your domestic cruise, you should consider what you’re going to be doing and what you want to be covered for, such as:

• Have you booked your cruise in advance, and are worried that an unexpected illness or injury will cause you to cancel your trip?
• Will you be cruising to remote areas such as the Kimberley or Great Barrier Reef and may need emergency medical evacuation if you become sick or injure yourself?
• Do you have a new camera and you’re worried that it will be stolen?
• Do you need cover in case you want to do some scuba diving?
• Are you concerned that a natural disaster may delay your cruise or even cause it to be cancelled?

These considerations should be taken into account when you compare cruise travel insurance policies, so you understand what you’re covered for before and during your cruise.

Where can I get cheap cruise travel insurance in Australia?

Everyone’s holidays are different. You may be travelling purely for your cruise, or you may choose to holiday a few days before and after the cruise to do some sightseeing, rent a car or visit family and friends, so the cost of travel insurance for your domestic cruise will be specific to you.

The cheapest domestic cruising travel insurance policy that you can find may not be the best cruising travel insurance for you.

The cost of travel insurance for your Australian cruise will take into account such things as:

• The ages of all travellers.
• How far out from your departure date you’re purchasing your cruise travel insurance policy (if you want cancellation cover to protect the deposits that you’ve made for your cruise trip)
• How long you’re cruising and travelling for in total.
• The activities that you’ll be doing.
• Whether or not you’re hiring a rental car on the trip and want to have cover for the rental vehicle insurance excess.
• The excess amount on your policy.

How can I buy travel insurance for cruising in Australia?

As the cruise is in Australia, you should select 'Australia', choose “Yes” to the Cruise option, and select the answer which best describe your cruise. This will ensure that you have cover while you’re on the mainland and also while on your cruise. If you do not select “Yes” when asked about going on a cruise, you won’t have cover if you go on a cruise in Australia.

You can get a quote online , send an email to [email protected] or call our friendly and helpful team to put together a quote for you on 1300 409 322 .

Can I get Fast Cover domestic cruise travel insurance for seniors?

Yes you can! Domestic cruise insurance for Australian seniors is available for travellers up to the age of 89.

So if you’re keen on a holiday along Australian shores, you can buy domestic cruise travel insurance to cover you just in case things don’t go to plan.

When should I buy my Australian cruise travel insurance?

It’s up to you when you purchase your cruise travel insurance cover. You can purchase it:

• Up to 12 months before your cruise departs, after you’ve paid your deposit.
• Up to the day that you board your plane to get to your cruise.
• Up to the day you board your cruise.

When considering when to buy travel insurance for your domestic cruise, you should keep in mind that the Cancellation benefit is activated when you purchase your cruise travel insurance policy (if it is included in the policy that you have chosen).  This is particularly useful because many cruises can be booked up to 12 months in advance.

The cancellation benefit provides you with cover in the event that you have to unexpectedly cancel your cruise in Australia due to sickness, injury or a natural disaster like bushfires. If you have cancellation cover on your cruise travel insurance, and you can’t go on your cruise, you can be reimbursed for the prepayments that you’ve already made for your trip, including the domestic cruise itself, flights, accommodation and tours.

Buying travel insurance for your Australian cruise can give you the option to explore Australia’s unique coastline, and the out of the way areas that you wouldn’t normally be able to access on a larger cruise ship.

Cruising in Australia

There are two type of cruises that you can take in Australia, and the key difference is in the size of the cruise ship itself:

Large ship cruising

Large ship cruises take you out into the sea or ocean from a couple of days to several weeks or even months and can accommodate more than 200 passengers.

Some companies who offer this type of cruising in Australia include P&O, Carnival, Princess and Royal Caribbean.

If you’re interested in finding out more about large ship or international cruising, check out our Cruise travel insurance page.

Small ship cruising

Small ship cruises take you along the Australian coastline and can explore rivers and estuaries and have a capacity up to 200 passengers.

The companies who offer this type of cruising include Kimberley Expeditions , Odyssey Expeditions , Coral Expeditions and Kimberley Quest .

What small ship cruise expeditions are available?

With such a vast coastline such as Australia’s, the domestic cruising itineraries are as varied as they are interesting, and include:

• Kimberley cruise travel insurance

A west coast cruise in the Kimberley region can go from Broome to Cockatoo Island, Exmouth, Wyndham, Mitchell Plateau, Darwin, Broome or reverse, and may include a trip to the Rowley Shoals.

Great Barrier Reef cruise travel insurance

As one of the natural wonders of the world, a Great Barrier Reef cruise should be on all our lists. Cruises depart Cairns to Cairns or Gold Coast.

Tasmania cruise travel insurance

Hobart to Hobart cruises and can be Tasmania circumnavigation cruise.

West Coast cruise travel insurance

Explore Western Australia’s coastline from Freemantle to Broome or reverse and may include the Albrohos Islands.

Sydney cruise travel insurance

Sydney to Sydney cruises operate for 3 to 4 days and some include exploration of the Sydney’s Hawkesbury River.

Rowley Shoals travel insurance

The Rowley Shoals is three reefs located 190 nautical miles west of Broome off the Western Australia coast.

Cape York, Torres Strait or Arnhem Land cruise travel insurance

There are a variety of cruises that cruise across the top part of Australia visiting various ports. These top end cruises can go from Cairns to Broome (or reverse) and visit Cape York, Torres Strait and Arnhem Land. 

South Australia cruise travel insurance

Cruises offered include Adelaide to Ceduna.

Sydney to Hobart cruise travel insurance

The Sydney to Hobart race without the stress! Watch the start of the race and then leisurely trail the fleet in comfort.

Some companies which offer these domestic cruise options include:

• Kimberley Expeditions
• Odyssey Expeditions
• Coral Expeditions
• Kimberley Quest
• Kimberley Pearl
• Lady M Cruising

Why should I do an Australian cruise?

Want action, relaxation, adventure, scenery and luxury? If you’ve already been on worldwide cruises, not keen on rubbing shoulders with a few thousand other happy travellers on a large cruise ship, and wary about a potential mass transmission of diseases and viruses including COVID-19 , or you simply want to explore more of Australia, domestic cruising may be the Australian cruise holiday you’ve always dreamt of.

Some other benefits of taking a cruise along the Australian coastline include:

• Access to little seaside towns, remote sites and natural habitats which the larger cruise ships aren’t able to get to. These shore excursions are usually included in the price of the cruise.
• You can leave your passport at home.
• Small group cruising means a more personal experience and less waiting around.
• No hassles with foreign exchange rates.
• You can use your Medicare card or private health insurance for medical expenses.

Australian Cruise Travel Insurance FAQs

Does travel insurance cover cruises.

Yes, with Fast Cover you can take out cruise travel insurance, which can provide evacuation and repatriation cover while you’re on your cruise ship. Travel insurance for cruising can also cover you while you’re seeing the sights on the mainland.

• Cruise health and safety guide
• Cruise travel insurance guide
• Australian cruise travel insurance

Who has the best travel insurance in Australia?

It depends on what you want to be covered for! You should compare travel insurance policies to find the best travel insurance that suits the type of trip that you want to do.

What should my travel insurance policy for a cruise include?

The benefits that you should look for in cruise travel insurance include cover for cancellation, evacuation and repatriation, disruptions to your trip and lost or damaged luggage.

Cruise Travel Insurance Guide

• What things do you need to know about travel insurance for cruising?
• What can you be covered for on your cruise holiday?
• Why should you buy cruise travel insurance?
• Do you need cruise travel insurance if you're taking a cruise in Australian waters?
• Do you need cruise travel insurance if you're taking a river cruise?

Click Here to read the  Cruise Travel Insurance Guide , find answers to your questions or get a  Cruise Travel Insurance Quote .

Do I need insurance for domestic cruising?

The unexpected can happen even while you’re travelling along the Australian coastline: injury, sickness, natural disasters and lost or stolen belongings. Domestic cruise insurance can provide you with repatriation and evacuation cover.

Cover is subject to the policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions in the  Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) .

I am doing a cruise and drive holiday. What type of policy should I take out?

You should take out a cruise policy for the relevant region that you will be travelling to. A cruise policy will cover you for both the land and sea portions of your trip.

Cover is subject to the policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) .

What region do I choose if I am doing a cruise in Australian waters?

If you will be cruising in Australian waters, choose the Domestic region and select 'Yes' to the question 'Going on a cruise?'

All cruises in Australian waters, New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands will default to the 'Domestic and Pacific with Cruise' region.

^ Price as at 20/03/2024 compared to the price calculated today for this policy.

* See Product Disclosure Statement for full terms and conditions and exclusions and limits that apply.

† Fast Cover has a referral arrangement with this company.

The entity that referred you does not act for Fast Cover and may receive remuneration from us. You can ask them or us for more details. Make sure any information listed in any quote provided remains accurate and if not, please change it on our website.

• Retail stores
• Fuel prices
• Help & support

Travel Insurance for Cruises

Before you set sail into the sunset, consider whether you have the right travel insurance for cruises

I'm interested in...

•   Things to know
•   International cruise coverage
•   Australian cruise coverage
•   Travel alerts
•   Getting a quote
•   Policy documents

Important things to know about RACV Travel Insurance for cruises

Cruising can be a spectacular way to see the world or even just explore your own country in new, exciting ways. Whether you’re voyaging through the crystal-clear waters of the South Pacific, meandering through the Mediterranean or exploring Australia’s West Coast, cruise holidays can offer everything from total relaxation to action-packed adventure. RACV Travel Insurance includes limited COVID-19 cover #  on  RACV Comprehensive Travel Insurance  and  RACV Domestic Travel Insurance .

However, before you set sail into the sunset, you should consider whether you need travel insurance. If so, you should make sure you have the right  travel insurance  that covers you for cruises.

RACV Members get 15% off RACV Travel Insurance

Cruise cover

When you purchase a policy cruise option must be selected for all ocean voyages more than one night. This will determine the premium you pay.

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

Travel Insurance for Australian Cruises

If you’ve booked a cruise that’s only travelling around Australia and isn’t leaving Australian waters, you probably think that you won’t need travel insurance.

However, it’s important to consider travel insurance when cruising around Australia, as it can provide cover for cancellation fees and lost or delayed luggage as well as providing medical coverage while at sea. RACV International Travel Insurance policies include coverage for cruises in Australian waters.

If you are going on a cruise which is only in Australian waters or calling into ports in Australia, you may still require a policy which includes medical cover whilst you are on board the ship (check with your cruise provider) as the medical providers are not registered with Medicare. You will therefore need to select Australian Cruise as your country of destination. By selecting Australian Cruise as a destination you will be offered the international policy options and benefits. This will then provide cover for medical and evacuation benefit whilst at sea but not if you go to a medical provider whilst in port in Australia.

What is covered?

Depending on the type of cover chosen, RACV Travel Insurance policies may provide the following cover:

• Medical expenses and medical evacuation while on board the ship, from medical providers on board who are not registered with Medicare (Medicare or your private health insurer may cover you if you seek medical treatment on land, whilst the ship is in port)
• Lost or delayed luggage (sub-limits apply for the loss of specific items)
• Cancellation fees
• Lost deposits
• Emergency expenses,
• and so much more.

This cover provided by RACV Travel Insurance policies is subject to terms and conditions, limits (including sub-limits) and exclusions. For a comprehensive list of these and all the policy benefits on RACV Travel Insurance Australian Cruise coverage, as well as policy options and add-ons, click here .

RACV Travel Insurance policies for Australian Cruises

RACV Travel Insurance has a number of options to choose from for those looking to take a cruise that is only travelling in Australian waters. Just remember to apply for an International plan or an Annual Multi-Trip plan and select “Australian Cruise” as your destination – this ensures you have medical coverage on board the ship, where the medical providers are not registered with Medicare.

All RACV Members are also rewarded with 15% off their policy.

Insurance policies:

Comprehensive – for a more comprehensive cover which includes cancellation fees and lost deposits, overseas medical and hospital expenses and emergency overseas dental expenses.

• Essentials  – Mid-range cover with great inclusions such as emergency overseas dental expenses, cancellation fees and lost deposits and travel delay, overseas medical and hospital expenses.

Basics – Basic cover that includes key benefits like emergency overseas dental expenses, emergency expenses and lost luggage

• Annual-Multi Trip Plan – Planning on going away a few times over the next year? RACV Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance provides more comprehensive cover for an unlimited number of trips over 12-months.

International cruise travel insurance

By taking out an RACV International Travel Insurance  policy, you’re covered for cruises.

What does International Travel Insurance cover for cruises?

To be covered for cruising you must select Cruise option when purchasing your policy.

Depending on the type of cover chosen, RACV International Travel Insurance can cover:

• Overseas medical expenses and medical evacuation
• Cancellations (not available with Travel Care plans)
• Luggage (sub-limits apply for all items, and sets and pairs (including accessories are treated as one item))
• Limited COVID-19 cover #
• 24-hour emergency assistance
• Emergency expenses overseas
• A number of existing medical conditions and certain stages and conditions of pregnancy

International cruise coverage

There are a range of RACV International Travel Insurance policies to choose from.

If you would like to be covered for cruising you must select Cruise Option for all ocean voyages more than one night. This will determine the premium you pay.

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

RACV International Travel Insurance:

Essentials – Mid-range cover with great inclusions such as emergency overseas dental expenses, cancellation fees and lost deposits and travel delay, overseas medical and hospital expenses.

Annual-Multi Trip Plan – Planning on going away a few times over the next year? Our multi-trip plan provides more comprehensive cover for an unlimited number of trips over 12-months.

When should you take out travel insurance?

Consider purchasing cover as soon as you pay for any part of your trip so that you’re covered in case you need to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances.

Luckily though, you can quickly and easily get RACV Travel Insurance online, up-to right  before you go . Even if you are at the airport ready to fly, there’s time to pack the added protection of RACV Travel Insurance for your trip.

• 2015 Australia Economic Impact Study -  Cruise Lines International Association 

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

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

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.

Ready to set sail? Discover RACV Tours and Cruises

Travel Insurance Sales 13 13 29

Emergency assistance 02 8055 1699

Claims 1300 207 387

This site will not function correctly without JavaScript enabled. Please enable JavaScript in your browser.

We use cookies and other technologies to understand and improve your browsing experience. By using our site, you agree to us collecting this information and to our  Privacy Charter .

Cruise travel insurance

Cruises provide a relaxed and unique holiday experience but there is nothing more stressful than being unprepared for an unexpected event. Bask in the sun and enjoy added confidence on your holiday with cruise insurance.

Why should you get travel insurance when taking a cruise?

If you're going on a cruise, even just around Australia, it's wise to consider travel insurance. Why? Because unexpected events can occur, and Medicare may not cover you onboard.

Any traveller who is planning to take a cruise should consider purchasing travel insurance, including those travelling with family, friends, or alone. It’s also important to consider how long your cruise is planned to be. A longer trip (over 7 days) provides a greater likelihood of encountering unexpected contingencies during the journey.

Travel insurance for cruises can come in handy in various scenarios, including lost or stolen luggage and belongings, cancelling a pre-booked cruise due to unforeseen circumstances, and accidents at sea.

What if I need medical assistance during the cruise?

Cruise ships, whether they are navigating domestic or international waters, are equipped with medical facilities and staff. However, it's important to note that the role of these onboard medical professionals is mainly to provide initial stabilisation in case of health emergencies.

In situations where a passenger requires urgent and extensive medical care while on a cruise, the response may involve a medical evacuation. This process involves transporting the individual from the ship to the nearest hospital for comprehensive treatment. The cost of such evacuations can vary greatly and often depends on the cruise's location in the world at the time of the emergency. This is a significant consideration, especially in remote or international waters, where evacuation logistics can be complex and expensive.

Does Medicare cover me while I’m on a cruise?

As with all other types of holidays, the unexpected can happen, and you may not be eligible for Medicare once your ship leaves port.

For cruises within Australian waters, it might be a good idea to have travel insurance as claims on Medicare or private health insurance may not be applicable, even on a domestic cruise. Check in advance whether the cruise ship provides access to a Medicare-registered doctor to ensure you have appropriate medical coverage during your journey.

Additionally, cruises travelling between an Australian port and a foreign port are not eligible for Medicare benefits, regardless of the practitioner, and the same goes for journeys between two foreign ports.

Does travel insurance cover existing medical conditions?

Typically, travel insurance policies may include automatic coverage for a range of pre-existing medical conditions. However, it's important to note that not all conditions fall under this automatic coverage . For those that don't, a medical assessment is required to confirm if coverage is available for an additional cost.

During this assessment, the insurer evaluates the risk associated with the specific medical condition and decides whether it can be covered under the policy. This process helps tailor the insurance to your individual health needs, for more comprehensive protection.

It's important to disclose all existing medical conditions and undergo any recommended assessments to secure the most appropriate and extensive coverage for your travel insurance policy.

Why should I get Australia Post’s cruise travel insurance?

While many cruise lines offer their own travel protection plans, these may only provide basic essentials or secondary cover, which might not be as comprehensive as standalone policies.

It may be a good idea to consider a policy backed by a global insurer, Zurich, through the travel insurance provided by Australia Post.

For journeys beyond Australian shores, consider our international travel insurance options.

Our policy includes emergency medical assistance, providing cover for both overseas medical and hospital expenses.

Before finalising any policy, thoroughly review its terms and conditions to clearly understand the coverage scope.

Ready to cruise?

Get a travel insurance online quote now.

You may also like

Sail away on the cruise that’s right for you

7 cruises for couples

5 myths about travel insurance

Limits, sub-limits, conditions, exclusions and fees apply. Policies may not be available to all travellers. Australian Postal Corporation (ABN 28 864 970 579, AR No 338646) is the distributor of Australia Post Travel Insurance and is an Authorised Representative of Australia Post Services Pty Ltd (ABN 67 002 599 340 AFSL 457551). Travel insurance products are underwritten by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (ABN 13 000 296 640, AFSL 232507). Consider your financial situation, needs and objectives and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination before deciding to buy this insurance. For more information on these products, please contact us on 1300 728 015 or email [email protected]

AusPost Travel Team

Share this article

Australia Post acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we operate, live and gather as employees, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

Click here for our travel alert about the Israel – Gaza conflict. Due to the current conflict in Ukraine, our policies exclude coverage for any trips to Russia, Ukraine or Belarus. Check out latest travel alerts here before buying a policy.

Cruise Travel Insurance

With our tailored Cruise Travel Insurance, cruisers get all the benefits of the Single Trip policy^, plus additional inclusions that are unique to cruising, such as reimbursements for certain necessary additional expenses due to a cruise delay.

Our cruise insurance policy^ is available in three levels of cover; Bare Essentials, Silver and Gold, so you can choose coverage that suits your needs. All levels of cover provide you with access to an expansive global 24/7 emergency assistance network, with over 31,000 points of assistance across all continents, and an easy  online claims process .

Why Travel With Us for a Cruise Trip?

Cruise Travel Insurance Benefits:

• Trip Cancelation Before Departure:  If it is necessary and unavoidable to cancel your cruise, we will pay certain unrecoverable travel costs and expenses. This is available in our Cruise Silver and Gold levels of cover, and you should consider purchasing cover as soon as you book your cruise, in case of cancellation.
• Missed Cruise Departure:  Should you miss the scheduled departure of your pre-booked cruise from Australia due to certain events, we will cover you for certain reasonable and necessary additional travelling expenses to continue with your original itinerary.
• Medical Expenses:  We offer unlimited cover for necessary and reasonable medical expenses on board and onshore (outside of Australia) such as medical, surgical, hospital treatment and ambulance.
• Missed Port Cover:  If your cruise never docks at a port during a trip due to adverse weather restrictions or mechanical breakdown, we will pay for each scheduled missed port. This is available in the Cruise Silver and Gold policies.
• Personal Belongings & Baggage:  We provide coverage if your personal belongings are lost, stolen or damaged during your cruise, or up to 72-hours prior to your cruise departure in Australia. Sublimits apply.
• Reimbursements for Shore Excursions:  If it is necessary and unavoidable for your cruise to be cancelled or cut short, you may be covered for certain costs, subject to the level of cover selected.
• Cabin Confinement:  If you are confined to your cabin due to medical reasons as advised by a ship medical officer, InsureandGo will pay $75 for every 24 hours a passenger is confined up to the defined amount outlined in table of benefits in our Silver and Gold cruise policies.
• Cruise Delays:  We will reimburse the cost of your necessary additional meals and accommodation expenses, if during a trip your departure by sea vessel is delayed for more than 12 hours. This cover is available in our Silver and Gold cruise policy and you will be reimbursed for each complete 12-hour period you are delayed. Limits and sublimits pay apply.
• Emergency Medical Transportation:  We provide certain cover (outlined in the policy wording) for passengers, if they require urgent transportation to a medical facility or need to return home for emergency treatment.

These benefits are a summary, so please see our  PDS  for full terms & conditions.

Which destination to select for your cruise journey :

Please note:  Our policies do not cover claims arising directly or indirectly from travel in, to or through Afghanistan, Belarus, Chad, Crimea, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, East Timor, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Myanmar, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Uganda, Venezuela, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

• Join CHOICE

Which travel insurers cover you for cruises?

Cruises are officially back on the cards and people are queuing up to get on board. here's how to make sure you're covered..

Fact-checked

Checked for accuracy by our qualified fact-checkers and verifiers. Find out more about fact-checking at CHOICE .

Need to know

• Most travel insurers cover cruises but there are some exclusions and fine print to be aware of
• For example, you won't be able to claim for events that occur because you've had too much to drink
• You need to make sure you declare your pre-existing medical conditions

With the restrictions on cruises finally lifted post-pandemic, the industry has bounced back in a big way this year and is more popular than ever.

But some people lost thousands of dollars on cancelled cruises during the COVID-19 travel bans and some cruise lines might not even let you on board without travel insurance.

So if you're planning a cruise, read on to discover how to choose the travel insurance policy that's best for you.

On this page:

Travel insurance for overseas cruises

Which travel insurers cover international cruises, what cruise travel insurance won't cover, do i need insurance for australian cruises, when to buy travel insurance for a cruise.

Most travel insurers cover international cruises that start and end in Australia, usually as an optional extra (we haven't looked at cover for cruises that start and/or end overseas). 

Some providers also offer tailored cruise travel insurance, which can give you access to additional inclusions that are unique to cruising and that may not be covered in standard policies, such as cover for missed ports, missed departures, or cabin confinement due to illness.

When choosing a policy, it's important to make sure the region you're visiting is covered and that it suits your needs and itinerary.

Check the policy age limit, as some policies cover you up to the age of 100 but others only cover you up to 69. 

It's also worth noting that if you want cancellation coverage in case a relative in Australia becomes ill or dies, the relative will also need to meet the age limit on the policy and satisfy the existing medical condition requirements.

Australian authorities no longer require people to prove they've had a COVID-19 vaccination in order to board, but it may be required for some destinations such as New Caledonia, and cruise ships are still a higher risk setting for diseases like gastroenteritis and respiratory infections, including influenza (flu) and COVID-19. So check if you have medical and cancellation cover for COVID-19 and other illnesses.

Existing medical conditions and pregnancy

As with other types of travel insurance, some pre-existing medical conditions may not be covered, and others will need to be disclosed in order to be covered. If in doubt, contact the insurer to discuss your needs.

It's also worth noting that pregnancy is considered an existing medical condition. Some insurance policies cover pregnancy up to 30 weeks, but most cruise lines won't allow you on board if you're more than 24 weeks pregnant.

Travel insurance and alcohol

Some people liken cruises to a floating RSL club, but the combination of alcohol and a seagoing vessel can cause accidents. 

In an Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) case, Phil* fell down a flight of stairs on a cruise ship and suffered a moderate brain injury, skull fracture and right lung contusion.

All travel insurers have a clause that excludes cover for claims resulting from a person being under the influence of alcohol

Phil said the area was not well lit and the steps would have been slippery, while his wife said he was walking steadily. He was taken to a hospital in Austria and a test showed that he had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.198%.

The insurer had an exclusion for "any conduct engaged in whilst under the influence or effect of alcohol or drugs", and AFCA sided with the insurer, determining that Phil's claim for expenses should be denied.

All travel insurers have a similar clause that excludes cover for claims resulting from a person being under the influence of alcohol.

* Not their real name. Policyholder names are not disclosed in AFCA case records.

Even if you book a cruise that won't be leaving Australian waters, you may still need travel insurance as shipboard medical expenses might not be covered by Medicare. Check that your travel insurance does cover medical costs – you may need international or cruise-specific insurance. Domestic travel or health insurance won't cut it.

Doctors working on cruise ships don't need Medicare provider numbers, so check with your cruise line if they have a Medicare doctor on board. If they don't, and they treat you, you can't claim on Medicare or your private health insurance, even though you never left Australia. 

Domestic travel insurance doesn't cover medical costs, so you'd need either international travel insurance (check that it covers domestic cruises) or special 'domestic cruise' insurance, which is available from a few select insurers.

Cruises are often booked well ahead of time, so you could be forgiven for forgetting or delaying the purchase of your travel insurance. But if your cruise is cancelled ahead of time and you don't yet have cover, you could lose your money. The earlier you buy the policy, the better.

On the flip side, there aren't many insurers that cover you more than a year out from starting your trip. If you book your trip more than a year out, shop around for a policy that will cover you.

Stock images:  Getty, unless otherwise stated.

Join the conversation

To share your thoughts or ask a question, visit the CHOICE Community forum.

Cruise travel insurance

Medibank health members save 15%.

Going on a sea or ocean cruise, or including one as part of your trip? Medibank Travel Insurance offers cruise insurance to help protect you whilst you're cruising.

What is cruise travel Insurance?

For an additional premium, you can add Cruise Cover to your travel insurance policy to help protect your cruise adventure. Cruise Cover is a mandatory add on if any part of your trip includes travel on a multi-night sea or ocean cruise. Without purchasing additional Cruise Cover, no cover is available for any event arising from, or related to your cruise travel. 

Cruise Cover is not required if you are travelling on a single-night cruise, or on a river cruise (e.g. European river cruise, or a Murray River cruise). Likewise, if you are travelling on a cruise that is only within Australian coastal waters (e.g. Kimberly Cruise) then Cruise Cover is not required. If your Australian cruise is going from port-to-port then you'll need to select 'Domestic Cruise' as your destination, which is an International Plan, to provide cover for your journey.

Cruise travel insurance benefits - get cruising with Medibank

$unlimited ship to shore and onboard medical & dental cover.

If you suffer a sickness, disease or disabling injury whilst you're on a cruise ship overseas or outside Australian costal waters then you will have:

$Unlimited onboard medical and emergency dental cover, including cover for onboard medical treatment should you suffer from sea sickness whilst travelling. 1

Cover also includes $unlimited costs for emergency transportation if onshore care is required. 2

Missed port cover

Should you miss the scheduled departure of your pre-booked cruise or a pre-booked connection to your cruise due to unforeseen circumstances outside of your control, we will cover you for reasonable costs (up to $1,000) to use alternative public transport services to catch up to your planned itinerary. 3  Excludes COVID-19.

Cabin confinement

Cover for up to $100 per day to a maximum of $1,500 should you be confined to your cabin for at least 24 hours due to sickness, disease or disabling injury. 3  Excludes COVID-19.

Missed shore excursions

Even when you're all set, trips to shore can unfortunately be missed. Should you miss a pre-booked shore excursion due to unforeseeable circumstances we could reimburse the non-refundable cost of the unused ticket(s) up to $1,000. 3  Excludes COVID-19.

Building your cruise insurance quote

Step 1: Select your area

Where you travel will influence your premium. You will need to choose the main destination/country based on where you will spend the most time travelling. Don't forget to take into consideration the 20% rule for the Africas and Americas detailed  here . 

If you are travelling on a multi-night cruise which leaves from one Australian Port to another, then you can enter 'Domestic Cruise' as the destination.

Step 2: Click on insurance type

Depending on your needs, you can select Single Trip or  Annual Multi-Trip cover. 

Step 3: Select additional cover

For an additional premium, you can choose to add cover for additional scenarios, like snow sports or moped riding . If you're travelling with valuables, you can also opt to increase your item limit(s) for luggage and personal effects. Read the  PDS  for more information.

When don't I need to add Cruise Cover?

You don’t need to add sea or ocean cruise cover, if you are:

• Travelling on a river cruise
• Not travelling on a cruise during your trip
• On a cruise for only one night
• Only taking a ferry trip
• Are cruising in Australia or in Australian coastal waters (this can include Kimberley Cruise or Murray River cruises.)
• Are sailing (sailing is not covered in International Waters).  

Cruise insurance FAQs

If i need to be evacuated, will medibank travel insurance with cruise benefits cover me.

If you are travelling on a multi-night (2 or more nights) cruise overseas or outside Australian Coastal Waters, you'll need to add and pay for the additional Cruise Cover to be insured for claims related to your cruise travel. 

If during your trip you suffer a disabling injury, sickness or disease (which first presents during the Period of Insurance), we will pay the usual and customary cost of emergency transportation provided outside of Australia by, or on the advice of, a qualified medical practitioner to evacuate you to the nearest onshore medical facility (unlimited on our  international travel insurance  policies with Cruise Cover).

Limits, sub-limits, exclusions and conditions apply. See the Combined PDS/FSG  for more information.

My cruise stops at multiple destinations, what Medibank Travel Insurance Policy should I buy?

You can purchase an International Comprehensive or International Medical Only Policy, and then add Cruise Cover to your selected policy. If travelling overseas or from a port in Australia to another port or ports outside Australia – please choose or enter the main area or destination/country based on where you will spend the most time on your trip. If the cruise travels between Australian ports, but travels outside of Australia Coastal Waters, you will need to select Domestic Cruising as a destination.

You can compare Medibank Travel Insurance policies on our  compare page .

If I miss the boat or lose luggage while on the cruise, does Medibank cruise insurance benefits cover me?

If you are travelling on a multi-night (2 or more nights) cruise overseas or outside Australian Coastal Waters, you'd need to add and pay for the additional Cruise Cover to be insured for claims related to your cruise travel. 

Missed port cover:  Should you miss the scheduled departure of your pre-booked cruise or a pre-booked connection to your cruise due to unforeseen circumstances outside of your control, we will cover you for reasonable costs (up to $1,000) to use alternative public transport services to catch up to your planned itinerary. 3  Excludes COVID-19.

Luggage and personal effects cover:  If you purchased an International Comprehensive Plan and added Cruise Cover to your policy, you will have luggage cover up to the limits specified in the  PDS  for any lost damaged or stolen luggage whilst cruising.

Unfortunately if you purchased an International Medical Only plan, no cover is available for lost, damaged or stolen luggage whilst you're on your trip.

Item limits and sub-limits apply. See the  Combined FSG/PDS  for terms, conditions and more information.

I'm travelling between Australian ports, is that a domestic cruise?

If you are travelling from a port in Australia to another port in Australia without any stopover at a port outside of Australia, (e.g. a cruise from Sydney to Brisbane) you should select 'Domestic cruising' as your destination. These cruises will go outside of Australian coastal waters so an 'International Plan' with Cruise Cover is required to be insured for claims related to your domestic cruise.  If you are only cruising within Australian coastal waters, (e.g. a Kimberley cruise) you do not need to add Cruise Cover to your  domestic travel insurance . If you are cruising overseas, (e.g. a Caribbean cruise) please choose the main area of destination country based on where you will spend most of your trip.

If you are unsure of which category your cruise might come under, contact Medibank Travel Insurance by  calling 13 41 90 .

Can I buy Medibank cruise insurance benefits when I'm already on the cruise?

Yes, you can purchase a travel insurance policy after your trip commenced, however you will be subjected to a 3-day no cover period. Cruise Cover must be purchased at the time of purchasing the travel insurance policy and cannot be added retrospectively.

Am I covered for COVID-19 related claims on an international cruise?

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 on board a multi-night sea or ocean cruise, cover applies to: 

• On-board medical. 1
• Dental cover ship to shore medical cover. 2

Available on International Comprehensive and International Medical plans only if Cruise Cover has been added.

Does Medicare cover me on a cruise in Australian waters?

If you're on a cruise in Australian Waters, Medicare may not pay towards your medical cost on the cruise ship because the cruise ship may not have doctors onboard who are registered to practice in Australia. Check before your trip and consider getting travel insurance with Cruise Cover.

Emergency assistance whilst travelling

Every Medibank Travel Insurance policy comes with 24 hour emergency assistance. 

Our team of experienced doctors, nurses, travel consultants and case managers are ready to help you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We can help if you need support finding appropriate medical treatment, if you need to organise medical evacuation, or if you require assistance replacing lost travel documents and credit cards. 

Learn more about our 24/7 emergency assistance .

Things you should know

1  Available on the International Comprehensive and Medical Only Plans. Cover applies for a maximum of 12 months from the date of onset of injury or illness.

2  We will pay the usual and customary cost of emergency transportation provided outside Australia by or on the advice of a qualified medical practitioner to evacuate you to the nearest onshore medical facility.

3  Limits and exclusions apply. Available on the International Comprehensive and Medical Only Plans.

Limits, sub-limits, exclusions and conditions apply. This is general advice only. Medibank Private Limited, ABN 47 080 890 259, an Authorised Representative, AR 286089, of Travel Insurance Partners Pty Limited, ABN 73 144 049 230 AFSL 360138 arranges the insurance on behalf of the insurer. The insurer is Zurich Australian Insurance Limited ABN 13 000 296 640, AFSL 232507. Please consider your own needs and the  Combined FSG/PDS  to decide if this product is right for you. For information on the Target Market and  Target Market Determinations , visit  medibank.com.au/travel-insurance/help/

Request a call back

Leave your details and a Medibank expert will be in touch to take you through your options. In providing your telephone number, you consent to Medibank contacting you about health insurance.

We'll have someone call you soon to help with any questions you have.

COVID-19 Health Assist - Expression of interest

Complete this form to express your interest in one of our programs. If you're eligible, a member of our team will call you within 2-3 business days.

What program are you interested in?

Sorry, only members with current Hospital cover are eligible to participate in these programs

Eligible Medibank members with Extras cover are able to access a range of telehealth services included on their cover - you can find out more here . Alternatively, if you would like to talk to one of our team about your cover, we're here on 132 331 .

Your membership details

Please provide your details so we can know how to contact you.

Your contact details

By clicking Submit, I understand that Medibank or its subsidiaries may contact me to discuss my eligibility for the Covid-19 Heath Assist program(s), and will disclose my personal information within the Medibank Group of companies and to third party service providers. Please see Medibank’s privacy policy for further information about how Medibank will handle my personal information, and how to contact Medibank: https://www.medibank.com.au/privacy/

Thank you for expressing your interest in one of our COVID-19 Health Assist programs.

If you are eligible, one of our health professionals will call you in 2-3 business days to discuss your situation and help to enrol you in the relevant program.

There is no cost to participate, however some referred services may incur an out of pocket cost.

U.S. News takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

The Best Travel Insurance for Australia in 2024

Travelex Insurance Services »

Allianz Travel Insurance »

Generali Global Assistance »

World Nomads Travel Insurance »

GeoBlue »

Why Trust Us

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

Table of Contents

• Travelex Insurance Services
• Allianz Travel Insurance

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

Primary coverage with no deductibles

Lower limits for medical expenses than some providers

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

Optional CFAR coverage reimburses at 80%

Numerous plans to choose from

Lower coverage limits for medical expenses than some providers

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

Tailor medical coverage to your needs

Generous limits for emergency medical and medical evacuation coverage

Coverage for preexisting conditions only available with Premium plan

Optional CFAR coverage with Premium plan only reimburses at 60%

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

Coverage for more than 200 sports and activities

24-hour travel assistance services included

Low coverage limits within standard plans

No coverage for most preexisting conditions

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

Offers travel health insurance for lengthy trips abroad

Deductibles can apply

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

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

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

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

You might also be interested in:

Travel Insurance for Europe: 4 Best Options for 2024

Holly Johnson

Learn about a range of coverage options for traveling abroad.

The Best Travel Insurance for Mexico in 2024

Find coverage options for medical emergencies, travel delays, lost baggage and more.

Expat Travel Insurance: The 5 Best Options for Globetrotters

Find the coverage and benefits you need for your adventures abroad.

Is Travel Insurance Worth It? Yes, in These 3 Scenarios

These are the scenarios when travel insurance makes most sense.

• Car Finance
• Hire Purchase
• Novated Leasing
• Bad Credit Car Loans
• Car Loan Refinance
• Business Car Loans
• Australian Car Statistics
• Car Loan Repayments Calculator
• Compare Car Loans
• Average Car Loan Interest Rates
• How Much Can I Borrow?
• How to Get a Car Loan?
• Caravan Loans
• Motorbike Loans
• Jet Ski Loans
• Camper Trailer Loans
• Loans for Harley-Davidson
• Boat Loan Calculator
• Caravan Buying Checklist
• How to Choose a Motorbike?
• Top Tips to Choose a Right Boat
• Equipment Finance
• Chattel Mortgage
• Truck Finance
• Aircraft Finance
• Technology Finance
• Agriculture Finance
• Plant & Machinery Finance
• Operating Lease
• Unsecured Personal Loans
• Low-interest Personal Loans
• Debt Consolidation Loans
• Travel Loans
• Wedding Loans
• Bad Credit Loans
• Compare Personal Loans
• Personal Loan Calculator
• Personal Loans Eligibility
• Unsecured Business Loans
• Small Business Loans
• Invoice Financing
• Business Overdrafts
• Cashflow Lending
• Small Business Start-up Loans
• Compare Business Loans
• Business Loan Interest Rates
• First Home Buyers
• Buy Next Home
• Investment Home Loans
• Home Loan Refinance
• Bad Credit Home Loans
• Self Employed
• Construction Home Loans
• Compare Home Loans
• How to Choose a Home Loan?
• Home Loan Repayments Calculator
• Borrowing Power Calculator
• Balance Transfer
• Frequent Flyer
• No Annual Fee
• Master Card vs Visa Card
• Maximise Credit Reward Points
• Perks of Using a Credit Card
• Manage Your Debt with a Balance Transfer Card
• Small Personal Loan
• Quick Cash Loan
• Rental Bond Loan
• Car Repair Loan
• Furniture Loan
• Emergency Loan
• Rent Arrears Loan
• Bank Accounts
• Savings Accounts
• Term Deposits
• Business Bank Accounts
• Debit Cards
• Kids Savings Accounts
• Margin Loans
• Travel Money Cards
• Best International Money Transfers
• Send Money to India
• Send Money to USA
• Send Money to New Zealand
• Send Money to UK
• Send Money to Canada
• Superannuation
• Compare Super Funds
• Cryptocurrency
• Share Trading
• Forex Trading
• CFD Trading
• Comprehensive Car Insurance
• Third Party Fire and Theft Car Insurance
• Third Party Property Damage Car Insurance
• CTP Insurance
• Classic Car Insurance
• Car Insurance for Young Drivers
• Seniors Car Insurance
• How Do I Compare Car Insurance?
• How Much is Car Insurance?
• Types of Car Insurance in Australia
• Market Value Vs Agreed Value
• Car Insurance with Choice of Repairer
• Landlord Insurance
• Building Insurance
• Flood Insurance
• Contents Insurance
• Best Home Insurance
• Cheapest Home Insurance
• Professional Indemnity Insurance
• Public Liability Insurance
• Product Liability Insurance
• Domestic Travel Insurance
• Cruise Travel Insurance
• Single Trip Travel Insurance
• Seniors Travel Insurance
• Best Travel Insurance
• Cheap Travel Insurance
• Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions
• What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
• Why Do I Need Travel Insurance?
• Travel Insurance COVID-19
• Seniors Funeral Insurance
• Hospital Cover
• Extras Only Cover
• Singles Cover
• Couples Cover
• Family Health Insurance Cover
• Overseas Visitors Health Insurance Cover
• Health Insurance for Seniors
• Cheap Health Insurance
• Income Protection
• Personal Accident Insurance
• Trauma Insurance
• TPD Insurance
• Funeral Insurance
• Seniors Pet Insurance
• Cheap Pet Insurance
• Best Pet Insurance
• Electricity Plans
• Compare Electricity Plans
• Compare Gas Plans
• Solar Electricity Plans
• Green Energy Plans
• ADSL Broadband Plans
• Mobile Broadband
• Home Wireless Broadband Plans
• Internet Providers
• Best Broadband Deals
• Prepaid Plans
• iPhone Plans
• Unlimited Data Plans
• SIM-Only Plans
• Unlimited Data for Mobile Phones
• Travel Insurance for Mobile Phone
• Customer Reviews

Travel Insurance for Cruising in Australian Waters

Cruising Australian waters on your next getaway? Compare the best cruise travel insurance here.

Fact checked

Compare Travel Insurance Quotes in 30 Seconds

• 100% free to use. No obligation.

Cruising in Australian waters can be a magical way of experiencing some of the country’s most picturesque locations. Whether you’re taking in the glistening coast of Vansittart Bay in WA or lapping up the Whitsundays from a luxury liner, getting the best cruise travel insurance is essential.

By comparing with Savvy, you can take the guesswork out of finding the right insurance for your next domestic cruise. You’ll get to weigh up the pros and cons of each policy to find which one gives you the most peace of mind while you’re at sea, so start comparing with us to help you find the best policy today.

What does travel insurance cover while I’m cruising Australian waters?

If you’re heading off on a cruise through Australian waters, finding a travel insurance policy with the perfect blend of benefits is important if you want some peace of mind when you’re at sea. Most travel insurance providers will only cover you for inland cruises or those made along the Australian coastline. The places insurers can cover you for taking a multi-night cruise include:

• Across Arnhem land
• The Great Barrier Reef
• Kangaroo Island
• Torres Strait Island
• Albrohos Island
• The Kimberley region
• Montebello Islands

Whether you’re taking a domestic or international cruise, you’re afforded a range of benefits which can suit your next holiday. Some of the benefits domestic cruise travel insurance offers include:

• Medical emergencies: travel insurance is vital even if you're taking a domestic cruise. Many foreign-owned cruise liners won't have a Medicare-registered doctor aboard, so getting cruise cover will protect you if you're injured or fall ill and require treatment while at sea.
• 24/7 support: if you're embroiled in an emergency and need your insurer's support, you’ll be able to contact them day or night.
• Cruise-specific cover: if you're confined to your cabin due to sickness or injury, miss your embarkation or the ship misses a port, your travel insurance has your back.
• Evacuation or repatriation: you never know what can happen while sailing the high seas. Your travel insurer can cover the costs if you're sick and need to abandon ship to receive medical treatment. Not having a policy could cost you tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses if you need transportation via helicopter.
• Cancellations: planning for a cruise up the East Coast can be exciting. However, if you fall ill or need to stay behind to care for a sick family member, your cruise travel insurance can cover the cancelling or rearranging of your bookings, including any shore excursions you’ll miss out on.
• Delays: if your scheduled flights or other means of transport are delayed by more than six hours, most insurance companies will cover the cost of overnight accommodation, meals and any essentials if your bags are held up.
• Lost or stolen luggage: missing or damaged bags can be a nuisance when trying to soak up the Australian coast aboard a cruise. Thankfully, most comprehensive policies cover the cost of repairing or replacing your items.
• Accidental death: if you die aboard your domestic cruise due to a covered incident, your insurance company can arrange for the repatriation of your body, provide a payout and cover the cost of a funeral up to a specific limit.
• Special event transport: if your ride to your cruise ship is held up or delayed, your insurance company can help you make it to your embarkation on time.
• Onboard and onshore activities: it's worth double-checking what types of activities are covered automatically under your policy. Many companies require you to take out extra coverage if you're taking part in ‘high-risk' activities such as rock climbing or scuba diving while you've stepped off your cruise liner.

How do I compare travel insurance for cruising in Australian waters?

As anyone will tell you, the best method of purchasing travel insurance is to do a shop-around of providers before settling on a policy. Whether you’re planning a short multi-night trip to Hobart or keen to cruise around the Great Barrier Reef, comparing policies with Savvy can help you weigh up the advantages and drawbacks. Some of the factors to consider include:

Inclusions and exclusions

Comparing is a good way to work out what’s included and what isn’t across the domestic cruise travel insurance policies. Make sure your policy covers cruise-specific incidents, such as marine rescue diversion if your vessel diverts off course due to the rescue of marine life. Consider what’s important for your cruise and what coverage you need before signing on the dotted line.

Types of policies

Aside from the usual basic and comprehensive options, you can also take out single-trip or multi-trip cover, depending on the frequency of your cruising. Taking out an annual policy if you’re a regular on cruises can be cheaper than purchasing individual policies every time you travel. Compare the types of policies offered by different providers and see which one most suits your cruise plans.

Premium cost

One of the benefits of travel insurance is the ability to get quotes from different providers so you can do a quick price match. Comparing travel insurance quotes will allow you to find the best range of coverage for the best price without signing your life away on a particular option. While cheapest doesn’t necessarily mean best, it’s still valuable to look for opportunities to save money.

Claim limits

The amount you can claim back due to a claimable incident varies substantially across the market, so it pays to do your homework to find a set of limits that are sufficient for your travel plans. For example, some providers offer you $100 per day if you’re confined to your cabin due to illness for more than 48 hours. However, others only offer half the amount.

Travel insurance companies require you to pay an excess if you need to make a claim on your policy. The amount you pay can vary in price between $100 and $250. However, it pays to compare, as some insurers won’t make you pay anything to claim under certain circumstances (although this will sometimes be in return for a steeper premium).

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.

Top tips for saving money on your domestic cruise travel insurance

Consider how often you travel.

When reviewing policies, consider how many domestic cruises you’re likely to take over the next 12 months. For example, choosing a multi-trip policy instead of a single-trip one could save you money and a great deal of hassle if you’re a regular passenger on cruise ships circling Australian waters.

Offer up a higher excess

If you can afford to pay a higher travel insurance excess , this can reduce the price of your insurance premium when you take out a policy. Make sure the excess you choose is manageable, as if you do need to file a claim on your policy, you’ll want peace of mind you can afford the amount.

Compare your options with Savvy

If you’re hunting for the perfect travel insurance policy for your next cruise, comparing with Savvy is the best place to start. You’ll be able to weigh up the various advantages and disadvantages of each policy and compare their benefits and prices to get the best bang for your buck.

Think about your pre-existing conditions

Ensuring you have the right cover for your medical conditions is vital if you’re cruising in Australian waters. Some may cover your condition automatically, while others will require you to purchase extra coverage. If your symptoms reoccur while at sea and you haven’t declared your condition, your claim could be voided.

Frequently asked questions about cruise travel insurance

This depends on who you’re cruising with. Many cruise companies require their domestic and international passengers to have travel insurance before boarding. Therefore, it’s a good idea to check with your operator before you embark.

Many travel insurance companies allow you to include up to 25 people under one policy. While this can seem expensive, if the cost is split between your group of travellers, it’ll often be much cheaper than purchasing individual domestic policies.

If you’re planning to do a bit of a shop-around of policies before you purchase, getting a few quotes is the way to go. It’s a pretty straightforward process and usually includes sharing the following details:

• Your full name
• Date of birth
• Destination
• Trip length
• Any pre-existing medical conditions you suffer from
• Whether you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19

If one of the quotes you get is right up your alley, you can purchase it online. The general rule of thumb is to purchase your policy as soon as you know your travel dates. You can compare quotes with Savvy today before you buy.

Many travel insurers won’t cover you for cruises that leave the coastline, such as those to Norfolk Island or Lord Howe Island. However, certain providers will cover you for travel to the following islands if you choose the right coverage:

• Albrohos Islands
• Torres Strait Islands

If you’re planning on travelling to Antarctica on a cruise, you will need to purchase an international policy even though East Antarctica has been claimed as Australian soil.

Yes – most travel insurance policies cover you for COVID-19-related expenses. This includes needing to cancel your trip at the last minute due to a positive COVID-19 test or medical treatment aboard your cruise. If you don’t have insurance and there isn’t a Medicare-accessible doctor aboard, you could be left footing a hefty medical bill.

Several providers can let you take out cruise travel insurance if you’re over 80. Age limits for cruises tend to kick in around 74 and can range up to 130 years old. However, your claim limits and coverage for incidentals such as accidental death could be reduced due to your age.

Helpful travel insurance guides

How Much Is Travel Insurance?

Wondering how much your travel insurance might cost? Compare with Savvy and find out today. Compare Travel Insurance Quotes in...

Best Travel Insurance for Cruises

If you’re chasing travel insurance for your next cruise, compare with Savvy and get the best policy today. Compare Travel...

Best Multi-Trip Travel Insurance Australia

Compare your multi-trip travel insurance options with Savvy to help you find the best. Compare Travel Insurance Quotes in 30...

Compare Domestic Travel Insurance

Exploring your own backyard? Compare and find the best domestic travel insurance with Savvy. Compare Travel Insurance Quotes in 30...

How to Get a Travel Insurance Quote

Find out how to complete a travel insurance quote and the process involved in Savvy's handy guide. Compare Travel Insurance...

Travel Insurance That Covers Alcohol-Related Accidents

Find out what you can be covered for under your travel insurance by comparing offers here. Compare Travel Insurance Quotes...

Best Travel Insurance for Seniors

 Make the most of your next holiday. Compare with Savvy and find the best seniors travel insurance today. Compare Travel...

Average Cost of Travel Insurance

Learn more about the average price of travel insurance when you compare with Savvy. Compare Travel Insurance Quotes in 30...

Compare Cruise Travel Insurance

Setting sail on your next holiday? Compare cruise travel insurance with Savvy.  Compare Travel Insurance Quotes in 30 Seconds Get...

What is Travel Insurance?

Compare with Savvy and find out more about what travel insurance is today. Compare Travel Insurance Quotes in 30 Seconds...

Explore your travel insurance options for your next destination

Travel Insurance for Indonesia

Travel Insurance for Greece

Travel Insurance for Phuket

Travel Insurance for Antarctica

Travel Insurance for Jamaica

Travel Insurance for Portugal

Travel Insurance for Paris

Travel Insurance for Chile

Travel Insurance for Jordan

Travel Insurance for Switzerland

Travel Insurance for Romania

Travel Insurance for Cambodia

Travel Insurance for Pakistan

Travel Insurance for Hungary

Travel Insurance for Norway

Travel Insurance for Bangkok

Travel Insurance for Dublin

Travel Insurance for Serbia

Travel Insurance for Tunisia

Travel Insurance for Croatia

Travel Insurance for Italy

Travel Insurance for Finland

Travel Insurance for Bali

Travel Insurance for Singapore

Travel Insurance for Mexico

Travel Insurance for India

Travel Insurance for Thailand

Travel Insurance for Oman

Travel Insurance for Germany

Travel Insurance for Bulgaria

Disclaimer: We do not compare all travel insurance brands currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and does not consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.

Savvy earns a commission from our partners each time a customer buys a travel insurance policy via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via their websites.

Before purchasing your policy, we recommend you refer to the provider’s PDS for any further information on the terms, inclusions and exclusions.

© Copyright 2024 Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd T/as Savvy. All Rights Reserved.

• Giving Back
• Partner with us
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Credit Guide
• How We Handle Complaints
• Scam and Fraud Warning
• Comparison Rate Warning

1300 974 066

Sign up to our newsletter.

Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.

We’re partnered with lenders, insurers and other financial institutions who compensate us for business initiated through our website. We earn a commission each time a customer chooses or buys a product advertised on our site, which you can find out more about here , as well as in our credit guide for asset finance. It’s also crucial to read the terms and conditions, Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or credit guide of our partners before signing up for your chosen product. However, the compensation we receive doesn’t impact the content written and published on our website, as our writing team exercises full editorial independence.

For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use .

We'd love to chat, how can we help?

Search Smartraveller

Choice travel insurance buying guide.

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

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

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

Why travel insurance?

• Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?

How to get travel insurance

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

• How to read the product disclosure statement

What are you covered for?

• Credit card insurance

How to make a complaint

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

Holidays don’t always go as planned.

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

The Australian Government won’t pay your medical bills.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Do you need domestic travel insurance?

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

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

Does international travel insurance cover COVID-19?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Make your travel plans COVID-safe

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Where are you going?

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

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

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

You need different cover for different regions

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. How long are you going for?

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

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

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

3. What are you going to do there?

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

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

4. Are you taking any valuable items?

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

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

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

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

5.   Do you have any medical conditions?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Member discounts

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

Shop around

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

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

Use your credit card

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

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

Compromise on cover

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

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

About that fine print

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

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

How to read the PDS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And what are the catches?

Cancellations, baggage and personal items, sports and activities.

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

Pre-existing conditions

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

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

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

the condition has been stable for more than 12 months

there is no planned surgery

you have not received treatment in the past 12 months.

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

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

If in doubt, declare your condition to your insurer.

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

Is a disability a pre-existing condition?

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

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

Having trouble getting cover?

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

Cover for your equipment

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

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

Cover for your carer

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

Babymooning

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

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

Mental health

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘Unforeseen’

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

Exclusions and inclusions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lost luggage

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

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

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

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

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

Do you have the right licence?

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

Cruise-specific insurance

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

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

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

Not leaving Australian waters?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Motorcycles and mopeds

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

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

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

Skiing and snowboarding

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

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

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

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

Alcohol and drugs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Credit card travel insurance

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

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

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

Is it activated?

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

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

Is it worth it?

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

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

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

Internal dispute resolution

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

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

External dispute resolution

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

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

Legal action

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

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

Related content

No matter who you are, where you're going and what you're doing, get travel insurance. Learn how to choose a policy that's right for you.

This page provides mature travellers with information to prepare for a hassle-free journey. Properly preparing before you travel will help you have a safe trip.

Browse our general advice pages on a range of travel topics, to learn what you need to know before you go.

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

Visiting Australia? Consider Travel Insurance

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

Different types of travel insurance

Do you need travel insurance for australia, which credit cards offer australia travel insurance, other ways to get travel insurance, if you want to get travel insurance for australia.

Now open to tourists after two years of pandemic-related closures, Australia is back on many travelers’ wish lists, and for good reason. Whether you’re interested in surfing on the Gold Coast, taking a road trip through the Outback or diving along the Great Barrier Reef, there are a lot of options to consider. But with so many adventurous — and potentially dangerous — activities, you may also want to think about purchasing travel insurance.

Let’s take a look at the different types of travel insurance for Australia, which credit cards provide complimentary coverage and other ways you can acquire insurance for added peace of mind.

A must-have for many, travel insurance can help cover unexpected costs related to travel mishaps, medical incidents or evacuations. However, not all travel insurance is created equal. There are a variety of types available for every kind of situation, and you’ll need to do some research to understand what’s worth purchasing and what might not be necessary.

Here are some common types of travel insurance:

Trip cancellation insurance . Used to recoup costs when you cancel a trip due to something unanticipated, like a medical issue.

Trip interruption insurance . Reimburses you for travel costs when you need to cut a trip short and return home unexpectedly.

Baggage loss insurance . Provides reimbursement when your baggage is lost, damaged or stolen.

Emergency evacuation insurance . Covers costs related to evacuating you to a different location, either for medical or safety reasons.

Travel medical insurance . Used to cover medical costs while traveling, either as a primary or secondary insurer, depending on the type of coverage you purchase.

Cancel for Any Reason insurance . A supplemental insurance that provides partial reimbursement of nonrefundable travel costs when you cancel a trip for any reason.

Rental car insurance . Covers costs related to damage or repair of a rental vehicle. This can be especially useful when renting a car in another country.

Accidental death insurance. Similar to life insurance, this coverage provides payment to a person of your choosing in case of death while you’re traveling.

You may also want to consider finding insurance that covers COVID quarantine costs. Not all policies include this coverage, so you’ll want to be sure it’s included if it’s important to you.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies, according to Nerds

While it’s not required for entry, it may be a good idea. Travel insurance can come in useful just about anywhere, especially because it’s difficult to anticipate things like travel delays and accidents.

If you’re fairly confident about your travel plans, you may be comfortable with the insurance provided by your credit cards, though be aware that they may have lower limits than you’d like.

Otherwise, purchasing a travel insurance policy is always an option. Keep in mind that rates will vary according to your travel destination, dates of travel, ages and total trip cost.

» Learn more: What you need to know before shopping for travel insurance

Even if you’ve decided not to buy travel insurance, you may already have some coverage. Plenty of travel cards include some form of complimentary travel insurance, though the types — and limits — you receive will vary depending on which card you hold.

Many Chase credit cards offer primary rental car insurance, which will cover you in the event of an accident without needing to involve your personal auto insurance company. You’ll need to decline the rental car company’s coverage and pay with your eligible Chase card .

You can find trip delay insurance, emergency medical evacuation, lost baggage coverage and more among the different protections offered by these cards. Here are some of the more common travel cards that provide complimentary travel insurance.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .

Chase Sapphire Reserve® .

The Platinum Card® from American Express . Terms apply.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card . (Benefits may change over time.)

United℠ Explorer Card .

You’ll want to read each card’s benefits guide very carefully before deciding which card to use. For example, both the The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offer lost luggage insurance. Terms apply.

However, insurance from the The Platinum Card® from American Express only applies in the event that you’ve either paid for the full fare with your AmEx card or have redeemed your AmEx points for the flight. Using your card to pay the taxes and fees on an award flight you’ve booked elsewhere — such as redeeming Delta SkyMiles for your flight — does not mean that you’ll receive insurance coverage benefits. Terms apply.

This is in contrast to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , whose lost luggage benefit is much more generous. In the event that your luggage is lost, you need only have paid the remainder of the charges for the flight after redeeming reward miles, points, coupons or other certificates. This means that charging just the taxes and fees on your card renders you eligible for benefits.

Aside from American Express and Chase cards, you may also want to consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card .

Capital One’s offering includes a plethora of travel insurance benefits, including primary rental car insurance, travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement, travel and emergency assistive services and more. Of course, in order to qualify for these benefits, you’ll need to have charged the trip to your card. Benefits may change over time.

» Learn more: The best credit cards with travel insurance

Even if your card provides complimentary travel insurance, you may also want to consider acquiring an additional policy — especially if you’re planning on some of the more adventurous activities you’ll find within Australia, such as camping in the Outback.

Health insurance benefits provided by credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® max out at relatively low levels, which may mean you end up paying out of pocket in the event of an emergency.

If you’re looking for a supplemental policy, you’ll want to check quotes from a variety of providers. You can do this manually, but websites such as Squaremouth will compare multiple policies at once, making it much easier to peruse offerings. You can also filter your search according to the type of coverage you’d like.

» Learn more: Is travel insurance worth it?

Travel insurance can provide peace of mind to the wary traveler. Whether or not you’re interested in purchasing travel insurance, a variety of credit cards offer complimentary coverage for incidents such as trip delays, emergency medical care, rental car collisions and lost luggage.

Otherwise, you may want to consider buying an additional policy to ensure that you’re covered. If this is what you’re looking to do, make sure to acquire quotes from a variety of providers in order to find the best deal possible.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

• Commercial Motor Vehicle
• Roadside Assistance
• Public Liability
• General Property
• Management Liability
• Small business
• Tradies and contractors
• Retailers insurance
• Professional service providers
• Health and beauty professionals
• Real estate
• Cafés and restaurants
• NSW stamp duty exemption
• ACT | NT | TAS | WA claims
• NSW forms and resources
• VIC forms and resources
• ACT | NT | TAS | WA forms and resources
• Workplace mental health
• Training & webinars
• Compare Travel Insurance
• Caravan and Trailer
• Cyclone support
• Flood support
• Storm support
• Bushfire support
• Customer counselling program
• Financial hardship
• Scam warning
• Family violence support
• Deceased estates
• Financial institutions
• Insurance brokers
• Partner News Hub
• The Allianz Hub
• Login to My Allianz
• Make a payment
• Retrieve a quote
• Retrieve life application

• Travel Insurance

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is designed to cover you for a range of unexpected events that could happen when you’re travelling overseas or in Australia. Allianz Travel Insurance can cover costs like travel delays or emergency medical treatment, or the cost of replacing items that were lost or stolen during your trip. 1

We have Basic, Comprehensive, Domestic, and Multi-Trip Plans to choose from, with varying levels of cover to help you when you need it most. Our plans are available for singles, duos or families. Read through our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for detailed information about our plans to see which level of cover is right for you.

Find the right cover for your trip

Basic Travel Insurance

• Overseas emergency assistance 1
• Overseas medical and hospital expenses 1
• Personal Liability 1

Comprehensive Travel Insurance

• Overseas medical assistance and expenses 1
• Unexpected trip cancellation 3
• Loss of or damage to luggage and personal effects 1
• COVID-19 benefits 2

Domestic Travel Insurance

• Travel delay expenses 1
• Rental vehicle excess 1

Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

Additional cover options.

For an additional premium, you can choose to add an Adventure Pack, Cruise Pack, or Snow Pack to eligible plans. Increased Item Limits Cover can also be added to insure your luggage, personal effects or valuables should something happen to them while travelling.

You have the option to vary the base excess when you buy your policy (premium adjustment will apply depending on the excess selected). The choice is yours.

Website review and travel remediation

Choose what suits your needs, single cover, family plan, ready to get started, frequently asked questions.

Without travel insurance, you run the risk of incurring some significant expenses that may take years to pay off.

If you’re travelling overseas, travel insurance is an important consideration for unexpected medical bills and hospitalisation. Other unforeseen expenses could include the replacement of lost or stolen luggage, delays or cancellations to your trip, and many other unfortunate scenarios.

We don’t cover medical expenses under our Domestic Travel Insurance policy. However, you may wish to take out insurance for domestic flight changes or cancellations, lost or stolen baggage, or rental vehicle excess. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for more information.

Travel insurance may cover you for a range of unexpected events that may affect your trip, such as emergency medical assistance if you become ill or injured while travelling overseas, including arranging your evacuation if needed.

Other incidents that travel insurance may cover include costs due to unexpected delays and cancellations, rental vehicle excess, and personal liability. You also have the option to purchase additional cover for activities such as adventure sports or skiing, although this isn’t available on all plans.

Cover limits vary from insurance provider to insurance provider, as do policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions, so it’s important to read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure you fully understand what’s covered, the limits applying to the policy, and to make sure the policy is appropriate for your needs.

The length of your Travel Insurance policy is largely dependent on the travel dates you supply. When obtaining a quote, or buying a policy, you’ll be prompted to enter in your departure and return dates – this will be the period of cover for all benefits except the cancellation benefit, which begins from the date your policy is issued.

The period of cover is also shown on your Certificate of Insurance, which is sent to you at the time of purchase. You may want to extend the length of your holiday abroad (and therefore need an extension of your period of cover) and you may be able to do this within specified timeframes.

If you think you may travel more than once a year, you may wish to consider a Multi-Trip policy . Different start and end dates apply, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for full details.

It’s up to you when you buy Allianz Travel Insurance, however, keep in mind these three things:

• You can buy our Travel Insurance up to 12 months in advance.
• You must buy Allianz Travel Insurance before you start your journey. Your journey starts when any traveller named on the Certificate of Insurance leaves home or work in Australia to begin travel.
• Depending on the plan you choose you may have trip cancellation cover, which covers unexpected trip cancellation, rescheduling or shortening from the date your Certificate of Insurance is issued. So, consider buying our Travel Insurance as soon as you’ve booked and paid for some or all your trip as you may be covered for such events before you depart.

Yes, if you change your mind after you buy your Travel Insurance policy, you may cancel it within 14 days of your Certificate of Insurance being issued.

You’ll be given a full refund of the premium you’ve paid, provided you’ve not started your journey and don’t intend to make a claim or exercise any other right under your policy.

When considering which policy is right for you, make sure you consider your needs, as well as your financial situation. Reading the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination (TMD) is a good place to start as they will give you more detail, so you can decide if the plan is right for you.

Allianz Travel Insurance offers a number of travel insurance plans – Basic , Comprehensive , Domestic , Non-Medical or Multi-Trip Travel Insurance . You can see more detailed information on our Compare Cover Options page .

This product has a general exclusion, with limited exceptions, against epidemics and pandemics. That means we don’t cover claims that arise from, or are related to, an epidemic or pandemic.

However, you’re covered under selected benefits in this product if, during your period of cover, you’re positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, such as COVID-19.

Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement to see which benefits offer cover in the event that you contract a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, and the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions that apply.

Note: There is no cover under any benefit of this policy if your claim arises because you did not follow advice or a warning that has been issued by the Australian Government or a reliable mass media source. This applies even if an Australian government has given you permission to travel, or you fall under a specific exemption where there is otherwise a travel ban in place.

If you have any questions call us on 13 1000 .

If you need to shorten your journey while travelling, or are prevented from travelling due to a COVID-19 border closure or mandatory quarantine period, you may be entitled to receive a partial or full refund on your premium. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for more information.

Eligibility criteria applies. Contact us on 1800 440 806 or email us .

There is no cover under any benefit of this policy if your claim arises because you didn’t follow an advice or warning that a reasonable person would have been aware of, that has been issued by the Australian government (when a ‘reconsider your need to travel’ or ‘do not travel’ alert is in place), which can be found on Smartraveller ; or which was published in a reliable mass media source.

Before buying travel insurance, and while you’re travelling, check Smartraveller and Allianz Partners for travel alerts or advisories for your intended destination(s).

Note: This applies even if an Australian government has given you permission to travel, or you fall under a specific exemption where there is otherwise a travel ban in place.

Tip: Subscribe to Smartraveller to get travel alerts and advisory updates by email.

Refer to General Exclusions in the Product Disclosure Statement for a full list of exclusions.

If you have any questions, call us on 13 1000 .

A general exclusion, sometimes referred to as a policy exclusion or exclusion, is an exclusion that applies to all policy benefits.

Should a general exclusion apply, your travel insurance policy won’t provide cover for the specified event, activities or circumstances.

Refer to General Exclusions in the Product Disclosure Statement provided at the time of purchase for a full list of exclusions.

We're here to help

Give us a call, or send us a message, follow us on, *conditions apply.

• Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement for full details.
• Policy terms, conditions, limits, exclusions, and sub-limits apply to particular types of losses, premium refunds (full or partial) or claims. This product has a general exclusion, with limited exceptions, against epidemics and pandemics. That means we don’t cover claims that arise from, or are related to, an epidemic or pandemic. However, you’re covered under selected benefits in this product if, during your period of cover, you’re positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, such as COVID-19. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement to see which benefits offer cover in the event you contract a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic, and the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions that apply.
• Terms, conditions, limits, exclusions and sub-limits apply. Cancellation cover is only available on Comprehensive, Domestic and Multi-Trip Plans. Refer to Cancellation and General Exclusions sections of the Product Disclosure Statement for full details.
• Car Insurance
• CTP Insurance
• Home Insurance
• Landlord Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Boat Insurance
• Caravan Insurance
• Business Insurance
• Business Insurance Pack
• Workers' Compensation
• Renewals / Payments
• Manage Your Policy
• Policy Documents
• Customer Support
• How we help
• Sustainability
• Partnerships
• Work with us

Any advice here does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply. Before making a decision about this insurance, please consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)/Policy Wording and Supplementary PDS (if applicable). Where applicable, the PDS/Policy Wording, Supplementary PDS and Target Market Determination (TMD) for this insurance are available on this website.

Travel Insurance is issued and managed by AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 AFS Licence No. 245631, trading as Allianz Global Assistance (AGA) as agent of the insurer Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFS Licence No. 234708 (Allianz). Travel Insurance is underwritten by the insurer Allianz. Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply.

We don’t provide advice based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision, please consider the Product Disclosure Statement available on this website. If you purchase this insurance, AGA will receive a commission that is a percentage of the premium. Ask us for more details before we provide you with any services on this product.

Travel Insurance

• Help Centre

Any questions?

Mon-Fri 9AM - 5PM

Depart From

Cruise line, departure date.

Click to Get Travel Insurance

Cruise travel insurance: What it covers and why you need it

What does cruise travel insurance cover? And does it pay to buy cruise travel insurance?

The answer is not always clear-cut, as we'll discuss in this guide. But consider this: It's not always smooth seas when it comes to cruising. Even the best-laid plans for a cruise vacation can sometimes be thrown off course by an unexpected event.

You might need to cancel a cruise in advance due to the sudden onset of an illness, such as COVID-19 or the flu. Or, maybe you fall ill during the cruise and need emergency medical attention. Maybe your flight to your ship gets canceled, and you miss the vessel's departure. Or your ship is late arriving in port at the end of a voyage, and you miss your flight home.

In all of these situations, you might benefit from having cruise travel insurance — keyword "might."

Cruise insurance policies vary widely, and not every policy covers every type of mishap. That's why it always pays to read the fine print in a travel insurance policy before you purchase it to know what you're getting in advance.

It's also why you should read this introduction to everything you need to know about cruise insurance. It has many details, but the next time something unexpected happens on your cruise vacation, you'll be glad to be educated and covered by a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

What does travel insurance cover when you cruise?

The typical cruise insurance policy covers a wide range of circumstances that can go wrong in conjunction with a vacation at sea — both before and during the sailing.

For starters, policies often will reimburse you for the cost of canceling a cruise due to a last-minute crisis. They will also often cover costs related to an interruption of a cruise (maybe your ship breaks down, requiring you to fly home mid-voyage ). These two elements are known as trip-cancellation and trip-interruption insurance, and they are bundled into a typical travel insurance policy.

Some policies will also cover out-of-pocket costs related to a flight delay or cancellation that results in you missing your cruise departure (for instance, the cost of catching up to the ship at its next port). Expenses related to baggage delays and loss are often covered as well.

But perhaps most importantly, many travel insurance policies will cover medical expenses you incur while on a cruise. Some will even cover the cost of evacuating from a foreign destination if you are in the midst of a medical crisis.

Travel insurance giant Allianz Global Assistance reports that 53% of all cruise-related "billing reasons" for claims are because of illness for the insured person, while 14% are for an injury. Another 8% are for the illness of a family member, 4% for the death of a family member and 4% for the illness of a traveling companion, among other reasons.

Those percentages include illness and accidents that happen to cruisers just before a trip, making travel impossible. But, in many cases, such claims result from illness and injuries that occur during voyages.

"People often take risks during vacation that they might not take back home, whether riding a jet ski, zipping around on a motorized scooter in a city they don't know well or hiking unfamiliar terrain," James Page, senior vice president and chief administration officer of AIG Travel, told TPG .

Some policies also cover the financial default of a travel provider. In such cases, if your cruise line goes out of business before you sail, you could get all — or at least some — of your money back.

Cruise travel insurance policies don't cover everything. For instance, standard travel insurers generally will not reimburse you for the cost of a cruise you cancel due to worries about an outbreak of an illness. That's true even if a U.S. government agency such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues a recommendation that you don't cruise due to an illness outbreak, as it did during the COVID-19 pandemic .

If you want the ultimate flexibility to cancel for such a reason or any other, you'll want to look into a more expensive cancel for any reason travel insurance upgrade.

Related: Avoiding outbreaks isn't covered by most travel insurance policies

Where to find a cruise travel insurance policy

You can buy a travel insurance policy directly from your cruise line when booking your trip or through your travel agent (if you're using one, which often is a good idea when booking a cruise). You also can go directly to a third-party travel insurance provider or a travel-insurance aggregator site, such as InsureMyTrip or TravelInsurance . Your credit card might even give you some travel protections.

Here's what you need to know about each type of cruise travel insurance.

Third-party insurance companies

Third-party insurance companies that specialize in writing travel insurance include AIG Travel, Allianz Travel Insurance, Travelex Insurance and American Express Travel Insurance.

One reason to use a travel agent or a travel aggregator: They can help you find a policy that offers added coverage specific to cruising.

Related: The Points Guy's guide to the best travel insurance companies

"Many plans now offer benefits that will specifically appeal to cruise travelers, such as missed connection, missed port-of-call and cruise disablement coverage," Stan Sandberg, cofounder of TravelInsurance.com, said.

Missed connection coverage reimburses cruisers for a set dollar amount if they need to rebook travel to catch up with their cruise at the next port. Missed port-of-call coverage pays a benefit if the cruise ship misses a scheduled port of call due to weather, a natural disaster or a mechanical breakdown.

Cruise disablement coverage pays a benefit if the traveler is confined on a ship for more than five hours without power, food, water or restrooms.

As noted, policies vary widely. It's a good idea to compare plans and make sure the one you buy has the elements that are most important to you. One size doesn't fit all.

Credit cards with travel benefits

Some premium credit cards offer valuable travel protections comparable to what you might get from a standard travel insurance plan. For example, the travel insurance provided when you pay for travel with select cards can reimburse you for expenses if your baggage is damaged, you're stranded overnight due to a flight delay or cancellation, or you have to return home to handle a family medical emergency.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card, for example, offers trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, emergency medical coverage and even medical evacuation coverage , among other benefits. And yes, cruise lines are considered common carriers just like airlines.

If you're planning to rely on a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or The Platinum Card® from American Express * (among others) for travel insurance, just be sure to recheck your card's benefits and limits carefully against regular travel insurance. You must pay for at least part — and sometimes all — of the trip with that credit card to take advantage of its protections.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises

Find out if your credit card protection includes travel accident insurance or covers preexisting medical conditions, and figure out when it will pay you back. Other questions to ask: What are the coverage limits? Will you have to pay for a foreign hospital bill upfront and then seek reimbursement later?

Cruise lines

Cruise lines often ask consumers booking a cruise to buy the line's own protection at the time of purchase. If specifics about the coverage are lacking, always ask the line for details in advance, review coverage perks and limits; then, compare those to one or two independent travel insurance policies or your credit card's insurance benefits.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Cruise line travel insurance policies sometimes have quirks. Many cruise companies will only offer a travel voucher or credit for future use in the event of a covered cancellation, not an outright refund.

Also, financial default may not be a covered event in a cruise line-sold policy, but it's typically covered with plans from third-party travel insurance companies.

Cruise line policies also can be more restrictive.

"Cruise line insurance seems to have become better and has more widespread coverage than in the past, but it typically won't cover air or pre- and post-travel [arrangements] unless those elements are purchased through [the line]," said Debra Kerper, a Cruise Planners travel adviser from Carrollton, Texas, who books travel and sells private insurance. "This is when private insurance coverage becomes so very important."

How much does cruise insurance cost?

Expect to pay anywhere from 4% to 8% of your total prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses for a travel insurance policy. That's a wide range, we know, but it reflects the wide range of products out there.

You'll also find some basic plans that cost even less than 4% of your trip expenses, while some super-premium plans that cover just about any conceivable issue can cost as much as 12% of your trip expenses.

Related: What's included in your cruise fare?

All reputable insurance companies will offer a "free-look period" during which you can receive a 100% refund on your premium. This allows you to review the policy you've selected and return it for any reason within the period allotted — usually for a small administration fee of less than $10.

Under normal circumstances, you don't need to purchase a so-called "cancel for any reason" add-on to your cruise travel insurance policy unless you really need the flexibility. The upgrades are significantly more expensive.

You can receive a quote and purchase a policy online in minutes with any credit card. Although you may think travel insurance should code as "travel" when paid on a credit card and thus be eligible for bonus points on certain cards, that isn't always the case. Your points earnings will depend on the individual underwriter's merchant code. When in doubt, expect the purchase to fall under the insurance category for earnings.

Should I buy travel insurance for a cruise?

Whether you buy travel insurance is a personal decision that will depend on many factors. Would you be willing to absorb the loss of canceling a cruise on short notice due to an illness or accident? Could you afford an evacuation flight from a far-off port if you suddenly became seriously ill? Only you can answer those sorts of questions.

Here are some things to consider as you make that decision.

You might not be covered by regular medical insurance while cruising

If you're a U.S. citizen traveling internationally (which will be the case for most cruises), you may find that most private medical insurance plans in the U.S. won't cover you.

Additionally, Original Medicare only covers people traveling outside U.S. borders in limited circumstances.

While certain Medicare Supplement Plans do have some foreign emergency medical benefits, not all do. Be sure to talk to your Medical Supplemental Plan provider to see if you're covered, what's covered, what the limits are and how the bill is paid.

Also note that, in some countries (particularly those in Central and South America), travelers may not be discharged from a hospital until their bill is paid in full.

Related: Trip wrecked: 7 ways to prepare for any kind of travel disaster

Plus, if you have a medical incident overseas, you could find yourself stuck in a shared hospital room without air conditioning or a private bathroom. The level of care may not be what you expect.

"For people traveling internationally, it's crucial to know beforehand where to go for any treatment … and how they're going to pay for that treatment," Page said.

Getting evacuated for a medical condition is expensive

Most airlines won't accept seriously ill passengers, those carrying bulky medical equipment or those requiring a full medical team.

Even a low-cost weekend getaway on a cruise to the Bahamas out of Miami can turn costly if you suffer a serious accident or illness requiring medical treatment or an emergency medical evacuation.

Related: Do cruise ships have doctors, nurses, medical centers or hospitals?

Being flown back to the U.S. from a far-flung overseas location in a private, medically equipped aircraft, with a professional medical team on board, can run between $70,000 and $180,000, according to Mike Hallman, president and CEO of Medjet, a medical transport membership company.

"Domestic transports, which we cover as well, can cost upwards of $30,000," Hallman said.

Without proof of medical evacuation coverage, foreign providers will also want that money upfront. Hallman said that regular travel insurance will typically get you to an acceptable overseas hospital and even to a higher-level care facility if "medically necessary." Alternatively, medical evacuation coverage means you can fly home to your own hospital, doctors and family — without claim forms, cost caps on transports or surprise bills.

The tandem approach — buying both travel insurance and a separate medevac transport membership — is a good option, Hallman said.

"We always recommend travel insurance, as it covers trip interruption, which is important, as well as medical coverage for the hospital and treatment costs," he said. "We pick up where they leave off."

You can't predict the weather

Cruising is a great way to explore multiple destinations in one trip. But it's good to remember that unexpected delays, interruptions or cancellations due to weather can happen during cruises, particularly during hurricane seasons in places such as the Caribbean and Asia (where hurricanes are called typhoons).

During a typical hurricane season (June 1 to Nov. 30), Allianz pays about 6,000 claims from customers whose travel plans in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and southeastern U.S. are affected by the storms, according to a spokesperson for Allianz Global Assistance USA.

If you're hoping to insure against a storm-related disaster, it's good to buy travel insurance as early as possible. Once a storm or hurricane is named, it's too late to buy travel insurance to cover it.

Of course, cruise lines will move ships away from a weather threat. When the port lineup is adjusted or the cruise shortened, the company will offer the guest an onboard credit, onboard gift or future cruise credit rather than any refund. It depends on the circumstances of that specific voyage. You won't be able to make a claim on your cruise travel insurance policy just for a minor itinerary change .

Related: Everything you need to know about cruising during hurricane season

Costs can mount quickly when things go wrong

Even if the cruise line does provide a full or partial refund or cruise credit for an itinerary change or some other interruption, travelers could have to swallow the cost of other travel elements not purchased through the line. That could include nonrefundable flights , prepaid resort or hotel nights, nonrefundable tour fees and more.

Travel insurance can cover those, plus help with flight delays or cancellations, baggage loss or theft.

If a winter storm causes you to miss your flight to where the ship is boarding , "travel insurance could help you get to the next port to join the cruise, so you don't miss your entire trip," Page said.

In fact, 13% of "billing reasons" for claims to Allianz are for common carrier delays (such as a flight delay), while weather and natural disaster-related claims account for about 3%.

The government probably won't bail you out

While cruise ships have medical facilities, they're usually not equipped to treat serious illnesses. If you experience a serious medical problem on a vessel, you may have to get off the ship in a foreign port to seek treatment at a hospital. In such a case, if you don't have medical evacuation insurance, you may then find yourself stranded in that port awaiting a medical evacuation.

Don't expect Uncle Sam to step in and help foot the bill.

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs clearly states the importance of buying travel insurance.

"The U.S. government does not provide medical insurance for U.S. citizens overseas," the bureau says on the website. "We do not pay medical bills. You should purchase insurance before you travel."

You may need more assistance than you think

If you're injured or become severely ill during a cruise, especially in a foreign country, it may be difficult to access help without the assistance of trained professionals that comes with many insurance plans.

Many travel insurance companies provide around-the-clock assistance with locating overseas clinics and pharmacies, getting to a doctor or hospital, refilling lost or depleted prescriptions, assisting with up-front payments to hospitals, and arranging flight changes so you can get home.

Travel insurance companies also can arrange for an air ambulance, a nurse escort, oxygen and a lie-flat seat on a flight home if your medical condition warrants it.

You want to be careful if you have preexisting conditions

When you cruise, it's important to be fully covered, which means having comprehensive medical coverage that includes any preexisting conditions. Otherwise, if you head into a doctor's office overseas, have any tests completed, or visit an urgent care center or emergency room, you might not be covered.

Here, timing is extremely important. Cruisers seeking coverage of preexisting conditions, as well as cancel for any reason insurance, generally must book within seven to 21 days of the first payment they make for a trip. The timing varies by insurer.

Bottom line

Cruise insurance isn't for every traveler — or even for every sailing. It's not inexpensive. However, it can bring a lot of peace of mind if you're about to head out to sea. Do your homework, compare plans and always assess the risks.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.