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Visiting Australia? Consider Travel Insurance

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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.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 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.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 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.

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 .

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• Key takeaways

Do I need travel insurance to visit Australia?

Best travel coverage for visiting australia, what does travel insurance for australia cover, what isn’t covered by travel insurance for australia, how much does travel insurance for australia cost, tips for getting the best australia travel insurance, australia travel information & requirements, australia travel insurance faqs, related topics.

Australia Travel Insurance: Trip Info & Quotes for U.S. Visitors

• To travel to Australia, you must have a valid U.S. passport , but you don’t need a visa.
• The Australian government doesn’t require American tourists to purchase travel insurance, but it’s wise to have at least medical and medical evacuation coverage since your U.S. health insurance won’t work in Australia .
• In addition to medical emergencies, travel insurance can also cover things like trip cancellations, trip interruptions and rental car damage .
• According to our research, our top picks for travel insurance for Australia come from Travel Insured, Travelex and Faye ( skip ahead to view these plans ).
• We recommend using an online comparison tool to find the best travel insurance policy to suit your needs.

Our top picks for the best australia travel insurance

• Travel Insured International: Best for Robust Coverage
• Travelex Insurance Services: Best for Basic Medical Coverage
• Faye Travel Insurance: Best for Digital Claims Process & App

Our top picks for travel insurance for Australia

Travel insured international, travelex insurance services, faye travel insurance.

Australia doesn’t require U.S. tourists to buy travel insurance, but we highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive policy before your trip commences.

Below are some risks you may encounter that would make purchasing travel insurance worthwhile .

Risks with adventure activities

Australia is one of the best places to visit if you love parasailing, paragliding, hot air ballooning, diving and other adventure activities. Unfortunately, these activities are risky, so there’s a chance that you’ll break a bone or sustain some other type of injury.

Travel insurance covers medical expenses and other costs associated with these injuries, ensuring you don’t end up with a huge hospital bill. This type of insurance is especially helpful if you plan to explore the Great Barrier Reef, take an excursion into the Outback or swim near the shoreline of one of Australia’s beautiful beaches.

Risks due to wildlife

Australia is full of dangerous critters, from venomous spiders and snakes to aggressive kangaroos. Depending on where you visit, you may end up encountering an unfriendly Tasmanian devil. U.S. medical insurance typically doesn’t work in Australia, so it’s important to have travel insurance for these unexpected situations. If you’re bitten by a Tasmanian devil or sustain some other wildlife-related injury, travel insurance takes the place of your regular medical insurance.

Risks due to bushfires

Bushfires  have a high heat output and can cause a significant amount of damage in a short amount of time. If you find yourself in Australia during one of these fires, you may have to contend with damage to your rental car or your personal belongings. Comprehensive travel insurance may reimburse you for damaged or destroyed items, or it may reimburse your rental car agency for the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle.

Risks related to long-distance driving

Australia has many isolated regions that are hundreds of miles from the nearest populated area. You may have to drive several hundred miles to reach your destination, so it’s important to have travel insurance before you set off on an adventure.

Best for Robust Coverage

Why we like it.

• Travel delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
• Generous $150,000 non-medical evacuation coverage
• 24/7 emergency travel assistance included
• CFAR and IFAR coverage not included
• Baggage delay coverage only kicks in after 12 hours
• No rental car coverage

Best for Basic Medical Coverage

• Plans can be customized with upgrades
• Children 17 and under included for free with some plans
• Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions available
• CFAR coverage is available as an add-on to a comprehensive travel insurance plan
• Optional CFAR coverage only reimburses 50% of prepaid travel expenses, which is less than some competitors
• Travel Select plan only has $50,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses, which is lower than some competitors
• The baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour waiting period
• CFAR coverage is not available with all Travelex plans

Best for Digital Claims Process & App

Editor's take

Faye is a new travel insurance disruptor that offers an innovative solution to travel insurance with a digital-first approach. What sets them apart is their user-friendly solution to a traditionally bureaucratic system. With Faye, users can manage everything online or via the Faye app – including the entire booking and claims process. Although it’s a newer provider in the travel insurance industry, Faye is already rising as a fan favorite among young, tech-savvy travelers and digital nomads who want quick, convenient, and reliable travel insurance without having to go through an agent.

Apart from their online-first approach, Faye is easy to use and caters to all types of travelers including those who may want help via phone support.

Another feature that sets Faye apart from the competition is their plan offerings. Faye offers one base plan with an array of comprehensive coverage and optional add-ons to customize your plan.

Potential Add-ons include:

• Rental car care
• Cancel for any reason
• Vacation rental damage
• Adventure & extreme sports

If you are looking for a convenient and cost-effective way to insure your vacation, consider opting for Faye travel insurance. *Note: Coverage limits and availability may vary by state of residence.

Read our full review

• Friendly agents
• Easy-to-use mobile app
• Fast reimbursements for eligible claims
• Prompt replies to questions
• Long wait times for reimbursement
• Difficulty reaching Faye outside of email & virtual chat

Travel insurance can cover a wide range of circumstances, but each plan has different inclusions and exclusions. Here is a look at the most important types of travel insurance coverage to consider getting when visiting Australia.

Trip cancellation insurance

Australia is far away and is a developed nation on par with the United States. That means trips to Australia are usually quite expensive. It’s never fun to cancel a vacation you’ve been looking forward to for months, but it’s even worse when a cancellation results in significant financial losses.

Trip cancellation insurance protects you if you have to cancel your trip to Australia for a reason stipulated in the policy. For example, if one of your travel companions is diagnosed with a serious illness before your departure date, you can use your insurance to recoup pre-paid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

If you want to have coverage for any type of circumstance, you can also purchase cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance . Typically sold as an add-on, this type of coverage will reimburse you for around 50% to 70% of your total prepaid costs .

Trip delay insurance

To get to Australia, you may have to rely on the services of multiple common carriers. For example, you may have to fly to Australia and then take a ferry to your final destination. Trip delay insurance reimburses you for any expenses you incur as the result of a common carrier delay. If your flight is canceled, for example, your insurer may reimburse you for meals, a hotel, additional transportation costs, and other related expenses.

Trip interruption insurance

Imagine that you arrive in Australia, enjoy a few days of fun and then come down with a severe illness. You’re so sick that you have to return to the United States sooner than expected. Trip interruption insurance reimburses your pre-paid, nonrefundable expenses in this type of scenario. It should also cover the cost of adjusting your travel plans or accessing emergency assistance services.

Travel medical insurance

As noted previously, it’s unlikely you will be be able to use your U.S. health insurance in Australia . Therefore, it’s important to have travel medical insurance to cover things like urgent care, hospitalization, blood tests, CT scans and other healthcare services. If you’re injured while snorkeling or suddenly develop appendicitis during your trip, you can rest easy knowing that your medical expenses are covered.

Medical evacuation insurance

If you’re injured in the Outback, you can’t exactly hop in a cab and get to a hospital within a few minutes. Medical evacuation insurance covers the cost of transporting you to a healthcare facility that’s capable of meeting your needs. For example, if you need emergency assistance, your policy may cover the cost of air medical services (like helicopter transportation).

Insurance for personal items

We recommend that you leave your valuables at home, but if you just have to take jewelry, designer clothing or expensive sports equipment on your trip, make sure your travel insurance includes coverage for lost, stolen and damaged items. This type of coverage reimburses you if a common carrier loses or damages your luggage or its contents.

Rental car coverage

Rental car coverage can protect you under the following circumstances:

• You’re involved in an auto accident caused by someone else.
• Someone vandalizes your rental vehicle.
• Someone steals your rental vehicle.

If your policy includes this type of coverage, your insurer will reimburse the rental agency any time you experience a covered loss. For example, if you get into a fender-bender in one of Sydney’s famous traffic jams, your insurance company should reimburse the rental agency for the cost of repairs.

Travel insurance for Australia doesn’t cover the following:

• Pre-existing conditions: If you’re diagnosed with a medical condition like asthma or diabetes before you buy your travel insurance, your insurer won’t pay for medical expenses associated with that diagnosis. In some cases, however, you can opt for a plan with a waiver. This can ensure coverage for pre-existing conditions during your trip.
• Illegal activities: Travel insurance doesn’t cover expenses arising from any illegal activities, such as injuries that occur while under the influence of illicit substances.
• Fear of travel: If you book a trip and then suddenly develop a fear of flying, your insurance company won’t reimburse you for your pre-paid expenses. The same applies to a fear of seeing a spider or encountering a Tasmanian devil during your trip.
• Expected events: Travel insurance doesn’t cover expenses associated with events that you knew about (or should have known about) before a trip. For example, if you book a trip and buy insurance after a named storm has started developing, your insurer won’t reimburse you if the storm forces you to cancel or interrupt your trip.

For a trip to Australia, we found that the cost of travel insurance ranges from less than $1 per day to around $11 per day depending on the type of coverage.

To give you a better idea, we requested multiple quotes from leading travel insurance providers.

These quotes are based on the following criteria:

• Age: 35 years old
• Destination: Australia
• Trip Length: 7 days
• Trip cost: $2,000

You can see our quotes for basic travel insurance in the following table. The cheapest travel insurance plan costs just under $1 per day .

Example Where Plan Doesn’t Reimburse the Full Trip Cost

The plans in this next table are more comprehensive. In addition to medical and medical evacuation coverage, they also include trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage. According to our quotes, these plans cost between $7 and $11 per day .

Example Where Plan Does Reimburse the Full Trip Cost

Your costs won’t be exactly the same, as insurance companies base their premiums on these factors:

• Trip cost: Insurance companies reimburse you for up to 100% of your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses. The more your trip costs, the more your insurance provider has to pay you if you experience a covered loss. Therefore, the cost of your insurance plan depends on the cost of your trip.
• Age: Older people are more likely to develop serious medical problems while traveling, so it costs more to insure a 60-year-old or 70-year-old traveler than it does to insure someone in their 20s.
• Insurance benefits: Some travel insurance plans come with more benefits than others. For example, a plan that offers $1 million in medical evacuation coverage will cost more than a plan that comes with only $100,000 in medical evacuation coverage.
• Destination: Some destinations are riskier than others, so insurance companies charge different rates based on your itinerary.
• Add-on coverage: You may need to purchase add-on coverage, such as insurance for adventure activities. If so, you’ll pay an additional premium for the extra benefits.

To find the best travel insurance for your needs, follow these tips:

Consider how you’re getting to and around Australia.

You’ll have to take an airplane from the United States to Australia, but depending on your plans, you may also need to ride a train or take a ferry at some point. The more carriers you use, the more likely you are to experience delays and other problems, increasing the amount of coverage needed.

Think carefully about what you plan to do.

If you want to visit the Sydney Opera House and check out the Australian Museum, you won’t need as much coverage as someone who plans to camp in the Outback or go parasailing over the Gold Coast. You may also want to limit your cancellation costs by purchasing cancel-for-any-reason coverage.

Time your purchase carefully.

Although you can buy Overseas Visitors Cover when you arrive, it’s typically cheaper to purchase travel insurance well in advance of your trip.

Are there COVID-19 restrictions for U.S. tourists?

No. Australia has no COVID-19-related restrictions for American travelers. However, the Australian government does recommend getting the COVID-19 vaccine, wearing masks and practicing good hygiene.

Do I need a visa or passport to travel to Australia?

Yes. You need a valid U.S. passport with at least one blank page for your entry stamp.

Is it safe to visit Australia?

The United States and Australia have a strong diplomatic relationship. Although there’s always some level of risk involved in traveling to a foreign country, Australia is generally safe for Americans. The U.S. Department of State has issued a  Level 1 travel advisory , indicating that you don’t need to take any special safety precautions when visiting the “Land Down Under.”

What travel insurance do I need to travel to Australia?

You’re not required to purchase travel insurance for Australia, but we highly recommend that you do. You never know when you’re going to have an emergency or encounter some kind of problem during a trip. To find the right policy to suit your needs, try using an online comparison tool .

Does American health insurance work in Australia?

In most cases, no. Medicare and Medicaid only work in the United States, and most private health insurance companies will only cover expenses if you use U.S. medical facilities.

Can foreigners buy travel insurance in Australia?

When you travel to Australia, you have the option of buying Overseas Visitors Cover. However, not many companies provide this type of coverage. There may also be waiting periods for medical coverage. Therefore, we recommend that you buy travel insurance before you leave the United States.

Leigh Morgan is a seasoned personal finance contributor with over 15 years of experience writing on a diverse range of professional legal and financial topics. She specializes in subjects like navigating the complexities of insurance, savings, zero-based budgeting and emergency fund development.

In the last five years, she’s authored over 300 articles for credit unions, digital banks, and financial professionals. Morgan is also the author of “77 Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse,” a book focused on helping caregivers protect the elderly from financial scams.

In addition to her writing skills, she brings real-world financial acumen thanks to her previous experience managing rental properties as part of a $34 million real estate portfolio.

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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 AUSSIES LOVE COMPARE TRAVEL INSURANCE

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

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Whether you're looking for cheap travel insurance  or fully comprehensive  cover for a domestic or international trip, you'll find the prices on our site are the same great prices you get buying travel insurance direct !

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

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

Rest Assured

All the policies we compare have 24/7 overseas emergency assistance to help in time of need. All brands are  underwritten by reputable insurers like Allianz Australia Insurance Limited, Auto & General, Chubb, Great Lakes, Lloyds, QBE & more!

Product Choice

We compare heaps of policies for all types of travellers from some of Australia’s most reputable travel insurers. We compare 25+ insurance brands including, 1Cover, Amex, Budget Direct, Insure and Go, Virgin Money, Zoom & more!

Travel Insurance Extraordinaire At Your Service

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

Why Buy Travel Insurance?

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

Exxy Medical Costs

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

Disasters Can Strike

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

Your Stuff Is Important

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

Peace Of Mind

Because you have to.

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

Trending TRIP COVER  Tips And Guides

ultimate guide to travel insurance

Travel insurance is two words that could make all the difference to your holiday. Get the lowdown on how to choose the right travel insurance policy and the potential traps.

Pre-existing medical conditions

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

CORONAvIRUS & travel insurance

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

TRAVEL INSURANCE REVIEWS

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

Or perhaps you want to have your say? Whether you love or loathe your travel insurer  rate and review them to help other Aussies pick the right policy for their holiday.

Travel Insurance  Frequently Asked Questions

Does travel insurance cover coronavirus (covid-19).

It depends! Unfortunately, the answer isn't a straightforward one. There are some situations where cover is available, and others where it is an exclusion. It largely depends on which insurer you bought your policy with ; when you bought it; where you're travelling to; when you're travelling; and, the reason for your claim. As travel continues to open up around the world, most (but not all) insurers provide cover for overseas hospital & medical expenses if someone named on the policy was positively diagnosed with COVID-19. Some insurers also provide cover for additional expenses and cancellation benefits.

Which is the best travel insurance in Australia?

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

What does comprehensive travel insurance cover?

Comprehensive travel insurance includes coverage for unexpected medical expenses overseas in the event of injury or illness, as well as cover if your luggage is lost or stolen, cancellation and disruption benefits if you need to cancel or are delayed for unforeseen reasons, as well as public liability cover. Go to our comprehensive travel insurance guide to learn more.

What do medical-only policies cover?

Medical-only trip insurance a.k.a basic policies generally only offer coverage for unexpected medical expenses overseas. Some basic policies also include a small amount of coverage for luggage or cancellations. Our website allows you to filter quotes for basic, mid-range and comprehensive travel insurance policies and their features to help you find the policy which is right for you.

Is it too late to buy travel cover?

Although we recommend buying a policy as soon as you've started paying deposits for flights, accommodation and tours, you can buy travel insurance at any point, even if you are already overseas . Exclusions often apply though, so be sure to check the PDS before you buy.

Can I purchase travel insurance at the airport?

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

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

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

Does travel insurance cover pregnancy?

You can buy travel insurance to cover you when you're pregnant, but every brand has different rules depending on how many weeks gestation you are, whether you've had complications, and whether you're looking for cover in case of emergency birth. Check out the handy table on our pregnancy guide for more information.

Do I need cover in Australia?

If you're an Australian resident, a domestic policy covers you for cancellations, luggage cover and often rental vehicle excess, but as you're covered by Medicare, medical coverage is not included. International visitors to Australia are currently not required to have travel insurance by law, but it is highly recommended to protect you from eye-watering medical bills and more.

Which is the cheapest policy?

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

Why should I buy travel insurance direct online?

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

Our Travel Insurance Comparision Helps You

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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.

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Australia Travel Insurance for Visitors

Travel insurance and safety advice for visitors to australia.

Learn what you need to know about travel insurance and safety for an Australian journey, including our top seven tips for safe travel.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Australia?

You are not required to have travel insurance to visit Australia, but it is strongly encouraged. Australia’s government travel authority says, “ If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.”

Medical care in Australia can be expensive for travelers and visitors. A doctor or dentist visit can cost hundreds of dollars. Most hospital stays, for emergencies or illnesses, cost a visitor several thousand dollars – often more. Visitor health coverage in Australia is worth the investment if you get sick or injured.

Read the fine print of your travel insurance before you sign up for a plan. Try to match the insurance coverage with your trip plans and coverage needs. If you are scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef, for example, make sure appropriate adventure sports insurance is included when considering travel insurance policies. If you have pre-existing medical conditions, make sure those will be treated with the coverage you select.

Some Countries Share Reciprocal Health Care with Australia – and Their Visitors Still Choose Travel Insurance

People from some countries can receive coverage for emergency health care in Australia as part of a reciprocal health care agreement. These countries include the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Italy, and Malta.

However, travelers from these countries still purchase travel insurance with comprehensive health coverage for visits to Australia. Travel health insurance provides many more benefits than basic emergency care. These can include repatriation support or special travel accommodations after an emergency.

Related: Health Insurance in Australia for Expats and Foreigners

What Vaccinations Are Required for Travel to Australia?

Travelers who have been in a yellow fever danger zone within six days before their arrival in Australia also need to show proof of vaccination against yellow fever.

You may want a rabies vaccine if you plan on outdoor activities, like caving or conservation volunteering, where you might get bitten by a bat. While Australia is rabies-free, its bats can carry the closely related illness, Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV), which the rabies vaccine also protects against. Get the rabies vaccine two weeks before you travel, and bring proof of vaccination with you.

Starting in November 2021, travelers to Australia had to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, that requirement was lifted in July 2022. For the latest information about COVID-19 and travel from Australia, visit the Department of Home Affairs . Since issues around the COVID-19 pandemic change rapidly, you should also keep up to date with the  Australia Travel Declaration in case it becomes necessary again.

Bring Your Necessary Medications and Prescriptions

You need to bring your own medications to Australia, and it’s helpful to bring printed copies of your necessary prescriptions. When packing your medication for your trip, leave all medication in its original, labeled container. Try to bring enough to cover your entire trip. For any medications you need, also bring a prescription and note from your doctor containing the generic name of the drug and an explanation of why you need the medication.

Some drugs found over-the-counter in your home may need a prescription in Australia. These include oral contraceptives, asthma medication, all antibiotics, and medicine for pre-existing medical conditions.

Get Online Travel Insurance Quotes for Australia

You should have travel insurance that includes visitor health cover and cover for theft, evacuation, repatriation, and trip interruption. We have two recommendations for the best travel insurance for visitors to Australia.

For most travelers to Australia, we recommend the Atlas Travel Insurance plan for affordable global coverage. For US citizens traveling to Australia, we recommend GeoBlue Voyager Insurance. This is a premium option with a high level of coverage for a slightly higher rate. Get quotes for each of these options here.

• Emergency medical, evacuation, repatriation benefits
• Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
• Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
• 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance

GeoBlue Voyager Plan

• For U.S. citizens up to age 95
• Includes pregnancy coverage, baggage loss, trip interruption & more
• 24/7/365 service and assistance

Seven Top Tips for Travel Safety in Australia

Here are our top seven tips for safe travel and travel insurance in Australia. With common sense and good travel insurance, you can prepare for every adventure Australia offers.

1.       Be Sensible Around Personal Security

Australia is a relatively safe destination for personal security. Take special care when out late at night in city centers. Do you plan on enjoying the nightlife? Have fun, but don’t leave drinks unattended or accept drinks from strangers. And only get rides from licensed taxis or rideshare providers.

If you are staying in a quiet rural area, lock your doors, and keep valuables and luggage in your lodging, not in your vehicle. Tourist rental cars sometimes get broken into at remote parking lots for natural attractions. A travel insurance plan with theft and loss coverage will support you if this happens.

2.       Stay Informed With Australian Travel Warnings and Updates

Australian emergency services provide travel warnings and updates. Check the Australian Bureau of Meteorolog y for reports about weather and, in summer, bush fires.

In 2019 and 2020, extreme bush fires in Australia made international news. If you are visiting an area and a bush fire breaks out, follow local evacuation orders. Travel insurance can support you if your plan covers evacuation and accommodation around emergencies or travel delays.

3.       Prepare for Weather Extremes – Sun and Heat, Dryness and Rain

Out of all the outdoor perils in Australia, you are most likely to encounter the harsh sun. The saying Down Under is "slip, slop, and slap" – slip on a shirt, slop on lots of sunscreen, and slap on a hat. Even schoolchildren wear hats and long sleeves to go outside at recess. Sunscreen is required, too. Australian high-SPF sunscreens, starting at 30 SPF, are made for Australian conditions. A good visitor health plan will cover you if you need emergency care for an extreme sunburn – but you’ll still have to deal with discomfort and inconvenience.

Australian weather can be extreme. A warm day can cool down to a chilly evening. Summer days in desert areas like Alice Springs can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). The intense sun can be dry and thirst-inducing one day, and the next day can bring monsoon-like rains. When you go on night-time tours, it can get extremely cold. Bring layers of clothing to wear, and accessorize with your favorite hat and water bottle.

4.       Watch Out for Wildlife

Australian wildlife is famous for being venomous, poisonous, and dangerous. You are most likely to encounter the smaller venomous animals. Snakes often bask by roadsides, in parking lots, and on hiking trails. Spiders love to sneak into human bathrooms and surprise you at night. To avoid both, wear shoes or sandals, and shake out clothes and footwear before you put them on. In the water, watch out for jellyfish. Australians nickname them "stingers"  because of their often powerful and occasionally fatal sting. Beaches that have a lot of jellyfish usually post warning signs.

Most people are wary around sharks and crocodiles in Australian waters. Swim securely at beaches with lifeguards and other people around. Lifeguards will warn you if they see or hear about risky creatures. Lifeguards can also provide first aid and get you to help. A beautiful beach with no swimmers and no lifeguards may conceal dangerous creatures!

The smallest animals in Australia can make you very uncomfortable. Insects like mosquitos, ticks, and sandflies are major pests. Mosquitos can carry diseases, including dengue fever, encephalitis, and Ross River virus. Sandfly bites are notorious for being very uncomfortable.

Protect yourself from insect stings. Wear long sleeves and full-length trousers. Sleep in rooms with screened windows. And invest in Australian insect repellent with at least 20% DEET, even if you wouldn't use it normally. If an insect bite is swollen or infected, get emergency care for the reaction. This will be covered by a good travel health insurance plan.

5.       Swim and Boat Safely

Australia is full of beautiful beaches and idyllic rivers. The first point of being safe around them is, again, to swim at beaches with lifeguards and other people. If a beach or a river is empty of people, there is often a good reason for that: contaminated water, dangerous currents, or the presence of sharks and crocodiles.

Visitors often rent jet skis, kayaks, and other boating equipment. Follow the safety instructions and laws when you hire these and go out on the water. Always wear a life jacket, and never go out on unfamiliar waters alone. If you’re planning on jet skis and kayaks, boost your travel insurance with adventure sports coverage.

6.       Driving the Outback? Be Prepared

Adventure-minded travelers love to hit the road in Australia. In Australia, the road rules are to drive on the left side of the road. Not familiar with this? Take some time to practice in a quiet area. A car rental location can often tell you a good area nearby to practice Australian driving.

For long rural drives in Australia, know that you are driving through remote deserts. Bring extra gasoline, water and food in your vehicle. Let someone know when you are leaving, where you are going, and when you expect to arrive. If you are looking at Google maps and you don’t see any small towns or buildings, that means no places to buy food or fuel. So be prepared!

Roads in the Outback are often unpaved, dusty and stony. Watch out for rocks damaging axles and stones chipping windscreens. If it rains, you can suddenly be driving in a stream bed. Most distressing of all, if you don’t drive carefully, you might hit an animal, especially at night. Kangaroo-and-car collisions are very common. Make sure that you have comprehensive vehicle insurance so that all these things are covered – even the kangaroo collision.

7.       Get Ready When Hiking or Tramping

Hiking or tramping in the Outback or natural parks like the Blue Mountains calls for extra safety, too. Here are some of the basics for hiking safely in Australia. Planning to hike? Definitely learn more before you go.

Again, let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back. You may ask a local if anything unusual has happened in the area where you plan to hike, such as a forest fire. Bring more food and water than you need and first aid supplies. Dress for the extremes of the weather where you are going. Serious hikers can rent a satellite phone or a personal locator beacon in case of emergency. Consider buying Emergency Evacuation Insurance which will transport you to the closest medical facility able to handle your injury or illness.

The best safety aid in the Outback is an experienced guide. Guides will provide first aid, communication help, and knowledge of the country. Hiring a local guide is an excellent way to support Australia’s many indigenous communities. A good guide makes your Outback journey far safer and truly special.

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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

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.

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.

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

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International Basic

Essential cover designed for Australian travellers on a budget.

Pre-trip cover if you're diagnosed with COVID-19

On-trip cover if you're diagnosed with COVID-19^##

Unlimited~ overseas emergency medical expenses^

Up to $5,000 luggage cover

Existing medical conditions cover available

Optional cancellation cover

Single Trip policies

Annual Multi-Trip policies^

Rental vehicle insurance excess

International Comprehensive

Extensive cover and benefit limits to provide extra financial protection.

Pre-trip cover if you're diagnosed with COVID-19#

On-trip cover if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 while travelling^##

Up to $15,000 luggage cover*

Optional cancellation cover with Cancellation Extensions

Single Trip or Annual Multi-Trip^^ policies

Rental vehicle comprehensive cover

International Comprehensive +

Everything our Comprehensive Plan includes and more + higher benefit limits.

Pre-trip cover if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 before travelling#

Up to $25,000 luggage cover*

Business trip benefits

* Item limits apply.

~ Cover will not exceed 12 months from onset of the illness, condition, or injury.

^ For cruise-related expenses, Cruise Cover must be included in the policy. There is no cover for cabin confinement related to COVID-19.

^^ Policy availability subject to age, trip duration and area of travel. Policies may not be available to all travellers.

# Up to $5,000 per policy (or the amount chosen if this is less) applies to International Comprehensive Plan and Comprehensive+ Plan policyholders with Amendment or Cancellation Costs cover included. You must be diagnosed with COVID-19 and certified by a qualified medical practitioner as being not fit to travel for cover to apply.

## Up to $5,000 per policy (or the amount chosen if this is less) applies per policy for policyholders with Amendment or Cancellation Costs cover included. You must be diagnosed with COVID-19 and certified by a qualified medical practitioner as being not fit to travel for cover to apply. A special excess applies.

Searching for COVID-19 cover?

To help you explore the world with confidence, our travel insurance provides cover for COVID-19-related:

Overseas medical costs*~#

Amendment and cancellation costs*^

Additional expenses*#^

*Limits, sub-limits, conditions, and exclusions apply.

~Medical cover will not exceed 12 months from onset.

#Cover for medical costs related to COVID-19 is not available on our Domestic Plans.

^A special excess will apply.

Holiday hasn't  gone to plan?

You can submit a Cover-More travel insurance claim online at any time – and from anywhere.

Get emergency support, fast. We're here 24/7.

When adventure awaits... we can help provide cover.

Setting sail for two or more nights? You'll need to let us know and Cruise Cover will be added to your policy.

Snow Sports

Hitting the slopes? Consider protecting your winter getaway with one of our two levels of Snow Sports Cover.

Adventure Activities

Planning on engaging in extreme activities? We've got two additional Adventure Activities Cover options for you.

Motorcycle & Moped

Want to take to the road on two wheels? See if one of our Motorcycle/Moped Riding Cover options is right for your trip.

We're by your side when you need us most

We've been protecting Australian travellers for over 35 years. Read our customers' Cover-More travel insurance reviews to discover how our expert team provides exceptional care during uncertain times.

Mosquito bite in Bali

Shannon was bitten by a mosquito in Bali, which caused Dengue Fever.

"Cover-More were absolutely fantastic. I wasn't responding well to medical treatment, so they flew in a specialist from Singapore to accompany me all the way home. I'm so glad I had Cover-More travel insurance."

Boat crash in Thailand

Natalie was involved in a speedboat crash in Thailand, which resulted in a fractured pelvis and a brain haemorrhage.

"Luckily I had Cover-More insurance. They took care of everything and made sure we had the best medical treatment available."

Accidental fall in Poland

Irene was visiting family in Poland when she had a fall, which resulted in a bad fracture and extensive medical costs.

"Amazing. I can't praise them highly enough. Wonderful, wonderful people... Nobody should travel without insurance."

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How can we help you travel smarter.

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Finding cover for Existing Medical Conditions (EMCs)

Have an EMC? We can provide cover for various conditions to help keep you exploring, safely.

7 ways COVID-19 has changed the way we travel

Worried about travel risks during COVID-19? Discover how you can help ensure a safer trip.

What you should know before you hit the slopes

Planning a ski trip at home or abroad? Don't depart without reading our expert advice.

Got a question about travel insurance? We're here to help

What is travel insurance.

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

Most travel insurance providers offer single or multi-trip policies, which can cover multiple countries within a specific timeframe. Things like the destination, length of trip, optional additional cover for specific activities and pre-existing medical conditions all help determine the cost of a travel insurance policy.

How much does travel insurance cost?

The cost of a travel insurance policy varies from traveller to traveller because various factors affect the amount payable.

At Cover-More, we consider a number of factors when calculating the total amount payable. The following is a guide on these key factors, how they combine and how they may impact the assessment of risk and therefore the premium paid:

• Area: higher risk areas cost more.
• Departure date and trip duration: the longer the period until you depart and the longer your trip duration, the higher the cost may be.
• Age: higher risk age groups cost more.
• Plan: International Comprehensive+, which provides more cover, costs more than International Comprehensive or Domestic.
• Excess: the higher the excess the lower the cost.
• Cruise cover: additional premium applies.
• Cancellation cover: on some policies you can choose your own level of cancellation cover. The more cancellation cover you require, the higher the cost may be.
• Adding cover for Existing Medical Conditions and pregnancy (where available): additional premium may apply if a medical assessment is completed and cover is accepted by us.
• Options to vary cover (where available): additional premium applies.

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

How does travel insurance work?

Travel insurance protects you when travelling domestically or internationally by providing coverage against unforeseen circumstances that may impact your travel plans. By purchasing travel insurance with cancellation cover prior to departure, your policy can help by providing cover for the costs of trip cancellations should you no longer be able to travel, as well as the costs of overseas medical treatment, lost passports, and personal items while you’re travelling.

The customer usually pays for these costs upfront, before being reimbursed by the travel insurer upon claim approval. To approve a claim, travel insurers require documentation such as medical reports, itemised medical bills or police reports to confirm the incident occurred.

However, at Cover-More, if our customer becomes ill overseas, they can also contact our 24-Hour Emergency Assistance team for support and to seek approval for expensive medical bills to be paid directly by us to the medical care provider/s instead.

Always read the Product Disclosure Statement before purchasing a travel insurance policy to ensure it provides adequate coverage for your circumstances.

What does – and doesn’t – travel insurance cover?

Unfortunately, travel insurance can’t cover absolutely everything. This highlights the importance for travellers to read the  Product Disclosure Statement  before purchasing to avoid becoming frustrated if claims are unsuccessful. It will contain details on the situations you likely won’t be covered in, including cancellation, pre-existing medical conditions, theft or loss of belongings, adventure sports, COVID-19 scenarios and more.

For full details of the exclusions within our Cover-More travel insurance plans, consult the  Product Disclosure Statement  .

When is the best time to purchase travel insurance?

The best time to purchase travel insurance is as soon as a trip is booked, as this can increase protection. When purchased ahead of time, a Cover-More customer can cancel their travel insurance policy for a full refund within the 21-day cooling-off period. If the policy is purchased before departing on the trip, claims for rearrangements and cancellations caused by unforeseen circumstances can also be made where cancellation cover is added to the policy.

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Travel Insurance for a Trip to Australia (2024)

Travel insurance is affordable and can reduce sunken costs if you can’t make it to Australia as expected.

in under 2 minutes

Nicole Leigh West is an experienced lifestyle journalist and writer for publications including Wanderlust, TripSavvy and Vacations & Travel. Along with roaming the globe and penning fiction novels, Nicole works for World Words as a sub-editor and writer.

Sabrina Lopez is an editor with over six years of experience writing and editing digital content with a particular focus on home services, home products and personal finance. When she is not working on articles to help consumers make informed decisions, Sabrina enjoys creative writing and spending time with her family and their two parrots.

Whether you experience a travel delay or a medical emergency, travel insurance for Australian vacations provides valuable protection for expensive trip costs. Depending on the level of coverage you choose, reimbursements recoup losses for trip cancellation, lost baggage, unexpected medical treatment and more.

Below, we at the MarketWatch Guides Team discuss the benefits, costs and requirements of international travel insurance for Australia.

Compare Top Travel Insurance Companies for Australia

Use the table below to compare COVID-19 coverages, CFAR protection and pricing for travel insurance companies that will cover a trip to Australia.

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

Our editorial team follows a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing travel insurance companies. Advertisers have no effect on our rankings.

Companies Reviewed

Quotes Collected

Rating Factors

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Australia?

It’s not mandatory to purchase travel insurance as a condition of entry to Australia or neighboring New Zealand in the Australasia region. However, the Australian government strongly recommends visitors have travel insurance to cover unexpected medical costs.

While public Medicare and domestic travel insurance cover residents, visitors to Australia are treated as private patients. Therefore, you’re generally required to pay hospital expenses and other medical bills at the time of treatment. Furthermore, comprehensive travel insurance with trip cancellation protects against sudden cancellation costs.

Australia is renowned for exciting adventure activities, including boating, hiking and winter sports. Medical coverage ensures you’ll have peace of mind in the event of an injury. The following are some of the most common policies to help you buy travel insurance to suit you.

Types of Travel Insurance for Australia

Travel insurance plans differ in their coverage options. For comprehensive coverage, be sure to opt for a plan with trip cancellation and interruption coverage, baggage loss and baggage delay, emergency evacuation coverage, cancel for any reason insurance and medical coverage.

Cancel for Any Reason Coverage

Cancel for any reason coverage , or CFAR, is sold as an additional premium that reimburses nonrefundable trip costs without limits on why you need to cancel. With standard insurance products, cancellation policies generally reimburse you for a limited and predetermined number of reasons, including hospitalization or the death of a family member.

This type of coverage is useful during situations such as the coronavirus pandemic with changing circumstances and in the absence of COVID-19 coverage. Whether your reason is due to a country’s travel advice changing or simply a change of personal plans, you can claim for prepaid costs and enjoy the flexibility.

CFAR is subject to rules that vary via insurance providers. They can include time limits, such as a requirement to cancel within 48 hours of departure.

Gear Theft Protection

Whether you’re traveling to Sydney or exploring the Outback, gear theft protection is useful on every overseas trip as insurance for your personal effects. For a trip to Australia, you might wish to bring the following:

• Professional camera plus equipment
• Sports equipment, including surfboards and snowboards

Travel insurance plans help you recover the costs of items that are stolen, damaged or lost via airlines or tour operators. As general advice, your policy covers up to predetermined cost limits, and exclusions may apply.

Be aware that the sub-limits might not cover the full value of items. Check the product disclosure statement (PDS) to ensure gear theft protection is sufficient; otherwise, leave valuable items at home.

Medical Emergency Insurance and Emergency Medical Evacuation

Excellent medical treatment is available in Australia, and there are no major health hazards of concern, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) . However, in the case of medical expenses, emergency assistance or any pre-existing medical conditions you may have, health insurance is important to recover significant up-front costs.

In the case of an overseas emergency, travel insurance for medical emergencies covers a range of expenses including:

• Dental emergencies
• Hospital fees
• Lab tests and X-rays
• Operating room charges and anesthesia

Depending on the insurance company, policies also cover expenses if you require medical assistance for injuries via sports and adventure activities. Most cover emergency medical evacuation to a major hospital or your home country.

Rental Car Protection

In Australia, a loss damage waiver and third-party insurance for personal liability are mandatory and therefore, included in the contract for any rental vehicle. Premium car insurance, through an authorized representative for rental cars, further limits your liabilities while driving.

Depending on the type of car insurance and the coverage you choose, premium plans may include the following safeguards:

• Collision damage waiver and theft protection
• Personal effects coverage
• Roadside protection
• Tire and windshield protection

As a separate protection and on top of local car insurance, a standard travel insurance policy generally includes rental vehicle excess cover. This helps to recoup the losses you’re liable for regarding extra costs for damaged or stolen vehicles.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Standard Australian travel insurance cover generally provides reimbursement for financial loss due to cancellation up to a limit. If you cancel your vacation before departure, nonrefundable and prepaid expenses are covered. However, trip cancellation insurance is subject to binding rules limiting valid reasons. For flexibility, it’s a good idea to choose CFAR.

One of the most common questions regarding cancellation coverage is how you qualify for it. As general advice, the acceptable reasons include:

• Death of a family member
• Hospitalization, illness or serious injury
• Military orders
• Severe weather conditions, excluding some natural disasters

How Much Does Australia Travel Insurance Cost?

From an annual multi-trip policy to a single trip, a travel insurance quote depends on your personal preferences, age and the destination. International travel insurance providers often use target market determination to design insurance products to suit your demographic.

To get a travel insurance quote, you’ll enter the following on provider sites:

• Age and number of travelers in your group
• Destination country and location
• Total trip price

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

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

The quotes listed were collected from each company’s website in May 2023. The most affordable policy plans for international travel insurance to Australia include coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption , medical expenses for emergencies, baggage loss or delay and emergency evacuation.

How Do I Get Travel Insurance for Australia?

The first step for getting travel insurance for Australia is to check your credit cards and current health insurance. You might already have travel insurance coverage for an Australian vacation. Most airlines offer comprehensive travel insurance upon booking your flights.

To find the best quote and buy travel insurance, shop around to compare prices. The level of coverage you need depends on your personal preferences.

Australia Safety Tips

Below are safety and travel tips to help you enjoy your trip to Australia with peace of mind.

Crime and Safety

The Australian Travel Advisory from the U.S Department of State is at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. For international travel alerts and onward travel, Australia’s Smartraveller site provides information.

In general, U.S. citizens aren’t specifically targeted for crime in Australia. However, it pays to be aware of your surroundings in large cities. Robberies and auto theft are common in some areas, along with pickpockets at crowded tourist destinations.

Day Trips, Tours and Excursions

From diving on the Great Barrier Reef to hiking through the remote Outback, day trips and excursions in Australia are the best way to see the sights. If you’re participating in extreme sports, it’s wise to check with insurance providers with regard to specific insurance coverage.

To ensure tour companies are reputable, use trusted organizations. You’ll find information on Australia’s official tourism site , along with sites in each state you visit.

According to the Australian government , all entry restrictions and rules pertaining to COVID-19 are removed. Most public health measures are also removed across the country. Check with local authorities in the event of changes.

Is Travel Insurance for a Trip to Australia Worth It?

You’re not legally obligated to buy travel insurance for a vacation in Australia. However, the benefits of doing so ensure you’re covered for the possibility of financial loss if you need to cancel your trip or you experience delays.

When deciding if travel insurance is worth it , the main factor for a trip to Australia are the medical costs you might incur in the event of an emergency health issue or injury. We recommend you get quotes from a few different providers to find the best deal for your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance in Australia

Can i claim flight compensation.

Travel insurance is the best protection against canceled flights, and it might be the only way you can claim flight compensation . For the most part, U.S. airlines only compensate via refunds if cancellations are a direct result of overbooking or airline fault.

Do you need travel insurance to go to Australia?

Travel insurance isn’t mandatory for entry into or travel around Australia. Due to expensive upfront medical costs, most travelers choose to buy travel insurance to cover medical expenses in the event of illness or injury.

Do all credit cards have travel insurance?

Not all credit cards offer travel insurance. Credit cards that feature travel rewards often include travel insurance with the benefits. Check the coverage to ensure it’s suitable for your personal needs.

Do tourists get free health care in Australia?

Visitors to Australia don’t receive free health care and are treated as private patients. If you’re admitted to a hospital or need treatment for an injury, costs are usually required upfront. As this may be expensive, travel insurance to cover unexpected medical expenses is recommended.

If you have questions about this page, please reach out to our editors at [email protected] .

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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.

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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.

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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.
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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.

^The 5% off Travel Insurance ‘TRAVEL5’ discount is available from 12:01am AEST 06/05/2024 until 11:59pm AEST 30/06/2024 by entering the valid promo code. The discount applies to new policy purchases and is based on standard premium rates (including optional extras). It applies automatically upon successful input of the promo code and applies to any changes, upgrades or amendments made to the policy prior to commencement of the journey. The discount may apply to changes made after commencement of the journey, contact Allianz Global Assistance to find out more. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.

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.

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

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• The average travel insurance premium this week is $285.76, about the same compared to last week.
• For travel in the United States, the average premium is $92 to $403.
• Travel insurance protects against delayed baggage, trip cancellation, and more.

The average cost of travel insurance fluctuates throughout the year, based on demand and whether or not school's in session. Also keep in mind that where you're traveling and how many people are taking the trip will affect your exact premium.

The average travel insurance premium this week is about the same compared to last week.

Travel insurance rates this week:

• Average premium: $285.76
• Average trip cost: $6,848.65
• Average trip length: 16 Days

Understanding Travel Insurance

Travel insurance plans can cover both domestic and international travel. It could protect against something as familiar as delayed baggage (experts estimate 85% of lost luggage is returned to its owner within 48 hours) or as complicated as trip cancellation.

The benefits and limitations of travel insurance vary based on the company and plan. Above all else, this insurance coverage offers peace of mind.

Some credit cards offer a limited amount of travel insurance annually. If you need clarification on what your credit card offers, contact your provider to verify. These plans are great for cancellations and interruptions but may not cover more costly losses associated with unexpected medical expenses or emergency evacuations.

Individual travel insurance plans include this and much more. Travel insurance protects travelers from the unexpected when away from home.

Average Cost of Travel Insurance by Destination

Some countries are naturally more expensive travel destinations due to higher flight and lodging costs, which could increase travel insurance costs. Travel insurance will generally cost 5% to 10% of your total trip price, according to SquareMouth.

Here's how the prices stack up:

Source: SquareMouth

How Far in Advance to Purchase Travel Insurance

According to an AAA travel survey , 88% of travelers say that reimbursement after a trip cancellation is the most valuable benefit of trip insurance.

According to data gathered by SquareMouth in the last six months, travelers tend to purchase trip cancellation travel insurance 53 days before their trip. Meanwhile, travelers without trip cancellation insurance will buy a policy approximately 16 days before their trip. Regardless of when you buy, cancellation protection can kick in to protect you against the unexpected.

Average Cost of Travel Insurance by Age

A traveler's age is a significant factor in determining the cost of travel insurance. The older a traveler is, the higher travel insurance premiums are. For instance, a senior traveler may need more insurance for health-related emergencies than a millennial.

When calculating your travel insurance premium, travel insurance providers consider the likelihood of a medical emergency.

Get your free travel insurance quote with SquareMouth »

Travel Insurance Rate Tips

How much does travel insurance typically cost.

Travel insurance rates through most providers fall between 4% and 8% of the total trip cost. Like the cost of flights, cruises, etc., rates may vary substantially based on the season, your original location, your destination, and other factors. This week, the average cost of a policy was close to $300.

How can I save money on travel insurance?

To save money on travel insurance, tailor your policy to your specific needs and avoid unnecessary extras. You should also shop around to compare quotes from multiple insurers. Opting for an annual plan if you're a frequent traveler, checking existing coverages from other insurance policies or credit card benefits, and choosing a policy with a higher deductible can significantly lower your premiums. Always read the fine print to understand your coverage fully, ensuring you don't pay for redundant or irrelevant features.

Where are the cheapest places to buy travel insurance?

To find affordable travel insurance, consider using online comparison websites like SquareMouth or InsureMyTrip to see rates from various providers. Other ways to save include purchasing directly from insurance companies, exploring package deals from travel agencies or airlines, utilizing included coverage from credit card benefits, and checking for discounts through membership organizations such as AAA or AARP.

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Travel insurance for visitors to Australia

You can get travel insurance from an australian provider if you are planning to visit the country. it can cover medical expenses, cancellations, lost luggage and more..

In this guide

Compare policies for visitors to Australia

What is travel insurance for overseas visitors to australia, what does travel insurance for overseas visitors cover, other insurance options for visitors to australia, conditions of non-resident travel insurance for australia, questions about travel insurance for visitors to australia.

Destinations

What you need to know

• If you are coming to Australia, a handful of providers offer inbound travel insurance policies .
• You can take out policies for family members coming to Australia as well.
• Travel insurance can cover things like medical expenses, flight cancellations and personal liability – it is not the same as OVHC.

*When looking for cover, make sure to read any guidelines in the PDS to ensure you qualify for the policy. Most insurers have limitations when it comes to covering pre-existing medical conditions for visitors to Australia. Note: This information was last updated August 2023

Travel insurance for overseas visitors, sometimes called inbound travel insurance, is for non-Australian residents who plan to travel to Australia.

For example, if you are currently in the Phillipines and want cover for when you are in Australia, including the inbound flight, this type of policy can cover you. It can also cover family members – for example, if you're currently living in Australia and want to cover a family member travelling to see you.

Inbound travel insurance is not the same as Overseas Visitor Health Cover . This is a type of health insurance you often need if you are coming to work in Australia on a visa.

Can non-residents get regular travel insurance?

If you don't live in Australia, you will need to get inbound travel insurance – it's a type of policy designed for non-residents. However, if you're a temporary or permanent resident in Australia, you should be able to get regular travel insurance. I was able to do this as temporary resident when I first moved to Australia from Scotland.

Gary Ross Hunter Finder's insurance and innovations editor

Travel insurance for overseas visitors includes similar benefits to international travel insurance policies, such as:

• Medical care. Cover if you need medical care while you're in Australia. Emergencies are often unexpected and expensive, so don't let you or your family get caught out.
• Interruption. Sometimes, unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or cut your trip short. Whether you lose your job or are diagnosed with an illness, the long journey means that flights to Australia can be pretty expensive. Travel insurance policies reimburse you for the money you are otherwise not able to get back.
• Belongings. You're travelling such a long way so the last thing you want is to be stuck in Australia without your luggage. If your luggage and belongings are lost, stolen or damaged on your trip, your insurance policy will provide cover for the cost of their repair or replacement. Similarly, if an airline misplaces your luggage or it is delayed, cover is available to help you buy essential clothing and toiletries.
• Theft. Australia is a generally safe country but theft can occur anywhere, especially if you're planning on exploring different parts of the country. Travel insurance looks after you if your cash, credit cards, passport or important travel documents are stolen.
• Accidents. If you're planning a road trip, rental vehicle excess cover makes sure you don't have to pay the excess on the rental vehicle if something goes wrong. Travel insurance for visitors to Australia can also include personal liability . If an accident occurs and you are legally liable to pay for the costs, this can reimburse you up to the limit specified on your policy.
• Travel insurance for overseas students
• Inbound travel insurance
• Long term visitors
• Health insurance for Australian visa holders

Typical conditions and eligibilty requirements for non-resident travel insurance include:

• Most of your time must be spent in Australia. You can travel to other destinations for a short time but most of your trip must be spent in Australia.
• Pre-existing conditions. Not all pre-existing medical conditions will be covered by insurers. Some may be automatically excluded and for others, you may be required to submit further information detailing the nature of your condition.
• Age limits. Non-resident travel insurance will generally have an age limit on people who can take out cover. For example, many policies stop offering cover if you are under the age of 80.

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What is the best travel insurance for visitors to australia.

The best travel insurance for visitors to Australia depends on your needs. However, you will probably need inbound travel insurance because this covers non-residents travelling to Australia for a short stay. If you live and reside in Australia – for example, you're on a visa, you should be eligible for any type of travel insurance.

Is it possible to purchase a travel insurance policy once you're already in Australia?

Yes, it is. You can purchase cover before you leave home or once you arrive in Australia. If you purchase cover when you're already in Australia, you may have to serve a brief waiting period (commonly 48 hours) before certain aspects of the cover will take effect.

Will my children be covered?

Most non-resident travel insurance policies can also cover your dependent children, often for no additional charge.

When can I buy a policy?

You can buy a policy online as soon as you book your trip. If you forget to get cover and have already arrived in Australia, some insurers will still let you buy a policy if you buy it within a few days of arrival.

Will I be covered for trips outside of Australia?

There are some insurers who will cover you for trips outside of Australia but the majority of your time must be spent in Australia.

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

Find out what inbound travel insurance covers and compare policies to find the right cover option.

Is travel insurance really necessary when you’re coming here on a visa? The answer is "yes" and this guide looks at what you need and why you need it when travelling to Australia on a 457 visa.

Are you a non-resident living in Australia and wanting to travel overseas? Don't fret – you can still get travel insurance.

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