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You could be eligible for discounts if you’re travelling in a group of up to 25 people, which may be cheaper and more convenient if you all require the same cover. On top of this, it can help save time by taking out a single group travel insurance policy as opposed to buying many individual policies.

Family cover helps protect your loved ones under one policy (with higher limits), although most insurers cover dependents travelling with one or more adults at no additional cost. Check the policy’s PDS to find out what these limits are and to make sure all dependents are covered (the definition of a dependent may vary across insurers).

Travel insurance for couples is intended for two people seeking cover under one policy. Despite the name, two travelling companions who aren’t a couple may also purchase couples cover if they have the same itinerary.

Cruise cover is usually offered as an optional extra with travel insurance policies that may cover you for a range of scenarios, including:

• Medical expenses for accidents or illnesses on board
• Cancellation costs (except if the cruise is cancelled by the operator)
• A benefit if you’re confined to your cabin due to illness.

Even if you are only cruising in domestic waters, you’ll still need an international policy and cruise cover as Medicare does not cover onboard expenses resulting from an insured event.

Winter sports cover provides additional cover if you’re skiing or snowboarding on your trip. Most travel insurance policies don’t automatically cover winter sports, so it’s important you select it as an add-on option to your policy (if available) before you hit the slopes.

Some top-line ski features can include (but aren’t limited to):

• Weather-related cancellations
• Ski hire equipment cover
• Emergency medical assistance.

If you plan on driving a two-wheeled vehicle (e.g. motorbike, scooter or moped), a regular policy may not cover your medical costs if you’re in an accident unless you add motorbike and scooter cover as an optional extra.

While many adventurous activities will usually be covered by a comprehensive travel insurance policy, some will not. These are usually more high-risk activities with a greater likelihood of accident or injury. That’s why it’s important to make sure your policy covers all your planned activities, even if this means selecting an add-on.

Otherwise known as an annual multi-trip policy, annual travel insurance may offer more value than single-trip policies and can be more convenient for frequent travellers. All multi-trip plans impose a maximum duration for each trip – from 15 to 90 days. You’ll be required to return home before your trip duration lapses, otherwise any losses you incur will not be covered.

Comprehensive travel insurance for a 30-year-old travelling Australia for 15 days on a single-trip policy would be looking at $74-109, and a 65-year-old would be $114-165.***

Domestic travel insurance generally costs less than international travel insurance, especially considering it excludes medical cover due to Medicare.

The same factors that affect the cost of international travel insurance can also impact domestic travel insurance too, except of course your destination as that will be Australia.

To find a cheap travel insurance policy, you need to know what you’re looking for. The cheapest policies are usually basic, medical-only plans, but these may not be suitable for your trip or your personal circumstances. This is why you need to consider what coverage you need as well as what you can afford, as the cheapest option may not actually suit your itinerary or budget.

To compare a range of travel insurance policies and their prices, you can use Compare the Market’s online comparison service.

While impromptu trips may be fun, a well-planned adventure is often a good way to keep yourself and your belongings safe while overseas.

• As soon as you book your trip or make any deposits, you should also purchase travel insurance. Depending on the cover type purchased, this can help ensure you’re covered for cancellations before your trip begins.
• Stay aware of travel alerts and warnings from Smartraveller or your destination’s government leading up to your trip. These warnings can also impact your insurance coverage.
• Leave copies of your travel documents with someone at home in case they’re lost or stolen overseas.

It’s time to enjoy your holiday! However, protecting what’s waiting for you back home is also important.

• Keep your car safe in a garage, at a family member’s house or in a reserved car park at the airport while you’re away and have your friends or neighbours keep an eye on your house.
• Keep the 24/7 emergency assistance phone number from your travel insurance provider close in case you suffer a loss or need assistance in an emergency.
• Keep receipts for any medical treatments, accommodation or tours so you can be reimbursed if something goes wrong and you need to make a claim.

At the end of a holiday, it can be hard to get back into everyday life, but you can do a few things to ease yourself back into your regular routine:

• Unpack your suitcase right away so you’re aware of any losses immediately.
• If you need to claim on your insurance policy, do so without delay.
• Your holiday may be over but it’s time to start researching new destinations and planning your next trip abroad!

You should consider buying travel insurance as soon as you book your trip or put down any deposits towards it. In doing so, you can help ensure you’ll be covered for any cancellations before you even leave.

Whether or not you get a grace period will depend on the insurer you choose. Also known as a “cooling-off” period, it’s typically 21 days from purchase (although this varies). This allows you to cancel your policy within that time frame, provided you haven’t started your trip or made a claim.

A travel insurance excess refers to the amount you’ll contribute if you suffer a loss and then claim on your policy. Most insurers offer a range of excesses to choose from when you buy insurance cover. When you make a claim, you’ll pay this amount or have it deducted from your settlement, and your insurer will pay out the rest of your costs up to your policy’s benefit limit.

Travel insurance can still be very worthwhile for domestic trips. While many people only think about travel insurance when going overseas, there are instances where you may want to be covered within Australia as well. This could include trip cancellations, travel delays, lost luggage, personal liability and more.

Generally, most domestic policies don’t cover medical expenses as Australians are covered by Medicare and private health insurance.

Not all travel insurance policies are the same, so some may offer car rental excess cover while others don’t. If you plan on renting a car while on your trip, it’s a good idea to shop around and find a plan that includes this cover in case an accident occurs that damages the car.

Yes, you can still buy travel insurance when you’re already overseas – but it’s recommended you tee-up your policy as soon as you book your trip. It’s important to note that not all providers will offer travel insurance policies when you’re overseas, and waiting periods plus additional conditions may apply.

To compare a range of plans, you can use Compare the Market’s travel insurance comparison tool. By entering your destination, age and trip length, plus the amount of cover you need for certain categories such as luggage or cancellations, you will receive quotes from numerous different brands to help find a policy that suits your budget.

The easiest way to file a travel insurance claim is to do so via your insurer’s website or app, though some will be happy to begin the claims process over the phone. It’s important to notify the insurer as soon as possible after an incident, and to gather any documentation they’ll require (police reports, medical certificates and/or receipts). You’ll then have to await the assessment of your claim, with many insurers saying they aim for a 10-day turnaround.