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Travel insurance is designed to protect you against unexpected events when you’re travelling domestically or internationally. Depending on the type of policy and its level of protection, you can be covered for a range of events that could bring your travel plans to a halt, like illnesses (including COVID-19) and injuries while you’re overseas, lost or stolen luggage and personal effects, cancellations and flight delays.
Before you buy travel insurance, it’s a good idea to compare policies from several travel insurance providers to find a product that meets your needs and fits your budget. You’ll want to consider what your policy covers you for and any exclusions or sub-limits that apply.
Through our free travel insurance comparison tool, you can easily compare policies from a range of Australian travel insurance companies all in the one place.
Learn about travel insurance with Catriona Rowntree, host of popular Australian travel show, Getaway.
Review multiple travel insurance options against your trip by filtering policies based on cover levels, extra cover options, excess levels and pre-existing medical conditions.
Compare products to find the cover you need at a price you accept, with different options to cover things like cruises and ski trips. It only takes a minute to complete a quote with us.
We provide information and details about each policy we compare so you can make a confident and informed choice.
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Travel insurance can provide medical assistance in an overseas emergency. It can also cover medical and hospital expenses, as well as emergency evacuation and repatriation back to Australia.
Trip cancellation cover can reduce your exposure to cancellation costs and may cover any lost deposits if unforeseen events derail your trip, even before you depart. Insurers may cover pre-paid accommodation, flights and pre-paid tours.
Should you lose your belongings, or if they’re damaged or stolen, you may be compensated up to certain limits as listed in your policy. As well as your luggage, you can also be covered for your valuables, credit cards, cash and travel documents (e.g. passport).
Many insurers cover Australians travellers up to the age of 99 and assess your eligibility for cover if you have pre-existing medical conditions. When comparing travel insurance policies, take advantage of our custom filter to find insurers that offer this assessment. You’ll find out how much extra you may need to pay to be covered for certain pre-existing conditions (sometimes, there’s no additional cost!). This way, you can travel with confidence, knowing what you’re covered for. Always check the policy’s PDS so you’re aware of all inclusions and exclusions.
You could be eligible for discounts if you’re travelling in a group of up to 25 people. On top of this, you can save time by taking out a travel insurance policy just once, as opposed to buying many individual policies. A group policy may also be cheaper and more convenient for groups of students requiring the same cover. As everyone will have the same level of cover, it’s vital everyone is across the travel insurance policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) so you’re all aware of any cover limitations or exclusions.
Saving up for a trip can be hard, especially when juggling study and work. That’s why travel insurance for students can be vital, as it can protect you from losing the money you’ve spent on your travels should the worst happen. Be aware, however, that you can’t take out travel insurance for yourself if you’re under 16 years of age.
Family cover helps protect your loved ones all under one policy. This type of travel insurance cover can feature higher limits due to the number of travellers on the one policy. Most insurers can cover dependents travelling with one or more adults at no additional cost. Check the policy’s PDS to make sure all dependents are covered.
Travel insurance for couples is intended for two people to be covered under one policy. Despite the name, two regular travelling companions may also purchase couples cover if they have the same itinerary. These policies usually offer more value with one inclusive policy than purchasing two individual policies and are available as both single trip policies and annual cover.
Cruise travel insurance is essential for any cruise trip, as it can cover you for a range of scenarios, including medical expenses for accidents or illnesses or cruise cancellations. Additionally, some travel insurance policies may also cover certain activities (like jet-skiing and snorkelling) or even a benefit if you’re confined to your cabin. You may need to add cruise over as an optional extra as some travel insurance policies may not automatically provide cover for cruises.
Ski insurance provides additional cover if you’re skiing or snowboarding on-piste (and sometimes off-piste) during 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 and ski hire equipment cover. Using our travel insurance comparison tool, you can customise your search to match your trip type and only compare products that cover skiing and other snow sports.
Otherwise known as an annual multi-trip policy, annual cover is designed for those who travel often for business or leisure. Annual cover can offer more value than single-trip policies and is more convenient for frequent travellers. Most policies impose a maximum duration for each trip – anywhere from 15 to 90 days. You’ll be required to return home before your trip duration lapses to ensure you are covered. It’s important to note that if you’re travelling often for business, any work-related losses (e.g. damaged or stolen documents) won’t be covered.
Cover for medical or hospital expenses if you test positive while overseas and require medical treatment.
Cover if you test positive before your trip starts and you need to cancel, so long as you’ve already purchased travel insurance with COVID-19 cover.
Cover for cancellations when you’re already overseas, test positive and cancel the rest of your trip to return to Australia.
Cover for accommodation or travel expenses related to COVID-19, including quarantine expenses.
Cover is subject to limits, exclusions and restrictions. Please check your policy’s PDS to understand the cover available to you, and check out our COVID-19 FAQ page for further information on COVID-19 cover.
While impromptu trips may be fun, a well-planned adventure is the best way to keep yourself and your belongings safe while overseas.
It’s time to forget stress and enjoy your holiday! However, protecting what’s waiting for you back home is also important.
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.
Travel insurance can protect you against financial loss that can come from unforeseen scenarios. Examples of these instances include (but aren’t limited to):
Depending on where you’re travelling to and how much cover you need, you can choose from a range of policies offering basic right through to comprehensive cover, with add-on cover options. Keep in mind that you won’t be covered for financial loss due to a declared event (such as a natural disaster) that was known or could be reasonably predicted before you took out a policy.
Many insurers have introduced cover for some COVID-19-related losses; some travel insurance policies will cover losses if you’re overseas and are diagnosed with COVID-19. Policies can also cover cancellation fees if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 before your trip is due to commence or while you’re overseas. Some policies may even cover other costs associated with COVID-19. Please check your policy’s PDS to understand the cover available to you, and check out our COVID-19 FAQ page.
We believe so, as the right travel insurance can provide peace of mind for a range of scenarios that could befall you while travelling, including injury, illness and cancellations. Ultimately though, the decision to purchase travel insurance is completely up to you and your individual circumstances.
One example of how travel insurance can be of huge value is cover for overseas medical expenses. When travelling internationally, you won’t be covered by Australia’s public healthcare system (Medicare) unless the country you’re travelling to has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RCHA) with Australia, and even then coverage is still limited. This means if you were to fall ill or become injured overseas, you could be hit with major out-of-pocket costs. With international travel insurance in place, you could have your hospital expenses covered among other medical costs.
On top of this, there’s always a chance your belongings could also be stolen or damaged during your travels. Depending on your level of cover and your travel insurance policy’s PDS, your insurer can compensate you for the loss of or damage to your belongings while you travel domestically and internationally.
Furthermore, if your flight is delayed or cancelled and you don’t have travel insurance, you could be left to cover the costs of a new flight or alternative arrangements from your own pocket. Don’t forget that a cancelled flight can have major repercussions for your travel; perhaps you’ll miss your connecting flight or a pre-paid event, like a concert or exhibition.
The cost of your travel insurance depends on a range of factors, including:
On top of this, the cost of your travel insurance policy will also greatly depend on which insurer you go through. As each trip is unique, it’s important you compare from a range of insurers to ensure you’re getting the cover you need at a suitable price.
Excess refers to the amount you’ll pay if you claim on your policy and is agreed upon when you first take out cover. When you make a claim, you’ll pay this amount or have it deducted from your settlement, and your insurer will pay the rest of your costs (e.g. medical bills, cancellations fees) up to your policy’s benefit limit.
Yes, depending on the type of policy you take out, your travel insurance can cover your overseas medical expenses. Injuries or illnesses are some of the most important reasons to get travel insurance, as the cost of medical treatment overseas can be very expensive.
If you have any known pre-existing medical conditions, you may receive cover up to a limit – provided you disclose this to your insurer before you take out your travel insurance policy. Some policies will only cover certain pre-existing conditions, while others may not provide cover at all. As such, it’s crucial check the policy’s PDS.
Domestic policies won’t include medical cover, as you’ll still be covered by Medicare and your private health insurance while travelling around Australia (one exception to this is cruising). Many travel insurance policies won’t include medical cover for cruises as standard, so it’s vital you add this option to your policy or get cruise-specific insurance before you embark.
Certain factors, including how progressed your pregnancy is or if your doctor advised you against travel, can affect your travel insurance. It’s important you check your policy’s PDS to be aware of any exclusions or limitations in cover.
Yes, your travel insurance may cover certain lost or stolen items, depending on your type of cover.
Insurers may not compensate lost belongings if you were negligent (e.g. you left your belongings unattended), you don’t report the theft to the authorities or if certain valuables – like your computer or jewellery – are placed in your check-in luggage.
In order to claim, you must be able to prove the value and your ownership of the items. You’ll also be restricted to only claiming up to your policy’s benefit limit.
Depending on your level of cover, travel insurance can financially safeguard your international and domestic trips from circumstances beyond your control. This may include instances where your luggage is lost or stolen, if you miss that big-ticket event your whole trip was based on, require medical evacuation back home or any other listed scenarios.
Need more convincing? Here are three reasons why you should consider travel insurance every time you travel.
Anyone who’s been sick on their holiday remembers the feeling of frustration as they waste their trip in bed. Imagine the additional agony if you also owed thousands of dollars in medical bills. This can be an unfortunate reality, especially if you travel to a country that doesn’t have an RHCA with Australia.
While it isn’t a feature in every travel insurance policy, you can get covered for cancellations fees and lost deposits if you need to cancel all or parts of your trip.
It’s nice to take your time, explore your new environment and relax safe in the knowledge that you won’t have to dig deep into your bank account if you get into trouble.
As Compare the Market’s resident expert in travel insurance, Stephen Zeller believes in educating customers about this product so that anyone can kick back and make the most of their time away from home.
Stephen has over 30 years of experience in financial services and he’s also an allied member of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF). Stephen is passionate about helping customers prepare for their trip.
