Essential travel insurance

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Top 3 things to know about essential travel insurance

1

More than a basic plan

Essential travel insurance typically offers more cover than a basic plan, but less than comprehensive travel insurance plans.

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2

What it covers

Medical cover, trip cancellations and stolen luggage are just some insured events that essential travel insurance could cover.

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3

Common exclusions

Baggage left unattended in public places, claims due to intoxication and illegal activities are generally exclusions in essential travel insurance policies.

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A guide to essential travel insurance

Updated 22 October 2024
Written by Kenneth Young
Reviewed by Adrian Taylor

What is essential travel insurance?

A woman and her daughter at the airport.‘Essential travel insurance’ is a common product name some insurers use to describe their mid-level cover. However, the name of this level of cover can be different depending on the insurance company. This type of cover generally offers more benefits and higher limits than a basic policy, but less benefits and lower limits than comprehensive travel insurance.

What does essential travel insurance cover?

The level of cover offered in an essential travel insurance policy may vary depending on the insurer. These are some of the benefits that might be available in essential travel insurance or equivalent cover.

Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for more information on inclusions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits. The Target Market Determination (TMD) could also help you figure out if this travel insurance product is right for you.

Overseas medical expenses

Trip cancellation and travel delays

Luggage and personal effects

Rental vehicle excess

Optional extras

What doesn’t essential travel insurance cover?

Essential travel insurance typically has the following exclusions:

  • Pre-existing medical conditions (unless your insurer agrees to cover them)
  • Baggage left unattended in a public space
  • Losses due to intoxication
  • Reckless and illegal activities.

Is my pre-existing medical condition covered?

When you’re purchasing your policy, an insurance company will usually ask if you have a pre-existing medical condition. Generally, insurers will need to do an online medical assessment to determine whether they can cover you. Depending on the result of your medical assessment, the insurance company may:

  • Cover your pre-existing medical condition (possibly for an additional premium)
  • Exclude your pre-existing medical condition from your cover
  • Decline cover entirely.

How much does essential travel insurance cost?

The cost of travel insurance premiums can vary depending on the insurer and the level of cover they offer, as well as other factors such as your:

  • Age
  • Policy excess
  • Pre-existing medical condition status
  • Destination
  • Trip duration.

Meet our travel insurance expert, Adrian Taylor

Adrian Taylor
Executive General Manager – General Insurance

As the Executive General Manager of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor believes in educating customers about the importance of travel insurance so that anyone can kick back and make the most of their time away from home. While no one wants a disrupted holiday, a suitable travel insurance policy can provide a financial safety net for yourself, your belongings and your trip in case things go wrong.