Travel Insurance Australia

Keep up to date with how domestic travel rules and restrictions work.

Travel Insurance Finder® helps you easily compare travel insurance

What travel insurance benefits are there for COVID-19?

A few brands are starting to offer travel insurance benefits for the coronavirus pandemic. Cover is limited and it doesn't cover the expenses from border closures.

Don't forget to check the product disclosure statement (PDS) to understand what you're covered for.

Brand	COVID-19 expenses	Cooling off period	Overseas medical expenses	Theft or damage to luggage	Standard excess	Apply
	$2,500	21 days	Unlimited	Up to $12,000	$250	Get quote
	Some cover	21 days	Unlimited	Up to $15,000	$250	Get quote
	Some cover	21 days	Unlimited	Up to $15,000	$250	More info
	Some cover	21 days	Unlimited	Up to $15,000	$70	More info
	Some cover	21 days	Unlimited	Up to $15,000	$250	More info
	Some cover	21 days	Unlimited	Up to $15,000	$250	More info
	Some cover	21 days	Unlimited	Up to $8,000	$250	More info

Why compare travel insurance with Finder?

How we look at travel insurance comparison

Choose the type of cover you need

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  Multi Trip
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  Cruise
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  Ski
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  Domestic
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  Senior
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  Student
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  Visitors to Australia
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  Pregnancy
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  Pre-existing Conditions
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  Rental Car Excess

Popular travel insurance comparisons and guides

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Coupon codes for travel insurance

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Car rental excess insurance

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Travel insurance: 5 things you need to know

Travel insurance doesn't protect you from yourself

Your claim will be voided if the insurer finds that you failed to act responsibly. Consider this before you have a few too many drinks on your trip or jump on a moped without a helmet.

Rules about renting motorcycles and scooters on your holiday

Did you know that travel insurance will only cover you if you're riding with an Australian motorcycle licence, or a valid licence in that country? You also need to be wearing a helmet and stick to a specific engine size.

You might need to pay more for certain activities

You'll need to pay extra for some high-risk activities such as skiing and motorcycling. This can be added when applying online. You'll find that most Australian insurers have a list of activities in the PDS which are covered for free.

How travel insurers treat natural disasters

Travel insurance can cover cancellations and injuries that arise from natural disasters depending on your policy type and when it was issued. If you buy your policy after the natural disaster becomes a "known event", you won't be covered.

Don't make assumptions when it comes to claims

If you're unsure about what to do when the unexpected happens, most insurers have a 24/7 emergency assistance line that you can contact. They will advise you on the right steps to take and help start your claim process.

It's important to know that travel insurance doesn't cover everything. Check out our guide for a list of common exclusions from Australian travel insurers.

Looking for other insurance options?

Find out how to protect your finances during the global coronavirus pandemic with insurance.

Compare the cost of travel insurance with Finder

There is no flat fee when it comes to travel insurance. The cost depends on a range of factors including:

Prices can also vary based on which travel insurance company you choose. The graph below shows how the price of travel insurance for a 7-day trip in Bali for a 49-year-old differs between insurers. You'll also notice the difference in price between travel plans (basic and comprehensive), because budget policies will generally cover less. This is why it's so important to compare travel insurance.

This graph was correct as of August 2019.

Travel insurance guides for our most popular destinations

Bali

Escaping to Bali? What you need to know about travel cover before you go.

New Zealand

New Zealand might be our nearest neighbour, but do you need travel insurance?

USA

Find out why travel insurance is so important for those heading to the USA.

Europe

Don't let your European vacation go awry, protect it with travel cover.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I get travel insurance that covers COVID-19?

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  A handful of insurers offer some limited cover for COVID-19. You'll normally be covered if you get diagnosed with coronavirus and can't go on your trip, but you won't be covered for events like border closures.

• Do I really need travel insurance?

  Travel insurance is compulsory for some countries such as Cuba, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Belarus. even when it's not compulsory. Smartraveller.gov.au advises that if you can afford to travel, you can afford travel insurance. It's a small price to pay compared to the thousands you could lose if something unexpected happens.

• How much does travel insurance cost?

  On average, a travel insurance policy to Bali for 2 weeks for a 30-year-old is $56.84 (as of February 2020), but the cost of travel insurance can vary, so you should always compare your options. You can get cheaper policies with fewer inclusions, or more expensive policies with upgrades. When looking for travel insurance, the way to get the most value is to consider your trip and only get cover for what you need.

• What's the difference between flight insurance and travel insurance?

  Flight insurance is sometimes offered by airlines to cover you for the costs of flight cancellations and delays. It only covers flight-related expenses compared to travel insurance which is more inclusive. Travel insurance can protect your entire trip including your flights, overseas medical costs and luggage to name a few.

• What's a PDS?

  A PDS (Product Disclosure Statement) is a legally binding document that outlines what you're covered for. If something's not mentioned in a PDS then that insurer won't cover it. You'll also find a list of common exclusions, which are events you won't be insured for.

• Will travel insurance pay my medical expenses up-front?

  Travel insurance will typically pay for emergency medical expenses up-front if you need, but you'll have to get in contact with your insurer as soon as possible to arrange it.

  If your condition isn't major and you don't have to pay a lot, it might be easier for you to claim your expenses when you get back home.

• What's a 'known event'?

  In insurance, a known event is an incident that has been reported by the media or government, e.g. a planned pilot strike or weather warning. If you buy travel insurance after these incidents become known events, you most likely won't be covered for any related claims.

• What's an excess?

  An excess is the out-of-pocket expense you'll have to pay if you need to make a claim on your travel insurance policy. Depending on how risk-averse you are, you can opt for a higher excess, which will mean lower premiums (policy cost), but this might mean that smaller claims are not worth it.

• Are there age restrictions on travel insurance?

  Most Australian insurers will have an age limit for seniors which can vary from 65 onwards. Those that do cover all ages often have limits on trip durations and exclusions on pre-existing conditions.
  Most policies will cover kids for free if they're travelling with the parent or guardian listed on the Certificate of Insurance. You usually need to be under 21 to be eligible as a dependent, though this varies between brands.

• What's the difference between standalone travel insurance and complimentary credit card travel insurance?

  Complimentary credit card travel insurance often comes with more conditions and exclusions than a standalone policy.

  You should always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the fine print regarding the excesses you will have to pay, the benefit limits, the maximum trip duration and which pre-existing medical conditions are automatically excluded.

  If you find the few dollars you save isn't worth the risk of being underinsured, consider taking out a standalone policy instead.

• Will travel insurance cover me for my pre-existing medical condition?

  Depending on your condition and the insurer, you might be automatically covered for free, you may have to pay more for a policy, or you might not be covered at all. Either way, be sure to let your insurer know about your pre-existing conditions when you apply. Otherwise, any related claims you make are likely to be denied.
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