Compare Travel Insurance | Simples! (2024)

Depending on your level of cover, your travel insurance plan can financially safeguard your international and domestic trips from circ*mstances beyond your control.

Here are three reasons why you should consider travel insurance every time you travel.

1. To protect yourself (and loved ones) from huge expenses
   If you travel to a country that doesn’t have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia, you may owe thousands of dollars in medical bills if you get sick or injured.
2. Compensation if you need to cancel
   While it isn’t a feature in every travel insurance policy, you can get covered for cancellation fees and lost deposits if you need to cancel all or parts of your trip.
3. Peace of mind
   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.

Travel insurance can protect you against financial loss that can come from unforeseen scenarios. Examples of these instances include (but aren’t limited to):

• Illness or injury while overseas (some policies also cover pre-existing medical conditions)
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• Lost or stolen luggage, valuables and personal effects (e.g. travel documents or credit cards)
• Cancellation costs
• Cancelled flights and travel delays
• Rental car excess
• Personal liability if you’re legally responsible for damages to another person or their property
• 24/7 overseas emergency assistance.

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. All policies come with exclusions and limits, so be sure to read the PDS before purchasing your policy.

A comprehensive travel insurance policy may cover you for COVID-19 related expenses, including:

• Medical cover. Cover for medical or hospital expenses if you test positive while overseas and require medical treatment.
• Pre-trip cancellations. 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.
• Overseas cancellations. Cover for cancellations when you’re already overseas, test positive and cancel the rest of your trip to return to Australia.
• Wallet. Cover for accommodation or travel expenses related to COVID-19, including quarantine expenses.

Cover is subject to limits, exclusions and restrictions. 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.

There are different types of travel insurance to fit different travellers. Depending on your circ*mstances, you might want to know more about:

Groups

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

Family

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.

Couples

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.

Cruise cover

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

• Medical expenses for accidents or illnesses
• Cancellations (except if the cruise is cancelled by the operator)
• A benefit if you’re confined to your cabin.

Ski cover

Winter sports cover 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
• Ski hire equipment cover
• Emergency medical assistance if you’re injured on-piste.

Motorbike and scooter cover

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 purchase this cover as an optional extra.

Annual cover

Otherwise known as an annual multi-trip policy, annual cover may offer more value than single-trip policies and can be more convenient for frequent travellers. Most multi-trip plans 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, otherwise any losses you incur will not be covered.

The cost of your travel insurance depends on a range of factors, including:

• Your destination
• Your age and the age of other travellers
• The number of travellers on your policy
• Any pre-existing health conditions of all travellers
• The activities you include on your trip (e.g. snow sports, cruises or other adventurous activities)
• How long you’re travelling for
• The level of cover you’ve taken out (e.g. the amount of medical cover, cancellation cover and luggage cover you need, and whether you need cover for rental vehicle excess).

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.

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

• Purchase comprehensive travel insurance as soon as you book your trip or make any deposits to be covered for cancellation before your trip commences.
• 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 forget stress and 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’s house or in a reserved car park at the airport while you’re away.
• Have your friends or neighbours keep an eye on your house, and don’t post to social media that no one is home.
• Keep any receipts for any medical treatments, accommodation or tours so you can be reimbursed if something goes wrong.

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.

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