Travel Insurance: Compare and Save

Why you can trust our travel insurance experts

Nerd out over details - we surveyed over 1,200 travellers and analysed over 3000 features in the making of this guide. Some find it boring (you, probably), we find it fun (no, really!)

More time for your holiday - We live score travel insurance policies. So if you just want a quick and easy last minute taxi-dash option, you can be done in minutes.

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Frequently asked questions

• What is travel insurance?

  Travel insurance covers emergencies or accidents that might happen to you or your belongings while you're away from home. You pay a travel insurer a fee (known as a premium) that is calculated based on the risks associated with your trip. In exchange, your insurer will pay you for unexpected costs related to your trip such as the following:

  • Medical expenses if you're sick or injured overseas.
  • Reimbursing you if you need to cancel your trip or cut it short.
  • Covering your valuables and travel documents if they get lost, stolen or damaged.

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

  Yes, many insurers offer some 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.

• What's the best travel insurance in Australia?

  The best travel insurance depends on your circumstances – for example, where and who you're travelling with. To help you find the right policy, we created a best travel insurance guide where we've selected top picks for COVID-19 cover, domestic trips, families, pre-existing conditions and adventure trips.

• Is travel insurance worth it?

  Something going wrong at home is bad, but if something goes wrong overseas it can be catastrophic. From medical costs to flight cancellations, travel insurance is basically always worth it. Smartraveller, which is maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), says "if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel". Taking out a policy is a small price to pay compared to the thousands you could lose if something unexpected happens.

• How much does travel insurance cost?

  Travel insurance costs have increased since the pandemic. However, it's possible to find a cheap policy for around $5 a day. Your age and travel destination will impact how much you pay.

• Does travel insurance cover cancellations?

  Yes. Travel insurance can cover you for flight cancellations if something unexpected happens and you're unable to go on your trip. It can also pay for additional accommodation costs and other pre-booked plans associated with disrupted or cancelled flights. However, read the product disclosure statement because some may only cover you for certain cancellations.

• Are there age restrictions on travel insurance?

  You can usually get travel insurance with most providers if you're a senior up to the age of 80 but you might not be eligible for annual or frequent traveller policies with some brands once you turn 65. If you have any pre-existing conditions, you may have to complete an online medical questionnaire and pay more for a policy.

  Most policies will cover kids for free if they're travelling with a parent or guardian. You usually need to be under 23 to be eligible as a dependant, though this varies slightly between brands.

• Can I just get complimentary credit card travel insurance?

  Complimentary credit card travel insurance can offer similar cover to a standalone travel insurance policy but it often comes with lower caps on how much you can claim and many still do not cover COVID-19.

  You'll need to 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 out of pocket, consider taking out a standalone policy instead.

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

  It depends on your condition. Insurers will list what pre-existing conditions they automatically cover in the product disclosure statement.

  If your condition isn't on the list, let your insurer know about your ailment and they will decide whether to cover you for claims related to that condition. You might have to pay more for a policy but you will still be able to get insurance.

• 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 typically won't cover you for it. You'll also find a list of common exclusions, which are events you won't be insured for. Read more definitions of common travel insurance terms.

• What's an excess?

  An excess is the upfront fee 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.

• Can I get flight only travel insurance?

  Travel insurance to cover your flights only isn’t really a thing in Australia. A travel insurance policy will generally cover the cost of your flights and potential delays, while also covering a bunch of other things like medical expenses and your valuables.