Westpac credit card complimentary travel insurance

These insurance policies are underwritten by Allianz Australia Insurance Limited (Allianz). Just like any insurance, there are conditions you need to meet to get cover and make a claim. That's why it's always best to read the policy documents. But if you're after a snapshot, we cover some of the key details about Westpac cards that offer cover, the type of cover available and when you'll get it.

Which Westpac credit cards have complimentary travel insurance?

If you don't have a Westpac credit card yet, you can get complimentary travel insurance with a new platinum or black credit card. The length of cover you get depends on the card, as we’ve shown in the table.

What this shows is that Westpac’s complimentary international travel insurance for Altitude Platinum and Black cards is separated into Level 1 and Level 2 categories. The key difference between these levels is the length of cover: you get up to 1 month with an Altitude Platinum card and up to 3 months with an Altitude Black card.

If you have a Westpac business credit card, check the complimentary insurance details here.

What’s covered by Westpac complimentary international travel insurance?

From 1 October 2026, Westpac's complimentary international cover is called Complimentary International Medical Travel Insurance. It covers overseas emergency assistance, overseas medical and hospital expenses, funeral expenses and personal liability. Benefits such as cancellation, luggage and travel delay are no longer included. You can get them by paying to upgrade to Comprehensive International Travel Insurance when you activate your cover, and you can also add optional packs for cruises, snow sports and adventure activities.
Some claims have an excess, which is the amount you pay before you get any money back. We've put the key benefits in the table below, but always read the PDS for complete details of the cover.

Westpac complimentary international medical travel insurance

Note: Dependants are included in these limits rather than getting their own. These benefits don't cover pre-existing medical conditions, ocean cruises, snow sports, or riding a motorcycle or scooter. The emergency assistance, medical and funeral benefits don't apply while you're travelling in Australia.

What's not covered?

Every insurance policy has details of when you will and won’t get cover. These details can be very specific, which is why it is important to always check your insurance policy documents.

To give you an idea, here are some of the key things you won’t be covered for with Westpac credit card complimentary international travel insurance:

• Any act of war
• Issues that come up because of alcohol or non-prescription drugs
• Travel that’s for the purpose of medical treatment
• If you’re 81 or over, or anyone relating to a claim is over 81
• Changes to your plans due to regulations, prohibitions or intervention from a government or official body, including if details have been published in the mass media
• If you or your partner gives birth during the trip (except if it’s due to injury or sickness)
• Dangerous activities including rock climbing (with equipment), white water rafting, bungy jumping, off-piste snowboarding or skiing and quad or motorbike riding on a vehicle that has an engine capacity of 200cc or more

Travelling against Australian government advice can void your cover, and that advice changes, so it’s worth checking where you can travel before booking anything.

What do I need to do to use Westpac’s credit card international travel insurance?

To get Complimentary International Medical Travel Insurance through an eligible Westpac credit card, you'll need to meet the following requirements:

• Activate your cover. Before you leave Australia, activate cover for each trip in the Westpac App or Westpac Online Banking (search "Complimentary Credit Card Insurance"), or by calling Allianz Global Assistance.
• Travel bookings. Pay at least $500 of prepaid travel costs to your eligible card before you leave, and have a return overseas travel ticket.
• Australian residency. You need a permanent home in Australia and must be a permanent resident, hold a current Australian visa (not a tourist or working holiday visa) or hold a valid Medicare card.
• Age. You’ll be covered if you’re under 81 years of age. If you’re over 81 and want overseas travel insurance, there are some policies you can buy that give you cover up to the age of 100.

Does Westpac credit card travel insurance cover family members?

Yes, if you meet the eligibility requirements for cover on an upcoming trip, your spouse and dependants (i.e. children) can get cover under this policy when they’re travelling with you for at least half of your trip and meet the following requirements:

• You activate cover for them in the Westpac App or Online Banking before leaving Australia
• They have a permanent home in Australia and are a permanent resident, hold a current Australian visa (not a tourist or working holiday visa) or hold a valid Medicare card.
• Dependants are under 25 when you activate the cover
• They need to have a return travel booking before they leave
• At least $500 of their travel costs need to be paid for with your Westpac credit card before the start of the trip
• They travel with you for at least 50% of your trip
• They need to be under 81 years of age at the time they become eligible for the insurance
• They also need to meet the same age requirements and other conditions of the insurance policy

Pre-existing medical conditions

This complimentary international travel insurance only covers a few pre-existing medical conditions, with very specific requirements.
Here, we’ve summarised the key details for conditions that are covered. If you have any pre-existing condition, you should also look at the insurance document for full details or call Allianz on 1800 091 710.

What if I don’t meet the requirements or have a different pre-existing condition?

If you’re not sure whether your pre-existing medical condition will be covered, call Allianz on 1800 091 710 to check if you can get cover.

You can then apply to have an assessment of the condition over the phone or online at www.checkyourcover.com.au/westpac. The assessment costs $75 over the phone and $45 online. If you’re successful, you’ll get written confirmation from Allianz that your condition is covered.

But if you have pre-existing conditions that aren’t covered, you won’t be able to make a related claim if you've previously seen a doctor or other qualified professional about a condition that ends up causing issues overseas. It's the same for any physical, medical, mental or dental condition that you’re aware of before you travel.

• Pre-existing medical condition definition for Westpac credit card insurance

  Travel insurance policies all have specific ways of looking at pre-existing medical conditions, so it’s really important you’re aware of the actual definition they use.

  As well as the summary above, we have included the definition that’s in the current Westpac card insurance policy document, effective from 27 October 2021 (page 23):

  “A condition of which a reasonable person in the circumstances, should have been aware at the time eligibility for the cover available was met, including:

  • Any dental condition; or
  • Any physical condition; or
  • Pregnancy; or
  • Any lifelong illness; or
  • Any chronic illness; or
  • Any mental illness; or
  • Any current or previously treated cancer, or

  Any condition which, in the last two (2) years:

  • Was treated by surgery (including day surgery); or
  • Required regular medication; or
  • Required on-going treatment; or
  • Was referred to a specialist medical adviser; or
  • Had regular reviews or check-ups; or
  • Caused admission to hospital; or
  • Was treated at a hospital emergency department or out-patient clinic”

  If you’re not sure whether a pre-existing medical condition will be covered, call Allianz on 1800 091 710 to check if you can use this insurance.

How to make a claim through your Westpac credit card complimentary international travel insurance policy

As soon as you think you'll need to make a claim, contact Allianz Global Assistance. In an emergency overseas, call +61 7 3305 7499 (24/7), or 1800 010 075 from within Australia

There are 2 main ways you can submit your claim:

You will hear back about your claim within 10 business days, according to the online claims website.

What to include in your claim

Aim to include as much detail and supporting documentation as possible. It makes it easier for the insurer to look at the claim and your eligibility for a payout.

So when you're travelling with this cover, try to get as much written or photo evidence as you can for any claim you need to make. This could include the following:

• A referral or letter from a doctor or other professional you see in relation to a claim
• Official medical reports
• Police reports
• Photos of damaged items
• Emails or letters from airlines that relate to a claim
• Receipts or other proof of purchase

When you fill in the online claim form, you’ll also be asked for some key personal details, including part of your Westpac credit card number (to confirm you’re eligible for cover).

Other types of Westpac complimentary credit card travel insurance

Domestic travel insurance (replaces Interstate flight inconvenience insurance)

• What is it? Cover for domestic flights within and between states and territories in Australia. It includes cancellation, flight delays of 4 hours or more, additional expenses (for example, if you get sick or your transport is disrupted by a strike or bad weather), and lost, damaged or delayed luggage.
• When can I use it? You'll get cover for up to 14 days in a row if you charge the entire cost of your return domestic flight to your eligible Westpac card before you leave. Your spouse and dependants are also covered if their return flights are charged to your card and they travel with you for at least half the trip. You don't need to activate this cover.
• Is there an excess cost? There's a $100 excess for cancellation, additional expenses and luggage claims. There's no excess for flight delay or luggage delay claims.

Note: For domestic travel insurance, you need to charge the entire cost of your return domestic flight to your eligible card, and cover lasts up to 14 days per trip. For rental vehicle excess cover, you need to pay for the whole vehicle hire with your card. You don't need to activate either cover.

Rental vehicle excess in Australia insurance

• What is it? Cover for the excess you have to pay if a vehicle you've rented in Australia is damaged, stolen or involved in an accident, up to a maximum of $5,500 (or less if the amount in your rental agreement is lower).
• When can I use it? If you've charged the entire rental payment to your eligible Westpac credit card and your rental agreement lists an excess amount. Cover applies to cars, SUVs, people movers and campervans up to 4.5 tonnes. You don't need to activate this cover.
• Is there an excess cost? There is a $300 excess for each claim you submit.

Westpac business credit card complimentary insurance options

All Westpac business credit cards offer complimentary unauthorised transaction insurance to help protect you if an additional cardholder uses the account for something that's not allowed.

You can also get complimentary insurance for travel and shopping depending on the Westpac business credit card you choose. Here’s a look at your options:

Frequently asked questions

Does Westpac credit card international travel insurance cover coronavirus?

Yes, Westpac's complimentary international cover includes some cover related to COVID-19 under its medical benefits. Cancellation cover for COVID-19 is only available if you upgrade to Comprehensive International Travel Insurance. As claim requirements are specific, read the PDS for full details.

This cover also applies for other known pandemics and epidemics. But as claim requirements are very specific, make sure you read the insurance policy booklet for full details.

Finder also has a whole guide covering questions about this pandemic and travel insurance.

Can I get proof of my cover?

Yes. When you activate your Complimentary International Medical Travel Insurance in the Westpac App or Online Banking, your policy documents are emailed to you. You can use these if a cruise or tour operator asks for proof of insurance.

Written by

Amy Bradney-George

Journalist

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Amy is an experienced journalist with over 16 years of experience, contributing to major publications like Money Magazine, The Sydney Morning Herald, and ABC News Australia. Specialising in personal finance, she frequently appeared in media outlets and on radio. Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Drama from Griffith University and earned RG146 certifications in Tier 1 Generic Knowledge and Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products, ensuring her expertise is grounded in current financial regulations. Amy was Finder's Senior Writer for Credit Cards from 2016 to 2024. See full bio

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