Gap year travel insurance

What travel insurance brands provide cover for a year abroad?

Brand	Maximum Trip Length	*Conditions of Extension	Enquire
	12 months	If You are travelling and wish to be insured for longer than the original period shown on Your original Certificate of Insurance, You need to purchase a new policy. Restrictions on the duration of the new policy may apply. For example, the maximum overall period for Worldwide cover is 12 months in total.	Get quote
	12 months	You can purchase the new cover subject to approval and duration of cover cannot exceed the total of 12 months.	Get quote
	24 months	The period of insurance on your original Certificate of Insurance and your new Certificate of Insurance cannot exceed a maximum combined period of 24 months.	Get quote
	12 months	You can normally extend your policy whilst you are overseas up to a maximum period of 12 months in total from the date cover first started.	Get quote
	12 months	You can normally extend your policy whilst you are overseas up to a maximum period of 12 months in total from the date cover first started.	Get quote
	18 months	Policies can be extended only once and only up to the maximum trip length of the travel plan you select One trip, Cruise and Domestic: 365 days if you are aged 64 or under 90 days if you are aged 65 or over (unless you are aged 80 or over, and select a Worldwide Including travel plan) 35 days if you are aged 80 or over, and select a Worldwide Including travel plan Backpackers: 18 months	Get quote
	365 days	If you voluntarily wish to extend your cover before the end date of your original policy schedule, you need to email us.	Get quote
	12 months	The Period of Insurance on Your new Certificate of Insurance, when added to the period of Your original Certificate of Insurance, cannot exceed a combined maximum period of 12 months.	More info
	12 months	If You are travelling and wish to be insured for longer than the original period shown on Your original Certificate of Insurance, You need to purchase a new policy. The maximum overall period for Worldwide cover is 12 months in total.	Get quote
	12 months	Your length of cover (including the extension) shouldn't be more than 12 months.
	365 days	You can only extend a policy up to a maximum of 365 days from the original departure date shown on your certificate of insurance.	More info
	12 months	If You are travelling and wish to be insured for longer than the original period shown on Your original Certificate of Insurance, You need to purchase a new policy. The maximum overall period for Worldwide cover is 12 months in total.	Get quote
	12 months	You can purchase the new cover subject to approval and duration of cover cannot exceed the total of 12 months.	Get quote
	15 months	Your period of Overseas travel does not exceed 15 consecutive months in total from the date You originally departed Australia.	More info
	12 months	You can purchase the new cover subject to approval and duration of cover cannot exceed the total of 12 months.

Note: This information was last updated April 2025

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What should my travel insurance for a gap year cover?

Annual travel insurance covers all the same things as a single-trip policy. This includes:

• Medical expenses including evacuation
• Family emergencies
• Cancellation fees and lost deposits.
• Luggage and personal belongings, including luggage delays
• Travel delay.
• Rental vehicle excess insurance
• Cruise and ski cover
• Personal liability (legal fees and penalties)

Extra cover that you may need in your gap year

• Rental vehicle excess cover. If your rental vehicle is involved in an accident or stolen, you could be liable for the rental company's expensive insurance excess, which could be several thousand dollars. Luckily, most comprehensive travel insurance policies cover this expense.
• Snow sports cover. Snow sports cover protects you from costs such as stolen or damaged equipment, equipment hire, and ski resort closure due to inclement weather. Seek snow cover if you are planning on going skiing or snowboarding during your gap year.
• Adventure activities cover. Many high-risk adventure activities you might want to indulge in during your gap year such as rock climbing or hang gliding, are not automatically covered on many policies. Adding optional adventure activities cover to your policy ensures that claims resulting from your participation in such sports will be covered.
• Valuable items cover. Although a travel insurance policy may have a high amount of cover for your personal possessions should they be lost or stolen, be aware that sub-limits may apply to individual items. As a result, you may not have sufficient cover in place to repair or replace an expensive laptop or camera, so taking out extra valuables cover can be a good idea.

What are some common general exclusions?

Though no two long term insurance policies are the same, you will generally not have your claim paid if:

• Your claim results from a pre-existing medical condition for which you are not covered
• Your claim relates to any elective medical, dental, cosmetic or surgical procedure
• You fail to take reasonable care to minimise your loss or injury
• Your claim relates to you committing an unlawful act
• Your claim relates to psychiatric, nervous, mental or behavioural disorders
• Your claim relates to physical, mental or emotional exhaustion
• Your claim is a result of an intentional self-inflicted injury
• Your claim is a result of the use of alcohol or drugs, except drugs prescribed by a medical practitioner
• Your claim relates to a sexually transmitted disease
• Your claim arises as a result of pregnancy or childbirth
• Your claim relates to riding a motorcycle (certain exceptions may apply depending on your policy)
• You participate in professional sport or adventure activities
• You participate in paid work that is not for your usual employer and was not arranged beforehand
• Your claim relates to an act of war.

Frequently asked questions

• Is gap year travel insurance the same as backpacker travel insurance?

  While there is significant overlap between gap year and backpacker travel insurance they are not always identical. Both types of policies typically offer cover for longer trips, multiple destinations and a wider range of activities compared to standard single trip policies. Some insurers might market specific "backpacker" policies which can sometimes be more budget-focused or tailored for activities common among backpackers. Always compare the specific features, exclusions and benefits of any policy to ensure it meets your gap year needs.

• What if I plan to work during my gap year?

  Many gap year travellers undertake casual work or volunteering overseas. It is crucial to check your policy's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) regarding working abroad. Some policies may exclude claims arising from certain types of manual labour or paid employment unless you have purchased an optional add-on. Always inform your insurer of your intentions to work to ensure you have appropriate cover.

• Are there any age limits for gap year travel insurance?

  Yes, age limits can vary significantly between different travel insurance providers and policies. While many policies cater to younger gap year travellers, some may have higher premiums or specific exclusions for those over a certain age. It is important to provide accurate age details when getting a quote to ensure you receive eligible cover.

• Can I return to Australia for a short visit during my gap year and maintain my cover?

  Some long term travel insurance policies allow for short return visits to Australia without cancelling your overall policy. This feature often comes with specific conditions such as a maximum duration for your return visit or a limit on how many times you can do it. You will need to check the PDS or contact your insurer to understand if this option is available and what rules apply.

• Do I need to declare pre-existing medical conditions for gap year cover?

  Yes, it is essential to declare all pre-existing medical conditions when you purchase your gap year travel insurance. Failure to do so could result in your claims related to those conditions being denied. Some conditions may be automatically covered, others might require a medical assessment or incur an additional premium. Always be honest and thorough when completing your application.

• What if my travel plans or itinerary change after I have bought my policy?

  If your travel plans change such as altering your destinations, travel dates or duration it is important to contact your insurer as soon as possible. Depending on the changes your policy may need to be updated, which could result in an additional premium or a change in your cover. Some changes may not be accommodated so always check with your provider.

• How much does gap year travel insurance typically cost?

  The cost of gap year travel insurance varies widely based on several factors. These include the duration of your trip, the destinations you are visiting, your age, the level of cover you choose and any optional extras, like adventure activities or valuable item cover. Comparing quotes from multiple providers on Finder can help you find a policy that suits your budget and needs.

• When is the best time to purchase gap year travel insurance?

  It is generally recommended to purchase your gap year travel insurance as soon as you have made your initial travel bookings, such as flights or accommodation. This ensures that you are covered for unforeseen events like cancellations or delays before your trip even begins. If you wait until you depart you will miss out on pre-departure cover benefits.

• Does gap year travel insurance cover volunteering abroad?

  Volunteering abroad can be covered by gap year travel insurance, however it depends on the specific nature of the work. Light administrative or observational roles are often covered but manual labour or high risk volunteering activities may be excluded or require an additional add-on. Always check your policy's PDS and inform your insurer about your volunteering plans.

• What is a travel insurance excess?

  A travel insurance excess is the amount of money you need to pay towards a claim before your insurer pays the rest. For example, if you have an excess of $200 and you make a claim for $1,000 the insurer will pay $800 and you pay $200. You can often choose a higher or lower excess which will affect your premium.

Written by

Jessica Prasida

Travel Insurance Expert

Jessica Prasida brings a decade of experience in the travel industry, including over four years as a travel agent and branch manager at STA Travel. She holds a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Marketing from the University of Technology, Sydney, as well as a Tier 1 General Insurance qualification that complies with ASIC guidelines. An avid traveller herself, Jessica combines her professional expertise with a passion for ensuring safe and enjoyable journeys for all travellers. Jessica was a Travel Insurance Publisher at Finder from 2019 to 2024. See full bio

Co-written by

Gary Ross Hunter

Journalist

Gary Ross Hunter has over 6 years of expertise writing about insurance, including life, health, home, and car insurance. Having reviewed hundreds of product disclosure statements and published over 800 articles, he loves simplifying complex insurance topics for everyday readers. Gary has contributed to major outlets like Yahoo Finance, The Sydney Morning Herald, and news.com.au, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, along with a Tier 2 General Advice certification, ensuring his work adheres to ASIC’s RG146 standards. See full bio

Gary Ross's expertise

Gary Ross has written 559 Finder guides across topics including:

• Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
• Managing the cost of living