Long term travel insurance

Most standard single trip policies will provide cover for a maximum of 12 months so if you're planning gaps year or a backpacking adventure, you may need the flexibility of a policy that will let you go for longer than 12 months or extend your cover while your away. Long term travel insurance is designed to cover travellers taking extended holidays. While the duration of cover varies between providers, some insurers cover trips that last up to 18 months. Most brands will allow you to extend your policy while you are away.

Keep reading to find our more about long term travel insurance and who provides these policies.

What travel insurance brands provide long stay policies?

Brand	Maximum Trip Length	*Conditions of Extension	Enquire
Travel Insurance Saver	24 months	You can purchase two 12 month policies back to back, to get up to 24 months of cover in total.	More info
InsureandGo	18 months	Backpackers insurance covers you up to 540 days on one trip. Cover can be extended but is subject to approval by InsureandGo.	Get quote
1cover	12 months	If you choose to continue travelling after your first 12 months, you may be able to get a further 12 months of cover by taking an "Already Overeas" policy.
Columbus Direct	24 months	You can purchase a 12-month policy and apply to extend another 12 months which is subject to approval.
fastcover	24 months	You can purchase a 12-month policy and apply to extend for another 12 months after your trip has started.
Travel Insuranz	12 months	You can apply for up to a 12 month extension (maximum extension of insurance is 12 months. Note: There is no cover for any insured person who is in the USA for 364 consecutive days or more.
World Care	12 months	You can purchase the new cover subject to approval and duration of cover cannot exceed the total of 12 months.
Zoom	12 months	You can purchase the new cover subject to approval and duration of cover cannot exceed the total of 12 months.

Who might consider long term cover?

Are you going backpacking?

The first group of people who can benefit from long term travel insurance are backpackers. Whether you’re on a gap year or have simply decided to chuck in your job and get out and see the world, a backpacking holiday is all about taking your time, which is why backpackers can benefit from a long term travel insurance policy. These policies generally cover:

• Trips of up to 18 months
• Additional cover for many sport and leisure activities
• Affordable for budget travellers.

Do you travel a lot for business?

Many business travellers can also benefit from a long term travel insurance policy. Also referred to as expat insurance, this type of cover is designed to offer Australians who take up work postings overseas for extended periods of time. Because a business traveller’s insurance needs will differ from those of their colleagues back home and in their temporary overseas residence, they’ll need insurance specifically tailored to their needs. Policies offer cover for things like medical emergencies, trip disruptions and rental vehicle excess.

How much does long term travel insurance cost for popular destinations?

We've calculated the average costs of long term cover (12 months) for popular destinations such as Bali, Thailand, Europe, South America and the USA.
You'll notice how the price differs depending on your destination, for example, the difference between a 12-month policy in Bali versus the USA is $709.38. A contributing factor to this huge difference is the fact that medical care in the USA is really expensive which increases the overall premium of your travel insurance.

^{Costs based on a 25 year old travelling for 12-months. Prices subject to change. Graph last updated: August 2019Back to top}

How do I find suitable cover for my trip?

When you’re shopping for insurance of any kind, the best thing you can do is conduct plenty of research and shop around. Travel insurance is an important expense for all types of travel, so finding a policy that meets your needs is crucial. First, you’ll need to consider your trip:

• Do you know where you're going and what you're doing? Assessing your trip plans will help you determine the type and level of cover you need, and once that’s done you can start comparing policies.
• Have you read the PDS? You should also read the policy documents of a number of competing insurance plans to work out what is and isn’t covered under each one.
• Have you got multiple quote? Obtaining multiple quotes is a good idea to help you determine how much cover will cost and the true value of each long term travel insurance policy on offer.
• Does the policy cover the entirety of your journey? Make sure the policy you choose will cover you for the entire length of your trip and offer protection against any risks you are likely to face while travelling.

What are the benefits of this cover?

While cover differs between policies and providers, a long term travel insurance policy will typically offer the following benefits to policyholders:

• Am I covered for overseas medical emergencies? You will receive cover for the cost of ambulance transportation, medical expenses, hospital expenses and emergency dental expenses incurred while overseas.
• What happens if I need medical evacuation? Many policies will also provide coverage for your emergency medical evacuation, or repatriation back to Australia if required.

• Does the policy cover funeral expenses? If you die as a result of an injury or illness you sustain during your trip, many policies provide a benefit payment to help cover your funeral expenses.
• Am I covered for cancellation fees and lost deposits? If unforeseen circumstances (for example illness) force you to cancel or cut short your trip, you’ll be reimbursed for the cost of any cancellation fees or non-refundable deposits for prepaid travel arrangements.
• Does the policy cover luggage and personal effects? If your luggage and personal effects are lost, stolen or damaged, you’ll receive cover for the cost of their repair or replacement.
• Are you covered for travel delays? You’ll receive cover for any extra costs you incur as a result of unforeseen travel delays.
• What happens if my luggage delayed? If a travel provider loses or misplaces your luggage, you’ll receive funds to but items like emergency clothing and toiletries.
• Are my travel documents cover? Important travel documents, including your passport, will be covered by your policy. You’ll also be protected against the theft of cash from your person.
• Does the policy cover rental vehicle excess? If your rental vehicle is damaged or stolen, your insurance policy will cover the expensive rental company excess.
• Are sports and leisure activities covered? Long term policies typically include a higher level of cover for sports and leisure activities than normal insurance policies.
• Can I get cover if I have a pre-existing medical condition? It’s also possible to apply for cover for certain pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease.

Can I renew my policy overseas?

While insurance providers will differ in their approach to policies, many companies will allow you to renew your insurance cover while you’re overseas. As many backpacker holidays are unplanned — you often don’t know how long you’ll stay in one town, let alone how long you’ll be away for altogether — this is an important feature of many policies. It provides the flexibility many travellers need to ensure that they still have a sufficient level of cover in place.

Use the table above to find out which travel insurers allow you to renew your cover overseas

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.

Common long stay questions

Question: Who can benefit from long term travel insurance?

• Answer: Anyone who is planning an extended trip (typically anything longer than three months) may be able to benefit from this type of cover. This includes backpackers and also business travellers.

Question: How much will cover cost?

• Answer: Exactly how much your cover will cost will depend on a range of factors, including your age, where you’re travelling, how long you’re travelling for and the activities you plan on participating in on your trip.

Question: How can I compare policies?

• Answer: Start comparing policies by using the resources available at finder.com.au. Read the product disclosure statements of a number of policies to learn the features, benefits, limits and exclusions offered. Obtain a number of quotes so that you can also get a good idea of the true value of each policy.

Question: Can I take out cover if I’ve already left home?

• Answer: Yes, it’s entirely possible to take out coverage if you’ve already started your journey. Just make sure to read all the relevant policy documents closely before you sign on the dotted line.

Compare long term travel insurance policies and
If you’re planning an extended trip overseas for business or pleasure, don’t forget to take out an effective form of travel insurance. Long term travel insurance policies provide much-needed financial cover for an extended period of time, ensuring that you will be looked after if something goes wrong when you’re far from home.

Compare quotes for Long Term Travel Insurance

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