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Travel Insurance Australia
Compare travel insurance and get the right cover for your trip here or abroad.
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Travel insurance rules continue to change due to the coronavirus pandemic.
We’re working hard to make sure our guides are up to date, but some information may not be accurate during this time. It's important to double-check all details before taking out cover. Some policies may not be available through Finder.
Keep up to date with the changing domestic travel restrictions.
Other ways we can help
Most travel insurance policies are unavailable right now, but we still want to help. Here's some useful info about getting on top of your finances, so there's less to worry about during this very weird time.
More travel insurance information for...
Travel Insurance Finder® helps you easily compare travel insurance
What is travel insurance in Australia?
Travel insurance is an agreement between you and your travel insurer. You pay them a fee (also known as your premium) based on the risks associated with your trip. In exchange, your insurer agrees to pay you for unexpected bills related to your trip, up to an agreed amount. Travel insurance can help out in lots of ways by:
- Helping to pay for 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
When one of these problems does occur while you're away, travel insurance can reimburse you for the costs incurred, so you can travel with peace of mind.
Looking to cover COVID-19?
A few brands are starting to offer travel insurance benefits for the coronavirus pandemic. Cover is limited and it doesn't cover the expenses from border closures.
Don't forget to check the product disclosure statement (PDS) to understand what you're covered for.
| Brand | COVID-19 expenses | Cooling off period | Overseas medical expenses | Theft or damage to luggage | Standard excess | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 21 days | Unlimited | Up to $12,000 | $250 | Get quote |
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| 21 days | Unlimited | Up to $15,000 | $250 | Get quote |
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| 21 days | Unlimited | Up to $15,000 | $250 | More info |
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| 21 days | Unlimited | Up to $15,000 | $70 | More info |
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| 21 days | Unlimited | Up to $15,000 | $250 | More info |
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| 21 days | Unlimited | Up to $15,000 | $250 | More info |
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| 21 days | Unlimited | Up to $8,000 | $250 | More info |
Why compare travel insurance with Finder
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Get more than just a quote
We write our content based on information travellers are looking for. We're an independent publisher and want to help you find the best information.
How we look at travel insurance comparison
Enter your trip details into our search tool and you can get loads of quotes in seconds. Here are some other features of our search tool to help you compare:
Finder Rating
The finder rating helps with comparison by giving you an idea of how comprehensive a policy is, based on how many benefits are included and to what extent.
Price
You can sort travel insurance policies by price - budget to most expensive (and vice versa). It's always worth comparing prices because you can get more value.
Benefits
If some policy benefits are more important to you than others, use the "More info" tab to compare included benefits and limits across different travel insurance brands.
Choose the type of cover you need
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Cruise
Ski
Domestic
Senior
Student
Visitors to Australia
Pregnancy
Pre-existing Conditions
Rental Car Excess
Popular travel insurance comparisons and guides
5 things you need to know
Travel insurance doesn't protect you from yourself
Your claim can be denied if the insurer finds that you failed to take care or act responsibly. Consider this before you have a few too many drinks on your trip or jump on a moped without a helmet.
Rules about renting motorcycles and scooters on your holiday
Did you know that travel insurance will only cover you if you're riding with an Australian motorcycle licence, or a valid licence in that country? You also need to be wearing a helmet and stick to a specific engine size.
You might need to pay more for certain activities
You'll need to pay extra for some high-risk activities such as skiing and motorcycling. This can be added when applying online. You'll find that most Australian insurers have a list of activities found in the PDS which are included for free.
How travel insurers treat natural disasters
Travel insurance can cover cancellations and injuries that arise from natural disasters depending on your policy type and when it was issued. If you buy your policy after the natural disaster becomes a "known event", you won't be covered.
Don't make assumptions when it comes to claims
If you're unsure about what to do when the unexpected happens, most insurers have a 24/7 emergency assistance line that you can contact. They will advise you on the right steps to take and help start your claim process.
It's important to know that travel insurance doesn't cover everything. Check out our guide for a list of common exclusions from Australian travel insurers.
Compare the cost of travel insurance with Finder
There is no flat fee when it comes to travel insurance. The cost depends on a range of factors including:
- The trip length
- The level of cover you choose
- The places you go
- Your age
- Activities you'll partake in
- Pre-existing medical conditions
Prices can also vary based on which travel insurance company you choose. The graph below shows how the price of travel insurance for a 7-day trip in Bali for a 49-year-old differs between insurers. You'll also notice the difference in price between travel plans (basic and comprehensive), because budget policies will generally cover less. This is why it's so important to compare travel insurance.
This graph was last updated in August 2019.
Travel insurance guides for our most popular destinations
Frequently asked questions
Can I get travel insurance that covers COVID-19?
A handful of insurers offer cover for COVID-19, but it's limited to being diagnosed and being in contact with an active case. This means that it's unlikely you'll be covered for things like border closures.
Do I really need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is compulsory for some countries such as Cuba, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Belarus. But even if it's not compulsory for other countries, Smartraveller.gov.au advises that if you can afford to travel, you can afford travel insurance. It's a small price to pay compared to the thousands you could lose if something unexpected happens.
How much does travel insurance cost?
On average, a travel insurance policy to Bali for 2 weeks for a 30-year-old is $56.84 (as of February 2020), but the cost of travel insurance can vary so much between different people, you should always compare your options. You can get cheaper policies with fewer inclusions, or more expensive policies with upgrades. When looking for travel insurance, the way to get the most value is to consider your trip and only get cover for what you need.
What's the difference between flight insurance and travel insurance?
Flight insurance is sometimes offered by airlines to cover you for the costs of flight cancellations and delays. It's different because it only covers flight-related expenses compared to travel insurance which is more inclusive. Travel insurance can protect your entire trip including your flights, overseas medical costs and luggage to name a few.
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 won't cover it.
Before you buy any travel insurance policy, always read the PDS to make sure you're covered for what you need. After you buy a policy, you should expect an email with your certificate of insurance and a copy of the PDS.
Before you buy any travel insurance policy, always read the PDS to make sure you're covered for what you need. After you buy a policy, you should expect an email with your certificate of insurance and a copy of the PDS.
Will travel insurance pay my medical expenses up-front?
Travel insurance will typically pay for emergency medical expenses up-front if you need, but you'll have to get in contact with your insurer as soon as possible to arrange it.
If your condition isn't major and you don't have to pay a lot, it might be easier for you to claim your expenses when you get back home.
What's a "known event"?
In insurance, a known event is an incident that has been reported by the media or government, e.g. a planned pilot strike or weather warning. If you buy travel insurance after these incidents become known events, you most likely won't be covered for any related claims.
What's an excess?
An excess is the out-of-pocket expense 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.
Are there age restrictions on travel insurance?
Most Australian insurers will have an age limit for seniors which can vary from 65 onwards. Those that do cover all ages often have limits on trip durations and exclusions on pre-existing conditions.
Most policies will cover kids for free if they're travelling with the parent or guardian listed on the Certificate of Insurance. You usually need to be under 21 to be eligible as a dependent, though this varies between brands.
What's the difference between standalone travel insurance and complimentary credit card travel insurance?
Complimentary credit card travel insurance often comes with more conditions and exclusions than a standalone policy. For example, you might have to pay for a certain percentage of your trip using your credit card. You should always 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 underinsured, consider taking out a standalone policy instead.
Will travel insurance cover me for my pre-existing medical condition?
Depending on your condition and the insurer, you might be automatically covered for free, you may have to pay more for a policy, or you might not be covered at all. Either way, be sure to let your insurer know about your pre-existing conditions when you apply. Otherwise, any related claims you make are likely to be denied.
Picture: Getty Images
*Travel Insurance Finder compares brands for Australians looking for cover. The number of brands compared may vary based on external factors such as age, destination, cover type and technical issues.
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I would like a years travel insurance worldwide please advise
Hi Mike,
Thanks for getting in touch! It’s great to know that you are looking to get travel insurance. To get started, please utilize the online form found on top of the page above. Enter all the details needed in the form and press GET MY QUOTE. Once done, you will see a list of providers that may review your insurance inquiry. If you need further help, a quick guide on how to compare travel insurance is also included on the page.
As a friendly reminder, carefully review the Product Disclosure Statement of the product before applying. You may also contact the insurance provider should you have any questions about their policy.
Hope this helps and feel free to reach out to us again for further assistance.
Best,
Nikki
Do I need to purchase Travel insurance before I pay for flights etc?
Hi Lorelie,
Thanks for reaching out to us at Finder!
There’s nothing stopping you from purchasing travel insurance before you pay for flights but typically, people usually buy it after or at the same time of booking.
This is because your flight dates will generally confirm your travel dates. You’ll have a confirmed flight itinerary and be able to match those dates to the date range you’ll need cover for.
I hope you find this helpful.
Kind regards,
Jessica
How long before I travel should I purchase travel insurance?
Hi Lorelei,
Thanks for getting in contact with us at Finder!
We always recommend buying travel insurance as early as possible. This is so that you can take advantage of cancellation benefits in case something out of your control happens.
Most policies cost the same if you buy it today, versus if you but it later, so generally; you’ll get better value out of buying it earlier.
I hope you found this helpful.
Kind regards,
Jessica
How can I get travel insurance for a boat cruise for the 25/02/2020 going to the South Pacific islands. Our ages are 78 and 75 respectively. Is there any chance on getting yearly insurance or is it just for a single trip. Thank you.
Hi Delia,
Thanks for getting in contact with us at Finder!
From my research of over 15 of our travel insurance partners, InsureandGo travel insurance offers annual multi-trip policies for people up to the age of 100. Their annual multi-trip policies also offer automatic cover for on-board hospital and medical expenses as long as any pre-existing conditions are declared.
If you decide to choose a single trip policy instead, head to our cruise travel insurance page and enter your trip details into the comparison tool to compare quotes for eligible policies.
I hope this has been helpful.
Kind regards,
Jessica
Are there any insurance companies that cover Outdoor Rock Climbing without a guide. My son has already left Australia.
Hi Matilda,
Thanks for your message. Yes, there are insurers offering rock climbing travel insurance, however, they require all climbs to be with a professional/guide. Given that your son is already overseas, you may want to reach out to insurers for travellers outside Australia. As a friendly reminder, carefully review the Product Disclosure Statement of the product before applying. You may also contact the insurance provider should you have any questions about their policy.
Hope this helps and best of luck in finding an insurer for your son!
Best,
Nikki