Tips for comparing travel insurance policies if you are already overseas
There are a number of tips you should be aware of to help ensure you end up with the best already overseas travel insurance policy to suit your needs.
What is the waiting period? Most insurers will apply a waiting period of about 3 days before cover will commence.
What excess will you pay? Some insurers will apply an increased excess for already overseas policies.
What activities will you be covered for? Then you can consider the activities and experiences you plan on enjoying while travelling. Will you be just relaxing beside the pool most of the time or are you planning on engaging in higher-risk activities like skydiving? Some policies will exclude certain activities, so make sure you know what is and isn’t covered.
Will you be covered for medical repatriation to Australia? If taking out travel insurance while overseas, it's important to find a policy that will cover the cost of medical repatriation to Australia where necessary.
Need cover for the family? Most insurance companies offer Family cover so that you can cover your spouse and children under the one policy. Cover for dependents under the age of 21 is generally provided free of charge.
Why you can trust Finder's travel insurance experts
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Our travel insurance engine is completely free to use. You pay the same as buying directly from the insurer. Better still, we regularly run exclusive deals that you won't find on any other site.
Unlike other comparison sites, we're not owned by an insurer. That means our opinions are our own and we work with lots of travel insurance brands, making it easier for you to find a good deal.
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Since 2014, we've helped over one million people find travel insurance by explaining your options simply. We'll never ask for your number or email to see prices. We're here to help you make a decision.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Some Australian travel insurers will allow you to buy travel insurance after you've left the country. They won't cover you for anything related to the portion of your trip that has passed but they will cover you for the remainder of your stay.
Yes, when you take out travel insurance, you will be asked what countries you are travelling to. If you have changed plans and will be visiting more countries, call your insurer to add them on to your policy for an additional charge. Alternatively, take out another travel insurance policy for the countries you will be visiting.
No. Typically, Australian travel insurers usually require you to have an end date for your trip. If you’re living in another country and have no plans to return home in the foreseeable future, you might want to consider taking out cover with an international provider instead, or look into health insurance options.
Yes, most insurers will allow you to extend your period of cover but the request will usually have to be made within a certain number of days before the policy expiry date. The general process for extending your cover is:
Call the providers call centre or email the provider directly
Provider will assess your reason for extending cover and provide you with a quote
Pay for the extension of cover either online or on the phone
When will I not be able to extend my cover?
For any pre-existing conditions unless specified by the insurer
For medical conditions that you suffered during the first period of cover on your original policy
If you have not notified your insurer of events that may lead to a claim under your original policy
If you are over the maximum age eligible to apply for an extension under your insurers policy
Gary Ross Hunter is an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).
Are you an Australian currently residing overseas and looking for travel insurance cover? Find cover options from international travel insurance providers and make a secure enquiry for cover.
Find out which providers will let you extend your policy while travelling and the general conditions for extending cover. Find out when you can extend your policy free of charge.
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