Best travel insurance
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While there's no single best travel insurance that's right for everyone, finding a policy that works for you is easier when you use the Finder Rating. The Finder Rating sorts policies based on how much they cover so you can find the best travel insurance for you.
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What should the best policy cover?
When looking for travel insurance there are must-haves and nice-to-haves. When looking for the best policy, it really should have cover for both must-haves and nice-to-haves.
Must-haves
Must-haves- Medical cover
- Flight cancellations and delays
- Trip disruption cover
- Medical evacuation
- Luggage and personal effects
- Passport and travel documents
- Trip cancellation
- Personal liability
- Rental car insurance excess
Nice-to-haves
Nice-to-haves- Travel delays
- Luggage delay cover
- Theft of cash
- Loss of income
- Hospital cash allowance
- Accidental death
- Pet care/ domestic services
Is it best to get a single trip or annual policy?
When you’re looking for travel insurance you’ll come across the option of choosing a single or annual trip policy. Both have their pros and cons but single trip policies are best for you if you don’t plan on travelling much over the next 365 days or if you’re going on one long trip (annual policies cap the length you’re allowed to travel in a single go).
Annual policies are best if you’re a bit of a jet-setter. Buying an annual policy generally works out cheaper than buying single trip policies if you plan on making more than four shorter trips in the next year.
| Single trip | Annual multi-trip |
|---|---|
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Getting the best value out of your travel insurance
Sometimes you're not after the best policy but rather after the best bang for your buck, this is no truer than when trying to find the best travel insurance for the whole family.
We analysed policies from three of our most popular partners to see how their policies for Bali compared. We looked at a 10-day trip to Bali using a 30-year-old traveller. These quotes were retrieved on 28 May 2019.
| Budget Direct | Tick Travel Insurance | Fast Cover | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy | Last minute | Basic | Basics |
| Price for 10 days' cover | $39.03 | $23.51 | $24.80 |
| Excess | $200 | $200 | $200 |
| Overseas emergency medical assistance and hospital expenses | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Luggage and personal effects | $2,500 | $2,000 | Not covered |
| Cancellation fees and lost deposits | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
| Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
*Table was last updated in June 2019
| Budget Direct | Tick Travel Insurance | Fast Cover | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy | Essential | Standard | Standard Saver |
| Price for 10 days' cover | $55.14 | $36.18 | $41.70 |
| Excess | $200 | $200 | $200 |
| Overseas emergency medical assistance and hospital expenses | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Luggage and personal effects | $5,000 | $4,000 | $5,000 |
| Cancellation fees and lost deposits | $12,500 | $5,000 | $25,000 |
| Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
*Table was last updated in June 2019
| Budget Direct | Tick Travel Insurance | Fast Cover | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy | Comprehensive | Top | Comprehensive |
| Price for 10 days' cover | $57.19 | $39.11 | $44.70 |
| Excess | $200 | $200 | $200 |
| Overseas emergency medical assistance and hospital expenses | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Luggage and personal effects | $7,500 | $7,500 | $15,000 |
| Cancellation fees and lost deposits | Unlimited | $20,000 | Unlimited |
| Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
*Table was last updated in June 2019
Best travel insurance companies
Finding the best travel insurance company is not as simple as getting the best policy. For the best travel insurance company, you’re going to want to look at how good its products are in conjunction with things like the company’s reputation and how many complaints it receives.
The table below displays data collected by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) in 2017–18 on your chance of having a dispute per 100,000 with these travel insurers and underwriters. If you’re not sure what the underwriter for a travel insurance company is, you’ll be able to find it listed in the PDS.
| Financial services provider | Primary business | Chance of dispute |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance Australia Limited | General insurer | Not listed |
| Chubb Insurance Australia Limited | General insurer | 0.3 |
| AIG Australia Limited | General insurer | 4.5 |
| AWP Australia Pty Ltd | Underwriting agency | 5.4 |
| Lloyd's Australia Limited | General insurer | 8.5 |
| The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd | General insurer | 11.2 |
| Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited | General insurer | 12 |
| Auto & General Insurance Company Limited | Underwriting agency | 12.3 |
| MEDIAN | 12.3 | |
| Great Lakes Insurance SE | Underwriting agency | 12.9 |
| Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co Ltd | General insurer | 22.9 |
| Southern Cross Benefits Ltd | General insurer | 23.6 |
| QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited | General insurer | 25.1 |
| AAI Limited | General insurer | 28.7 |
| Zurich Australian Insurance Limited | General insurer | 31.1 |
*Table was last updated in June 2019
Check the underwriter
Those listed in the table above are the underwriters of a whole host of travel insurance brands in Australia. So when you’re looking at a policy, it’s always smart to look at which underwriter is used.
Check online reviews
Before you take out your policy, have a quick whip around the Internet to see what previous customers have said about their claims experiences, whether their emergency assistance team was helpful or just customer service in general. Sure, you’re always going to find negative comments, especially in the world of insurance but if the reviews are all overwhelmingly bad, you might want to look at taking your business elsewhere.
What isn't covered even by the best policies?
Sadly, not even the crème de la crème of travel insurance policies cover everything.
Below are a few items no policy provides cover for:
- If you intentionally or recklessly put yourself in danger
- If your claim is for consequential loss of any kind, for example loss of enjoyment
- If your claim arises because you engage in manual labour on your journey (note that some policies will cover working holidays)
- If your claim arises because you breach a government prohibition or regulation
- If you fail to get the correct visa
- If you fail to obtain a passport in time to travel
- If you drive a vehicle without a current Australian licence or a licence valid for the country you are driving in
- If your claim arises due to any errors or omissions in your booking arrangements
- If your claim arises due to an act of war
- If your claim arises due to a pre-existing condition that is excluded from cover
- If you travel to a country for which the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has issued a "Do Not Travel" advisory
- If you travel against medical advice
- If your claim arises because you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs
All policies are different, so make sure you check the relevant PDS for a full list exclusions.
How to find the best travel insurance for...
Every traveller is different, which is why finding the best policy is so hard. These guides should help you narrow down your search:
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Ask an Expert
can You include car rental insurance in with travel insurance? How do I get a quote for both?
Hi Mark,
Thanks for your inquiry. When you hire a car, you are asked to pay an additional fee to reduce your excess in the case of an accident. However, comprehensive international travel insurance can cover rental car insurance excess for international trips and even domestic comprehensive travel insurance can cover you for domestic trips. Here is a page that explains how travel insurance covers car rental excess cover. Contact your preferred insurer to get a quote for comprehensive travel insurance.
Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.
Best,
Nikki
I am about to travel soon. My flight is via Bali to KL. I haven’t bought the Travel insurance. Considering the volcanic eruptions situation in Bali which is the best travel insurance to get ? Thanks in advance
Sandra
Hi Sandra,
Thank you for your inquiry.
As we are a comparison website, I’m afraid we cannot give an advice on which is the best travel insurance you can get because the decision is based entirely on your preferences. But, we do have a page that you can compare your travel insurance options. You may refer this information to the link address here: https://www.finder.com.au/travel-insurance-bali.
I hope this information helped,
Best,
Asia
I am new to travel insurance, how does it work, for example if i get hurt while away ,does the insurance pay the hospital directly from day one or do i pay ,then claim it when i come back to australia
Hi Steven,
Thanks for your question. When you’ll receive payment will depend both on the situation and the insurer and travel insurance brand. You may find our “Will travel insurance pay my medical expenses up-front?” article useful.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Is there a travel insurance cover for cancellation of trip due to threat of terrorism before we travel to a particular country
Hi Marie,
Thanks for your question. Many policies do cover you for cancellation, trip delay and additional travel expenses that are the result of an act or threat of terrorism. However, whether or not you’ll be covered will depend if there is an advisory issued by the Australian government, such as a do not travel warning, or if the act of terrorism is a known event.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
Why can’t I type in departure date?
Hi Robbie,
Thank you for your comment. You should be able to select your departure date by clicking on the departure box and selecting from the menu. The form does not currently allow users to type in dates, only select from the box.
Thank you,
Will
Do any travel insurance policies cover airlines collapsing?
Hi Jocelyn,
Thanks for your comment.
Australian Travel Insurance, QBE, Travel Insuranz, Commonwealth Bank Travel Insurance may cover a financial collapse up to a certain limit – please double check the fine print before committing to anything.
Cheers,
Shirley
I’m a frequent traveller, but as my parents are now elderly, I am contemplating the scenario that at some point I may have to cancel travel arrangements prior to leaving date or cancel mid-trip to come home to care for my parents in an emergency. Does either or both “cancellation policy” or “family emergency” cover this scenario.
Hi Jules,
Thanks for your comment.
This actually depends on the insurer and how they word their policies.
It can be either their cancellation policy or their family emergency – before committing to anything, it’s important to read the PDS so you know which specific cover it is. If you have any doubts, it’s best to contact the travel insurer directly to clarify.
Cheers,
Shirley