Long term travel insurance
Long stay travel insurance can cover you for 12 months or longer, covering you for medical expenses, cancellations and more.
Key takeaways
- Long term travel insurance can cover you for at least 12 months, and sometimes up to 2 years.
- Long term travel insurance covers medical expenses, cancellations, luggage and more.
- Most brands will allow you to extend your policy while you are away.
Can you get long-term travel insurance?
Yup, long-term travel insurance policies are available from a range of Aussie travel insurance providers. Most of the brands in our table cap a policy at 12 months, including any extension, and some PDSs don't specify a limit. If you need a longer policy, some providers will let you extend your travel insurance while you're overseas. Fast Cover allows up to 24 months in total.
When might you need long-term travel insurance?
Anyone taking a trip longer than about 3 months will need a travel insurance policy that would be considered a long-term policy. That's pretty common, especially for backpackers or retired travellers.
Another example is travel insurance for working holiday visas. If you go on a working holiday in a country that doesn't have a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia you'll need travel insurance - not just for basic medical cover, but likely as a condition of your visa. This is really common with young Australians working in Canada, for example.
Long-term travel insurance for working in Canada
"When I went to Canada on a 2-year working holiday visa, I needed travel insurance for the entire trip as a condition of my visa. I did some research, and the best option was to take out a 12-month policy with FastCover, which is the maximum length they let you take out an initial policy for. Then I just applied for an extension to my policy up to the 2 years that I needed."
What travel insurance brands provide long stay policies?
| Brand | Maximum Trip Length | *Conditions of Extension | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 12 months | To be insured for longer than the period on your original Certificate of Insurance, you need to buy a new policy before your current one expires. It's not an extension of your original policy. The maximum overall period for Worldwide cover is 12 months in total. | Get quote |
 | Limit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS) | You can apply to extend your policy through the online policy manager before it expires (11:59pm AEST). If Zoom agrees and you pay the extra premium, you'll get a new Certificate of Insurance. If you're 80 or over, a Comprehensive or Domestic policy can't go beyond 90 days from your first travel date. Extensions aren't available on Frequent Traveller policies, or on Medical Only policies if you're 70 or over. | Get quote |
 | 24 months | Contact Fast Cover on or before your original policy expiry date to apply. If Fast Cover agrees, an extra premium may apply and you'll get a new Certificate of Insurance. Your original and new policies can't exceed a combined maximum of 24 months. Unless Fast Cover approves, cover won't be extended if you're 90 or over at the time of the extension. | Get quote |
 | 12 months | You can normally extend your policy while you're overseas, up to a maximum of 12 months in total from the date cover first started. You apply through your online account. | Get quote |
 | 12 months | You can normally extend your policy while you're overseas, up to a maximum of 12 months in total from the date cover first started. You apply through your online account. | Get quote |
 | Limit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS) | To extend your cover, contact InsureandGo before the end date on your original Certificate of Insurance. The PDS says the maximum trip duration depends on your age and your travel destination. | Get quote |
 | 365 days | To extend your cover, email Tick before the end date of your original policy schedule. Your total trip can't exceed the maximum trip duration of the travel plan you select. This depends on your plan, age and destination, and is up to 365 days if you're 64 or under. | Get quote |
 | 12 months | You can apply to extend a Single Trip policy before it expires. Extensions need World2Cover's approval and an extra premium. The period on your new Certificate of Insurance, added to your original one, can't exceed a combined maximum of 12 months. Annual Multi-Trip policies can't be extended. | More info |
 | 12 months | To be insured for longer than the period on your original Certificate of Insurance, you need to buy a new policy before your current one expires. It's not an extension of your original policy. The maximum overall period for Worldwide cover is 12 months in total. | Get quote |
 | 12 months | You can ask to extend your cover for an extra premium if you're still overseas and your insurance hasn't ended. Your journey, including any extension, can't be longer than 12 months in total from the date it started. | |
 | Limit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS) | The PDS doesn't explain how to extend a policy on request. If you can't finish your travel before your policy expires for reasons beyond your control, cover continues for up to 21 more days at no extra cost. | More info |
 | 12 months | To be insured for longer than the period on your original Certificate of Insurance, you need to buy a new policy before your current one expires. It's not an extension of your original policy. The maximum overall period for Worldwide cover is 12 months in total. | Get quote |
 | 12 months | To be insured for longer than the period on your original Certificate of Insurance, you need to buy a new policy before your current one expires. It's not an extension of your original policy. The maximum overall period for Worldwide cover is 12 months in total. | Get quote |
 | Limit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS) | You can apply to extend your policy through the online policy manager before it expires (11:59pm AEST). If 1Cover agrees and you pay the extra premium, you'll get a new Certificate of Insurance. If you're 80 or over, a Comprehensive or Domestic policy can't go beyond 90 days from your first travel date. Extensions aren't available on Frequent Traveller policies, or on Medical Only or Already Overseas policies if you're 70 or over. | More info |
 | Limit not specified in the product disclosure statement (PDS) | Apply before your original policy expires. If accepted, you'll be issued a new policy (not an extension of your original one) and an extra premium applies. The new policy can't exceed 12 months from its start date for Comprehensive, Essentials or Non-Medical plans, or 69 days for Domestic plans. You can't get a new policy this way if your original policy is a Multi-Trip plan. |
Note: This information was last updated October 2026
What does long term travel insurance cover?
Long term travel insurance usually covers 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)
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
More resources on Finder
Ask a question
20 Responses
More guides on Finder
-
AllClear Travel Insurance
Our verdict: AllClear Travel Insurance covers globetrotters of any age and more than 1,300 pre-existing medical conditions, including heart complications and diabetes.
-
ahm Travel Insurance
Comprehensive review of the travel insurance policies on offer from ahm Travel Insurance.
-
Teachers Health Travel Insurance
Learn more about Teachers Health Travel Insurance
-
Travel insurance with insolvency cover
Will you get your money back if your travel agent goes bust before processing your booking? Here's what you need to know.
-
Tick Travel Insurance
Tick Travel Insurance offers competitive single trip insurance to suit a range of travellers with three levels of cover to choose from.
-
Medibank Travel Insurance
Medibank is a leading travel insurance provider in Australia offering cover for international comprehensive, international medical only cover and more. Read the finder.com.au review for a breakdown of the policy and more.
-
Travel insurance for missed flights and delays
This article examines what is and isn’t covered by missed flight travel insurance and also takes a look at other types of trip interruption and cancellation cover.
-
Westpac Travel Insurance
Compare Westpac Travel Insurance, see features, and more.
-
nib Travel Insurance
NIB Travel Insurance: No age limit and cover for 40+ pre-existing medical conditions.
-
COTA Travel Insurance
Compare benefits for COTA Travel Insurance.
Hi,I’m moving to the UK this year with working/holiday visa and confused on which type of insurances I should get. I’m planning to stay and work there for 2 years but definitely thinking of doing backpacking around Europe while I’m there and also going back to Australia during Christmas periods. So is long term policy is the best or is there a better type that works for me? Thanks for your help.
Hi Gigi,
Thanks for your question.
As you will be away for two years, you may be unable to find a travel insurance policy that can cover you for that much time, as the maximum travel period covered by Australian insurers is generally 18 months.
It also depends on your choice of coverage. If you are wanting to cover your luggage and self in transit, you may want to consider a one-way travel insurance policy. Depending on your situation, you may also have medical cover due to the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom.
If you are wanting cover for travel while overseas, there may be options available both through Australian travel insurance brands and UK providers.
You should contact any travel insurance brand before agreeing to cover and ask them whether or not their policy will be suited to your situation. Make sure you review the relevant product disclosure statements (PDS) to review any exclusions or restrictions that may apply.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
traveling to Indonesia. Will be living there permanently for 12 months other than possible one or two week visits back to Australia. will also need to fly to Singapore to renew my visa every 2 months,one day visits.
i would like advice on what comprehensive medical cover is best for me ?
Paul.
Hi Paul,
You will only be able to have continued cover until your return to Australia. Once you return to Australia the cover will end. Generally, travel insurance policies will include a clause similar to:
“All cover ends on the earlier of the date you return home or the last of the traveling dates shown on your certificate of insurance”
Depending on the length of time you’ll be away you may be able to get an annual travel insurance policy. These policies are limited when it comes to the duration of a single trip. The maximum length of time covered by a travel insurance brand in our panel is 93 days. If the time you’re going to be away between return trips to Australia is more than 93 days, you will need to look into getting separate policies for each time you return to Australia.
Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features, and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
I am enquiring about travel insurance for an Australian citizen who is travelling to Canada under the Internation Experience Canada. The person is 21 years of age and has a work visa to stay in the country for 2 years. Apparently upon entry they need health insurance for the 2 year period. Do you know who could provide this insurance in Australia and prior to departure. Thank you
Hi Linda,
Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is a comparison service and not an insurer. You will need to check with the immigration department as to whether Long Term Travel Insurance is an acceptable form of insurance, whether you need to have cover from a provider in your host nation or whether you can have cover with an Australian provider (such as BUPA International health insurance).
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
I am heading off to live in Asia for a year. I may come back and forth to Australia but the time away on any one trip may be over 90 days. What is the best travel insurance for me?
Hi Tony,
Thanks for your question.
As this is a unique situation, you may need to speak with an insurer directly about creating a custom policy that allows you to make multiple return journeys. InsureandGo have a backpacker’s travel insurance policy that allows for one return trip to Australia. Alternatively, Travel Insuranz
provide an annual policy that covers individual journeys of up to 93 days.
Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features, and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard
I’m backpacking for a year. I know I will go to most European countries, USA, Canada but other then that I’m kind of just winging it and going where ever people lead me. Hence I’m not 100% sure of all my destinations nor all my activities. What should I do to make sure I am covered everywhere I go?
Hi Sally,
Thanks for your question.
Since you are traveling to both the US and Europe, you will need to select a worldwide cover. If you are unsure of the activities you are going to engage in, it is really up to you whether or you go with a comprehensive policy or not. Make sure the policy you go with does cover you for year-long trips.
Please have a look at our backpacker travel insurance page for more information. Please make sure to read the eligibility criteria, features, and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.
I hope this was helpful,
Richard