Compare travel insurance from 15 big brands

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is designed to protect you financially if something unexpectedly happens while you’re away on your trip. For example, your luggage goes missing and you have to buy all new clothes; or if you roll your ankle while hiking and need to be taken to a hospital where the medical fees are expensive.

Travel insurance is also handy for more serious scenarios or complications you could encounter while on holiday. For example, if you seriously damage a rental car and need to pay the excess or if important documents like your passport are stolen and you need to replace it ASAP.

While we hope you never have to use it, a comprehensive travel insurance policy can be a lifesaver when your getaway doesn’t go to plan.

What does travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance covers emergencies or accidents that might happen to you or your belongings while you're away from home. You pay a travel insurer a fee (known as a premium) that is calculated based on the risks associated with your trip. In exchange, your insurer will pay you for unexpected costs related to your trip such as the following:

• Medical expenses if you're sick or injured overseas.
• Medical expenses relating to COVID-19.
• 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.
• Flight cancellations
• Lost luggage
• Rental car excess (optional extra)

Personal liability

These are just a few examples of what travel insurance can cover. To understand what you’re covered for, read the product disclosure statement (PDS) on your chosen provider’s website.

Do I need travel insurance?

It’s a question we hear often, but it's a question only you can answer. However, here are some scenarios where purchasing a travel insurance policy could be a good idea:

• If your trip is lengthy and expensive. If you’re planning a big getaway where you’ll be gone for a while, accommodation, flights, activities and everything else in between can start to add up. Travel insurance gives you peace of mind that you’ll be covered if things go wrong.
• If you’re planning on skiing or snowboarding. Planning on hitting the slopes? Many travel insurers allow you to purchase additional cover for specific activities, like skiing or snowboarding. This is often listed as Snow Cover.
• You’re going on a cruise. In addition to Snow Cover, you’ll also be able to purchase Cruise Cover. Even if your cruise isn’t leaving Australian waters, you might not be able to claim Medicare or your private health insurance, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
• You wouldn’t be able to replace your belongings. From replacing your clothes to more valuable items, like your laptop, you might not have the funds to cover all of these if your luggage goes missing. Travel insurance can reimburse you for these items.
• You’re visiting a risky country. If you’re travelling to a risky country,travel insurance is a must. Keep in mind that if a travel warning has been issued, there’s a good chance your insurer won’t cover you.
• You’re renting a car. If you’re planning on getting around with a rental car at your destination, having a policy that offers rental car excess insurance might be worth considering.

Did you know?

Finder research revealed a worrying 2 in 3 Australians don’t take out travel insurance. 1 in 3 admitted the reason they travelled without cover was because it was too expensive. This line of thinking could seriously drain your savings if something were to go wrong while abroad.

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When you might not need travel insurance

While traveling with a comprehensive travel insurance policy is generally recommended, there are circumstances where you may not need a policy, such as:

• Domestic travel. If you are travelling within Australia, travel insurance isn’t a must. However, it still may be a good idea if you want coverage for your luggage or flights.
• Your credit card has complimentary insurance. Many credit card providers offer complimentary insurances, like travel insurance. However, coverage can be limited and you may need to follow certain criteria to activate cover.
• Your trip is short and cheap. If you’re heading off on a weekend away, you may not need travel insurance.

How much does travel insurance typically cost?

The cost of travel insurance varies greatly based on where you’re going, the length of your trip and how risky your planned activities are. For a domestic policy, you could be looking at anywhere between $40-$100. For an international policy, you could be up for $100-$300. These price ranges are approximate and should be used as a guide only. Your own quote will differ based on where you’re headed, the length of your trip and what level of cover you select. It’s super easy to get quotes for yourself and compare travel insurance policies, just use the form at the top of the page and you’ll see what’s available on Finder within 30 seconds.

Keep in mind, the cheapest policy isn't always the best. It’s important to know what you’re covered for.

How to compare travel insurance

One of the easiest ways to save on your travel insurance is to shop around on policies. Finder compares 15 big name insurers to help you find the right policy. Here are 4 tips to ensure you find a winner:

• Get ahead. While travel insurance technically doesn’t kick in the moment you buy it, you shouldn’t wait for till the last minute. Tick it off your to do list early to guarantee cover for things like flight cancellations or delays.
• Review limits. No insurers have the same two policies, which is why it’s important to review coverage limits across PDS’s to ensure you’re covered for the amount you need. Things like clothing, electronics and jewelry can be costly to replace and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
• Double check ski and sports cover. If you plan on engaging in adventurous activities or snow sports, double check whether the insurer offers it as an optional extra or if it’s automatically included.
• Be honest. If you have a pre-existing condition or have something your insurer needs to be aware of, state it upfront. It could mean the difference between being covered during an emergency or having to cough up thousands to manage your unforeseen disaster.

When should you buy travel insurance?

It’s wise to compare travel insurance and purchase a policy once you’ve booked costly items or things that can’t be refunded. That could be flights, accommodation, activities, anything really. Once you’ve got a trip firmed up, the best way to protect it is by taking out a travel insurance policy.

Compare Finder award-winning travel insurers



Best Travel Insurance - Comprehensive

Southern Cross Travel Insurance was awarded the title of Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance provider for 2025. The insurer features no restrictive age limits across its policies, generous cover for luggage and personal effects of up to $25,000, plus the option to extend your cover in line with your trip.



Best Travel Insurance - Value

Zoom Travel Insurance took out the top spot for Best Value Travel Insurer, as it offers unlimited trip cancellation cover in Australia, plus the option to tailor your cover to only pay for the things you need.



Best Travel Insurance - Domestic

Tick Travel Insurance was named as the best domestic travel insurance provider in the 2025 Finder Travel Insurance Awards. For domestic travel, Tick offers 3 levels of cover, allowing you to select a level of cover tailored to your needs. Their policies are also free for kids under 18 traveling with parents.



Our expert says

"Good to know – only a handful of insurers including SCTI and CoverMore can cover you for trip cancellations or changes before your journey because of an unexpected event. The majority don't do this. They only cover you for certain reasons. So for example, if your flight was cancelled or delayed for a reason not listed in the PDS, you might not be covered."



Gary Ross Hunter

Journalist

Types of travel insurance

• Multi-trip insurance. Covers multiple trips during the year for up to 90 days. A multi-trip policy can be the cheaper option than purchasing a single policy each time you travel.
• Cruise travel insurance. Cruise insurance is typically listed as an optional extra for your existing policy. Even if your cruise isn’t leaving Australian waters, it’s still recommended to add on cruise cover to have cover for medical expenses.
• Ski cover. Ski cover is often listed as an optional extra for travelers and covers things like loss or damage to ski equipment, trip cancellations or unused lift passes.
• Domestic travel insurance. While it might not seem essential because of Australia’s health care system, domestic travel insurance offers coverage for things like lost luggage or flight delays.
• Senior travel insurance. Seniors should be able to take out cover for almost any insurer, though there are some that solely offer seniors travel insurance.
• Travel insurance for visitors to Australia. Also known as inbound travel insurance, these policies allow visitors to Australia to access cover for medical emergencies, trip delays or cancellations and lost or damaged luggage.
• Travel insurance for pregnancy. Coverage is available for up to 30 weeks. Pregnancy travel insurance offers standard coverage, plus coverage for pregnancy-related complications, including gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia.
• Travel insurance for pre-existing conditions.You may be able to have your pre-existing condition automatically covered or pay an additional fee. Some conditions aren’t covered at all, so it’s important to compare policies to ensure you’ll be covered.
• Rental car excess insurance. If you’re planning on hiring a rental car overseas, rental car excess insurance is a must. This insurance covers the rental car excess charged if you are involved in an accident. Some insurers automatically cover rental car excess or you’ll need to add it as an optional extra when purchasing your policy.

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FAQs

• Is travel insurance worth it?

  Something going wrong at home is bad, but if something goes wrong overseas it can be catastrophic. From medical costs to flight cancellations, travel insurance is basically always worth it. Smartraveller, which is maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), says 'if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel'. Taking out a policy is a small price to pay compared to the thousands you could lose if something unexpected happens.

• Does travel insurance cover cancellations?

  Yes. Travel insurance can cover you for flight cancellations if something unexpected happens and you're unable to go on your trip. It can also pay for additional accommodation costs and other pre-booked plans associated with disrupted or cancelled flights. However, read the product disclosure statement because some may only cover you for certain cancellations.

• Are there age restrictions on travel insurance?

  You can usually get travel insurance with most providers if you're a senior up to the age of 80 but you might not be eligible for annual or frequent traveller policies with some brands once you turn 65. If you have any pre-existing conditions, you may have to complete an online medical questionnaire and pay more for a policy.

  Most policies will cover kids for free if they're travelling with a parent or guardian. You usually need to be under 23 to be eligible as a dependant, though this varies slightly between brands.

• Can I just get complimentary credit card insurance?

  Complimentary credit card travel insurance can offer similar cover to a standalone travel insurance policy but it often comes with lower caps on how much you can claim. You'll need to 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 out of pocket, consider taking out a standalone policy instead.

• Will travel insurance cover my pre-existing condition?

  It depends on your condition. Insurers will list what pre-existing conditions they automatically cover in the product disclosure statement.

  If your condition isn't on the list, let your insurer know about your ailment and they will decide whether to cover you for claims related to that condition. You might have to pay more for a policy but you will still be able to get insurance.

• What's an excess?

  An excess is the upfront fee 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.

• What is not covered under travel insurance?

  Travel insurance policies have exclusions. These are situations where you won't be able to make a claim. While specifics vary between insurers, common things not covered include:

  • Pre-existing medical conditions that haven't been declared or approved.
  • Losses or injuries sustained while doing high-risk or adventure activities that aren't included in your policy.
  • Incidents when you're under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
  • Traveling against official government advice, such as "do not travel" alerts.
  • Lost or stolen items that were left unattended or not properly secured.

  Always check your policy's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for a list of all inclusions and exclusions for your cover.

• What is the most common travel insurance claim?

  The types of claims Australians most often make on travel insurance include:

  • Medical emergencies and overseas treatment
  • Lost, damaged or stolen luggage and personal items
  • Flight or travel cancellations and delays

• What is a good amount for travel insurance?

  There's no single "one-size-fits-all" amount, but we've jotted down a few tips on how to set your coverage:

  Ideally choose a policy with high or unlimited overseas medical cover, as medical bills abroad can run into tens of thousands of dollars.

  Your cover should also match the total non-refundable costs you're likely to incur, including flights, accommodation and tours.

  For your luggage and other valuables, consider the total value of what you're taking. Policies often offer from several thousand dollars up to higher amounts for expensive gear.

Sources