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One trip policy..

This is the provider of the insurance product and correlates with the Financial Services Provider (FSP) as registered with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. You can look up your insurer's provider in the AFCA comparative tables to see how common it is for consumers to bring a travel insurance dispute to AFCA about them.

In years (up to and including the number stated). For policies listed as '100+', there is no age limit.

Maximum age for dependants listed on the policy. In years (up to and including the number stated).

Does the policy list pre-existing medical conditions that are automatically covered.

Does the policy cover pre-existing medical conditions that are not listed as automatic cover on the policy (on application and subject to approval)

The lower the number, the better. It's the time period before booking your trip that a medical condition would be covered if you've had no symptoms,  medication or treatment (as long as that condition isn't specifically excluded). If for example, your condition last showed symptoms 18 months ago, but the time period here is 12 months, then you'll be covered subject to the other conditions of the policy.

Are claims covered that arise from pregnancy or pregnancy complications?

Until which stage pregnancy is covered for single births (up to and including).

Are medical costs covered for the mother if childbirth occurs up to the maximum pregancy stage

Limit for medical and emergency evacuation and repatriation expenses for illness or injury.

Expenses for an accompanying person such as a member of the travelling party, a friend or a close relative (not necessarily listed as insured on the certificate of insurance) to travel to the sick policyholder overseas, remain with them in hospital and accompany them home during an emergency repatriation.

Daily hospital cash allowance per person.

Minimum number of hours the insured must be continuously hospitalised before receiving the hospital cash allowance.

Limit for dental as a result of an accident.

Limit for dental as a result of sudden and acute pain.

Limit for overseas funeral costs and the return of mortal remains per deceased person, in the event of the death of the policy holder. There may be a separate limit for 'return of mortal remains' and 'overseas funeral costs', so check the policy terms for more details.

Limit for additional accommodation and travel expenses if the policy holder cannot travel due to injury or sickness.

The limit for additional travel expenses per person if travel is interrupted by an insured event (not including injury or sickness as that is covered separately under 'Additional travel expenses for injury or sickness'). Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy covers you for additional travel expenses per person if travel is interrupted due to a lost or stolen passport or travel documents. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether or not the policy covers you for additional accommodation and travel expenses if you need to curtail travel due to the serious illness or injury of a relative at home. May be subject to assessment of pre-existing conditions for the relative.

Limit for resumption of a journey interrupted due to the serious illness, injury or death of a relative. May be subject to assessment of pre-existing conditions for the relative. Check the policy terms for more details. 'Cancellation cover chosen' means variable cover options are available.

Whether the policy covers you for cancellation or amendment expenses.

Limit for cancellation or amendment expenses. 'Cover chosen' means variable cover options are available.

Limit for cancellation expenses for transportation bought using frequent flyer points.

Limit for travel agent cancellation fees.

Whether the policy covers you for losses arising out of insolvency of a travel services provider (e.g. airline, accomodation provider, bus line, shipping line, railway company, motor vehicle rental agency). Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy covers you for cancellation expenses due to insolvency of a travel agent. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy covers you for cancellation expenses due to unexpected/involuntary retrenchment. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy covers you for cancellation expenses due to cancellation of pre-arranged leave from work for members of the Defence Force and Federal, State or Territory Emergency Services. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy covers you for cancellation expenses due to cancellation of pre-arranged leave from work for non-emergency services occupations. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Are stolen or damaged personal belongings covered

The overall limit for stolen or damaged personal belongings.

Limit for a single unspecified item.

Limit per item for a video or photo camera. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Limit for a laptop or tablet. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Limit for a smartphone. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Limit for any prescribed medications. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Overall limit for specified items, available for an extra premium. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Cover for belongings locked in a luggage compartment of a car out of sight during the day. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Cover for belongings locked in a luggage compartment of a car out of sight overnight. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Cover for valuables such as laptops, tablets, mobile phones, jewellery or cameras locked in the luggage compartment of a car. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Cover limit per person for lost or stolen cash. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Overall limit for a single person for baggage lost temporarily. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

The minimum period of time in hours before which cover applies for temporarily lost baggage. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Limit for additional travel expenses to reach a special event such as a wedding, conference or sporting event on time if the scheduled transport is cancelled or delayed.

Limit for additional travel expenses to reach pre-paid travel arrangements on time if the scheduled transport is cancelled or delayed. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Whether the policy is automatically extended if your journey is extended due to unforeseen circumstances.

Limit for additional meal and accommodation expenses if scheduled transport is delayed.

The minimum number of hours before transport delay is covered. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Limit per person per 24-hour period for this transport delay. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Is the collision damage excess for a hire car covered?

Limit for collision damage excess for a hire car. Cover is assessed on individual circumstances.

Does the policy cover cancellation and additional expenses for claims due to transport incidents like mechanical breakdown and accidents?

Does the policy cover cancellation and additional expenses for claims due to strikes?

Does the policy cover claims due to mental health illness experienced for the first time on the trip, and not classified as an ongoing or existing medical condition?

Does the policy cover claims due to COVID-19?

Does the policy cover claims due to pandemics other than COVID-19?

Does the policy cover claims due to natural disaster?

Does the policy cover claims due to civil unrest?

Does the policy cover claims due to terrorism?

Does the policy cover claims due to war?

Average rating

Compare international travel insurance 2024 | choice.

Flexible travel insurance options across Australia and overseas when you buy with NRMA. With many levels of cover, from international to multi-trip they have a policy to suit every budget. Policies are available to those of any age with certain conditions. Dependants travel for free with parent or grandparent. They offer 24/7 emergency assistance no matter where you are in the world. Underwritten by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited.

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Comparetravelinsurance.com.au is Australia’s leading comparison site solely focused on travel insurance.

Our comparison is a free service that allows users to compare quotes in a few simple steps based on limited personal criteria. Comparisons supplied are not a recommendation or opinion about the suitability of a policy for a user. Comparisons are default ranked according to price and users have the ability to sort by popular cover levels. Whilst we compare a vast range of policies, we do not compare all providers in the market. Get free travel insurance quotes from Australia’s most trusted brands in just one search, including 1Cover, Fast Cover Travel Insurance, InsureandGo, Ski-Insurance, Travel Insurance Saver, Tick, Zoom Travel Insurance. Compare online and save today! The directors and shareholders are common with companies Zoom Travel Insurance and 1Cover Pty Ltd including it’s subsidiary brand Ski-insurance. CoverDirect takes all reasonable care when preparing this information but does not warrant its accuracy. Pricing information is supplied by the providers who participate on this site and should be verified with the insurer before you purchase. This site links users to the website of the provider to verify quotes and access the relevant PDS to understand what is, and is not, covered by a policy prior to purchase.

CoverDirect Pty Ltd owns and operates this website under AFS Licence 383590. 332 Kent Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia.

• Travel Insurance
• Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance Providers In Australia

The journalists on the editorial team at Forbes Advisor Australia base their research and opinions on objective, independent information-gathering.

When covering investment and personal finance stories, we aim to inform our readers rather than recommend specific financial product or asset classes. While we may highlight certain positives of a financial product or asset class, there is no guarantee that readers will benefit from the product or investment approach and may, in fact, make a loss if they acquire the product or adopt the approach.

To the extent any recommendations or statements of opinion or fact made in a story may constitute financial advice, they constitute general information and not personal financial advice in any form. As such, any recommendations or statements do not take into account the financial circumstances, investment objectives, tax implications, or any specific requirements of readers.

Readers of our stories should not act on any recommendation without first taking appropriate steps to verify the information in the stories consulting their independent financial adviser in order to ascertain whether the recommendation (if any) is appropriate, having regard to their investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. Providing access to our stories should not be construed as investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or product, or to engage in or refrain from engaging in any transaction by Forbes Advisor Australia. In comparing various financial products and services, we are unable to compare every provider in the market so our rankings do not constitute a comprehensive review of a particular sector. While we do go to great lengths to ensure our ranking criteria matches the concerns of consumers, we cannot guarantee that every relevant feature of a financial product will be reviewed. We make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information. However, Forbes Advisor Australia cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of this website. Forbes Advisor Australia accepts no responsibility to update any person regarding any inaccuracy, omission or change in information in our stories or any other information made available to a person, nor any obligation to furnish the person with any further information.

Our Pick Of The Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance Providers In Australia

Published: Sep 2, 2024, 3:30pm

Editorial note: Forbes Advisor Australia may earn revenue from this story in the manner disclosed here . Read our advice disclaimer here .

Australians are well-known for their love of travel, with many of us eager to make up for years spent in lockdown with epic European vacations, winter breaks in Bali or luxury cruises.

In fact, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) revealed that travel activity in December 2022 was at the same level as February 2019, before lockdowns and Covid restrictions, and this trend has continued at this pace for much of 2023 and the first half of 2024. The ABS recorded some 1.3 million departures in January, an increase of 294,990 compared with January of 2023. In its latest update in mid-year 2024, the ABS recorded 1.76 million departures in June—an increase of 13.2% on one year earlier. For residents returning from overseas in June 2024,  some 863,950 short-term trips were recorded, which was 2.6% higher than the pre-COVID level in June 2019.

Interestingly, Indonesia (Bali) was the most popular destination country, accounting for 17% of all resident returns and surpassing New Zealand as the most-frequented destination.

Key to peace of mind when travelling is adequate insurance, and it’s also paramount to find an insurance provider who will cover not only Covid-19 related claims, such as being diagnosed with Covid-19 while travelling or cancellations and delays due to Covid-19, but all of the other potential mishaps that could go wrong while overseas—whether it be missing a connecting flight, falling ill, event cancellation, theft or luggage going missing. Alarmingly, a recent study by Smartraveller and the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) found that one in six Australians are still travelling overseas without travel insurance, with younger travellers, those from lower-income households, and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds all more likely to travel without insurance.

To help Australians find the best option suitable for their needs, Forbes Advisor combed through the leading players to determine our pick of the best comprehensive travel insurance providers for those looking to travel overseas in 2024 and beyond.

Note: the below list represents a selection of our top category picks, as chosen by Forbes Advisor Australia’s editors and journalists. The information provided is purely factual and is not intended to imply any recommendation, opinion, or advice about a financial product. Not every product or provider in the marketplace has been reviewed, and the list below is not intended to be exhaustive nor replace your own research or independent financial advice. For more information on how Forbes Advisor ranks and reviews products, including how we identified our top category picks, read the methodology selection below. 

Related: How to Find the Best Travel Insurance for you

Our Pick of the Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance Providers 2024

• Travel Insurance Direct (Comprehensive)
• Allianz (Comprehensive)
• Bupa Travel Insurance (Comprehensive)
• InsureandGo (Comprehensive)
• insure4less (Comprehensive)
• Cover-More Travel Insurance (Comprehensive)
• 1Cover (Comprehensive)
• Fast Cover (Comprehensive)

Tick Travel Insurance

• Qantas Travel Insurance (Comprehensive)
• Australia Post (Comprehensive)

What Methodology Did We Use?

Covid-19 travel rules and restrictions, what if i have a pre-existing medical condition, types of travel insurance policies, what about seniors, frequently asked questions (faqs).

• Best Seniors Travel Insurance
• Best Domestic Travel Insurance
• Best Cruise Travel Insurance
• Best Family Travel Insurance
• Best Student Travel Insurance
• Travel Insurance Cost
• Pregnancy Travel Insurance
• Travel Insurance And Covid: Are You Covered?
• Travel Insurance For Bali
• Travel Insurance For Fiji
• Travel Insurance For The USA
• Travel Insurance For Thailand
• Travel Insurance For New Zealand
• Travel Insurance To India

Featured Partners

Fast Cover Travel Insurance

On Fast Cover’s Secure Website

Medical cover

Unlimited, 24/7 Emergency Assistance

Cancellations

Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)

Key Features

25-Day Cooling Off Period, Australian Based Call Centre, 4.6 Star Product Review Rating

Cover-More Travel Insurance

On Cover-more’s secure website

Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental

Yes, amount chosen by customer

Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Medical Cover

Including medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment & medical transport costs

$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited

Freely Travel Insurance

On Freely’s Secure Website

24/7 Emergency Assistance

Flexibility to adjust your coverage even when you’re away in real-time.

In-app travel safety alerts to keep you safe

Unlimited, with a $1000 limit to dental

Despite the WHO declaring the pandemic over, Covid continues to interrupt our travel plans, and compared with other policies, Travel Insurance Direct offers very thorough Covid-19 cover, including both medical expenses and trip cancellations. Furthermore, some 43 medical conditions are automatically covered, however, additional conditions are not considered.

Where the policy really stands out is in its coverage of a broad range of 93 activities, with travellers able to add on extra coverage for certain higher-risk activities, such as snow sports. Plus, there are more than 2,500 reviews of the policy on Product Review, with an average of 4.2 stars.

• 93 sports and activities are automatically covered
• Lost luggage coverage up to $12,000, with the ability to increase item limits
• Online discounts are only available for multiple policies or group policies
• Certain pre-existing medical conditions cannot be covered

Yes, overseas medical expenses related to Covid-19 are included in the unlimited medical cover, as well as additional travel expenses up to $2,500.

Cancellations due to Covid-19 are covered for you and travelling party.

Unlimited, including dental

$2,000 is included, with the option to increase at a higher premium

Allianz has a generous medical policy, and unlike many competitors, includes unlimited coverage for both hospital and dental. The top-tier policy also covers pre-existing medical conditions, however, assessments are required and conditions need to be met. Some 38 activities are included and listed in the PDS, and there is no age limit to coverage.

There’s also the option to increase certain limits (luggage, cancellations, etc) for higher levels of coverage depending on the individual traveller’s needs.

• All ages are covered
• Dental is included in unlimited medical expenses
• Personal liability cover does not include additional activity packs, such as snow.
• No cover for missed connecting flights

Yes, Covid-19 is covered under medical expenses.

Cancellations due to Covid-19 are covered if the cancellation is due to a government-enforced border closure or due to the policy holder having to complete a quarantine due to Covid-19. As this is less of an issue these days, this policy feature is likely to be less important to travellers.

Bupa travel insurance is underwritten by Allianz, and its comprehensive travel insurance policy is almost identical to Allianz’s branded offering.

Along with unlimited medical, hospital and dental cover, Bupa offers 24/7 emergency assistance with Australian-based doctors and nurses available. As with Allianz, credit card fraud is covered up to $5,000 and lost luggage tops out at $10,000 (sub-limits apply). It’s worth noting, however, that Bupa scores slightly lower on Product Review—an average of 3.9 stars compared to Allianz’s 4.

• 15% discount for Bupa health insurance policy holders
• All pre-existing conditions need to be assessed to determine if they will be covered
• Reviews state lengthy waits for claim payments

Cancellations due to Covid-19 are covered if the cancellation is due to a government-enforced border closure or due to the policy holder having to complete a quarantine. As this is less of an issue these days, this policy feature may not be as important to travellers.

Unlimited, with a $500 limit to dental

InsureandGo is an ideal choice for families, with 90 activities included and the option to add additional extras, such as snow cover. Children are covered up to the age of 18 if they are travelling with parents or grandparents, and the maximum age for a policy-holder is 100 years old—although if you’re heading on a cruise the maximum age is 79.

Lost luggage is covered up to $15,000—sub limits apply—and there is unlimited cancellation cover.

The company’s comprehensive offering, known as Gold, was rated an average of 4 stars from more than 6,000 reviews.

• Regular discounts with promo codes on Facebook page
• Coverage up to 100 years
• No credit card fraud coverage
• Dental tops out at $500

Yes, overseas medical expenses related to Covid-19 are covered, as are cancellations for the policy holder and their travelling companions

Yes, up to $7500 per person

Insure4less offers policyholders coverage for a wide range of activities—more than 120 are listed in PDS—while additional, high-risk sports can also be added. The comprehensive policy, known as Excel Plus, covers medical expenses of Covid-19, along with any additional expenses required for you to return early to Australia if necessary.

It also covers lost luggage up to $5,000 (sub limits apply), cancellations up to $7,500 per person, connecting flights up to $1,000 and personal liability up to $7.5 million—the latter of which is at the higher end of what is generally offered. Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions are subject to the completion of an online medical questionnaire.

Read more:  insure4less Review: Pros and Cons

• More than 100 activities are included in the policy, with the option to add on additional cover for other high-risk activities such as snow cover for snowboarding and skiing
• Unlimited medical
• Luggage only covered up to $5,000

Mostly. Overseas medical expenses related to covid-19 are covered, as well as additional expenses for you to return early due to Covid if necessary. However, cancellations due to Covid are not covered.

Cover-More’s travel insurance not only covers Covid-19 medical expenses overseas, but also provides $2,500 for additional related expenses. Lost luggage is also covered up to $15,000, as are dependent children up to 21 provided they are financially dependent and not in full-time employment.

Travellers up to 99 years of age can travel on the Cover-More policy, however senior travellers must meet certain criteria.

Despite these stand-out features, what prevented us from giving Cover-More a higher score was its negative reviews: it scored an average of 3.3 stars out of almost 3,000 reviews on Product Review. (Forbes Advisor pays little attention to reviews when there are fewer than 100, and always takes into account that reviews tend to skew negative).

• Pregnancy is automatically covered for single-child pregnancy
• $3,000 for connecting flights
• Senior travellers need to meet acceptance criteria
• No online discounts

Mostly. Covid-19 related medical expenses are covered, with additional expenses up to $2,500.

There is up to $5,000 for cancellations related to Covid-19, but only on the Comprehensive Plus policy.

Unlimited, but dependent on conditions

From more than 4500 reviews on Product Review, 1Cover has received an average rating of 4.3 stars by consumers.

The comprehensive policy covers more than 100 sports and activities, and includes the option to add additional packs for high-risk activities. The rest of the policy can also be personalised, allowing policyholders to add or increase cover to suit the traveller’s habits

Credit card fraud is covered up to $5,000, as is disruption of journey when the delay is for more than six hours.

• Flexibility to add and increase cover to suit individual travellers
• Pregnancy cover up to week 24 of the pregnancy
• Travellers over the age of 80 incur a $3,000 excess
• Dental limited to $1,000.

Partially. Medical expenses for Covid-19 are covered, but cancellations are not.

Unlimited, with a $1,000 limit to dental

Fast Cover offers unlimited cover for both medical expenses and cancellations, however, it no longer offers automatic coverage for a range of pre-existing conditions, but instead provides the option of online medical screening up to the age of 89. This means if you want to ensure you’re covered for your existing medical condition, you can complete an online form and your condition will be assessed to determine if Fast Cover will include it in your policy.

The policy offers good Covid-19 coverage, including listing Covid-19 as a medical expense and including it as a reason for cancellation, however dental is capped at $1,000. Additional add-ons such as adventure or snow packs   are not available to travellers over a certain age , and if you booked through a travel agent, cancellation cover for travel agent fees tops out at $1,500.

Read more:   Fast Cover Review: Features, Pros and Cons

• Discounts available for more than one person
• Online medical assessment
• Adventure pack not available to travellers over 74
• Snow pack not available to travellers over 69

Yes, overseas medical expenses due to Covid-19 are covered, as are cancellations for those named on the insurance certificate.

Yes, up to $20,000

Tick Travel Insurance’s Top plan includes unlimited medical coverage, emergency dental to the tune of $500 and is open to travellers up to the age of 100.

Missed connections are not insurable but there is cover for travel delay expenses resulting from poor weather, a strike, industrial action or mechanical breakdown. Cover is for up to $100 per completed hour with a total limit of $1,000.

Most impressive of all is Tick’s positive customer reviews, with the company receiving an average of four stars out of more than 2,800 reviews on Product Review. We also like the $20,000 cancellation cover, which is more than a lot of its competitors.

• High cancellation cover
• Positive reviews
• Covers elderly travellers up to 100
• Rental excess coverage is lower than competitors
• Credit card fraud not covered

The good news is that under Tick Travel Insurance’s Top Plan, you will be covered for covid-related cancellations, medical expenses or trip disruptions when overseas.

Qantas Comprehensive Travel Insurance offers unlimited medical expenses, including coverage for Covid-19 diagnoses. It also automatically covers 43 pre-existing medical conditions (pending certain criteria), but requires a medical assessment, in the form of an online form, for any conditions not listed.

There is unlimited cover for cancellations and missed connections, as well as coverage for emergency dental for acute pain of up to $2,500.  Note: the standard comprehensive policy is for those aged up to 69; there is a seperate policy for 70+ years.

Related: Our pick of the best travel insurance for seniors .

• Lost luggage covered up to $15,000
• Good Covid-19 cover
• Some poor reviews albeit from a small number (257)
• Fraudulent credit card activity is not covered

Yes, overseas medical expenses includes if you are diagnosed with Covid-19. Cancellations due to a positive Covid-19 diagnosis are also covered, as well as ‘reasonable’ additional expenses (such as if you are required to quarantine).

Australia Post’s Comprehensive Travel Insurance offers coverage for credit card fraud of up to $5,000, lost luggage insurance up to $12,000 (sub-limits apply on certain items) and no age limit on policies. There is unlimited emergency medical, which we would expect for a comprehensive policy, with a $2,000 limit for dental, which is also pretty good. There is no cover specifically for missed connections but there is cover for travel delay up to $2,000

However, cruises of more than two nights will not be covered and need to be added as an additional pack to the policy.

• No age limit
• High coverage for dental
• Need to purchase an additional cruise pack if going on a cruise of longer than two nights
• Only 15 activities included, with additional packs required to be purchased for snow sports and motorcycling

Partially. Covid-19 related medical expenses and additional expenses are are covered, but an additional excess applies. Cancellations due to Covid-19 are not covered, and there is no cover for claims arising from Covid-19 while travelling on a cruise.

To find our list of the top travel insurance providers, we performed an in-depth analysis of more than 30 of the most popular local travel insurance providers. This included an evaluation of their current product ratings online and reviews from previous customers; a comparison of necessary offerings; and in-depth research into their individual product disclosure statements (PDS).

Through the analysis, the following coverage offerings and conditions were compared:

• Underwriter: an underwriter is the company which evaluates an applicant’s claim for approval and payment, and therefore should always be a reputable company;
• The average product review rating: found via Australia’s independent consumer review site, Product Review, where policyholders rate their experience with the specific travel provider;
• Conditions of age: including whether there is a maximum age cut-off to take out the policy, or whether children up to a certain age can be included with the main policy holder;
• Coverage of personal liability, credit card fraud, car hire excess and lost luggage: including any additional fees, conditions, and value limits;
• Medical cover, including dental, pregnancy and Covid-19: specifying what is included in the medical cover, any excess limits for dental, what weeks of pregnancy are covered (if any), and whether Covid-19 is included as a medical claim;
• Whether cancellations, delays or connecting flights were covered: including whether cancellations due to COVID-19 are claimable and any conditions with travel delay coverage or connecting flights;
• The inclusion of pre-existing medical conditions: from how many pre-existing medical conditions are included to whether there are conditions that need to be met, and any medication conditions that are automatically excluded;
• The inclusion of sports and activities: how many sports and activities were included in the policy; any sports and activities that are not covered; the availability of additional packages to cover certain sports and activities (such as winter sports or cruises);
• Emergency assistance and customer service: the availability of assistance and the level of customer service provided to a policyholder; and
• Discounts: whether there were any online discounts available from the provider.

In all, there were 19 different variables we compared and considered to find the overall ranking of each comprehensive travel insurance provider. Rankings were then made between 1-5, with the leading providers–all ranked 3 and above–included in the best-of list.

You will note that we did not evaluate policies on the metric of price: this is because the cost of travel insurance is highly dependent on the circumstances, health, age and destination of the person travelling.

A Note on Star Rankings

You will note that we have included a star rating next to each product or provider. This rating was determined by the editorial team once all of the data points above were considered, and the pros and cons of each product attribute was reviewed. The star rating is solely the view of Forbes Advisor editorial staff. Commercial partners or advertisers have no bearing on the star rating or their inclusion on this list. Star ratings are only one factor to be considered, and Forbes Advisor encourages you to seek independent advice from an authorised financial adviser in relation to your own financial circumstances and investments before you decide to choose a particular financial product or service.

It’s certainly easier to travel now than post-lockdowns when travellers required vaccine passports, QR codes and health checks to visit, as well as leave, certain destinations.

Nevertheless, with the virus still circulating in the community, and some nations possessing higher vaccination rates than others, Covid still has the power to disrupt travel plans. At the time of writing, you do not need to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test to meet Australia’s travel requirements, nor do you need proof of a Covid-19 vaccination to travel to and from Australia.

Masks are also no longer necessary on international flights. However, as per the Australian government’s health and aged care department, Australians are still encouraged to consider wearing a mask to reduce potential risk.

The rules and regulations surrounding Covid-19 travel overseas vary by country and region. Before you travel, be sure to check your destination country’s local public health orders for Covid-19 vaccination requirements, and to see if there are any isolation or quarantine orders upon your arrival.

You can check the government’s Smartraveller Destination guide to find the latest updates for your destination, along with the Australian government’s advice for travelling to that destination.

The advice levels are: exercise normal safety precautions; exercise a high degree of caution; reconsider your need to travel; and do not travel. Smartraveller explains the level of advice in attribution to each destination and the reason for such, which could include terrorist threats, high levels of violent crime, security risks and/or health measures.

If you have, or have had, a medical condition, you may need to ensure your travel insurance has specialist coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. The same applies if you are recovering from serious injury.

Most Australian travel insurance providers do include a wide range of pre-existing medical conditions in their policies, such as cancer, heart problems, respiratory ailments, Crohn’s disease and diabetes. They can also include more common complaints such as asthma and hay-fever, as well as Covid-19.

For pre-existing medical conditions that aren’t automatically included, you may need to purchase extra coverage. To find out whether your condition is listed on the policy, you will need to read the travel insurance provider’s product disclosure statement. If your condition is not automatically included, it may still be covered upon meeting certain conditions or by undertaking a medical assessment.

Some conditions may never be covered by some providers and are excluded, even pending a medical assessment. Most often, these are pre-existing medical conditions that are the result of alcohol or drug dependency.

When comparing travel insurance providers, you’ll see many different policy types and therefore need to consider which best suits your needs. These policy types include:

• Single cover: cover for an individual traveller
• Family cover
• Single trip: providing cover for one trip, for a specific destination over a fixed time
• Annual multi-trip: designed for those planning to take more than two holidays or business trips a year to multiple destinations.
• Worldwide: allowing you to travel to destinations across the globe, however certain high-risk areas or those that are expensive for medical cover may not be included

There are often ‘packs’ or ‘additional extras’ that can be added on to these standard policy types, to include specific activities or travel types. This includes cruise coverage, designed to provide cover for the activities and risks associated with cruise holidays; winter sports packs, designed to provide cover if you plan to take part in high-risk activities, such as skiing and snowboarding; or backpacker coverage, which covers individuals on longer trips overseas that may span numerous countries.

Those over 55 years need to ensure they are covered by their travel provider and insurance policy. Some policies have a maximum age cut off, while others do not. Meanwhile, some policies may include all ages, but incur a higher premium for those aged over specific cut offs.

Seniors should also consider the level of cover provided for medical and hospital expenses. While accidents and illnesses can happen at any age, it is a fact of life that seniors are more susceptible.

When taking out an insurance policy–at any age–it is essential that you read the insurance provider’s PDS and ask to clarify any questions that you have, so that you can ensure you are covered in the way you expect to be if a claim does arise. You can read more in our pick of the best travel insurance for seniors.

Data Research:  Mia Dunn

What does most travel insurance cover?

When searching for travel insurance, it’s important to find a policy that suits your individual needs. Ideally a travel insurance policy will include medical cover, lost luggage cover, and other emergencies or accidents that may occur while you are overseas.

Insurance providers may have different limits or higher excess required for certain coverage, so it’s essential that you read the product disclosure statement before taking out a policy.

Which is the best travel insurance for over 70s?

Travel insurances often have a maximum age that they are willing to cover, largely due to the high-risk of elderly individuals. These cut-off ages vary by policy provider, and through our analysis, we found the providers that offered travel insurance for over 70s that was also highly regarded in other factors were Australia Post, Allianz, and InsureandGo. You can read more in our pick of the best travel insurance providers for seniors .

Which is the best travel insurance for Covid-19?

According to our analysis, among the best Australian travel insurance with Covid-19 cover is Cover-More’s Comprehensive Travel Insurance Plan. The policy covers Covid-19-related medical expenses as included in its unlimited medical expenses cover, additional expenses up to $2,500, and up to $5,000 for cancellations related to Covid-19. Of course, this is a guide only, and we did not analyse all of the providers on the market, so you may find another Covid policy that is better suited to your needs.

Who is the best company for travel insurance?

It’s important to remember that rather than one travel insurance company being better than the other, you need to find the perfect match for you: if you’re over 65, then you will want a company that caters to seniors, if you are an adrenaline junky then you will want a company that offers generous activity coverage. In our analysis the following companies scored above-average ratings:

Is it worth buying travel insurance at the moment?

It’s always worth buying travel insurance, even if you don’t intend on undertaking any extreme sports or risky activities. Travel insurance may protect you if your flight is delayed or cancelled, you experience a medical emergency overseas or you lose your belongings. With so many providers on the market these days, competition is fierce so you can find reasonably priced travel insurance for as little as $2 a day in some cases.

The Department of Foreign Affairs Trade (DFAT) and Insurance Council of Australia’s (ICA) joint Travel Insurance Survey of 2023 found that one in six Australians were not covered by insurance on their most recent trip. The most common reason given for travelling without insurance was “travelling somewhere I knew I’d be safe” (29%), followed by “I wasn’t sure if it was needed” (27%) and “I just didn’t think of it” (25%).

What doesn't travel insurance cover?

Each policy is different so make sure that you read the product disclosure statement to determine whether you’re covered for Covid-related incidents or delays. As a general rule, however, you won’t be covered for mental health emergencies overseas or for incidents that occur when you are under the influence of drugs or heavy intoxication.

Is Allianz good travel insurance?

In our assessment, we found Allianz to have many positive features as a travel insurance provider, not least of which is the generous unlimited medical and dental in its comprehensive offer. While the company covers travellers for lost luggage, there is no cover for missed connecting flights.

Is Bupa good for travel insurance?

In our Forbes Advisor Australia assessment, Bupa’s comprehensive travel insurance is a solid choice. It is underwritten by Allianz, so its comprehensive travel insurance policy is almost identical to Allianz’s branded offering.

Along with unlimited medical, hospital and dental cover, Bupa offers 24/7 emergency assistance with Australian-based doctors and nurses.

How many days before should you buy travel insurance?

You should buy travel insurance as soon as you purchase your tickets, that way you are covered if your trip is cancelled. While there is cover available once you have left Australia, it is much more limiting than had you purchased insurance beforehand.

Who does Qantas use for travel insurance?

Qantas travel insurance is underwritten by AIG Australia Limited.

Why is Australian travel insurance so expensive?

There is no doubt that travel insurance has become more expensive as Australians took to the skies in a post-pandemic booking frenzy. This has resulted in a higher rate of claims, which in turn leads to premium increases. Inflation, too, has played a part, with insurers pointing to the increase in the cost of goods and services as justification for rising premiums.

The information provided by Forbes Advisor is general in nature and for educational purposes only. Any information provided does not consider the personal financial circumstances of readers, such as individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Forbes Advisor does not provide financial product advice and the information we provide is not intended to replace or be relied upon as independent financial advice. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. Forbes Advisor encourages readers to seek independent expert advice from an authorised financial adviser in relation to their own financial circumstances and investments before making any financial decisions. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Forbes Advisor provides an information service. It is not a product issuer or provider. In giving you information about financial or credit products, Forbes Advisor is not making any suggestion or recommendation to you about a particular product. It is important to check any product information directly with the provider. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Target Market Determination (TMD) and other applicable product documentation before making a decision to purchase, acquire, invest in or apply for a financial or credit product. Contact the product issuer directly for a copy of the PDS, TMD and other documentation. Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our partners. For more information, read our Advice Disclaimer here .

Sophie Venz is an experienced editor and features reporter, and has previously worked in the small business and start-up reporting space. Previously the Associate Editor of SmartCompany, Sophie has worked closely with finance experts and columnists around Australia and internationally.

Editorial note: We may not cover every product in this category. For more information, see our Editorial guidelines .

15 international travel insurance options for australians in 2024.

Travel insurance can be used to help cover costs associated with the loss or damage to your luggage and belongings.

You can also use it for unexpected medical emergencies, as some insurance companies provide 24/7 support anywhere in the world and may assist with your safe arrival home. 

It can be hard to compare international travel insurance policies in Australia because they come in all shapes and sizes, but with flexible options you can find the right balance between benefits and an affordable premium.

We’ve collected information about 15 travel insurance policies for Australians , looking at some of the areas to help you make your insurance policy decision that meet your needs.

Compare International Travel Insurance for 2024:

• Fast Cover Comprehensive For Coverage
• Cover-More Basic For Value Insurance
• NRMA Comprehensive For Frequent Travellers
• Qantas Travel Insurance (70+ Years) For Seniors
• Southern Cross Comprehensive (Family Cover) For Families
• nib Comprehensive For COVID-19 coverage
• Australia Post Basic For Medical Only
• Westpac Altitude Credit Card with Travel Insurance

Great Coverage

Fast cover international comprehensive.

• Unlimited Overseas 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance & Hospital Expenses
• Unlimited Overseas Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation cover
• Unlimited Trip Cancellation cover
• Trip disruption Expenses up to $50,000
• Travel delay cover up to $2,000.
• Permanent Disability cover up to $50,000
• Accidental death cover of up to $25,000
• Luggage & Personal Effects cover up to $15,000
• Policies can be customised to suit the type of trip you’re taking. This does not include all benefits that are included under the Fast Cover Comprehensive Policy.

Fast Cover International Comprehensive Policy

• Unlimited cancellation cover for non-COVID related cancellations, and up to $5,000 if your trip is cancelled or disrupted because of COVID-19.
• Medical screening available for medical conditions.
• Option to add cover for cruising, snow sports, motorcycle riding, rental vehicle insurance excess and the more adventurous adventure sports.
• Up to $15,000 benefit for luggage and personal effects
• High benefit for permanent disability at $50,000.

Fast Cover tells us that its International Comprehensive policies provide market leading medical coverage. Its Comprehensive policy includes COVID-19 Benefits with unlimited emergency medical expenses cover (including medical evacuations) and trip cancellation and disruption cover due to certain COVID-19 related events up to $5,000.

If you require cover for your existing medical conditions, they offer a simple online or over the phone medical questionnaire to help you obtain cover for those conditions.

Eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions may apply, please consult the PDS and TMD for further information before you make any decisions to buy.

Good Value for International Travel Insurance

Cover more international basic plan.

• Unlimited overseas medical cover (including COVID-19)
• 37 pre-existing medical conditions covered automatically
• $5,000 cover for luggage and personal effects
• $2000 cover for emergency dental expenses
• Variable excess 
• Good value with reasonable cover for a low premium

Cover-More International Basic Plan

• Cancellation cover is additional/extra  and choosing a cover to include it will impact your premium
• Claim up to $5,000 if your trip is cancelled or disrupted because of COVID-19. However, you must have cancellation cover to receive this.
• $600 benefit to replace essential personal effects if your baggage is delayed
• Choose to pay an excess of $0, $100, or $200 on all claims. This will affect the amount you pay in premiums.

The Cover-More International Basic Plan offers impressive value with a very affordable premium. It covers the essential benefits a budget traveller needs for peace of mind, such as unlimited overseas medical cover. But there are also generous benefits not usually seen in cheap travel insurance, including $2000 dental cover and $600 for delayed luggage. Many cheaper insurance policies will not cover COVID-19 but Cover-More provides unlimited coverage for COVID-19 medical expenses, along with an optional $5,000 in COVID-related trip cancellation and disruption costs.

Annual Multi Trip Travel Insurance

Nrma international comprehensive plan.

• Annual cover for journeys of up to 60 days 
• Optional COVID-19 trip cancellation or disruption cover
• Unlimited overseas medical cover (including COVID-19) 
• 24-hour emergency assistance
• Variable excess
• High benefit for loss of income, permanent disability and accidental death

• Year-round cover to destinations over 250 km from your home
• Option to choose up to $10,000 to cover rental vehicle excess
• Claim up to $2,000 if you experience travel delays
• Claim up to $12,000 for luggage and travel documents
• $1,100 benefit to replace essential personal effects if your baggage is delayed
• Cover for loss of income ($45,000), permanent disability ($30,000), and accidental death ($30,000)

The NRMA International Comprehensive Annual Multi-Trip Plan covers an unlimited number of trips (up to 60 days each) for an entire year so you don’t have to take out a new policy for every journey. Cover limits apply to each trip, which means your policy is reset every time you go away. 

Choose the policy you need based on your travel habits, including the maximum trip duration (select between 30, 45, or 60 days), excess ($0, $100, or $250), and amount of cancellation cover.

However, NRMA doesn’t provide great automatic cover for pre-existing medical conditions so check the terms and conditions if you have ongoing medical concerns.

Travel Insurance for Seniors

Qantas international comprehensive travel insurance (70+ years).

• 40+ pre-existing medical conditions automatically covered
• Unlimited overseas medical cover (including for COVID-19)
• Unlimited overseas emergency dental expenses
• Unlimited trip cancellation cover
• Low standard excess of $100
• Qantas points can be earned on policy purchase

• 43 pre-existing medical conditions are automatically covered, including Osteoporosis and Osteopenia, Hypertension, and High Cholesterol (conditions apply).
• Claim up to $2,500 on travel expenses related to COVID-19, including trip cancellation or additional travel and accommodation costs.
• Claim up to $15,000 for luggage and personal effects, including $3,000 for replacement passport and travel documents

Qantas is one of the most common  travel insurance policies for seniors in Australia , with a policy specifically designed for senior citizens aged 70 and above. You won’t need to declare if you have one of the 43 medical conditions automatically covered but conditions generally require that you have no ongoing complications. 

Comfort is assured with $1,500 provided for travel delays, $500 for delayed luggage, and $2,500 for COVID-19 trip cancellation and disruption costs. For those who don’t meet the age requirements, Qantas has similar comprehensive insurance for seniors under 69 years old.

For Families

Southern Cross International Comprehensive (Family Cover)

• Free cover for all dependents under 21
• Choose trip cancellation cover to suit your travels 
• Extremely high cover for luggage and personal effects
• Generous cover for travel delays

• Option to select anywhere between $5,000 and unlimited trip cancellation cover (per journey, not per person) — but the amount you choose will impact your premium
• Claim up to $5,000 for trip disruptions or cancellations caused by COVID-19
• The combined cover for luggage and personal effects at $50,000
• $5,000 combined cover for baggage delays

Choose the Family Cover from Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) if you’re looking for impressive value and plenty of cover for all travellers. This policy automatically covers two adults and any dependent children who are under 21 years, not married or employed full-time, and depend financially on at least one adult listed on the policy. This NZ-based company provides one of the best family travel insurance policies for luggage and comprehensive options for COVID-19 expenses. No pre-existing medical conditions are automatically covered so if anyone in your family has an ongoing medical issue, they will need to apply for cover. 

International Travel Insurance with Covid Cover

Nib comprehensive plan.

• 40+ pre-existing medical conditions covered automatically
• $10,000 cover for coronavirus-related travel costs
• No age limit

nib Comprehensive Plan International Travel Insurance

• $1000 emergency dental cover
• Choose your own cancellation cover to suit you
• $12,000 cover for luggage, with $3,000 to replace passports and travel documents

nib Comprehensive is a great option if you’re looking for international travel insurance with thorough covid cover . Receive unlimited medical cover for COVID-19 and an unparalleled $10,000 in travel costs if your trip is affected by the coronavirus. That covers trip cancellation if a close relative or business partner back in Australia is hospitalised or dies due to COVID-19 while you’re away. 

Other benefits are mid-range or even on the low end. Total permanent disability cover is $12,500 and personal liability is $2.5 million. Most comprehensive policies provide $25,000 and $5 million in cover respectively.

Medical Only

Australia post international basic plan.

• Cover for COVID-19 self-isolation requirements
• 37 pre-existing medical conditions automatically covered
• Permanent disability and accidental death cover
• $5 million for personal liability cover

• Unlimited cover for the cost of medical treatment and emergency repatriation or evacuation.
• Claim up to $2,000 for emergency dental treatment
• $10,000 cover for permanent disability and accidental death
• $2,500 for additional expenses if you test positive for COVID-19 and need to self-isolate (with an additional $250 excess)

Credit Card with International Travel Insurance

Westpac altitude.

• Complimentary with Westpac Altitude Rewards credit cards
• Unlimited medical cover (including COVID-19)
• Luggage cover up to $20,000 per person
• Earn rewards points with every purchase

Westpac Altitude Complimentary International Travel Insurance

• Up to $2000 per person for emergency dental cover
• Up to $1600 cover for luggage delay
• Some of the best cover for accidental death and loss of income
• Provided with Westpac Altitude credit cards, including Altitude Rewards Platinum, Altitude Velocity Platinum, Altitude Qantas Platinum, Altitude Rewards Black, Altitude Velocity Black, Altitude Qantas Black
• Cover for up to 6 consecutive months of travel for Black credit cards and 3 consecutive months for Platinum cards. 
• To be eligible for the complimentary travel insurance, you need to be an Australian resident who has purchased a return overseas travel ticket beginning and ending in Australia. You must also charge at least $500 of prepaid travel costs to your card account before leaving Australia. 

Westpac Altitude credit cards are perfect for the frequent traveller looking to capitalise on their travel expenses and get comprehensive international travel insurance at the same time. Spouses and dependents (under 25 years old) will also be covered by the insurance if they’re travelling with you. 

As a bonus, you can choose from the free Altitude Rewards program or the Qantas or Velocity programs (with a $50 fee) to start earning points on your purchases.

Since Bank of Melbourne, BankSA, and St George are subsidiaries of Westpac, they offer the same benefits in their complimentary insurance policies, though different card fees, interests, and benefits may apply.

Compare other popular international travel insurance policies

While we’ve listed our top 8 international travel insurance policies, there are plenty more choices to consider. We’ve provided a comparison of travel insurance policies from brands you’ll be families with, such as Allianz, Medibank, and Bupa, along with others from less well-known companies like World2Cover.

Here’s an overview of their features, cover, and inclusions:

• Extremely high benefit for permanent disability and accidental death
• $5,000 cover for trip cancellation because of COVID-19

InsureandGo Gold Policy

• $15,000 cover for luggage and personal effects
• Cover available for travellers aged 100 years and under, although a premium surcharge applies for those over 50 years old.

InsureandGo Gold is a great alternative comprehensive travel insurance policy, with generous luggage, trip cancellation, and COVID-19 cover. It has the highest level of cover for permanent disability and accidental death (set at $50,000 each). But the policy has no automatic cover for any pre-existing medical condition and you will need to be assessed to receive cover for any ongoing medical issue.

• 24-hour assistance with registered nurses and doctors available
• Unlimited hospital and emergency evacuation expenses
• Emergency dental included in medical cover

Allianz Comprehensive Travel Insurance

• Claim up to $12,000 for luggage, including $5,000 for travel documents and credit cards
• Apply to have your pre-existing medical condition covered

The Allianz Comprehensive Plan has built-in flexibility so that you can choose the policy that works best for your needs and budget. You can choose the level of cover for trip cancellations and vary the base excess amount. However Allianz does not cover trip cancellations or disruptions caused by COVID-19. No pre-existing medical conditions are automatically accepted — you will need to apply for cover. 

• $12,000 cover for luggage and personal effects
• 15% off for Medibank or ahm health members

Medibank International Comprehensive

• Claim up to $5,000 for travel documents and credit cards
• Upgrade to the Annual Multi-Trip policy for annual cover for up to 60 days
• Up to 38 pre-existing medical conditions are automatically covered
• 21-day cooling off period

The Medibank International Comprehensive travel insurance policy is great if you’re already a Medibank or ahm health member since you’ll get 15% off the premium. Otherwise, it’s a mid-range policy for those looking for standard cover. The unlimited travel cancellation cover is its best feature, though it caps out at $5,000 for COVID-19 related cancellations (with an extra $500 excess).

• Australian-based case managers
• 15% off for Bupa Health Insurance members

Bupa Comprehensive Travel Insurance

• 24/7 emergency hotline with access to registered doctors and nurses
• Receive a full or partial refund on your premium if your trip is cancelled before departure because of COVID-19
• Apply for pre-existing medical insurance cover

If you have Bupa Health Insurance, it may be worth looking into Bupa international travel insurance since you’ll get 15% off the premium. The policy provides a 24/7 emergency hotline where you’ll have access to Australian-based case managers, along with registered doctors and nurses. Bupa doesn’t provide cover for trip cancellations caused by COVID-19, although if you’re affected by border closures or mandatory quarantine before departure, you may be able to cancel your policy and receive a full or partial premium refund.

• $3,500 cover for coronavirus-related travel costs
• Unlimited travel cancellation cover
• Generous cover for travel delay
• 38 pre-existing medical conditions covered automatically

World2Cover Top Cover

• $2000 emergency dental cover
• $15,000 cover for luggage, with $3,000 to replace passports and travel documents 
• Standard excess of $200 can be reduced to $100 or $0

If you’re looking for a great all-rounder with comprehensive COVID-19 benefits and generous cover for luggage and travel delays, you might want to look into World2Cover. Their Top Cover plan provides a combined $3,500 cover for cancellation costs, travel delays, and additional expenses due to COVID-19. 

• Unlimited cover for cancellation fees and lost deposits
• At least 38 pre-existing medical conditions covered automatically

1Cover Comprehensive International Travel Insurance

• $1,000 emergency dental cover
• Claim up to $15,000 for luggage and $5,000 for important travel documents
• Standard excess of $200 can be reduced to $100
• 2022 Experts Choice at the Mozo Awards

Awarded Mozo’s 2022 Experts Choice Award for high-quality travel insurance, 1Cover has great benefits for trip cancellation and disruption costs, with unlimited cover for cancellation fees and lost deposits, $5,000 for alternative travel expenses, and $2,000 for additional accommodation and travel expenses. However it provides no cover for trip costs (such as cancellations and disruptions) caused by COVID-19. 

• Up to $20,000 trip cancellation cover
• Up to $2,000 cover per person for trip delay expenses
• Cover for up to 6 consecutive months of travel 
• 24/7 support through Allianz Global Assistance

ANZ Complimentary International Travel Insurance

• Luggage benefit up to $12,000 per cardholder or spouse (dependants are included in the limit available to the cardholder or spouse)
• $50,000 benefit per person for permanent disability 
• Complimentary international travel insurance is provided with ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum, Frequent Flyer Black, Rewards Platinum, Rewards Travel Adventures, Rewards Black, and Platinum credit cards. 
• To be eligible for the complimentary travel insurance, you will need to be an Australian resident who has purchased a return overseas travel ticket before leaving Australia. You must also charge at least $250 of prepaid travel costs to your card account before leaving Australia. 

ANZ offers complimentary travel insurance on its Platinum and Black personal credit cards. Spouses and dependents (under 25 years old) will also be covered by the insurance if they’re travelling with you. 

If extensive medical cover is important to you, this complimentary travel insurance might serve you well. Along with unlimited cover for medical expenses and evacuations, you can also claim up to $10,000 per person for loss of income, up to $50,000 per person for accidental death, and an unparalleled $50,000 for permanent disability — a benefit usually excluded from credit card travel insurance.

The best international travel insurance for Australians depends on a range of factors, including the level of cover you want and your budget. For comprehensive cover, it’s Fast Cover International Comprehensive . Cover-More’s Basic Plan offers the good value with extensive cover at an affordable premium while Australia Post International Basic Plan is excellent for medical-only cover. 

For frequent travellers, consider NRMA’s Comprehensive Annual Multi-Trip policy . For seniors, look at Qantas Comprehensive Insurance for 70+ years and for families, Southern Cross International Comprehensive Family Cover .

While insurance isn’t always mandatory for international travel, the Australian Department of Health says it is “as important as a valid passport”. Some countries, including those in the Schengen Zone, require proof of travel insurance as part of the visa application or a condition of entry. Since the pandemic, it is a requirement in many countries that your travel insurance covers COVID-19 medical costs. 

One of the best Australian travel insurance for COVID-19 claims is nib Comprehensive , which provides unlimited medical cover for COVID-19, along with $10,000 cover for trip costs if your travels are affected by coronavirus. 

Travel insurance may help cover any medical costs, trip delays or cancellations, and missing or delayed baggage, all of which can arise from international flying. While travel insurance isn’t a mandatory condition for flying, many countries require proof of travel insurance for entry. 

A number of factors influence the cost of your travel insurance, including:

• Your travel itinerary (the destinations and the types of activities planned)
• The level of cover (such as Essentials or Comprehensive)
• The excess you choose
• The number of people listed on the policy
• Pre-existing conditions you may want covered
• Extra cover you choose, such as ski cover or cruise cover. 

This means with most policies, you have a degree of control over how much you want to cover and how much you pay in premium.

Before making any purchase of any Travel Insurance product you should always read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination and see whether the products considered suit your needs. Products compared do not show all features that may be relevant to you and your trip.

We don’t act for or give any advice on the service provider or product and whether they are right for you generally or  personally. Please directly visit the relevant website of the above Travel Insurance provider for more information.

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