Travel Insurance Background

Travel Insurance Comparison

Travel with peace of mind. Easily compare a wide range of travel insurance policies based on the coverage available and our expert ratings.

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Instantly compare 127+ Canstar expert rated policies based on the inputs below

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  • Overseas Medical / Hospital Limit - lowest first
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  • Maximum Cancellation Limit - lowest first
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Policy coverage Glossary
  • icon COVID-19 cancellation
  • icon Motorcycle
  • icon Snow sports cover
  • icon Luggage delay costs
  • icon Travel delay costs
  • icon Rental vehicle excess
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Unlimited Glossary
$25,000 Glossary
Unlimited Glossary
Policy coverage Glossary
  • icon COVID-19 cancellation
  • icon Motorcycle
  • icon Snow sports cover
  • icon Luggage delay costs
  • icon Travel delay costs
  • icon Rental vehicle excess
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Unlimited Glossary
$15,000 Glossary
Unlimited Glossary
Policy coverage Glossary
  • icon COVID-19 cancellation
  • icon Motorcycle
  • icon Snow sports cover
  • icon Luggage delay costs
  • icon Travel delay costs
  • icon Rental vehicle excess
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
Unlimited Glossary
$15,000 Glossary
Unlimited Glossary
Policy coverage Glossary
  • icon COVID-19 cancellation
  • icon Motorcycle
  • icon Snow sports cover
  • icon Luggage delay costs
  • icon Travel delay costs
  • icon Rental vehicle excess
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
Unlimited Glossary
$7,500 Glossary
$20,000 Glossary
Policy coverage Glossary
  • icon COVID-19 cancellation
  • icon Motorcycle
  • icon Snow sports cover
  • icon Luggage delay costs
  • icon Travel delay costs
  • icon Rental vehicle excess
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
Unlimited Glossary
$6,000 Glossary
$15,000 Glossary
Policy coverage Glossary
  • icon COVID-19 cancellation
  • icon Motorcycle
  • icon Snow sports cover
  • icon Luggage delay costs
  • icon Travel delay costs
  • icon Rental vehicle excess
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
Unlimited Glossary
$4,000 Glossary
$5,000 Glossary
Policy coverage Glossary
  • icon COVID-19 cancellation
  • icon Motorcycle
  • icon Snow sports cover
  • icon Luggage delay costs
  • icon Travel delay costs
  • icon Rental vehicle excess
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
Unlimited Glossary
$10,000 Glossary
$5,000 Glossary
Policy coverage Glossary
  • icon COVID-19 cancellation
  • icon Motorcycle
  • icon Snow sports cover
  • icon Luggage delay costs
  • icon Travel delay costs
  • icon Rental vehicle excess
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
Unlimited Glossary
$10,000 Glossary
$40,000 Glossary
Policy coverage Glossary
  • icon COVID-19 cancellation
  • icon Motorcycle
  • icon Snow sports cover
  • icon Luggage delay costs
  • icon Travel delay costs
  • icon Rental vehicle excess
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
Unlimited Glossary
$5,000 Glossary
$25,000 Glossary
Policy coverage Glossary
  • icon COVID-19 cancellation
  • icon Motorcycle
  • icon Snow sports cover
  • icon Luggage delay costs
  • icon Travel delay costs
  • icon Rental vehicle excess
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
Unlimited Glossary
$2,500 Glossary
$5,000 Glossary

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The initial results in the table above are sorted by Star Rating (High-Low) , then Maximum Theft / Loss of Luggage Limit (High-Low) , then Provider Name (Alphabetical) . Additional filters may have been applied, see top of table for details.

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What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a type of insurance that is intended to cover you for emergencies, accidents or other events that occur unexpectedly while you are away from home. Say you touch down at your destination only to learn that your luggage did not arrive with you, or you take a tumble and break something on the first day of your dream holiday. At stressful times like these, travel insurance may be able to help you with certain associated expenses.

Broadly speaking, there are two main types of travel insurance:

  • domestic travel insurance covers you for trips taken within Australia
  • international travel insurance will cover you for overseas trips, and typically covers slightly different things than domestic cover.

What does travel insurance cover?

Depending on the kind of policy you have, travel insurance can cover you in a range of different situations. Generally speaking, though, travel insurance is likely to cover you for the costs associated with things such as:

  • Lost or stolen luggage: Personal effects can be lost, stolen or damaged during a trip, and if your luggage goes missing, your laptop is stolen or an important item is damaged, travel insurance may be able to help with replacement or repair costs.
  • Medical costs: If you injure yourself while on an overseas trip, you may need to see a doctor, and overseas hospital bills can be expensive, not to mention the cost of transport home, if required. Travel insurance may cover some of these costs for you.
  • Natural disasters: Natural disasters happen, and if a prepaid booking falls through because of a natural disaster and you are unable to get your deposit back, travel insurance may be able to help with the cost. Depending on the policy, it may also help to cover costs if you need to be evacuated from your holiday destination.
  • Liability for accidents: If you are at fault in an accident overseas, you may find yourself getting sued. Some travel insurance policies can provide cover for liability in these situations, up to a certain amount.
  • Family emergencies: It’s stressful when a close family member becomes sick, and even more so if you are overseas and cannot rush to their side. Some travel insurance policies may provide cover to help you get home in these situations.

What are the different types of travel insurance?

Depending on your needs and situation, you might opt for either a basic or a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

  • Basic: As the Australian government’s Smarttraveller website states, basic policies tend to cover medical emergencies only, and can therefore be suitable for younger people who are travelling light and do not necessarily wish to insure their possessions.
  • Comprehensive: Comprehensive policies, on the other hand, tend to offer coverage for a broader range of situations, including cover for such things as cancellation costs and lost or stolen property along with cover for medical emergencies. These types of policies generally cost more than the basic policies.

It is important to remember that no travel policy will cover you for every single thing that could possibly go wrong while you’re away. Some may provide coverage for the situations mentioned above, but potentially only in limited circumstances.

It’s important to carefully read the policy terms and conditions in the product disclosure statement (PDS) for any policy you’re considering, and ask any questions you may have when purchasing the insurance, so you know what is and is not covered.

How much does travel insurance cost?

There is no set cost for travel insurance, and it will vary depending on a number of key factors. It could be a good idea to get a few quotes to compare price and cover. The most common things that influence the cost of travel insurance include:

  • Where you’re travelling
  • The length of your trip,
  • Your age and the ages of those accompanying you
  • Any pre-existing medical conditions you have
  • The type of policy you choose
  • Any extras that you choose to add on to the cover

It may be the case that travel insurance for seniors is more expensive, as insurance providers may feel that there are more potential health risks associated with travel. You may also find, however, that seniors travel insurance can also include some benefits tailored more for older travellers.

The comparison tool at the top of this page allows users to input a few details (no personal details such as email are required) to find a shortlist of providers.

Is travel insurance worth it?

Whether or not travel insurance is worth the cost is a personal decision, but one that should be seriously considered when deciding to travel. The Australian Government’s Smartraveller website stresses the importance of travel insurance for Aussies heading abroad, saying that it’s “as important as a passport”, and warning that you and your family could “suffer financially if things go wrong” on your trip. “No matter who you are, where you’re going and what you’re doing, get insurance,” Smartraveller states

When you’re getting ready to jet off for a trip, there are a lot of expenses you’ll already face, such as flight and hotel bookings, and even cold weather gear. Then you’ll need to allocate money to actually have fun while you’re on your trip.

When you factor in all these costs, travel insurance may seem like an additional expense that’s not worth it, however, it is important to remember that if you don’t have at least some level of cover, your trip could end up costing you more than you bargained for.

Does travel insurance cover medical expenses?

Yes, travel insurance can cover medical expenses, although it will depend on the level of cover you choose. In a general sense, when it comes to medical expenses, travel insurance can cover you for such things as:

  • Overseas medical treatment: This can include such things as the costs of doctors’ appointments and necessary medications.
  • Emergencies: If you require emergency treatment, travel insurance can cover the costs of emergency surgeries and transport in an ambulance.
  • Hospitalisaiton: If the nature of your injury or illness is such that you require hospitalisation, travel insurance can pay for expenses related to your stay.
  • Repatriation: If the nature of your injury or illness is such that you require transportation  back to Australia, the costs of this can be covered by travel insurance.

Medical expenses may be a major reason to take out travel insurance. You may have seen stories on the news about Aussies injured overseas and faced with thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills, and significant transport costs if repatriation home is required.

The Australian Government has reciprocal healthcare agreements (RHCA) with certain countries, meaning that in Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia and the UK, you may be partially covered for medical treatment. However, it is worth keeping in mind that the scope of this cover can be limited, and if you are travelling in a country without an RHCA and you experience a medical emergency, you may find yourself facing a considerable bill.

It is important to keep in mind that  travel insurance policies generally also have exclusions around medical expenses covered.

Surgeries and treatments deemed non-essential may not be covered, and likewise, private hospital rooms may not be covered, unless deemed necessary by doctors.

Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?

Though international travel has largely returned and restrictions have been lifted, contracting COVID-19 overseas remains a risk, so you may want the peace of mind of knowing you are covered.

According to the Smarttraveller website, many travel insurers now offer limited cover for COVID-19, but the available cover can vary substantially depending on the provider you choose.

When taking out travel insurance, especially if you’re hoping to be covered for COVID-related expenses, it is important to read the product disclosure statement (PDS), target market determination (TMD) and the wording of your policy.

What are some common travel insurance exclusions?

Travel insurance policies will not cover you for everything that happens to you while you’re on a trip, and in some cases, you’ll need to take out specific kinds of cover above and beyond standard travel insurance in order to be covered.

Some common travel insurance exclusions are:

  • Costs or cancellations that arise from a pandemic or an epidemic (such as COVID-19)
  • Skiing or other snow activities (typically, you’ll need snow cover for that)
  • Dangerous activities (‘hazardous pursuits’) such as such as scuba diving or bungee jumping (some insurers may cover this automatically, but it’s possible you may need to pay extra or buy a separate adventure travel policy)
  • High-value belongings (unless you tell your insurer about them)
  • Risky or irresponsible behaviour on your part, including behaviour while under the influence of alcohol
  • Pre-existing medical conditions that you didn’t tell your insurer about when applying for insurance
  • Intentional illegal behaviour, or breaking local laws and regulations more generally
  • Lost items where you left your belongings unattended
  • Driving a motorbike overseas (you may be able to obtain cover in some cases if you have a motorbike licence and are driving a low-power vehicle – check with your insurer)
  • Acts of war

Learn more:

How to make a travel insurance claim

Family travel insurance: How does it work?

Travel insurance for motorbikes, mopeds and scooters

 

Compare Travel based Credit & Debit cards

 

Latest in travel insurance

Travel Insurance FAQs

Travel insurance is a type of insurance that is intended to cover you for emergencies, accidents or other events that occur unexpectedly while you are away from home. You can purchase travel insurance for both domestic and international travel.

Travel insurance can offer cover for a range of things, including lost, stolen or damaged luggage and personal effects, medical and hospitalisation costs, cancellation of bookings due to such things as natural disasters, liability for accidents and transport home in the event of family emergencies.

There is no set cost for travel insurance, and it will vary depending on a number of key factors. The most common things that influence the cost of travel insurance include your destination, the length of your trip, your age and the ages of those accompanying you, any pre-existing medical conditions you have and any extras that you choose to add on to the cover.

Travel insurance will generally be a matter of priority for you, however, it is important to keep in mind that if you fall ill or experience a medical emergency overseas, you could find yourself significantly out of pocket, even more so if you require transport home. For your peace of mind, and that of your loved ones, travel insurance may be worth it for this reason alone.

Yes, travel insurance can cover medical expenses, including those associated with overseas medical treatment (doctors’ fees and necessary medications), emergencies (including ambulance trips and emergency surgeries), hospitalisation costs, and repatriation home if you require treatment in Australia.

Yes, there are travel insurance policies that cover you for COVID-19, although you will need to read the terms and conditions carefully, as cover may be limited, and you may be covered for medical expenses associated with contracting COVID, but not such things as cancelled bookings.

Some common travel insurance exclusions are cancellation costs associated with COVID-19; skiing and snow activities and dangerous or hazardous activities more generally; high-value belongings (unless you tell your insurer); recklessness and illegal acts; pre-existing medical conditions that you don’t disclose; items lost due to carelessness; motorbike riding, and acts or war.

Below is a list of the winning term travel insurance providers from Canstar’s 2023 Travel Insurance Awards:

  • Go Insurance
  • InsureandGo
  • Qantas Insurance
  • Southern Cross Travel Insurance
  • Tick Travel Insurance
  • World2Cover

About our finance experts

Nina Rinella, Editor-in-Chief

As Canstar’s Editor-in-Chief, Nina heads up a team of talented journalists committed to helping empower consumers to take greater control of their finances. Previously Nina founded her own agency where she provided content and communications support to clients around Australia for eight years. She also spent four years as the PR Manager for American Express Australia, and has worked at a Brisbane communications agency where she supported dozens of clients, including Sunsuper and Suncorp.

Nina has ghostwritten dozens of opinion pieces for publications including The Australian and has been interviewed on finance topics by the Herald Sun and the Sydney Morning Herald. When she’s not dreaming up ways to put a fresh spin on finance, she’s taking her own advice by trying to pay her house off as quickly as possible and raising two money-savvy kids.

Nina has a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English Literature from the University of Queensland. She’s also an experienced presenter, and has hosted numerous events and YouTube series.

You can follow her on Instagram or Twitter, or Canstar on Facebook.

You can also read more about Canstar’s editorial team and our robust fact-checking process.


Josh Sale, Travel Insurance Ratings Manager

Headshot of Josh Sale, CanstarAs Canstar’s Ratings Manager, Josh Sale is responsible for the methodology and delivery of Canstar’s Travel Insurance Star Ratings. With tertiary qualifications in economics and finance, Josh has worked behind the scenes for the last five years to develop Star Ratings and Awards that help connect consumers with the right product for them.

Josh is passionate about helping consumers get hands-on with their finances. Josh has been interviewed by media outlets such as the Australian Financial Reviewnews.com.au and Money Magazine.

You can follow Josh on LinkedIn, and Canstar on Twitter and Facebook.

This content was reviewed by Deputy Editor Sean Callery and Sub-Editor Tom Letts as part of our fact-checking process.

Important information

For those that love the detail

This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.

Canstar may earn a fee from its Online Partners for referrals from its website tables, and from sponsorship or promotion of certain products. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and sponsorship or promotion may vary between providers, website position, and revenue model. Sponsorship/promotion fees may be higher than referral fees. If a product is sponsored or promoted, it’s an ad and it is clearly marked as such. An ad might appear in different places on our website, such as in comparison tables and articles. Ads may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product's rating, price or other attributes. The location of an ad doesn’t indicate any ranking or rating by Canstar. Payment of fees for ads does not influence our Star Ratings. See How We Get Paid to find out more.

What is a Target Market Determination?

A Target Market Determination (‘TMD’) is a document that explains which people particular financial products may be suitable for (the target market) and sets out any conditions around how financial products can be distributed to consumers.

Why do product issuers provide Target Market Determinations?

From 5 October 2021, TMDs are compulsory for most financial products.

Issuers and distributors of financial products must take reasonable steps that are likely to result in financial products reaching consumers in the target market defined by the product issuer.

We recommend that you consider the TMD before making a purchase decision. Contact the product issuer directly for a copy of the TMD.

The Travel Insurance Star Ratings were awarded in November 2023 and data in the table is current as at that date, updated from time to time to reflect product changes notified to us by product issuers. The results don’t include every provider in the market and we may not compare all features relevant to you. You can find a description of the initial sort order below the table. You can use the sort buttons at the top of each column to re-order the display.  Learn more about our Travel Insurance Star Rating Methodology. The rating shown is only one factor to take into account when considering products. 

The products and Star Ratings in the table might not match your exact inputs in the selector. Sometimes the methodology uses profiles with categories or bands (e.g. country or region), but sometimes a single methodology, without any categories or bands, is applied. The results will show the products that most closely match your selection, based on our profiles. If you are unsure about any terms used in the comparison table please refer to the glossary.

Star Ratings are based on the regions outlined in the Star Rating Methodology. When a country is selected, the Star Ratings displayed will align to the region where the country is located. When a region is selected, the Star Ratings displayed will correspond with the region listed in the methodology with the following assumptions: Asia will display North-East Asia profile, Europe will display North-West Europe profile, Pacific will display Oceania profile, and Worldwide will display Americas profile.

Any advice on this page is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this general financial advice is right for your personal circumstances. You may need financial advice from a qualified adviser. Canstar is not providing a recommendation for your individual circumstances. If you decide to apply for an insurance policy, you will deal directly with the provider, not with Canstar.   It’s important you check product information directly with the provider. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before making a purchase decision. Contact the product issuer directly for a copy of the PDS and TMD. For more information, read our Detailed Disclosure.

If you are seeking to replace an insurance policy, you should consider your personal circumstances, including continuing the existing cover until the replacement policy is issued and cover confirmed. Your current policy may have different features to products currently on the market. Please consider what features are right for you when comparing insurance products and refer to the provider for further details on a policy.

Companies listed in the table, or in ads, may use or be used by another company to arrange, issue, distribute or sell its insurance policies to customers. For more information on the issuer of the policy, please read the Product Disclosure Statement.