How do you choose the right travel insurance for Fiji?
When it comes to travel insurance, there is no one size fits all solution – the best travel insurance will be the one that suits your needs and budget. Cheapest is not always best and in the case of travel insurance, a more basic policy may not cover all the things you need it to, especially if you are a more adventurous holiday-maker.
When comparing travel insurance with Canstar, you can search for policies that cover you for travel to Fiji, and see the limits that each policy provides for overseas medical and hospital cover, as well as the limits for cancellation and lost luggage.
You can further filter your results to show policies that cover for a range of options that may be applicable to your trip. For example, Fiji is known as the ‘soft coral capital of the world’, and if you plan on diving and exploring some of its beautiful coral reefs, it’s important to check whether your chosen policy covers these things as standard, or whether you will need to purchase any additional add-on cover.
What does Fiji travel insurance cover?
The list of things generally covered by travel insurance policies for Fiji includes:
Medical or dental emergency
Hospital admission, emergency care and medical evacuation.
Lost or stolen luggage, passport or other items
Replacing luggage and travel documents is the most common claim for travel insurance, but if your luggage goes missing and you find yourself out of pocket, insurance can help.
Cancelling your trip unexpectedly
Cancellation due to illness, accident, holiday leave being revoked or a natural disaster at home or at your intended destination – for example, if your holiday is cancelled due to extreme weather like flooding, your travel insurance could help with some of the costs.
Legal liability
If you break a local law and need a lawyer/interpreter e.g if you injure someone or are held accountable for damaged property.
Optional extras
Some policies offer a variety of useful extras depending on which one you get, such as rental vehicle excesses, cover for kennels and catteries for your pets at home, and even cover if you suffer a loss of income or a permanent disability while overseas.
Repatriation
If tragedy strikes while you are away, repatriation covers the cost of flying your body and belongings back home to Australia. Some travel funds also include a separate sum for funeral expenses.
What does Fiji travel insurance not cover?
Your travel insurance policy won’t cover everything that happens to you while travelling in Fiji, as there are a number of common exclusions, as well as things that could void your cover, such as:
Riding without a helmet
Your travel insurance will not cover you if you do not take adequate safety precautions while undertaking various activities, and this includes riding a scooter or motorbike without a helmet.
Being under the influence
Likewise, claims relating directly to drugs or alcohol or incidents befalling travellers under the influence of these things will likely not be covered.
Pre-existing conditions
If you suffer from pre-existing conditions, you may in some circumstances be able to pay a little extra to have them covered. An exclusion may apply if, at the time of purchasing the policy, you were aware of something that would give rise to you making a claim under the policy and didn’t inform the insurer. It is worth checking the terms and conditions of your policy to find out if you’re covered for your condition.
Unreported and unattended items
You can be covered if your possessions are stolen or lost accidentally while travelling, but it’s important to note that leaving them unattended will often void your cover. In the event that your possessions are lost or stolen, you need to report the loss within 24 hours to your insurance provider.
How much does travel insurance cost for Fiji?
At the time of writing, basic travel insurance for Fiji can start from as low as $80 for a one-week trip for a couple, and $160 and up for more comprehensive cover for a one-week trip for a couple. The price can vary from there, depending on the level of cover and inclusions that you need. You can compare travel insurance with Canstar to find cover that suits your particular needs and budget.