Please Note - If you are cruising around Australia you need to select Pacific.
With Regions, variances can apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East.
You are not required to enter stop-over countries if your stop-over is less than 48 hours.
Best Travel Insurance
By Natalie Smith
If you're looking for the best travel insurance options, you've come to the right place. There are loads of comparison sites out there, but what sets us apart is that we know travel insurance better than anyone else. Travel insurance is all we do, and we do it well. It’s what we live and breathe. But, enough about us, let's talk about you.
Choose the best travel insurance | Compare the best travel policies | What does travel insurance cover? | Tips for high quality | Best travel cover FAQs | Reviews
how do I Choose the best travel insurance?
So how do you get the best travel insurance for your trip? This is not as simply answered as you may think! When it comes to travel insurance, finding the best travel insurance for your holiday requires you to think about the type of trip you are going on and the level of cover you need. It's about matching your needs and budget to the various travel insurance policies in the market and weighing up the options.
The following tips will guide travellers to find the best travel insurance for their next adventure:
1. Determine the type and level of cover you need
There are different levels of cover available to suit all needs and budgets. Holidaymakers should look at the cover available and work out what they need cover for and what they don’t. There is no point paying top dollar for luggage cover, if you're only travelling with a backpack and fresh undies. The best travel insurance is one that covers you for your particular trip. Whether that's a once in a lifetime trip around-the-world or a domestic weekend break. There's no need to pay more for cover than your trip requires.
Overseas medical cover is considered the most essential component of travel insurance. Medical expenses can be eye-watering when the government isn't fitting the bill, but thankfully, medical cover is standard in most basic travel insurance policies. A basic policy will usually include overseas medical expenses and personal liability, which keeps you covered should you become ill or injured, or cause harm to anyone else whilst overseas.
Comprehensive policies will include additional cover for things like trip cancellation, family emergency and accidental death. If you have pre-paid flights, tours or accommodation where you have outlaid significant cash upfront, a comprehensive policy that includes cancellation cover is a wise choice as you'll be protected for any prepaid holiday expenses should something unforeseen stop you from taking your trip.
A mid-range or comprehensive policy will also provide cover for your personal belongings. If you're travelling with electronic devices such as laptops, cameras or smartphones, check out the 'per item' limits and add high-value items where appropriate.
2. Compare, compare, compare
Comparing policies is a great way to find the right travel insurance for your needs. All insurers offer different benefits and pricing, so once you’ve identified what level of cover you need, the next step is to start comparing policies to bag yourself a bargain. Reading up on real customer experiences is also a great way to see which insurers travellers recommend. Unsurprisingly, our travel insurance reviews often reveal a different tale to testimonials featured on the insurers’ site.
3. Cheapest is not always the best
One of the biggest mistakes travellers make is purchasing a policy based on the cheapest price. Selecting the cheapest might seem like a bargain, but it might mean you're missing out on some valuable cover. The key is to get the right level of cover at the best price.
4. Not all policies are created equal
When shopping around for travel insurance in Australia, you may notice that many different brands are underwritten by one of a few big insurers, such as Allianz Australia Insurance Limited, Chubb Insurance Australia Limited, Great Lakes, Lloyds of London, QBE Insurance Limited and others. Whilst they look similar at first glance, they will almost certainly not be the same. Each insurer negotiates a product policy and chooses what to include or exclude. So think about your trip and planned activities that you need cover for and pay attention to general exclusions.
5. Get the best bang for your buck
With so many travel insurers in the market, how do you really know who covers more than the other? The ideal policy is one that provides you with the cover you need, at the right price. Some insurers definitely do cover more than others, but why pay for cover that you don't need!?
Luckily, we've done the hard work for you. If you want to know who offers the best cover for expensive items, or who has the best single item limit - see who really covers more in our handy guide. Alternatively, if you're looking to compare travel insurance quotes fast, then use our quoting engine to compare travel insurance quotes now.
6. Read the print - small or not
Whilst it can be extremely boring, the fine print in any policy needs to be read and understood. Understanding the insurance exclusions and loopholes will help you to avoid or at least understand when you're placing yourself in a situation that your insurer will not cover.
which is the best travel insurance for COVID COVER?
Compare the best travel Insurance
When searching for the maximum cover, it's a good idea to compare a few different companies to see which policy gives you the best bang for your buck! The table below shows the top cover levels of some of the best travel insurance companies in the market to give you an idea of what is available. To get a comprehensive travel quote specific to your trip, use the quote box at the top of the page.
| Insurer | Underwriter | Policy Name | Medical | Cancellation | Luggage | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 1Cover
|
Certain underwriters at Lloyd's | Comprehensive | Unlimited | Unlimited | $15,000 | |
 American Express
|
Chubb Insurance Australia Limited | International Comprehensive | Unlimited | Unlimited | $15,000 | |
 Budget Direct
|
Auto & General Services Pty Ltd | Comprehensive | Unlimited | Unlimited | $7,500 | |
 Columbus Direct
|
Certain underwriters at Lloyd's | Premier | $25,000 | $20,000 | $10,000 | |
 Downunder
|
Certain underwriters at Lloyd's | Premier | Unlimited | Unlimited | $7,500 | |
 Fast Cover
|
Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd | Comprehensive | Unlimited | Unlimited | $10,000 | |
 InsureandGo
|
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited | Insure & Go Gold | Unlimited | Unlimited | $8,000 | |
 itrek
|
Certain underwriters at Lloyd's | Pioneer | Unlimited | Unlimited | $5,000 | |
 Tick
|
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited | Top | Unlimited | $20,000 | $7,500 | |
 Travel Insuranz
|
Berkshire Hathaway Speciality Insurance | Deluxe | Unlimited | $10,000 | $7,500 | |
 Travel Insurance Saver
|
Pacific International Insurance | Comprehensive | Unlimited | Chosen limit* | $12,000 | |
 Worldcare
|
Allianz Australia Insurance Limited | Comprehensive | Unlimited | Unlimited | $10,000 | |
 Webjet
|
Cover-More Insurance | Comprehensive | Unlimited | Unlimited | $5,000 | |
 Zoom Travel Insurance
|
Certain underwriters at Lloyd's | Comprehensive | Unlimited | Unlimited | $7,500 |
Please note, the table above shows the listed insurer's most comprehensive policy - international trips only
The information provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account any particular personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal objectives, needs and circumstances. Cover levels could change at any time.
WHAT DOES TRAVEL INSURANCE COVER?
24/7 Medical assistance
Yikes, your mozzie bite has got infected and your lower leg has started going green...what to do!? Go to a hospital and all your bills will be covered by travel insurance – that’s what! Travel insurance covers your medical expenses for injury or illness including hospital stays, surgery, dental, prescription drugs and doctor visits.
Cancellation cover
Sometimes trips just don't go to plan! An accident before your holiday puts a spanner in the works, or a natural disaster puts a dampener on your dream location. Cancellation benefits cover the cost of rearranging or cancelling your trip due to a range of unforeseen circumstances.
Lost or damaged luggage
It's a real pain in the ar*e when your stuff is lost, stolen or doesn't show up. At least if disasters happen on your holiday your policy will replace or reimburse you for your baggage and personal items if they disappear or are damaged.
Travel delays
You’re flights delayed, your train is late… but that doesn’t mean you should be out of pocket. If your transport is postponed due to an unforeseen reason, your out-of-pocket accommodation, meals, and transport costs would be covered until you get back on track.
Family emergency
Going on holiday should be oh so much fun! But there can be apprehension when leaving loved ones behind. Have peace of mind knowing that if any family emergencies happen while you’re away you’re covered to get home and be by their side.
How do I choose high-quality travel insurance?
What are your preferences? Filter the things that matter most to you on your holiday. If you are not taking valuables you may not need any luggage cover. If you're two days out from your trip cancellation is less of a worry.
Should I compare plans: Yes! It's important to make sure you're getting the best bang for your buck. Using a comparison site like ours helps you to compare features and benefits from a bunch of insurers in the market to help you get great cover for your holiday.
Always read the small print! From age restrictions to pre-existing illnesses; to unattended items, to ski cover. We could go on and on. When you buy a policy you must declare that you have read the information provided to you - so read it before you buy...Every time!
TRAVEL INSURANCE FAQs
Which is the best travel insurance in Australia?
The cover that is best suited to your trip depends entirely on you and your circumstances. If you're a backpacker on a strict budget, you might want a no-frills medical-only policy, while if you've paid a lot in deposits or if you have pre-existing health conditions, a more comprehensive policy might work for you. Create a quote to start comparing prices and features.
How do I choose the right travel insurance?
There are over a hundred different travel insurers in Australia, so we forgive you for feeling a little frazzled about your cover. A good way to wittle down your options is to read some reviews to find out what past customers are saying about their experiences. Then once you have a few brands in mind, compare some policies and see which ones give you the best bang for your buck.
Does travel insurance have age limits?
Some policies have no age restrictions at all, others limit certain products (such as annual multi-trips) to those under 65 years. Generally speaking however you can find a comprehensive policy no matter your age, you just might have to pay a little extra for the privilege in your vintage years.
Why should I buy compare travel insurance?
Comparing prices and features online makes it easier to find the policy that's right for you and your circumstances. With Comparetravelinsurance.com.au, the price you see is the price direct from the insurer. We compare heaps of policies for all types of travellers from some of Australia’s most reputable travel insurers. We compare 25+ insurance brands including 1Cover, Amex, Budget Direct, Insure and Go, Virgin Money, Zoom & more!
Reviews for the best travel insurance
On our site, past customers write reviews on their insurer's so you can understand the service level being delivered to Aussie consumers. All feedback is aggregated and each insurer gets an overall score out of 10 for value for money, customer service and claims experience. See travel insurance companies ratings here.
Do you have a story to share? Whether your experience was marvellous or mediocre we want you to rate your travel insurer to help other Australians find the best travel insurance for their holiday.
Natalie Smith
Having travelled to over 40 countries, studied tourism management and worked as a flight attendant for over three years, Natalie knows more than a thing or two about travel! She’s an adventure-lover, whose favourite trips have been trekking Machu Picchu and volunteering in an animal shelter in the Amazon. Qualified in Tier 2 General Insurance General Advice and specialising in travel insurance for the last five years, she in passionate about helping travellers get the most out of their holiday.
handy tips to help you find cover
What activities are covered?
Are you a self-confessed adrenaline junkie? If you’re planning on doing some risky activities on your trip make sure you know if they’re covered, as not all of them are!
Pre-existing medical conditions
Having pre-existing medical conditions doesn't mean you can't get cover or that it has to be expensive. It simply means that you need to dig a little deeper when doing your research.
COMPREHENSIVE TRAVEL INSURANCE
Compare comprehensive travel insurance for holidays travelling overseas. Get unlimited medical cover, unlimited cancellation, over $15,000 luggage and more.
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