Frequently Asked Questions

We think so - especially for international travel. Travel insurance helps protect you from a financial disaster if your trip doesn't go to plan.

While it isn't mandatory for all holidays, there is a growing list of countries that have made travel insurance compulsory in order to enter the country or obtain visas.

Depending on the policy you choose, it can cover emergency medical expenses, air ambulances, unexpected return flights home, cancellations, travel delays and lost or stolen luggage.

Compare policies carefully to find cover that suits your trip and circumstances.

Yes. It's free to compare travel insurance policies on Comparetravelinsurance.com.au. Our comparison service allows you to compare policies from a range of Australian insurers based on price, cover and key benefits, helping you make an informed decision at no extra cost.

Complimentary credit card travel insurance can be a convenient option, but it doesn't always provide the same level of cover as a standalone policy. Before you travel, check the eligibility requirements, who is covered, how long cover lasts, and any limits or exclusions that apply. If you're travelling with family, have pre-existing medical conditions or are planning adventure activities, make sure your policy provides the cover you need.

Yes. Many travel insurance policies allow you to include your children on your policy, but the number of dependants covered and the eligibility criteria vary between insurers. Before purchasing a policy, check how the insurer defines a dependant, who can be covered, and whether any age or employment restrictions apply.

It's generally best to purchase travel insurance as soon as you've booked your trip. Most insurers allow you to buy a policy up to 12 months (typically 364 days) before your departure date, although this varies between insurers. Buying early may also provide cover for certain unexpected events before you travel, depending on your policy.

The travel documents you'll need depend on your destination and the type of trip you're taking. In addition to your passport and any required visas, it's a good idea to carry a copy of your travel insurance certificate, flight itinerary, accommodation details and emergency contact information. Keeping digital copies of important documents can also be helpful if they're lost or stolen.

Yes, you can. However, having two travel insurance policies for the same trip is unlikely to provide any additional benefit, as you generally can't claim for the same event under both policies. It's worth taking the time to compare policies before you buy to ensure you have the cover that's right for your trip.

Yes. If you're taking a cruise, it's important to check whether your policy includes cruise cover. Even on a domestic cruise in Australian waters, you may not be covered by government-funded healthcare or your usual health insurance once you're at sea. Requirements and benefits vary between insurers, so compare policies carefully before you travel.

Most travel insurance policies can cover multiple destinations, provided you've selected the correct destination or region when purchasing your policy. Always check that every country on your itinerary is covered and contact your insurer if your travel plans change after you've purchased your policy.

Australian Government provides travel advisories through Smartraveller. Before you travel, check the latest advice for your destination and continue to monitor it while you're overseas. Travel advisories can change at short notice and may affect your travel insurance cover, so it's important to review your policy and speak with your insurer if you're unsure.

Most travel insurance policies cover stopovers that form part of your journey. In many cases, you won't need to list countries where you're stopping for less than 48 hours. However, some insurers require destinations such as the USA, Canada or Japan to be declared, even for short stopovers. Always check your policy wording or speak with your insurer before you travel.

While you don't need travel insurance for medical costs when travelling within Australia, domestic travel insurance can still provide valuable cover. Depending on your policy, you may be covered for trip cancellation, lost or stolen luggage, rental vehicle excess and certain family emergencies.

Yes, many travel insurers offer family policies that allow eligible family members to travel under the same policy. However, eligibility requirements, the number of people covered and how dependants are defined vary between insurers. Compare policies carefully and check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure everyone travelling is eligible for cover.

Yes. Reputable travel insurance providers use secure encryption to protect your personal and payment information when you purchase a policy online. Before buying, check that you're using the insurer's official website and that the connection is secure. If you're more comfortable purchasing over the phone, many insurers also offer this option.

Most travel insurers offer a cooling-off period, typically 14 days, during which you can cancel your policy for a full refund, provided you haven't started your journey or made a claim. Cooling-off periods and cancellation terms vary between insurers, so always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

Most travel insurers issue your policy documents electronically. Once your purchase is complete, you'll usually receive a confirmation email with your Certificate of Insurance, Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and any other relevant documents. If you don't receive them, check your junk or spam folder or contact your insurer.

The start and end dates of your cover depend on the policy you purchase. Many policies provide cancellation cover from the date you buy your policy, while cover for benefits such as overseas medical expenses typically begins when you start your journey. Your policy ends on the date shown in your Certificate of Insurance or when you return home, depending on the insurer and policy terms. Always check your PDS for details.

It depends on the insurer and the type of policy you choose. Some insurers calculate premiums per traveller, while others offer policies that cover couples or families under a single policy. Your premium will also depend on factors such as your destination, age, trip duration and the level of cover selected.

We require your age at the point of policy purchase.

When getting a quote, you should generally enter the age you'll be when you depart or during your trip, depending on the insurer's requirements. As age can affect both eligibility and the premium you pay, it's important to provide accurate information. If you're unsure, check the insurer's quoting instructions before purchasing your policy.

If you're planning two or more trips in the next 12 months, an annual travel insurance policy may be more convenient than buying separate policies for each trip. However, before purchasing, check the maximum trip duration, destination limits and any optional cover to ensure it suits your travel plans.

Not necessarily. Some annual travel insurance policies allow people listed on the policy to travel independently, while others require certain travellers to travel together. Eligibility varies between insurers, so always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before purchasing a policy.

While an annual travel insurance policy allows you to take multiple trips throughout the year, each trip is usually subject to a maximum duration. This varies between insurers and policies, so always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure your planned trip length is covered.

his depends on your insurer and policy. Many annual multi-trip travel insurance policies include cover for domestic trips within Australia, provided you meet certain eligibility requirements, such as travelling a minimum distance from home or staying overnight. Check your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to see what applies to your policy.

In most cases, no. As long as each trip complies with your policy's maximum trip duration and destination or regional limits, you generally won't need to notify your insurer before you travel. Always check your PDS for the specific terms and conditions.

If you're unsure where you'll be travelling, it's usually best to select the region that includes all of the destinations you're considering. Choosing a broader region may cost a little more, but it can help ensure you're covered if your travel plans change. If you decide to travel somewhere that's not covered by your policy, contact your insurer before you leave to see if your cover can be updated.

Often, yes. While many insurers have maximum entry age limits for annual multi-trip policies, there are still options available for senior travellers. Compare policies carefully, as eligibility, benefits and age limits vary between insurers.

A pre-existing medical condition is generally an illness, injury, disease or other medical condition that existed before you purchased your travel insurance policy. Each insurer has its own definition, which may include conditions you've been diagnosed with, treated for, taken medication for or experienced symptoms of before purchasing your policy. Always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the insurer's specific definition and disclosure requirements.

Having a pre-existing medical condition doesn't necessarily mean you can't get travel insurance. Many insurers automatically cover certain pre-existing medical conditions, while others may require you to complete a medical assessment or pay an additional premium.
It's important to declare any pre-existing medical conditions when applying for cover. Each insurer has different eligibility criteria, so review their Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and disclosure requirements before purchasing a policy. If your condition is more complex, the insurer may assess your medical history before deciding whether cover can be provided. Read our tips for taking out travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions.

Yes, you may still be covered for other unexpected events that are unrelated to your pre-existing medical condition, such as lost luggage or travel delays, depending on your policy. However, claims arising from an excluded medical condition are generally not covered. Some insurers may also limit or exclude cancellation and disruption benefits where they relate to an excluded medical condition. As cover varies between insurers, always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and confirm the level of cover before purchasing your policy.

It's important to declare any pre-existing medical conditions that the insurer asks about when you apply for travel insurance. Disclosure requirements vary between insurers, so always answer medical questions honestly and accurately.
If you don't declare a condition that should have been disclosed, it could affect your cover or result in a claim being declined. If you're unsure whether you need to declare a condition, check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or contact the insurer before purchasing your policy.

Many travel insurers offer cover for uncomplicated pregnancies up to a specified stage of pregnancy, often between 26 and 30 weeks, although this varies between insurers. Before purchasing a policy, check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand the pregnancy limits, eligibility criteria and any exclusions that apply. For more information, read our guide to travelling while pregnant. View our guide to learn more.

Many travel insurance policies include cover for emergency dental treatment while you're travelling. Cover limits and exclusions vary between insurers, and routine or elective dental treatment is generally not covered. Check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for details.

Generally, no. Travel insurance is designed to cover unexpected events and medical emergencies that occur before or during your trip, rather than planned or elective medical treatment. If you're travelling overseas specifically for elective surgery or another planned medical procedure, you'll need to check whether your circumstances are covered by your policy. See our elective surgery guide for additional information.

It depends on the insurer. Most travel insurance policies available through Comparetravelinsurance.com.au are designed for Australian residents, so eligibility for overseas-based family members may be limited. If you're looking to purchase cover for parents or relatives who live overseas, check the insurer's residency requirements and eligibility criteria before purchasing a policy. See our guide the visitors travel insurance for more information.

Many insurers have age limits or apply different terms and conditions for older travellers. Eligibility, premiums and available cover vary between insurers, so it's important to compare policies carefully. When getting a quote, enter the traveller's correct age to see the policies available and review the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for any age-related restrictions. Follow our link to our senior travel insurance age limit guide for further information.

Yes, some insurers offer travel insurance for overseas visitors travelling to Australia. Eligibility requirements, available benefits and cover limits vary between insurers, so compare policies carefully and check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure the policy meets your travel needs. For further information have a look at our non-resident travel insurance guide.

Some insurers provide travel insurance for non-permanent New Zealand residents travelling overseas, provided they meet the insurer's residency and eligibility requirements. As these requirements vary between insurers, always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before purchasing a policy.

Most insurers will offer cover for certain activities and sports such as bungee jumping, white water rafting, kayaking etc. Always confirm with the insurer about what they cover. See more info here.

Many travel insurers provide cover for scuba diving, but restrictions and conditions will usually apply. These may include maximum depth limits, requiring you to hold a valid diving certification, or requiring you to dive with a qualified instructor or licensed operator. Always check your policy wording to make sure your planned diving activities are covered. Check out our scuba diving cover guide.

There are companies out there that refuse to cover, and others that will...with certain requirements, for example: some of them have a maximum engine size that they cover to and some are unlimited. Over certain engine sizes, they may also require that you hold a valid Australian motorbike license that is valid within the country that you are travelling to, as well as an international drivers permit (IDP). See our motorbike travelling guide for more.

Many travel insurance policies cover recreational trekking, although conditions such as maximum altitude limits, guided trek requirements or restrictions on the use of ropes may apply. Mountain climbing and rock climbing are more likely to be excluded or require additional cover, particularly for outdoor climbing. Always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to confirm whether your planned activities are covered. For further details on this have a look at our climbing and trekking guide.

Most insurers cover you medically if you were to have an accident on the slopes, but only if it's recreational, on-piste and within the resort boundaries. If you are wanting a higher standard of ski insurance to cover ski passes, equipment hire then a ski-specific policy is advised. See more info here.

Most travel insurers do not cover for competitive types of events where you are racing or are winning prize money. But if you are participating in an activity as an amateur, then depending on the type of activity, you may be able to get cover depending on your chosen travel insurer.

Many travel insurance policies include cancellation cover if you need to cancel your trip due to an unexpected event covered by your policy, such as illness, injury or certain unforeseen circumstances. The reasons for cancellation that are covered vary between insurers, so always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand what's included.

No. Most travel insurance policies exclude acts of war because they represent large-scale, unpredictable events that fall outside the scope of traditional travel protection. Travel insurance is built to cover routine mishaps like cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage, not geopolitical catastrophes. Acts of war create widespread, simultaneous losses that are impossible to price predictably, so they’re excluded to ensure that travel insurance remains affordable for consumers and protect insurers from systemic collapse.

If your policy includes cover for family emergencies, you may be able to claim the costs of returning home if a close relative is unexpectedly hospitalised or passes away during your trip.

The definition of a 'relative' varies between insurers, and may not include extended family members such as aunts and uncles. Age restrictions and other conditions may also apply, so check your PDS to understand who is covered and when you can make a claim.

Many travel insurance policies include cover for personal belongings such as cameras, laptops and jewellery if they are lost, stolen or accidentally damaged while travelling. Cover limits, item limits and conditions vary between insurers, and some high-value items may need to be specified separately. Always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before travelling.

Many travel insurance policies provide cover for certain claims arising from natural disasters, such as additional accommodation, travel delays or cancellation, depending on the circumstances and when you purchased your policy. Cover varies between insurers, and exclusions may apply if the event was known or foreseeable before you bought your policy. Always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for details.

This all depends on the policy that you choose to go with, if you select a basic cover that only offers medical benefits then most insurers will not include this. If, however, you choose a mid-range policy then most will cover cancellation but at a lower claimable amount than comprehensive cover.

Most insurers will cover laptops, cameras, smart phones and mobile phones for around $750- $3000, however cover limits will vary from provider to provider. To cover higher valued items, you might have the option to include this on the policy at an extra cost. The additional cost will vary from insurer to insurer too, so do your research. Lucky for you we've already made a start...

Generally, travel insurance won't cover you for an event you already knew about when you bought your policy. For example, if a strike had been announced or severe weather was forecast before you purchased your policy, you may not be able to claim for losses related to that event.

If you bought your policy before the event became known or was reported, you may be covered if it later affects your trip, subject to the policy terms, conditions and exclusions.

Some travel insurers include rental vehicle excess cover as standard, while others offer it as an optional extra for an additional premium. If your rental vehicle is stolen or damaged in an insured event, your travel insurance may cover the excess you are liable to pay, up to the applicable limit.

Cover, limits and exclusions vary between policies, so check your travel insurance PDS and rental agreement to understand what is covered.

Many travel insurance policies include cover for travel delays caused by unexpected events. Depending on your policy, you may be able to claim for reasonable additional expenses, such as meals or accommodation, if your delay exceeds the minimum waiting period. Cover limits, waiting periods and exclusions vary between insurers, so always check the Policy Wording.

If you need to make a claim, notify your insurer as soon as possible and follow their claims process. Most insurers will ask you to provide supporting evidence, which may include receipts, proof of travel, medical reports, airline documentation, photographs or police reports, depending on the type of claim.

If your belongings are lost or stolen, or you're the victim of a crime, report the incident to the relevant authorities as soon as possible and obtain a written report, as this may be required to support your claim. Providing complete documentation can help your insurer assess your claim more quickly.

Yes, you may still be able to make a claim even if you no longer have the original receipt. Depending on the insurer, alternative proof of ownership may be accepted, such as bank or credit card statements, photographs of the item, warranty documents or purchase confirmations.
The evidence required varies between insurers, so contact your insurer to find out what documentation they'll accept to support your claim.

Claim timeframes vary between insurers, but you should notify your insurer and submit your claim as soon as reasonably possible after the event occurs. Check your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for any time limits that apply.

The documents required depend on the type of claim. You may be asked to provide receipts, medical reports, police reports, airline documentation, invoices or proof of travel. Providing complete documentation can help your insurer assess your claim more quickly.

Yes, most insurers allow you to lodge a claim online, which can be a convenient way to submit your claim and supporting documents. Depending on the insurer, you may be able to lodge your claim while you're overseas or after you return home. Check your policy for any time limits on making a claim, as these vary between insurers.

Claim assessment times vary depending on the insurer and the complexity of your claim. Claims supported by all the required documentation are generally processed more quickly. If your insurer requires additional information, processing may take longer.

Many insurers allow you to make changes to your policy before your trip begins, such as updating your travel dates, destination or traveller details. Whether changes are permitted, and whether an additional premium or administration fee applies, varies between insurers. Contact your insurer as soon as possible if you need to amend your policy.

If your address, email address or phone number changes after purchasing your policy, contact your insurer as soon as possible so they can update your details. Keeping your contact information up to date helps ensure you receive important policy information and can be contacted if required.

Some insurers allow you to extend your travel insurance while you're overseas, provided you meet their eligibility requirements and arrange the extension before your policy expires. Extension options vary between insurers, so contact your insurer as soon as possible if your travel plans change.

If your travel dates change before you leave, many insurers allow you to update your policy. If you're already travelling, your options may be more limited. Contact your insurer as soon as possible to discuss your options, as additional premiums or fees may apply.

Cancelling your trip doesn't necessarily mean you'll receive a refund on your travel insurance. Some insurers may offer a refund of your premium if you cancel your policy within a specified period and haven't made a claim, while others may have different conditions. If you need to cancel your trip because of an insured event, your cancellation cover may reimburse eligible prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses instead. Check your policy for the specific conditions that apply.

Tell your insurer as soon as possible. A medical condition that develops or is diagnosed after you purchase your policy may affect your cover, depending on the circumstances and the insurer's policy terms. Your insurer may need to assess the condition and confirm whether it is covered. Don't assume you're covered,contact your insurer before travelling if you're unsure.