Compare Travel Insurance for New Zealand

While the reciprocal healthcare agreement and ACC cover provide a useful safety net for Australian travellers in New Zealand, they don’t cover everything. ACC covers accidental injury on a no-fault basis, but does not cover illness, ongoing treatment of pre-existing conditions, or the full range of costs that can arise from a medical emergency – including medical repatriation to Australia, additional accommodation for travelling companions, and flights for family members to join you in hospital. Travel insurance fills these gaps and remains essential even with the reciprocal agreement in place.

New Zealand’s adventure activity offering is unmatched but not all activities are automatically covered under standard travel insurance policies. Bungee jumping, for example, is covered by most insurers but may require an adventure pack to be added. More extreme activities – including rope-assisted climbing, open water sailing, and backcountry skiing – may be excluded from standard cover entirely. Always check the specific activity inclusions of your policy against your planned activities before purchasing.

New Zealand travel insurance typically covers unforeseen natural disasters – including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions – but only if the event was not publicly known at the time you purchased your policy. If a natural disaster warning has already been widely reported in the media before you buy, it will be considered a “known event” and claims related to that specific incident are unlikely to be covered. Purchasing travel insurance as soon as you book your trip is strongly recommended.

Some insurers price New Zealand separately from the broader Pacific region, which can result in a lower premium for travellers visiting New Zealand only. If your trip includes other Pacific destinations as well as New Zealand, make sure your policy covers all the countries you plan to visit. Always include every destination in your quote to ensure your cover is valid throughout your entire trip.

Pre-existing medical conditions must be declared when purchasing New Zealand travel insurance. While ACC covers accidental injury for all visitors, it does not cover illness or pre-existing conditions – making it especially important to ensure your travel insurance policy adequately covers any relevant conditions. Some conditions may be covered automatically, while others may require a medical assessment or attract an additional premium.

New Zealand is a popular self-drive destination, and many Australian visitors hire campervans or cars to explore the country at their own pace. If you plan to hire a vehicle, check whether your travel insurance policy includes rental vehicle excess cover – the excess on a hire car in New Zealand can be significant in the event of an accident.