Protect your holiday investment, and yourself, when things go wrong
Medical emergencies overseas, cancelled flights, lost luggage, stolen passports, travel insurance protects you from the unexpected costs and chaos that can ruin your trip and drain your savings.
What could go wrong
Holidays are meant to be relaxing until something goes wrong overseas. In countries with expensive healthcare, medical emergencies, cancelled flights, lost luggage, and stolen passports, what should be a minor inconvenience becomes a financial disaster. One emergency room visit in the US can cost more than your entire holiday, and Medicare doesn't cover you overseas.
The medical emergency in the US
You're on a family holiday in California. Your child falls while hiking and breaks their arm. Emergency room visit, X-rays, cast, and specialist consultation. US medical bill: $12,000* . Your Medicare doesn't cover overseas treatment. You're paying with a credit card, and interest is mounting.
The cancelled trip
You've booked a European holiday for your family, flights, hotels, tours, all non-refundable. Total: $18,000* . Two weeks before departure, you're diagnosed with a serious illness and can't travel. Your doctor advises you to cancel. You lose everything.
What this actually covers
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance protects you and your family during holidays:
Medical cover:
- Overseas medical and hospital costs
- Emergency surgery and specialist treatment
- Prescription medications
- Emergency dental (accident-related)
- Medical evacuation to Australia
- Medical repatriation if seriously ill
Cancellation and interruption:
- Trip cancellation before departure (for covered reasons)
- Trip curtailment (cutting the trip short and coming home early)
- Additional accommodation if you're delayed
Catch-up costs if you miss connections
Luggage and belongings:
- Lost, stolen, or damaged luggage
- Delayed luggage (emergency purchases)
- Personal effects and valuables
- Travel documents (passport replacement)
- Money and cash (limited amounts)
Travel delays:
- Accommodation if flights are cancelled or delayed
- Meals and essential expenses
- Alternative transport to reach the destination
- Missed connections and rebooking costs
Personal liability:
- Accidental injury to others during travel
- Accidental damage to property (hotel rooms, rental cars)
- Legal expenses if sued while travelling
When you need this
For any personal travel
You need this every time you:
- Travel overseas for holidays
- Travel interstate for personal reasons (domestic cover available)
- Take family holidays
- Go on adventure trips
- Travel with expensive equipment (cameras, laptops)
- Have non-refundable bookings
Single trip vs annual:
- One holiday per year? Buy a single trip.
- Multiple trips? Annual multi-trip is a better value (covers unlimited trips under 30-60 days each).
For families
Family policies:
Cover 2 adults and all dependent children under one policy, better value than individual policies.
Extended coverage for founders and business owners:
If you sometimes mix business and leisure travel, check if your Corporate Travel Insurance covers leisure extensions.
Common questions
Can't I just use my credit card travel insurance?
Credit card insurance is basic and has significant limitations, including low medical limits, strict conditions, and may exclude pre-existing conditions entirely. Additionally, it often requires you to pay for the trip with the card itself. Don't rely on it alone; get proper travel insurance.
What counts as a 'pre-existing condition'?
Any medical condition you've had symptoms of, sought treatment for, or been prescribed medication for in the last 12-24 months (varies by insurer). You must declare all conditions; if you fail to do so, claims will be denied.
Does this cover COVID-19?
Some policies now include COVID-19 medical coverage and cancellation for positive test results. Others exclude pandemic-related claims entirely. Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making a purchase.
What if the airline cancels my flight?
If the airline cancels, they're responsible for rebooking or refunds (not insurance). Travel insurance covers you if you need to cancel for covered reasons, or if you incur additional costs due to delays (such as accommodation and meals).
Can I buy travel insurance after I've left Australia?
Most insurers don't allow this. Some plans allow you to purchase coverage within the first 3-7 days of travel, but coverage may be limited. Always buy before you leave home.
Does this cover me if I travel to countries with government warnings?
No. If DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) has a "Do Not Travel" warning for your destination, insurers won't cover you. Check DFAT Smartraveller before booking trips to politically unstable regions.
What else might I need?
Travel Insurance covers personal holidays, but not everything:
If you're travelling for work:
You need Corporate Travel Insurance specifically for business trips—it covers business equipment, contract delays, and work-related scenarios.
If you're working remotely overseas:
Check if your travel insurance covers extended stays (many limit trips to 60-90 days). Long-term travellers need specialised cover.
If you're a frequent traveller:
Annual multi-trip policies cover unlimited trips within a year (usually capped at 30-60 days per trip), a much better value than buying a single trip each time.
If you own assets at home:
Keep your Home & Contents Insurance active; it covers your home while you're away.