Guide to travel insurance

Mozo has just launched a new travel insurance comparison service and as part of our launch we went mystery price shopping for three different holidays: a family trip to the US, a couple visiting Europe and a backpacker heading to Thailand and Europe. We compared travel insurance quotes from some of the biggest Australian travel players, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Flight Centre, Jetset Travel and Harvey World Travel against the most competitive quotes available through Mozo’s new travel insurance comparison service.

Travel insurance is a staple to many people’s holiday planning as it takes some of the financial risk away from travelling - whether that’s cover for medical, for lost items or for your baggage. But when you are busy packing, booking flights and dreaming of sunset cocktails sometimes it can be easily forgotten. But thankfully it’s not too late!

Australia - we’re a nation of travellers. In fact, 10.5 million of us made short trips overseas between November 2016 and 2017 according to figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. But whether it’s a short jaunt across the Tasman to visit our Kiwi neighbours or a more extensive trip through Europe, we often rely on travel insurance as a cost-effective way to safeguard our belongings, our travel plans and our health while we’re overseas.

When it comes travelling, remembering to pack your smartphone has become just as important as packing your passport. Our smartphones have slowly become our tech sidekick for tackling everyday life, from helping us pass the time with our favourite tunes to taking the perfect selfie at Sunday brunch, so there’s no denying the devastation when something goes wrong.

When it comes to protecting your finances, personal belongings and most importantly your health on overseas trips, nothing beats travel insurance.

There's a new type of travel insurance that has made a big splash - credit card travel insurance. And it's very tempting because it usually comes free with your gold or premium credit card! Note that standard credit cards don't usually include travel insurance as part of the features.

So you’re over 55, the kids have left the nest and you’ve finally converted their rooms to house the indoor Jacuzzi you’ve always dreamed of. Work was over long ago and you have what seems like hours in the day to do as you please. Is it time for a holiday? A very long one we hear you say! Let the adventure begin.

There's a common mantra: "If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel." This might sound a bit narky, but the reality is travel insurance is really important. Hospital bills can reach into the millions and if you're in a country like America with no free medical care, you'll be in serious financial trouble if you don't have any travel insurance.

One of the greatest things about backpacking is venturing into the unknown and diving into new cultures head first! Whether you're planning to visit the temples of Nepal or trekking to Machu Picchu, grab some backpacker's travel insurance to protect yourself against any mishaps.

Finding the best travel insurance is about research and knowing what you're covered for. Here are some tips that will set any globetrotter in good stead:

Feeling a bit gnarly and getting ready to hit the slopes? Don't forget to get specific snow travel insurance because most standard travel insurance policies don't cover "extreme sports."

So you’re pregnant! Congratulations are in order! While it’s certainly an exciting time in your life, pregnancy shouldn’t stop you from doing the things that you love - including traveling overseas.

Heading off to Vietnam for your next holiday? The gorgeous Vietnamese countryside, the limestone islands in Halong Bay, the motorbike rides in Hanoi - as you dream of all the fun days to come, don’t forget to buy the perfect Vietnam travel insurance.

Whether you’re heading off for a spiritual journey to Bali, a historical escapade in India or backpacking through Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, a holiday in Asia is the perfect opportunity to travel across ancient cultures and exotic landscapes. But as you gear up for this land of fun and adventure, don’t forget to look for the right kind of travel insurance.

Are the exotic adventures of South Africa calling you? What are you looking forward to the most - the stunning beauty of Table Mountain, the wildlife safaris in Kruger National Park or the pulsating vibe of Cape Town? Tough choice! But what should not be a difficult decision is buying the right kind of travel insurance for South Africa. Read our detailed guide below to learn about the dos and don’ts of travel insurance for South Africa, use Mozo’s free travel insurance comparison tool and shortlist the best overseas insurance policy for your trip.

Are you planning on taking a gap year holiday? Brace yourself for the trip of a lifetime! Whether it’s an extended vacation in between studies, a breather before your first job, a much-needed career break or just a journey in self discovery, don’t forget to look for a suitable travel insurance policy to cover your adventures.

From the stunning Niagara Falls to the dramatic Rockies, the spectacular variety of experiences that Canada has to offer is sure to strike a chord with the Australian traveller. Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver or Québec, you can travel across landscapes, cultures and a grand total of six time zones as you explore this beautiful country. But before you set out for the ultimate Canadian adventure, don’t forget to take out overseas travel insurance so you’re covered for whatever comes your way.

Konichiwa! Off to the Land of the Rising Sun? Whether you’re planning a family holiday to Disneyland in Tokyo, a spiritual journey to the temples of Kyoto or an adventure trip to the top of Mount Fuji or the ski fields of Niseko, you must choose the perfect travel insurance for your Japan holiday.

Are you off for the dream European vacay? From soaking in the gorgeous views at the top of the Eiffel Tower to exploring the glorious history behind the Colosseum in Rome and indulging in the sinful Belgian waffles, there’s just so much to do in this stunning continent that we’re already turning green with envy! But, but, but, in all this excitement, don’t forget to take out the appropriate travel insurance for the European countries you are headed to.

Is your Facebook timeline filling up with pictures of friends skydiving against the stunning New Zealand backdrop? Are you looking forward to getting your own version of this image along with others as you pose in front of the springs at Rotorua or cruise along the Bay of Isles? And who can miss the famous Lord of The Rings tour!

Going to Singapore with family, friends or solo - this tiny island state in Asia will steal your heart away with the variety of experiences it has to offer. Whether you’re thinking of a breakfast date with the orangutans at the Singapore Zoo, customary pictures at the Merlion Park, shopping sprees at the glitzy malls or a day out at Sentosa Island, don’t forget to slip in a good travel insurance policy into your fun-packed Singapore holiday.

We’ve all heard a travel insurance claim horror story like the person who needed emergency heart surgery in an overseas hospital, made a claim on their travel insurance only to find out it was ‘rejected’ because of a pre-existing condition and they’ve had to foot a $100,000 hospital bill.

Did somebody say HA-WA-iiiii? Quick, pass me a tall glass of pineapple juice with an umbrella in it! Whether it’s your first time to the USA or Hawaii or your fifth time, you still need to make careful consideration which overseas travel insurance you purchase. Not every provider insures you for the same things, so you need to weigh up what’s more important for you.

Did you know that you can take your kiddy winks along with you on an overseas holiday, virtually for free? Ok, so you still need to pay for flights and accommodation, but their travel insurance is automatically covered by the policy you buy for yourself!

Did you even know that multi-trip insurance even existed? If you intend on traveling overseas more than once a year, then you certainly qualify for it. Sometimes referred to: Multi-travel or Annual Travel insurance, not only do you save money on your travel insurance, you’re saving valuable time researching while buying peace of mind.

India is one of the most majestic countries in the world. Rich in history and spiritual discovery, it’s a country where you’re bound to have a spiritual reckoning yourself. But don’t take Mozo’s word for it! It’s an experience waiting for you to uncover. Just remember – before leaving Australia and stepping foot in this ancient land you’ll need to consider purchasing overseas travel insurance.

Worldwide travel! Wow! You've finally made it in your career, in your life and in your world! And when you purchase worldwide travel insurance, you get to see it all if you wish.

It's the middle of winter in Australia, there's a cold snap due to arrive any day now and you're lacking vitamin D. Whether it's the sun or a new cultural experience, there's every good reason to travel to Bali. As long as you're covered by travel insurance.

If you're thinking about travelling to the UK for your next trip, you're going to need overseas travel insurance. Even if you're an expat going back to your hometown. It's recommended to purchase a good comprehensive travel insurance policy when travelling to the UK because after all, there's no substitute for travel insurance.

Seeing the world by a massive cruise liner would have to one of the most exhilarating ways to explore the world. You may stop at handful of lovely quaint and wonderful towns, islands and countries while getting close to new cultures, art and food. In your private cabin you might have the lapping of waves rocking you to sleep, then possibly the broadest most welcoming sunrise to welcome you in the morning, if you awake early enough to see it.

If you’re planning an overseas trip, chances are you’re swamped with choices when it comes to travel insurance. Since there are so many to choose from it can sometimes seem like a daunting and overwhelming experience, often leaving you uncertain about which one’s best.

Let's hope this is just some useful background reading but here is some info to help you be travel insurance claims savvy.

After the utter mayhem that ensued when borders closed and travellers scrambled to get refunds on flights, research shows that 60% of Aussies have become disenchanted with travel insurance*.

As a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Australian travel insurance industry has seen a sharp decline in growth, a new report from GlobalData finds. 

Mozo’s latest report has found that Covid-19’s impact on travel remains a top concern for many Australians. Some would-be holidaymakers are still reeling after losing significant funds because of cancellations, while others are already planning post-isolation holidays.

From the nationwide devastation caused by the Australian bushfire emergency to a global state of panic struck by the current coronavirus outbreak, 2020 is off to a very grim start.