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What travel insurance do you need? Five important questions to ask when choosing a policy

By Evlin DuBose ·
Fact Checked
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Ask yourself...

Collage of two people asking each other what travel insurance they need.

For every trip, there’s travel insurance – or close to it. But how do you choose the best travel insurance policy for your needs? 

If you’ve read the terms and conditions but still feel confused, here are five simple questions that could point you in the right direction.

(And make sure to avoid these five easy travel insurance mistakes!)

Question 1: Where are you going?

Collage of people looking at a map.

Your choice of destination makes a big difference to the cost – and kind – of travel insurance you’ll need. Ideally, you’d want to find a policy that offers the best value for where you’re going. 

Your options are:

As a bonus follow-up: who’s going with you? Family travel insurance is a category itself, though children under eighteen usually receive automatic coverage under your policy.

You’d also want to consider the risks associated with your destination. Relatively safe countries classified as either Level 1 or Level 2 by Smartraveller receive the most protection, while riskier countries (Level 3 and 4) often don’t get covered at all. Research your destination beforehand to see if your insurance matches your wanderlust.

Question 2: What are you doing?

Collage of a snowboarder.

Different trips have different coverage needs. For example, the travel insurance you use on your stargazing trip to Hawaii might not be adequate for a similar trip to Norway. 

Locations and activities like extreme sports carry different risks, so the best policy will include everything you’re planning to do.

Here are some types of travel policies you may need:

Some travel insurance policies are also customisable, meaning you add optional extras to tailor your coverage. This diversifies your protection, but keep in mind it may also increase your price. Speaking of…

Question 3: How much does it cost?

Collage of a suitcase surrounded by question marks.

Price is a big factor for many when choosing travel insurance, and for good reason. But if your travel budget doesn’t have a ton of wiggle room, we’d argue it’s even more important to look for good value – not necessarily the cheapest price. 

For example, if money will be tight on your trip, can you afford to spring for emergency expenses like medical assistance or stolen luggage? Cheap policies don’t come with as much coverage, so if your policy doesn’t protect you when the worst happens, then it doesn’t matter how cheap it was: it wasn’t worth the money. 

However, there are still ways to get cheap travel insurance. It’s just about balancing price with cover. The most expensive policy might not have the best cover, either!

You could also try seeing if you’re eligible for complimentary travel insurance through your credit card, which can be a major saving.

Question 4: Are you eligible?

Collage of a hand picking up a landline receive while legs disappear into the phone.

Travel insurance providers will usually have specific rules about who’s eligible to receive cover in the first place. They might exclude certain preexisting conditions or cut off medical cover after you reach a certain age. There may also be certain cover activation requirements, like if you’re taking it out through your credit card.

However, this doesn’t mean there isn’t a policy out there for you – you might just have to sort through the pile a bit more. For instance, if you’re making the most of your golden years, check out our guide on senior travel insurance.

Question 5: What ISN’T covered?

Collage of a multi-coloured Warhol-esque passport logos.

Last but not least, check what’s not covered by your policy. Sometimes the exclusions can be more revealing than the benefits. 

You can find this by reading the product disclosure statement (PDS) of your policy and skipping ahead to “exclusions”. Some will vary by circumstances, others will be ironclad. But if something you read doesn’t work for you, then you know it’s time to move on.

Ready, get set – jet set! Compare travel insurance policies below. Head to the best travel insurance hub for more expert tips.

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Important information on terms, conditions and sub-limits.
Last updated 15 December 2024 Important disclosures
  • International Travel Insurance
    covid medical cover
    Yes
    covid cancellation cover
    Yes
    overseas hospital
    Unlimited
    cancellation cover
    $5,000 limit per policy with option to increase limit

    Get protection in a few simple steps with Freely travel insurance all in the palm of your hand. Freely Travel offers 24/7 emergency and medical support, 24/7 customer service. Plus, you can tailor your policy so you only pay for what you need, and adapt your cover in near real time. Add-ons such as car rental excess, snow sports or other activities also available. Receive 10% off your travel insurance policy with promo code: MOZO10. T&Cs apply, go to site for full detail.

    Go to site
    Details
  • Comprehensive
    covid medical cover
    Yes
    covid cancellation cover
    No
    overseas hospital
    Unlimited
    cancellation cover
    Unlimited

    Enjoy unlimited medical cover and 24/7 emergency assistance services when you travel. Get unlimited cover for cancellation fees and prepaid travel expenses. Cover for luggage and travel documents. $5,000,000 personal liability cover.

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  • International Comprehensive Single
    covid medical cover
    Yes
    covid cancellation cover
    Yes
    overseas hospital
    Unlimited
    cancellation cover
    Choose $2,500 to Unlimited

    Enjoy the security of single trip cover on your next holiday with Southern Cross Travel Insurance. Get 24 hour emergency assistance, cover for cancelling or changing your journey before you leave, protection for lost, stolen or damaged goods as well as cover to replace lost or stolen cash, banks or travel documents.

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  • Top
    covid medical cover
    Yes
    covid cancellation cover
    Yes
    overseas hospital
    Unlimited
    cancellation cover
    Unlimited

    Be covered for international overseas and medical expenses. Emergency medical assistance 24 hours/365 days a year. Cover for cancellation fees and lost deposits. Cover for luggage and personal money. Dependents covered free of charge (conditions apply). Limited COVID cover available. Cancellation cover for COVID claims limited to $3,500.

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  • Standard
    covid medical cover
    Yes
    covid cancellation cover
    No
    overseas hospital
    Unlimited
    cancellation cover
    $25,000

    Get the security of unlimited medical cover and 24/7 emergency assistance services when you travel. Get cover for cancellation fees and prepaid travel expenses. Cover for luggage and travel documents. $2,500,000 personal liability cover.

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Evlin DuBose
Evlin DuBose
RG146
Senior Money Writer

Evlin, RG146 Generic Knowledge certified and a UTS Communications graduate, is a leading voice in finance news. As Mozo's go-to writer for RBA and interest rates, her work regularly features in Google's Top Stories and major publications like News.com.au.

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