Travel Insurance Asia

As Earth’s largest and most populous continent, Asia has it all. From sprawling landscapes to diverse cultures and deep, complex histories, there’s so much to explore and experience. 

Traverse the famous Mongolian steppe, or behold the magnificent snowy heights of Tibet. Relax on Vietnam’s pristine beaches or bask in the colourful vibrance of India. Metropolitan areas like Hong Kong, Seoul, and Tokyo bustle with iconic vistas and nightlife. If the point of travel is to experience something new, there’s something new for everyone in Asia.

However, such a wide cross-section of life brings uncertainties and specific travel requirements that can be as varied as they are tricky to navigate. The right travel insurance policy could make a significant difference to your security, financial protection, and peace of mind while abroad.

Here’s our guide to comparing travel insurance policies for your trip to Asia. 

Different international travel insurance policies will offer different levels and kinds of coverage. When comparing policies, you should take in account your needs, including any pre-existing conditions you may have, where you’re travelling and for how long, and what benefits you may need (including any optional extras). 

Remember, don’t just go for the cheapest travel insurance policy: instead, go for a more value-based mindset. The best travel policies will have adequate coverage for your journey, and could reimburse eligible claims, such as unexpected emergency medical costs, flight cancellations, or lost/stolen/damaged belongings – all of which can be elevated risks when travelling around Asia. 

If you’re jet-setting in a rental vehicle, backpacking, or just sightseeing, an international travel insurance policy should suit your needs and budget. Make sure your policy offers cruise travel insurance as optional extra if you’re sailing the sapphire coastlines, or check out seniors travel insurance if you’re of a certain age.

Some providers also offer activity specific extras for motorcycle/moped travel, snorkelling, snow sports, and more. Compare your itinerary with what’s offered in your policy’s PDS.

Optional extras usually come as add-ons for comprehensive travel insurance policies, which often give you the maximum level of coverage available with a specific provider. Policy tiers range from basic or essential to premium or comprehensive. 

Generally, a basic policy will cover benefits like overseas emergency medical expenses and personal liability. However, cover for things like flight delays, cancellations, loss of travel documents or cash, might only be available if you pay a higher premium. The question you have to ask yourself is: "What can I afford to risk?"

Risk is generally what travel insurance tries to mitigate, so it's important to take into account the specific warnings and dangers that may apply to your destination. Asia is no stranger to earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods, so keep in mind that trips booked after an event has been made public knowledge generally will not be covered by travel insurance. 

Different exclusions will also apply based on your behaviour abroad. Unattended belongings, adventure activities like bungee jumping undertaken without an instructor, illegal activities, drunk driving, and so forth won’t likely be covered by your provider. 

One major concern for your travel insurance policy in Asia will be to keep official Australian government travel advice in mind. Because there are so many varying political/health situations in Asia, some countries are safer to visit than others. 

For a few years running, Japan and South Korea have been considered the safest countries to visit. Exercise normal safety precautions as you would in Australia. 

Travel insurance will generally cover destinations listed by Smartraveller as Level 1 or 2. Anywhere categorised as Level 3 or 4 will automatically be excluded by most if not all travel insurance policies.

• Level 1 - Exercise normal safety precautions.
  
• Level 2 - Exercise a high degree of caution.
  
• Level 3 - Reconsider your need to travel.
  
• Level 4 - Do not travel.
  

At the moment, most Asian countries are listed as Level 2 (“Exercise a high degree of caution”), with varying degrees of safety and health risk among them, primarily due to COVID-19 or political unrest. 

Depending on the specific Asian country you’re travelling to, you may need an entry visa. Different countries also have different border requirements surrounding COVID-19 testing/entry/vaccination certificates, so it’s important to check the policies in place for your destination through either the government/embassy website or Smartraveller .

Not every travel insurance provider will cover claims related to COVID-19, though many policies have now extended their inclusions for the pandemic era. Before you book your adventure, make sure you check the travel advice warnings for your destination(s) and read the PDS.

If your policy does cover COVID-19 related claims, it may only be for overseas medical, cancellation, or evacuation costs if you contract COVID-19 during your trip. It may not cover claims for mandatory quarantine or government-mandated border closures.

Different Asian countries also have different entry requirements in lieu of coronavirus, with some limiting inbound travellers based on whether they have a:

• Valid vaccination certificate.
  
• Entry declaration form.
  
• Negative PCR and/or Rapid Antigen test result from within 24-72 hours of arrival.
  
• Plans in place for hotel quarantine.
  
• An existing and adequate travel insurance policy for COVID-related claims.
  

• Excess fees. Many insurance policies will offer cheaper premiums if you’re willing to pay a higher excess per claim. If you’re going to a relatively risk-free destination, this could be a good way to keep your premium low. However, keep in mind that you may have to pay more out of pocket if you need to file a claim, and different policies will often charge you multiple excesses for each claim.
  
• Pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions have highly variable coverage under most travel insurance policies. While asthma, common allergies, and disabilities such as mobility, cognitive, or sensory impairments are usually automatically covered, other conditions like mental ill-health and pregnancy are not. No matter what, you should declare any and all pre-existing conditions to your provider, otherwise you may not be covered if you experience an emergency related to your condition while abroad. 
  
• Unattended baggage. Loss or damage to your valuables is one of the most common claims for travel insurance policies, which is why providers try to wriggle out of paying up as much as they can. Anything left unattended (i.e. by the pool, by your back, on your restaurant table while you go to the bathroom) is considered to be unnecessary risk and usually won’t be approved by your provider.
  
• Report incidents ASAP. Unless you have official documentation to support your claim, your travel insurance provider is unlikely to approve you. Report any incidents to the local authorities, even if you just lost your sunnies on the beach, and get a copy of the paperwork. This will come in handy when you file your claim later (which you should also do within thirty days of landing).
  
• Driving in Asia. Different Asian countries have different laws surrounding foreigners and their eligibility to operate motor vehicles, so check your destination’s requirements before you travel, and make sure you take a copy of your valid Australian driver’s licence with you. (Consider getting an International Driver’s Permit , too).
  
• Drink responsibly. Providers frown on claims related to incidents occuring while you were under the influence, so imbibe responsibly while abroad. You should also be highly cautious in Asia of accepting drinks, gum, or drugs from strangers, as there is a high prevalence in many countries of spiking and sexual assault.
  
• Heed official travel advice. Again, travel insurance won’t cover trips to countries with strict warnings in place. You can monitor changing advice through the Smartraveller website.
  
• Dual citizenship. Some countries, such as China, have varying recognition for dual citizens. If something happens, Australia may not be able to intervene on your behalf. Make sure you’re aware of the rules where you’re going, and keep the contact details of the Australian embassy on hand. 
  
• Travelling alone. While many Asian countries are relatively safe for solo travellers, many can be dangerous for singles (especially after dark). If appropriate, arrange to travel in groups and only book accommodation/transport through officially vetted companies.
  
• Emergency medical services. Many Asian countries have limited or inadequate medical facilities despite having high levels of disease and natural-disaster prone areas (mudslides, avalanches, flooding, typhoons, tsunamis, etc.). If you experience a medical emergency in a dangerous country, be sure your travel insurance covers medical evacuations and emergency services so that you can receive adequate care. Before you go, you should also make sure you’re up to date with any vaccinations, boosters, or medications you may need for your destination. 

If you are looking for a travel insurance provider for your trip to Asia, it's essential to find one that suits you and your individual needs for your trip. But if you're having trouble sifting through all your options, this is where the Mozo Experts Choice Travel Insurance Awards can help you.

Mozo's Expert Judges have analysed dozens of travel insurance providers to crown the ones offering the best value for Asian destinations.

Read more about the winners and compare plans to find the best insurance for you at our best travel insurance page.

Here are the Exceptional Value travel insurance providers across all our awards categories for 2023:

• 1Cover
  
• ahm
  
• Allianz
  
• American Express
  
• Australia Post
  
• Chubb Australia
  
• Easy Travel Insurance
  
• Go Insurance
  
• insure4less
• Medibank
  
• NRMA
  
• Qantas
  
• Travel Insurance Saver
  
• Tick Travel Insurance
• World2Cover
  
• Worldcare
  
• Webjet
  
• Zoom
  

Compare international travel insurance policies below.