Compare international travel insurance

Want to get cover for a trip overseas? Here at Mozo we compare multiple international travel insurance policies from a number of providers. You can also read through a long list of frequently asked questions, from what international travel insurance is to travelling overseas during the pandemic. Your travel insurance journey begins here!

Fact Checked
single travel insurance

International travel insurance comparisons on Mozo

Mozo may receive payment if you click products on our site. Mozo does not compare the entire market.
Important information on terms, conditions and sub-limits.
Last updated 12 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.

    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.

    Details
  • 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.

    Details
  • 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.

    Details
  • 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.

    Details
  • Comprehensive
    covid medical cover
    Yes
    covid cancellation cover
    No
    overseas hospital
    Unlimited
    cancellation cover
    Choose $0 to Unlimited

    Australia Post International Comprehensive Travel Insurance covers overseas medical expenses, cancellation costs and more (T&Cs apply). Optional extras like cover for existing medical conditions and winter sports available. 24/7 emergency support. Get a quote in minutes. Reduce your premium with variable excess. Policies may not be available to all travellers. Australian Postal Corporation ABN 28 864 970 579 (AR No 338646) is the distributor of Australia Post Travel Insurance.

    Details
  • Comprehensive
    covid medical cover
    Yes
    covid cancellation cover
    Yes
    overseas hospital
    Unlimited
    cancellation cover
    Unlimited

    Know that you have some protection for your holidays with Fast Cover's worldwide 24-hour emergency assistance. Cover is available for emergency medical and hospital expenses, cancellation costs, lost luggage and more. 25-day money back guarantee when you buy a policy and provided that you have not started your trip, made a claim or used your policy to obtain a visa. Cancellation cover for COVID claims limited to $5,000.Please refer to Fast Cover’s PDS for more information on what their Comprehensive Travel Policy offers as well as terms, conditions, exclusions and limits that apply.

    Details
  • Medical Only
    covid medical cover
    Yes
    covid cancellation cover
    No
    overseas hospital
    Unlimited
    cancellation cover
    No

    Travel with peace of mind with unlimited medical cover and 24/7 emergency assistance services. Get cover for overseas emergency medical and hospital expenses. $2,500,000 personal liability cover.

    Details
  • Basic
    covid medical cover
    Yes
    covid cancellation cover
    No
    overseas hospital
    Unlimited
    cancellation cover
    No

    Australia Post Basic International Travel Insurance can help protect you against expensive overseas medical or dental bills. Choose your excess. Choose between a single trip and an annual multi-trip coverage. Add optional extras cover for existing medical conditions (T&Cs apply). Enjoy 24/7 support. Get a quote in minutes.

    Details
  • Standard Saver
    covid medical cover
    Yes
    covid cancellation cover
    Yes
    overseas hospital
    Unlimited
    cancellation cover
    $25,000

    Know that you have some protection for your holidays with Fast Cover’s worldwide 24-hour emergency assistance. Cover is available for Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses, Trip Cancellation, Lost Luggage and more. 25-day money back guarantee when you buy a policy and provided that you have not started your trip, made a claim or used your policy to obtain a visa. Cancellation cover for COVID claims limited to $3,000. Please refer to Fast Cover’s PDS for more information on what their Standard Saver Travel Policy offers, as well as terms, conditions, exclusions and limits that apply.

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

    Enjoy the security of annual 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.

    Details
  • Basics
    covid medical cover
    Yes
    covid cancellation cover
    No
    overseas hospital
    Unlimited
    cancellation cover
    No

    Know that you have some protection for your holidays with Fast Cover’s worldwide 24-hour emergency assistance. Cover is available for emergency medical and hospital expenses and more. Cover for luggage and personal effects is optional under the Basics policy, so if you wish to include cover under the luggage and personal effects benefit, you will need to choose it at policy purchase otherwise there will be no cover. 25-day money back guarantee when you buy a policy and provided that you have not started your trip, made a claim or used your policy to obtain a visa. Please refer to Fast Cover’s PDS for more information on what their Basics Travel Policy offers as well as terms, conditions, exclusions and limits that apply.

    Details

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Travel insurance Awards

*Terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits may apply to any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. These terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits could affect the level of benefits and cover available under any of the insurance products shown on the Mozo website. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and the Target Market Determination on the provider's website for further information before making any decisions about an insurance product.

See policy details from these travel insurance providers

Travel insurance resources

Reviews, news, tips and guides to help find the best travel insurance for you.

What is international travel insurance?

International travel insurance is designed to give you peace of mind while travelling outside of Australia. Most providers offer a basic international travel insurance policy or a comprehensive international travel insurance policy. 

Basic cover will often include things like cover for medical emergencies and personal liability, while a comprehensive policy will include that plus cover for cancellations, trip delays, lost luggage and rental car excess.

Coronavirus and travelling internationally - what you need to know

Right now travelling overseas is nothing like taking an international holiday pre-Coronavirus (Covid:19). There’s more paperwork involved for a start, and rules around vaccination and quarantine can vary from country to country.

While some countries are allowing vaccinated travellers to enter without quarantining, others are not. Although even countries that do not have mandatory quarantine for vaccinated travellers will likely still have some rules. For example, most countries require international travellers to take a Covid-19 test either before or just after entering the country.

Before booking a ticket overseas, you may even want to make a checklist for yourself. Here are a few ideas as to what might be on it:

  • Read the health advice for the destination country

  • Get International Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate

  • Check passport is in date 

  • Get relevant visas/documents

  • Know what the rules are for entering the country

  • Book a Covid-19 test before departing, or on arrival 

  • Tell bank about the trip

  • Pack lots of masks and hand sanitiser!

Remember masks are still mandated on most airlines, whether you are vaccinated or not.

Right now, many travel insurance providers do not provide insurance cover for Covid-related events. Although, there are a few providers that will cover hospitalisation or cancellation costs due to Covid-19. Our comparison tables highlight whether this cover option is available with each insurance policy. 

Of course, you might want to get cover for things like quarantine costs or border closures and not every travel insurance company will offer these. This is why now, more than ever it is important that prior to purchasing international travel insurance, you understand what will and won’t be covered under the policy for the destination you are planning on travelling to, especially in relation to Coronavirus. This means reading the product disclosure statement so that you know the risks involved.   

What does international travel insurance cover?

International travel insurance provides cover for emergency situations, cancellations and delays that might occur while travelling outside of Australia. Usually providers will offer two types of international travel insurance: basic (sometimes called essential) travel insurance and comprehensive travel insurance.

Exactly what is covered with an international travel insurance policy will vary depending on each individual plan. Basic travel insurance will usually cover things like emergency medical expenses, additional expenses and personal liability. Comprehensive plans will cover these instances, plus things such as cancellation costs, trip delays, lost luggage, lost travel documents, rental car excess and loss of income.

According to smartraveller.org.au , travel insurance is usually only available for countries classified as either advice level one or two. But Smart Traveller has four advice levels that go from level one, ‘exercise normal safety precautions’, to level four, ‘do not travel.’ 

What are the risks of travelling overseas without insurance?

Travelling overseas without insurance could see you out of pocket, should any last minute cancellations or emergencies happen. Besides financial consequences, you may be denied medical treatment without cover!

Smart Traveller highlights paying your medical bills. It says that if you’re treated in an emergency situation, a failure to pay your medical bills could lead to arrest, prevention from leaving the country until bills are paid, or even being sued by the hospital after you have left. 

Regardless of whether or not you find yourself in these situations, travel insurance can provide some peace of mind. It’s also handy to know that Australia currently has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with 11 countries. These are:

  • Belgium

  • Finland

  • Italy

  • Malta 

  • The Netherlands

  • New Zealand

  • Norway

  • The Republic of Ireland

  • Slovenia

  • Sweden

  • United Kingdom

In the above countries Australians can access necessary healthcare in an emergency situation. Although, you may still have to pay for treatment and the agreement should not be viewed as a replacement for travel insurance.

How much does international travel insurance cost?

How much travel insurance costs will vary for each individual. Premiums are generally based on factors such as the destination, how long the trip will be, how old travellers are, the type of cover you opt for (basic or comprehensive) and what you intend to do while overseas.

When deciding whether to get international travel insurance, weigh up the cost to pay for the premium against the potential costs that could occur should something go wrong. 

What travel alerts and restrictions are there for international travel?

On 1 November 2021, the Australian government lifted the global travel ban in place from March 2020. This change means that fully vaccinated Australians and permanent residents can now leave the country without applying for an exemption. 

Countries can be classified as one of four travel advice levels. These are:

  • 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

Generally there will be more restrictions in place for Australians who are not fully vaccinated or do not have a vaccination exemption. Depending on where you are travelling to you may be required to provide a vaccination certificate, as well as a negative Covid-19 test taken before or after arriving in the country. Some countries may also still require vaccinated travellers to quarantine in a hotel or at home.

How to make a claim - key information you might need

Most insurance companies will give the option to lodge a claim either online via their website, over the phone or by email. To make a travel insurance claim, you will likely need to have quite a few details handy. These will be things like:

  • Your travel insurance policy number

  • Personal details (name, home address etc.)

  • Travel itinerary

  • Details of the incident (time and date)

  • Supporting documents (receipts, invoices etc.)

  • Bank account details

It may also be a good idea to take note of your provider’s emergency contact number, in case you need to call them urgently while overseas.

What’s the best travel insurance?

Finding the best travel insurance policy doesn’t be difficult. That’s why in 2023 Mozo will announce the Mozo Experts Choice Travel Insurance Awards to help you find one that complements your personal needs and budget quicker. Mozo’s expert judges will analyse hundreds of travel insurance policies to find the best value, comprehensive and quality insurances. 

In the meantime, see if you can find your own winner with our best travel insurance hub guide.

More FAQs on international travel insurance

What information do I need to supply to get a quote for international travel insurance?

When getting a quote for travel insurance, providers will most likely want to know:

  • Where you are travelling to

  • What dates you are travelling

  • Who is travelling (i.e. how many people, whether you have any dependents etc.)

  • The age of those travelling

Age limits may also apply for a number of policies. For example, some providers may not offer travel insurance to people over 75. More detail on this below.

When should I take out travel insurance for my upcoming trip?

Generally a good time to take out travel insurance is after you have booked and confirmed flights and accommodation. The reason for doing so is because it will mean you will be then covered for any cancellations. Taking out your policy early doesn’t affect the price you’ll pay so it is best to get cover as soon as your holiday plans are confirmed. 

Just keep in mind that you must purchase travel insurance before you depart Australia. 

Can I get travel insurance if I’m pregnant?

Yes, though there are some exceptions to this. Travel insurance will usually only cover pregnancies up to a certain stage of the pregnancy - typically around 23 to 32 weeks. Many insurance companies won’t cover actual childbirth while overseas - or IVF pregnancies or if you’ve had pregnancy complications in the past.

We recommend reading the product disclosure statement thoroughly, so you know exactly what is covered and what is not, before taking out a travel insurance policy if you are pregnant.

What’s the maximum age I can get travel insurance?

Some insurance policies may have a maximum age limit on who can get cover. Generally basic international travel insurance policies will only be available to people aged under 75 years of age. 

For comprehensive international travel insurance policies the age limit could be higher, some even offer cover for up to 100 years.  

Some policies may also have age limits that apply to certain conditions, such as diabetes and asthma. It is a good idea to read the full product disclosure statement before taking out a policy, to make sure you are aware of what age limits apply.

Can I get travel insurance cover if I have a pre-existing condition?

Travel insurance policies may not cover pre-existing conditions or they might charge you an extra premium to get cover. 

A pre-existing condition is any known medical condition you already have before travelling. This means you may not be able to make a claim for any expenses relating to a pre-existing condition.

Pre-existing conditions can be conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart conditions and so on. We recommend reading the product disclosure statement in full before taking out a travel insurance plan.

What’s a multi-trip policy?

A multi-trip travel insurance policy is an insurance plan that is designed to provide cover for frequent flyers over a 12-month period. Generally multi-trip travel insurance is paid annually and will provide cover for travel to multiple destinations throughout the year.

Check out our multi-trip travel insurance information page on how this type of cover works.

Should I get travel insurance for travel around Australia?

Domestic travel insurance can be a good idea if you want to avoid being hit with last minute cancellation costs or expenses incurred from lost luggage. Typically this type of travel insurance provides cover for things like cancellations, lost luggage and personal liability.

Read more about what domestic travel insurance covers over at Mozo’s domestic travel insurance information page.