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Travel insurance

When travelling, you never know what’s around the next corner, so it’s smart to pack AMP travel insurance. From basic to comprehensive cover, choose what's right for you.

Types of travel insurance cover

Travel insurance frequent flyer, travel insurance comprehensive, travel insurance essentials, compare travel insurance cover.

Covers all trips taken during a 12 month period (up to 60 days per trip)

Why choose AMP travel insurance

Buy anytime, anywhere.

You can easily purchase travel insurance online anytime you need it.

Emergency assistance

24/7 access to emergency support wherever you are in the world. Call 0064 948 66868 for assistance.

Easy claims process

We have an experienced claims team who will support you throughout the process if you need to make a claim .

Navigating travel in a pandemic

Now that the boarders have opened up, Kiwis can't wait to travel again. If you're looking to travel overseas soon, it’s important to think about travel insurance, how it has changed and what your options are.

This insurance is issued and managed by AWP Services New Zealand Limited trading as Allianz Partners and underwritten by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473 (Incorporated in Australia) ("Hollard"). Please refer to the policy wording for full terms, conditions, limits sub limits and exclusions.

Compare Travel Insurance

Compare Outstanding Value Travel Insurance

Compare Travel Insurance By Destination

Outstanding Value Travel Insurance Awards

Click profile to compare 5-Star Outstanding Value Travel Insurance:

International travel, trans-tasman travel, south pacific cruise, seniors travel, 5-star international travel insurance, 5-star trans-tasman travel insurance, 5-star south pacific cruise travel insurance, 5-star seniors travel insurance.

2023 Outstanding Value Travel Insurance Awards

Compare Travel Insurance by Destination

Canstar’s full travel insurance Star Ratings break down the best insurance providers and products for the following global holiday destinations, plus all destinations for senior travellers:

• Africa & Middle East
• Domestic Cruise
• Pacific Cruise
• Seniors – all destinations

Important information

• The Star Ratings in this table were awarded November 2023. The current features, rates and fees may be different to what was rated. The Star Rating shown is only one factor to take into account when considering a product. See our Ratings Methodology .
• The initial table display is sorted by Star Rating and then alphabetically by company.
• Any advice on this page is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this general financial advice is right for your personal circumstances. You may need financial advice from a qualified adviser. Canstar is not providing a recommendation for your individual circumstances.  See our Detailed Disclosure .
• Data in the table is updated from time to time to reflect product changes notified to us by product issuers. Check current product details and investment options with the product issuer. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement before making a purchase decision.
• The table above may not include all providers in the market and may not compare all features relevant to you. Canstar is not providing a recommendation for your individual circumstances.
• Canstar may earn a fee for referrals from its website tables, and from sponsorship (advertising) of certain products. Payment of sponsorship fees does not influence the star rating that Canstar awards to a sponsored product. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and sponsorship may vary between providers, website position, and revenue model. Sponsorship fees may be higher than referral fees. Sponsored products are clearly disclosed as such on website pages. They may appear in a number of areas of the website such as in comparison tables, on hub pages and in articles. Sponsored products may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product’s rating, price or other attributes. The table position of a sponsored product does not indicate any ranking, rating or endorsement by Canstar. See  How We Get Paid  for further information.

Compare Travel Money Cards

Headed off overseas and looking for the best in money cards? Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular cards in New Zealand:

The display order does not reflect any ranking or rating by Canstar.

This information is not an endorsement by Canstar of travel money cards or any specific provider. Information correct as of 20/09/23. For full pricing details see individual providers’ websites.

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What is travel insurance and why do you need it when you travel?

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is financial cover for emergencies, accidents or loss that might occur to you or your belongings while you are travelling either domestically or internationally.

Why do you need travel insurance?

The New Zealand government website SafeTravel recommends travel insurance for anyone taking a trip away from home, especially overseas.

If you don’t have travel insurance and you lose your luggage, have an accident, medical emergency, or legal incident, you could face huge bills.

Cancelled flights and hotel accommodation can leave you out of pocket by thousands of dollars, but medical expenses can be even worse. A health emergency overseas can end up costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

However, if you have travel insurance, you can travel confidently knowing you can get financial help in an emergency.

What else should you do before you travel?

In addition to organising travel insurance, before you leave:

• If you are going overseas, visit the SafeTravel website’s Travel Advisories page to ascertain the current risks of travelling to your chosen destination. If a country is flagged with a “Do Not Travel” advisory, be aware that you may not be able to obtain insurance for the trip.
• Regardless of where you are going, register your plans with SafeTravel. Your details will be stored securely and only used to reach you in an emergency.
• Ensure you have all the relevant travel documentation to take with you on your trip, and that a trusted friend or relation in NZ has a copy, too.
• Record the contact details of the New Zealand Embassy in your country of destination – just in case you need it.

Types of travel insurance and what they cover

There are two types of travel insurance cover policies.

1. Domestic travel insurance

Domestic travel insurance policies usually cover you for events such as:

• Lost or stolen luggage or other items
• Cancelling your trip unexpectedly due to illness, accident, holiday leave being revoked, or a natural disaster at home or at your intended destination
• Rental vehicle excess you have to pay if you have an accident driving a hire car
• Legal liability: the vast majority of policies researched include coverage for legal liability. Don’t take this as an excuse to break the law, though – you may end up invalidating your policy!

Domestic travel insurance usually doesn’t cover you for:

• Medical cover. However, this is not a big problem because, as long as you’re in New Zealand, you can still access publicly funded health services or your private health insurance , if you have it
• Certain “hazardous pursuits”. If you’re doing dangerous activities on your holiday, such as skiing, scuba diving, bungee jumping or rock climbing, you need to disclose it on your application. However, even if you disclose it, you still might not be covered for an accident that happens because of that activity, as it may be excluded from the policy. Ensure you read your policy terms and conditions carefully

2. International travel insurance

International travel insurance policies usually cover you for events such as:

• Medical or dental emergency. Typical emergency medical cover will include hospital admission, emergency care and medical evacuation to another country’s hospital. If your medical situation is not an emergency, it is recommend you contact your insurer before you receive treatment, to check if it’s covered by your policy
• Repatriation if you fall sick overseas and need to be evacuated back to NZ for treatment. Or if tragedy strikes, repatriation covers the cost of flying your body and belongings back home to NZ. Some travel insurance policies also include a separate sum for funeral expenses
• Lost or stolen luggage, passport or other items. Replacing luggage and travel documents is the most common claim for travel insurance
• Legal liability if you break a local law and need a lawyer and/or interpreter. Ignorance of local law is no excuse in most countries, so make sure you check SafeTravel before you depart. For example, in some Muslim countries it is an offence to wear a bikini on a public beach. If you break a law on purpose, your travel insurance policy may not cover your legal fees

International travel insurance usually doesn’t cover you for:

• High-risk countries. Check the government’s SafeTravel website for the travel advisory status of your destination. Countries flagged with a “Do Not Travel” advisory may not be covered under your policy
• Risky behavior. Any injury or loss caused by you behaving recklessly while you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be excluded from cover. This doesn’t apply to medication prescribed to you by a doctor and taken as prescribed
• Pre-existing medical conditions. If you have experienced symptoms of a condition before travelling, even if the condition wasn’t diagnosed, medical expenses for it will generally not be covered. Read your policy’s terms and conditions carefully
• High-value items. Many policies have a dollar limit that you can claim for each item, which may not be as much as it costs to replace the item
• Notification period. Your policy may specify that you need to notify your insurer of an accident or event within a specified timeframe, such as 24 hours. It’s important to be aware of that notification period and to call your insurer as soon as you can, in the event of a potential claim
• Loss of items left unattended. Keep an eye on your belongings at all times. You might not be covered if you leave your wallet and keys wrapped in a towel on the beach, or hidden in a shared room, or even in your checked-in luggage
• Hazardous pursuits. Dangerous activities such as scuba diving, bungee jumping, rock climbing, off-piste skiing and hang-gliding are usually excluded, but they can often be added to your policy for an extra fee. Also be aware that riding a moped or motorcycle overseas might also not be covered, even if you are legally entitled to ride one in NZ

NB: No travel insurance policy will cover you for every single thing that might go wrong while you’re away, so it’s important to read your policy’s terms and conditions carefully to discover the full extent of your cover.

Travel insurance glossary of terms

• Accident : An unexpected, unforeseeable, or unusual event that was unintended and caused loss or harm while you are on a trip covered by your policy.
• Accommodation : Any type of dwelling or lodging that you pay a fee to stay in overnight.
• Additional expenses : Additional expenses for accommodation and transportation that occur because of events such as illness, natural disasters, loss of travel documents, and transport union strikes.
• Beneficiary : The person who would receive compensation from your insurance policy if you were to pass away during your travels.
• Benefits: What your insurance provider gives you according to the terms of your policy. Benefits can apply if you make a claim or they can apply if a certain event happens, e.g. during an emergency.
• Cancellation or amendment costs : The cost of cancelling, changing, or rearranging your journey because of unforeseen circumstances outside your control such as illness, accidents and extreme weather events.
• Claim: A request for your insurance provider to pay certain expenses back to you in accordance with your policy.
• Cover or coverage : The extent of protection given to you by your policy. If you are covered for an event, it means that you can claim back from your insurance provider a specified amount of expenses you incurred during that event.
• Current market value : The amount of money you could get for an item if you sold it in the current local market. This amount is based on the original cost, the current condition and age of the item, and what it could be sold for in its present state.
• Damage: Harm or injury to a person or property, resulting in the property losing value or not being able to be used properly.
• Disability : A physical or mental condition that restricts a person’s movements, senses or activities. A disadvantage or handicap, especially one imposed or recognised by the law.
• Emergency medical care : Medical care that is needed in an unexpected emergency. This does not include any type of regular medical care or foreseeable medical needs.
• Endorsement: Any special condition listed on your insurance policy as an extra reason for you to buy the policy.
• Excess: The excess is an amount that you pay instead of the insurer, e.g. “the first” $250 or $500 of a claim. Insurers usually have either a policy with different excess options that you choose between, or separate policies that each have a different excess amount. You can pay a lower premium if you have a higher excess, but you need to be sure that you could afford to pay the excess unexpectedly if you had to make a claim.
• Exclusions : Anything that is not covered by your policy. Common exclusions include travel to high-risk countries, dangerous activities such as bungee jumping, risky behaviour, such as taking alcohol or drugs, pre-existing medical conditions, and loss of items left unattended.
• Home: Your usual place of residence in New Zealand.
• Incidental:  Costs associated with an unexpected covered event, which are not directly related to the event.
• Inclusions: Any event, item or expense that is covered by your policy.
• Injury: Anything that physically harms you and occurs by accidental or violent means, which is covered by your policy.
• Journey: One of the terms insurers use to talk about the period you’re covered for, from the time you leave home until the time you return to your home. Also known as your trip, voyage, or travels.
• Limit/benefit limit: Policies have a limit on the amount of benefits you can claim per year or per journey.
• Luggage and personal effects: Personal items that you own or carry with you on a trip that is covered. This includes but is not limited to: suitcase or backpack, clothing, jewellery, computer or laptop, your phone and other portable electrical devices or equipment.
• Medically necessary: Medical treatment that is needed to preserve your health, is suitable to treat your symptoms, and can be safely provided in your current location. This does not include treatment or procedures that are performed in your current location because it is merely convenient.
• Natural disaster: An event caused by nature and not by any human activity, including earthquakes, storms, bushfires and floods.
• Overseas medical expenses: Expenses incurred overseas for ambulance transport, hospital admission, surgical nursing, and emergency dental treatment.
• Period of cover: The time your travel is covered by your policy.
• Personal liability cover: Cover for costs incurred for which you are legally liable. You are legally liable if your negligence causes loss or damage to someone else’s property. Personal liability also covers you for injury to a person who is not a member of your family or travelling party. Personal liability cover does not cover damage you caused deliberately or that breaks the law; damage caused by your business or your employee; your ownership or use of a vehicle, aircraft or watercraft; or you passing on an illness to someone else.
• Policy:  The travel insurance contract you have taken out with an insurance provider.
• Pre-existing condition: A medical condition that existed in any form before you signed up for the insurance policy, whether or not you had your symptoms examined by a health practitioner. Your policy may usually list a time limit for the condition to be pre-existing, e.g. you have seen a medical practitioner in the past 90 days before you started your journey, or you have been prescribed a medication within the past 60 days.
• Premium: The amount you pay your insurance provider for your travel insurance cover. Your premium must be paid on time for your travel to be covered.
• Reasonable: When associated with an expense or cost, “reasonable” refers to what is usual, needed, and matches the standards of your previously scheduled travel.
• Refund: Cash or company credit that can be given to you as reimbursement for your expenses, according to the terms of your policy.
• Rental car insurance excess : The excess charged if your hire car is damaged or stolen.
• Resumption of journey benefit : The benefit you receive if you claim the expense of resuming your travels. You can make a claim if you had to return to New Zealand suddenly due to a serious injury, illness, or the death of one of your relatives or business partners in New Zealand.
• Sudden illness or serious injury : Illness or injury that occurs during your period of cover and requires immediate treatment by a health practitioner.
• Travel delay : Scheduled transport that is delayed by over six hours. Scheduled transport can include plane flights, trains, trams, buses, ferries or cruises.
• Unforeseen: Any circumstance that is out of your control. This can include illness, accident, cancelled flights, or natural disasters.

Which travel insurance providers are assessed by Canstar's ratings?

Products from the following travel insurance providers were rated in Canstar’s 2023 Travel Insurance Star Ratings and Awards:

• 1Cover Direct Insurance
• AA Insurance
• Air New Zealand
• American Express
• Chubb Insurance
• Cover-More Travel Insurance
• House of Travel
• Southern Cross Travel Insurance
• World Nomads

Recent Award Winners

View Canstar's Outstanding Value Travel Insurance Awards

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Page updated:26/1/23 Print page

Take out travel insurance. Your policy should cover any activities you plan to undertake (from scuba diving to scooter riding), personal liability, medical treatment, emergency medical evacuation, and any pre-existing medical conditions. Even minor medical treatment can be very expensive overseas.

If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

If you suffer an injury overseas and return to New Zealand, ACC may be able to help with treatment costs in New Zealand, but only if you intended to be overseas for less than six months. ACC is unable to cover expenses incurred overseas. Visit the ACC website  to learn more.

Consumer NZ travel insurance guide We have worked with Consumer NZ to help create a useful travel insurance guide for New Zealand travellers. 

The guide helps you navigate the sometimes complex world of travel insurance. It provides timely and useful information on policy types, insurance coverage, personal liability and how to make a successful insurance claim if you get into difficulty while travelling. 

To read Consumer NZ’s travel insurance guide, click here .

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What's on this page

Emergencies, common queries, find an insurer.

Travel insurance is cover you purchase for international trips, whether they’re for business or holidays. Most travel insurance provides protection for

• cancellation and loss of deposit
• medical treatment costs
• costs for returning home in certain emergencies
• loss of luggage and personal items
• personal liability (except for deliberate acts or use of motor vehicles).

Travel insurance consumer guide

Download our handy consumer guide with all you need to know about travel insurance., domestic travel insurance.

Travel insurance is also available when you travel around New Zealand. While medical events will be covered by ACC in New Zealand, domestic travel insurance will cover you for things like lost luggage, rental vehicle excesses, cancellations or delays, and personal liability. Travellers should be aware that domestic travel insurance generally doesn’t cover as much as an international policy would so you should read the policy carefully before taking out cover.

For an independent view on domestic travel insurance, check out  Consumer NZ’s  article ‘Domestic travel insurance – do you need it?’

Credit card travel insurance

Travel insurance is a common extra when you take out a credit card from your bank, but there are some things to be aware of:

• some policies might need to be activated before you travel
• there might be a limit on how long the policy will cover you for
• you might have to book a certain amount of your travel expenses on the credit card before the travel insurance becomes available
• cover may not automatically be available for pre-existing conditions. You will likely need to contact the insurer to ask about coverage for any pre-existing conditions and you may have to pay an extra premium to have them covered.

Credit card travel insurance may not be as comprehensive as some other travel insurance policies, so it pays to read the policy carefully and think about whether you need to take out any additional cover.

Shop around

Remember that not all travel policies are created equal – just as the premium of some policies costs more than others, some policies have wider cover than others.

If you have a pre-existing condition, are planning to engage in a sport or adventure activity while you’re away, are a non-resident, are pregnant, or are over the age of 65, it’s important to contact a number of insurers before purchasing your insurance. One insurer may have a policy that suits your individual circumstances better than another.

Find out more about travel insurance to cover:

• staying in an Airbnb
• non-residents
• pre-existing conditions
• renting cars
• sports and adventure activities

Buy before you fly

You cannot get travel insurance if you’ve already left the country. You should buy travel insurance when you book and pay for your overseas trip. That way you’re not only covered for your trip, but also if something happens before you depart.

Read your policy wording

Make sure you read the policy wording so you understand what you are and aren’t covered for. If there is anything you don’t understand, ask your insurer for an explanation or more information.

Some common exclusions

Like any other insurance policy, a travel insurance policy is unlikely to cover you for absolutely everything that could go wrong. The following list sets out some of the common exclusions in travel policies, but make sure to check your individual policy’s exclusions as each insurer is different:

• war and terrorism
• pandemic, epidemic or infectious diseases
• financial failure of an airline, travel agent or tour operator
• elective medical or dental treatment
• travel in international waters
• being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Disinclination

Travel insurance policies don’t cover ’disinclination to travel’. This means that if, for example, you choose not to travel because you think your destination looks unsafe, but there hasn’t been a travel advisory issued, you will not be covered for the costs you’ve lost.

International students and seasonal workers

While the general rule is that New Zealand insurers don’t provide travel insurance for non-residents, there are some exceptions. If you are a seasonal worker travelling to New Zealand for work (for example, to pick apples during the harvesting season), or if you are an international student coming to New Zealand to study, then you will be able to purchase travel insurance from some New Zealand insurers.

You may need to contact a number of different insurers as not everyone offers inbound student or seasonal worker insurance.

Feeling adventurous?

If you’re planning on taking part in any sport or adventurous activities on your trip, talk to your insurer and read your policy wording to check whether you are covered. In particular, you should check whether you are covered for:

• skiing, snowboarding or doing other winter sports
• scuba diving
• bungy jumping
• hang gliding
• water skiing
• motorcycling or using a scooter (in certain countries)
• taking some other form of extreme risk which might put you in danger.

Driving overseas

Travel insurance policies provide limited cover for vehicles hired overseas. If you have an accident, the cover provided by your travel policy will usually only pay either the excess by the rental car company or the vehicle repair costs, if those costs are less than the excess. To ensure that you have enough cover, you should buy comprehensive motor insurance from the rental vehicle company in the country you hire the car in. If you then have an accident, you will have to pay the rental vehicle directly and claim costs from your insurer.

High-value items

You need to tell your insurer if you are going to take, or are planning to buy, high-value items on your trip. Many travel insurance policies contain sub-limits on the value of items you can claim for (including electronics and jewellery).

If you’re unsure, ask your insurer what value or coverage limits your policy may have.

Check for travel advisories

Sometimes there will already be events happening in the area you’re planning to travel to, when you take out your insurance policy. These are called ’known events’ and are unlikely to be covered by your policy. For example, if a volcano erupts in the country you are travelling to, it’s unlikely that delays or cancellations caused by the eruption would be covered. When you are taking out your insurance, check to see if there are any current advisories which might affect your cover. In New Zealand you can check the government advisory website  www.safetravel.govt.nz  and trusted media sources – if there are warnings in the media about the place you are travelling to, your insurer may not cover you.

This is another reason why you should take out your insurance cover at the same time as booking your travel. That way your insurer is on risk if an event happens and your travel plans are disrupted before you’ve even left.

Keep your receipts

If you need to pay for something while you’re travelling that you plan to make a claim for (like a lost phone or stolen camera that you had to replace while you were still overseas) make sure you keep your receipts to make the claim process as smooth as possible.

You can still make a claim even if you haven’t managed to keep hold of the receipts, but it’s likely that you’ll need to provide proof of ownership of the lost or stolen item to your insurer.

Travel insurers provide free 24-hour emergency assistance. Keep the details of their emergency assistance provider with you at all times while travelling.

In the event of an emergency, you may need to contact them for medical treatment or advice.

New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade runs a website that has up to date travel advisories for all countries on key issues like security and health. 

Before you travel, you must tell your insurer if you intend to travel to any countries that have a ‘Do not travel’ travel advisory status – as it may not be possible to get insurance cover for travel to countries with this status.

Visit  www.safetravel.govt.nz  to check your intended destination and any countries you’re stopping in or passing through.

While you’re on the website, you can also check out their travel insurance guidance.

Some circumstances may make travel insurance more difficult to find or mean you need to fulfil additional requirements in order to receive cover.

Most travel insurance policies don’t provide liability cover for damage to property you’re staying at (e.g. an Airbnb or hotel) while travelling. Generally,  the Airbnb host will hold sufficient insurance to cover them should a paying guest damage their property, but there is a chance that the host or their insurer could ask you for payment if you were responsible for the damage. This would not be covered by your travel insurance policy.

Some insurers only provide cover for New Zealand residents, so if you are a non-resident, you may need to contact a number of insurers before you are able to get cover. 

It’s important to tell your insurer if you’re already pregnant when you book your travel insurance, or if you fall pregnant before you leave. Most insurers offer cover for the first few months of pregnancy as long as there have not been any complications. The length of time each insurer will provide automatic cover for varies so talk to your insurer to be certain you’ll be covered. An insurer may also require you to have a medical assessment before providing cover.

If you become pregnant after taking out a travel insurance policy, contact your insurer as soon as possible to ensure you’ll still be covered for your travel.

Pre-existing conditions are medical conditions you already have or have previously had at the time you’re buying your insurance. They include symptoms you’ve asked a doctor about, even if you didn’t receive a formal diagnosis.

Pre-existing conditions are excluded from most insurers’ basic packages. Some insurers have automatic cover for certain pre-existing conditions and others may allow you to buy additional cover for pre-existing conditions, although not all insurers will be able to provide this service.

If you have a pre-existing condition, you should check your chosen insurer’s list of automatically covered pre-existing conditions. If your condition is not listed, you will need to speak to the insurer to find out if you can get cover. They may require you to get a medical certificate before providing cover.

It’s important to remember to declare all pre-existing conditions when taking out travel insurance otherwise you may not be covered under all or part of your policy.

Most travel policies do not provide cover for damage caused to a rental vehicle hired overseas. Nor do they cover damage caused to people or property while in control of a rented or borrowed vehicle.

Some policies will provide rental vehicle excess (RVE) insurance but this will only provide cover for the excess on damage to the vehicle that the insured person has to pay — it does not provide any cover for the repairs themselves or any personal liability the insured person has if an accident damages property or injures someone. If a travel policy offers RVE, the cover may only apply to renting cars through a registered care hire company.

If you drive overseas, it’s important to get appropriate motor vehicle insurance and personal liability cover through either a vehicle rental company or through a local insurer (if you are borrowing a friend or relative’s vehicle).

The level and types of cover available for senior citizens varies by insurer and may be affected by the age(s) of the traveller(s). In some instances, you may be required to fill out some forms to give the insurer information about your medical history.

To ensure that you will be covered and to find a policy that best meets your needs, you should contact an insurer directly.

Some insurers have a list of sports and activities they will automatically provide cover for, however, there are also a number they won’t cover. If you are unsure whether your intended sport or activity will be covered, you should contact your insurer to check.

If you are planning on doing any sort of sport or adventure activity while you are travelling, make sure to let your insurer know when you take out cover.

ICNZ is unable to provide personal or professional advice. The list of travel insurance providers below is included for your information. Any queries about the specifics of policies or cover should be directed to the insurer.

Other travel insurance may be available through your bank or credit card provider, as well as by contacting an insurance broker. 

You can download the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s travel insurance guide from their Safe Travel website.

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Travel Insurance

Sometimes, when travelling the unexpected and unfortunate can happen to anyone. Mishaps such as cancellations, lost luggage, theft or hospital visits abroad can leave first time and experienced travellers in need of help and assistance.   The right travel insurance policy may help cover unforeseen costs and expenses should something unfortunate happen before or during your trip. It is important that you read the terms of your policy, which sets out the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of cover.   Whether it’s a full-blown six-month long, worldwide adventure or a quick trip across the ditch to catch your favourite band, we’ve got you covered. 

Get a quote now

Chubb Travel Insurance - Travel with Confidence

Chubb Travel Insurance features include:

• A dedicated 24-hour overseas emergency hotline that provides medical and non-medical assistance;  and
• Support from a professional claims team that will ensure you receive assistance wherever you may be - we can even arrange emergency evacuations

Tailored to suit your needs

There are 3 plan options available: -              Essential -              Comprehensive -              Prestige

Key Features

• Cover for those under 70 years of age who are residents of New Zealand
• Unlimited* overseas emergency medical expenses including repatriation and evacuation in the event of a medical emergency while on your overseas trip.
• Cover for trip cancellation and amendments including lost deposits if you are required to cancel, curtail or change your trip due to certain unforeseen circumstances.
• medical expenses incurred overseas when COVID-19 is first diagnosed or confirmed while on your trip
• trip cancellation, curtailment or change due to you first being diagnosed with COVID-19 after the policy is issued
• Cover for lost, stolen, or accidentally damaged luggage and personal effects
• Personal liability cover for up to $5 million (excluding liability for use of mechanically propelled vehicles or watercraft)
• Other benefits including accidental death, kidnap and loss of income cover.
• Optional Add-Ons including Rental Vehicle Excess cover, Snow Sports cover and Cruise cover (subject to the payment of additional premium).

Key Exclusions

• Pre-existing medical conditions are not covered under the policy.
• Cover is excluded for domestic (within New Zealand) travel medical expenses. Medical expenses cover is limited to overseas travel only (subject to policy terms and limitations).
• There is no cover if your items are stolen because you have left them unattended in a public place (unless you have no option other than to leave the items unattended due to an emergency medical, security or evacuation situation);
• Cover is excluded for claims arising from, relating to or in any way connected with COVID-19 (or any mutation or variation thereof) and/or its outbreak other than as specifically provided for under Section A (specified Event 1) and Section B of the Policy. See Section A – Trip Cancellation and Amendment Cover and Section B – Overseas Medical Emergency Expenses Cover for details.
• the advice of a Doctor who has deemed the customer unfit to travel.
• the travel advisory warnings of “Do Not Travel” issued by the New Zealand Government or a New Zealand Government agency (such as MFAT).
• There is no cover for any loss from participation in Excluded Sports and Activities

This is a general summary of some of the key features and exclusions of the Chubb Travel Insurance Single Trip Policy. Other terms, conditions and exclusions apply. You should read the Chubb Travel Insurance Single Trip Policy, which sets out the full insuring clauses, definitions, schedule, extensions, terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability. For more information on our travel insurance options, or to obtain a quote, contact us today.   Chubb Travel Insurance is issued and underwritten by Chubb Insurance New Zealand Limited (Chubb) Company No. 104656, FSP No. 35924. This website provides only factual information about Chubb’s products and services. The information does not take into account your personal circumstances, objectives, financial situation or needs and does not constitute financial advice. You should consider the  Chubb Travel Insurance Single Trip Policy Wording  which sets out the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations, and obtain financial advice if required, before making any decisions about this insurance policy. Please also read  Chubb's financial strength rating ,  Chubb's Privacy Statement  and  Fact Sheets .

© 2024 Aon plc

This website contains general information only and does not take into account your individual needs or financial situation. It is important to note that limits, excesses, terms and conditions and exclusions apply to the products and services outlined on this website. Please refer to the relevant policy documents for details of cover, the provision of which is subject to the insurer’s underwriting criteria that apply at the time. Please contact us if you have any questions.

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Travel Insurance Companies

Looking for travel insurance, but not sure which company to pick? We know that too much choice can be a hindrance, so we’ve gathered ratings from customers to give you the low down. Use the search box below to look for specific travel insurance companies within the market.

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*As much as we’d like to compare quotes for all the travel insurers in the market, we can only provide prices for brands that agree to list on our quoting comparison – listed as "preferred partner".

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CoverDirect NZ Limited (INC 3526051) owns and operates this website.

Our comparison is a free service that makes it easy for users to compare multiple quotes, saving both time and money. Our comparison ranks quotes according to price and is limited to those insurers that have agreed to participate on the site. CoverDirect NZ Limited does not hold a financial services licence. The comparison does not take your personal circumstances into account; as such, all information provided should be considered general and should not be considered as advice or a recommendation. Whilst we take all reasonable care when preparing this information, we do not warrant its accuracy. Pricing information is supplied by the insurance providers and ALL policy details should be verified with the before you purchase. This site links users to the website of the insurance provider to verify quotes and access the relevant PDS to understand what is, and is not, covered by a policy prior to purchase. We do not issue insurance. Users purchase directly from the travel insurance provider.

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• Travel Insurance
• Plans Destinations

Areas of Travel

Single trip:.

You will need to select the area of travel which you will spend the most amount of time in.

^No cover for travellers over 69 years of age and no cover for any Existing Medical Conditions.

Annual Multi-Trip:

You will need to select the area which will cover all of your trips. The area you choose will affect the cost of your policy.

Please note: Annual Multi-Trip Areas 1 to 3 include cover for travel in New Zealand.

AMI Travel insurance is underwritten by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited ("ZAIL") incorporated in Australia, ABN 13 000 296 640, trading as Zurich New Zealand. IAG New Zealand Limited (“IAG”), of which AMI is a business division, is not the insurer. IAG receives a commission for the issue of AMI-branded travel policies arranged through Cover-More (NZ) Limited (“Cover-More”). Cover-More administers the policy and acts on behalf of Zurich New Zealand. IAG does not guarantee Zurich New Zealand or Cover-More.

State Travel Insurance NZ

State travel insurance can be a fantastic travel insurer to consider when arranging travel insurance in New Zealand . They offer a range of policies to suit the needs of just about any traveller, including overseas single and multi-trip cover and two types of domestic cover. It is easy to get a quote from State’s website, and their numerous policies can be compared with other companies travel insurance policies easily on glimp’s comparison page, where you can find your cheapest and most optimal cover!

Why get travel insurance with State?

State offer 24/7 access to a team of experts with their global network of doctors, nurses and logistical staff, and additionally provide cover for emergency accommodation and emergency travel expenses in the case of a natural disaster disrupting your journey. The also provide overseas medical cover as well as help to arrange treatment and medical evaluation, and provide a quick and easy online claims process. Existing state customers additionally can receive a 10% discount when signing up for state travel insurance online. Finally, all customers can collect fly buys points on their insurance policy, which with accumulation can lead to more trips away!

To get an estimate of your premium with State Travel, you can visit their official page for your State Travel Insurance quote or compare travel deals using the comparison tool at glimp.

Is it worth it to get travel insurance?

It is always worth getting travel insurance! Just as you would insure your house, car, or contents, it is a wise idea to insure your trips away just in case the worst does occur. If you accidentally damage any property overseas, you can be held legally liable and will be required to payout; similarly, overseas medical costs and dental costs can be crippling, and missing a flight can happen to even the most organized people in busy, unfamiliar and fast-paced airports. Travel insurance covers all of these unfortunate events and more, ensuring that you can enjoy your holiday to the fullest!

What can I claim?

States international travel insurance policy allows you to claim unlimited medical and dental expenses and unlimited additional expenses. You can claim up to $25,000 in lost luggage and travel documents, receive a delayed luggage allowance of up to $1,500, a rental car excess of up to $10,000, a travel delay compensation of up to $2,000, covered legal expenses up to $10,000 and up to $15,000 if you incur a disability or accidentally die. Finally, State also offer personal liability insurance of up to $2,500,000.

State Travel Insurance Policies NZ

Single trip.

State offers a comprehensive single trip cover travel insurance policy for your holidays overseas. It is easy to find a quote for this on their website and to compare quotes between state and other travel insurers on glimp’s comparison page. States single trip policy covers your medical and dental expenses, additional expenses, the loss or delayment of baggage, loss of your rental car excess, travel delay and resumption of journey, hospital incidentals, loss of income, personal liability, and accidents resulting in disability or death.

Multi-trip travel insurance can be perfect for travellers planning on taking numerous trips abroad each year. States multi-trip travel insurance offers many benefits and can work out to be cheaper than normal travel insurance for those avid travellers. Their annual multi-trip cover covers travellers travelling both in and out of New Zealand; you can save on premiums by taking out one single policy to cover you for twelve months. Two things to remember, however, is that whilst travel within New Zealand is covered, it must be to destinations over 250 km away from your home. Additionally, the maximum duration of your international trips must not exceed 30, 45, or 60 days (depending on your individual policy) and your domestic trips maximum duration must not exceed 15 or 30 days.

Domestic Travel Insurance

State travel insurance offers one of New Zealand’s best domestic travel insurance policies. This is because State offers two different domestic travel insurance types: their Domestic Cancellation policy and their Domestic Comprehensive policy. States Domestic Cancellation policy covers changes and cancellations made before you leave and extra expenses while you are away. You can additionally choose the cover amount, ranging from $200 to $1,500. Their Domestic Comprehensive travel insurance policy covers this as well as lost luggage (it happens!), medical expenses and rental car excess cover.

State travel insurance FAQ’s

Got a question about contents insurance? Have a look at our FAQ section and see if your question has already been answered!

Does State do domestic travel insurance?

Yes! State offer one of NZ’s best domestic travel insurance policies, with two types of domestic travel cover: their domestic cancellation policy covers changes and cancellations made before you leave and extra expenses while you are away, whilst their Domestic comprehensive cover includes lost luggage, medical expenses and rental car excess cover. You can additionally choose your cover amount, ranging from $200 to $1,500.

Does State offer Fly Buys?

Yes! State is the only insurance company in New Zealand to offer Fly Buys. To gain Fly Buys points with State, all you need to do is register your Fly Buys number with them and you can earn one Fly Buys point for every $25 of premium paid for any policy you have with them, including your travel insurance policy. You can find State Travel Insurance online for other deals and benefits when you purchase their policy. Competitions and giveaways run through Fly Buys also means that State can offer their customers additional perks through their association with Fly Buys.

What other types of insurance does State offer?

State offers a wide range of insurance policies including car, contents, homes, business, motorbike, trailer, boat, caravan, contract works, landlord and life insurance. States various insurance policies are easy to compare on glimp: for example, compare contents insurance between different NZ companies here .

Check with your agent to learn more of what your State Insurance Travel covers.

Does State insurance cover adventure sports?

This varies. State excludes activities such as hunting, racing, polo playing, hang gliding, off piste snow skiing and snowboarding, rodeo riding, BASE jumping, moto cross, freestyle BMX riding, running with the bulls, mountaineering and rock climbing and scuba diving unless you are with a qualified instructor. However, state includes activities such as abseiling, kayaking, archery, skydiving, snorkelling, white water rafting, jet boating, jet skiing, bungy jumping and horse riding. A full and comprehensive list of which sports are included and excluded from States travel insurance policy can be seen in their travel policy wording

Compare State Travel Insurance Policies Now

Find a better travel insurance policy with state..

I was a little hesitant to stay on the call when I first picked up but I’m glad I stayed until I did. Josua Legavai was the lovely lady taking care of me. She was so friendly, clear and helpful. She helped me understand everything I needed to and explained everything with great detail. I am still young and learning and have just moved into a new home with my son so I’m grateful she was able to help me today.

Highly recommend Jordan at Glimp, very professional and really good at her job! thank you for the help definitely saved me alot of time ready for our move thank you Jordan A+++++

I'm so happy I asked Glimp for help, to find a service provider that suits our family's budget, without losing quality and unlimited data on both our mobile phones and broadband. Mele Falahola is a Comparison Specialist from Glimp and she was amazing from the beginning. Mele located the right service provider for our needs that will save us money!, fulfil our usage and more! compared to what we were using. My wife and I even asked for a comparison on our electricity bill. Mele responded immediately once she saw our monthly bills and compared it to another provider that not only do not required a contract to stick too (like the mobile and broadband provider Mele recommended) but their price per kWh was so much better! Which is why we changed that also. Thank you Mele and Glimp for your help. We can now look forward to our Christmas holiday in the Cook Islands from what we can now save. :-)

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By MAS Team | 31 July 2019

Last updated 8 June 2022

After a long hiatus, international travel is finally back on the cards. Whether it's the classic London OE, a USA road trip, or backpacking through Southeast Asia, the world is calling. And as much as we'd love to just book that ticket without giving our finances a second thought, that's not always the smartest choice.

Travelling as a new graduate is definitely possible, but there are some things you can do to set yourself up financially before you jet off.

1. Sort out your student loan before going overseas

Student loans are interest-free while you live in Aotearoa New Zealand, but once you have left the country for about five months out of a six month period, your loan will start accruing interest. This won't affect you if you're just heading away for a short holiday, but if you're planning on travelling long-term or living overseas for longer than six months, your student loan is definitely something to consider. Have a read of the IRD guide to what happens to your student loan when you go overseas so you can plan for this.

If you decide you'd rather pay off your loan before moving overseas, check out our top tips for getting rid of student loan debt .

2. Can I be a nomad but also set myself up for retirement?

The short answer is yes. Just because you want to be a globetrotter for a few years before settling back down in New Zealand, doesn’t mean your KiwiSaver account has to suffer.

If you keep your KiwiSaver account balance growing while you're overseas through voluntary contributions, you'll probably have a healthier nest egg when you eventually return home. Equally, you don't have to contribute anything to your KiwiSaver account while you're travelling or working overseas if you don't want to.

Keep in mind that even if you do contribute to your KiwiSaver account while living overseas, you won't receive the Government contribution as this is only given to people who live in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

3. Do your pandemic prep

Before you head off on your big adventure, make sure you do some pandemic prep, including checking the cost of your travel plans. As you can imagine, the pandemic has pushed airfares up, and there aren't as many bargains as there used to be.

There are still border requirements for entry into some countries, so it's best to have a clear understanding of what restrictions you'll encounter, what the isolation requirements would be if you were to catch COVID-19 while travelling, and what kind of documents or tests you'll need to have prepared for each destination you want to visit. Head to the Government's Safe Travel website for more info on travel in the COVID era.

4. Sort your travel insurance early

Travel insurance is often the last thing you want to think about when you're off on holiday, but it could really save your bacon in case of an emergency. Different policies will have different exclusions or limitations though – some policies exclude activities like skiing or snorkelling, some won't cover you for hiring scooters or motorbikes, and some don't cover any injuries that happen after you've consumed alcohol. Cover for COVID-related disruptions or cancellations varies too, so make sure you do your research and find travel insurance cover that suits your plans – if you do end up in a sticky situation, you'll be grateful you sorted it before you left.

If you have MAS Contents insurance and end up losing a bag overseas, MAS will cover the cost of your lost luggage up to the value of $50,000*, plus the cost of any individually insured items within the bag. Also, not to take things down a morbid route, but if you pass away due to a sudden accidental event, MAS will pay $20,000 to your estate.

Have a read of a few more great tips on how to protect your gear when you're travelling . 

*Please refer to your MAS Contents policy for details. 

5. Travel money cards

If you're planning on travelling for a long time and jumping between different countries and currencies, there are travel card options that will help you avoid too many ATM fees and give you the best exchange rates. You can load multiple currencies onto a money travel card, and the exchange rate is locked in at the time that you upload the money, meaning if the exchange rate changes after you've loaded your money on to it, you won't be affected.

MoneyHub has an awesome guide to travel cards , highlighting the pros and cons of each type of card.

6. Sending money home

If you end up living overseas and need to send money back to Aotearoa New Zealand – for example, to make a voluntary contribution to your KiwiSaver account or student loan repayment – look at options other than transferring via your bank. Money transfer services often have lower fees and exchange rates than banks.

Take a look at the different money transfer services available in Aotearoa New Zealand, including fees, how long the transfer takes, and other valuable information.

Have a chat to a MAS adviser today to find out how MAS can help you fit travel into your financial goals.

This article provides general information only, and is not intended to constitute financial or tax advice. Before taking out any insurance product, you should carefully consider the terms and specific policy wording. Underwriting criteria will apply.

Medical Funds Management Limited is the issuer and manager of the MAS KiwiSaver Scheme. The PDS for the MAS KiwiSaver Scheme is available here . 

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I've traveled to 9 out of 10 countries in Southeast Asia. Here are the 5 biggest mistakes I made along the way.

• I've traveled solo to nine countries in Southeast Asia.
• I've made many mistakes, from traveling during monsoon season to forgetting to bring enough cash.
• Travelers should make sure they plan ahead and research each country's culture.

Over the last two years, my journey as a travel enthusiast and Business Insider's travel reporter in Singapore has brought me to almost every country in Southeast Asia.

In total, there are 10 countries in Southeast Asia , and I've traveled to nine of them — Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, and Brunei. Myanmar remains the only country in the region I have not visited, and while I am keen to explore it, I have held off on visiting because of the country's ongoing civil war.

I've watched the sun rise in Angkor Wat in Cambodia and cared for elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I've explored the Bornean jungle in Brunei and crawled the Cu Chi Tunnels in southern Vietnam.

But it hasn't always been easy. I've made several mistakes traveling across the region , especially as a solo traveler. Here are five mistakes I made and how to avoid them.

1. Going during monsoon season and not planning for the weather.

In July, I traveled to Thailand on a reporting trip to cover the budding cannabis industry . There, I was met with heavy rain nearly every day. In Bangkok, I was staying in a hostel in Chakkrawat , a district with narrow, meandering streets, which made it difficult to walk anywhere in the pouring rain.

I didn't plan for the weather, so I didn't have an umbrella or poncho with me and had to rush to get one at the last minute. I also had a packed itinerary with a lot of travel between meetings, which was a hassle in the constant downpour.

Before traveling to Southeast Asia, make sure to avoid two seasons — the monsoon season, which often comes with strong typhoons in countries like the Philippines, and the burning season, where farmers burn land for fertile soil. This is a common occurrence in countries like Laos, Thailand, and the island of Borneo, which is shared between Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

When I traveled to Laos in April last year during the burning season , most of my plans — including a hot air balloon ride — were canceled because of the thick smog. I also didn't have an N95 mask with me, and I ended up with a sore throat.

If you do plan to come during these seasons, make sure to pack accordingly and plan a flexible schedule.

2. Traveling during Ramadan and expecting the same practices everywhere.

Having grown up in Singapore, I'm familiar with the practices during Ramadan , the holy month for Muslims, where they fast for most of the day. I studied Malay for seven years, and in school, I often fasted with my Muslim classmates and ate only in private.

Still, in many cities in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia , non-Muslims are free to dine in public, so long as they do so respectfully. But on my trip to Brunei in April — at the height of the burning season and in the middle of Ramadan — there were more practices I needed to observe.

Most restaurants were closed, and diners weren't allowed to eat there even if they were open — only take-out was allowed. Eating in public was a major faux pas even for non-Muslims, and if you want to drink some water, you can only do so when nobody is around.

It wasn't easy, especially as Brunei was sweltering at 100 degrees Fahrenheit on some days. I made do by returning to the hotel for lunch and grabbing a big dinner with the locals at the night market after they had broken their fast.

3. Not packing enough modest outfits when visiting temples and mosques.

Southeast Asia is pretty liberal, and you can wear whatever you want in many places. In popular destinations like Phuket, Thailand, and Bali, Indonesia, lots of tourists walk around in bikini tops and shorts, and locals mostly tolerate it.

But there are certain places you do need to cover up, like places of worship, which include temples and mosques. When I visited Angkor Wat — the famed temple complex in Cambodia — in February last year, I found some tourists being told off by the local tour guides for wearing shorts and tank tops — "Tomb Raider" style.

I've learned to err on the right side of caution and bring a sarong wherever I go. It's an easy way to cover up and make an outfit more modest when you need to.

4. Forgetting to pack medication, especially when I plan to eat street food.

Southeast Asia has some of the world's most flavorful food. In every country, you can find food that is cheap and delicious, and that includes Singapore , the world's most expensive city. In countries like Malaysia and Vietnam, street food dishes can cost as little as a dollar.

I eat mostly street food when I travel in Southeast Asia, so medicine for tummy-related illnesses is a must. I've only gotten sick twice from eating street food — and it was the same dish both times— and unfortunately, those were the few times I didn't have medicine with me.

I'm a pretty adventurous eater. I've eaten everything from pufferfish stew to frog porridge and dishes made with intestines off the street. I've learned to wash the utensils provided before digging in and make sure the food is cooked to order and heated up before being served.

5. Relying on my card and not bringing enough cash with me.

In Singapore, I don't really use cash and often use Apple Pay, mobile payments, and cards. But I've found that many stores in other countries in Southeast Asia only accept cash.

For example, on my third trip to Vietnam, I spent an hour trying to make payment via bank transfer after the staff at a luxury perfume shop — which was selling items priced upwards of $200 — informed me at the last minute that they didn't accept card or contactless payment.

I've also found the majority of street vendors in the region only accept mobile payment — which is limited to local banks — or cash. I've learned to change a considerable amount of money before leaving the airport and keep whatever I didn't use for my next trip.

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