Overseas travel has changed significantly, and travel insurance is often purchased online, via an agent, or as a credit card perk. Check your policy for what you are, and are not, covered for, and check what you need to do if your travel plans are unexpectedly interrupted.
Our Information Sheets in our Document Library have quick guides to common issues. Consumer tips and case examples are included.
Our Glossary explains the meaning of technical terms used in tips and cases.
COVID-19 and travel: See the Safe Travel site.
Ideally, purchase travel insurance when you book and pay for tickets. This will make cancellation cover more likely should anything unexpected go wrong at home or at your destination. If you buy insurance after travel warnings have been issued about an imminent disaster (e.g. an erupting volcano), cancellation is unlikely to be covered. This is because it’s no longer “unexpected”. See: www.safetravel.govt.nz
Always get a copy of your policy and read it. Take note of exclusions and limitations – such as time limits or age restrictions on credit card insurance; monetary limits for valuable items; and exclusions, such as pre-existing conditions
“Pre-existing conditions” are health conditions or symptoms that exist before you travel (e.g. you might know you have a sore knee, but not have a diagnosed condition; however, it will be seen as a pre-existing condition and not covered). The pre-existing conditions are usually excluded from cover, unless the insurer has accepted them in writing and had charged an extra premium. When arranging insurance, disclose all health conditions and symptoms you’re aware of, including conditions or symptoms which arise after you purchase insurance but before you travel.
Leaving bags “unattended in a public place” (including airports, stations, hotel foyers and beaches) is a common exclusion. You are required to take “reasonable care”, be vigilant, and adhere to warnings. This includes wearing jewellery “on your person” or locking it (and other valuables) in a room safe; and packing electronics and other valuables as carry-on luggage, not checked-in, on flights.
Report lost or stolen items to police immediately. Your policy will provide specific timeframes for reporting (i.e. 24 hours). You are required to prove your loss when making a claim. Details of a free 24-hour helpline for emergency medical and travel assistance service should be in the policy - check it out before you go.
