Compare travel insurance from NZ's top providers side-by-side. Find the right cover for international trips, domestic holidays, cruises and adventure travel. 100% free.
Choose the trip type that matches your travel plans.
Approximate trip duration in days.
Your destination affects your cover and premium.
A quick overview of how travel insurance works for New Zealand travellers and why it matters.
Travel insurance is a policy that covers unexpected events while you're travelling - whether overseas or domestically within New Zealand. It typically provides financial protection for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, travel delays, and personal liability.
For Kiwis travelling overseas, travel insurance is particularly important because NZ's ACC scheme does not cover injuries sustained outside New Zealand. While ACC covers personal injuries at home regardless of fault, that protection stops at the border. A simple accident overseas can result in medical bills of tens of thousands of dollars, and in countries like the United States, a hospital stay can cost $10,000 - $50,000+ per day.
New Zealand has limited reciprocal health agreements with Australia and the UK that cover urgent public hospital treatment, but these do not cover repatriation, trip cancellation, luggage, or non-emergency care. For any other destination, you have no government safety net at all.
Key point: The NZ government's SafeTravel website (operated by MFAT) advises all Kiwis to take out comprehensive travel insurance before any international trip. Even a basic policy starting from $30 - $50 for a week's travel can cover medical bills that would otherwise be financially devastating.
Travel insurance covers more than just medical costs. Most policies also protect against trip cancellation (if you need to cancel due to illness, injury, or a family emergency), lost or delayed luggage, travel delays, and personal liability. Some policies also cover rental vehicle excess, adventure activities, and cruise-specific risks.
For a detailed breakdown of what each type covers and costs, see the sections below. You can also check the FMA's insurance guide and Consumer NZ's travel insurance guide for general information.
There are three main types of travel insurance available to New Zealand travellers. Here's how they compare.
Entry-level cover for budget-conscious travellers. Covers core risks like overseas medical emergencies, limited trip cancellation, and luggage loss.
The most popular choice for international travellers. Full medical cover, generous cancellation limits, and broader protection for a wide range of scenarios.
Covers unlimited trips within a 12-month period, usually with a per-trip duration limit of 30 - 45 days. Cost-effective for frequent travellers.
The right policy depends on where you're going, what you're doing, and how much you've spent on travel bookings.
A side-by-side comparison of every major travel insurance provider available to New Zealand travellers.
| Provider | Policy Types | Online Quotes | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Cross Travel Insurance | Single, Annual, Domestic | ✓ | All-rounder |
| Cover-More | Single, Annual, Cruise | ✓ | Comprehensive |
| Allianz Partners | Single, Annual, Cruise | ✓ | Global cover |
| 1Cover | Single, Annual | ✓ | Budget |
| World Nomads | Single, Explorer, Extended | ✓ | Adventure |
| Orbit Protect | Single, Student, Working Holiday | ✓ | Long-stay / students |
Disclaimer: Features and cover options may change. Always verify details directly with the provider before purchasing. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
In-depth look at the travel insurance providers available to New Zealand travellers.
One of NZ's most recognised travel insurance brands. Southern Cross Travel Insurance offers tiered plans for international, domestic, and cruise travel with strong medical cover and 24/7 emergency assistance.
Part of Zurich Insurance Group. Cover-More is one of Australasia's largest travel insurance providers with multiple plan tiers, cruise-specific options, and comprehensive medical cover.
Global insurance giant with a strong NZ presence. Allianz Partners offers comprehensive international, domestic, and cruise travel insurance with a worldwide assistance network.
Budget-friendly travel insurance with solid core cover. 1Cover offers straightforward policies for NZ travellers with competitive pricing and online management.
The go-to choice for adventure and backpacker travel. World Nomads covers a huge range of adventure activities as standard and allows purchase and extension while already travelling.
NZ-based specialist in long-stay travel, student, and working holiday insurance. Orbit Protect is well-suited for extended overseas stays, gap years, and international students.
A detailed breakdown of what's typically included in NZ travel insurance policies at each tier.
| Feature | Basic | Comprehensive | Annual Multi-Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overseas medical expenses | Up to $500K - $1M | ✓ Unlimited | ✓ Unlimited |
| Emergency evacuation / repatriation | ✓ Covered | ✓ Unlimited | ✓ Unlimited |
| Trip cancellation | Up to $2K - $5K | Up to $10K - $50K | Up to $10K - $20K |
| Luggage loss / damage | Up to $2K - $3K | Up to $5K - $10K | Up to $5K - $10K |
| Travel delays | Up to $500 - $1K | Up to $1K - $3K | Up to $1K - $2K |
| Personal liability | ✗ | Up to $1M - $2.5M | Up to $1M - $2.5M |
| Rental vehicle excess | ✗ | Up to $3K - $6K | Up to $3K - $6K |
| Adventure activities | ✗ | Add-on / some included | Add-on / some included |
| Cruise cover | ✗ | Add-on or higher tier | Add-on or higher tier |
| 24/7 emergency assistance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Unlimited medical cover means there is no cap on the amount the insurer will pay for overseas medical treatment during your trip. This is the standard for comprehensive policies from most NZ providers. Capped medical (e.g. $500K or $1M) limits the total the insurer will pay. Given that a single US hospital stay can exceed $100,000, unlimited medical cover is generally worth the extra cost for international travel, particularly to the Americas.
Understanding what is not covered is just as important as knowing what is. These are the most common exclusions across NZ travel insurance policies.
Most standard policies exclude pre-existing conditions - that is, any medical condition you had before purchasing the policy. Some providers offer cover for stable conditions (unchanged medication for 6 - 12 months) at additional cost. Failing to declare a condition can void your entire policy, not just claims related to that condition.
If SafeTravel has issued a Level 3 ("Avoid non-essential travel") or Level 4 ("Do not travel") advisory for your destination before you booked, most policies will not cover you. If the advisory is issued after booking, you may still have some cover - check the policy wording carefully.
Claims arising from being under the influence of alcohol or drugs are almost universally excluded. If you're intoxicated and injure yourself, have an accident, or lose belongings, the insurer will likely decline your claim.
Activities like bungee jumping, skydiving, white-water rafting, motorsports, and scuba diving below certain depths are excluded from standard policies. Even skiing and snowboarding may need a winter sports add-on. Always check the activity list in your PDS before your trip.
If you leave luggage, electronics, or valuables unattended in a public place, claims for theft or loss will typically be declined. Items left visible in a rental car may also not be covered. Most policies require you to take reasonable care of your belongings.
Events that are known or expected at the time of purchase are not covered. This includes scheduled strikes, announced volcanic activity, and pre-announced government border restrictions. Cancelling a trip because you changed your mind, got a better deal, or simply don't want to go is also not covered.
Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the full list of exclusions specific to your policy. You can usually find this on the provider's website before you buy.
Understanding these factors can help you find a better deal on your travel cover.
Where you're travelling matters. The USA is the most expensive destination to insure due to high medical costs. Australia and the Pacific are typically cheaper. Multi-destination trips cost more.
Longer trips cost more to insure. A 2-week trip costs more than a 1-week trip, though per-day cost decreases as the trip gets longer. Extended trips (90+ days) may need specialist policies.
Premiums increase significantly for older travellers, particularly over age 65. Some policies have upper age limits of 70 - 80. Medical risk increases with age, driving up costs.
Standard cover handles low-risk activities. Adventure sports add-ons or higher-tier plans are needed for skiing, scuba, bungee, and similar. This can add 10 - 30% to the premium.
Declaring medical conditions typically increases the premium or requires a medical screening. The cost depends on the condition's severity and stability. Undeclared conditions can void the policy.
Higher cover limits and lower excesses mean higher premiums. Choosing a $200 excess instead of $0 can reduce costs by 10 - 20%. Match cover to what you've actually spent on the trip.
Indicative prices for a single adult traveller aged 30 - 50 on a 1-week international trip.
Disclaimer: All prices shown are indicative estimates based on publicly available data and typical traveller profiles as of early 2026. Actual premiums vary based on your destination, age, trip duration, activities, and chosen cover level. These figures are not quotes. Always obtain a personalised quote from the provider directly. Prices and product features may change without notice.
Practical tips that could save you money without reducing essential cover.
Prices for identical trips can vary by 40% or more between providers. Get quotes from at least 3 - 4 providers before purchasing. Consumer NZ regularly reviews travel insurance value.
If you take 3+ international trips per year, an annual policy ($200 - $500/yr) is almost always cheaper than buying single-trip policies each time.
Choosing a $200 - $250 excess instead of $0 can reduce premiums by 10 - 20%. Only do this if you can afford the excess amount per claim.
Don't over-insure. If your total trip bookings are worth $3,000, you don't need $50,000 in cancellation cover. Reduce limits you won't use.
Trip cancellation cover starts from the date you purchase the policy, not the departure date. Buy early to maximise protection for pre-trip events like illness or injury.
If you're not planning any high-risk activities, don't pay for adventure cover. Standard policies cover low-risk activities like swimming, hiking, and cycling.
Some premium NZ credit cards include travel insurance. If your card covers the basics, you may only need top-up cover for gaps like adventure activities or higher medical limits.
Many providers offer discounts for couples or families travelling together on a single policy rather than buying individual policies.
Several NZ banks offer complimentary travel insurance on premium credit cards. Here's what to know before relying on it.
Premium credit cards from ANZ, ASB, Westpac, and BNZ often include travel insurance as a cardholder benefit. Cover is typically activated when you purchase travel (flights, accommodation) using the eligible card. The insurance is underwritten by a third-party insurer, not the bank itself.
Credit card travel insurance usually includes overseas medical expenses, trip cancellation, luggage loss, and travel delays. However, coverage limits are often lower than standalone policies. Medical cover may be capped at $500K - $1M (vs. unlimited on standalone comprehensive policies), and cancellation limits may be tied to what was charged to the card.
Age limits often apply (typically 70 - 75 years). Adventure activities are commonly excluded. Domestic NZ travel may not be covered. Pre-existing conditions are usually excluded without options to declare. Cover may only apply if the full trip is purchased on the card. Always read the credit card insurance PDS carefully.
Consider a standalone policy or top-up cover if your credit card insurance has gaps. Common reasons to top up include: higher medical cover (especially for US travel), adventure activity cover, pre-existing condition declarations, cruise-specific cover, and trips longer than the card's maximum duration (often 90 days).
Step-by-step guide to the claims process for NZ travel insurance.
Contact your provider's 24/7 assistance line immediately for medical emergencies. They can arrange hospital admission and direct payment.
Keep all receipts, medical reports, police reports (theft), and booking confirmations. Take photos as evidence.
Notify your insurer within 24 - 48 hours for medical and theft claims. For cancellation, notify before your departure date.
Most NZ providers accept online claims. Submit all supporting documents, receipts, and a detailed description of what happened.
The insurer assesses your claim and pays out (minus any excess). Simple claims may be settled within days; complex claims can take weeks.
Key NZ-specific facts about travel insurance that every Kiwi traveller needs to understand.
NZ's ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) scheme covers personal injuries within New Zealand regardless of fault. However, this protection does not extend beyond NZ's borders. If you break a leg skiing in Japan or are injured in a car accident in Australia, ACC will not cover your medical costs, hospital stay, or rehabilitation overseas. Travel insurance is the only safety net for Kiwis abroad.
The NZ government operates SafeTravel (run by MFAT) to provide travel advisories for every country. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (exercise normal safety precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel). Most travel insurance policies will not cover travel to destinations with Level 3 or 4 advisories that were issued before you booked. Register your travel plans on SafeTravel so MFAT can contact you in emergencies.
NZ has reciprocal health agreements with Australia and the UK that cover urgent and emergency public hospital treatment. This means if you break a bone in Sydney, the public hospital will treat you. However, this does not cover private hospital care, repatriation flights, ambulance costs, trip cancellation, luggage, or non-emergency treatment. Travel insurance remains essential even for Australia and UK trips.
All licensed NZ insurers must belong to an approved dispute resolution scheme. The IFSO (Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman) handles travel insurance complaints at no cost to consumers. If your claim is declined and you believe it shouldn't have been, escalate to IFSO. Insurers must be registered on the Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR).
Every NZ travel insurance provider must provide a Product Disclosure Statement. Here's what to look for before you buy.
A Product Disclosure Statement is a legal document that outlines everything about your travel insurance policy: what's covered, what's excluded, your obligations, and how to make a claim. Under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013, all NZ insurance providers must provide one. Read it before you travel, not after you need to claim.
When you purchase travel insurance, you must accurately declare your health conditions, travel plans, and any other information requested. If you fail to disclose something material - such as a pre-existing heart condition or a planned bungee jump - the insurer can decline your claim or void the policy entirely. Under the Insurance Contracts Act 2024, disclosure obligations are being modernised, but honesty remains critical.
If your travel plans change after purchasing your policy, contact your provider:
Answers to the most common questions about travel insurance in New Zealand.
Key terms explained in plain language.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, insurance, or legal advice. All pricing shown is indicative and based on publicly available data and typical traveller profiles as of early 2026. Actual premiums will vary based on your destination, age, trip duration, activities, and chosen cover level. These figures are not quotes - always obtain a personalised quote directly from the provider.
Note: Compare.org.nz earns referral fees from some providers featured on this page. Sponsored content is clearly labelled and does not affect the completeness or order of our comparisons. Features, pricing, and policy terms may change without notice - always verify directly with the provider before purchasing. For personalised financial guidance, consider consulting a licensed financial adviser.
Compare travel insurance from NZ's top providers in under 2 minutes. It's 100% free and could save you money on your next trip.
Compare Quotes