Planning your next trip? We'll walk you through everything you need to know about travel insurance — from what's covered and what's not, to when to buy and how to choose the right policy. So you can head off with confidence, knowing you're properly protected.

What is travel insurance?

Having the right travel insurance in place gives you essential protection against unforeseen events that can disrupt your trip. From medical emergencies and lost luggage to cancelled flights, a good policy can help minimise financial losses and offer vital support when you need it most — all for a small price relative to the peace of mind it provides.

Common travel insurance questions

Let's walk through some common travel insurance questions so you're armed with the right information before choosing a policy. We'll cover what travel insurance typically includes, when to buy it, and what to consider if you're travelling to multiple destinations.

What does travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance policies vary, but typically cover medical expenses if you're injured or fall ill overseas, and emergency repatriation costs to bring you home if medically necessary. Most policies also cover lost or stolen belongings and cancellation costs due to unforeseen circumstances. Always read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully to understand exactly what your policy includes and any exclusions that may apply.

Travel insurance typically covers:

• Medical expenses: hospital treatment and emergency care if you fall ill or are injured overseas

• Emergency repatriation: the cost of getting you home if medically necessary

• Trip cancellation or disruption: if you need to cancel or cut short your trip due to unforeseen circumstances

• Lost, stolen or damaged luggage: including personal belongings and travel documents

• Flight delays and cancellations: additional accommodation and travel costs

• Personal liability: if you accidentally injure someone or damage property abroad

How can I get travel insurance?

There are plenty of Australian insurers and online comparison platforms that offer travel insurance policies with varying levels of cover. Consider where you're travelling to, the nature of your trip, and any activities you're planning to make sure you choose the right level of cover for your needs.

Does travel insurance cover cancelled flights?

Travel insurance may cover flight cancellations in certain situations, such as airline strikes or adverse weather, depending on your policy. However, exclusions often apply — particularly for events linked to conflict, government travel advisories, or airspace closures. Always read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully.

Do Australians need travel insurance for overseas trips?

Unlike some countries, Australia has no equivalent of the European GHIC card. While Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with a small number of countries — including New Zealand, the UK, and Italy — these agreements are limited and won't cover everything. A comprehensive travel insurance policy fills the gaps, covering repatriation, lost belongings, cancelled flights, and more.

Travel insurance for multiple destinations

If you're travelling to multiple countries on the same trip, make sure your policy covers all of your destinations. If you travel more than once a year, an annual multi-trip policy is worth considering — it covers multiple trips within a 12-month period and can work out more cost-effective than buying single-trip cover each time.

What to look for in a travel insurance policy

When choosing a policy, consider coverage limits, whether pre-existing medical conditions are covered, excess levels, and whether 24/7 emergency assistance is included. Think carefully about your planned activities too — adventure sports, skiing, or diving may require additional cover. If you're going on a cruise, note that many insurers offer specific cruise cover as an add-on or separate policy.

When choosing a travel insurance policy, look for:

• Coverage limits: ensure medical and cancellation limits are adequate for your destination

• Pre-existing medical conditions: check whether your conditions are covered and any exclusions that apply

• Excess levels: understand how much you'll need to pay out of pocket when making a claim

• 24/7 emergency assistance: access to round-the-clock support when overseas

• Activity cover: additional cover for adventure sports, diving, skiing, or other high-risk activities

• Cruise cover: often required as an add-on if you're taking a cruise holiday

• Cancellation cover: protection if you need to cancel or cut your trip short

• Luggage and personal belongings: limits and exclusions on lost, stolen or damaged items

When should you buy travel insurance?

It's best to buy travel insurance as soon as you book your trip. This way you're covered immediately for any unforeseen events — such as illness or a family emergency — that could force you to cancel before you've even departed.

Does travel insurance cover airspace closures?

Cover for disruption linked to conflict, civil unrest, or government-imposed airspace restrictions is often limited or excluded under standard Australian travel insurance policies. Some policies may provide partial cover in specific circumstances, but many treat these events differently from weather-related disruption or airline strikes. Always check the Australian Government's Smartraveller website for travel advisories before you depart, and review the exclusions and travel disruption sections of your PDS — or speak to your insurer directly if you're unsure. Many travel insurance policies will not cover destinations with a 'Do not travel' warning from Smartraveller.gov.au.

Travel insurance for families

A family travel insurance policy is a convenient way to cover everyone travelling together under a single policy, often at a lower cost than insuring each person individually. When comparing policies, check for age limits for dependent children, whether kids are covered automatically or need to be added, and whether the policy includes adequate cover for children's medical needs.

Pre-existing medical conditions and travel insurance

It's essential to declare all pre-existing medical conditions when purchasing travel insurance — these are any conditions you already have at the time of taking out the policy. While this may increase your premium, it ensures you're covered for any related treatment you need while overseas. Failing to disclose a condition can invalidate your policy and leave you facing significant costs abroad. If you're unsure what needs to be declared, contact your insurer directly before purchasing.