If you’re planning a trip down under, you may be wondering if you should get travel insurance for New Zealand.
While many trips go off without a hitch, things can go wrong, and when it does it can get expensive.
Travel insurance can provide peace of mind and financial protection in case of unexpected events. From adventurous activities like bungee jumping and hiking to exploring the country’s diverse landscapes, travel insurance can help cover unforeseen medical expenses, trip cancellations, or lost luggage.
Additionally, it can offer support during emergencies, such as natural disasters or unexpected disruptions to travel plans.
In this article, we’ll cover the benefits of having travel insurance, the different types of travel insurance to consider and where to get it from.
» You might also like our New Zealand travel tips first time visitors.
Do I Need Travel Insurance for New Zealand?
If you’re planning a trip to New Zealand we highly recommend travel insurance.
While travel insurance is not compulsory to enter New Zealand as a general visitor, it provides peace of mind in case the unexpected happens. As frequent travelers, we know things don’t always go to plan no matter how prepared we are.
New Zealand’s government healthcare scheme called ACC may provide cover for medical care if you are injured in an accident while in New Zealand, even for visitors which is pretty great.
However, there are some things they do not cover including:
- If you get sick or any type of illness
- If your travel plans are disrupted
- Emergency travel to get you back home
- Any injuries you receive while in transit to or from New Zealand (this includes getting on or off a boat or plane)
- Travel around New Zealand in the craft you arrived in (e.g. a cruise ship)
- Treatment and rehabilitation when you get back home.
Therefore, travel insurance is still strongly recommended, even by ACC. Source: ACC New Zealand
A good travel insurance policy can ensure you’re covered for these and other things, so you can enjoy your New Zealand trip.
Note: Certain visas (e.g. Working Holiday Visa) may require you to have medical insurance for the duration of your stay. Visit New Zealand Immigration for more info on the type of visa you require.
What Type of Travel Insurance Should I Get?
Different policies will cover different things, and the amount of cover may also vary. The type and level of cover depends on your own circumstances.
Here are a few things to consider along with the level of cover you may require.
- Travel Delays and Cancellation
Many people book their trip to New Zealand well in advance, sometimes up to a year ahead. If something should happen and you need to cancel or postpone your trip, trip cancellation insurance covers the costs of unforeseen changes and cancellations before you travel.
When I book a big trip in advance, I usually get my travel insurance as soon as I’ve paid any money. This way I am covered for any deposits and such in the period leading up to the trip. Just be sure to read the policy so you know what circumstances you are covered for and if there are any exclusions.
- COVID-19 Cover
Travel changed considerably in 2020 with the Pandemic. Consider if you will be covered if you need to cancel your trip or stay overseas longer due to COVID-19.
- Activities
There’s no shortage of adventurous activities to do in New Zealand. As fun as they are, some adventure sports are considered ‘higher-risk’ (e.g. bungy jumping, skydiving, rock climbing ). Ensure your travel insurance policy covers the activities you plan on doing.
- Loss or theft of your belongings and luggage
From the airline losing your luggage to dropping your phone in the sea or leaving your camera on the bus. When considering a policy, check the cover is adequate for any specific items you’ll be taking such as a laptop or a professional camera and expensive lenses.
- Medical Cover
No one wants to bring home unexpected medical expenses. While ACC covers many injuries related to an accident, it doesn’t provide cover for illness or while you’re traveling to and from New Zealand. Consider what types of medical expenses you will or won’t be covered for.
- Emergency Assistance
Offering peace of mind if you require emergency assistance during your travels whether it’s medical support, getting you back home or providing assistance if you lose your passport.
- Rental Vehicle Cover
If you plan on renting a car in New Zealand, consider if your policy will cover things like rental vehicle insurance excess (deductible).
Who Should I Get My Travel Insurance From?
Since I’m not an insurance expert, I can’t tell you exactly what travel insurance to get or who to get it from. The best New Zealand travel insurance for you depends on your individual needs and situation.
However, you should think about things like how much the policy costs, the deductible (called an excess in New Zealand), what coverage you need, and if you have any medical benefits or insurance through your credit card.
Many companies offer travel insurance policies online where you can get a free quote after entering your details. It’s important to purchase from a reputable insurance provider, either through a company where you live or through a global provider.
Here are a couple of companies I use and recommend:
1. Travel Insurance Master – Compares travel insurance plans so you get the best deal
Travel Insurance Master is useful if you want to compare a variety of options without having to individually search each company.
After answering a few questions, Travel Insurance Master searches numerous companies and gives you a list of quotes for both comprehensive travel insurance and lower-tier plans.
You’ll get results from reputable brands like Travelex, Berkshire Hathaway and Trawick International plus others in a side-by-side table.
There are also filters on the side so that you can customize the results. Then you can read through the fine print at your own speed to see if there is a suitable policy for you.
They also offer features such as a CFAR claim which means Cancel for Any Reason. You can toggle on the option for CFAR to show companies that offer this coverage.
► Get Your FREE Quote from Travel Insurance Master
2. SafetyWing Travel Insurance – Global cover
SafetyWing offers flexible and affordable travel insurance policies with the ability to book through them even after you’ve started your travels.
They are a popular choice for long-term travelers, digital nomads and remote workers. SafetyWing will cover you for travel to almost anywhere in the world, ideal if you plan on visiting several countries.
You can opt for their standard cover or customize your policy for extra coverage. Both offer cover for travelers up to 70 years of age.
With SafetyWing, cover doesn’t start until you leave your home country.
This means you won’t have cover if your trip is canceled before you leave, which may not be suitable for some. If you don’t need the advance cover then SafetyWing is an easy and affordable option!
► Get Your FREE Quote from SafetyWing
DISCLAIMER: ALWAYS READ THE FINE PRINT
When considering travel insurance policies, take the time to read all the details including the fine print to ensure you are comfortable with all aspects of the policy and understand what you are (or aren’t) covered for before making a purchase.
For specific questions about travel insurance cover for New Zealand, it’s best to talk to someone at the company you’re getting the insurance from.
Credit Card Cover
Some credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance if you use that card to purchase a proportion of your travel such as airfares, hotels, etc. The level of cover can vary significantly depending on the type of card you have.
I’ve been caught short with travel insurance from my credit card that didn’t provide the cover I needed when I needed it. My own fault for not knowing, so be sure to check the policy wording for yours to ensure it provides the right amount of cover for you.
Conclusion
Travel insurance can provide peace of mind should the unexpected occur when traveling abroad. It’s worth taking the time to find the right amount of cover with the right provider.
Travel Planning Guide
🚗 Where should I book my rental car?
Renting a car is one of the best ways to get around New Zealand. Public transportation can only get you so far, even in the cities. I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks the prices of all major rental car companies, so you get the best rates.
🚐 What about a campervan?
Renting a campervan is a fantastic way to experience the more remote areas of New Zealand. I really like JUCY because they have a big range of vehicles and locations around the country, which offers more flexibility with pick-up and drop-off. I also like Motorhome Republic, which compares all the campervan options available in NZ.
🎟 Where should I book my tours?
Tours are a great way to experience New Zealand’s top attractions while learning about the area and culture through local guides. We always use Viator and Get Your Guide to find the best tours.
🛏 What’s the best way to book my accommodations?
For hotels and vacation rentals, Booking.com or Expedia.com are the best sites. You can also book through TripAdvisor. If you’re considering renting a house instead, try VRBO which often has good deals.
🛩 What’s the best site to buy flights to New Zealand?
For finding the best deals on flights to New Zealand from around the world, I recommend Kayak.com.
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Heather is a travel enthusiast living in New Zealand with her family. She writes about living in and enjoying travel to New Zealand.