Travel Insurance: What It Covers

🏥 The Medical Cover Is the Core

Costs Abroad Can Be Huge

An overseas hospital stay, surgery, or a medical evacuation back to New Zealand can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Travel insurance with high or unlimited medical cover is what stands between a bad situation and a financial catastrophe.

Cancellation and Belongings

Beyond medical, cancellation cover protects the money you have sunk into flights and bookings if something forces you to cancel or come home early. Luggage cover helps with lost or stolen belongings, though usually with per-item limits.

📋 Pre-Existing Conditions and Exclusions

Declare Pre-Existing Conditions

If you have an existing medical condition, you usually must declare it. The insurer may cover it for an extra premium, cover it with conditions, or exclude it. Not declaring it can mean a related claim is declined, which defeats the purpose.

Common Exclusions to Watch

• Claims related to undeclared pre-existing conditions
• Risky activities, unless you add cover for them
• Incidents involving alcohol or drugs
• Travel against official advice for a destination
• Leaving belongings unattended

Excess and Limits

Like other insurance, travel policies have an excess you pay per claim, and limits on categories like luggage and electronics. A cheap policy with low limits may not actually cover your gear or cancellation costs, so match the limits to your trip.

Our Travel Insurance Calculator gives an indicative cost to compare.

💡 Choosing and Common Mistakes

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Skipping It to Save a Little

The saving is small next to the medical risk. An overseas medical bill can dwarf the trip cost.

Mistake 2: Not Declaring a Condition

An undeclared pre-existing condition can void a related claim when you need it most.

Mistake 3: Buying on Price Alone

The cheapest policy may have low limits and big exclusions. Check the medical cover, limits, and exclusions, not just the premium.

Mistake 4: Buying Too Late

Buying when you book means cancellation cover applies from the start, protecting deposits if something goes wrong before you leave.

A Simple Approach

See our Insurance Basics guide. Final word: travel insurance is really about overseas medical cover, since your New Zealand cover stops at the border and bills abroad can be enormous. Declare conditions, check the limits and exclusions, and buy when you book so cancellation cover applies. This is general information, not advice; compare current policies and read the wording.