Cheap Travel Insurance

While the cost of travel insurance in Australia can vary between budget and premium providers, there are several things you can keep in mind which can help you to find a cheaper policy. These include:

• Consider the level of cover: there are different levels of cover available when purchasing travel insurance, with basic cover typically being the cheapest and comprehensive the most expensive. As such, the type of cover you choose will have a direct impact on the cost of your insurance premium. However, you shouldn't choose a cheaper policy purely because of the price; it's important to determine whether there are any policies which can offer you the cover you need.
• Think about a shorter trip: travel insurance is more expensive the longer your trip is. That's because the longer you're away from home, the more time there is for something to go wrong (in theory). Shortening your trip can also reduce the cost of your travel insurance as a result.
• Reduce the optional extras where possible: adding extras such as snow or adventure packs will often increase the cost of your policy, so avoiding these where they aren't necessary may help you secure a more affordable insurance package.
• Choose your destination wisely: not all destinations are made equal in the eyes of insurers. Different countries may be assessed differently in terms of the level of risk they may pose to travellers. One major factor is the healthcare system on offer, so countries with more complex or no universal healthcare (such as the United States) will typically cost more than a holiday to Europe, for instance.
• Increase your excess: the excess is the amount you pay out of pocket when making a claim. Some insurers will give you the option to set this yourself, with some not requiring an excess at all. However, the higher your excess, the cheaper your policy is likely to be. 
• Take advantage of couples' or family discounts: some insurers may offer discounts for policies purchased to cover a family or couple. This could mean it's a cheaper option for you to do so if you aren't travelling solo. 

While you may be able to take advantage of some or all of these when buying travel insurance, it's important to note that there are still other factors which can impact the cost of your policy which are more out of your control. For instance, senior travellers are likely to have to pay more for their coverage than younger individuals due to the increased risk of injury or illness while on your travels. Furthermore, some insurers may require you to pay an additional premium if you suffer from certain pre-existing health conditions, so this could also have an impact on the cost of your cover.