fbpx

Best Travel Insurance

Compare travel insurance policies from some of the best providers in Australia with Savvy.

Written by 
Savvy Editorial Team
Savvy's content writing team are professionals with a wide and diverse range of industry experience and topic knowledge. We write across a broad spectrum of finance-related topics to provide our readers with informative resources to help them learn more about a certain area or enable them to decide on which product is best for their needs with careful comparison. Meet the team behind the operation here. Visit our authors page to meet Savvy's expert writing team, committed to delivering informative and engaging content to help you make informed financial decisions.
Our authors
, updated on September 4th, 2023       

Fact checked

At Savvy, we are committed to providing accurate information. Our content undergoes a rigorous process of fact-checking before it is published. Learn more about our editorial policy.

Compare Travel Insurance Quotes in 30 Seconds

When booking travel plans, travel insurance can be an important safety net to consider for a range of events covered under your policy. As such, if you're taking flight, hitting the road or setting sail and want to purchase travel insurance, it's worth taking the time to try to find the best one for your needs.

You can compare a range of policy offers right here with Savvy from our panel of partnered insurers. Simply fill out our online quote form to generate real-time offers from trusted companies to help you determine which is the best for your needs among our panel. Get the process started with a no-obligation quote today.

How do I work out what the best travel insurance for my needs is?

Australia has no shortage of insurers who offer a wide range of travel insurance products to suit a diverse selection of customers. For this reason, the best travel insurance will depend entirely on your specific needs. If you're looking for the best travel insurance policy for your needs, some of the areas to consider include:

The coverage you're looking for

Of course, the best travel insurance policy for your needs will be the one which covers the areas of inclusion you're looking for the most comprehensively. You should always compare offers based on their inclusions and exclusions so you can have a clear idea of what you can and can't be covered for under the policy you're comparing. The coverage offered by travel insurance providers isn't necessarily guaranteed and will be subject to their terms and conditions and eligibility requirements. Take the time to assess which areas are most important to cover and see whether they can be addressed under different policies.

The nature of your trip

The trip you're taking will also inform the type of policy which is best for your needs. If you're taking one or two trips which start and end in Australia, you may look to take out single-trip travel insurance policies for each. For those who are planning more than two trips over the next 12 months, you may find it's more cost-effective to purchase an annual multi-trip policy, rather than a policy for each journey. However, if you're taking a trip without a set end date, some insurers offer one-way policies, which can cover you for up to 12 months following your departure (and can be extended up to a maximum of two years in some cases). 

Your budget

Of course, the cost of the policy is a factor well worth considering. It shouldn't be the sole variable you look for when taking out travel insurance, as the cheapest policies on the market won't necessarily provide you with the coverage you need. However, by comparing different offers, you can determine which provides the most suitable coverage at the most affordable price. This can potentially help you avoid paying more for your insurance than you need to.

The optional extras available

If you're planning to go for a spot of snowboarding or take part in an adventurous activity such as rock climbing or kayaking, you should consider what your insurer's available optional extras are. Snow and adventure packs are commonly offered by providers, while you may also be able to purchase motorcycle cover and cover for a rental vehicle's excess (though the latter can be included in your main coverage by some insurers). 

The excess required (if any)

Think about how much you'd like to pay out as an excess should you be required to make a claim. Different insurers will have different requirements when it comes to excesses, with some requiring you to pay a set amount while others may provide the option to not pay anything upon making a claim (in certain situations). It's important to bear in mind that the higher your excess is, the cheaper your travel insurance is likely to be. 

Your destination

Your travel destination may also have a say in determining what the best insurance for your needs may be. First and foremost, any travel overseas will mean you'll be looking at international travel insurance, while trips within Australia can be covered by a domestic policy. However, different countries are assessed differently by insurers based on their level of risk. One major factor in this assessment is the healthcare system, so if you're travelling somewhere like Canada or the United States, it's worth making sure you have adequate medical coverage.

How should I compare the best travel insurance policies?

When comparing travel insurance policies with Savvy, it's important to consider a wide range of factors to help you find the best one for your needs from the offers available through our travel insurance partners. Some of these include:

  • Inclusions: try to find policies which can offer the protection you're looking for when comparing offers. You can contrast policies side-by-side with Savvy, which can help you determine what can be included under different agreements. 
  • Exclusions: just as important as the inclusions is the exclusions. If there are particular areas which you feel you need coverage, take the time to analyse different Product Disclosure Statements (PDS) so you can be sure of what can and can't be covered.
  • Claim limits: different insurers will offer different covered amounts for each of their claimable unexpected circumstances. Find which policies can offer the most coverage and determine whether it's worth paying more for a higher limit on certain claimables (if it costs more).
  • Cost: as mentioned, while cost isn't the most important factor to consider, it's still valuable to consider similar policies to determine which is the most affordable, as this can potentially help you avoid paying more than you need to.
  • Pre-existing conditions: insurers will have different policies when it comes to pre-existing health conditions. As such, if you suffer from one, it may be important to find one which offers suitable cover for your needs. Consider the conditions which can be automatically covered, those which may attract an additional fee and those which can be excluded altogether (such as cancer and terminal illnesses).
  • Destinations covered: if you're travelling overseas, it's always worth checking whether there are any destinations not covered by your insurer or omitted from their worldwide coverage. Even in countries where you have a short stopover, it may be important to secure cover in case of a cancellation, delay or medical issue.

What does the best travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance coverage varies depending on the type of insurance you choose to take out and the lender you opt to buy from. However, it's important to be aware of the key areas which can be covered under a travel insurance policy. The following are some of the inclusions you may find under comprehensive travel insurance (subject to your insurer's terms and conditions):

  • Medical assistance or treatment as a result of injury or illness, which can be without limit (international travel insurance only)
  • The cost of cancelling either part or all of your trip (although this will depend on your insurer's terms and conditions regarding the type of cost and incident you're claiming for)
  • Loss of belongings, such as your luggage and other valuable or important personal effects
  • Personal liability if you're at fault for an incident resulting in injury to a third party or damage to their property
  • Accidental and unexpected death resulting from an injury or illness
  • A permanent disability benefit 
  • Trip disruption and resumption expenses
  • Travel delay expenses (such as cover for costs like accommodation and food if a leg of your trip is delayed by 12 hours or more)
  • Cover for a rental vehicle excess if it sustains damage in your care (may be available as an optional extra)

You can compare the inclusions and exclusions of a range of policies side-by-side with Savvy. We're partnered with reputable insurers to give you high-quality options to consider and choose from, so you can start the process with us today by filling out our simple, no-obligation travel insurance quote form.

Types of travel insurance

Why compare travel insurance with Savvy?

Top tips for keeping travel insurance costs down

Opt to pay a higher excess

Consider whether you are willing to pay a higher excess in the event of a claim in exchange for paying a lower premium up-front. The chances of actually lodging a claim are generally low, so with this is mind, you can weigh up your options.

Think about what level of cover you really need

By evaluating how much cover you realistically need, you can save on your premium by not taking cover for areas that are not relevant to you. For example, a policy that insures you against rental car damage won’t be worth the extra cost if you don't plan on hiring one.

Consider alternative policies if you're travelling in a group

Think about taking out a multi-person policy if you are travelling with others, such as a family policy if you're with your partner and children or a group policy if you have a larger travelling party. Bundling multiple people together under one policy may help you fetch a cheaper travel insurance premium, resulting in savings for all members of your group.

Still have questions about the best travel insurance?

Which is the best international travel insurance?

The best international travel insurance policy for you is one which provides you with the cover you're looking for (or as much as possible) at the most affordable price. There's no one answer as to which is the best, as each individual will have different needs when it comes to their travel insurance based on their age, health, length of their trip, destination and more.

Are there some things that even the best travel insurance policies won’t cover?

Yes – there are several exclusions which are likely to apply to all travel insurance policies. These can include:

  • Claims resulting from you having broken local laws
  • Travelling against government advice (such as to a country with a Level 4 warning on Smartraveller)
  • Personal items such as luggage left lost, stolen or damaged after being left unattended
  • Cost of medical treatment for undiagnosed pre-existing symptoms
  • Cover for cancellation fees due to a demonstration or terrorist incident which occur at your destination
What's the best insurance for pregnant travellers?

The best insurance for a pregnant traveller is one which may be able to provide suitable coverage in the event you're required to make a claim. The terms and conditions surrounding pregnancy coverage vary from insurer to insurer, so it's important to take the time to find out which is most appropriate for your needs. For instance, while some insurers will cap their coverage at 18 to 24 weeks into the gestational cycle, others may be able to provide cover up to 32 weeks (subject to other eligibility criteria as outlined by your insurer).

When is the best time to purchase travel insurance?

Most travel insurance companies will enable travellers to buy their policy as soon as they've booked their holiday. This allows you to maximise the amount of time for which you're covered in case you need to cancel your trip in the weeks and months leading up to your original departure. Although policies can be purchased as far out from your trip as 12 months, you can buy one as late in the piece as the day you depart

What's the best travel insurance for cruises?

The best cruise travel insurance for your needs will be one which provides you with adequate cover at the most affordable price. Cruise cover can either come as an extra or its own package and can be an important way to provide you with cover for a range of cruise-specific circumstances, such as medical expenses on domestic cruises (where Medicare-registered doctors aren't always available) and medical evacuation, the cost of which can be significant when you're out on the open ocean.

Helpful travel insurance guides

Travel Insurance Banner - Couple holding hands at the airport looking out over the runway.

Why Do I Need Travel Insurance?

Asking yourself why you need travel insurance for your holiday? Compare with Savvy and understand the benefits. Compare Travel Insurance...

Travel Insurance Banner - Man looking on his computer at travel insurance.

How Much Is Travel Insurance?

Wondering how much your travel insurance might cost? Compare with Savvy and find out today. Compare Travel Insurance Quotes in...

Travel Insurance Banner - Group of women smiling and enjoying drinks on a cruise.

Compare Cruise Travel Insurance

Setting sail on your next holiday? Compare cruise travel insurance with Savvy.  Compare Travel Insurance Quotes in 30 Seconds Get...

Disclaimer:
We do not compare all travel insurance brands currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and does not consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.

Savvy earns a commission from our partners each time a customer buys a travel insurance policy via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via their websites.

Before purchasing your policy, we recommend you refer to the provider’s PDS for any further information on the terms, inclusions and exclusions.