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Travel Insurance for Flights

Taking a flight? Get the best travel insurance for your holiday by comparing with Savvy.

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, updated on September 4th, 2023       

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Hopping aboard a plane destined for a domestic or international location can be an exciting time. However, before you check in at the airport, you must find travel insurance that protects you while you're crisscrossing the globe. By comparing with Savvy, making a decision can be fuss-free.

By comparing with us, you can find the right coverage to give you peace of mind when you book your flights. In addition, you can weigh up each policy's pros and cons to find your most suited provider. So, before you brace for take-off, compare with Savvy today.

What coverage does travel insurance give me for my flights?

Flights can be an expensive part of your travel costs, it’s crucial to take the time to seek out the best travel insurance which covers their cost if anything goes wrong while you’re flying among the clouds. Depending on the level of coverage you choose, travel insurance covers much of the following:

  1. Trip cancellation: whether a loved one falls ill or you sustain an injury and you can no longer travel, your travel insurance provider covers any costs associated with cancelling your trip, including fees and arranging reimbursements on bookings such as airline tickets.
  2. Lost, damaged, or stolen luggage: wherever you’re flying on your next holiday, you’ll hope your bags aren’t too far behind. However, if they are lost or stolen – or even damaged – your travel insurer has your back. They can cover the cost of personal items being replaced or repaired up to an agreed limit, which can be up to around $15,000.
  3. Any airline delays or trip interruptions: planes can be held up for a range of reasons, whether it be bad weather, late passengers or natural disasters. If your domestic or international flight is delayed by more than 24 hours, most insurers will cover the cost of a night’s accommodation, some food and your bare necessities such as personal care items and clothes.
  4. 24/7 support: most travel insurance companies provide you with the number of an around-the-clock support phone line, so you can make claims or queries wherever you are in the world, day or night.
  5. Special transport: if you’ve arranged for a ride-share driver or taxi to collect you and they’re delayed or don’t show up, your travel insurer can help you get to the airport on time so you aren’t catching the glares of other passengers for being late.

What isn’t included under my travel insurance policy’s flight cover?

While there are many benefits to taking out travel insurance to cover your flights, no matter where you are travelling, there are some circumstances where cover won’t be able to save your bacon.

Some of the incidentals you won’t be covered for when it comes to travel insurance include the following:

  1. You're late: if the cabin crew have already armed the doors and done a cross-check and you’re still racing to your gate, your travel insurance won’t cover you for any costs relating to rescheduling your flight because you were running late.
  2. Changing your mind: if, in the spur of the moment, you decide you don’t want to travel anymore, your travel insurance won’t cover the costs of simply changing your mind and calling off your holiday.
  3. Leaving bags unattended: if your bags are snatched or damaged while your mind is elsewhere, your travel insurance company won’t cover the cost of replacing or repairing them.
  4. Travelling to unsafe countries: the Australian government issues warnings regarding travel to certain countries around the world. While it’s reasonably safe to get travel insurance for those under level one or two advisement, you will struggle to find a travel insurance provider who will cover you to travel to a country with a higher warning attached to it.
  5. Cancellation due to your travel agent: most providers won’t provide you cover if there’s an error in your travel plans caused by your travel agent. This also applies to your airline making a mistake or having to delay or cancel your flight, as they are expected to provide you with some form of compensation in this situation.
  6. Terrorism: very few travel insurance companies will offer terrorism cover for cancellation of your flights due to an attack, or even being fearful of being caught up in such an event.

How do I compare travel insurance for flights?

The best way to purchase your travel insurance is to compare the various deals on the market with Savvy. When you’re considering your options with us and weighing up the different benefits, it’s best to think about the factors that make up each policy so you can find the one that most suits your next flight. Some of the main factors to consider include:

Level of cover

When you’re browsing the market for the right travel insurance, it’s important to consider the level of coverage you need against the travel plans you’ve organised. For example, you may want to compare your options if you’ve booked a string of connecting flights or forked out for business or first-class seats, while basic cover might be all you need if you’re backpacking around the country. Compare each of these levels of cover between providers to make sure you get the best deal.

Type of cover

Various companies offer an assortment of travel insurance options to suit every style of traveller, including those frequent flyers. Compare annual, single-trip and one-way policies to ensure you get the best one on the market. It could save you a lot of hassle and leave you with more money.

Benefits

The key reason for buying travel insurance is the coverage, which varies between providers. Comparing with Savvy can give you the benefit of doing a side-by-side comparison of the inclusions and exclusions so you can see which policy suits your needs best.

Benefit limits

Your insurance company will impose claim limits on various benefits which caps how much you can claim on various incidentals. These limitations vary between providers, so it pays to look around to find a set which satisfies your needs. For example, some providers only let you claim up to $5,000 for personal effects, while others allow you to claim up to $15,000.

Costs

The price of premiums is reflective of your circumstances, such as how long you’re away from home and where you’re flying. Premiums tend to vary depending on who you choose to purchase through, so it’s best to get a few quotes and compare with Savvy. While it’s still worth looking for cheap domestic travel insurance, for instance, it’s still crucial to weigh up the benefits and the costs.

Types of travel insurance

International

International travel insurance can offer cover for a range of events, including medical expenses, lost luggage or items, cancellation fees and more when you're overseas and a long way from home.

Domestic

If you're journeying within Australia, domestic policies are designed to offer many of the same protections as international travel insurance (with the exception of medical expenses).

Single trip

The most standard and common type of travel insurance, this policy can cover you for one trip starting and ending in Australia (and is available for both international and domestic travel).

Annual multi-trip

As the name suggests, this type of travel insurance covers multiple trips over a 12-month period. Depending on your insurer, you may be able to take an unlimited number of trips up to 90 days each.

One-way

You don't have to have a return ticket booked to take out cover while you're overseas. One-way travel insurance enables you to access cover without a set end date, such as if you're moving temporarily.

Cruise

You may need to take out specialist coverage if you're setting sail on a cruise. Fortunately, cruise insurance can cover emergency evacuation, cabin confinement and more.

Seniors

Just because you're older doesn't mean travel insurance isn't still important. If you qualify for cover, seniors' travel insurance can offer greater peace of mind for included events while you're travelling.

Ski

Adding winter sports or ski cover to your policy can add protection against damage to your equipment, piste closure due to bad weather and activities such as back-country skiing, heliskiing and more.

Adventure sports

Looking to enjoy some adventure sports on holiday? An adventure sports pack can grant you cover for a range of activities, such as hiking, scuba diving and motorcycle or scooter riding.

Families

Jetsetting with the whole clan in tow? Some insurers offer family travel insurance, which enables you to include yourself, your partner and your dependent children under one policy to help you save.

Couples

If you're travelling interstate or overseas with your partner (or simply another friend or family member), you may be able to access a discount by taking out a joint or duo travel insurance policy.

Why compare travel insurance with Savvy?

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Frequently asked travel insurance for flights questions

I bought my flights at a discount. Am I still covered by travel insurance?

If you’re looking around for a cheap deal on flights for a trip to Chile, for example, and you snap up a bargain, you can still get cover for them despite paying below market price for your tickets.

Can I get travel insurance for my flights if I’m over 85?

Yes – you can obtain travel insurance for your airfares if you’re over the age of 85 years old. However, you can expect to pay a higher premium and more significant excesses if you need to make a claim. For example, some of the excesses for those over 80 can be up to $2,000.

Am I covered if I cancel my flights for mental health reasons?

Many travel insurance companies won’t accept claims related to mental health conditions as valid reasons to cancel your flights. In most cases, you’ll need to have your condition diagnosed before travelling and disclose it as a pre-existing condition. In this instance, it may cost more to purchase your policy.

Does travel insurance for flights cover COVID-19-related costs?

Yes – many travel insurance providers now offer coverage for cancellation due to COVID-19. This includes testing positive before departure and needing to call off your trip or needing to care for a family member who has been recently diagnosed, which extends to covering the cost of your flights.

Should I buy travel insurance through my airline?

It’s worth taking a look at your airline’s travel insurance policy and comparing them with some others that take your fancy. For example, if you’re planning on travelling to India and purchase your insurance through an airline, you can sometimes be offered fewer benefits at a higher cost compared to a travel insurance provider.

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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.

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