Travel Insurance For Fiji: A Guide

According to the latest on the Fiji tourism official site, travel insurance is recommended. It is not compulsory. “Regardless of where you’re travelling, things can go wrong and that’s as true for Fiji as anywhere else,” says Doug Skoog, Head of Brand at Freely Travel Insurance.

Fiji has extremely high exposure to tropical cyclones, floods and landslides. These are most common during the wet season between November and April, but they can strike at any time of year.

According to the Australian government’s travel advisory website Smart Traveller, the usual safety precautions should be taken in Fiji. At the time of publishing, the travel advisory places Fiji on the lowest of four risk categories.

Nonetheless, Smart Traveller notes that opportunistic crime occurs in Fiji and includes robbery, theft and violent assault. It recommends being extra cautious in the capital of Suva after dark.

Furthermore, even in a country like Fiji, where the cost of living is lower than Australia, medical bills can be very expensive and standards of healthcare may be lower. If you need to be evacuated to a nearby country for specialist treatment that is not available locally, the costs could run into tens of thousands of dollars.

Having travel insurance provides peace of mind and the specific benefits can include coverage for cancellations and changes, medical expenses and emergency repatriation or evacuation. Travel insurance can also provide coverage for things like lost, damaged or stolen luggage.

Some travellers mistakenly assume that the Australian government will pick up the tab in the event of an emergency arising when a citizen is overseas, but this is incorrect. This occurs only in the most exceptional circumstances.

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Most comprehensive travel insurance policies now provide coverage for Covid-related illnesses and cancellations. However, it is important to check the terms of any policy, as the level of cover can vary substantially.

For example, you might be covered for medical costs if you catch Covid overseas, but not if you need to cancel because you caught it at home before you left.

Skoog says that terms to look out for include pre-trip and on-trip cancellations, overseas medical costs and associated expenses for rearranging flights or accommodation. Note that limitations will apply, too.

The right type of travel insurance for Fiji depends on individual circumstances, such as health and the type of holiday you are planning.

It can also come down to risk appetite. Some people may only want coverage in the event of requiring emergency medical treatment, while others will have peace of mind knowing that they are covered in the event of a range of scenarios occurring.

“Weigh up your options. Is the price of travel insurance worth the possible cost of cancellations and amendments? Or on the more serious end, the cost of medical expenses and repatriation or evacuation?” says Skoog.

Another consideration is the specific activities you have planned in Fiji.

“Carefully consider what you’ll be doing and whether the policy provides cover for your activities whilst you’re travelling,” says Skoog.

An activity like riding a moped is likely excluded from all policies.

If you plan on going snorkelling or scuba diving, check that the policy specifically includes it. Some policies offer coverage for days lost diving due to poor weather or illness. Appropriate qualifications in scuba diving will be needed for the policy to be valid.

The easiest way to buy travel insurance for Fiji is online.

You can also purchase it from a travel agent, and some credit cards provide complimentary travel insurance when flights are booked using the credit card.

Always check carefully for terms and exclusions.

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It is important to read the fine print, which in insurance is known as the ‘Product Disclosure Statement’ (PDS).

Failing to do so can result in significant extra costs and the disappointment that comes with a long-anticipated holiday turning pear-shaped.

“For example, depending on your provider, some coverage will only be provided if your travel insurance policy was purchased a certain amount of time in advance of your trip,” says Skoog.

Or if you get sick just a few days before your trip, you may not be entitled to claim any cancellation costs from relevant suppliers.

“Keep in mind the amount of excess payable if a claim is approved,” says Skoog. “This is the money deducted by your insurance provider from the amount that gets paid out to you. It can vary by insurer and it’s worth looking into.”