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Travel Insurance For New Zealand: A Guide

Sophie Venz
Editor

Updated: Nov 3, 2023, 2:35pm

Johanna Leggatt
editor

Edited By

Editorial note: Forbes Advisor Australia may earn revenue from this story in the manner disclosed here. Read our advice disclaimer here.
Travel Insurance For New Zealand: A Guide

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New Zealand has long been a popular holiday destination for Australians, owing to its proximity across the ditch and its catalogue of tourism hot-spots. In fact, each year (prior to the pandemic), there were about 1.6 million Aussies travelling to New Zealand, whether for the snow or summer scenery, or to simply visit friends or family who live there.

That figure is slowly creeping back up since travel restrictions have eased, and, despite the rising cost of living, this year and next are set to be big years for Australians travelling both near and far.

And while keeping travel budgets down is front of mind for many, there is one thing you should never skimp on when it comes to holidays: travel insurance. It may be tempting to forego travel insurance when heading to a place as peaceful and laid-back as New Zealand, but as our guide outlines, it’s still vital.

New Zealand Travel Insurance

To take out a travel insurance policy for New Zealand, you may be able to select one that covers solely New Zealand specifically, one that covers Oceania, or a worldwide policy (that often excludes the US and Mexico due to healthcare costs).

There are also different types of policies that an individual can choose when travelling to New Zealand, which will depend on the duration of your trip and whether you are visiting more destinations than solely New Zealand.

There include:

  • Single trip: for a one-off trip in the space of 12 months
  • Annual multi-trip: for more than one trip in the space of 12 months
  • Long-stay/backpacker: for an extended stay of 60 or 90 days or 12 or 18 months, and occasionally 24 months, depending on the provider.

Additionally, an annual multi-trip policy can work out more cost-effective than purchasing multiple single trip policies, but not always, so it can help to compare both types of policy.

Remember to check if a policy will only cover trips to New Zealand and Australia or worldwide destinations excluding the US and surrounding countries.

Do I Need Travel Insurance For New Zealand?

While travel insurance for New Zealand isn’t compulsory, it’s highly recommended. Good travel insurance will cover lost expenses should the policyholder need to cancel their trip due to an emergency, such as illness or bereavement. It will also pay out for damaged, lost or stolen baggage, as well as other items.

The total amount of baggage cover should reflect the value of all the belongings the policyholders are taking with them. There’s also usually a single item limit which dictates how much the policyholder can claim per item.

Another key component of travel insurance is medical-associated cover. According to Services Australia, the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) we have with New Zealand may cover some of your medical costs in the New Zealand public health system. However, certain emergencies may not be covered by this reciprocal agreement, especially if you are taking part in activities which are excluded from your insurance policy.

The New Zealand site also explains that while Australians are eligible for medical treatment in New Zealand, this does not preclude the need for insurance.

“As neither reciprocal agreement provides full coverage, travellers should hold comprehensive travel insurance, including health insurance,” the site notes.

Visitors may also be left at a loss if they need repatriation to Australia, for example, however, travel insurance for New Zealand can cover this.

What Does Travel Insurance For New Zealand Cover?

In addition to coverage for medical and lost luggage, most policies for New Zealand cover travel delay and missed departures.

For those planning to take advantage of the country’s vast offering of adventure sports and activities, it is worth checking which are covered by a policy. As New Zealand is a popular snow destination, you will need to ensure that your policy covers snow sports if you wish to take part in these activities.

Often a policy covers around a hundred low-risk sports as standard. These include cricket, football and rugby. However, cover for bungee jumping (also popular in New Zealand) scuba diving and kite surfing among other higher risk activities, are likely to require an extra premium payment–just as snow activities would.

In any case, insurers usually only accept claims where the appropriate safety gear was worn, such as a helmet or harness. For activities such as scuba diving, policyholders will likely need to dive with a qualified instructor and follow official guidelines for any associated claims to be accepted.

What Does Travel Insurance Exclude?

Specific limitations and exclusions on cover differ between policies, but there are some common exclusions to bear in mind.

Most insurers will not accept ‘disinclination to travel’ (simply not wanting to travel) as a valid reason for a claim.

As stated previously, claims are often void if you have not followed the appropriate safety guidance and official guidelines for activities you participate in, even if the activities are covered.

Also, any claims arising from intoxication from drink or drugs, or disorderly behaviour, are likely to be rejected.

Best Travel Insurance For New Zealand

The best travel insurance for New Zealand will depend on your needs, such as whether you are taking part in snow sports or other adventure activities.

An easy way to compare travel insurance policies is to use an online comparison tool, or read through our pick of the leading travel insurance policies for Australians. Note that these are not location specific, so you will have to consider whether or not they include the extras you will require for your trip.

Related: Our Pick Of The Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance Providers In Australia

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Air New Zealand offer travel insurance?

Yes, Air New Zealand offers travel insurance if your travel commences in Australia. There are certain inclusions and exclusions—as with any policy—but Air New Zealand does state that it covers for Covid-19. To read more about its policy, you can go online at the Air New Zealand website and read their terms and conditions.

Do Australian citizens need travel insurance in New Zealand?

Australian citizens are not required to have travel insurance in order to enter New Zealand and travel New Zealand. However, it is encouraged in order to have additional medical protections, and cover for things such as lost property or travel delays.

Will Australian health insurance cover me in New Zealand?

According to Services Australia, the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) we have with New Zealand may cover some of your medical costs in the New Zealand public health system. However, it is still highly encouraged that you purchase travel insurance so that you are protected for major medical events, sporting injuries or repatriation, as well as other benefits of travel insurance such as lost luggage and cancellation cover.

How do I get cover for snow sports in New Zealand?

To ensure you are covered for snow sports in New Zealand, you need to choose a travel insurance provider that includes snow cover within its base policy or as an optional add-on. It is most common for snow sports to be sold as an add-on, as the high-risk activity makes it more expensive than a policy without it would be.

To find policies that offer snow sports, you can read our pick of the best comprehensive travel insurance providers in Australia and then find quotes from each on their respective websites when choosing to include snow cover, if applicable.

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Sophie Venz Editor

Sophie Venz is an experienced editor and features reporter, and has previously worked in the small business and start-up reporting space. Previously the Associate Editor of SmartCompany, Sophie has worked closely with finance experts and columnists around Australia and internationally.