Travel alert

Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.

Am I covered for overseas medical treatment and hospitalisation?

It can be stressful if you become sick or injured while travelling. The good news is that all our international policies offer cover for some overseas medical expenses to help you get back on your feet.

What medical expenses are covered?

If you need to seek urgent medical treatment, our International policies may cover your reasonable emergency overseas medical expenses, up to the policy limits, for:

  • Visits to a GP or other registered medical practitioner.

  • Medical evacuation to the most suitable medical facility.

  • Admission and treatment in hospital.

  • Day surgery and out-patient medical treatment.

  • Prescribed medication for sudden illness and serious injury.

  • Dental treatment.

  • Prescribed physiotherapy.

  • Prescribed alternative therapy treatment.

  • Clinical psychology.

  • Out-of-pocket expenses if admitted to hospital.

  • A travel partner or close relative to travel to, and remain with you if you are admitted to hospital.

  • Repatriation home - with a medical escort if you’re not fit to continue travelling, when pre-approved on the reasonable recommendation of a medical practitioner appointed by us.

This is a guide only, as every claim is assessed on its individual circumstances. Keep in mind that these benefits are offered only when agreed to by us, for up to 12 months from the date the illness first appears or injury happens.

Is cover for COVID-19 available?

nib travel insurance offers benefits for medical costs related to coronavirus (COVID-19). If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 while overseas, benefits may include:

  • Medical costs, including hospitalisation.

  • Evacuation or repatriation if deemed medically necessary by us and in consultation with your attending physician.

  • In addition, our International Comprehensive, Australian Travel and Annual Multi Trip plans can also provide cover for several coronavirus-related events, including quarantine expenses and trip cancellation, up to the relevant benefit limit.

Terms and conditions apply, so be sure to check the PDS.

How do I get medical treatment overseas?

  • Call the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team immediately for advice on what to do and where to go.

  • Go to the closest medical facility for the emergency medical treatment you need.

What information do I need to provide at claim time?

If you pay for any medical expenses, you’ll need to keep copies of all of your medical records, bills, clinical reports/doctor’s notes, receipts, etc. to support your claim.

Also remember there's a policy excess applicable to any claim for overseas medical expenses (per event).

What if I have an existing medical condition?

Our policies offer automatic cover for more than 40 common conditions. If your condition is included, and you satisfy all the criteria related to that condition, then cover is provided for events that arise from that condition.

If you have an existing medical condition that isn’t automatically covered, you can apply to add the condition as a ‘specified medical condition’ for an additional premium (not available on the Essentials Plan).

If you have an existing condition that is not automatically covered, and you do not or cannot add it to your policy as a ‘specified medical condition’, you will not be covered for any events that arise from that existing medical condition.

What’s not covered?

Some of the main things that aren’t covered include:

  • Any existing medical condition you had before purchasing your policy that is not automatically covered, or that you do not or cannot add to your policy as a ‘specified medical condition’.

  • Private hospital treatment when public funded treatment was available.

  • Where care is available under any Reciprocal Health Care Agreement.

  • Any medical expenses incurred once you return home to Australia, even if you require ongoing medical treatment for something that occurred during your trip. Travel insurance does not provide health insurance at home.

  • Expenses which are not reasonable or medically necessary; routine treatment; elective treatment.

Cover is subject to the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions outlined in the PDS. Read your policy carefully and contact us if you have any queries.

nib Travel Insurance Distribution Pty Limited, ABN 40 129 262 175, AR 336467 is an authorised representative of nib Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd (nib), ABN 81 115 932 173, AFSL 308461 and act as nib's agent and not as your agent. This is general advice only. Before you buy, you should consider your needs, the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Financial Services Guide (FSG) and Target Market Determination (TMD) available from us. This insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, ABN 83 169 311 193.

We are a signatory to the General Insurance Code of Practice developed by the Insurance Council of Australia and enforced by the Code Governance Committee, an independent body whose purpose is to drive better Code compliance and help the insurance industry improve its service to consumers. The Code is designed to promote good relations and insurance practice between insurers, authorised representatives and consumers. The Code sets out what we must do when dealing with you. You can obtain a copy of the Code from codeofpractice.com.au.

*The discount applies to the total nib travel insurance premium and is for customers that currently hold an Australian health insurance product, or an Overseas Student Health Cover product with nib. The discount is not available to customers who hold an Overseas Visitors Health Cover product. Discounts do not apply to the rate of GST and stamp duty or any changes you make to the policy. nib has the discretion to withdraw or amend this discount offer at any time. This discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offer or discount.