Why consider travel insurance when travelling overseas
Even after all your careful planning, a holiday hiccup, like a missed flight, lost bag, or illness, can derail your trip. Here’s how travel insurance for an overseas trip could help.
Whether you’re planning on a weekend trip to New Zealand, exploring the streets of Paris, hiking through the Canadian Rockies, or volunteering in Vietnam, a delayed bag, a stolen camera, or a medical emergency are some things for which you can’t ever plan.
We offer five travel insurance plans for Australians residents who want to stay protected from unexpected events when far from home.
Why should I consider travel insurance for my overseas trip?
Travel insurance is there to help with the things you can’t plan for such as medical bills, replacing a lost phone or passport, or rebooking a canceled or delayed flight. This can be especially valuable in countries like the US or Japan, where healthcare costs are significantly higher than Australia. Even if you’ve never had to make a claim or never purchased travel insurance before nib travel insurance can help cover a range of events while you're away* (up to your policy and sub limits that apply). Some of the things we can help with include:
Overseas medical expenses, if you suffer an accident or injury
Medical evacuation and repatriation
Rental vehicle expenses if your hire vehicle gets damaged or stolen
Luggage and personal effects if your items are stolen, damaged or lost
Cancellation cover if you need to cancel or rearrange your trip due to events such as illness or natural disasters
24/7 emergency assistance if something goes wrong and you need help.
*The features and benefits described above are a summary of cover only. Cover is subject to the full terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions outlined in the Product Disclosure Statement. If you have any questions, contact us.
How do I choose the right level of coverage for my trip?
Your trip is all about you, so the right level of travel insurance coverage for you depends on where you’re going, for how long and what you’re doing while you're away. We offer five plans: Comprehensive, Essentials, Annual Multi Trip, Domestic, and Cancellation and Additional Expenses plan.
We offer policies for Australian domestic travel and international travel. It’s up to you to choose the right policy for your travel needs. You can buy a policy anytime, online, 24/7.
Is travel insurance compulsory?
Not usually, but sometimes. Travel insurance for overseas trips is not usually a legal requirement, but it’s still worth considering, and in some places, and for some types of holidays, you do need to have it.
Travel insurance is compulsory if:
You're travelling to certain countries that require proof of insurance to get a visa. Some examples include:
Schengen Area (Europe): If you’re applying for a visa, you need to show proof of travel insurance with medical coverage of at least €30,000.
Cuba: Proof of travel insurance is required for all visitors.
You’re joining an organised tour or cruise that demands travel insurance when you book.
Even when optional, overseas travel insurance can make a difference if something unexpected happens on your trip, and you’re left to pick up the tab.
How can nib travel insurance help if things go wrong
The 24/7 Emergency Assistance team can help you in all sorts of situations, including:
When you need overseas medical treatment
Covering emergency evacuation from a remote trekking location
Reimbursing prepaid expenses if you’re forced to cancel due to illness
Replacing lost or stolen passports and electronics
Helping during natural disasters, civil unrest or other unforeseen events.
Travel tips for an overseas trip
To get the most from your travel insurance coverage:
Buy early – get insurance as soon as you start booking travel to protect your trip against pre-trip cancellations.
Be honest – always declare existing medical conditions to avoid having your claim denied.
Check coverage for activities – not all plans cover adventure sports. Make sure yours do if you're skiing, diving or hiking, for example.
Read the PDS – yes, it’s boring having to read the fine print but it’s important to understand what's covered and what’s not and what terms and conditions apply.
Keep receipts and records – this will make any claim you decide to make go smoother and faster.
FAQs for your next overseas trip
I’m already overseas — do I need travel insurance and how do I get it?
Yes, it’s never too late to protect your trip. nib offers travel insurance for Australians who are already travelling. However, there might be some restrictions, and there may be a waiting period before coverage begins.
What happens if I get sick or injured while overseas?
We have cover:
If you’re hospitalised
If you need day surgery or treatment as an outpatient
For visits to a doctor
For your medications
When emergency evacuation is required.
The 24/7 Emergency Assistance team can guide you through the process.
Does travel insurance cover trip cancellations and delays?
It does! If your trip is cancelled or delayed because of illness, natural disasters, or airline strikes, for example, you may be able to claim for non-refundable expenses, such as alternate accommodation, meals and transport.
What happens if my luggage is lost or stolen?
You can claim for lost, stolen and damaged luggage, replacement items, and essentials while you wait, and the value of lost belongings, depending on your policy limit.
Are adventure activities snow sports covered?
Yes, with the right plan. nib offers cover for many sports and activities. If you’re going to do snow sports on your trip, you must select the Snow sports cover option to be covered.
Travelling soon? Consider nib Travel Insurance and get a quote. To learn more about what’s covered, see nib travel insurance. nib health members get a 15% discount off their travel insurance.*
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.
*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.