Long Term Two Year Travel Insurance

Are you going overseas to do a two year working holiday visa? Perhaps you've decided to study abroad, or you're taking a gap year to backpack the world, but 12 months just doesn't seem long enough.

If you're searching for longer term travel insurance you're probably finding it tricky! Most standard single trip policies in New Zealand only provide cover for a maximum of 12 months in duration. But we're here to help you find cover for longer

What Are Your Long Stay Travel Insurance Options?

If you do some research, you'll find some policies will cover for longer - up to 18 months to two years in duration. There are also a handful of providers that will let you extend for a second year if your first annual policy has not expired. Our table explains where you can find longer stay travel insurance without having to do all the legwork.

What Long Term Travel Insurance Covers

There's no better feeling than escaping the daily grind; the wind in your hair, not a care on your mind. But travel is not all rest and relaxation! On the contrary, heading overseas for an extended period to new and distant regions can throw you any number of curveballs.

Medical expenses
While you are exploring new places, you WILL be travelling. Whether it be catching a plane, sitting on an elephant, riding in a rickshaw, transporting in a tuk tuk, or walking the streets. More people get hurt in simple transport accidents than in extreme sports like rock climbing. Your policy will cover for medical expenses for injury or illness including hospital stays, surgery, dental, prescription drugs, doctor and dentist office visits.

Your belongings
People like to steal things, especially from shared dorms. A travel insurance policy will cover your backpack if it is lost or stolen, as well as things in it like your iphone, ipod and camera.

Trip cancellation
No one can predict if a natural disaster is going to put a dampener on your holiday, or if a family member suddenly falls sick sending your holiday sideways. Luckily, cancellation benefits will cover the cost of rearranging or cancelling your journey because of unforeseen circumstances such as illness, accidents and extreme weather conditions.

Delays
Travel delays are a common complaint of travelling. Have peace of mind knowing your accomodation and out of pocket expenses are covered if your scheduled transport is delayed over 6 hours, or there about.

Personal liability
While traveling, you will be more active, exposing yourself to more risk. Compared to when you're on the couch at home watching tv, where your biggest risk is becoming a couch potato. Your policy will cover you for personal liability in the event that you are found to be legally liable for accidental injury or damageyou may have aused to another person or their property.

What It Doesn't

Travel insurance is a must have for any holiday, but like any type of insurance it's important to realise there are cases where you will not be covered. Because holidays don't always go to plan, it's a good idea to understand your policy before you head off. Keep reading to find out what may not be insured on your two-year escapade.

Unattended items
In a nutshell, look after your stuff! Anything you leave out of reach, that isn't properly supervised, or isn't safely locked away will be considered unattended and (most probably) won't be covered if you try to claim for it being lost or stolen. E.g. you wouldn't be covered if you left your phone in the back of a taxi, or on the table in a restaurant. Luggage that is left in a storage room of a hotel once checked out is also considered unattended!

Being reckless
We know that travel is all about new and exciting experiences, but if you deliberately put your life in danger (like jumping off a cliff into the sea) you wouldn't be covered. Injuries or loss when alcohol or drugs have been involved may not be covered either. Not too many piña coladas now!

High risk activities
Hey there adrenaline junkie! Many high risk activitiesand extreme sports (e.g. American football, boxing, skydiving, competitive cycling , rock climbing, polo and motor sports) are not covered. Always check whether your planned activities are covered before you go jumping out of a plane (for example.)

Some Cancellations
You can't just cancel your trip for any reason, like you didn't feel like going overseas anymore and be reimbursed. You also won't be covered if your flight is cancelled due to a mechanical fault, overbooking or airline company closure. This is the airlines responsibility to get you back in the air pronto.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Some medical conditions that exist before you travel won't be covered. But if you do have a pre-existing condition, it's not to say that you will be travelling without any cover at all. You can still buy a policy that would cover you for all other benefits, and for any unrelated illness or injury to your pre-existing condition would of course still be covered.

Unlicensed travel
Travelling in/on a vehicle that you (or the driver) are not licensed to drive is not covered. Riding a motorcycle or scooter in Thailand or Bali is a common one. Make sure you wear a helmet too!

Get Quotes For Your Long Trip

Whether you're heading on a working-travel 2 year break, or just after an adventure and can't wait to escape, it's vital to have insurance to protect you when you travel. Especially so if it's for a long period of time. No matter if you buy a two-year policy straight up, or decide to extend once you're already overseas, make sure you do thourough research to ensure you pick the perfect policy for your upcoming holiday.