Are you already overseas on holiday and forgot to buy travel insurance? Don't worry there are still a few companies out there that are happy to offer you cover. Hurrah!
Of course you can't get cover for mishaps or injuries that have already happened to you prior to purchasing your policy, but an already overseas travel insurance policy offers the same comprehensive cover as regular travel insurance. So what are you waiting for? Get protected!
Eligibility requirements and conditions for already overseas travel insurance varies from one insurer to the next. Depending on the insurer you choose, there may be a waiting period before your cover takes effect and like standard travel insurance, age limits may apply. It's also important to remember that you cannot purchase cover for a pre-existing medical condition. Keep reading for more details...
Where Can I Buy It?
Although there are many insurance companies who don't offer this type of cover, there are several reputable travel insurers who do offer protection to New Zealanders who are already abroad.
| ID | Underwriter | Age restriction | Waiting period | Max policy length | Field6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HDI Global Specialty SE - New Zealand | 64 and under | 72 hours | 12 months | ||
HDI Global Specialty SE - New Zealand | 64 and under | 72 hours | 12 months | ||
Zurich Australian Insurance Limited ACN | No restriction | 72 hours | 12 months | ||
Zurich Australian Insurance Limited | No restriction | 72 hours | 12 months | ||
Zurich Australian Insurance Limited ACN | No restriction | 72 hours | 12 months | ||
Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd | No restriction | 72 hours | 12 months | ||
Zurich Australian Insurance Limited | No restriction | 72 hours | 12 months | ||
Certain Underwriters at Lloyds | 69 and under | 72 hours | 12 months |
1Cover
TINZ
Air New Zealand
AMI
Cover-more
NIB
State Travel Insurance
World NomadsGeneral Advice Warning: The contents of this article were accurate at the time of writing. Insurers change their policies from time to time, so some information may have changed. You should always read the Product Disclosure Statement of your chosen insurer to understand what is covered and what isn't. The information provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal circumstances.
Conditions Of An Already Overseas Policy:
- Who can buy? - You must be an New Zealand citizen or resident in order to buy a policy. You can also normally buy it if you are on a work visas, a spousal visa or skilled working visa. However cover is not available to those in New Zealand on working holiday or tourist visas.
- Homeward bound - You must have a booked return trip and be travelling back to New Zealand in order to buy this type of cover.
- Waiting periods - You may not be able to claim for any medical incidents in the first few days of your cover - this is known as a waiting period. A waiting period exists to protect insurers from those who've not bought insurance and then decide they need it later. Usually due to accident or illness and not wanting to pay the expensive overseas medical fees that they incur.
- Age limits - Just like a standard policy, already overseas policies have age restrictions saying who can and cannot buy. Check out the age limits in the table below.
- Pre-existing medical conditions - Conditions that exist before you departed for your holiday are unlikely to be covered. Always read your insurer's policy documentation to see what conditions they cover for free. You should always tell your insurer of any pre-existing conditions when you first purchase your policy -- however trivial they may seem.
Is The Cover The Same?
Lucky for you, already overseas policies provide the same great cover as policies that were purchased before you left for your trip. What cover can you expect?
Overseas medical cover
This is one of the most important features of cover. Overseas medical cover includes 24 hours a day emergency medical assistance and may cover the costs for: ambulance cover, medical evacuations, funeral arrangements, messages to family, medical and hospital bills, surgical, nursing and emergency dental treatment.
Cancellation fees and lost deposits
No matter how organised you are, when travelling overseas there are many events beyond your control. This covers you for costs if you suddenly find you can't go on your trip or need to cut short your trip short for some unforeseen circumstance such as illness, an accident or a death of a close relative. Cancellation cover will refund you for prepaid travel and accommodation and non-refundable expenses.
Luggage and personal effects cover
These days, most of us travel with suitcases jam packed with our belongings. Luggage and personal effects will cover you for reimbursement or replacement of your luggage and personal effects which are lost or stolen.
Personal liability cover
Accidents happen! If you're found responsible for another person's injury while travelling you will want to be protected, personal liability bills can run into the millions.
Rental vehicle excess
If you're planning on hiring a car during your trip, your travel insurance will usually cover any rental car excess. So DON'T take out that expensive excess reduction insurance with the rental car company!
Can I Extend My Policy?
If you've already bought a policy and then want to extend your trip - it's much easier to extend your existing policy than it is to get new cover when you're already abroad.
If you're already overseas and you either forgot to take out cover, or your previous policy has expired, know that there are options out there for you. It's not too late to take out already overseas travel insurance cover!
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