Many people forget to buy domestic travel insurance when they travel around New Zealand but being covered at home is just as important as being covered overseas.
New Zealand is one big place and there is just as much to see and do here as there is going abroad. Assuming you're covered by public health care, you don't need to worry about your health but there are still plenty of good reasons to buy travel insurance for trips around NZ.
Lost luggage, damage to a rental car, flight delays and cancellations and theft are all situations that could quickly put a downer on any domestic trip. Our guide helps to explain everything there is to know about cover for your holiday-at-home!
Compare Domestic Travel Insurance
The following table shows cover levels of comprehensive domestic travel insurance quotes.
| ID | Underwriter | Rental vehicle excess | Cancellation | Luggage | Field6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HDI Global Specialty SE - New Zealand | $8,000 | $2,000 | $15,000 | ||
HDI Global Specialty SE - New Zealand | $6,000 | $25,000 | $15,000 | ||
HDI Global Speciality SE - New Zealand | $8,000 | Unlimited | $7,500 | ||
AWP Services New Zealand Limited | $6,000 | $5,000 | $1,500 | ||
Zurich Australian Insurance Limited | $6,000 | $15,000 | $10,000 | ||
Zurich Australian Insurance Limited | $10,000 | $10,000 | $5,000 | ||
AWP Services New Zealand Limited | $10,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 | ||
Zurich Australian Insurance Limited | $2,500 | $10,000 | $15,000 | ||
Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd | $5,000 | $20,000 | $4,000 | ||
Southern Cross Benefits Limited | $6,000 | Unlimited | $30,000 | ||
Zurich Australian Insurance Limited | $6,000 | $15,000 | $6,000 | ||
AWP Services New Zealand Limited | $6,000 | $15,000 | $6,000 | ||
Zurich Australian Insurance Limited | $6,000 | $15,000 | $6,000 | ||
The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd | $6,000 | $100,000 | $1,000 |
1Cover
TINZ
Zoom Travel Insurance
AA Travel
Air New Zealand
AMI
AMP
Cover-more
NIB
Southern Cross Travel Insurance
State Travel Insurance
Tower
Webjet
WorldcareGeneral 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.
What Does Domestic Travel Insurance Cover?
Cancellation Cover
Sometimes trips just don't go to plan! Domestic cancellation benefits cover the cost of rearranging or cancelling your trip because of unforeseen circumstances like illness, accidents, and extreme weather. Cover starts from the day you buy your policy, not when your trip starts
Lost or Damaged Luggage
It's a real pain in the butt when your stuff is lost, stolen, or doesn't show up. At least if disaster happens on your holiday at home, your policy will replace or reimburse you for your baggage and personal items if they disappear or are damaged.
Travel Delays
Bummer, your interstate flight is delayed, now what!? If your transport is postponed due to an unforeseen reason, your out-of-pocket accommodation, meals, and transport costs would be covered until you get back on track.
Rental Car Excess
Hiring a car? Did you know domestic travel insurance often includes your rental vehicle excess should you have a ding or your hire car is stolen? Don't take up the expensive collision damage waiver with your rental company, get cover with your domestic policy for a fraction of the cost.
Family Emergency
It's always a worry going on holiday leaving loved ones behind. Never fear, should a close relative, or the person you're traveling with become seriously ill, injured, or heaven forbid, die, your travel expenses would be claimable. Restrictions can apply for relatives' age, medical conditions, and where they live.
Personal Liability
A lawsuit would certainly put a dampener on your dream holiday. Relax as you're covered in the event that you are found to be legally liable for accidental injury or damage you may have caused to another person or their property whilst on your trip.
what doesn't it cover?
Let's face it, domestic travel insurance can't cover everything!
Here's a few things to be aware of that might not be covered on your Kiwi adventure.
Medical benefits: Domestic travel insurance doesn't include medical benefits as the govenments healthcare system will take care of your medical troubles on home soil.
Dental Cover: It's also unlikely a domestic policy would include cover for dental expenses including hospital stays, surgery or prescriptions.
Permanent Disability: Not all insurers include permanent disability benefits as part of their domestic cover. This would normally include cover if you are injured on your trip and within 12 months of the date of the accident you permanently lose sight in one or both eyes, or one or more limbs.
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 high 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 Espresso Martinis in Byron Bay now!
High risk activities: Many high risk activities and extreme sports are not covered. Always check whether your planned activities are before you go.
Travel supplier default : Does your tour operator sound a bit dodgy ? Travel insurance does not always cover for insolvency of travel agents, tour wholesalers, tour operators or booking agents. Make sure you're confident in the operater making your travel arrangements.
Known events: If news of a hurricaine affecting travel has already been spread all over the media and it prompts you to buy cover, it's already too late. You can of course still purchase, it's just that that particular known event is likely to be excluded from your cover.
And more... We haven't detailed all travel insurance exclusions here. Just the ones that tend to pop up. It's vital that you read your chosen insurer's Product Disclosure Statement before you purchase to understand the exclusions that apply to your cover.
Why You Need Domestic Cover
Too many Kiwis go on holidays at home without thinking they need travel insurance, when they do! Here's why!
Exxy Flight Costs
New Zealand is a big place! Going from one side to the other will set you back significantly. If a family emergency stopped you from going on your trip, or your flight was cancelled, would you have enough money to pay for another flight?
Natural Disasters
Floods, storms, hurricanes don't just happen overseas, they happen here too. Should a severe weather event affect your trip, your domestic cover will reimburse you for any out-of-pocket expenses. Phew!
Missed Events
Booked flights to see your favourite popstar or sporting team perform? In the event that your flight to that big event is cancelled or delayed, domestic travel insurance will help you get there on time.
Your Stuff is Important
Loss, theft, or damage to your prized possessions can be a common, yet gut-wrenching experience. Don't worry, if your personal belongings go AWOL, the right policy will pay to replace or repair them. Woop!
For Your Peace of Mind
Many holidays are hassle-free, but a reasonable domestic policy is a small price to pay to cover your holiday at home. You wouldn't travel overseas without cover, so don't travel around New Zealand without it either.
domestic travel insurance faqs
Have a tricky travel insurance question? Here are some of the most common queries we get from our customers.
When you buy domestic cover, you are purchasing a policy for the whole of New Zealand. Create a quote to start comparing prices and features.
When you go on a cruise in New Zealand waters, in most cases, it's required for you to purchase a Pacific policy. This is because visiting the doctor onboard the ship is charged at private/international rates. You'll also need a Pacific policy to be covered for helicopter rescue off the ship. Some companies still allow you to purchase a domestic plan, but you'll need to add-on a cruise pack in order to be covered from ship-to-shore.
Rental vehicle excess is the amount that you would have to pay in the event that your rental vehicle is stolen or damaged while in your care. Many people buy domestic travel insurance for this benefit alone as it is far cheaper to buy a travel insurance policy, including cover for your hire car, than it is buying excess cover directly from your rental company.
Some Kiwi companies offer "Visitors Travel Insurance" as it is known. You may be required to purchase the policy before the friends or relatives arrive in New Zealand, and waiting periods may apply. See more about visitors cover here.
Yes, in most cases, if a loved one is unexpectedly hospitalised or passes away and you need to return home early, your domestic cover will pay to get you there.
In most cases, you'll need to purchase some sort of ski or adventure pack in order to be covered for skiing or snowboarding within New Zealand. You should also consider whether ambulance costs would be covered should you need evacuating off a mountain. Speak to your chosen insurer to check if emergency evacuation benefits are included in their domestic snow pack.
Are you in favour of a frequent city break? Whether it's Auckland, Christchurch, or Wellington, you might benefit from a multi-trip policy designed for frequent domestic travellers. If you have more than two trips planned within a 12-month period, an annual travel insurance policy can be significantly cheaper than purchasing a single trip policy each time you travel.
other handy tips & guides
Visitors To New Zealand - Inbound Travel Insurance
Are you visiting New Zealand from overseas? Or do you live in NZ and need to arrange inbound travel insurance for friends or family visiting you? Get inbound visitors quotes today!
One Way Travel Insurance
Need travel Insurance for a one way ticket? Whether you're planning a gap year or an extended stay with family with no return ticket, then one way travel insurance could be for you!
Non Resident Travel Insurance
Whatever your circumstances, rest assured there are plenty of companies in New Zealand that offer cover to non-residents, you just need to look a little bit harder. Luckily for you we’ve done the hard yards
