Best travel insurance in Australia (2026 comparison): what comprehensive policies cover and how leading providers differ

Planning a trip is exciting. But whether you’re travelling overseas or staying within Australia, it’s worth thinking about what happens if something goes wrong. Travel insurance is designed to provide financial protection for a range of unexpected events that can occur before you leave or while you’re away, including medical emergencies, cancellations and lost baggage.

The challenge for many travellers is working out what “best” actually means. Policies differ by provider, plan type, optional extras and claim limits. Some options are budget-friendly and focus on basic protection. Others cost more but offer broader cover and higher benefit limits. This article explains the building blocks of travel insurance, outlines common exclusions, and summarises how several well-known providers in Australia structure their international travel insurance options.

What travel insurance usually covers

Coverage varies between insurers and even between plans from the same insurer. Still, comprehensive travel insurance policies often share a set of common inclusions, designed to help with major travel risks and costs.

Depending on the policy, comprehensive cover may include protection for:

• Medical emergencies while travelling (particularly relevant for overseas trips)
• Trip cancellations and disruptions
• Lost, stolen or delayed baggage
• Other unexpected incidents that can occur during travel

Many insurers also offer optional add-ons that extend cover to specific activities and travel styles. Common examples include:

• Adventure activities
• Motorcycle riding
• Cruises
• Winter sports

Because these extras can change what you’re covered for (and how much you pay), it’s important to check whether an activity you’re planning is included by default, requires an add-on, or is excluded entirely.

Common exclusions: what travel insurance may not cover

Every travel insurance policy includes exclusions—situations and costs the insurer won’t pay for. The exact list differs from provider to provider, but exclusions are a standard feature of travel insurance and can be a source of surprises if you only skim the marketing summary.

The key document to read is the policy disclosure statement (PDS). This is where you’ll find the detailed terms and conditions, including definitions, benefit limits, conditions for cover, and exclusions. If you need to make a claim and later discover your situation isn’t covered, you may have to pay out of pocket—something that can become expensive, particularly for overseas medical costs.

How to compare travel insurance policies

To find a policy that suits your trip, it helps to compare multiple insurers and look beyond headline price. When comparing, consider the plan type, what you want covered, and whether the policy can be tailored with options and add-ons.

Some practical comparison points include:

• Plan level: Basic vs comprehensive options can differ significantly in what they include.
• Benefit limits: Higher limits can matter for expensive events, but may come with a higher premium.
• Excess: Many insurers let you choose an excess (such as $250, $200, $100 or $0). This choice can change the price you pay.
• Single trip vs annual multi-trip: Frequent travellers may prefer annual cover, while occasional travellers may choose a single-trip policy.
• Add-ons and special cover: Activities like winter sports, cruises or motorcycle riding may require extra cover—or may be included in some policies under certain conditions.

To make comparisons fair, many travellers look at each insurer’s comprehensive international plan as a baseline, then adjust for their own needs.

Australian travel insurance providers: plans and features at a glance

Below is a provider-by-provider overview based on how each insurer structures its travel insurance offerings. Insurers typically offer multiple plans, and different options may suit different travellers.

Allianz: domestic and international options, with plan tiers

Allianz offers travel insurance for people travelling within Australia and internationally. For international travel, there are two plan options available: a Comprehensive Plan and a Basic Plan. Benefit limits vary depending on whether you choose a single, duo or family policy.

When comparing providers, quotes are often illustrated using an example traveller (such as a 35-year-old taking a one-week holiday to popular destinations). Actual pricing will depend on your trip details and the options selected.

ahm: comprehensive vs medical-only for international travel

ahm offers single trip and annual multi-trip policies for Australians travelling domestically and overseas. For international travel, there are two main choices:

• International Comprehensive Plan
• International Medical Only Plan, which focuses on medical-related expenses and personal liability

ahm pricing can be affected by the excess you choose. In the example provided, a $250 excess is selected, with the option to choose $100 or $0 instead (which impacts pricing).

Fast Cover: multiple plan types and optional add-on packs

Fast Cover offers six travel insurance plans:

• Comprehensive
• Standard Saver
• Basics
• Snow Sports Plus
• Domestic Plus
• Frequent Traveller Saver

Policies can be purchased as single, duo or family cover. Benefit limits are per person for duo policies and doubled for families. After you choose a plan, you may be able to expand coverage with optional add-on packs, although not all add-ons are available with every plan.

In the example pricing scenario, Fast Cover is quoted with a $200 excess for a week-long trip.

Bupa: international and domestic travel insurance, with annual multi-trip options

Bupa offers International Plus and International Essentials travel insurance, available as either a single trip policy or an annual multi-trip policy. Bupa also offers domestic travel insurance with the same trip options.

As with some other providers in this comparison, Bupa’s travel insurance policies are underwritten by Zurich, described as a well-established global leader in the insurance industry.

For the example one-week overseas trip, pricing is shown with a $250 excess selected.

Cover-More: three international tiers from basic to higher limits

Cover-More has three international policies with different levels of cover:

• Basic Plan, with lower limits and no cover for some travel-related expenses (such as rental vehicle excess)
• Comprehensive Plan, designed to offer more complete coverage
• Comprehensive+ Plan, the highest tier, which includes perks such as higher benefit limits

In the example quotes, Cover-More pricing is shown for a one-week holiday with a $250 excess selected.

RAC: travel insurance alongside roadside assistance, with motorcycle cover included under conditions

RAC is known for car insurance and roadside assistance, and also offers travel insurance. There are three international plans and three domestic plans, each with different levels of cover.

A notable structural point in this comparison is that, unlike some other providers, RAC does not require you to purchase a separate motorcycle and moped add-on. Instead, it is included in the policy, subject to applicable conditions.

Example pricing is shown for a non-member taking a week’s trip with a $250 excess selected.

NIB: comprehensive and essentials options, with cruise cover available via eligible plans

NIB offers international travel insurance through a Comprehensive Plan and an Essentials Plan, as well as an Annual Multi Trip option.

If your trip includes an overseas or domestic cruise, NIB’s structure differs from insurers that sell cruise cover as an add-on. Rather than purchasing a cruise add-on, you can gain cruise coverage by choosing one of the plans that includes it as standard.

Example pricing is provided for a one-week trip abroad.

1Cover: broad policy range, with a notable difference on accidental death benefit

1Cover offers policies for international travel, domestic trips, frequent travellers and people who are already overseas.

Compared with the other providers discussed here, 1Cover is noted as not offering an accidental death benefit with its International Comprehensive insurance. However, the policy still provides cover for many other incidents.

In the example comparison, 1Cover is presented as one of the cheaper options across three destinations.

Why the excess matters when comparing quotes

One reason travel insurance quotes can look very different—even for similar plan names—is the excess selected. Several of the examples above reference a specific excess amount (such as $250 or $200). Some providers also allow a $0 excess, which may increase the premium. When comparing insurers, ensure you’re comparing like-for-like excess settings, otherwise the comparison may not be meaningful.

After insurance: managing spending overseas with a travel card

Once your travel insurance is organised, the next question is often how to manage spending while you’re away. One option described in the provided material is the Wise Travel Card, positioned as a way to save on international transactions by using currency conversion at the mid-market exchange rate (the rate commonly seen on Google). The card is also described as having low, transparent pricing and no foreign transaction fees.

Key features described include:

• Spending in 150+ countries at the mid-market rate
• Ability to create an account and order a card, then top up AUD to start
• Physical card for chip-and-pin payments and some free ATM withdrawals each month
• Digital cards that can be added to Google Pay or Apple Pay for instant use
• Option to spend from AUD with auto-conversion, or convert in advance
• Ability to hold and exchange 40+ currencies and spend held currencies

The material also includes general information disclaimers, noting that the information is general in nature and may not take into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs. It also notes that fees, pricing and product availability can change, and refers readers to Wise terms and fee information for up-to-date details.

Putting it all together: choosing a policy that fits your trip

There isn’t a single travel insurance policy that is automatically “best” for every Australian traveller. The right choice depends on where you’re going, how long you’ll be away, whether you’re travelling alone or as a couple or family, and what you plan to do on the trip.

A sensible approach is to:

• Start with a comprehensive plan comparison as a baseline
• Check whether you need add-ons for activities such as winter sports, cruises or motorcycle riding
• Compare the excess options you’re comfortable paying if you make a claim
• Read the PDS carefully to understand exclusions and conditions before buying

Travel insurance is ultimately about peace of mind. By comparing plan structures across providers such as Allianz, ahm, Fast Cover, Bupa, Cover-More, RAC, NIB and 1Cover—and by checking the fine print in the PDS—you can narrow down a policy that matches the risks you want covered for your next trip.