Yes, travel insurance is strongly recommended for all visitors travelling to New Zealand. While it is not always a legal requirement, travel insurance can help protect you against unexpected costs such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, travel delays, lost luggage and rental vehicle excess charges. Most experienced travellers consider travel insurance an essential part of any international holiday.
No one plans for things to go wrong while travelling.
Unfortunately, unexpected events such as illness, flight disruptions, lost luggage or family emergencies can happen before or during a trip.
Travel insurance provides financial protection and support when these situations arise, helping you travel with greater confidence and peace of mind.
Why is travel insurance recommended?
Travel insurance may help cover a wide range of unexpected events, including:
- Medical expenses
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Trip cancellation costs
- Travel interruptions
- Lost, stolen or delayed luggage
- Rental vehicle excess charges
- Unexpected travel delays
The exact cover depends on the policy you choose and the terms of your insurer.
What happens if I need to cancel my trip?
One of the most common reasons travellers purchase insurance is cancellation protection.
Unexpected circumstances such as illness, injury or family emergencies can sometimes prevent travel.
Depending on your policy, travel insurance may help recover some of the costs associated with cancelling your trip.
You can also read:
What Happens If I Have to Cancel My Booked Tour?
Does travel insurance cover medical expenses?
Many policies provide cover for:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital expenses
- Ambulance services
- Emergency repatriation
Medical costs overseas can be significant, making insurance particularly valuable for international travellers.
Coverage varies by policy, so it's important to read the policy wording carefully before purchasing.
Does travel insurance cover rental vehicles?
Many comprehensive travel insurance policies include cover for rental vehicle excess charges.
This can be useful if you're planning a self-drive holiday through destinations such as Rotorua, Tongariro National Park, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown and Milford Sound.
Always check your policy documentation to understand any limits, exclusions or conditions that may apply.
Does New Zealand Self Drive Tours offer travel insurance?
New Zealand Self Drive Tours recommends travel insurance and can provide information about travel insurance options available through Kiwi Holidays Insurance.
International policies may include features such as:
- Selected cover for epidemic and pandemic diseases, including Covid-19
- Medical and repatriation expenses
- 24-hour emergency assistance
- Replacement cover for baggage items less than two years old
- Dependent children under 21 covered at no additional charge
- Rental vehicle excess cover
Additional options may also be available, including:
- Increased cover for specified high-value items (Comprehensive Plan only)
- Cover for pre-existing medical conditions (Comprehensive Plan only)
Applications for these options are subject to assessment and additional premiums may apply.
What should I know before purchasing travel insurance?
Before purchasing any policy:
- Read the full policy wording carefully.
- Understand any exclusions and limitations.
- Check cancellation provisions.
- Confirm medical coverage meets your needs.
- Review any conditions relating to pre-existing medical conditions.
Not all situations are covered by travel insurance, so understanding the policy details is important.
When should I buy travel insurance?
Many travellers choose to arrange travel insurance shortly after confirming their booking.
This may provide protection for certain events that occur before departure, depending on the policy purchased.
The earlier insurance is arranged, the earlier some policy benefits may begin.
Is travel insurance worth it?
For most international travellers, yes.
Compared with the overall cost of a New Zealand holiday, travel insurance is often a relatively small expense that can provide valuable financial protection and support if unexpected events occur.
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