Travel Insurance While Abroad: Get or Extend Cover

Quick summary for busy readers:

• Forgot to buy cover? Most New Zealand insurers offer “already overseas” travel insurance, so you can still get cover after you’ve already left home.
• Already have a policy and want to stay longer? Most insurers will let you extend your existing cover while you’re still away, provided you give notice before it lapses.
• Eligibility for already overseas cover: Generally you need to be a New Zealand citizen or resident, have a booked return flight, and pass a waiting period before medical cover kicks in.
• What’s not covered: Anything that happened before your policy started, and pre-existing conditions unless disclosed and accepted by your insurer.
• Extending existing cover: Usually capped at a total of 12 months, and only confirmed once you receive written confirmation and a new Certificate of Insurance.
• Delayed flight home: Most insurers will extend your cover for free if your return trip is delayed for reasons outside your control.

 

You’ve packed your bags, boarded the plane (or cruise) and your holiday is well underway. But maybe you left home without buying travel insurance. Or maybe you did, but a few weeks in, you’ve decided you’re not quite ready to come home yet… Either way, you’re probably wondering the same thing: Can you actually sort out travel insurance once you’re already abroad?

The answer is yes, in both situations. Most New Zealand insurers offer cover for travellers who have already departed without a policy, and if you already have cover, most will let you extend it while you’re still away. Here’s exactly how each option works and what to watch out for.

Can you get travel insurance while you’re abroad?

In most cases, yes, no matter which situation you’re in.

If you left home without buying cover, you can generally still take out what’s known as an “already overseas” travel insurance policy. Insurers understand there are plenty of reasons this happens, such as:

• Simply forgetting to buy cover before departing.
• Being on a business trip and needing cover for the personal leisure portion only.
• Having credit card travel insurance but needing extra cover for adventure activities.
• Having a policy that expired because you forgot to extend it.

If you already have an active policy and want to stay away longer, extending your existing cover is usually simpler than taking out a new already overseas policy. Most New Zealand insurers will let you extend, provided you give enough notice and your policy hasn’t already lapsed.

However, one thing applies to both situations: you can’t get cover for anything that’s already happened before your policy starts, or before your extension is confirmed. Cover only applies going forward.

What does already overseas travel insurance cover?

Already overseas policies are very similar to cover purchased before a trip commences.

They usually include:

• Overseas medical cover: 24/7 emergency medical assistance, plus costs such as ambulance rides, medical evacuation, funeral arrangements, medical and hospital bills, and emergency dental treatment.
• Cancellation cover: Costs if you need to cancel or cut short your trip for something outside your control, like illness, an accident or the death of a close relative.
• Lost or damaged luggage: Reimbursement for personal effects and luggage that’s lost, stolen or damaged.
• Travel delays: Your out-of-pocket accommodation, meals and transport costs if your transport is delayed for an unforeseen reason, though this typically won’t apply for short delays under six hours.
• Family emergency cover: Travel expenses if a close relative or travel companion becomes seriously ill, injured or passes away, though restrictions on age, medical condition and location can apply.
• Personal liability: Protection if you’re found responsible for injuring someone else or damaging their property while travelling.

Who can buy already overseas travel insurance?

Eligibility and conditions vary between insurers, but there are a few common requirements to know before you buy:

• Residency: With most insurers, you need to be a New Zealand citizen or resident to buy an already overseas policy, including if you’re on a Partner of a New Zealander work visa or an Accredited Employer Work Visa. Cover typically isn’t available if you’re in New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa.
• A booked return trip: Most insurers require a booked flight back to New Zealand to qualify for cover.
• Waiting periods: Many policies apply a waiting period, often the first few days of cover, before you can claim for medical incidents. This exists to stop people buying cover only once they already need it.
• Age limits: Like standard policies, age restrictions apply and vary quite a bit between insurers.
• Pre-existing conditions: Conditions you had before you left are unlikely to be covered. Always disclose any pre-existing conditions when you purchase, however minor they seem, since some insurers require a medical assessment as part of the process.

Can I extend my travel insurance while I’m already overseas?

If you already have a policy, extending it is generally easier than taking out new cover from scratch. Here’s how it typically works:

1. You call your insurer to request the extension.
2. They’ll ask about your health, and you’ll need to meet your duty of disclosure.
3. Your policy won’t be extended the moment you call. Your insurer will use your answers to decide whether they’re able to extend your cover.
4. If they decide to grant you an extension, you’ll only be covered once you’ve received written confirmation and a new Certificate of Insurance.

The total length of cover on your new certificate generally can’t exceed 12 months, though this varies by insurer.

Extensions might not be available if:

• You developed a medical condition during your original policy period.
• You have a pre-existing condition that already required a medical assessment.
• You don’t tell your insurer about any claims you intend to make on your original policy.
• You’re over a certain age (some policies apply age restrictions).
• You’ve already been travelling for a long time on your original policy, two years, for example.

What if my flight home is delayed and my insurance is about to expire?

You’re generally still covered. Most insurers will extend your policy for free if you’re delayed getting home because of something unforeseen, like a delayed or cancelled flight. If any part of your return journey is disrupted, your cover will usually be extended automatically until you’re able to get back.