Quick summary for busy readers:
- Most travel insurance requires a return date to issue cover, but one-way travel insurance exists specifically for travellers who don’t have one – whether you’re on an extended working holiday, relocating, or just haven’t locked in a return flight.
- Only a handful of insurers actually offer it, so it’s worth comparing specifically among those that do rather than assuming your preferred provider covers one-way trips.
- Cover typically only lasts a short window after you arrive, commonly somewhere between 24 hours and seven days, so it’s not a substitute for long-stay cover if you’re planning to be away for months.
- If you need medical repatriation, you’ll usually need to contribute the cost of an economy return fare yourself, since there’s no return ticket for the insurer to use.
If you’re heading overseas without a return date locked in, you’ve probably found it hard to get travel insurance. That’s because standard policies are built around a departure date and a return date, and without both, plenty of insurers simply won’t issue you cover. One-way travel insurance exists to close that gap, whether you’re starting an open-ended working holiday, moving abroad, or just haven’t decided when you’re coming back yet.
Read on to learn more about one-way travel insurance and to see which insurers offer it.
Can I get travel insurance for a one-way trip?
Yes, though it’s worth knowing that one-way travel insurance isn’t quite the same product as standard travel insurance and it comes with its own set of conditions. It’s designed to cover you for unforeseen events before you leave, during your flight, and for a set period once you land, rather than for an entire open-ended stay.
A few things typically apply to one-way cover that don’t apply to a standard policy include:
- You’ll generally need to be a New Zealand citizen.
- A waiting period may apply before you can claim for illness or injury.
- In most cases, your trip needs to originate in New Zealand, though this isn’t universal across every insurer.
- Age restrictions can apply, and these vary by provider.
- Cover often expires somewhere between 24 hours and seven days after you arrive at your destination, rather than lasting for your whole trip.
That last point is the one that trips people up most. One-way travel insurance is designed to bridge the gap around your departure and arrival, not to act as ongoing cover for however long you end up staying overseas. If you’re planning to be away for an extended period, it’s worth looking at a long-stay or two-year policy instead once you’re settled, rather than relying on one-way cover to see you through the whole trip.
It’s also worth knowing that repatriation works differently when it comes to one-way travel insurance. If you needed to be flown home under a standard policy, insurers would typically use your return ticket to organise that. But without one, you’ll generally need to contribute the equivalent cost of an economy return fare yourself if repatriation becomes necessary.
Where can I buy one-way travel insurance?
Not every New Zealand insurer offers one-way cover. But we’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up all of the insurers who do below:
| Provider | Do they cover one way? | Age restrictions | Action | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 1Cover | No | N/A | Quote | |
 TINZ | No | N/A | Quote | |
 Zoom | No | N/A | Quote | |
 AA Travel | No | N/A | ||
 AMI Insurance | No | N/A | ||
 Cover-More | No | N/A | ||
 Southern Cross | No | N/A | ||
 State Insurance | No | N/A | ||
 Tower Insurance | No | N/A | ||
 World Nomads | Yes | Policies available to travellers aged 18–69; dependants under 21 travel free with a parent or grandparent. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a return ticket to get travel insurance?
Not with a one-way travel insurance policy. But if you are planning to travel without a return ticket, you should know that cover conditions, duration, and eligibility requirements vary between providers, so it’s important to compare policies carefully and read the Policy Wording before purchasing to ensure the policy meets your specific circumstances.
How long does one-way travel insurance last?
This varies between insurers. Most one-way travel insurance policies provide cover for the duration of your outbound journey – including the flight and a period after you arrive at your destination, commonly between 24 hours and seven days. After this point, you will need to arrange alternative cover. If you’re planning an extended stay overseas, a long-stay or two-year travel insurance policy may be a more appropriate option.
What happens if I need to be repatriated to New Zealand?
If you require medical repatriation to New Zealand under a one-way travel insurance policy, most insurers will cover the cost of the evacuation but will require you to contribute the equivalent cost of an economy return airfare, since no return ticket exists. This is a key difference from standard travel insurance, where the return ticket is used to get you home. The specific repatriation conditions vary between insurers, so always read the Policy Wording carefully before purchasing.
What if I decide to extend my trip after purchasing a one-way policy?
If you purchase a single trip policy and subsequently decide to extend your time overseas, you must contact your insurer and arrange to extend your policy before your original end date expires. Failing to return home on the date specified on your certificate of insurance without notifying your insurer could result in your policy being cancelled and your cover lapsing. Many insurers now allow policy extensions to be arranged online, but this should be done well in advance of your policy expiry date.
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