Are you already overseas on holiday and forgot to buy travel insurance? Don't worry there are still a few insurers out there that that offer travel insurance to New Zealanders who are already abroad.
Eligibility requirements vary between insurers. Depending on the policy, you may need to meet certain residency, age and travel requirements, and a waiting period may apply before some benefits become available. Pre-existing medical conditions may also be excluded, subject to the individual policy terms and any medical assessment requirements.
Where Can I Buy It?
Not all travel insurers offer cover to people who are already overseas, but there are several insurers that provide this option to eligible New Zealand travellers.
As with any travel insurance, it’s important to check the policy wording carefully so you understand what is covered, what isn’t, and when your cover begins.
| Provider | Already Overseas Policy | Age restriction | Waiting period | Max policy length | Action | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 1Cover | Yes | 69 and under | 72 hours | 90 days | Quote | |
 TINZ | Yes | 64 and under | 72 hours | 90 days | Quote | |
 State Insurance | No | - | - | - | ||
 Cover-More | Yes | No age restriction | 72 hours | 12 months | ||
 World Nomads | Yes | 69 and under | 72 hours | Check plan limit | ||
 AMI Insurance | Yes | No restriction | 72 hours | 12 months |
General 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.
Conditions Of An Already Overseas Policy:
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- Who can buy? – Eligibility depends on the insurer. Some policies are available to New Zealand citizens and residents, while others may also cover certain visa holders. Working holiday and tourist visa holders may not be eligible, so check the requirements before you buy.
- Returning home – Some already overseas policies require you to have a booked return journey to New Zealand. Check your policy to make sure your travel plans meet the eligibility requirements.
- Waiting periods – A waiting period may apply before certain benefits become available. This means you may not be able to claim for some medical events or other circumstances that occur during the initial period of cover. Waiting periods are designed to prevent people from purchasing insurance only after an incident has occurred or when they already know they need to make a claim.
- Age limits – Already overseas policies may have different age limits from standard travel insurance. Check the insurer's eligibility requirements before purchasing.
- Pre-existing medical conditions – Medical conditions you had before buying your policy may not automatically be covered. Some conditions may be covered subject to the policy terms, while others may require assessment or may be excluded altogether. Check the policy wording carefully and disclose any relevant pre-existing conditions when required.
Is The Cover The Same?
If you’re already overseas and need to take out travel insurance, you may still have access to a range of benefits available under the policy. However, already overseas policies can have different terms, conditions and waiting periods compared with policies purchased before you leave.
Overseas medical cover
This is one of the most important benefits of travel insurance. Depending on your policy, overseas medical cover can help with eligible medical and hospital expenses, emergency dental treatment, ambulance costs and medical evacuation. Many policies also provide access to 24-hour emergency assistance while you're travelling. Check your policy for the specific benefits, limits and exclusions that apply.
Cancellation fees and lost deposits
Sometimes you may need to cancel or cut short a trip because of an unexpected event, such as an illness, injury or the death of a close relative. Cancellation and travel disruption cover can help with eligible prepaid, non-refundable travel and accommodation expenses, subject to the reasons and conditions specified in your policy.
Luggage and personal effects cover
Travel insurance can provide cover if your luggage or personal belongings are lost, stolen or damaged, depending on the circumstances. There are generally limits that apply to individual items and categories of belongings, so check your policy before you travel.
Personal liability cover
If you accidentally injure someone or damage their property while travelling and you're legally liable, personal liability cover may help with eligible costs. Liability claims can be substantial, so this can be an important part of your travel insurance cover.
Rental vehicle excess
If you're hiring a car overseas, some travel insurance policies can cover the rental vehicle excess if the vehicle is damaged or stolen, subject to the policy terms and conditions. Check the level of cover and any exclusions before deciding whether you also need additional cover from the rental company.
Can I Extend My Policy?
If you've already bought travel insurance and decide to extend your trip, extending your existing policy is generally easier than taking out a new policy once you're already overseas. Check with your insurer before your original policy expires to see whether an extension is available and what conditions apply.
If you're already overseas without cover, either because you forgot to take out insurance or your previous policy has expired, you may still have options. Some insurers offer travel insurance for people who are already overseas, although waiting periods, eligibility requirements and other conditions may apply.
