Travel Insurance Estimate Calculator

Strongly recommended for any international travel. NZ government does NOT pay overseas medical bills — a serious illness or accident in the US can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Travel insurance also covers cancellation, lost luggage, and travel delays. Reciprocal health agreements with Australia and UK help but don't cover repatriation or non-emergency care. Source: MFAT SafeTravel.

Usually only with explicit declaration. Most NZ travel insurers (Southern Cross Travel, Cove, World Nomads, 1Cover) require you to declare conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease etc. and pay a premium loading (typically +30-100%). Failure to declare can void your policy. Always read the PDS carefully. Source: Consumer NZ.

Usually no — they have significant gaps. ANZ Platinum, ASB Visa Platinum, and BNZ Advantage Platinum credit cards include free travel insurance, but only if you charge fares to the card. Common limits: trip duration 90 days, age 80 max, $1M medical, $5k cancellation, $3k baggage. Critical gaps: most exclude pre-existing conditions entirely (no declaration option), exclude high-risk activities (skiing, scuba, climbing), have $250-500 excess per claim, and may not cover trip cancellation due to family illness back in NZ. For trips >2 weeks, age 60+, with any health conditions, or any adventure activities — buy a standalone policy. Compare on PocketWise.co.nz or Consumer NZ. Source: ANZ/ASB/BNZ credit card terms + Consumer NZ.

MFAT SafeTravel issues 4 levels: 1 'Exercise normal precautions', 2 'Exercise increased caution', 3 'Avoid non-essential travel', 4 'Do not travel'. Most NZ travel insurers (Southern Cross, Cove, AA, 1Cover) suspend or void cover for level 4 destinations — you may travel but uninsured. Level 3 may exclude specific claims (e.g. civil unrest, terrorism). If an advisory is issued AFTER you've booked, most policies cover cancellation if you've paid for the trip before the advisory date. Check the policy wording — 'known events' exclusion applies once an advisory is public. Pandemic exclusion: many policies still exclude COVID-19 and similar declared pandemics. Always check SafeTravel.govt.nz before booking. Source: MFAT + Consumer NZ.