Still unsure if travel insurance is worth it? I get it – no one likes paying for something they hope they’ll never use. But after years of travel – both in Australia and overseas – I’ve learned it’s something I don’t skip anymore.
It’s always a good idea to have travel insurance in case something goes wrong. It makes even more sense when you’re planning activities that involve more risk.
Quick note: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase – at no extra cost to you. This article is based on my personal experience only and is not financial advice. Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and seek professional advice if needed to decide what’s right for your circumstances.
Medical costs and evacuation cover are my top priorities
My main reason for taking out travel insurance is for medical emergencies and evacuation, especially overseas. Having lived abroad, I know how expensive things can get if something goes wrong far from home. Even if it’s not life-threatening, I’d rather not spend two painful days getting back to Australia – and I like knowing I have the option to seek medical help locally if needed.
Things can go wrong – even on non-adventurous trips
It’s easy to think “it won’t happen to me”… until it does. I used to rely on the basic travel cover included with my credit card for delays or lost baggage, but the pandemic changed that. Now I always factor in the risk of last-minute cancellations or getting stuck somewhere longer than planned.
Yes, you can book hotels with free cancellation (you can use filters on platforms like Booking.com*), but flexible flights are often expensive. Sometimes the cost difference makes travel insurance worth it just for peace of mind.
I even take out insurance for some domestic trips
That might sound over the top, but hear me out. When I’m playing soccer four times a week and we’ve planned active holidays such as kayaking and camping on a remote island or joining a scuba diving liveaboard, one injury could ruin the whole trip. Travel insurance can help cover costs if I need to cancel for medical reasons, even within Australia.
Not all activities are covered so I always read the fine print
I always check what the policy includes, especially when we plan adventurous activities. Some are automatically covered, others may require you to pay for extra coverage. I read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand the details; it’s not exciting, but it really matters.
For example, I’ve found it straightforward to customise a policy through providers like Cover-More*, including adding cover for motorbike riding or more adventurous activities.
What travel insurance have we used?
In the past, we used World Nomads* for adventure travel – they covered our trek up Kilimanjaro (5,895 m), which many insurers don’t. We’ve also been using Cover More* for both domestic and international trips, especially because they make it simple to add extras like Adventure or Adventure+.
This isn’t a recommendation – just what’s worked for us so far. Always compare policies and read the PDS to check what’s right for your trip.
Bonus tip: check for discounts! Some insurers offer discounts if you’re already a customer. For instance, we get 20% off RACQ travel insurance through our car insurance. If you’re travelling as a couple or group, those savings can add up.
