Travel Insurance Australia

​​What Should Your Travel Insurance Cover for Travel to Australia 

​How does Travel Insurance for Australia work? 

​Do I Need Travel Insurance for Australia 

​How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost for Australia? 

​Our Suggested AXA Travel Protection Plan 

​Are There Any COVID-19 Restrictions for Travelers to Australia? 

​Traveling with Pre-Existing Medical Conditions 

​FAQs​ 

Australia is known as the “land down under,” but there’s more to it than the Sydney Opera House and Great Barrier Reef. You can hike in the rugged mountains, drink coffee in cities, or relax by the beach – your Australian holiday will be nothing short of unforgettable. 

But these experiences can also bring along situations where things don’t go as per your plans, and it’s good to have a helping hand throughout your trip. The right travel insurance will have your back and let you get the most out of your trip. 
 

What Must Travel Insurance Cover for an Australian Trip?  

Travel insurance is important when traveling abroad. US health insurance may not be accepted overseas, and you may have to pay upfront for medical services. The US State Department advises having adequate travel insurance for international trips, including at least trip cancellation, trip interruption, and emergency medical evacuation. 

AXA Travel Insurance offers these and more in their policies: 
 

Medical Coverage 

AXA Travel Insurance covers the costs of quality medical care in case of a medical emergency during your trip. Since US-based health or medical insurance policies may not offer coverage abroad, travel insurance with medical benefits is a must to help manage medical emergencies smoothly. So, if sudden injuries or illnesses happen in Australia, the medical expenses may be covered up to the policy’s limits, including hospital admissions and stays, consultations with the doctor, and treatment and medications as prescribed. 

Trip Cancellation and Interruption 

If your trip gets interrupted or canceled, AXA’s trip cancellation benefit reimburses the pre-paid reservation expenses such as flights, accommodations, events, or activities up to specified coverage limits. This minimizes major fiscal losses as reservation costs incurred are mostly non-refundable, especially for last-minute cancellations. Trip interruption benefit may help reimburse the pre-paid expenses for the unused portion of your trip, subject to policy terms. 

Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation 

If a serious medical condition arises, AXA Travel Insurance can help travelers with evacuation to the nearest appropriate medical facility and even repatriation to their home country for medical treatment, if needed. The medical evacuation and repatriation benefit may help pay for transportation arrangements overseas medical expenses, which may otherwise be out of reach, given the steep costs of air ambulances or other required services. 

Baggage and Personal Effects 

This is especially important if you carry high-value items in luggage and personal effects and want extra coverage. Your baggage and personal effects will be covered for the events of delays, loss, theft, or damage. If your baggage is delayed, the trip delay benefit may help cover the costs of necessary items like clothing and toiletries until your bag arrives. Travel insurance with lost or stolen baggage benefits may offer reimbursements for the expenses incurred in replacing lost or stolen items, subject to policy terms. 

Optional Cancel For Any Reason 

For extra convenience, AXA Travel Insurance offers the ability to cancel your trip for any reason, exclusively in the Platinum Plan. So, if you’re unsure of your plans or more likely to cancel at the eleventh hour, this CFAR coverage is beneficial to help reimburse unused pre-paid travel expenses, including flight reservations and hotel and tour bookings. 
 

How does Travel Insurance Support During your Australian Trip? 

Let’s say you’re in the middle of a coastal walk, and you start to feel dizzy and nauseous – signs of a heat stroke or, worse, you might even pass out. To deal with such situations, travel insurance offers coverage for various unplanned events that can occur before or during your trip. 

When you purchase a travel protection policy, you get monetary protection and assistance in exchange for a travel insurance premium. But there’s more to how travel insurance works: 

Travel insurance policies may offer several benefits, and the exact coverages differ with different travel protection plans. There may also be some exclusive coverages in some plans to cater to the specific needs of travelers. Review the coverages and other add-ons, if opted, and choose the right plan for your budget and travel needs. Some insurers may allow you to add optional benefits for added security if needed. 

After finding the right coverage for your travel schedule, look for a travel insurance policy that includes these benefits. You can request a quote for travel protection plans to compare the costs and choose the right fit for your needs. Submit your personal information, enter the trip details and any health conditions, and choose the payment method. Upon purchase, you will receive the policy document; you must keep one copy for reference during your trip and hand over another to a trusted relative back home. 

Read the document to see what’s covered and how benefits apply in an emergency. Some high-risk activities and high-value items may be listed in the exclusions section and not covered. 

Next, when a covered event happens on your trip, fill out the claim form and send it with proof of the event. You can attach medical invoices, receipts for items purchased, rebookings (if any), and reports from authorities like the police or your airline with your claim. 

Once submitted, your insurer will review the documents to confirm the incident and your entitlement to the benefits. They may contact you if the documentation is not sufficient and ask for more information. Once approved, you will be reimbursed for expenses or have services like transportation arrangements or access to local emergency services. 

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Australia? 

You may need travel insurance depending on the nature of your travel, the included destinations and activities, and health issues. Here are some considerations to help you decide: 

US Medicare or Medicaid do not offer coverage for a trip outside the states, while many Australian hospitals may not approve of your domestic health insurance policies. Accidents or sudden illness may happen whether you're surfing, hiking, or exploring the Outback in Australia. In most hospitals, you may have to pay upfront before treatment if you require medical attention. The medical costs may add up quickly and strain your travel budget if not covered. Coverage for emergency medical expenses may help pay for unexpected hospital stays, doctor’s consultations, and medications. 

If your travel itinerary includes skiing and golfing arrangements and you plan to rent sports equipment, consider protection against the risks associated with these sports. Coverage for sports equipment rentals may help recover the costs of rented equipment in case of damage or loss. Additionally, coverage for lost skier days and golf rounds may offer reimbursements for pre-paid arrangements like lift tickets or passes. Moreover, if such activities require you to be in a remote region, evacuation and repatriation benefits may also apply if you need immediate medical assistance while doing any sports activity. 

Sudden emergencies or family matters may arise that may need your immediate attention, leading you to cancel your travel plans at the eleventh hour. If not covered, trip booking expenses such as non-refundable flight bookings, hotel reservations, and tour arrangements may have gone to waste. Travel insurance with trip cancellation benefits may help recover these costs up to certain policy limits and may help cushion the setback. 

Travel insurance providers may offer 24/7 assistance services for support during emergencies. So, if you’re traveling alone, or your itinerary includes activities scheduled in the night hours, like the famous Sydney Harbour light show, it is essential to have travel protection. This is especially important if you must access local resources and seek out emergency assistance services from Australian authorities. 
 

Travel Insurance Cost for a Trip to Australia 

Travel insurance premiums depend on many factors like trip duration, nature of activities, risk of destinations, age, and health concerns. Here’s how two important factors determine the costs: 

Total Trip Expenses: Trip expenses are the sum total of pre-paid and non-refundable outlays for flight or cruise bookings, event tickets, activities, hotel reservations, and other allocations for your stay. Longer stays will include a higher number of trip bookings and may pose more associated risks. So, for higher protection against additional expenses, travel insurers may charge a higher travel insurance premium. 

Age: Many health concerns or chronic diseases may be attributed to the age of the traveler. So, more health risks or pre-existing conditions require higher protection, calling for higher travel insurance premiums. This means seniors may have to pay more for international travel insurance protection than younger travelers for a similar itinerary over the same trip duration. However, this does not make travel insurance inaccessible; reliable travel protection is still possible for the elderly without breaking the bank. 

AXA Travel Protection Plans are economical and cater to the varying interests and budgets of travelers with a few optional add-ons. 
 

Our Suggested AXA Travel Protection Plan 

For travelers going to Australia, AXA Travel Insurance offers three plans of varying coverage limits to suit their expenditure caps and travel requirements. 

AXA’s Silver Plan may offer essential protection to those going for short trips to Australia. This plan offers benefits like missed connections, trip delays, cancellation and interruption, baggage delays, emergency medical and dental expenses, and evacuation and repatriation. This is the right plan for you if you are looking for a more cost-effective option with solid coverage. 

Our Gold Plan offers additional benefits such as evacuation and repatriation on medical assessment non-medical grounds and a rental car collision damage waiver. This plan may offer higher coverage caps across the benefits and cater to those seeking added protection. 

Our Platinum Plan may be appropriate for frequent travelers with complex itineraries seeking more protection for their Australian vacation. This plan features a ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ coverage that allows more flexibility for sudden changes in your travel plans. And, if you plan on engaging in sports activities, the Platinum plan has coverages like sports equipment rental, lost luggage, ski days, and golf rounds. 

Are There Any Health Restrictions for Travelers to Australia? 

Currently, travelers arriving in Australia do not need to present vaccination certificates or negative PCR test results or go through quarantine. However, please check the international travel guidelines by the US state government for Australia before traveling. 
 

Traveling with Pre-Existing Conditions 

Travel is inherently unpredictable, and pre-existing medical conditions can be tough to manage on the road. But at AXA, we’re here to support you so you make the most of your travel plans without letting your health concerns hold you back. 

Our Gold and Platinum plans have coverage for pre-existing medical issues. This is for travelers who want to explore new destinations without letting their health conditions or illnesses get in the way. The Platinum Plan has the highest coverage limits and various add-ons for your personal travel needs. 

So, you may be offered coverage with AXA Travel Protection Plans if you have a pre-existing health concern. To qualify, it must be within 14 days of making your initial trip deposit and in our 60-day look-back period. This means even if you’ve been managing a medical ailment for some time, your trip is possible with proper planning and the right travel insurance coverage in hand. 

FAQs 

1. Do I need travel insurance for my trip to Australia? 

Travel insurance is not required for Australia but is still highly encouraged for potential risk coverage during your trip. It covers you from unexpected medical bills, cancellation of the trip, and lost baggage so you can travel with confidence. 

2. What do I do in case of a medical emergency? 

In case of a medical emergency, call AXA Assistance at 855-327-1442. Contact information is usually found in your policy documentation. Please read through the details and information before traveling. 

3. What are the requirements for visiting to Australia? 

If you’re visiting Australia, you must have a valid travel document, like a passport. Other than this, you may also need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), depending on your nationality. Before traveling, check if the US government has issued any health or vaccination requirements to ensure being prepared. 

4. When must I purchase travel insurance for my upcoming trip to Australia? 

You must consider buying travel insurance as soon as you book your trip to cover trip cancellations and pre-departure issues, ensuring protection from unexpected losses even before starting your trip. 

5. Are there any COVID-19 restrictions for travelers visiting Australia? 

Travelers visiting Australia need not present vaccination certificates or negative PCR test results as part of COVID-19 restrictions as per the current situation. However, please check the official website of the US Department of State for updates before your trip.