Travel Health Insurance New Zealand with Covid-19 Protection

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If you're planning a trip to New Zealand, having travel health insurance with Covid-19 protection is a must.

New Zealand has strict border controls and quarantine requirements, so it's essential to have insurance that covers unexpected medical expenses.

Many travel health insurance policies in New Zealand offer Covid-19 protection, including coverage for hospitalization, medical treatment, and even repatriation if needed.

Some policies also offer additional benefits, such as cancellation or postponement of travel due to Covid-19.

Choosing the Right Policy

Choosing the right policy for your New Zealand trip can be a daunting task, but it's essential to get it right. The good news is that Care Health Insurance offers a range of options to suit different needs.

You can choose between a single trip policy or a multi-trip policy, which will be on an annual basis. The sum insured for both options varies, with a minimum of $50K and a maximum of $100K, depending on the premium you pay.

Person Holding Insurance Policy Contract
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The entry age for both single trip and multi-trip policies is surprisingly flexible, with a minimum age of just one day and a maximum age of lifelong for both children and adults. However, it's worth noting that family options are only available on single trip policies.

If you have pre-existing medical conditions, you can apply to have them covered once you've purchased your policy for an additional fee. This application process typically takes just 7 days, and you won't have cover for any claims related to your pre-existing conditions until the application has been accepted.

Here are some key factors to consider before buying the right travel cover for New Zealand:

  • Frequency of Trip: Single-trip insurance for once-in-a-while trips, or multi-trip insurance for frequent flyers.
  • Trip Duration: The insurance premium is calculated based on the number of days you plan to spend in New Zealand.
  • Medical History: Ensure the policy covers the treatment cost of any pre-existing ailments.
  • High-Risk Zones: Destinations with higher premiums and restrictions, and check if the policy covers adventure sports.
  • Review the Exclusion: Carefully read the conditions of different travel covers when comparing options.

Healthcare in New Zealand

New Zealand has a well-equipped healthcare system with numerous public hospitals and medical clinics across the country. You can access emergency care at any hospital emergency department.

There are hundreds of doctor offices and medical clinics in New Zealand, making it easy to find one near you. Hotel staff, tourism board staff, and pharmacists can also provide guidance on where to go for medical attention.

Cape Reinga Lighthouse at Sunset, North Island, New Zealand
Credit: pexels.com, Cape Reinga Lighthouse at Sunset, North Island, New Zealand

Pharmacies are plentiful in urban and rural areas, but 24-hour pharmacies are rare except in major urban centers. If you're traveling through New Zealand for an extended period, it's a good idea to bring ample medication with you in case the same brands aren't available.

Emergency medical services are operated by St John's Ambulance and Wellington Free Ambulance, which also offer air ambulance services to rural areas. This comprehensive emergency care program ensures that you'll receive prompt and effective assistance in case of an emergency.

Here are some key facts about hospitals in New Zealand:

  • Hospitals are spread across the country, with around 40 public hospitals.

Investing in international travel insurance for New Zealand is a wise decision, as it will help protect you against unforeseen medical expenses. Healthcare facilities in the country are of top-notch standards, but emergency hospitalization can cost thousands of dollars for a tourist.

Safety and Precautions

New Zealand is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, but it's essential to be aware of the safety and precautions you need to take.

Smart Phone with a Health Passport App and Travel Documents Lying on a Table
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New Zealand has been voted as the best country in the world to visit on holiday according to readers of the British newspaper The Telegraph since 2012. This reputation is well-deserved, but it's still crucial to exercise caution and be prepared for any situation.

The country's natural beauty and outdoor adventures can be hazardous if you're not careful, so it's vital to take necessary precautions.

Safety Tips

New Zealand is a popular travel destination, but it's essential to be aware of the potential risks involved. Since 2012, New Zealand has been voted as the best country in the world to visit on holiday, but that doesn't mean you should let your guard down.

Be mindful of the country's rugged terrain and unpredictable weather. New Zealand is renowned for its spectacular natural beauty and outdoor adventures, but this also means you may encounter steep cliffs, fast-flowing rivers, and sudden storms.

Take necessary precautions when engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, bungee jumping, or skiing. No wonder so many people love it, but you should also take care of yourself.

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Make sure to research and understand the local emergency services and protocols in case of an accident. If you’re among the millions who would love to travel to New Zealand, this is what you need to know about health, safety, and insurance coverage during your trip.

Stay informed about local conditions, weather forecasts, and any potential hazards before heading out on an adventure. New Zealand is a beautiful country, but it's not without its risks.

Food Safety

Food Safety is a top priority when traveling, and New Zealand has similar standards to the United States. Most travelers don't need to take extra precautions with food and water.

However, if you're planning to do some trekking or hiking, be sure to take precautions with drinking water. Water from streams and lakes should only be consumed after being purified.

It's always a good idea to stick to bottled or filtered water, especially when you're not sure of the source.

Making a Claim

A modern and empty airport baggage claim area with a traveler waiting.
Credit: pexels.com, A modern and empty airport baggage claim area with a traveler waiting.

Making a claim is a straightforward process with Cover-More's online claims centre, where you can lodge your claim quickly and easily with just your policy number.

To get started, you'll need your policy number handy, which is all you'll need to begin the process.

Policy Details

Travel health insurance in New Zealand is a must-have for tourists and international students.

Most policies cover medical expenses, including hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescription medications.

Pre-existing medical conditions are often excluded from coverage, but some policies may offer optional add-ons.

You can expect to pay between $10 to $50 per day for a basic policy, depending on your age and the provider.

Some policies also offer additional benefits, such as trip cancellation or interruption coverage.

Policy Wording

The policy wording is a crucial part of understanding your travel insurance coverage. For a detailed breakdown of the benefits that apply, be sure to check out the New Zealand Visitor Plan policy wording (PDF).

Photo of the Waipapa Point, South Island, New Zealand
Credit: pexels.com, Photo of the Waipapa Point, South Island, New Zealand

The policy covers a range of essential benefits, including emergency hospitalization and daily allowance. You can also expect reimbursement for flight ticket costs under compassionate visit, and a lump sum payout in the event of death or permanent total disability.

The policy also offers COVID-19 coverage, trip delay and cancellation, and delay and loss of checked-in baggage. Additionally, you can rely on the policy for coverage of lost passport and international driving license.

Here are the key features of the policy:

The policy details are outlined below:

  • Sum Insured: US $ 50K & 100K (Vary according to the premium)
  • Trip Options: Single Trip & Multi-trip (Policy will be on an annual basis)
  • Entry Age (Single Trip): Minimum Child- 1Day, Adult- 18 Years, Maximum Child- 24 Years, Adult- Lifelong
  • Entry Age (Multi-Trip): Minimum Child- 1Day, Adult- 18 Years, Maximum Child- 24 Years, Adult- Lifelong

Policy Exclusions

Policy exclusions are an essential part of any travel insurance policy, and it's crucial to understand what's not covered before you buy.

The New Zealand Travel Policy excludes coverage for expenses arising out of or attributable to drug misuse, world war, self-inflicted injury, hazardous activities, and breach of law.

If you're planning to engage in hazardous activities like fire stunts, you'll be excluded from coverage. Similarly, if you're involved in a breach of law or regulations set by the destination country, you won't be covered.

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Dental treatment is also not covered under the policy unless it's necessitated due to acute pain.

Here's a list of exclusions under the New Zealand Travel Policy:

  • Drug Misuse: Expenses arising out of or attributable to alcohol or drug use/misuse/abuse by the insured members during the course of the trip.
  • World War: Any medical or non-medical expenses arising out of national or international war or nuclear perils or consequences thereof.
  • Self-inflicted Injury: Any intentional self-injury, suicide attempt, or any other form of harm to self leading to hospitalization or death shall not be covered.
  • Hazardous Activities: Any claims relating to hazardous activities like fire stunts, etc., that are otherwise not mentioned in the policy documents.
  • Breach of Law: Any liability or injury expenses arising out of any breach of law or particular regulations set by the destination country.
  • Dental Treatment: Expenses of any planned dental treatment or surgery unless necessitated due to any acute pain.

Free Look Period

You have a 21-day free look period to review your insurance policy and request a full refund if it doesn't meet your needs. This is a standard feature of every insurance policy.

If you decide the policy isn't for you, simply contact Cover-More Travel Insurance on 0800 500 248 or email [email protected] to initiate the refund process.

Special Considerations

Traveling to New Zealand can be a thrilling adventure, but it's essential to consider a few special factors when it comes to health insurance.

New Zealand has a unique healthcare system, and as a visitor, you may not be eligible for free public healthcare. This means you'll need to purchase travel health insurance that covers you for the duration of your stay.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you'll need to disclose this to your insurer, as some policies may not cover pre-existing conditions. This is especially important if you're planning to participate in adventure activities like bungee jumping or skydiving.

Asian woman wearing a face mask while traveling on an airport escalator during the pandemic, carrying luggage.
Credit: pexels.com, Asian woman wearing a face mask while traveling on an airport escalator during the pandemic, carrying luggage.

New Zealand's remote location and rugged terrain can make it challenging to access medical care in some areas. This is why it's crucial to choose a travel insurance policy that covers emergency medical evacuations.

If you're planning to stay in New Zealand for an extended period, you may be able to purchase a policy that covers you for up to two years. This can be a cost-effective option if you're planning to work or study in New Zealand.

Policy Features

Travel health insurance for New Zealand can be a lifesaver in case of emergencies. You can choose a policy that fits your travel budget with an affordable premium that doesn't cut down on other essentials.

Care Health Insurance offers a unique feature called automatic trip extension, which extends travel cover up to 7 consecutive days during prolonged hospitalization, natural calamity, or unfortunate demise. This feature can provide peace of mind while you're traveling.

Auckland City with a View of the Sky Tower, New Zealand
Credit: pexels.com, Auckland City with a View of the Sky Tower, New Zealand

Some policies, like Explore ANZ, offer optimum coverage for hospitalization expenses, including in-patient, out-patient, personal accidents, and more. This can be especially important if you have pre-existing medical conditions.

Here are some key features to look out for in a New Zealand travel health insurance policy:

  • Affordable premium
  • Automatic trip extension
  • Cashless claim processing
  • All-inclusive protection
  • Useful add-on benefits

Why Choose Us?

We offer 24/7 emergency assistance, so you can access help whenever you need it.

We're committed to providing quality cover, which is why our policy includes emergency dental treatment and ancillary services like chiropractors and physiotherapy.

You can add cover for some pre-existing medical conditions to your policy, but you'll need to pay an additional premium for this.

Children can be added to your policy at no extra cost, which is a great relief for parents.

Our policy can cover you for up to five days while you're travelling to and from New Zealand, including transit stops.

We're 100% New Zealand owned and based in New Zealand, which means we have a deep understanding of the local travel landscape.

Medical repatriation is covered by our policy, which can give you peace of mind while you're travelling.

We're committed to making the claims process as stress-free and efficient as possible, with online tools to help you register and track your claim.

Explore ANI - Your Perfect

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The Explore ANI policy offers a range of sum insured options, including US $ 50K & 100K, which can be varied according to the premium.

You can choose from two trip options: Single Trip and Multi-trip, with the latter being available on an annual basis.

Family option is only available on Single Trip Policies.

The policy has a wide age range, covering children from 1 day old to 24 years, and adults from 18 years to lifelong.

Here are the entry age options for Single Trip and Multi-trip policies:

Features of Cover

If you're looking for a travel insurance policy that covers you for New Zealand, there are several key features to consider.

One of the most important features is having a 24/7 emergency assistance team available to help you in case of an emergency. This is a feature offered by Southern Cross Travel Insurance, which has been providing great quality cover for people visiting New Zealand since 2003.

Photo of Auckland City at Dusk, New Zealand
Credit: pexels.com, Photo of Auckland City at Dusk, New Zealand

Another feature to look for is automatic trip extension, which can be found in Care New Zealand Travel Insurance. This policy automatically extends travel cover up to 7 consecutive days during prolonged hospitalization, natural calamity, or unfortunate demise.

In addition to these features, it's also a good idea to look for a policy that offers cashless claim processing. Care New Zealand Travel Insurance has a wide network of healthcare providers that can help you avail of a cashless in-patient care facility.

Here are some key features to look for in a New Zealand travel insurance policy:

  • 24/7 emergency assistance
  • Automatic trip extension
  • Cashless claim processing
  • All-inclusive protection
  • Optional add-on benefits such as PED coverage and refund of visa fees

It's also worth noting that some policies, such as Southern Cross Travel Insurance, offer cover for pre-existing medical conditions that can be added on to the policy for an additional premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need health insurance in NZ?

While health insurance is not mandatory in New Zealand, it's highly recommended for those who may need specialist care or advanced medical procedures. Consider investing in health insurance to avoid unexpected medical expenses.

How much does travel health insurance cost?

Travel health insurance costs typically range from $40 to $80, depending on coverage limits and term length. Affordable options are available, but costs may vary based on individual needs.

Angie Ernser

Senior Writer

Angie Ernser is a seasoned writer with a deep interest in financial markets. Her expertise lies in municipal bond investments, where she provides clear and insightful analysis to help readers understand the complexities of municipal bond markets. Ernser's articles are known for their clarity and practical advice, making them a valuable resource for both novice and experienced investors.

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