A Guide to Long Stay Travel Insurance for New Zealand

Bright sunshine, tropical vibes, and warm waves hitting the shore - New Zealand is a beautiful country with so much to offer. If you're planning on traveling there for an extended period, one, we're jealous of you, and two, there are a lot of things to do to prepare.

Plane tickets? Check.

Lodging? Check.

The perfect beach outfit? Check.

But what about New Zealand travel insurance?

Making sure you have the right coverage when taking a long term trip to New Zealand is essential. Whether you're heading there to work, study, join a family member, or something else, this guide will talk about what you need to know about insuring your trip.

Do I need long stay travel insurance for New Zealand?

When you're going overseas, travel insurance is always a good idea - especially if you're going to be traveling for an extended period of time.

In some cases, it can even be required, such as for certain visa applications, some study abroad programs, or specific work trips.

Make sure that you understand any and all requirements that apply to you. Carefully read all of the visa application requirements. If you're heading abroad with a program or business, make sure you check with them to see if there are specific insurance criteria that need to be met.

What coverage do you need?

There are a few things to consider when looking at which type of coverage might be the best for you and your trip.

The first thing that you need to consider is whether or not you're getting travel insurance to fulfill a requirement (as mentioned above). If you need it for a visa application, to fulfill a program requirement, or for something else, your policy needs to meet the minimum requirements you've been given.

For example, your travel insurance might need to cover you for emergency medical costs at a specific dollar amount. Or, it may need to include specific types of coverage, like repatriation.

If you do have a requirement like this as part of your travels, you need to make sure that the policy you choose meets all of them.

Requirements aren't the only thing that you should think about, though. You also need to consider what is important to you in terms of coverage.

Travel insurance can offer a variety of guarantees depending on the specific policy.

At its core, travel insurance covers emergency medical costs and repatriation, but it can also cover other things like Covid-19, assistance for lost or stolen passports, and even search and rescue costs for the outdoors-inclined.

The policy you ultimately choose should meet any requirements you need to fulfill and cover you for the things you care most about.

How much does New Zealand long stay travel insurance cost?

The final cost depends on the specific policy, how many people need coverage, and the duration of your trip.

Travel insurance typically costs a few dollars a day, but there are also policies that come at a flat rate. Flat rate policies can be a good choice for long term travelers.

When you're comparing and contrasting policies and shopping around for the perfect one for you, you will be able to see what the total investment is to make sure you (and your loved ones) are covered.

What is the best long stay travel insurance for New Zealand?

The "best" long stay travel insurance is different for everybody. This is because we all have different needs!

The best one for you is the one that meets all of your needs, whether that's a requirement you need to fulfill or guarantees that are important to you.

All of that said, there is one insurer that comes out on top when it comes to long stays in New Zealand, and that's Mutuaide.

Mutuaide: The best option for New Zealand

Mutuaide is the best choice for travelers who want to spend ample time in New Zealand.

With comprehensive coverage, high medical cost maximums, and the ability to cover you for 365 days, it's a reliable, quality option.

Mutuaide is a name known worldwide for its reputable service.

When purchased through Insurte, travelers can rest assured that they're covered for a wide array of events.

Through Insurte, Mutuaide covers you for:

• Emergency medical costs up to €100,000.
• Medical evacuation and repatriation.
• Covid-19 and all epidemics (including quarantine costs).
• Search and rescue costs.
• Legal assistance, legal fees abroad, and advance of bail.
• Lost/stolen passports/papers.
• Psychological assistance.
• 24/7 travel assistance and support.

With this wide net of coverage, travelers feel confident exploring the world with Mutuaide.

Though Insurte, Mutuaide offers 365 days of coverage (do keep in mind that there may be per-trip maximums depending on the policy). There's even an option to set up an annual auto-renew.

Because Mutuaide (through Insurte) provides worldwide coverage, your coverage can extend to other trips that you take while living in New Zealand, for countries all over the world.

Buying New Zealand long stay travel insurance: tips

With 14+ years of experience in the insurance and travel sectors, we know a thing or two about finding the right coverage. Here are a few tips that can help you make the best decision for you and your loved ones.

• Read the terms and conditions before you purchase. Travel insurance policies always have exclusions, and it's important to know what those exclusions are before you commit.
• Make sure you understand the claim process before your purchase. Claim processes can be specific, and if they're not followed closely (even during an emergency situation), your claim could be denied. It's better to know what the process is before you purchase (and before you travel!).
• Check for per-trip maximums. A policy may cover you for 365 days, but it could have a per-trip maximum. This means that while you're covered throughout the year, each individual trip may need to be under a certain duration in length. Not all policies have per-trip maximums, but it is essential that you know whether or not the one you're looking at does.

FAQs about long stay New Zealand travel insurance