How Travel Insurance New Zealand works

Yes! New Zealand insurance refers to both foreigners visiting New Zealand and New Zealanders heading abroad on unique adventures of their own.

No matter whether you fall into the first category or the latter, an appropriate New Zealand travel insurance policy exists that can provide you with the best coverage possible at the best price.

Travelers arriving in New Zealand will need different coverage than NZ citizens leaving. In this article, you’ll learn exactly what you need, no matter which situation you find yourself in.

For most travelers, New Zealand does not legally require visitors to obtain travel insurance. However, it’s still a good idea and is highly advised.

There are always risks associated with travel, and when you’re traveling from abroad, the services, processes, and environment will likely be quite different from what you are used to. For peace of mind and to ensure prompt care and support no matter what goes away, travel insurance will leave you feeling confident and assured.

With high medical costs for foreigners, it helps to have travel insurance should you need it, so you’re not left fronting a hefty bill after an unfortunate injury or illness.

While New Zealand travel insurance may not be mandatory for most travelers, some visa applicants may be asked to show proof of insurance. In this case, travel insurance for New Zealand will be mandatory and you may not be able to obtain a visa without it.

It’s always a good idea to check the latest requirements from New Zealand’s immigration authorities or consult with your nearest embassy or consulate for your particular situation.

If you’re traveling to New Zealand from the UK, whether or not you require travel insurance depends on the length of your stay and whether or not you require a visa.For trips less than 6 months (without a visa): British travelers are not required to have travel insurance to visit New Zealand, although it is recommended

For trips longer than 6 months (and/or with a visa): British travelers will need to obtain a visa in order to stay in New Zealand for longer than 6 months. If this is the case, travel insurance is mandatory and will be required in order for your visa application to be processed and approved. If you’re staying less than 6 months but are applying for a visa, you may need mandatory coverage as well. Make sure you check all of the travel insurance requirements that pertain to your specific visa to ensure that the policy you travel insurance purchase is compliant.

For Australians visiting New Zealand, travel insurance is generally only compulsory if you require a visa for the length of your stay.

For trips less than 6 months (without a visa): Travel insurance isn’t mandatory for Australians staying in New Zealand less than six months without a visa, although it is highly recommended.

For trips longer than 6 months (and/or with a visa): Travel insurance is generally mandatory for Australians staying in New Zealand for more than six months, as it’s required in order to obtain most NZ visas. Always check the details of your specific visa to ensure you purchase a compliant insurance policy.

For Americans from the United States, travel insurance is generally mandatory if you’re traveling to New Zealand on a visa. Otherwise, US citizens can spend up to 90 days in New Zealand without this requirement.

For trips less than 90 days (without a visa): Travel insurance isn’t mandatory for US citizens traveling to New Zealand for short stays without a visa, though it is highly recommended and advised.

For trips longer than 90 days (and/or with a visa): Travel insurance is generally mandatory for Americans (US) traveling to New Zealand on a visa. Always check to make sure what type of coverage is needed for your specific New Zealand visa before purchasing the appropriate policy. There may be specific exceptions.

What New Zealand travel insurance covers is based on your specific policy. It’s possible to get coverage for a wide variety of things, from medical emergencies to lost luggage to pets.

If you’re traveling for office work, you’ll likely want to consider different coverage than if you’re planning a bungee jumping excursion, for example

The most basic forms of New Zealand travel insurance will cover medical emergencies like injuries or illness. The most comprehensive insurance will give you peace of mind and support for a large scope of issues, like lost or stolen bags or papers and documents, epidemics, cost of extended hotel stays in case of illness, cancellations and more.

You can select the type of coverage you want to ensure that you feel confident and stress-free during your voyage. Insurte’s New Zealand travel insurance comparison tool will help you find the coverage you need in under a minute.

For short-stay and tourist visas, New Zealand generally doesn’t require travel insurance. However, it is recommended for all travelers as medical costs can be quite high for foreigners.

Other types of visas, such as longer stays, work visas, and student visas usually do require travel insurance for New Zealand. Make sure you check with New Zealand immigration to see what specific coverage is required for your unique situation.

Comprehensive travel insurance is always a good option, as you’ll have both emergency medical coverage as well as protection for other situations like lost luggage. It’s also possible to take our medical travel insurance, which only covers emergency medical situations.

If you are working or studying with a specific organization in New Zealand, check with them to see if they have any restrictions or guidelines for what your travel insurance needs to cover.

Travel insurance for New Zealand working holiday visas

Is travel insurance required: Usually.Generally, travel insurance for a working holiday in New Zealand is required. Applicants must have comprehensive health insurance for the entire duration of their stay. This insurance should cover medical treatment for emergencies including hospitalization, emergency evacuation, and repatriation (including the transport of mortal remains). There’s typically no minimum coverage requirement, but you should always check the criteria of your specific visa before taking out your insurance policy.

Travel insurance for New Zealand student visas/to study abroad in New ZealandIs travel insurance required?: Usually.If you’re looking to study abroad in New Zealand and are applying for a visa, travel and medical insurance for the duration of your studies is mandatory. This insurance needs to cover the entire length of your stay, including your travel to and from the island.

In this case, you’ll also need to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, emergency evacuation, and repatriation. Some organizations may require minimum coverage amounts, so check with your specific university or institution to ensure you’re meeting their basic requirements. Additionally, many academic institutions require students to have insurance that meets the standards set by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). If you’re studying abroad for a short amount of time and come from a country that’s part of New Zealand’s visa waiver program, travel insurance may not be mandatory, but it’s still recommended. Always check with your university or education program to make sure.

It’s important to understand that travel insurance, while it covers medical emergencies, is not a replacement for day to day health insurance. Your New Zealand travel insurance will not cover you for routine appointments and preventative care, such as annual visits, check-ups, teeth cleaning, etc.

Travel insurance for New Zealand essential skills visas and other long term work visas Is travel insurance required?: In most cases, no.While travel insurance likely won’t be a mandatory requirement, it’s still highly recommended to ensure you’re covered in case any unforeseen accident or emergency occurs. In addition to that, you will want to make sure you’re covered if there’s a waiting period before you’re eligible for public healthcare in New Zealand (if applicable).

Make sure you check with your workplace as well as New Zealand immigration to ensure you’re complying with their requirements and recommendations. While it’s not always the case, it’s possible that your specific situation will require you to have travel insurance for any length of time.

New Zealand travel insurance for specific purposes or events:Is travel insurance required?: It depends.Depending on the specific event or purpose of your trip to NZ, travel insurance might be required, particularly for events involving physical risk or extended stays. In this circumstance, when travel insurance is a requirement, your insurance should cover medical expenses and emergencies. The details may vary based on the event or purpose, so make sure to check with the event organizers to ensure you’re in compliance and are protected during the length of your stay.

If you are a citizen of a country in the visa waiver program, travel insurance is not compulsory for visiting New Zealand.

Still, it’s highly recommended that all visitors are covered by a travel insurance policy to ensure that you are protected in case of emergency.

New Zealand has a visa waiver program that allows citizens from certain countries to enter New Zealand as tourists without needing to apply for a visa in advance. These travelers can visit New Zealand for up to 90 days (or 6 months for UK and Australia citizens) without a visa, but they must meet certain conditions and obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before arrival.

Countries that are a part of New Zealand’s visa waiver program are:

Europe: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Asia: Hong Kong (SAR), Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan (with certain conditions)

Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, United States

Australia (no NZeTA required, as Australians have special entry rights): Cook Islands, Niue, Tonga

Additionally: Israël, Monaco, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay

Keep in mind that this doesn’t allow you free entry between your country of nationality and New Zealand. You will need to go through the proper steps of the visa waiver program, which you can find here, as well as obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before arrival.

International travel insurance is generally a broader insurance than New Zealand travel insurance, since it’s intended to cover a wider range of countries. Because of this, international travel insurance is typically more comprehensive as it addresses international risks, so it usually comes at a higher premium.

New Zealand travel insurance, on the other hand, is typically more affordable as it covers specific risks and activities tailored to New Zealand specifically.

If you’re planning on traveling to New Zealand only, New Zealand travel insurance is likely the best fit for you. If you consider yourself a globetrotter or have many countries lined up to see during one continuous trip, you may want to look into comprehensive international travel insurance or worldwide insurance. You can find the best travel insurance for your trip by using Insurte’s powerful travel insurance comparison tool here.

Usually, travel insurance is not a legal requirement for New Zealand citizens traveling to the Schengen area, Europe in general, or worldwide. However, there isn’t a one size fits all answer. All countries have different requirements, so it’s important to research your specific destination(s) to know whether or not travel insurance is mandatory.

If you’re a New Zealand citizen and are planning a trip to one of the 29 countries within the Schengen area, travel insurance isn’t required as long as your trip is less than 90 days in duration (during a 180 day period), although it’s recommended.

If you’re a New Zealand citizen that is planning a trip to the Schengen zone that exceeds 90 days, therefore requiring a visa, travel insurance isn’t only advisable, it’s mandatory. In order to apply for a Schengen visa, Schengen travel insurance is required and you’ll be asked to show proof of your insurance at the time of your visa appointment. If you don’t have it, your visa application will not be processed.

The countries in the Schengen area are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

It depends on which country or countries you are intending to visit. But most of the time, New Zealand citizens can enjoy free short stay travel (90 days or less) through most European countries without requiring travel insurance.

However, there are a handful of countries that require New Zealand citizens to acquire a visa before entry, in which case, travel insurance is typically mandatory.
Which European countries do I need travel insurance for? (New Zealand citizens)There are a few countries that require New Zealanders to obtain a visa before traveling to, despite the length of stay. These countries are Russia, Belarus, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kosovo.

In addition to that, European countries outside of the Schengen zone will also often require a visa if you plan to stay for longer than 90 days in a 180 day period, such as Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia. If you plan on visiting any of these countries for longer than 90 days at any given time, travel insurance will likely be mandatory.

And, as detailed above, travel insurance is mandatory when obtaining a visa for any of the 29 countries in the Schengen area, which is required for stays exceeding 90 days.

Even in the case that travel insurance isn’t obligatory, it is highly recommended when you’re traveling abroad. Emergencies happen and travel insurance ensures that you’re not left with an unexpected hefty bill on foreign territory.
Which countries do I need travel insurance for? (New Zealand citizens)In most cases, if you require a visa in order to travel to a country, you’ll likely be required to take out travel insurance.
Countries that require visas for New Zealanders to visit are: The following countries require New Zealand citizens to obtain a visa, no matter the length of stay:

• Africa: Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan, Togo
• Asia: China, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam
• Central Asia: Turkmenistan
• Middle East: Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen
• South America: Suriname
• North America: Cuba, United States
• Oceania: Nauru, Papua New Guinea
• Europe: Russia, Belarus, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo.

Many countries require a visa for New Zealanders if your trip exceeds 90 days, in which case, travel insurance will be required the majority of the time. Always check with your destination’s embassy and guidelines to ensure you’re meeting all of their requirements before your visa application and trip.

New Zealand residents do not have a blanket requirement for travel insurance when traveling to Schengen countries, Europe, or worldwide. However, having travel insurance is strongly recommended. If you require a visa for your travels, it is more likely than not that you will need to obtain travel insurance. In that case, you can use an online insurance comparison tool that specializes in travel.

If you have private health insurance in your country of residency, you should check the specifics of your coverage. It’s possible that your private health plan could have coverage when traveling abroad, but it’s best to make sure so you aren’t sifting through papers or find out you don’t have coverage after an accident on foreign soil.

If you benefit from public healthcare in your country of residence, you will not be covered in New Zealand. New Zealand’s public healthcare system, known as the New Zealand Public Health System, covers New Zealand citizens and residents, but it doesn’t generally cover visitors or tourists. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to take out travel insurance when traveling to New Zealand to ensure you’re covered in the case of an injury or illness abroad, including repatriation and transport of mortal remains, in the unfortunate event it should be needed.

No, healthcare is not free in New Zealand for foreigners.

New Zealand works on a public health care system that primarily serves citizens and residents. On the contrary - for non-residents, the costs of medical care in New Zealand can be quite high, so travel insurance is always highly recommended.

No, US health insurance doesn’t generally work in New Zealand.

Most US health plans are limited to the United States and do not provide coverage for medical services abroad. While it’s possible that your provider may allow you to pay out-of-pocket and seek reimbursement later through filing a claim, it’s still strongly advised that you obtain travel insurance when visiting New Zealand.

Always check with your existing health insurance provider to make sure.

No matter where you’re traveling, it's best practice to follow the government recommendations to ensure you have a safe trip and can travel with confidence and ease.

The New Zealand government has excellent resources for New Zealanders traveling abroad. When it comes to travel insurance, the New Zealand government advises all New Zealand citizens and residents to take out a comprehensive travel insurance plan when traveling abroad.

If you’re a foreigner traveling to New Zealand, the New Zealand government has an excess of information to help ensure your trip is organized and you have checked off every item on your to-do list.

In many government resources, New Zealand travel insurance is recommended and advised.

Finding the right travel insurance to protect your trip to or from New Zealand is indispensable when it comes to feeling confident for your next voyage abroad.

When choosing the best option for your situation, it’s important to think about a few key factors, like:

• Destination(s): Are you traveling to multiple countries during this trip, or do you plan on staying in New Zealand for the length of your stay?
• Duration: How many days are you staying in New Zealand? If your trip is long, it may be more cost-effective for you to look into an annual travel insurance policy.
• Priorities: What’s important to you as far as coverage? Are you more concerned about medical emergencies like injury or illness? Are you concerned about legal assistance or lost luggage? Some insurance policies only cover medical, while others offer a variety of more comprehensive benefits.
• Budget: Are you looking for the most cost-effective solution or the one with the most coverage?
• Deductibles: Are you willing to pay a deductible should you need to utilize your insurance abroad? Or, would you prefer no out of pocket expenses at the event of an emergency?
• Visa and/or institution requirements: Have you checked to see what your visa and/or New Zealand requires or recommends for travelers? Some visas or institutions (depending on the reason for your stay) will require specific types of coverage at specific amounts.
• Travelers: Are you traveling with anyone? Will they also need to be on your policy? (such as partners or children).

These are all important considerations that will help you easily narrow down which New Zealand travel insurance plan is the best fit for your specific needs.

Once you have an idea of what’s important to you and/or compulsory for your New Zealand travels, you can use a quick and easy online tool like Insurte’s travel insurance comparison tool to easily compare policies.

With this tool, you can quickly add your details, like the duration of your trip and who needs coverage. Then, you’ll be able to compare a list of popular insurance options to choose the best fit for you. If you aren’t sure, you can also reach out to Insurte’s customer support team and they will help you select the best solution for your needs.

Insurance comparison tools will help you find the cheapest New Zealand travel insurance. If you’re looking for the absolute least expensive option, typically travel medical insurance will fit the bill.

Travel medical insurance will cover medical emergencies, such as injury or illness abroad, as well as repatriation, should it be needed. However, you won’t be covered for other common travel issues like cancellations, lost or stolen luggage or travel papers, and more.

Whether it’s to fulfill the requirements of your visa or an organization’s policies, or you want to make sure you’re covered from A to Z, comprehensive New Zealand travel insurance is the best possible option.

Comprehensive New Zealand travel insurance can be found here. After adding your details, you’ll be able to compare and contrast a variety of comprehensive insurance options that suit your needs.

Through Insurte, you won’t be asked personal medical questions about pre-existing conditions, or any unnecessary information. Additionally, the price of your policy won’t change based on your age, nationality, health-status, or gender. Insurte has the same pricing for everyone.

Your comprehensive New Zealand travel insurance through Insurte will cover you for an extensive variety of concerns such as injury or illness, transport, and repatriation (including the transportation of mortal remains). Additionally, you’ll feel confident knowing you have a next step and support if you experience lost, stolen, or damaged luggage, legal fees abroad (including advance of bail), and so much more.

$50 to $150 USD for a short trip, and from $150 to $400 USD or more for longer stays.

However, take this with a grain of salt. Because travel insurance policies are tailored to your specific needs, costs vary greatly depending on a multitude of factors like duration of your stay, deductible or no deductible (also known as excess or no excess), how many travelers need coverage, and much more.

While anywhere from $50 to $400 is common, it’s possible that your quote could be more or less than that depending on what coverage you require, the duration of your stay, and how many travelers are on the policy.

You can find great prices for your New Zealand travel insurance through this comparison tool.