Backpacker Insurance: Long-Term Travel Cover
By the Travel Insurance Comparison NZ editorial team
Long trips across several countries raise questions a short holiday doesn't: how long the policy can last, whether it can be extended from overseas, whether casual work is covered, and what happens to your ACC cover the longer you are away.
ACC and long trips
ACC can help with an injury that happened overseas once you return home, but only if you are still ordinarily resident in New Zealand. ACC says it will generally cover injuries if you intend to be out of the country for less than six months, and that you still need travel insurance because it does not cover overseas treatment costs, non-accident medical emergencies, or disrupted travel plans (ACC: If you're a New Zealander injured overseas).
What SafeTravel advises
SafeTravel recommends a policy that covers any activities you have planned — it names cruises, climbing, diving and hiring a scooter — and says that if you are moving overseas you should consider travel insurance for the journey and the time it takes to arrange insurance at your destination. It also notes that many policies won't cover travel to countries or regions it advises against visiting (SafeTravel (MFAT): Travel insurance).
What to check for long-term travel
- Maximum trip length, and whether you can extend while overseas.
- Whether returning home mid-trip ends the policy or is allowed.
- The region of cover, and any excluded countries.
- Work exclusions if you plan casual or working-holiday jobs.
- Activities such as diving, trekking at altitude, motorbike or scooter riding.
- Limits for laptops, phones and cameras, and exclusions for unattended items.
Before you leave
- Register your travel with SafeTravel and check its advice for each country.
- Research visa rules, including whether you are allowed to work.
- See your doctor about vaccinations for the regions you are visiting.
- Keep digital copies of your passport, policy and receipts.
See also our adventure activities guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a backpacker policy last?
Maximum trip lengths differ between insurers and policy types. Check the maximum period of cover before you buy, and whether the insurer will extend the policy while you are already overseas and on what conditions.
Am I covered if I work while travelling?
Some policies cover certain kinds of casual work and exclude others, such as manual or hazardous work. Check the work or occupation exclusions in the wording, and make sure your visa allows you to work.
Does one policy cover several countries?
A policy usually covers a region, such as the Pacific, Asia or worldwide. Choose the region that includes every country you will visit, and check whether any country or area is excluded.
This page is general information, not financial advice, and does not take your personal circumstances into account. Cover, limits, excesses and exclusions differ between insurers and policies. The policy wording (and any policy schedule or endorsement) is what decides a claim, so read it — or ask the insurer — before you buy.
Sources
Official sources cited on this page, checked 30 September 2026.
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