What Travel Insurance Doesn't Cover: Common Exclusions
By the Travel Insurance Comparison NZ editorial team
Every travel policy has exclusions — situations it will not pay for. They appear in two places: the general exclusions that apply to the whole policy, and the specific exclusions inside each benefit section. Below are the types of exclusion that commonly appear. Your own policy wording sets out the exact terms.
Destinations the government advises against
SafeTravel notes that many policies will not cover travel to countries or regions it advises against visiting, and that your insurer may use its travel advice when deciding whether to provide cover or pay a claim (SafeTravel (MFAT): Travel insurance). Check the current advice for every place on your itinerary.
Medical exclusions
- Pre-existing medical conditions that were not declared, or were declared and not accepted.
- Travelling against medical advice, or travelling to get medical treatment.
- Pregnancy beyond a certain stage, or complications of pregnancy, depending on the policy.
- Treatment that is not urgent and could wait until you are home.
See our pre-existing conditions guide and mental health cover.
Behaviour and activities
- Claims connected with being affected by alcohol or drugs.
- Illegal acts, and deliberate or reckless behaviour.
- Activities the policy does not cover, or covers only with an add-on — SafeTravel notes many insurers do not cover adventure activities.
- Riding a motorbike or scooter without meeting the policy conditions, such as licence and helmet rules.
Adventure activities source: SafeTravel (MFAT): Adventure tourism.
Belongings
- Items left unattended in a public place.
- Valuables in checked baggage.
- Wear and tear, and gradual deterioration.
- Losses not reported to the police or carrier.
Cancellation and known events
- Changing your mind or no longer wanting to travel.
- Events that were already known or foreseeable when you bought the policy or booked the trip, such as an announced strike or an erupting volcano.
- Financial collapse of a travel provider, which some policies exclude and others cover with limits.
- Epidemics and pandemics, which some policies exclude except for specified benefits.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I claim for something that is excluded?
The insurer will decline that part of the claim, and you pay the costs yourself. If you are unsure whether something is covered, ask the insurer in writing before you travel or before you do the activity.
Can I buy cover for something that is normally excluded?
Sometimes. Some policies offer add-ons for activities such as snow sports or cruising, or accept a declared medical condition after an assessment. Other exclusions cannot be bought back.
Are exclusions the same for every insurer?
No. Exclusions and their exceptions differ between insurers and between policy levels from the same insurer, which is why reading the general exclusions section of each policy wording matters when you compare.
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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