How Much Medical Cover Do You Need for International Travel?

MFAT's SafeTravel service puts it plainly: even minor medical treatment overseas can be expensive, and the New Zealand Government will not pay these costs (SafeTravel (MFAT): Travel insurance). If you are sick or injured while travelling without insurance, you have to pay for your own medical care (SafeTravel (MFAT): Health advice).

ACC does not fill this gap. It does not cover overseas treatment costs or non-accident medical emergencies, although it may help with an accidental injury once you are back in New Zealand (ACC: If you're a New Zealander injured overseas).

• The limit. Read the table of benefits: some policies state a maximum, some describe the benefit as unlimited, and some set sub-limits for items such as dental treatment.
• Evacuation and repatriation. Check whether bringing you home or to another hospital is covered, and whether the insurer must arrange or approve it.
• Region. A policy for the Pacific or Australia may not cover you if you travel further.
• Pre-existing conditions. Claims connected with a condition that was not declared and accepted are commonly excluded.
• Activities. An injury from an activity the policy does not cover is usually not covered for medical costs either.
• Emergency assistance. Check how to contact the insurer and whether it can arrange payment directly with a hospital.

MFAT's destination advice sometimes states what insurance New Zealanders should have. For example, it advises comprehensive travel and medical insurance for the United States (SafeTravel (MFAT): United States travel advice), and comprehensive insurance including medical evacuation by air for Indonesia (SafeTravel (MFAT): Indonesia travel advice). Check the advice page for each of your destinations.

In Australia, New Zealand visitors can receive medically necessary public hospital care under the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, but not visits to medical practitioners outside hospital (Services Australia: Reciprocal Health Care Agreements – visiting from New Zealand). See our Australia guide.

• See your doctor, especially if you are older, have a pre-existing condition, are immunocompromised or are pregnant.
• Pack essential medication in your hand luggage and check whether you need a medical certificate to carry it.
• Keep your policy number and emergency assistance number with you.

Source: SafeTravel (MFAT): Health advice.