Find out how travel insurance protects you in medical emergencies and natural diasters when you are overseas.
Travel Insurance
8 reasons why you should consider travel insurance
Why is travel insurance important? From medical emergencies to lost luggage, discover eight reasons why you should consider travel insurance before your next trip.
Whether you're island-hopping in Southeast Asia, or ticking Europe off your bucket list, travel is one of life's great joys. But even the best-planned trips can take an unexpected turn. A missed flight, a sudden illness, or a stolen wallet can quickly turn a dream holiday into a stressful and costly experience.
That's where travel insurance comes in. If you've ever wondered whether it's really worth the extra cost, you're not alone. Here are eight compelling reasons why travel insurance is worth considering.
Why should you consider travel insurance?
1. Medical emergencies can happen anywhere
No one books a holiday expecting to end up in hospital, but accidents and illness don't take a holiday themselves.
Medical treatment overseas can be extraordinarily expensive. A single hospitalisation in the United States, for example, can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Travel insurance with comprehensive medical cover means you won't be left facing a crippling bill, and you may also have access to 24/7 emergency assistance to help coordinate your care.#
More: How travel insurance protects you in medical emergencies overseas
2. Medical evacuation and repatriation costs are significant
If you're seriously injured or ill in a remote destination, getting you home safely can require a medical evacuation. That cost can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Without insurance, you or your family could be responsible for these fees.
Consider a travel insurance policy that covers overseas emergency evacuation and repatriation, giving you and your loved ones genuine peace of mind.
Travel insurance can help provide cover for trip cancellations.
3. Trips get cancelled, often for reasons beyond your control
Trip cancellation is unfortunate, but not uncommon. Unexpected events (such as a family bereavement, a serious illness, a natural disaster, or even an airline insolvency) can force you to cancel or cut short your trip.
Travel insurance can reimburse non-refundable costs like flights, accommodation, and tours, so you're not out of pocket through no fault of your own.
Read your policy carefully so you know what's covered.
More: Do you need travel insurance for domestic travel in Australia?
4. Your luggage and personal items could go missing
Airlines lose bags. Bags get stolen. Expensive cameras, laptops, and jewellery can disappear in the blink of an eye.
If your belongings are lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip, travel insurance can help cover the cost of replacing them. It's worth checking the per-item limits on your policy to make sure your most valuable items are adequately protected.
More: What happens with lost or stolen luggage at the airport?
Travel insurance can help provide cover for lost or stolen luggage.
5. Travel delays and disruptions are more common than you think
Flight delays, cancellations, and missed connections are an increasingly common part of modern travel. If you're stranded at an airport overnight or forced to rebook at the last minute, the costs add up fast.
Travel insurance may cover additional accommodation, meals, and transport expenses while you wait – meaning a frustrating delay doesn't have to derail your entire holiday budget.
More: What to do if your flight is cancelled or delayed
6. Adventure activities come with real risks
If your trip includes skiing, scuba diving, hiking, or other adventure activities, it's especially important to understand why travel insurance is important.
Some policies exclude adventure cover or have strict criteria. A dedicated travel insurance policy with adventure sport cover means you can pursue the experiences you love with appropriate protection in place.
Consider whether you need extra cover, such as ski and winter sports cover, to better insure your next holiday.
To understand if your activity is covered, always check the Product Disclosure Statement to confirm.
Determine whether you need ski and winter sports cover for your next trip to the snow. Image: Getty
7. You may be liable for accidents involving others
Personal liability cover is an often-overlooked but critical component of travel insurance. If you accidentally injure someone or damage property while travelling, you could face significant legal costs and compensation claims.
Travel insurance with personal liability protection can cover these costs, protecting your financial future while you're far from home.
8. It may be more affordable than you think
Many travellers skip travel insurance assuming it's expensive - but compared to the potential costs of a medical emergency, evacuation, or cancelled trip, the premium is modest.
Policies can be tailored to your destination, trip length, and the level of cover you need. For Australians, the cost of not having cover can far outweigh the price of a policy.
RACV Members also save 15 per cent on RACV Travel Insurance.*
Travel insurance can help you travel with more confidence. Image: Journey Beyond
Travel with confidence
Travel insurance isn't about expecting the worst; it's about making sure the unexpected doesn't derail the experiences that matter most to you. Whether you're heading interstate or abroad, an appropriate travel insurance policy gives you the freedom to explore knowing you're protected.
Before your next trip, take the time to compare your options, read the Product Disclosure Statement carefully, and choose a policy that suits your destination, activities, and personal circumstances.
*RACV Member discount applies to the premium only (not applicable taxes).
# Terms, conditions (including eligibility criteria), limits, sub-limits and exclusions apply. Refer to combined Combined Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) / Financial Services Guide (FSG) for full details.
Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) Limited (ABN 44 004 060 833, AR No. 1243563) (RACV) is an authorised representative of the RACV Travel Insurance insurer Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548) (Tokio Marine). Tokio Marine Management (Australasia) Pty Ltd (ABN 69 001 488 455, AR No. 1313066) is an authorised representative of Tokio Marine, and administers RACV Travel Insurance as the managing agent on behalf of Tokio Marine.
Terms, conditions (including eligibility criteria), exclusions, limits and sub-limits apply. Any advice is general advice only, and does not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation or needs. Before you purchase, please consider the Combined Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) / Financial Services Guide (FSG) and Target Market Determinations (TMDs) available on RACV’s website, or on request from RACV.
