How to choose travel insurance

Whether you're planning a big overseas adventure or a quick Kiwi getaway, travel insurance can help you keep things on track when things don't go to plan. From lost luggage to medical emergencies, the right cover gives you confidence to enjoy your trip.

Why travel insurance matters

Trips don't always go to plan. Bags can go missing, flights can be delayed, and medical costs overseas can run into the thousands. Even a short delay can mean lost deposits and rebooking fees.

Closer to home, bad weather and illness can still disrupt your domestic holiday.

Travel insurance helps you manage the unexpected, so you can focus on the fun.

Types of travel insurance

Travel insurance isn't a one size fits all. Your cover depends on where you're going and what level of protection you want. Different trips need different cover and knowing what's out there can help you choose what fits your plans. Most policies fall into two main categories:

International travel

Heading overseas? International cover usually includes medical costs, cancellations, lost luggage, and emergency assistance.

Domestic travel

Staying local? Domestic cover often covers prepaid costs like flights and accommodation if plans change, plus rental vehicle excess and lost luggage.

Other options

• Frequent Flyer plans for multiple overseas trips in a year
• Cruise cover (often domestic only)
• Extra cover for pre-existing conditions.

Tower Travel insurance options

We've designed flexible options to suit most trips. Here's what we offer:

International travel

Comprehensive

Our highest level of cover for overseas travel, including medical costs, cancellations, lost luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Perfect for peace of mind wherever you go.

Essentials

A simple, budget-friendly choice for overseas trips. Includes medical cover and emergency assistance, so you're covered where it matters most.

Frequent Flyer Plan

Planning multiple trips over a calendar year? This option makes it easy with one policy that covers them all.

Check out Tower's Country Plans to see what destinations fall into the same or a lower country plan.

Domestic travel

Comprehensive

Cover for prepaid costs like flights and accommodation, plus rental car excess and lost luggage.

Cancellation only

Just need cover for prepaid costs on your trip around NZ? This option has you sorted if plans change unexpectedly.

Explore our travel insurance options.

Travel insurance for different trips

Travel insurance can be useful for all sorts of trips, from quick hops across the Cook Strait to long-haul adventures. The type of cover that works best depends on things like your destination, trip length, and what you plan to do while you're away.

Tour groups and cruises

Heading off on a guided tour or setting sail on a cruise? Some tours and cruises come with set insurance rules, so it's worth checking these early. Think about the non-refundable parts of your trip too, like deposits and add-ons. It'll help you pick cover that suits the way you travel and help keep things running smoothly.

Families with kids

Family holidays are exciting but often involve lots of moving parts. Some policies include benefits for dependants, cancellation protection, and baggage cover.

With Tower, dependant children travelling with a parent or grandparent are covered under the policy and pay no additional charge (up to 18 years for Domestic Cover and up to 21 years for International Cover).

Seniors

When you’re travelling later in life, it’s natural to want a bit more reassurance. Our policies are designed with that in mind, with higher medical limits and cover for unexpected changes along the way.

If things don’t go to plan, like a delay or disruption, we can help with extra accommodation and travel costs, up to your policy limit. And if your belongings are lost or damaged, you may be covered there too, so you can keep moving with confidence.

Pre-existing medical conditions

Look for policies that let you declare your conditions and confirm what's covered, so you know what you have before you go away.

Some conditions are automatically covered under our Comprehensive and Frequent Flyer plans. For others, cover may be available for an additional premium following an approved medical assessment that can usually be done online.

How to compare travel insurance

Price matters, but it's not the only thing. When comparing policies, look for:

• benefit limits to make sure you have the right level of cover for your trip
• medical cover that suits your destination
• cancellation and trip disruption protection
• luggage and personal effects cover
• adventure activity cover if you're going extreme, like skiing or diving
• what the exclusions are, so you don't get a surprise at claim time
• 24/7 emergency assistance
• easy online claims.

Before you buy travel insurance

Before you lock in your travel insurance, here are a few quick checks:

• Compare cover levels and limits.
• Confirm you're covered for your. destination and planned activities.
• Check if your destination has insurance requirements.
• Read exclusions carefully.
• Make sure your policy starts from the day you book your trip.

Top tip: Book the trip, book the cover. Get travel insurance when you book. It means you're prepared if something unexpected happens before you depart.

Ready to get started? Get a travel insurance quote online and buy cover with Tower today.

Disclaimer:

This is a summary only. Please read the policy wording to understand the terms, conditions, excesses, limits, sub-limits and exclusions that may apply. Cover is subject to the current underwriting criteria.

Tower Travel insurance is issued and managed by AWP Services New Zealand Limited trading as Allianz Partners and underwritten by Tower Limited. You should read the policy wording before making any decisions about your insurance policy.