Should You Get Travel Insurance for New Zealand?
If you’re planning a trip to New Zealand, then you’re probably wondering whether or not it’s worth it to get travel insurance. After spending years living in (and traveling around) New Zealand, I’m here to answer that question once and for all.
New Zealand is considered one of the safest countries in the world, but it’s also famous for adventure activities, which always come with a risk! I definitely think it’s best to be covered in case something goes wrong.
Travel insurance actually works a little differently in New Zealand compared to a lot of other countries, so in this blog, I’ll break it all down for you so that you can find the best option.
Do I need travel insurance for New Zealand?
Yes, I highly recommend it.
Technically, you don’t need to have travel insurance to enter New Zealand, but it’s still a good idea to get it. If years of traveling the world have taught me anything, it’s that you should always be covered!
Now, you may or may not have heard that New Zealand has a fantastic insurance program called the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). New Zealand residents pay this through levies, but it also covers visitors to the country. So if you get injured in an accident while you’re here, ACC will cover your medical and rehabilitation costs.
As amazing as this free accident coverage is, it doesn’t cover illness or other things that can go wrong while you’re traveling, like trip cancellations and emergency evacuation back to your home country. So, in my opinion, travel insurance is still a must!
The company I use and recommend is SafetyWing – check them out here!
Accident Compensation Corporation
ACC is New Zealand’s no-fault insurance coverage system, and it covers tourists and locals! It covers lots of different types of accidents, and it doesn’t matter if it was your fault. So even if you’re injured in a road accident that was your fault, or while doing something high risk, like jet boating or bungy jumping, ACC will cover you.
What’s covered in ACC?
The main thing that ACC covers is physical injuries, such as sprains, wounds, burns, and dislocations. It also covers things like concussions, hearing loss, and fractures.
It doesn’t matter how you came by these injuries, so you’re also covered if they’re the result of an assault or an attack. Dental issues are also covered if caused by an accident or sporting injury.
What’s not covered in ACC?
Anything that’s not the result of an accident – so basically, illness. For example, dental injuries are covered, but things like tooth decay and gum disease are not. And if you need treatment for something like appendicitis or food poisoning, that won’t be covered by ACC. And I think skiers especially should take note of the fact that skin burns from the sun, wind, and snow are not covered, either!
Related Read: Another helpful thing to figure out is when you want to visit – my blog on the best time to visit New Zealand has the answer!
What type of travel insurance should I get?
Travel insurance is not a one-size-fits-all, and most companies offer different levels of coverage. I think it’s worth shopping around to find a specific insurance policy covering what’s most important to you. Below, I’ve listed some of the most common things that you might want covered.
Travel Delays and Cancellation
If your trip is delayed, postponed, or canceled, travel insurance can reimburse you for some or all of the costs. Most policies cover pre-booked transportation, like flights, train tickets, or rental vehicles, as well as accommodation and activities that you’ve already paid for. This means that if something goes wrong, you won’t lose all of your money!
Activities
Many travel insurance policies don’t cover “high-risk” activities as standard. If you’re planning on doing things like skydiving, bungy jumping, or hiking, then it’s a good idea to look for a plan that will cover all of your adventures. Of course, in New Zealand, ACC does cover accidents that result from high-risk activities, but it doesn’t cover ongoing care that you might need once you get back home.
Loss or theft of belongings
I always think it’s worth taking out a policy that covers the loss or theft of your personal belongings because it gives me peace of mind. Some policies will even cover the loss of cash! There’s usually a maximum value that you can claim for, so consider this when choosing a policy.
Medical coverage
As mentioned earlier, while ACC covers lots of injuries, it doesn’t cover illness. If you get sick, you’ll definitely want medical coverage to help with the costs. This is one of the most important things to have coverage for!
Emergency Assistance
Travel insurance can be a godsend in case of an emergency. If you need to be evacuated, have a medical emergency, or even just lose your passport, travel insurance can help you cover the costs involved. This might also include extra transport or accommodation that you need, or pre-booked activities that you have to miss out on as a result of the emergency.
Rental Car Coverage
Some travel insurance companies also include rental car insurance. This can be a great money saver, because it means that you won’t have to buy insurance through the car rental company.
Where can I get travel insurance from?
SafetyWing
SafetyWing is the company that I personally use on all of my travels! They’re a low-cost travel insurance company geared towards digital nomads, although they cater to all types of travelers!
It works on a subscription basis, so I just pay a flat fee per month that covers me in over 175 different countries, and I can cancel whenever I want, or claim back unused time. Best of all, there are no deductibles for any claims with SafetyWing as long you’re not a resident of the United States.
With SafetyWing, I’m covered for the essentials, such as medical emergencies, trip interruptions, travel delays, lost luggage, and evacuation – which I actually had to use during the pandemic!
Then, there are extra add-ons available for things like electronics theft. It’s the lowest cost travel insurance out there. Although it only really covers the essentials, it works well in New Zealand where you’re already covered for accidents by ACC.
Get SafetyWing travel insurance easily here!
World Nomads
World Nomads is another popular insurance provider, and I’ve used them in the past. They’re pretty good, and a fairly budget-friendly option, too, although SafetyWing is definitely cheaper.
The price of your policy varies according to where you’re going, and there may be a deductible depending on where you’re from. For example, Canadians have no deductible, but Australians have to pay $100 AUD when they make a claim.
World Nomads offers two different tiers of insurance: Standard, which covers the basics, and Explorer, which has higher claim limits and includes rental vehicle insurance excess. It also covers things that SafetyWing doesn’t like trip cancellation and high-value items. However, I still prefer SafetyWing as it’s much cheaper, super easy to use, and their pricing plan is nice and simple.
Credit card insurance
Lots of credit card companies offer travel insurance, so it’s worth checking out what yours covers! They are all different, so it’s important to check with your specific provider, but typically, they might cover things like trip interruptions, delays, and cancellations, as well as lost luggage, evacuations, and travel accidents. I have also used my credit card to cover rental car and motorhome insurance before, so this can be a fantastic money saver.
Let me HELP you plan your road trip!
I’ve created this FREE e-book that is your COMPLETE GUIDE to planning a road trip in NZ! In the guide, you’ll find many different road trip itinerary ideas, so you can easily choose one that works for you!
The guide includes the best stops, attractions, road trip routes, and how much time you need!
Is paying for travel insurance in New Zealand worth it?
Yes, I really do think that it’s worth it! Lots of travelers opt not to get insurance because of ACC, but I think that this is risky.
Don’t get me wrong, ACC is fantastic and can really help you out if you get injured, but I still think it’s worth taking out travel insurance to help you with all of the things that ACC doesn’t cover.
I use SafetyWing because it covers all of the most important things, like evacuation, medical emergencies, and lost luggage. It’s super affordable, too, so I think it’s worth the monthly fee to make sure that I’m covered in case I get sick and need emergency treatment. Between SafetyWing and ACC, I really feel like I’ve got all of my bases covered!
Check out the different plans for SafetyWing here before your trip!
Related Read: Now that you have travel insurance, make your bucket list with this ultimate guide on the 55 best things to do in New Zealand!
Renting a Car, Campervan, or Motorhome in New Zealand
Let’s face it, you’re going to need wheels to get around New Zealand. Although a small country, buses between destinations are infrequent and expensive. Plus, some of the best experiences you can have in NZ are on road trips!
You have three options when it comes to getting wheels in New Zealand; a car, a campervan, or a motorhome. Here’s what you need to know about each and where to get them:
Car
A normal car is the cheapest rental vehicle you can get in New Zealand. It’ll get you around to all of the best destinations with ease. The only downside to a car is that you will need to stay in hotels or Airbnbs during your travels (no camping.) The easiest place to rent a car in New Zealand is on Discover Cars where you can compare cars, companies, prices, features, and more very easily.
Campervan
A Campervan is a large van that has a bed and a small kitchen in the back. It’s what most budget travelers use for traveling around New Zealand since it allows you to camp comfortably and for free (most) nights. Campervans are best for couples or solo travelers who are happy to live in a small space. You should also love the outdoors and camping…and be prepared for an adventure of a lifetime! My favorite campervan rental company is JUCY because they have a huge selection of campervans to choose from, plus multiple pick-up/drop-off locations. You can browse JUCY’s campervan selection online here. Alternatively, you can easily compare all campervans available in NZ on Motorhome Republic here.
Motorhome
A motorhome is larger and more comfortable than a campervan. Many motorhomes will comfortably sleep 6 or more people – perfect for a family visiting New Zealand. Motorhomes are the most expensive option, but with one you won’t ever need to stay in a hotel and you’ll save money that way. My top choice for a motorhome company is Star RV because they have beautiful motorhomes at affordable prices. You can check prices and availability for Star RV motorhomes online here. Alternatively, you can use Motorhome Republic to search all motorhomes in NZ. For more detailed info, read my complete guide to renting a motorhome in New Zealand!
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE: I’ve organized a special discount code that will get you 5% off if you book your campervan or motorhome through JUCY or Star RV! Simply click here to select your JUCY campervan, or click here to select your Star RV motorhome, and then use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off – it’s that easy! This promotion is available for the entire year, except for travel dates from December 16, 2024 to January 19, 2025.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, I currently use and recommend SafetyWing. I’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had my back when I needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference I’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. I’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum and you get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped me out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given me peace of mind. Read my full review on if you should get travel insurance in NZ for more info!
Thanks for reading!
I hope this was helpful as you decide whether to get travel insurance for your upcoming trip. Personally, I always do for the extra coverage and more peace of mind. After all, you want to spend your time here enjoying New Zealand and not worrying!
Plan the ultimate New Zealand trip with help from all my New Zealand blogs! I love it here and have explored both islands over the years. Here are a few related reads to get you started:
North Island vs South Island of New Zealand – Which is Better?
50 BEST Hikes in New Zealand +My Personal Favorites
Wildlife in New Zealand: 26 Must-See Animals in New Zealand
Let me HELP you plan your road trip!
I’ve created this FREE e-book that is your COMPLETE GUIDE to planning a road trip in NZ! In the guide, you’ll find many different road trip itinerary ideas, so you can easily choose one that works for you!
The guide includes the best stops, attractions, road trip routes, and how much time you need!
