Travel Insurance for New Zealand

Do I need travel insurance for New Zealand?

New Zealand is about as far from the UK as you can get, which is exactly why insurance matters. If something serious happens, the cost of getting you home on a stretcher or with a medical escort is huge, and no state scheme will pay it.

There is some help on the ground. New Zealand's ACC scheme covers treatment for accidental injuries for visitors, and the UK has a reciprocal agreement that covers immediately necessary treatment in public hospitals. But ACC does not cover illness, neither scheme pays for repatriation, and neither helps with cancellation, delayed baggage or a lost passport. The policies you can compare through us are designed to cover those gaps.

Adventure activities in New Zealand

Queenstown calls itself the adventure capital of the world for a reason. Bungee jumping, jet boating, white water rafting, skydiving, glacier hikes and multi-day tramping routes are all part of the appeal. Some of these are covered as standard and others need to be added, and many have conditions such as using a licensed operator or staying below a certain altitude. Check our list of sports and activities before you book, and pick a policy that covers what you plan to do. Skiing at Coronet Peak or Mount Hutt needs winter sports cover.

Campervans and driving

Hiring a campervan is a favourite way to see the country. Remember that travel insurance does not cover liability while you are driving abroad, so check what the hire company includes. The excess on a campervan can be several thousand dollars, which car hire excess insurance may be able to help with.

Choosing your area and stopovers

For a single trip, choose New Zealand as your destination. Annual policies may have an Australia and New Zealand area or include it in worldwide cover. Flights from the UK usually stop in Asia, the Middle East or the USA. If you are going via Los Angeles or San Francisco, choose worldwide cover including the USA so you are covered while you are there. Many people combine New Zealand with Australia or Fiji, so list every country on your trip when you get a quote.

Single trip or annual cover?

Most trips to New Zealand are long ones. A single trip policy can be bought for the length of your stay, and works well for a three or four-week holiday. If you are heading out for several months on a working holiday, our backpacker insurance may suit you better. For frequent long-haul travellers, compare an annual multi-trip policy and check the maximum trip length is long enough.

New Zealand travel insurance with medical conditions

A long-haul flight and a trip of several weeks is a good reason to make sure any pre-existing medical conditions are declared. Use our online medical screening when you get a quote. It only takes a few minutes and you will see whether we can cover you, and what it costs, before you pay.

Before you travel

UK passport holders need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before they fly, and most visitors also pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy when applying. Use the official Immigration New Zealand app or website. New Zealand's biosecurity checks are strict, so clean hiking boots and declare any food when you land.

Our New Zealand country guide has more on entry rules, health and getting around. If you are combining the trip with Australia, see our Australia travel insurance page too.