If you have to travel, hiring travel insurance guarantees a series of coverages that, depending on the policy, can provide you with coverage for medical assistance and hospitalization for disease and accidents, repatriation. As well, it can also provide reimbursement for the cancellation of a flight or loss of baggage, among other things.
If you are planning a trip to New Zealand, it is recommended to hire a specific travel insurance that covers risks that are related to that country in particular. Whether you will be swimming with dolphins in Kaikora or sailing around the Bay of Islands, you should look for a New Zealand travel insurance policy to cover your holidays for lost luggage, trip cancellation, rental vehicle excess, family emergencies, and much more.
The first thing you need to check out when planning a trip to New Zealand is if your passport is valid for the duration of your stay and, if necessary, if you have a visa. A visa is required for entering New Zealand in some cases. If you are an Australian citizen, a UK citizen (for a maximum stay of 6 months), or citizen of a country that has a visa agreement with New Zealand (for a maximum stay of 3 months), then you won’t need any visa. If you don’t meet any of these requirements, then you do need a visitor’s visa! This visa lets you stay in New Zealand for a maximum duration of 9 months. If you make the request individually, the best and cheapest way to do it is online. If you’re travelling with a companion, with your family, or with a group of people, you have to submit a paper-based application. If you are travelling to New Zealand from an Australian airport, you may also need a visa for Australia. Get in touch with your travel agency if you have any doubts about this process. Transit visas are also required for everyone who makes a stop in New Zealand, unless it is specifically due to the immigration policy.
The travel and medical insurance for travelling to New Zealand is one of the most consulted elements. Is it mandatory? Not in all cases, but it is highly recommended because we have no coverage from our country of origin. The New Zealand healthcare system is private and, even though neither the hospitals nor the doctors will refuse to provide us with medical assistance if needed, we will still have to take care of an expensive bill afterwards.
New Zealand is a very popular tourist destination with Australians. If you are coming from Australia and planning a trip to New Zealand, you should know that Australia and New Zealand share reciprocal healthcare agreements. But, without a travel insurance, you won’t be covered for luggage protection, additional accommodation costs, cancelled flights, flights for family members or medical repatriation back to Australia. And this is why it is highly recommended to depart only if you have proper travel insurance!
So, now that you are aware of the things involved when travelling to New Zealand, what’s next? Do some research and try to find the best New Zealand Travel Insurance out there! We recommend checking out this one, since it covers all of the things that need to be considered when planning a trip to New Zealand.
