Long Term Two Year Travel Insurance

Are you going overseas to do a two-year working holiday visa? Perhaps you’ve decided to study abroad, or you’re taking a gap year to backpack the world, but 12 months just doesn’t seem long enough.

If you’re searching for longer-term travel insurance you're probably finding it tricky! Most standard single trip policies in Australia only provide cover for a maximum of 12 months in duration. But we're here to help you find cover for longer :)

What Are Your Long Stay Travel Insurance Options?

If you do some research, you’ll find some policies will cover for longer - up to 18 months to two years in duration. There are also a handful of providers that will let you extend for a second year if your first annual policy has not expired. Our table explains where you can find longer stay travel insurance without having to do all the legwork.

General Advice Warning: The contents of this article were accurate at the time of writing. Insurers change their policies from time to time, so some information may have changed. You should always read the Product Disclosure Statement of your chosen insurer to understand what is covered and what isn't. The information provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal circumstances.

Longer Trips Mean Higher Risks

If your trip is on the longer side, it means that you're at risk of at least something going wrong for a longer period than a short stint to Bali. Unless you're a super budget-conscious backpacker, longer trips also mean bigger costs if your trip is cancelled. Having long-term travel insurance is not only vital for getting many long-term visas, it's essential to cover events which might go wrong.

What Long Term Travel Insurance Covers

There’s no better feeling than escaping the daily grind; the wind in your hair, not a care on your mind. But travel is not all rest and relaxation! On the contrary, heading overseas for an extended period to new and distant regions can throw you any number of curveballs.

• Medical expenses: While you are exploring new places, you WILL be travelling. Whether it be catching a plane, sitting on an elephant, riding in a rickshaw, transporting in a tuk-tuk, or walking the streets. More people get hurt in simple transport accidents than in extreme sports like rock climbing. Your policy will cover for medical expenses for injury or illness including hospital stays, surgery, dental, prescription drugs, doctor and dentist office visits.
• Your belongings: People like to steal things, especially from shared dorms. A travel insurance policy will cover your backpack if it is lost or stolen, as well as things in it like your iPhone, iPod and camera.
• Trip cancellation: No one can predict if a natural disaster is going to put a dampener on your holiday, or if a family member suddenly falls sick sending your holiday sideways. Luckily, cancellation benefits will cover the cost of rearranging or cancelling your journey because of unforeseen circumstances such as illness, accidents and extreme weather conditions.
• Delays: Travel delays are a common complaint of travelling. Have peace of mind knowing your accommodation and out of pocket expenses are covered if your scheduled transport is delayed over 6 hours, or thereabout.
• Personal liability: While travelling, you will be more active, exposing yourself to more risk. Compared to when you're on the couch at home watching tv, where your biggest risk is becoming a couch potato. Your policy will cover you for personal liability in the event that you are found to be legally liable for accidental injury or damage you may have caused to another person or their property.

What It Doesn't Cover

Travel insurance is a must-have for any holiday, but like any type of insurance, it’s important to realise there are cases where you will not be covered. Because holidays don’t always go to plan, it’s a good idea to understand your policy before you head off. Keep reading to find out what may not be insured on your two-year escapade.

• Unattended items: In a nutshell, look after your stuff! Anything you leave out of reach, that isn’t properly supervised, or isn’t safely locked away will be considered unattended and (most probably) won't be covered if you try to claim for it being lost or stolen. E.g. you wouldn’t be covered if you left your phone in the back of a taxi, or on the table in a restaurant. Luggage that is left in a storage room of a hotel once checked out is also considered unattended!
• Being reckless: We know that travel is all about new and exciting experiences, but if you deliberately put your life in danger (like jumping off a cliff into the sea) you wouldn't be covered. Injuries or loss when alcohol or drugs have been involved may not be covered either. Not too many piña coladas now!
• High-risk activities: Hey there adrenaline junkie! Many high-risk activities and extreme sports (e.g. American football, boxing, skydiving, competitive cycling, rock climbing, polo and motorsports) are not covered. Always check whether your planned activities are covered before you go jumping out of a plane (for example.)
• Some Cancellations: You can’t just cancel your trip for any reason like you didn't feel like going overseas anymore and be reimbursed. You also won't be covered if your flight is cancelled due to a mechanical fault, overbooking or airline company closure. This is the airline's responsibility to get you back in the air pronto.
• Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: Some medical conditions that exist before you travel won’t be covered. But if you do have a pre-existing condition, it’s not to say that you will be travelling without any cover at all. You can still buy a policy that would cover you for all other benefits, and for any unrelated illness or injury to your pre-existing condition would of course still be covered.
• Unlicenced travel: Travelling in/on a vehicle that you (or the driver) are not licenced to drive is not covered. Riding a motorcycle or scooter in Thailand or Bali is a common one. Make sure you wear a helmet too!

Get Quotes For Your Long Trip

Whether you're heading on a working-travel 2-year break, or just after an adventure and can't wait to escape, it's vital to have insurance to protect you when you travel. Especially so if it's for a long period of time. No matter if you buy a two-year policy straight up, or decide to extend once you're already overseas, make sure you do thorough research to ensure you pick the perfect policy for your upcoming holiday.