Where COVID Cover Actually Stands Now
Most comprehensive travel insurance policies in Australia now include COVID-19 cover as standard, though the specifics — and the exclusions — are worth checking directly rather than assuming a blanket 'covered'.
What's Typically Covered
- Medical expenses if you contract COVID overseas — hospital admission, doctor visits, prescribed medication and emergency evacuation if needed
- Trip cancellation, often up to a specific cap (commonly around $5,000), if you or a travel companion tests positive before departure
- Cost to rearrange flights and accommodation if COVID disrupts your plans mid-trip
- Extended accommodation costs if you're diagnosed overseas and can't travel home on schedule
What's Still Commonly Excluded
- Claims within 21 days of departure for a policy just purchased — a reason to buy insurance well ahead of travel, not right before
- Travel to a destination Smartraveller has rated 'Do not travel' (Level 4)
- Government-mandated lockdowns or border closures, and universal quarantine requirements applied to all arrivals
- The cost of PCR or rapid tests required simply to satisfy entry requirements
- 'Fear of travel' or being a close contact without an actual positive diagnosis
The Cancellation Cap Worth Checking
A $5,000 cancellation cap sounds generous until it's measured against a genuinely expensive trip — a business-class international itinerary or a multi-family group booking can exceed that easily. Confirm whether your actual non-refundable costs fit within the specific COVID cancellation limit, not just the general cancellation limit.
Insurers Worth Comparing Directly on This
Cover-More, Allianz, Tick and Bupa all include COVID cover as standard on comprehensive plans, and Zoom is notable for not restricting COVID-related cancellation benefits the way some competitors still do — worth a direct comparison if a COVID-related disruption is a real concern for your specific trip.
This page is for educational purposes and isn't personalised financial advice. Premiums, terms and eligibility vary by insurer, destination and individual circumstances — always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Smartraveller advice before travelling.