From scuba diving to epic road trips, learn how travel insurance for Australia could help Canadians
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Australia is a dream vacation spot for many Canadians. Whether you’re visiting some of the larger cities like Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane, or venturing out into the remote Outback, there are so many incredible things to see and do.
You may even choose to leave the mainland and check out the many islands off the coast of Australia. Maybe you’ll visit Tasmania or take a trip to Kangaroo Island in South Australia. With thousands of islands to explore, you have plenty of choices.
In the Northern Territory you could explore Kakadu National Park, or if you’re in Far North Queensland you could take a hike to the top of Walsh’s Pyramid. Watch out for kangaroos, wombats, dingoes, and echidnas if you’re taking a road trip – you’ll definitely see plenty of amazing Australian wildlife.
No matter where you go, the unexcepted can happen. To protect your adventures outside Canada, we recommend checking out travel insurance plans for Australia.
International travel can bring unexpected surprises. Like accidentally stumbling upon one of the interesting pubs in the middle of the Outback. However, some surprises are not as exciting. Nobody wants to think about delayed flights or lost bags, but these things can happen unexpectedly.
A good travel insurance plan for Australia could help with those types of situations. It could also assist with helping you get the care you need if you get injured participating in any of the unbelievable adventures and activities you’ll find there.
If you fall and get hurt hiking on one of Australia’s trails, you may need to see a doctor. If you get bit by Australia’s Redback spider, you’re going to be headed to the doctor too - and your travel insurance for Australia could help you get reimbursed for the medical care you need.
When you’re doing your research and looking for the best travel insurance for Australia, check to make sure there’s coverage for things like trip cancellation, overseas emergency medical coverage, natural disasters, and repatriation.
We have two plans to choose from for different types of travellers and adventures.
There’s certainly no shortage of adventures in Australia. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Canadians travelling to Australia – and you could be covered for things like hiking the Larapinta Trail or rock climbing the Blue Mountains.
In a country surrounded by water, you’ll probably be enjoying aquatic fun. Home to the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll find extraordinary scuba diving spots in Australia. Whether you want to see shipwrecks like the SS Yongala in Queensland or dive with fur seals at Montague Island, there’s so much to witness beneath the water’s surface.
It’s important to have a fairly concrete idea of your trip plans before you get a quote. You must list all your activities out when purchasing the plan—and if something happens while you are participating in an activity you didn’t list on your plan, then you won’t be covered. For example, if you go hiking while on your trip and you didn’t list that activity out when making your plan purchase, you won’t be covered if something were to happen on the trail. You may want to overshoot and list out all possible activities you may do, just in case.
Also keep in mind that you will be covered under the base plan to participate in various adventure sports, activities, volunteer, and work experiences, shown as Level 1, under both of our Standard and Explorer Plans. To have coverage for adventures sports, work, and activities listed as Level 2 or Level 3, you will need to upgrade your adventure sports coverage and pay an extra premium. Note: Special conditions and exclusions may apply for certain sports and activities. For the full policy terms and conditions please review the policy wording.
Most Canadians diving in Australia have no problems at all, but sometimes things happen. Make sure to protect yourself. Never dive deeper than your qualification limits and never dive solo. If you get decompression sickness, emergency medical coverage under your travel insurance for Australia may reimburse you for your medical expenses.
If you have a medical emergency in Australia, call the 24/7 emergency assistance team and they can help refer you to a place that offers the level of care that you need. You’ll need to call and report your emergency as soon as it happens, or as soon as you’re able. Also, remember to save all paperwork and receipts. You will need these when you submit your claim for reimbursement.
If your medical team and the 24/7 emergency assistance team think it’s best for you to travel back home to Canada for treatment, travel insurance that covers repatriation may also help cover the costs to get you there.
What happens if you land in the Australian city of Melbourne and find out your bags went to Melbourne in Florida? If you’re left sitting at the airport carousel anxiously waiting for the bag that is at least 12 hours delayed, your travel insurance for Australia may reimburse you for a change of clothes and toiletries until your bag makes its way to you.
Sometimes your baggage is lost forever. If you’re skiing Mt. Hotham and you packed your new ski jacket, you may be reimbursed for the cost of replacing it if the airline isn’t able to remedy the situation. The other belongings in your lost checked bag could be covered as well (up to plan limits, conditions and exclusions apply).
With travel insurance for Australia, you could be reimbursed for unused, prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses if your trip is cancelled, delayed, or interrupted for a covered reason. Just make sure you keep all receipts and documentation in case you need to make a claim.
Sometimes unexpected situations happen that can derail your plans. What happens if you get sick a few days before leaving for Australia? If your doctor tells you not to travel at that time, you could be forced to cancel your trip. A travel insurance plan for Australia that includes cancellation coverage could reimburse you for those unused, non-refundable flights, hotels, and activities you paid for in advance.
Travel insurance could help if a natural disaster occurs. If heavy rain makes your destination accommodation unsafe or a wildfire breaks out near your resort, you may be thankful you have the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team to call.
Australians are very friendly people and will welcome you with a smile and a “G’Day” as soon as you arrive from Canada. Crime is low there, but like any international destination, there are always things to look out for.
Before you leave Canada, we encourage you to check out the Canadian government’s safety warnings for Australia. Weather, safety, and political situations can change at any time, and this is where they list their up-to-date warnings.
Remember the numbers 000. That's the emergency service number you can call if you need help from the police or fire department, or if you need an ambulance when you’re in Australia.
Take extra camera batteries. The worst feeling is to get set up for the perfect shot of a kangaroo, only to find out you have a dead battery. Prepare ahead of time, and make sure to read up on some of our tips on how to photograph wildlife in an ethical way.
Speaking of wildlife, Australia has plenty of it. Of course there are the cuddly looking koalas, but the crocodiles, snakes, spiders, sharks, and Irukandji jellyfish aren’t quite as cute and cuddly. Most Canadians don’t have any issues, but it’s important to at least be aware of some of Australia’s dangerous wildlife.
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, or if you have questions about your coverage, just ask us.
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
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Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
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Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
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Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Contact the teamBefore your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.