Travel Insurance for New Zealand
Travel advice for Canadians visiting New Zealand
- As featured in:
As featured in:
At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel insurance plans for your trip to New Zealand. Plans range from standard to higher-limit protections.
- Coverage may apply to popular New Zealand activities like skiing, hiking and bungee jumping.
- Policies for Canadians include protection for medical emergencies, trip delays and lost luggage.
New Zealand is made for exploring, with dramatic landscapes that shift from mountains and fjords to beaches and rolling countryside, often within a single day’s drive. Little wonder more Canadians visit New Zealand every year. From outdoor adventures to the delights of NZ’s food and wine regions, it’s a destination that invites you to get out and experience it. The good news is that roads are well maintained and there’s a strong road trip culture – it’s easy to see a lot in one journey. And the bad news? There is no bad news! Sort travel insurance before you arrive so you’re prepared for the unexpected and can fully enjoy the experience.
Emergency Medical Coverage: Plan Comparisons
Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. Each of our four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – offers different coverages and benefit maximums.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your New Zealand trip. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available (not in NY). Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
Travel insurance for adventure activities in New Zealand
If outdoor adventure is always the highlight of your travels, New Zealand will not disappoint. With epic scenery, friendly people, and plenty of opportunities to get your adrenaline pumping, you really can’t go wrong. Queenstown is New Zealand’s adventure capital – start with bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boating and mountain biking, then try canyoning and paragliding. In winter, take to the slopes of The Remarkables and Coronet Peak, try glacier climbing or go heli-skiing. When you’ve had your fill of excitement in Queenstown, explore the rest of the South Island and venture to the North Island too – spectacular hikes, horse rides and endless opportunities for adventure await.
Coverage for 250 activities you love + more
Common insurance considerations for New Zealand
Trip interruption
No matter how good of a time you’re having, things can happen that mean you have to end your New Zealand trip early or you’re unable to participate in your full planned itinerary. If you get severely injured or sick while you're travelling, or you get a call from back home and learn that an immediate family member has unexpectedly passed away, you may not be able to complete the rest of your planned trip. World Nomads offers trip interruption coverage that may help you get reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if your plans change for a covered reason.
Accidents and emergencies
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get seriously sick or have an accident that sends you to hospital, you’ll be glad you purchased travel insurance before you left home. Had an accident on the ski slopes of Queenstown? Fell off your mountain bike and broke a bone? Ate some dodgy fish and chips and came down with a nasty bout of food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away.
Trip cancellation
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel insurance plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home to care for your fur baby. Change your mind about travelling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase Cancel For Any Reason insurance cover within 15 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight).
Missing luggage
Nothing gets a trip off to a rocky start quite like arriving in New Zealand without your bags. If your checked luggage is lost or delayed, travel insurance benefits may help reimburse you for lost items. Keep original receipts for any personal items you buy – like a toothbrush, medication or a change of clothes. The first step is always to report missing luggage to your carrier and check what compensation they may provide.
Tips for travelling to New Zealand
- Watch out when you cross the street – with cars driving on the left, it’s easy to look the wrong way when you’re checking for oncoming traffic.
- Drive carefully and plan your routes – distances can be deceptive, with winding roads and changing conditions, especially in rural and alpine areas.
- Book ahead in peak seasons – accommodation, ferries and popular experiences can fill up to a year in advance.
- Respect nature and local hiking guidelines – follow marked tracks, check conditions before heading out and follow New Zealand’s Leave No Trace principles.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for New Zealand. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
-
Is New Zealand safe for tourists?
New Zealand is considered a very safe destination, with low levels of violent crime. Petty theft can occur in cities and at popular tourist spots, so keep valuables secure and stay aware of your surroundings.
-
What is the best time to visit New Zealand?
December to February is summer and ideal for beaches and outdoor activities, while spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) offer milder weather and fewer crowds. Winter (June to August) is best for skiing.
-
Can I drive in New Zealand with a Canadian license?
Yes, you can drive with a valid Canadian driver’s license for up to 12 months. Remember that driving is on the left-hand side of the road, and conditions can vary, especially in rural and mountainous areas.
-
Is New Zealand expensive to travel to?
New Zealand can be relatively expensive, particularly for accommodation and activities. Costs vary by region, but it’s worth budgeting realistically for transport, food and experiences – it soon adds up.
-
Can I drink tap water in New Zealand?
Yes, tap water in New Zealand is generally safe to drink and of high quality.
-
What currency is used in New Zealand and can I use credit cards?
New Zealand uses the New Zealand dollar (NZD). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, though it’s useful to carry some cash for smaller purchases.
-
Do I need travel insurance for New Zealand?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Cover for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or sudden illness.
-
How do I make a claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload, and get started. The claims process is usually quick and easy but if you get stuck you can call us collect on +1 416 646 3723 or send an email to worldnomads@travelguard.com and we will help you with your claim.
-
What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
-
What if my passport gets stolen in New Zealand?
World Nomads travel insurance plans cover theft or damage of the following documents:
- Passports
- Driver’s licenses
- Birth certificates
- Travel visas
You can claim up to the maximum limit stated in the policy towards the replacement of your passport or one or more other travel documents mentioned above.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $250,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $750,000
- Annual Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Gear & Baggage Protection
Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $5,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
Protect your health
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Return of Remains
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
Protect your trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
- Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
Protect your stuff
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services
- 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Personal Security Assistance
- Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.