Travel Insurance for New Zealand
Travel advice for Americans visiting New Zealand
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At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel protection 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.
- Plans for Americans 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. 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! You may want to consider travel protection before you arrive though so you’re prepared for the unexpected and can fully enjoy the experience.
Plan Comparisons
Choosing the right travel protection 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your trip to New Zealand. 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* Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
Travel protection 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, horseback rides and endless opportunities for adventure await.
Coverage for activities in New Zealand
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 finish your trip early or you’re unable to participate in your full planned itinerary. If you get injured or sick while you're traveling, 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 sick or have an accident that sends you to the hospital, you’ll be glad you purchased travel protection 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. All World Nomads plans include insurance benefits and non-insurance services like portable health records. This enables medical staff to access your records 24/7. Having that information available may be critical if you experience an unexpected medical emergency while travelling.
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 protection 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. Change your mind about traveling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase the Cancel For Any Reason benefit within 7 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight) and remember to cancel no later than two days before your departure date. Additional cost, terms and conditions apply; not available to New York residents.
Emergency evacuation
If you get sick or injured and your condition is acute, severe, or life threatening and you’re far from suitable medical facilities, emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage may help get you the care you need. It may cover, up to the maximum benefit amount, to get you to the closest suitable medical facility or to your primary residence for further treatment. Under your World Nomads plan, emergency evacuation may be covered if it’s recommended by the attending physician and pre-approved by our 24/7 non-insurance Emergency Assistance team. This benefit could include transportation costs and any related medical services or supplies.
Tips for traveling 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.
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Is New Zealand safe for tourists?
New Zealand is considered a very safe* destination, with low levels of violent crime. You may want to consider travel insurance for those unexpected situations that arise.
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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.
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Can I drive in New Zealand with a US license?
Yes, you can drive with a valid US 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.
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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.
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Can I drink tap water in New Zealand?
Yes, tap water in New Zealand is generally safe to drink and of high quality.
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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.
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Do I need travel insurance for New Zealand?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Benefits 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. All World Nomads plans for US residents include insurance benefits and additional non-insurance services like access to pre-trip medical support. A telehealth consultation can help you with a customized medical plan based on your destination. This may help you prepare for health concerns before you go and the best ways to avoid travel-related illnesses.
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What if my passport gets stolen in New Zealand?
World Nomads travel protection 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 plan towards the replacement of your passport or one or more other travel documents mentioned above.
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How do I make a travel insurance claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7: https://worldnomads-us.eclaims.csaclaims.com. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 844-207-1930 and we can assist you with your claim.
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What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 non-insurance Emergency Assistance partners at Generali Global Assistance 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 (877) 289-0968 (toll-free from the Continental US); or
Phone: +1 (954) 334-8143 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Need inspiration for your New Zealand travels?
Not sure where your next adventure should take you? Take a look at these travel and safety ideas and get destination-specific travel insurance tips to help you plan with confidence.
Cycling in New Zealand: 6 Epic Trails to Tackle
8 Destinations to Put on Your South Island Itinerary
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Standard Plan: $125,000
- Explorer Plan: $150,000
- Epic Plan: $250,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation
We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $400,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $700,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $3,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.
Protect your health
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuations
- Bedside Companion Travel
- Emergency Medications
Protect Your Trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
- Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
- Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)
Protect Your Stuff
- Baggage Delay
- Passport and Visa Loss
- Lost or Stolen Bags
- Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
- Baggage Return After Evacuation
Non-Insurance Services
- Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
- Translators Available
- Pre-Departure Telehealth Services
- Portable Health Records
- Delayed or Lost Baggage Tracking and Delivery
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.