Travel Insurance Policies When Travelling To New Zealand

Travel Insurance Policies When Travelling To New Zealand

1.               Travel insurance is often neglected when planning a holiday or business trip. In Britain we are used to a free healthcare system and often forget that in many countries this is not the case.      We tend to not realise that luggage can be lost at an airport and that pick-pockets operate in Lisbon as well as London. Most of the time, travel insurance acts as a peace of mind...right up to the time you need it and then it can be the most important article in your suitcase.

Why Do I Need Travel Insurance?

              As we are all aware, accidents can happen at any time and in any place to anybody In the worst of circumstances, this can cause significant injury as well as ruining a holiday or business trip. Unfortunately no-one can predict when these accidents will occur or the severity of them when they do. The only thing to do is to have a high quality travel insurance policy. It may feel like you are gambling against yourself when arranging such a policy, however, nothing could be further from the truth.

              Luggage can be easily lost at airport, this in normally sufficient to ruin a holiday, having to endure a flight and then to traipse around a shopping centre to buy clean socks and shirts. Travel insurance can't make this impossible to happen, but can help pay for your new clothes, which will ease the pain a little.

              Something as innocent as a wet floor or trip down a flight of stairs could lead to a hospital trip, for example, to administer to a broken wrist or ankle. Medical insurance will usually cover the cost but if you need to return early your travel insurance policy may have a clause to allow this to be claimed for.

              When in a foreign country and hiring a car try to know the local traffic laws. We drive on the left in the UK, not too many countries follow suit on this. In New Zealand they drive on the left hand side.   If you cause an accident, personal liability may be an issue. A good travel insurance policy will also have a clause that allows travel back to the UK if a medical emergency arises.

What Should I Look For In Travel Insurance

              Travel insurance is a safety net when abroad. A good travel insurance policy should cover you for medical and health cover for an injury or sudden illness abroad, 24 hour emergency service and assistance and personal liability cover in case you are sued for causing injury or damaging property.

              Other things to consider when purchasing travel insurance are, what is the value of your lost and stolen possessions cover? What's the maximum you can claim on a single piece of your inventory? Are you covered for cancellation and/or curtailment of your flight or ferry? Does your policy have extra cover for activities that are usually not included standard policies, such as jet skiing or adventure activities? Are there any financial insurances in case your carrier airline becomes bankrupt before or during your excursion abroad?

Socio-political Issues

              New Zealand is an extremely beautiful country. There is a low threat from terrorism and affords the chance to relax away from the high level of vigilance practised in the UK.

              There is recorded cases of petty crime, this is mostly pick-pocketing or taking goods from parked cars. Travel insurance is able to cover these loses, although with the application of common sense, they should be avoidable.

              Visitors from the UK are able to use the medical centres in New Zealand due to a mutual agreement between the governments of the UK and New Zealand. There are some conditions attached but for the majority there is no problems encountered.

              As mentioned previously, in New Zealand the rule of the road is drive on the left. Motor insurance, however, is not a legal requirement in New Zealand. Therefore, even though the UK has a reciprocal Healthcare Agreement with New Zealand, private accident insurance is recommended. This is because New Zealand law has removed the right of the accident victims to sue a third party in the event of an accident. Instead of the claim, the Accident Compensation Commission (ACC) helps pay for your care if you are injured as the result of an accident. However, the ACC only covers the cost of treatment in New Zealand and unfortunately delayed travel or loss of income in a third country is not covered.

Specific Insurances

There are magnificent beaches and these offer the usual range of beach activities; surfing, SCUBA diving, paragliding etc. Please make sure that your travel insurance policy covers water sport activities before attempting these activities. Care must be taken however at beach destinations. Crime rates are lower than in the UK, it is advisable to not leave articles alone on a beach however. Travel insurance will replace lost goods and monies but it's better to have not had them stolen.

              There are many adrenaline fuelled activities to be sampled. These include bungee-jumping, water boarding, white water rafting, climbing and caving. It is strongly recommended that your travel insurance covers adventure sports before embarking on such an adventure. Remember, if you have an accident in an activity not covered by your travel insurance, you cannot make a claim.

              Should you choose to take a helicopter or private plane tour, check that it is a licensed company with adequate insurance. Often your baggage and belongings are carried on at your own risk. If this is the case, then only take what you cannot afford to be without, such as travel sickness pills or asthma inhalers.

              Sadly there is not a British consulate on each island or even one on any of the smaller surrounding islands. The British Consulate can be reached at

The British Consulate

44 Hill Street
Wellington 6011

Mailing Address:
P O Box 1812
Wellington 6140

Telephone:

(+64) (4) 924 2888