Information Blogs

The Best Time to Buy Travel Insurance Is BEFORE Something Goes Wrong

kim@goinsurance.com.au (Kim Murchie) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 02:54:30 GMT

Most people treat travel insurance as the last job on the list.

They book the flights, pay for the accommodation, arrange the tours, sort the leave from work - and then, somewhere near the bottom, they get to insurance.

That can be a costly habit.

Some of the most valuable cover a policy offers applies before you leave home. Wait until the day before departure, and you have carried one of the biggest risks of the whole trip - the risk of having to cancel - entirely on your own, from the day you booked.

The rule of thumb is simple.

Once you start booking or paying for a trip, it is worth putting travel insurance in place.

Insurance is about transferring risk

Insurance is, at its heart, risk transfer.

When you buy a travel policy, you are asking the insurer to take on the risk that something unexpected stops you travelling as planned - an illness, an injury, a family emergency, a natural disaster, a serious disruption.

There is one condition that makes the whole thing work: the risk has to be unknown when you buy.

If the problem has already happened, or you already know about something likely to affect your trip, you are no longer asking the insurer to cover the unexpected. You are asking them to take on a loss that already exists.

That is why when you buy can matter as much as what you buy.

Travel insurance protects against what might happen - not what is already happening.

Cancellation cover starts before you travel

The moment you pay for flights, accommodation, tours or a cruise, you have money at risk.

If something unexpected happens before departure and you have to cancel or change your plans, travel insurance may help with eligible cancellation costs.

Things that can happen between booking and departure:

You become seriously unwell and are no longer fit to travel
A close relative is hospitalised
You are injured before you go
A natural disaster or major transport disruption affects your trip

These things can happen at any point between booking and departure. Until you have cover in place, that risk is yours.

Known events change everything

A known event changes the risk completely.

If a cyclone has already formed and is forecast to hit your destination, buying a policy afterwards is unlikely to help with losses caused by that cyclone. The same applies to an airline strike that has already been announced, or a relative who is already seriously unwell when you buy.

The industry has a name for this: selection against the insurer. In plain English, it means trying to buy cover after the risk has already become likely or obvious.

That is not how insurance is built to work. It works best when it is in place before the problem appears.

"My trip is months away" is exactly the point

Some travellers hold off because departure is still a long way off.

That is often when cancellation cover earns its keep.

The longer the gap between booking and travelling, the more time there is for something to change. You might be perfectly well when you book. So might your travelling companion, your family, your work situation.

A lot can happen in a few months.

Buying early is not about expecting something to go wrong. It is about recognising the money you have committed - and the risk you are asking someone else to carry.

Deposits can be at risk too

Many people only think about insurance once the whole trip is paid for.

By then, the non-refundable deposits are often already gone.

Cruises, tours, accommodation, flights and package holidays all carry their own cancellation conditions. Some deposits are partly refundable. Some are not. Many become less refundable the closer you get to departure.

If you have committed money you would not want to lose, that is the signal to think about cover. You do not need to wait until every last detail is booked.

Buying early is not a guarantee

Buying early is sensible. It does not mean every cancellation reason is automatically covered.

Every policy has conditions, limits and exclusions. A few worth knowing:

A change of mind is not usually covered - deciding you no longer want to go is not the same as being unable to go
Known events may not be covered
Pre-existing medical conditions may need to be disclosed and assessed
Some claims need supporting documents, such as medical certificates or cancellation invoices

That first point has an answer worth knowing about. A change of mind sits outside standard cancellation cover - but it is exactly the gap Cancel For Your Reason (CFYR) is built to fill. Available as an optional upgrade on Go Ultra, CFYR can reimburse up to 75% of your non-refundable costs, to a maximum of $50,000, when you cancel for a personal reason standard cover does not include. It has to be added when you buy, within three days of your first trip payment - which is one more reason getting organised early pays off.

Buying early does not promise that every claim succeeds. But buying late can mean there is no cover at all for an event that had already happened, or was already known, when the policy started.

A simple example

Two travellers book the same holiday, six months out. Both pay for flights, accommodation and a tour.

Three months before departure, both have to cancel for the same reason - an unexpected medical event.

One bought travel insurance when they booked, when there was no sign of any problem. The other waited, and only bought a policy once the medical issue had arisen and the trip looked uncertain.

The first traveller may be able to claim. The second may have a problem - even though they bought their policy well before the scheduled departure date.

Same trip. Same cancellation reason. Very different outcome.

The question was never simply whether the policy was bought before the trip. It was whether it was bought before the event became known.

You can usually update your cover as the trip develops

Few people book everything at once. Flights first, accommodation later, tours or a cruise after that.

That is not a reason to wait until every detail is locked in.

Depending on the policy, you can often update your cover as your plans firm up - adjusting the trip cost, the dates, or the destinations. Get cover in place early, then keep it matching the trip you are actually taking.

The short version

Travel insurance is for unexpected events - the risk has to be unknown when you buy
Cancellation cover can apply from the moment you book and commit money
A known event - an illness, a forecast storm, an announced strike - changes what can be covered
Buying early is not a guarantee, but buying late can leave a gap
You can usually update your cover as your plans develop

Final thought

Travel insurance is not a last-minute job.

Buy it the day before you leave and you may still be covered for some things that happen during the trip. But the cancellation risk has been yours the whole time - from the day you booked to the day you finally bought cover.

Travel insurance is there for the unexpected. The best time to buy it is while the event is still unexpected.

Once something has happened - or once you know about something that could affect your trip - it may already be too late to hand that risk to an insurer.

So read the policy. Understand the cancellation cover. Disclose anything relevant. Check that the cover suits your destination, your activities and the kind of trip you are taking.

And once you start booking or paying, put travel insurance in place.

Frequently asked questions

Is it too late to buy travel insurance the day before I leave?

Not for everything. You may still have cover for events that happen during the trip. But cancellation cover only protects you from the moment it is in place, so the period between booking and buying is uninsured.

My trip is months away. Why buy now?

Because that gap is exactly when cancellation cover is most useful. The longer the wait to departure, the more time there is for something unexpected to come up - an illness, an injury, a family emergency.

Does buying early mean everything is covered?

No. Policies have conditions, limits and exclusions. A change of mind, known events and undisclosed medical conditions can all affect a claim. Buying early simply means you are covered for the unexpected from an earlier point.

Can I update my policy after I buy it?

Often, yes. Depending on the policy, you can adjust details like the trip cost, dates and destinations as your plans develop. Always check your policy and the relevant Product Disclosure Statement.

This article is general information only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. It is not financial or insurance advice. Cover, conditions, limits and exclusions vary between policies. Always read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before deciding whether a product is right for you. Product Disclosure Statements are available at goinsurance.com.au/pds. For more information, contact the Go Insurance team on 1300 819 888 or info@goinsurance.com.au.

Travelling To Europe In 2026? 5 Things You Need To Know Before You Go

kyanne@goinsurance.com.au (Kyanne Hooper) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:51:37 GMT

Europe is one of those trips many Australians dream about for years.

Flights are booked, hotels are locked in, cruise cabins are confirmed and the itinerary starts to feel real.

But if it has been a few years since your last European holiday, it is worth knowing that some parts of the travel experience have changed.

Border checks are becoming more digital. Popular destinations are managing visitor numbers more carefully. Some cities are charging new visitor fees. Transport disruption can still affect tight itineraries.

None of this means you should avoid Europe.

It simply means a little planning before you leave Australia can make a big difference once you arrive.

The key message: Europe is still an incredible destination. The risk is not travelling there. The risk is assuming the trip will work exactly the same way it did five or ten years ago.

1. Europe’s New Entry/Exit System May Change Your Arrival Experience

The European Union’s Entry/Exit System, known as EES, is changing the way many non-EU travellers enter and leave the Schengen Area.

For Australian travellers, the biggest change is that passport stamping is being replaced by a digital record. You may also be asked to provide biometric information, such as a facial image and fingerprints, when entering participating European countries.

The system is designed to improve border security and make future border checks more efficient.

That is the long-term aim.

In the short term, travellers may experience longer queues while the system continues to bed in, particularly at busy airports, seaports and land borders.

What this really means

Do not assume your first arrival into Europe will be as quick as previous trips. Allow more time, especially if you are connecting to another flight, train, cruise or tour.

2. You May Not Be Able To Complete Everything Online Before You Travel

Some travellers may be able to use the official EU “Travel to Europe” app before arriving at selected border points.

The app may allow eligible travellers to pre-register certain information, such as passport details and a facial image.

That can be helpful.

But it does not mean the full border process is completed before you leave home. It also does not mean every European airport or border point will offer the same experience.

Do not rely on pre-registration alone

Even if you use the official app, you should still expect to complete border checks when you arrive. Check what applies to the country and entry point you are using before you travel.

3. Tight Connections Could Become More Stressful

On paper, a short connection can look convenient.

In real life, it can become stressful very quickly.

If you are arriving into Europe and then connecting to another flight, train, ferry, cruise or organised tour, border delays can have a flow-on effect.

This is especially important for travellers who are:

joining a cruise on the same day they arrive
connecting through a major European airport
travelling across several countries in one trip
attending a wedding, conference or sporting event
relying on separate bookings with different travel providers

A delay at the border may not be a major problem if you have a relaxed arrival day.

It can be a very different situation if your ship departs that afternoon.

The safer approach

If you are joining a cruise, tour or important event, consider arriving at least one day earlier. If you are connecting to another flight, avoid the shortest available connection where possible.

4. Popular Destinations Are Requiring More Planning

Europe is busy.

In many places, that is not just a feeling. It is something local authorities are actively managing.

Some destinations have introduced visitor caps, booking systems, tourism taxes, cruise passenger limits or rules designed to reduce pressure on local communities during peak periods.

That can affect how easily you can visit popular attractions, enter historic city centres or secure tickets once you arrive.

Travellers who assume they can simply turn up may be disappointed, particularly in peak season.

Book the things that matter most

If there is a museum, landmark, tour, restaurant or experience you would be disappointed to miss, consider booking it before you leave Australia.

5. Travel Insurance Should Match The Trip You Are Actually Taking

European holidays can involve a lot of moving parts.

Flights, cruises, trains, tours, accommodation, transfers and prepaid experiences can all connect together in one itinerary.

That is why it is important to think about travel insurance before you leave, not after something goes wrong.

Travel insurance does not cover everything. Every policy has conditions, limits and exclusions.

But if your trip is disrupted, your luggage is delayed, you become unwell overseas or you need emergency assistance, having the right cover in place can make a significant difference.

Do not just buy the cheapest policy

Make sure the policy suits the trip you are actually taking. A simple city break, a European cruise and a multi-country itinerary can involve very different risks.

Before You Leave Australia

Check your passport validity and destination entry requirements.
Allow extra time for European border processing.
Avoid very tight onward connections after arriving in Europe.
Arrive early if joining a cruise, tour or major event.
Check whether the official “Travel to Europe” app is available for your entry point.
Book important attractions and experiences in advance.
Check for local visitor fees, tourism taxes and destination rules.
Read your travel insurance Product Disclosure Statement before departure.

Final Thought

Europe is still Europe.

The food, history, culture, scenery and unforgettable travel moments are all still there.

What has changed is the level of preparation many travellers now need before they arrive.

The biggest mistake is assuming your trip will work exactly the same way it did five or ten years ago.

Before you travel, check the rules, allow more time, build in flexibility and make sure your travel insurance suits the journey you are taking.

That is how you give yourself the best chance of enjoying Europe for all the right reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Australians be affected by Europe’s Entry/Exit System?

Yes. Australian passport holders travelling to participating Schengen Area countries may be required to complete EES checks when entering and leaving the region.

Can I complete the Entry/Exit System process online before I travel?

Not fully. Some travellers may be able to use the official “Travel to Europe” app at selected entry points, but it does not replace border checks on arrival.

Should I allow more time for connections in Europe?

Yes. It is sensible to allow additional time, particularly after your first arrival into the Schengen Area. This is especially important if you are connecting to another flight, cruise, tour or fixed-time event.

Do I need to book European attractions before I leave?

For popular attractions, it is often a good idea. Some destinations and experiences now use timed entry, visitor caps or advance booking systems, especially during peak travel periods.

Does travel insurance cover border delays?

It depends on the policy, the circumstances and the reason for the delay. Travel insurance policies have conditions, limits and exclusions, so travellers should read the Product Disclosure Statement and understand what is covered before departure.

This article is general information only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, travel plans or insurance needs. Entry requirements, border processes, tourism taxes and local rules can change. Before travelling, check official government travel advice, airline updates and destination requirements. You should also read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement to understand the cover, limits, conditions and exclusions that apply.

6 Travel Insurance Myths That Could Cost You Thousands

kim@goinsurance.com.au (Kim Murchie) — Fri, 22 May 2026 01:27:46 GMT

Travel insurance is one of those things people often buy reluctantly.

It is not the exciting part of booking a trip. If you return home safely with your luggage, passport, health and holiday intact, it can feel like money you never needed to spend.

That is exactly how insurance is supposed to work.

You buy it hoping you never need it, but if something goes wrong overseas, it can be the difference between a stressful situation and a financial disaster.

Over the years, we have seen a lot of confusion about what travel insurance does and does not cover. Some misunderstandings are harmless. Others can leave travellers seriously out of pocket.

Whether you are travelling overseas, taking a cruise or relying on reciprocal healthcare agreements, misunderstanding how travel insurance works can become extremely expensive.

Travel insurance is often misunderstood until something goes wrong.

Here are some of the most common myths.

Myth 1: Is Travel Insurance Too Expensive?

This is probably one of the most common reactions to travel insurance.

It is easy to look at the premium and think it seems high, especially if you have never had to make a major travel insurance claim.

Travel insurance premiums are not plucked out of thin air. They are based on risk. Your age, destination, trip duration, health, activities and the overall cost of your trip can all affect the premium.

Insurance works as a pool. Everyone contributes a relatively small amount so there is funding available for people who experience major, unexpected losses.

When someone becomes seriously ill or injured overseas, the costs can escalate quickly.

Real claim examples

The cost of getting home safely can escalate quickly

Traveller situation	Claim cost	Premium paid
A 57-year-old traveller fell in Phuket, fractured her ankle, developed an infection, required extensive surgery and repatriation.	$365,089	$142.68 for 12 days’ cover
A 49-year-old traveller fell off a camel in Morocco and broke her leg, requiring evacuation, surgery and air ambulance back to Australia.	$341,657	$339.77 for 31 days’ cover
A 75-year-old traveller contracted pneumonia while on a South Pacific cruise, was placed into a coma for 10 days onboard, hospitalised in the Philippines for 38 days and repatriated to Australia.	$268,145	$1,264 for 29 days’ cover
A 66-year-old traveller tripped and fell on stairs while walking on the Great Wall of China, fracturing her leg, elbow, hip and wrist. She was repatriated to Australia by air ambulance for emergency treatment.	$300,956	$474 for 30 days’ cover

Claims examples are based on real Go Insurance claims. Individual circumstances, policy terms, limits and exclusions apply.

That is the reality of travel insurance. Most travellers will never have a claim of this size. For the people who do, the cost can be life-changing.

The old saying is true: if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

Myth 2: Does Medicare Cover Cruise Ship Medical Treatment?

This is a big one.

Many people assume that if they are cruising domestically, Medicare, ACC or their local public healthcare system will cover onboard medical treatment the same way it would at a hospital or medical centre on land.

Unfortunately, it is not always that simple.

Even if your cruise does not leave Australian or New Zealand waters, you may not be able to claim public or private health insurance for medical treatment onboard. It is worth checking before you go whether your ship has a Medicare-accessible doctor onboard, or whether equivalent public healthcare access applies to your circumstances.

Cruise ship medical centres do not usually operate like standard medical practices on land.

Medical treatment onboard a cruise ship can be very expensive and in many cases those costs may not be recoverable through Medicare, ACC or private health insurance.

There is also the issue of evacuation. If someone becomes seriously ill or injured onboard, the ship’s medical centre may not be equipped to manage them. In those cases, evacuation to shore may be the safest option. That can be expensive, complicated and urgent.

Even if your cruise never leaves Australian or New Zealand waters, it is still worth checking whether your travel insurance covers domestic cruising, onboard medical treatment and evacuation.

Do not assume public healthcare will take care of everything.

Myth 3: Reciprocal Healthcare Is Not a Replacement for Travel Insurance

Australia and New Zealand both have reciprocal healthcare arrangements with a number of countries, including the United Kingdom.

That means Australian and New Zealand travellers may be able to access some medically necessary treatment through the public healthcare system while visiting those countries.

Reciprocal healthcare is not the same as travel insurance.

Take the UK as an example. Yes, you may be able to access treatment through the NHS, but it will not pay to fly you home to Australia or New Zealand if you need special medical arrangements to travel.

It will not cover costs like an air ambulance, nurse escort, stretcher flight, upgraded seating for medical reasons, changed flights home or extra accommodation.

It also will not help if your luggage is lost, your trip is cancelled, your passport is stolen or your travel plans are disrupted.

Public health systems also treat patients based on clinical urgency. If your condition is not an emergency, you may have to wait.

Reciprocal healthcare rights can be very helpful. They are a safety net, not a replacement for travel insurance.

Myth 4: Does Drinking Alcohol Void Travel Insurance?

A lot of travellers worry about this.

Most travel insurance policies contain an exclusion relating to alcohol or drugs. That does not mean having a few drinks on holiday automatically voids your cover.

The issue is not whether alcohol was consumed. The issue is whether it contributed to the claim.

For example, if someone gets extremely drunk, climbs over a balcony railing, falls and injures themselves, the insurer is going to look very closely at whether alcohol contributed to the claim.

Conversely, if someone has been drinking, takes a taxi back to their hotel, and that taxi is hit by another vehicle, their alcohol consumption may have nothing to do with the injuries they sustain.

Insurers cannot simply point to the fact that someone consumed alcohol and decline a claim without looking at whether it was relevant.

The sensible message is this: having a drink on holiday does not automatically mean you have no cover. If alcohol affects your judgement, coordination or behaviour and that leads to a claim, you may have a problem.

Myth 5: Will Travel Insurance Pay For Treatment Once You Return Home?

This is another common misunderstanding.

Travel insurance is generally designed to cover eligible emergency medical expenses overseas and, where necessary, the cost of getting you home.

Once you return home, your ongoing treatment is usually dealt with through your local public healthcare system and/or private health insurance, not your travel insurer.

This can surprise people. Someone might injure themselves overseas, decide to come home for surgery and then expect their travel insurer to pay the hospital or specialist bills once they are back home.

Travel insurers are generally not registered health insurers. They usually cannot pay onshore medical expenses in Australia or New Zealand.

That is why it is so important to contact your insurer’s emergency assistance team before making decisions about treatment overseas. Do not assume your travel insurer will pay for treatment at home simply because the injury or illness happened overseas.

Travel insurance may help get you home, but it does not replace public or private health insurance once you return.

Myth 6: Does Travel Insurance Cover Do Not Travel Destinations?

Government travel warnings matter. You should always check Smartraveller or SafeTravel before you book and before you travel.

Many travel insurance policies contain exclusions relating to travel against government advice, particularly where the advice is “Do Not Travel.”

The policy wording, timing of the warning and reason for the claim all matter.

For example, if a traveller goes to a country where the government warning is in place because of terrorism, civil unrest or armed conflict, and they are injured because of that exact risk, the insurer may be able to rely on the exclusion.

If the traveller suffers appendicitis, that is a very different situation. The claim may have nothing to do with the reason the travel warning was issued. In that case, the cost of treatment may still be payable, depending on the policy wording and the circumstances.

That said, travelling to a Do Not Travel destination can still create serious practical problems. If the country is dangerous, unstable or difficult to access, arranging medical treatment, evacuation or repatriation can be much more complicated.

The message is not, “Don’t worry about travel warnings.”

The message is: read the policy, check the advice, understand the risk and do not assume your insurer can easily help you out of a dangerous place.

Final thought

Travel insurance is not magic. It does not cover everything and every policy has conditions, limits and exclusions.

It can, however, be the difference between a disrupted holiday and a financial disaster.

Often, the biggest mistake travellers make is assuming they know how travel insurance works without reading the policy or asking questions.

Before you travel, make sure the policy suits the trip you are actually taking.

When someone becomes seriously ill or injured overseas, the cost is rarely just the hospital bill. It can include evacuation, changed flights, extra accommodation, a medical escort, a longer stay, worried family members and a complicated journey home.

That is exactly why travel insurance exists.

Kim Murchie

Director, Go Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare cover cruise ship medical treatment?

Not always. Medical treatment onboard cruise ships may not be claimable through Medicare, ACC or private health insurance. Travellers should check whether their cruise is covered before they depart.

Do I still need travel insurance if a country has reciprocal healthcare?

Yes. Reciprocal healthcare agreements generally only cover limited public medical treatment and do not replace travel insurance. They usually do not cover repatriation, medical escorts, changed flights, luggage, cancellations or broader travel disruption.

Does drinking alcohol void travel insurance?

Not automatically. Insurers generally assess whether alcohol caused or contributed to the incident or claim.

Will travel insurance pay for treatment in Australia or New Zealand?

Generally, travel insurance is designed to cover eligible emergency medical expenses overseas and, where necessary, the cost of getting you home. Ongoing treatment once you return home is usually handled through your local healthcare system or private health insurance.

Does travel insurance cover Do Not Travel destinations?

It depends on the policy wording, the timing of the government warning and the reason for the claim. Travellers should always check official travel advice before booking and before departure.

Why Staying Connected Overseas Could Save Your Trip

jessy@goinsurance.com.au (Jessy Harrington) — Thu, 21 May 2026 01:02:52 GMT