Compare multi-trip travel insurance

What is multi-trip travel insurance? 

In a nutshell, multi-trip travel insurance – sometimes called ‘annual travel insurance’ – is a single policy that can cover you for a number of journeys within the span of a year. You take it out on day one, and you’ll be covered for holidays within the following 365 days. 

When you choose a policy, you’ll be required to select the maximum duration for the trips you intend to take during the year. This is usually set at increments of 15, 30, 45 and 60 days, with some allowing for up to 90 days consecutive travel. 

Just remember, if any single journey exceeds the limit you choose, you won’t be covered by the policy for those extra days. So, if you have an inkling you’ll spontaneously stretch out your holidays a little longer, it could be worth choosing a higher day limit for some buffer time. Because who wouldn’t be inspired to dance through Madrid or chill on an Indonesian island for a few more days than originally planned?

The multi-trip policies Mozo compares are for international travel insurance. However, many providers also offer multi-trip options for domestic travel insurance – some are totally separate to international options and others bundled together. What’s included in  international and domestic insurance varies considerably, so you may want to check out our guide to domestic travel insurance for details of what’s likely to be covered on journeys around Australia.

Like a single-trip travel insurance policy, what’s included in multi-trip insurance can vary between providers. Policies may come with different exclusions and limits to cover, as well as varied price points depending on your traveller profile and the coverage level you want. 

So you can decide on the right level of cover for your next trip, we’re here to compare travel insurance features across a range of multi-trip policies for international excursions.

What’s the best multi-trip travel insurance?

Whether it's for business or personal pleasure, travel bugs looking for the best multi-trip travel insurance policy shouldn’t have a difficult time finding one that fits your personal needs and budget. 

That’s why every year Mozo announces the Mozo Experts Choice Travel Insurance Awards to help you in your search. Expert judges annually analyse various multi-trip travel insurance policies to find the best value, comprehensive and quality insurances. 

See the winners below, then check out the details of the best travel insurance in Australia.

Exceptional Quality Annual Multi-trip Travel Insurance

• ahm International Annual Multi-Trip 

• Cover-More Travel Insurance International Comprehensive + 

• Easy Travel Insurance Premium Annual Multi-Trip 

• Flight Centre International Plus Annual Multi-trip 

• Medibank Annual Multi-Trip 

• National Seniors Annual Multi-Trip 

• nib Annual Multi-Trip 

• NRMA Comprehensive Annual Multi-Trip 

• Southern Cross Travel Insurance Annual Frequent Traveller.

Exceptional Value Annual Multi-trip Travel Insurance

• ahm International Annual Multi-Trip 

• Allianz Multi-Trip Plan 

• Boomers Travel Insurance Multi-Trip Plan 

• Medibank Multi-Trip Plan 

• NRMA Annual Multi-Trip 

• Southern Cross Travel Insurance Comprehensive Annual Multi-Trip 

• Worldcare Multi-Trip.

How does multi-trip or annual travel insurance work?

To start, you’ll need to provide all your personal information (including any medical issues or chronic health conditions) and select the kind of coverage you want, so the insurance company can set your premium accordingly. This includes identifying the destinations you want to be able to potentially travel to during the year, any high-risk activities you plan to take part in (like scuba diving or mountain biking) and the items you’ll be travelling with that you want insured.

Separate coverage limits for individual events or items included in the policy will be laid out, and you may be able to increase those sub-limits to match your needs. You might do this so that an expensive ring or camera will be insured for its full value, or if you want extra peace of mind knowing that medical costs will be covered if you plan on a risky adventure that could be costly if it goes haywire.

Then, as with a standard policy, your multi-trip travel insurance can be called on to cover costs related to accidents, injuries, natural disasters and cancellations that may occur while you travel (so long as they’re covered under your policy.)

What’s unique to multi-trip insurance is choosing the trip length for all your journeys in one go. Whether you choose a 15-day or 60-day policy, you want to be sure that each individual journey won’t exceed that timeframe. 

If you do extend your trip and need to make an insurance claim for something that occurred outside the original timeframe, you may see limits imposed on your cover or not be covered at all during that time. Other insurance companies may let you extend your cover (for a fee) while some will not cover any claims at all since you didn’t abide by the conditions originally laid out in the policy.

Each provider and policy will have different conditions around this, so be sure to read the fine print of each policy’s product disclosure statement (PDS) before signing up with a travel insurance provider. Most policies cite that ‘multiple journeys’ will be covered throughout the year from when you take out the policy. But if you’re a prolific globe trotter, be sure to check that it definitely covers an unlimited number of trips, just in case.

Who’s best suited to a multi-trip insurance policy?   

You’ll get the most value out of multi-trip travel insurance if you travel regularly, especially if you’re a frequent international explorer. Depending on where you’re going, the activities you have planned and the items or events you want coverage for, a multi-trip policy can provide great value while also taking the hassle out of organising insurance for every trip separately.

You’ll likely see the greatest savings if you have consistent habits while travelling. If you usually don’t bring many valuables on your journeys and stick to low-risk activities in countries deemed lower-risk through the government Smartraveller site, then you won’t have to consider high coverage limits in different categories. 

But if you sometimes travel for work (hauling your laptop along with you) and then on other occasions head off the tourist track to become a skiing or wake-boarding thrill-seeker, you could see a premium bump-up. This is because you effectively need to account for any activities you might engage in on any trip, even if they’re not all relevant for every journey.

Remember: multi-trip travel insurance isn’t designed for long-term travel. It’s intended for people who go on multiple holidays or journeys in the space of a year. Be sure to compare travel insurance options including multi and single-trip policies so you know what’s the most economical option for you.

What does multi-trip travel insurance cover?

Every policy will have a different mix of inclusions, and each event or item will usually have a specific dollar limit on what the insurance company will pay out if you make a claim on your travel insurance. The options below may not be included in every multi-trip travel insurance policy, but they are common features you may want to consider. 

• Medical and dental

No one wants their holiday marred by a sudden illness or accident that requires medical or dental treatment. But you do want to be prepared for the worst-case scenario so you’re not faced with a massive medical bill as the sour cherry on top.

The medical events covered by multi-trip travel insurance usually include things like emergency medical transportation, care and hospital expenses. Emergency dental treatment is also often included, as is the cost involved in resuming your journey after a medical or dental emergency (which could involve things like booking new flights or accommodation).

And while death or disability is the last thing anyone wants to think about when booking a holiday, travel insurance is also there to help you prepare for these unthinkable outcomes. It can cover the cost of bringing your body home (which can be in the tens of thousands), provide compensation if you’re permanently disable while travelling, and even cover a certain amount of lost income if your injuries prevent you from working.

Of course, there are circumstances where these costs won’t be covered, like if you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs when an accident occured, if you were breaking the law, or if you inflicted harm upon yourself. Many insurance companies will also not accept claims if you had a pre-existing medical condition which you didn’t tell them about when you took out a policy, or if you’re travelling when a doctor has advised you not to.

• Luggage and personal belongings

Luggage temporarily lost in transit? Most policies will provide a small amount of cover to purchase essentials like clothes and toiletries while you recover your affects. If bags or belongings (including credit cards and a certain amount of cash) are lost in transit forever, stolen or damaged, then your policy can cover the cost of replacing or repairing these (up to the sub-limits for specific items laid out in the PDS). 

But remember to keep your eyes on your bags! If your luggage goes missing while unattended, then travel insurance won’t cover you. Be sure to ask your insurance company for conditions on how this works when you’ve stored your items somewhere like a hostel locker or a concealed compartment in a private car you’re using.

• Cancellation and delays

This generally covers non-refundable prepaid travel and accommodation (or deposits) if you need to cancel your trip. Usually, this will be in the case of unforeseeable circumstances like if a natural disaster or conflict occurs at home or the country you’re travelling to, if you are injured in an accident or fall ill, or if a relative unexpectedly dies or is hospitalised. 

Your policy usually won’t cover accommodation or further travel if your flight is cancelled or delayed and causes you to miss your next connecting flight (in some circumstances airlines will take care of these issues). For your travel insurance to cover some of these costs, your flight or other transportation usually needs to be delayed by at least 6 hours.

• Personal liability

This aspect of travel insurance kicks in when you’re the one responsible for accidentally causing damage to other people’s property or injuring them. It’s there to cover legal costs in case you get sued as well as compensation settled outside the courts. But if it’s found that you caused damages on purpose, your insurance provider won’t be there to back you up.

• Optional extras

There are usually a bunch of extra coverage points you can personalise your policy with, as well as options for increasing set pay-out sub-limits. A few common optional extras you might see offered with multi-trip travel insurance include:

- Rental car excess reduction. This brings down the often high excess that hire car companies charge when you make a claim on insurance with them. With this kind of cover, some travel insurance policies will bring the payable excess down to $0, while others will reduce it significantly (from excesses often starting at $5,000). Only ever drive a car overseas if you have an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a driver’s licence in that country, otherwise it’s likely you won’t be covered by any form of insurance.

- Cruise cover. Since cruises can move between countries and international waters, tailored insurance may be required. It can also help cover costs related to cruise-specific mishaps like falling ill and being confined to your cabin so you miss out on paid activities, or missing cruise departures.

- Snow sports and other adventure packages. Most travel insurance companies will ask you about the activities you’ll be involved in while you travel, and increase premiums if you list riskier adventures like skiing, scuba diving and 4-wheel driving. To help manage these costs, some will offer specialised packages for things like snow sports, which is useful if your trip is based predominantly around the ski slopes.

Remember: adding optional extras will increase your premium, since the insurance company is taking on greater risk. 

Does multi-trip insurance cover Covid-19? 

Fully vaccinated Australians have been able to travel internationally without seeking an exemption since November 1, 2021. But Covid-19 will likely impact international travel for years to come. Unforeseeable outbreaks of the virus could result in trips being cancelled before you leave home, journeys cut short while you’re on the road, the need for medical assistance while you travel, or quarantining overseas and at home depending on the circumstances. 

Some insurance providers now offer limited travel insurance cover for Covid-related events, which could be applied to multi-trip policies. According to consumer group CHOICE, most policies will likely only cover medical, quarantine and cancellation costs if you or someone you’re travelling with tests positive to Covid-19 while you’re on your trip. 

If you are not able to go on your planned journey due to lockdowns in Australia or your holiday destination, CHOICE says cancellation costs likely won’t be covered by insurance.