Water sports, snow sports, hiking, and biking, learn why Americans should protect themselves with travel insurance for New Zealand.
As featured in:
For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.
From the waterfalls of Fjordland, to the Westland rainforests and the glacial peaks of Mount Cook, New Zealand is a dream vacation spot for many Americans.
The northland region’s Bay of Islands gives you the chance to island hop between over 100 islands, but you may also want to rent a campervan and trek over to Mount Parihaka to take in the picturesque panoramic views.
If you’re exploring Te Waipounamu (the South Island), check out the majestic Blue Pools of Makarora. The South Island has its share of phenomenal hiking opportunities and scenic cycling routes.
While a trip to New Zealand is an amazing experience, there are some things to be aware of. With everything from earthquakes to parasites, our nomads have learned some things along the way. We encourage you to check out our team’s insights on things to know about New Zealand before you go— and consider investing in travel insurance* for New Zealand.
Even though you can book all your excursions in advance for your New Zealand adventure, what you can’t plan for are the unexpected things that may happen along the way.
With any overseas travel, there’s always going to be some things you can’t anticipate - like canceled trips, delayed baggage, and medical emergencies. If you tumble off your sand board and break a leg, your travel insurance for New Zealand could help you get the medical care you need.
Unexpected natural disasters could also put a halt to your plans. New Zealand is in an active seismic zone, and earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can happen there. If your trip to Tongariro National Park is canceled because Mount Ruapehu unexpectedly erupts and the US Government issues an advisory against travel to a destination, country, or region listed on the itinerary of your insured trip or the natural disaster makes it impossible for you to occupy your destination residence, your travel insurance for New Zealand could assist with reimbursing you for prepaid, non-refundable expenses for things like hotels and excursions.
There are four plans to select from. Compare the options to determine the best international travel insurance for your needs.
Since New Zealand is the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping, we know you may want to take that leap while you’re there. World Nomads covers more than 250 activities for Americans traveling to New Zealand- including bungee jumping.
In a country surrounded by water, you’ll probably be having some aquatic fun as well. Things like scuba diving, kayaking, surfing, and rafting on the Rangitata Gorge could be covered too.
It’s best to have a rough idea of your planned activities. Different plans cover different activities. By knowing your activities and adventures in advance, you’ll be able to purchase the best insurance plan for your trip. While a bungee jump off Kawarau Bridge is covered by all plans, if you’d rather make the leap from the plane and skydive over scenic spots like Fox Glacier or Mount Cook, you’ll need to upgrade to the Explorer or Epic Plan.
Our nomads agree that one of their favorite must-do activities in New Zealand is glacier walking.
The Haupapa/Tasman glacier is New Zealand’s longest glacier and is located in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park on Te Waipounamu/ the South Island. Never venture out onto a glacier alone. Instead, we recommend choosing an eco-friendly tour operator and taking a guided tour.
While the coolness of glacier walking can’t be denied, anytime you’re walking on slippery ice, accidents can happen. If you lose your footing, slide, and fall into a crevasse, you could end up with injuries.
Travel insurance for New Zealand offers coverage for emergency medical expenses because of an injury, unexpected sickness, or death occurring on your trip, including emergency medical care and ambulance transportation.
Should you have a medical emergency when traveling to New Zealand, contact the 24/7 emergency assistance team prior to seeking medical attention. If your medical conditions prevent you from calling, call as soon as medically possible or have someone call on your behalf. Also remember to save all paperwork and receipts.
If your treating physician (and the 24/7 emergency assistance team) recommends that you return home because of your medical condition, World Nomads travel insurance for New Zealand includes coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation.
To streamline your experience seeking medical care in New Zealand, sign up for FootprintID before your trip. This non-insurance service is included in all plans and is a portable personal health record where your documents, prescriptions, test results, and emergency contacts are accessible in one place anywhere in the world. Whether you need to refill a prescription or deal with a more serious injury, FootprintID expedites the process.
You may have packed your new snorkel and mask in your checked bag if you plan to visit Goat Island Marine Reserve. If you get to Auckland and your bag doesn’t, your travel insurance for New Zealand may reimburse you for the cost to replace your snorkel, mask, and other baggage.
The bag may have just taken a detour and will eventually make its way to you before your snorkeling excursion. If this happens, and your delayed bag is 12 or more hours late, you may be eligible to be reimbursed for the expenses you incur for a change of clothes and toiletries.
If that reunion never happens, the first step is to contact the airline to try and track down your bag. The second step is to file a claim with Blue Ribbon Bags-- a non-insurance service that will track and expedite the return of your undelivered baggage by the airline. Make sure to have the file reference or record locator number and Property Irregularity Report on hand when you call Blue Ribbon Bags so you can file a lost luggage claim.
You’ve put in the time to plan the perfect getaway to New Zealand, but sometimes things happen that can derail your plans.
If your travel companion unexpectedly gets sick before you leave the US, a doctor may tell him or her not to travel to New Zealand at that time. Your travel insurance for New Zealand includes trip cancellation coverage that may reimburse you for your non-refundable flights, hotels, and pre-paid activities.
Unexpected things can also happen once you are in New Zealand. If there are storms back home and you get a call that a tornado has destroyed your house, you may need to cut your trip short and go home to deal with that. Or perhaps an unannounced airline strike or a work emergency delays or interrupts your trip. Travel insurance for New Zealand helps you recover your unused, prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses if the reason is covered under the plan.
Before you leave the United States, we encourage you to check out the US government’s safety warnings for New Zealand to review their up-to-date warnings on any advisories.
New Zealand has unpredictable weather. The sun can be brutal, so make sure to always wear sunscreen. Pay attention to the weather forecasts. Weather can change quickly in New Zealand so even if the forecast shows nothing but sunny days, make sure you're prepared for strong winds and potential rain.
Remember the numbers 111. That's the emergency service number you can call if you need help from the police, fire department, or an ambulance when you’re in New Zealand.
If you purchase travel insurance for New Zealand, it’s always a good idea to save the 24/7 Emergency Assistance phone number and your policy number in your cell phone so you don’t have to search for that if an emergency happens.
Most Americans traveling to New Zealand have no problems at all, but since disasters like earthquakes and volcanoes are possible there, make sure to check out our information about what you need to know about natural hazards in New Zealand.
*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
We’ve got your back.
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
We’ve got your back.
We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.
Help starts here.
Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.
Help starts here.
The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.
Protect your health
Protect Your Trip
Protect Your Stuff
Non-Insurance Services
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone:
+1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.