On this page:
The cost of travel might be on the rise, but there are a few ways to save on travel insurance that will safeguard your travels from breaking the bank.
Shop around
Compare policies on cost and cover. The average price for a comprehensive policy varies from $100 for travel in the Pacific to over $1700 for travel in Africa. You shopped around for your trip, isn't your insurance worth the same investment, too?
How much is travel insurance?
Average premium per region*
| Region | Cheapest policy | Most expensive policy |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | $268 | $1718 |
| Americas | $495 | $1630 |
| Asia | $112 | $1024 |
| Europe | $267 | $1335 |
| Middle East | $143 | $820 |
| Pacific | $78 | $307 |
*Average premiums based on a market-representative sample of 230,296 quotes for international travel insurance collected in March 2026. CHOICE calculated the average premium for each policy: figures shown are for the policies with the cheapest and most expensive average quote for each region.
Source: Choice.com.au - Our top tips to save on travel insurance
Travel insurance price varies considerably depending on many things. Such as where you're travelling, how old you are, what medical conditions you might have or activities you plan to do (such as cruising or skiing). And prices vary depending on which insurer you buy your policy from. It pays to shop around.
Member discounts
Does your health, car or home insurance provider also sell travel insurance? Some companies give 10–15% discounts to existing members.
Compromise on cover – do you need gold standard?
While good medical cover is always essential, there are other ways you could save money on your premium. You can do this by choosing a policy with lower or variable cover for cancellation, delays and lost baggage. This is especially useful if you aren't spending big on your holiday or taking expensive items with you.
Use your credit card
Some credit cards come with 'free' travel insurance when you use them to buy a ticket, pay for other travel expenses or otherwise activate it. You're already paying a premium in fees for the card itself, so why not make maximise the benefits you can get from it?
This type of insurance can sometimes be a money-saver, and the level of cover can be just as good or even better than standard insurance. If you choose to use this cover, make sure it gives you the cover you need.
Read more about credit card insurance.
Read next:
- About that fine print
- What are you covered for?
- Credit card travel insurance
- How to make a complaint