costco travel insurance australia

Is Costco Travel Insurance Worth It? A Detailed Review

Travel insurance can provide valuable protection when you’re on vacation. If something goes wrong, like a canceled flight or medical emergency, insurance helps cover your costs. But is Costco’s travel insurance worth buying?

Costco offers travel insurance policies throughCover-More, a division of Zurich Insurance Group. Policies are available for international trips, cruises, domestic U.S. vacations and rental cars.

Here’s what to know about Costco travel insurance and whether it’s worth it for your next vacation.

What Does Costco Travel Insurance Cover?

Costco offers a few different travel insurance options based on your trip type:

International travel: Covers vacations outside the U.S. Offers the highest coverage limits.

Cruise vacations: Protects the entire cruise vacation, not just time on the ship.

Domestic U.S. trips: For vacations within the United States. Lower coverage limits than international policies.

Rental cars: Primary insurance for rental vehicles to replace expensive rental company options.

The main coverages are similar across plans and include:

Trip cancellation: Up to 100% of trip costs if you have to cancel for a covered reason.

Trip interruption: Up to 150% of trip cost to get home if you have to cut your trip short.

Travel delay: Reimburses expenses like hotels and meals if your travel is delayed.

Baggage: Covers lost, damaged and stolen luggage. International and cruise plans offer higher limits.

Medical: Emergency medical and dental care if you’re injured or get sick on your trip.

Evacuation: Transportation to get you to adequate medical facilities in a medical emergency.

Some benefits are upgraded for international and cruise vacations like missed connections coverage. Rental car protection has more limited benefits focused just on the vehicle itself.

You can also add on cancel for any reason coverage and increased rental car damage coverage for extra fees.

How Much Does Costco Travel Insurance Cost?

Costco travel insurance rates are based on:

Trip cost: The dollar amount of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip.

Trip length: Longer trips may have higher premiums.

Destination: International trips often cost more than domestic.

Upgrade options: Cancel for any reason or rental car damage upgrades raise the price.

Here are some examples of Costco travel insurance cost:

7-day domestic trip costing $6,000: $270
10-day Spain trip costing $6,000: $300
30-day rental car: $170

In most cases, expect to pay about 4% to 10% of your total nonrefundable trip cost. Upgrading your policy raises the percentage.

Costco’s website makes it easy to get quotes. Just enter your trip details to see exact pricing. Members can buy policies online without contacting an agent.

Pros of Costco Travel Insurance

High coverage limits: Maximum coverages go up to $200,000 for medical care and $1 million for emergency evacuation.

Cancel for any reason upgrade: Unique upgrade reimburses 50% of trip costs if you cancel more than 48 hours before departure.

Easy online purchase: Quote and buy policies completely online without phone calls.

Good value: Competitive pricing compared to plans from other insurance providers.

Strong backing: Zurich Insurance Group backing provides security and stellar financial ratings.

Cons of Costco Travel Insurance

Pre-existing condition exclusion: Typical for travel insurance, but still problematic for travelers with health issues.

High-risk activities excluded: No coverage for things like scuba diving, mountain climbing or amateur racing.

Weather exclusions: Natural disasters like hurricanes often have special exclusions.

Rental car restrictions: Daily limits and excluded car models apply to rental coverage.

Limited plan options: Only one set of benefits and coverage amounts for each trip type.

What Credit CardsCover

Before buying a Costco policy, check what your credit card covers. Many travel credit cards include some protections:

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Baggage delay or loss coverage
Rental car damage coverage
Travel accident insurance

But credit card protections typically have lower limits, like $1,000 or $2,000. Costco travel insurance offers more robust coverage.

For a big trip or cruise, Costco insurance works well in addition to credit cards. Use the card’s coverage first, then Costco for anything else.

What’s Not Covered by Costco Travel Insurance

Like most insurance policies, Costco travel insurance excludes some things:

Pre-existing medical conditions: Unless you qualify for a waiver when you buy coverage shortly after your first trip payment.

High-risk activities: No coverage for things like extreme sports, racing or stunt flying.

Intentional acts: Injuries or illnesses caused by things like drug use or self-harm.

Natural disasters: Hurricanes, earthquakes and other major weather or events known when you purchase coverage.

Refundable reservations: Anything you can cancel for a full cash refund.

War: Injury or loss due to declared or undeclared war or civil unrest.

Pay attention to exclusions when choosing a travel insurance policy and reading the full terms.

Is Costco Travel Insurance Worth It?

Costco travel insurance can be worth it for the right kind of traveler and trip.

Good for big, expensive vacations: Policies with high coverage limits protect costly trips. Good for cruises, exotic locations or extended travel.

Nice upgrade over credit cards: More robust benefits than even the best travel credit cards. The cancel for any reason upgrade is hard to find.

Peace of mind for worriers: Comprehensive coverage lets anxious travelers relax. Insurance can seem worth it for the trip protection.

Not worth it for everyday trips: Lower cost domestic travel may not need big coverage limits or extra insurance cost. Credit cards work fine.

Is Costco Travel Insurance Right for You?

Think about your upcoming trip and how you handle travel risks. Ask yourself:

How expensive is this vacation? Higher cost trips get more value from insurance.

How worried will I be about potential issues? More nervous travelers appreciate the peace of mind.

Does my credit card already cover some risks like baggage or rental cars? If so, a big policy may not be necessary.

Are we doing risky activities excluded by insurance? Consider passing if you’ll have coverage gaps.

For many frequent travelers going on higher cost trips, Costco insurance can definitely be worth considering. It provides solid protection that goes beyond most credit card coverage. Just be sure to understand what is and isn’t covered before making your purchase.

The Bottom Line

Costco travel insurance provides good value at reasonable prices for members. For international vacations, cruises, and other big trips, it’s worth considering to supplement credit card protections. Make sure to evaluate your trip, risk factors, and existing coverage when deciding if you should buy a policy.

For the right person and the right vacation, Costco insurance can give useful trip coverage and peace of mind. Just know what you’re buying and make sure it fits your needs.

Costco Travel Insurance Review: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Costco’s Travel Insurance Policy

What travel insurance company does Costco use?

Is Costco a good place to buy insurance?

What is the benefit of booking with Costco Travel?

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Well Going Dry?
Does My Spouse Have to Be on My Car Insurance?
Understanding Travelers Insurance Company’s NAIC Number
How to Get Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance in Oregon

Our Pick Of The Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance Providers In Australia

Published: Apr 2, 2024, 9:30am

Australians are well-known for their love of travel, with many of us eager to make up for years spent in lockdown with epic European vacations, winter breaks in Bali, or luxury cruises.

In fact, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) revealed that travel activity in December 2022 was at the same level as February 2019, before lockdowns and Covid restrictions, and this trend has continued at this pace for much of 2023 and the beginning of 2024. Most recently, the ABS recorded some 1.3 million departures in January, an increase of 294,990 compared with January of 2023.

The ABS also noted that the number of trips for January 2024 was at the pre-Covid level in January 2019, and that travel across the ditch remains popular, with New Zealand still the leading destination for Australians returning from a short-term trip overseas (13%).

Key to peace of mind when travelling is adequate insurance, and it’s also paramount to find an insurance provider who will cover not only Covid-19 related claims, such as being diagnosed with Covid-19 while travelling or cancellations and delays due to Covid-19, but all of the other potential mishaps that could go wrong while overseas—whether it be missing a connecting flight, falling ill, event cancellation, theft or luggage going missing. Alarmingly, a recent study by Smartraveller and Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) found that one in six Australians are still travelling overseas without travel insurance, with younger travellers, those from lower-income households, and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds all more likely to travel without insurance.

To help Australians find the best option suitable for their needs, Forbes Advisor combed through the leading players to determine our pick of the best comprehensive travel insurance providers for those looking to travel overseas in 2024 and beyond. All insurers’ pds details have been fact-checked and are current as of March 2024.

Note: the below list represents a selection of our top category picks, as chosen by Forbes Advisor Australia’s editors and journalists. The information provided is purely factual and is not intended to imply any recommendation, opinion, or advice about a financial product. Not every product or provider in the marketplace has been reviewed, and the list below is not intended to be exhaustive nor replace your own research or independent financial advice. For more information on how Forbes Advisor ranks and reviews products, including how we identified our top category picks, read the methodology selection below.

Related: How to Find the Best Travel Insurance for you

Our Pick of the Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance Providers 2024

Travel Insurance Direct (Comprehensive)
Allianz (Comprehensive)
Bupa Travel Insurance (Comprehensive)
InsureandGo (Comprehensive)
insure4less (Comprehensive)
Cover-More Travel Insurance (Comprehensive)
1Cover (Comprehensive)
Fast Cover (Comprehensive)
Qantas Travel Insurance (Comprehensive)
Australia Post (Comprehensive)

What Methodology Did We Use?

Covid-19 travel rules and restrictions, what if i have a pre-existing medical condition, types of travel insurance policies, what about seniors, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Best Seniors Travel Insurance
Best Domestic Travel Insurance
Best Cruise Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance Cost
Pregnancy Travel Insurance Guide
Travel Insurance And Covid: Are You Covered?
Travel Insurance For Bali
Travel Insurance For Fiji
Travel Insurance For The USA
Travel Insurance For Thailand
Travel Insurance For New Zealand
Travel Insurance To India

Featured Partners

Fast Cover Travel Insurance

On Fast Cover’s Secure Website

Medical cover

Unlimited, 24/7 Emergency Assistance

Cancellations

Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)

Key Features

25-Day Cooling Off Period, Australian Based Call Centre, 4.6 Star Product Review Rating

Cover-More Travel Insurance

On Cover-more’s secure website

Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental

Yes, amount chosen by customer

Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Medical Cover

Including medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment & medical transport costs

$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited

Unlimited, with a $1000 limit to dental

Despite the WHO declaring the pandemic over, Covid continues to interrupt our travel plans, and compared with other policies, Travel Insurance Direct offers very thorough Covid-19 cover, including both medical expenses and trip cancellations. Furthermore, some 43 medical conditions are automatically covered, however, additional conditions are not considered.

Where the policy really stands out is in its coverage of a broad range of 93 activities, with travellers able to add on extra coverage for certain higher-risk activities, such as snow sports. Plus, there are more than 2,500 reviews of the policy on Product Review, with an average of 4.2 stars.

93 sports and activities are automatically covered
Lost luggage coverage up to $12,000, with the ability to increase item limits
Online discounts are only available for multiple policies or group policies
Certain pre-existing medical conditions cannot be covered

Yes, overseas medical expenses related to Covid-19 are included in the unlimited medical cover, as well as additional travel expenses up to $2,500.

Cancellations due to Covid-19 are covered for you and travelling party.

Unlimited, including dental

$2,000 is included, with the option to increase at a higher premium

Allianz has a generous medical policy, and unlike many competitors, includes unlimited coverage for both hospital and dental. The top-tier policy also covers pre-existing medical conditions, however, assessments are required and conditions need to be met. Some 38 activities are included and listed in the PDS, and there is no age limit to coverage.

There’s also the option to increase certain limits (luggage, cancellations, etc) for higher levels of coverage depending on the individual traveller’s needs.

All ages are covered
Dental is included in unlimited medical expenses
Personal liability cover does not include additional activity packs, such as snow.
No cover for missed connecting flights

Yes, Covid-19 is covered under medical expenses.

Cancellations due to Covid-19 are covered if the cancellation is due to a government-enforced border closure or due to the policy holder having to complete a quarantine due to Covid-19. As this is less of an issue these days, this policy feature is likely to be less important to travellers.

Bupa travel insurance is underwritten by Allianz, and its comprehensive travel insurance policy is almost identical to Allianz’s branded offering.

Along with unlimited medical, hospital and dental cover, Bupa offers 24/7 emergency assistance with Australian-based doctors and nurses available. As with Allianz, credit card fraud is covered up to $5,000 and lost luggage tops out at $10,000 (sub-limits apply). It’s worth noting, however, that Bupa scores slightly lower on Product Review—an average of 3.9 stars compared to Allianz’s 4.

15% discount for Bupa health insurance policy holders
All pre-existing conditions need to be assessed to determine if they will be covered
Reviews state lengthy waits for claim payments

Cancellations due to Covid-19 are covered if the cancellation is due to a government-enforced border closure or due to the policy holder having to complete a quarantine. As this is less of an issue these days, this policy feature may not be as important to travellers.

Unlimited, with a $500 limit to dental

InsureandGo is an ideal choice for families, with 90 activities included and the option to add additional extras, such as snow cover. Children are covered up to the age of 18 if they are travelling with parents or grandparents, and the maximum age for a policy-holder is 100 years old—although if you’re heading on a cruise the maximum age is 79.

Lost luggage is covered up to $15,000—sub limits apply—and there is unlimited cancellation cover.

The company’s comprehensive offering, known as Gold, was rated an average of 4 stars from more than 6,000 reviews.

Regular discounts with promo codes on Facebook page
Coverage up to 100 years
No credit card fraud coverage
Dental tops out at $500

Yes, overseas medical expenses related to Covid-19 are covered, as are cancellations for the policy holder and their travelling companions

Yes, up to $7500 per person

Insure4less offers policyholders coverage for a wide range of activities—more than 120 are listed in PDS—while additional, high-risk sports can also be added. The comprehensive policy, known as Excel Plus, covers medical expenses of Covid-19, along with any additional expenses required for you to return early to Australia if necessary.

It also covers lost luggage up to $5,000 (sub limits apply), cancellations up to $7,500 per person, connecting flights up to $1,000 and personal liability up to $7.5 million—the latter of which is at the higher end of what is generally offered. Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions are subject to the completion of an online medical questionnaire.

Read more: insure4less Review: Pros and Cons

More than 100 activities are included in the policy, with the option to add on additional cover for other high-risk activities such as snow cover for snowboarding and skiing
Unlimited medical
Luggage only covered up to $5,000

Mostly. Overseas medical expenses related to covid-19 are covered, as well as additional expenses for you to return early due to Covid if necessary. However, cancellations due to Covid are not covered.

Cover-More Travel Insurance (Comprehensive)

Cover-More’s travel insurance not only covers Covid-19 medical expenses overseas, but also provides $2,500 for additional related expenses. Lost luggage is also covered up to $15,000, as are dependent children up to 21 provided they are financially dependent and not in full-time employment.

Travellers up to 99 years of age can travel on the Cover-More policy, however senior travellers must meet certain criteria.

Despite these stand-out features, what prevented us from giving Cover-More a higher score was its negative reviews: it scored an average of 3.3 stars out of almost 3,000 reviews on Product Review. (Forbes Advisor pays little attention to reviews when there are fewer than 100, and always takes into account that reviews tend to skew negative).

Pregnancy is automatically covered for single-child pregnancy
$3,000 for connecting flights
Senior travellers need to meet acceptance criteria
No online discounts

Mostly. Covid-19 related medical expenses are covered, with additional expenses up to $2,500.

There is up to $5,000 for cancellations related to Covid-19, but only on the Comprehensive Plus policy.

Unlimited, but dependent on conditions

From more than 4500 reviews on Product Review, 1Cover has received an average rating of 4.3 stars by consumers.

The comprehensive policy covers more than 100 sports and activities, and includes the option to add additional packs for high-risk activities. The rest of the policy can also be personalised, allowing policyholders to add or increase cover to suit the traveller’s habits

Credit card fraud is covered up to $5,000, as is disruption of journey when the delay is for more than six hours.

Flexibility to add and increase cover to suit individual travellers
Pregnancy cover up to week 24 of the pregnancy
Travellers over the age of 80 incur a $3,000 excess
Dental limited to $1,000.

Partially. Medical expenses for Covid-19 are covered, but cancellations are not.

Unlimited, with a $1,000 limit to dental

Unlimited, but cancellation fees capped at $1,500 via travel agent

FastCover offers unlimited cover for both medical expenses and cancellations, however, it does require certain conditions to be met and has limits on specific claims. Some 43 conditions are covered provided the traveller meets the criteria.

While the policy offers good Covid-19 coverage, including listing Covid-19 as a medical expense and including it as a reason for cancellation, dental is capped at $1,000. Furthermore, lower coverage applies to travellers over the age of 80 and if you booked through a travel agent, cancellation cover tops out at $1,500.

Read more: Fast Cover Review: Features, Pros and Cons

Discounts available for more than one person
43 pre-existing conditions are automatically covered
Some limitations on flight cancellation cover
Lower coverage amounts for senior travellers

Yes, overseas medical expenses due to Covid-19 are covered, as are cancellations for those named on the insurance certificate.

Qantas Comprehensive Travel Insurance offers unlimited medical expenses, including coverage for Covid-19 diagnoses. It also automatically covers 43 pre-existing medical conditions (pending certain criteria), but requires a medical assessment, in the form of an online form, for any conditions not listed.

There is unlimited cover for cancellations and missed connections, as well as coverage for emergency dental for acute pain of up to $2,500. Note: the standard comprehensive policy is for those aged up to 69; there is a seperate policy for 70+ years.

Related: Our pick of the best travel insurance for seniors .

Lost luggage covered up to $15,000
Good Covid-19 cover
Some poor reviews albeit from a small number (257)
Fraudulent credit card activity is not covered

Yes, overseas medical expenses includes if you are diagnosed with Covid-19. Cancellations due to a positive Covid-19 diagnosis are also covered, as well as ‘reasonable’ additional expenses (such as if you are required to quarantine).

Australia Post’s Comprehensive Travel Insurance offers coverage for credit card fraud of up to $5,000, lost luggage insurance up to $12,000 (sub-limits apply on certain items) and no age limit on policies. There is unlimited emergency medical, which we would expect for a comprehensive policy, with a $2,000 limit for dental, which is also pretty good. There is no cover specifically for missed connections but there is cover for travel delay up to $2,000

However, cruises of more than two nights will not be covered and need to be added as an additional pack to the policy.

No age limit
Cover for travel delays pending certain conditions
Need to purchase an additional cruise pack if going on a cruise of longer than two nights
Only 15 activities included, with additional packs required to be purchased for snow sports and motorcycling

Partially. Covid-19 related medical expenses and additional expenses are are covered, but an additional excess applies. Cancellations due to Covid-19 are not covered, and there is no cover for claims arising from Covid-19 while travelling on a cruise.

To find our list of the top travel insurance providers, we performed an in-depth analysis of more than 30 of the most popular local travel insurance providers. This included an evaluation of their current product ratings online and reviews from previous customers; a comparison of necessary offerings; and in-depth research into their individual product disclosure statements (PDS).

Through the analysis, the following coverage offerings and conditions were compared:

Underwriter: an underwriter is the company which evaluates an applicant’s claim for approval and payment, and therefore should always be a reputable company;
The average product review rating: found via Australia’s independent consumer review site, Product Review, where policyholders rate their experience with the specific travel provider;
Conditions of age: including whether there is a maximum age cut-off to take out the policy, or whether children up to a certain age can be included with the main policy holder;
Coverage of personal liability, credit card fraud, car hire excess and lost luggage: including any additional fees, conditions, and value limits;
Medical cover, including dental, pregnancy and Covid-19: specifying what is included in the medical cover, any excess limits for dental, what weeks of pregnancy are covered (if any), and whether Covid-19 is included as a medical claim;
Whether cancellations, delays or connecting flights were covered: including whether cancellations due to COVID-19 are claimable and any conditions with travel delay coverage or connecting flights;
The inclusion of pre-existing medical conditions: from how many pre-existing medical conditions are included to whether there are conditions that need to be met, and any medication conditions that are automatically excluded;
The inclusion of sports and activities: how many sports and activities were included in the policy; any sports and activities that are not covered; the availability of additional packages to cover certain sports and activities (such as winter sports or cruises);
Emergency assistance and customer service: the availability of assistance and the level of customer service provided to a policyholder; and
Discounts: whether there were any online discounts available from the provider.

In all, there were 19 different variables we compared and considered to find the overall ranking of each comprehensive travel insurance provider. Rankings were then made between 1-5, with the leading providers–all ranked 3 and above–included in the best-of list.

You will note that we did not evaluate policies on the metric of price: this is because the cost of travel insurance is highly dependent on the circumstances, health, age and destination of the person travelling.

A Note on Star Rankings

You will note that we have included a star rating next to each product or provider. This rating was determined by the editorial team once all of the data points above were considered, and the pros and cons of each product attribute was reviewed. The star rating is solely the view of Forbes Advisor editorial staff. Commercial partners or advertisers have no bearing on the star rating or their inclusion on this list. Star ratings are only one factor to be considered, and Forbes Advisor encourages you to seek independent advice from an authorised financial adviser in relation to your own financial circumstances and investments before you decide to choose a particular financial product or service.

The rules surrounding travel are ever-changing as the Covid-19 pandemic continues. At the time of writing, you do not need to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test to meet Australia’s travel requirements, nor do you need proof of a Covid-19 vaccination to travel to and from Australia.

Masks are also no longer necessary on international flights. However, as per the Australian government’s health and aged care department, Australians are still encouraged to consider wearing a mask to reduce potential risk.

The rules and regulations surrounding Covid-19 travel overseas vary by country and region. Before you travel, be sure to check your destination country’s local public health orders for Covid-19 vaccination requirements, and to see if there are any isolation or quarantine orders to abide by upon your arrival.

You can check the government’s Smartraveller Destination guide to find the latest updates for your destination, along with the Australian government’s advice for travelling to that destination.

The advice levels are: exercise normal safety precautions; exercise a high degree of caution; reconsider your need to travel; and do not travel. Smartraveller explains the level of advice in attribution to each destination and the reason for such, which could include terrorist threats, high levels of violent crime, security risks and/or health measures.

If you have, or have had, a medical condition, you may need to ensure your travel insurance has specialist coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. The same applies if you are recovering from serious injury.

Most Australian travel insurance providers do include a wide range of pre-existing medical conditions in their policies, such as cancer, heart problems, respiratory ailments, Crohn’s disease and diabetes. They can also include more common complaints such as asthma and hay-fever, as well as Covid-19.

For pre-existing medical conditions that aren’t automatically included, you may need to purchase extra coverage. To find out whether your condition is listed on the policy, you will need to read the travel insurance provider’s product disclosure statement. If your condition is not automatically included, it may still be covered upon meeting certain conditions or by undertaking a medical assessment.

Some conditions may never be covered by some providers and are excluded, even pending a medical assessment. Most often, these are pre-existing medical conditions that are the result of alcohol or drug dependency.

When comparing travel insurance providers, you’ll see many different policy types and therefore need to consider which best suits your needs. These policy types include:

Single cover: cover for an individual traveller
Family cover
Single trip: providing cover for one trip, for a specific destination over a fixed time
Annual multi-trip: designed for those planning to take more than two holidays or business trips a year to multiple destinations.
Worldwide: allowing you to travel to destinations across the globe, however certain high-risk areas or those that are expensive for medical cover may not be included

There are often ‘packs’ or ‘additional extras’ that can be added on to these standard policy types, to include specific activities or travel types. This includes cruise coverage, designed to provide cover for the activities and risks associated with cruise holidays; winter sports packs, designed to provide cover if you plan to take part in high-risk activities, such as skiing and snowboarding; or backpacker coverage, which covers individuals on longer trips overseas that may span numerous countries.

Those over 55 years old need to ensure the travel provider and insurance policy they choose includes their age. Some policies have a maximum age cut off, while others do not. Meanwhile, some policies may include all ages, but incur a higher premium for those aged over specific cut offs.

Seniors should also consider the level of cover provided for medical and hospital expenses. While accidents and illnesses can happen at any age, it is a fact of life that seniors are more susceptible.

When taking out an insurance policy–at any age–it is essential that you read the insurance provider’s PDS and ask to clarify any questions that you have, so that you can ensure you are covered in the way you expect to be if a claim does arise. You can read more in our pick of the best travel insurance for seniors.

Data Research: Mia Dunn

What does most travel insurance cover?

When searching for travel insurance, it’s important to find a policy that suits your individual needs. Ideally a travel insurance policy will include medical cover, lost luggage cover, and other emergencies or accidents that may occur while you are overseas.

Insurance providers may have different limits or higher excess required for certain coverage, so it’s essential that you read the product disclosure statement before taking out a policy.

Which is the best travel insurance for over 70s?

Travel insurances often have a maximum age that they are willing to cover, largely due to the high-risk of elderly individuals. These cut-off ages vary by policy provider, and through our analysis, we found the providers that offered travel insurance for over 70s that was also highly regarded in other factors were Australia Post, Allianz, and InsureandGo. You can read more in our pick of the best travel insurance providers for seniors .

Which is the best travel insurance for Covid-19?

According to our analysis, the best Australian travel insurance with COVID-19 cover is Cover-More’s Comprehensive Travel Insurance Plan. The policy covers Covid-19- related medical expenses as included in its unlimited medical expenses cover, additional expenses up to $2500, and up to $5000 for cancellations related to Covid-19. Of course, this is a guide only, and we did not analyse all of the providers on the market, so you may find another Covid policy that is better suited to your needs.

Who is the best company for travel insurance?

It’s important to remember that rather than one travel insurance company being better than the other, you need to find the perfect match for you: if you’re over 65, then you will want a company that caters to seniors, if you are an adrenaline junky then you will want a company that offers generous activity coverage. In our analysis the following companies scored above-average ratings:

Is it worth buying travel insurance at the moment?

It’s always worth buying travel insurance, even if you don’t intend on undertaking any extreme sports or risky activities. Travel insurance will protect you if your flight is delayed or cancelled, you experience a medical emergency overseas or you lose your belongings. With so many providers on the market these days, competition is fierce so you can find reasonably priced travel insurance for as little as $2 a day in some cases.

The Department of Foreign Affairs Trade (DFAT) and Insurance Council of Australia’s (ICA) joint Travel Insurance Survey of 2023 found that one in six Australians were not covered by insurance on their most recent trip. The most common reason given for travelling without insurance was “travelling somewhere I knew I’d be safe” (29%), followed by “I wasn’t sure if it was needed” (27%) and “I just didn’t think of it” (25%).

What doesn't travel insurance cover?

Each policy is different so make sure that you read the product disclosure statement to determine whether you’re covered for Covid-related incidents or delays. As a general rule, however, you won’t be covered for mental health emergencies overseas or for incidents that occur when you are under the influence of drugs or heavy intoxication.

Is Allianz good travel insurance?

In our assessment, we found Allianz to have many positive features as a travel insurance provider, not least of which is the generous unlimited medical and dental in its comprehensive offer. While the company covers travellers for lost luggage, there is no cover for missed connecting flights.

Is Bupa good for travel insurance?

In our Forbes Advisor Australia assessment, Bupa’s comprehensive travel insurance is a solid choice. It is underwritten by Allianz, so its comprehensive travel insurance policy is almost identical to Allianz’s branded offering.

Along with unlimited medical, hospital and dental cover, Bupa offers 24/7 emergency assistance with Australian-based doctors and nurses.

How many days before should you buy travel insurance?

You should buy travel insurance as soon as you purchase your tickets, that way you are covered if your trip is cancelled. While there is cover available once you have left Australia, it is much more limiting than had you purchased insurance beforehand.

Sophie Venz is an experienced editor and features reporter, and has previously worked in the small business and start-up reporting space. Previously the Associate Editor of SmartCompany site, Sophie has worked closely with finance experts and columnists around Australia and internationally. Sophie grew up on the Gold Coast and now lives in Melbourne.

Help Center

Current product hierarchy

Does Costco Travel offer travel insurance?

Zurich travel insurance.

Please Note: To be eligible for the pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver, the protection plan must be purchased within 21 days of your initial trip payment. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy.

Is this answer helpful?

News Week Magazine PRO

Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions

Costco Travel Insurance: A Comprehensive Guide

When planning a vacation, it’s important to consider all aspects of the trip, including the potential for unforeseen circumstances. That’s where travel insurance comes in. For Costco members, Costco Travel Insurance offers a range of coverage options to protect against unexpected events such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and more. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the benefits and features of Costco Travel Insurance, as well as how to determine if it’s the right choice for your next trip.

Understanding costco travel insurance coverage, comparing costco travel insurance to other providers, making the most of costco travel insurance benefits, tips for purchasing costco travel insurance for your next trip, concluding remarks.

When planning a vacation, it is important to consider the unexpected events that could disrupt your trip. Travel insurance is a way to protect your investment and ensure peace of mind while traveling. Costco members have access to a range of travel insurance options through their membership, but it is important to understand what is covered and what is not.

The coverage offered through Costco Travel Insurance includes trip cancellation and interruption, emergency medical and dental coverage, and baggage loss or delay. Additionally, members can also opt for rental car damage coverage and 24-hour travel assistance services. These options provide a safety net in case of unforeseen events such as illness, natural disasters, or other emergencies that may impact your travel plans.

It is important to note that pre-existing medical conditions may not be covered under the policy. It is essential to review the policy details and exclusions before purchasing to ensure that you have the coverage that meets your needs. Below is a table outlining some of the key coverage options available through Costco Travel Insurance:

In conclusion, Costco Travel Insurance offers a variety of coverage options that can provide added security for your vacation. It is essential to review the policy details and choose the coverage that aligns with your specific travel needs. Always read the fine print and ask questions if anything is unclear to ensure you are fully protected on your next adventure.

When it comes to travel insurance, there are many options available. Costco Travel Insurance is one option that stands out for its affordability and comprehensive coverage. But how does it compare to other providers?

Here’s what sets Costco Travel Insurance apart:

Competitive Pricing: Costco offers competitive pricing for its members, making it an affordable option for travel insurance.
Wide Range of Coverage: Costco Travel Insurance provides coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical emergencies, and more.
Convenience: For those who already shop at Costco, adding travel insurance to your shopping list can be a convenient option.

On the other hand, other providers may offer additional benefits that Costco Travel Insurance does not. For example, some providers offer cancel for any reason coverage, which gives travelers the flexibility to cancel their trip for any reason and still receive reimbursement. Additionally, other providers may have more extensive medical coverage or offer specialized coverage for adventure travel or high-risk destinations.

Ultimately, the best travel insurance provider for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. It’s important to compare different options and read the fine print before making a decision.

If you’re a Costco member, you already know about the amazing deals you can score on everything from groceries to electronics. But did you know that your membership also gives you access to exclusive travel insurance benefits? That’s right – Costco Travel Insurance is a fantastic option for savvy travelers who want to protect their investment and enjoy peace of mind while on the road.

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your Costco Travel Insurance benefits:

– **Shop around for the best coverage**: Costco offers a variety of travel insurance plans, so take the time to compare your options and choose the one that best meets your needs. Consider factors like trip cancellation coverage, medical coverage, and baggage protection.

– **Take advantage of the 24/7 emergency assistance**: If you run into any trouble while traveling, Costco’s travel insurance provides round-the-clock support to help you navigate any issues that arise.

– **Read the fine print**: As with any insurance policy, it’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully so you understand exactly what is and isn’t covered. Make sure you’re familiar with the claims process and any exclusions that apply.

By following these tips and taking advantage of all the benefits that Costco Travel Insurance offers, you can travel with confidence and enjoy a worry-free vacation.

When planning your next vacation, it’s important to consider purchasing Costco Travel Insurance to ensure you are covered in case of any unforeseen events. To help you make an informed decision, here are some tips to keep in mind:

– Know What’s Covered: Before purchasing insurance, make sure to read the fine print and understand what is and isn’t covered. Costco Travel Insurance typically includes coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical emergencies, and lost or delayed baggage. However, some activities such as extreme sports may not be covered, so it’s important to review the policy thoroughly.

– Compare Prices: While Costco Travel Insurance is known for being affordable, it’s always a good idea to compare prices with other insurance providers to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Keep in mind that the cheapest option may not always offer the best coverage, so weigh the cost against the benefits.

– Consider Your Destination: Depending on where you’re traveling, you may need additional coverage. For example, if you’re traveling to a remote location, you may want to consider adding medical evacuation coverage. Make sure to take your destination into account when choosing your insurance policy.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you have the right coverage for your next trip and can travel with peace of mind.

Q: What is Costco travel insurance? A: Costco travel insurance is a service offered to Costco members that provides coverage for individuals and families when traveling abroad.

Q: What does Costco travel insurance cover? A: Costco travel insurance typically covers medical expenses, trip cancellation and interruption, baggage loss or delay, and emergency medical evacuation.

Q: How do I purchase Costco travel insurance? A: Costco members can purchase travel insurance through Costco’s website or by calling the Costco Travel insurance team.

Q: What are the benefits of purchasing travel insurance through Costco? A: Costco offers competitive rates and additional perks for its members, such as 24/7 customer support and access to a network of trusted providers.

Q: Is Costco travel insurance available to all Costco members? A: Yes, Costco travel insurance is available to all Costco members, regardless of their membership level.

Q: Are there any limitations to Costco travel insurance? A: Limitations may vary depending on the specific policy and provider. It’s important to carefully review the policy details and consult with a Costco representative for any specific questions or concerns.

Q: Can I purchase travel insurance for a specific trip or do I need an annual plan? A: Costco offers both single-trip and annual travel insurance plans to accommodate different travel needs and frequencies.

Q: How do I make a claim with Costco travel insurance? A: In the event of a covered loss, members can file a claim through the insurance provider’s claims process, which typically involves submitting documentation and receipts for review.

In conclusion, Costco Travel Insurance offers a variety of coverage options to protect travelers from unexpected events. With affordable prices and comprehensive coverage, it is a viable option for those looking to ensure their trip is secure. Whether you’re planning a family vacation or a solo adventure, be sure to consider Costco Travel Insurance to give you peace of mind during your travels.

Riding Through Ink: The Art of Bike Tattoos

Enhance your world with exquisite acotar stickers, unleashing the power of bull rock: a force of nature, when is melly released: a guide for fans, is singer lewis capaldi gay exploring the rumors and speculations, more like this related.

Entertainment
Beauty & Style
Home & Garden

Nick Lachey is your news, entertainment, music fashion website. We provide you with the latest breaking news and videos straight from the entertainment industry.

Search Smartraveller

Choice travel insurance buying guide.

Do you need travel insurance? How do you choose the right cover? What are you covered for?

CHOICE answers all the questions you need to know before leaving the country.

Download the CHOICE travel insurance buying guide [PDF 3.52MB] Download the CHOICE travel insurance cheat sheet [PDF 587KB] Who is CHOICE? Set up by consumers for consumers, CHOICE is the independent consumer advocate that provides Australians with information and advice, free from commercial bias. Visit choice.com.au .

Why travel insurance?

Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?

How to get travel insurance

Before you buy, how to save money on travel insurance.

How to read the product disclosure statement

What are you covered for?

Credit card insurance

How to make a complaint

If you’re leaving Australia, travel insurance is just as essential as a passport.

Holidays don’t always go as planned.

If you’re leaving Australia, travel insurance is just as essential as a passport. Medical expenses are the number one reason to get insurance, but sometimes other things can go wrong, such as trip cancellations, delays, lost luggage or even the big stuff like natural disasters and pandemics. If you end up out of pocket because of these things, insurance can make up for that.

The Australian Government won’t pay your medical bills.

In an emergency, the Australian Government can only help so much. The Consular Services Charter describes what the government can and can’t do to help Australians overseas.

If you end up injured or sick while overseas, you’ll be footing the hospital bill and the cost of flying home. If you’re really unlucky, that could cost you or your family hundreds of thousands of dollars.

68% of travellers mistakenly believe the Australian Government would ensure they get medical treatment if they need it overseas, and 43% believe the government would pay their medical bills.

Some countries won’t let you in if you don’t have insurance.

Singapore and the UAE require you to have travel insurance. Not to mention all 26 European countries in the Schengen Area if you’re applying for a visa to visit. Read the Smartraveller travel advice for information about your destination.

Reciprocal healthcare Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with several countries: Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. If you have Medicare, you can get subsidised treatment for essential services only in these countries, which often leads people to ask whether they still need travel insurance. The answer is yes, for the following reasons. You’re usually only covered for urgent care that can’t wait until you get home. If you’re very ill, travel insurance can pay for a medical escort to bring you home to Australia. You still may have to pay fees for treatment and medication. For example, in New Zealand reciprocal health care doesn’t cover you for free or subsidised care by a general practitioner or ambulance. Travel insurance can cover you for cancellations, delays, stolen items and more.

Remember to take your Medicare card with you. You’ll need it, along with your passport, to prove you’re eligible for reciprocal health care. For more information, visit servicesaustralia.gov.au .

Marco* had breathing difficulties on his way home from Europe, causing his flight to be diverted to the UAE. Hospitals in the UAE won’t admit you unless you have insurance or can pay an upfront fee. Marco’s family had to pay thousands of dollars for his treatment. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Do you need domestic travel insurance?

Most of us already have medical cover at home, be it Medicare or private health insurance or both. But there are still a few key reasons to consider domestic travel insurance.

Cancellation: If you’ve spent a lot on your holiday, then it’s not too much extra to buy travel insurance in case of the unforeseen.
Baggage cover: If you’re travelling with valuables, think about whether you want them covered for theft, loss or damage.
Car hire excess: You can save money using travel insurance to cover your collision damage excess, rather than paying the car hire company’s extra charge.

Does international travel insurance cover COVID-19?

Many travel insurers now offer limited cover for COVID-19, but the available cover varies quite a lot. Some policies only cover medical and repatriation costs if you get COVID-19 overseas, while other policies provide limited cover for cancellation costs in addition to medical and repatriation costs.

You should always check the details of your insurance coverage, particularly how it applies to COVID-19 and travel disruptions.

Over 90% of travellers will look for insurance that covers them for cancellation and medical expenses caused by COVID-19.

If you’re planning to go on a cruise, be extra careful. Some travel insurers may not offer COVID-19 cover for multi-night cruises or they may restrict the cover provided on cruises.

Also, don’t rely on the travel insurance on your credit card unless you check it closely – it may not cover claims related to COVID-19.

There are cooling-off periods for COVID-19 cancellation cover, so it’s best to buy your travel insurance at the same time as you book your trip. Some insurers may only cover cancellation if you test positive to COVID-19 and the policy was purchased more than 21 days before your scheduled departure date.

Make your travel plans COVID-safe

You need to be prepared for your travel plans to be interrupted at short notice. As travel insurance may not protect you from government border closures, general lockdowns or quarantine requirements in your destination country, the key is to book only with providers that allow you flexibility should things change.

Check the rules for travelling to your destination. For example, are there any entry requirements? What are the vaccination requirements? And what type of travel insurance do you need?
Read the terms and conditions of your airline, accommodation and travel tours before you book. Will they refund you if you can’t travel due to COVID-19? If they only offer a reschedule or a credit, will you be in a position to redeem the credit in future?
You can book flexible tickets for flights but be aware you usually have to pay the difference between the prices for the tickets you bought and the new tickets. So changing your flight dates at short notice can be very expensive.
If you book through a travel agent or booking site, what are their terms and conditions? Will they refund you or provide a credit? Are there cancellation fees?
If you pay by credit or debit card (and you selected ‘credit’ when you paid), you may have access to credit card chargebacks if something goes wrong.
Keep on top of the latest travel advice and requirements at smartraveller.gov.au . Travel restrictions can change at short notice.
If you do have to cancel, your travel insurer will ask you to claim what you can back from travel providers first. Read the CHOICE advice on how to get your money back on travel cancellations and ask your travel insurer if you can get a refund or partial refund of your travel insurance premium.

You can buy travel insurance from a travel insurer, travel agent, insurance broker, credit card provider, or even from your health, home or car insurer.

You can buy travel insurance online (direct from the insurer’s website, from a comparison site or through an airline booking site), over the counter or over the phone.

Buy travel insurance as soon as you know your travel dates. That way you’re covered if your trip is cancelled before you even leave or if you’re unable to travel at all.

You can certainly buy travel insurance quicker than it will take you to read this guide, but do you know what you’ll be covered for? Will you be covered if you trip over after having a drink? If you crash your scooter in Thailand? If you lose your wallet during a stopover? If you need to isolate because you contract COVID-19?

There are a lot of ‘what ifs’ to consider, depending on where you’re going and what you’ll be doing, so it’s worth reading the product disclosure statement (PDS) first to make sure you’ll be covered.

Will you use it? Hopefully not, but research by Smartraveller found that one in 4 Australian travellers experienced an insurable event on their last overseas trip. Most common insurable events Flight or tour cancelled Flight delayed more than 12 hours Received medical treatment Lost, damaged or stolen luggage Missed a connecting flight Lost, damaged or stolen cash or personal items Forced to cancel trip before departure What if the insurers don’t pay out? Australian travellers lodged almost 300,000 insurance claims in 2018–19, the last financial year before COVID-19 travel bans. Almost 90% of those were paid out. Top four reasons for declined claims Due to policy exclusions, or not included in the policy conditions Claim amount was below the excess Claim was due to a pre-existing medical condition Claim was for an item that was stolen while it was unattended

1. Where are you going?

The level of cover and the cost of travel insurance can vary depending on the region you’re travelling to, and some risks may be of greater concern than others. Not all travel insurance policies cover COVID-19 and other pandemics or epidemics such as SARS. And not all policies cover you for changing your plans due to a riot or civil commotion, for example. Travel insurance also may not be available for countries with travel alerts.

Look up your destination on smartraveller.gov.au and make sure you’re aware of any risks or safety advice.
Buy a policy that covers you for every country you’re travelling to or transiting through. If you’re going to Europe via a one-night stopover in the US, then get cover for the US and Europe. Usually a worldwide policy will cover this.

86% of travellers say they’re more cautious after the COVID-19 pandemic about travelling to places where it could prove harder to return home in a crisis.

You need different cover for different regions

Insurers sometimes apply policies to regions rather than having a policy for each destination.

Asia Pacific: Destinations such as New Zealand, Bali, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

Asia: Destinations such as India, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

Europe: Destinations such as the United Kingdom, Ireland and Western Europe.

Worldwide: All of the above as well as regions such as North America, South America, Japan and Africa.

These definitions differ for each insurer. For example, several insurers cover travel to Bali under their Pacific policy, while some will only cover travel to Bali under their Asian region policy.

2. How long are you going for?

Just a quick trip? Simply buy a standalone travel insurance policy for a set number of days.

Travel often? Consider an annual multi-trip policy or a credit card with complimentary travel insurance, but make sure it gives you the cover you need.

Tip: Annual multi-trip policies and credit card policies can restrict the length of each trip you take – anywhere from 15 to 365 days depending on your policy. Some allow you to pay for extra days.

3. What are you going to do there?

Cruising the open road on a moped? Carving up the ski slopes? Partying at a wedding? These things aren’t necessarily included in a travel insurance policy.

Scan the insurer’s list of included activities and those that you’ll have to pay extra for. And take it easy on the grog – if your alcohol or drug intake is the cause of an adverse event, it won’t be covered by your policy.

4. Are you taking any valuable items?

Do you need cover for a digital SLR camera or an expensive tablet or laptop? Cover for such valuables can vary from a few hundred dollars to thousands, and higher cover will often mean a higher premium.

Consider adding cover for portable valuables to your home insurance policy instead, but check on the excess and if the policy will cover you worldwide and not just in Australia.

Policies also vary when it comes to how they cover valuable items. Valuables in your check-in luggage often aren’t covered, while cover for baggage stored in your hire car is inconsistent. And baggage left unattended is never covered, which can include a bag that is stolen from the seat beside you in a restaurant while you’re looking the other way.

Make sure you have receipts for your valuables as travel insurance will not pay if you can’t prove you own them.

5. Do you have any medical conditions?

If you have a medical condition that existed before you bought your policy, it may not be covered. This can range from something as common as allergies or asthma through to diabetes, heart conditions and knee replacements.

If you’re not sure, the best thing to do is contact the insurer to ask whether they’ll cover your condition automatically or whether you need to do an assessment.

The Massoud family* was holidaying in Singapore when 13-year-old Nazreen had a recurrence of severe bronchitis, which had affected her in Australia before their trip. The family’s travel insurer refused to pay any hospital bills as Nazreen’s bronchitis was a pre-existing medical condition. As a result, the Massouds had to ask their friends to transfer the $17,000 they needed to cover Nazreen’s hospital expenses, additional accommodation and the cost of changing flights. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

It’s important to compare policies for cost and cover. Some travel insurance premiums increased by as much as 30% between March and June 2022.

Three-quarters (77%) of travellers are willing to pay more for insurance that covers pandemic-related claims.

The further out from your departure date that you buy travel insurance, the more you’re likely to pay for it, but you’ll be covered from the moment you buy your policy. For example, if you buy insurance 2 months before you fly, you effectively have cheap cover for any events that affect your travel plans in those 2 months.

If you pay for your trip in full 6 months in advance, but you only buy an insurance policy 2 weeks before you depart, you may not be covered for any cancellation costs if you contract COVID-19.

Left it until the last minute, or even later? Only a few insurers let you buy insurance once you’re already overseas (look for the ‘Have you already left Australia?’ checkbox when viewing policy options).

While not all policies offer online discounts, plenty do. Make sure you understand the policy and what it covers. Sometimes (but not always) a reduced price may mean reduced cover.

Tip: Check asic.gov.au/afslicensing to find out whether the agent has an Australian financial services (AFS) licence or is an authorised representative of a licence holder. Take the usual precautions when giving your credit card and other details over the internet.

Member discounts

Does your health, car or home insurance provider also sell travel insurance? Some companies give 10–15% discounts to existing members.

Shop around

Trying to negotiate with a website will probably get you nowhere, but if you’re buying over the phone or through a travel agent, give it a go. Travel agents pocket a commission when they sell you insurance, so if you find a better deal elsewhere, ask them if they can beat it.

Almost two-thirds (62%) of overseas travellers who buy insurance do so on or before the day of booking travel.

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 (we say ‘free’ because you’ll pay a premium in fees for the card itself).

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, but make sure it gives you the cover you need.

Compromise on cover

While good medical cover is always essential, you could save money on your premium by choosing a policy with lower or variable cover for cancellation, delays and lost baggage, especially if you aren’t spending big on your holiday or taking expensive items with you.

Have you read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)? According to research conducted in 2022, of those who bought travel insurance: 45% have skim-read the PDS 43% have read the PDS in detail 8% have left the PDS to another person on the policy to read 2% have not and will not read the PDS 2% don’t know

About that fine print

You’re about to click ‘buy’, so you may as well just tick this ‘I acknowledge I’ve read the product disclosure statement’ checkbox and bon voyage…

But wait – have you checked the fine print? In the insurance world, that ‘fine print’ is contained in the product disclosure statement, or PDS (that thing you said you’d read).

How to read the PDS

There are hundreds of policies out there and if you tried to read all the paperwork that comes with each policy, you’d have to extend your holiday just to recover.

If you don’t have time to read the whole PDS cover to cover, at least look for the following.

The table of benefits is an overall summary of your cover.
The policy cover section is essential reading and is generally split into ‘what we will pay for’ and ‘what we won’t pay for’.
General exclusions are also essential reading – these are events that aren’t covered by any section of the policy.
Pre-existing conditions can remind you of forgotten ailments and are essential reading for anyone with any kind of medical condition, no matter how mild.
The word definition table might contain a few surprises – it’s a good place to check on the definition of a ‘relative’ or a ‘moped’, for example.
The claims section lists some further pointers to be aware of (e.g. it’s a good idea not to admit fault or liability in the case of an accident) and the paperwork you may need to collect while you’re away if you need to make a claim, such as police reports.
COVID-19 cover section – many policies have a special section listing medical, cancellation and other cover available for COVID-19.
The 24-hour emergency assistance contact number (write it down and keep it handy).

The Weaver* family was relieved to have travel insurance when they needed to cancel their holiday. The family wanted to go skiing in New Zealand, but a few days before they were due to depart, 12-year-old Ruby had cold symptoms. A COVID-19 test showed she was positive. Ruby and her whole family had to isolate and their travel insurance paid their cancellation costs. *This is a fictitious but realistic example

The list of travel insurance disputes taken to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) reveals a battlefield of unread or misinterpreted terms and conditions. Between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021, AFCA received more than 2,000 travel insurance complaints related to COVID-19.

Not all travel insurance policies are the same, and the wrong policy can be almost as bad as none at all.

Peter* and his business partner had booked a business trip to South Korea and Japan from 21 February 2020 to 2 March 2020. On 20 February, Peter cancelled the trip on advice of his GP who said that due to the uncertainty of the extent of the COVID-19 outbreak, he should postpone the trip until it is safe to travel. Peter’s travel insurer denied his claim, saying the policy does not provide cover for cancellation due to medical advice. Peter made a complaint and AFCA ruled in his favour as COVID-19 had been publicly announced as an epidemic prior to Peter cancelling the trip and the doctor’s advice not to travel was prudent and reasonable. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Checklist – Are you covered for COVID-19? Are your medical costs covered if you contract COVID-19? Are your extra expenses such as accommodation covered if you can’t travel or your stay gets extended because you or your travelling companion tests positive to COVID-19? What happens if you were going to stay with someone but they’ve contracted COVID-19? Or your accommodation or tour company gets closed down because of COVID-19? Are your additional expenses covered? If the Smartraveller alert level is raised to ‘Reconsider your need to travel’ or ‘Do not travel’ due to a COVID-19 outbreak at your destination after you took out travel insurance, are you covered if you cancel your trip? Are your cancellation costs covered if you can’t travel or can’t return on your booked flights because you or your travelling companion contracted COVID-19? Are you covered for cancellation costs if your business partner or a relative back home gets sick with COVID-19 and you need to return earlier than planned? If you’re planning to go on a cruise, be extra careful. Some travel insurers may not offer COVID-19 cover for multi-night cruises. Are you covered for claims caused by government travel bans, border closures, or mandatory quarantine or self-isolation requirements at your destination?

And what are the catches?

Cancellations, baggage and personal items, sports and activities.

This is the number one reason to buy international travel insurance. Look for the insurer’s benefits table, usually on the quotes screen online or near the front of their PDS, for a quick overview of what they’re offering. Most policies have an ‘unlimited’ sum insured.

Pre-existing conditions

Some insurers don’t cover pre-existing conditions at all. Some will only cover pre-existing conditions with an extra fee and sometimes a medical assessment. Some automatically cover pre-existing conditions listed in their PDS, although few will cover mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety.

Insurers exclude cover for certain pre-existing medical conditions and generally don’t provide cover for any illnesses or incidents that arise from these. This includes terminal illness or any illness that shortens your life expectancy as well as organ transplants.

Minor pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, hypertension, diabetes, epilepsy, osteopenia and more are usually covered if:

the condition has been stable for more than 12 months

there is no planned surgery

you have not received treatment in the past 12 months.

Pre-existing condition spoiling your holiday plans? findaninsurer.com.au lists insurers that may provide cover for pre-existing conditions. Still having trouble finding cover? Enlist the help of an insurance broker.

Examples of conditions that usually need to be assessed before getting cover are coronary problems, lung disease, epilepsy, stroke or any surgeries in the last 2 years.

If in doubt, declare your condition to your insurer.

A disability shouldn’t prevent you from buying travel insurance, but it might make finding a good policy trickier and more expensive.

Is a disability a pre-existing condition?

It depends on the disability and the insurer. Many insurers will automatically cover travellers with limited mobility, cognitive impairments or vision/hearing impairments. But in some cases, this cover may come at an extra cost.

Check with the insurer, as some conditions will need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Having trouble getting cover?

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, insurers must assess the actual risks, rather than make assumptions about disabilities. If you’re having trouble getting insurance, a letter from a medical professional might help, particularly if they can state that you’re not likely to need medical or hospital treatment while on your trip.

Cover for your equipment

If you’re travelling with a wheelchair, mobility aid or hearing aid, you’ll need to insure that as well. Check single item limits, which are usually between $750 and $1,000 per item. If you have a piece of medical equipment that exceeds this, you’ll need to specify it and insure it separately.

Many insurance policies exclude hearing aids, so check the fine print and take out extra insurance if necessary.

Cover for your carer

If you’re travelling with a carer, it’s a good idea to be on the same policy in case travel plans change for either of you – that way you’re both covered. If you have a paid carer, ask your insurer whether they’ll cover the cost of a replacement carer should yours be unable to travel.

Babymooning

If you’re travelling while pregnant, be sure to check the following.

Are you covered for pregnancy complications? Some insurers don’t cover pregnancy at all.
Up until which stage of pregnancy? Pregnancy complications are usually only covered up until a certain stage (often between 23 and 32 weeks, depending on the insurer).
Childbirth: Not all insurers will cover childbirth. A premature birth in the US with intensive care and treatment could end up costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
IVF: Not all insurers will cover IVF pregnancies.
Do you have to pay extra to be covered?
Do you need medical approval to be covered?

Mental health

Many travel insurers won’t provide cover of any kind for hospitalisation, medication or missed travel caused by a mental health condition, whether that’s depression, anxiety or a psychotic episode.

Others will provide cover if you declare mental illness as a pre-existing condition and pay a higher premium. Check the PDS carefully; insurers may use different terms to describe the same mental health conditions, giving them wriggle room to deny a claim.

Insurers are highly unlikely to pay a mental health-related claim if they discover it was a pre-existing condition that you didn’t declare. The trouble is, an insurer might view a single visit to a therapist many years ago because of work stress, for example, as a pre-existing mental health condition.

Mental health and travel insurance have been a contentious issue for consumer rights groups including CHOICE – and it’s one that’s still evolving from a legal standpoint.

To find out if a travel insurance product includes mental health cover, check choice.com.au/travelinsurance , filtering for ‘mental illness related claims’. Then put the PDS under the microscope.

A woman in Victoria won a court case against her insurer after they declined her claim for the cancellation of an overseas trip due to depression. ‘We took out the travel insurance well in advance of the travel, and well before my depression. I was certainly under the impression that I was covered,’ she told CHOICE. ‘They just sent back a letter that said no.’ But her win (the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal awarded her $4,292 for economic loss and a further $15,000 for non-economic loss) was an isolated ruling. It’s still being debated whether or not a general exclusion for mental health claims is legal.

Most policies have an age limit, ranging right up to the 100-year-old seasoned adventurer. There are quite a few catches for older travellers, though.

Higher premiums: Insurers often charge older travellers more, and in some cases ‘older’ can be as young as 50.
Higher excess: Travellers as young as 60 but more commonly over 80 may be subject to a higher excess because of their age. The normal excess of around $100 to $200 is often increased to an excess of $2,000 to $3,000 for travellers 80 years and over for claims that relate to injury or illness.
Restricted conditions: Subject to medical assessment’, ‘reduced medical cover limits’, ‘reduced travel time’, ‘policy to be purchased 6 months in advance’ – all of these conditions can apply to travellers over a certain age.

You’ll probably want to be covered if your travel plans are cancelled for any reason, but be aware that insurers will come up with plenty of excuses to avoid paying up.

Terrorism: Most insurers cover medical expenses but very few cover cancellation expenses in the event of terrorism.
Pandemic or epidemic: Commonly excluded.
Military action: Commonly excluded.
Natural disaster: Covered more often than not.
Travel provider/agent insolvency: Commonly excluded.
Cancellation due to travel provider’s fault: Insurers commonly exclude cover for delays or rescheduling caused by the transport provider.

John* and his partner’s scheduled train service was delayed, seriously diverted, then terminated, which meant they missed their flight home by several hours. Re-booking fees, emergency accommodation and related fees cost them between $1,000 and $1,500, but the insurer wouldn’t pay the claim as it wasn’t in the policy. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

‘Unforeseen’

When an insurer refers to cover for ‘unforeseen circumstances’, it means something that wasn’t publicised in the media or official government websites when you bought the policy. Check the Smartraveller travel advice when you buy your travel insurance. If it became known before you bought the policy, you’re not covered. So the earlier you buy travel insurance, the more likely you are to be covered for the unexpected.

Exclusions and inclusions

When the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) looks at a complaint about an insurer, they expect you to prove the claim is covered by the policy, while the insurer must prove the claim is excluded by the policy. Specifically, AFCA expects you to ‘establish on the balance of probabilities that you suffered a loss caused by an event to which the policy responds’. That is, do you have a valid claim?

This means that you need to understand if your claim is covered under the listed events of the policy, or that it is not specifically excluded by the policy.

If, for example, you have cover for COVID-19, you aren’t covered for every event caused by the pandemic, but just by what is specifically stated in the PDS.

Margaret and Peter* booked a cruise departing from Darwin in March 2021. Shortly before departure, the Northern Territory Government issued a directive no longer allowing cruises to depart from the NT. Margaret and Peter’s cruise company arranged for the cruise to depart from Broome and flew the passengers to Broome for a cost of $300 per person. As Margaret had bought a policy that included some cover for COVID-19, she made a claim for $600. But this was denied by her travel insurer and her subsequent complaint to AFCA was unsuccessful. AFCA said, ‘The cause of the loss was a government directive to not permit the cruise to operate through the NT port. The insurer’s policy provides no cover for these circumstances. It also excludes losses arising from government intervention, prohibition or regulation.’ *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Travel insurance and Smartraveller advice Smartraveller, managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), assigns an overall advice level to more than 175 destinations. This advice level can affect your travel insurance cover. The advice levels are: Level 1 – Exercise normal safety precautions. COVERED. Level 2 – Exercise a high degree of caution. COVERED. Level 3 – Reconsider your need to travel. CHECK. Level 4 – Do not travel. USUALLY NOT COVERED. Travel warnings can work in your favour. If an insurer excludes cover for an event, they may still cover you to change your plans in response to updated advice from Smartraveller. But beware when travelling to a destination that has a ‘Do not travel’ warning. Most standard policies won’t cover you for ‘Do not travel’ destinations, including for COVID-19. A week after a volcanic eruption made world news, Sameer* booked a trip to Bali. He assumed the emergency would be over by the time he was due to fly a month later. Unfortunately, the volcano continued to erupt and Sameer’s flight was cancelled. His insurer declined his claim because he’d bought the flight and insurance after Smartraveller issued a travel alert about the volcanic eruption, and after it had been in the news. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Delays can be expensive, particularly if you have to pay for alternative transport or accommodation. And those extra expenses won’t always be covered.

Transport delay is only covered after a certain number of hours, usually 6, but you may have to wait as long as 12 hours before your cover kicks in.
Cover limits for transport delays are typically lower than other cover limits and are often limited per 24-hour period.
Insurers often exclude cover for rescheduling caused by the transport provider but some may cover additional accommodation and travel expenses in this scenario for travellers who are en route.

Baggage cover varies widely, with travel insurance policies ranging from $0 to $30,000. So, if you’re not carrying expensive items, you may be able to save on your premium by selecting a policy that provides lower coverage.

Individual items are subject to sub-limits that range from around $250 to as much as $5,000.
Higher item limits usually apply for electronic items like laptops, cameras, smartphones and tablets.
You can pay extra to specify items you want extra cover for (insurers are always happy for you to pay extra).
Valuables locked in a car or checked in on an airline, train or bus may not be covered.
Generally, any items left unattended may be excluded from cover, so keep your belongings close.

Jing* sat down to try on a pair of shoes in a busy London shoe shop, placing her handbag next to her on the seat. When she stood up to leave, she discovered her bag was gone. Her insurer refused to pay up because she had left her bag unattended in a public place. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Lost luggage

If an airline loses your luggage temporarily and doesn’t compensate you for that loss, you may be able to claim expenses for clothing, toiletries and other necessities, depending on your policy.

Cover usually only applies to luggage lost for more than 12 hours, though the minimum time limit varies per insurer, as does the level of cover.
If your policy has an excess (a fee that’s deductible from your payout), remember that this applies once per claimed event, and items below the excess level can’t be claimed.

Angelo and Diane* tried to claim $112 for meals and drinks when their connecting flight to Hawaii was delayed by 8 hours. Although their policy technically covered them for the cost, they were liable for an excess of $250, so their claim was denied. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

If you don’t feel like paying the ‘extra insurance’ the car hire company charges, then use the collision damage excess cover in your travel insurance.

Tip: Stick with recognised car rental companies in this case since this cover only applies if the car hire company already has its own comprehensive insurance.

Do you have the right licence?

Some countries require you to have an international driving permit. If you have an accident while driving on the wrong licence (or breaking that country’s law in any other way), you may not be covered.

Cruise-specific insurance

Cruises aren’t automatically included in all travel insurance policies. If you’re going on a cruise, make sure you have the right cover.

The Department of Health says: ‘Cruise ships carry a higher risk for spreading disease compared to other non-essential activities and transport modes. COVID-19, influenza and other infectious diseases such as gastroenteritis spread easily between people living and socialising in close quarters.’

Check travel insurance policies to make sure medical cover for COVID-19 is included, as some policies exclude this cover. Erica* stumbled and broke her femur during stormy seas while on a cruise. Her insurer covered the cost of evacuation and a partial hip replacement at a hospital in Noumea. They also organised and paid for her son to fly to Noumea to help her recover and return home to Australia. Five months later, the well-travelled 82-year-old was boarding a plane to Croatia for her next (fully insured) adventure. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Not leaving Australian waters?

You still need insurance. Doctors working on cruise ships don’t need Medicare provider numbers, so if they treat you, you can’t claim on Medicare or your private health insurance, even if you’re still in Australian waters.

Domestic travel insurance doesn’t cover medical costs, so you need either international travel insurance (check that it covers domestic cruises) or a domestic cruise policy.

Kerry* thought she’d done the right thing buying an annual multi-trip international travel insurance policy for a number of upcoming holidays, one of which was a round-trip cruise departing from and returning to Fremantle, Western Australia, with no port stops. When she had to cancel due to ill health, she discovered her policy wouldn’t cover her because the trip wasn’t considered an international one. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

When CHOICE compares travel insurers, we look at who covers which sports and adventure activities, such as skiing, ballooning, bungee jumping and scuba diving, to name a few.

But as always with insurance, the PDS may include some surprises. For example, several insurers we’ve reviewed will cover canyoning but they won’t cover abseiling, often a necessity in canyoning. Other policies in our comparison will cover abseiling, but not into a canyon.

If you’re planning on doing anything adventurous, check to make sure you’re covered. It’s not enough to simply look for the tick next to your chosen activity – you also need to check the definitions in the PDS.

Motorcycles and mopeds

Hiring a motorcycle or moped? Depending on which country you’re in, you might need a local or international motorcycle licence. You probably won’t be covered if you aren’t obeying the local law. And even if you are doing the right thing under local law, some policies still won’t cover you unless you have a motorcycle licence.

Are you wearing a helmet? Most countries say you need one by law, but that doesn’t mean it will be included in your hire. No helmet means no cover (in more ways than one).

Nhung* was injured after she rented a moped in Thailand only to find out the engine size was not covered by her insurance policy. Most insurers adopt the national standard for the definition of a moped – an engine capacity under 50cc. If the engine is bigger than that, it’s a motorcycle and you’ll need an Australian motorcycle licence. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Skiing and snowboarding

Some insurers cover skiing, often for an extra premium, but not so many cover skiing off-piste (away from the groomed runs). So, if you’re tempted to slide off the beaten path next time you hit the slopes, make sure you have a policy that covers off-piste ski runs (or pay for the optional extra cover).

Otherwise, if you run into a tree and have to be evacuated from the mountains, you may need to think about selling your home to pay for it.

It’s worth remembering that travel insurance only covers overseas costs. So if you break a leg while you’re abroad, your insurer will likely pay your hospital fees, but they won’t cover your ongoing physiotherapy once you’re back home.

Marianna* fractured her leg in 3 places while skiing with her partner and children in Japan. Because the family had bought additional cover for winter sports, they were reimbursed $35,466 for medical expenses, additional transport and accommodation, the cost of a nanny to look after the children, and business class flights back to Australia. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Alcohol and drugs

Overdoing it on vodka and float-tubing down a river isn’t likely to be covered by any policy. Insurers simply won’t pay for costs arising from you being under the influence of alcohol or drugs (except where taken under the advice of a doctor).

Even one or 2 drinks could be enough of an excuse for insurers to get out of paying.

Relatives can be relative Many policies cover the costs to travel home if one of your relatives dies or becomes sick. Bear in mind: an insurer’s definition of a ‘relative’ may differ from yours cover is usually dependent on the age of that relative, so the death of your 84-year-old grandma may not be covered your relatives are subject to the same pre-existing condition exclusions as you, so if your 84-year-old grandma died from a known heart condition, you may not be covered. you may be able to apply for your relative’s pre-existing condition to be assessed before you buy the policy. cover is limited to relatives that live in Australia, or in some cases New Zealand. So if your 84-year-old grandma is in China, you won’t be covered to fly there for her funeral. Amanda* and her husband had booked an overseas diving trip, but shortly before the trip Amanda’s mum passed away from pneumonia. They cancelled their trip and incurred cancellation costs and lost deposits of nearly $13,000. As the death of a parent was covered in their policy, Amanda made a claim. Their insurer denied the claim as Amanda’s mum lived in the United States and was undergoing treatment for lung cancer, so the insurer concluded that her death was caused by a pre-existing condition. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

So you’ve booked and paid for your holiday through a travel agent, but then the travel agent goes broke. You’ll get your money back, right? Not necessarily.

Only a few insurers will cover you for the insolvency of a travel provider, and that includes hotels, airlines and other transport companies that might go broke overnight (remember Ansett?). But there are a few ways to safeguard your hard-earned holiday.

Check whether your insurer covers you for insolvency.
Check whether your travel agent has insolvency insurance (this isn’t compulsory, so only some will have it).
Pay with your credit card. Some banks allow a chargeback if you pay for something on your credit card and don’t end up actually getting it.

Tip: Don’t accept any dodgy contract terms that require you to give up your chargeback rights.

2 out of 3 travellers assume their travel insurance will cover insolvency, but in 2017 less than a third of insurers actually provided this cover.

Credit card travel insurance

Some credit cards come with complimentary travel insurance. They’ll cover you for all the usual things like medical emergencies, cancellation and protection for baggage and items. But they do differ from standalone policies, so it’s essential you check the fine print.

Fees: You’ll pay a premium for these credit cards, usually between $100 and $450 per year.
Excess: The excess on credit card policies tends to be fixed at a higher rate (usually around $250), whereas it’s more variable on standalone policies.
Age limits: Some credit card policies have no age limit, which can be handy for older travellers.
Regions: Credit card travel insurance is not based on location, which means you can travel from Europe to the US without having to worry if your policy covers both areas. Bear in mind though that some regions (such as countries under United Nations embargo) may be excluded, and sometimes with US underwriters, travel to Cuba is excluded.
Baggage cover: Credit card insurance often offers higher coverage for baggage loss and damage.
Trip duration: Credit card insurance policies vary in how many days of coverage they’ll give you per trip – anywhere from a few weeks to 365 days – so check your limit if you’re going on a long holiday.
Pre-existing conditions: Chances are your credit card insurance won’t automatically cover your pre-existing condition. You’ll need to call your insurer and see if you need to pay an extra fee or premium.
Domestic travel: Credit card insurance doesn’t apply to domestic travel, although some cards will reimburse expenses associated with domestic flight delays and missed connections to international flights.
Making a claim: You may not be able to claim reimbursement unless you pay for purchases (such as emergency items after a baggage delay) with the same credit card.

27% of travellers who plan to buy travel insurance will get it through their credit card.

Is it activated?

Credit card insurance usually activates when you buy your air tickets (or sometimes other transport or accommodation expenses) using your card.

Policies require a minimum spend to activate – usually around $500. So if you scored your tickets on sale for $499, you won’t be covered.
If you want cover for your spouse or dependants, you must also buy their tickets on your card.
Some policies only activate if you book a return ticket. A one-way flight, or even 2 one-way flights, will leave you uninsured.
Some banks require you to notify them in order to get full coverage for each trip. While base coverage will still give you emergency medical treatment, you might not get coverage for property damage or luggage delays. Check whether you need to do anything to activate any extra features.
Some cards will cover you if you use rewards points to buy your tickets. Others won’t.

Is it worth it?

If you already have a credit card and use it regularly, the free comprehensive travel insurance on your card can save you money. And if you’re a regular traveller without a credit card, it’s worth considering if you travel at least once a year or every second year internationally.

David* booked a trip to North America for himself and his family, including his 11-year-old daughter Petra. The trip was cancelled because Petra got pneumonia. Unfortunately, David only activated his credit card travel insurance about an hour before the family was scheduled to fly out of Australia. The travel insurer denied his claim for cancellation costs because he knew about his daughter’s illness when he activated the policy. *To protect privacy we have changed names and some details

Have you been knocked back on an insurance claim and want to dispute it?

Internal dispute resolution

Complain to the insurer first. They’ll usually keep you up to date about the progress of your complaint every 10 business days.

Once you’ve lodged your case and all the supporting information and documents, the insurer has 45 days to complete its internal dispute resolution process.

External dispute resolution

If you aren’t happy with the insurer’s decision, you can take your complaint to the Australian Financial Complaint Authority (AFCA). They’ll handle your case for free.

The AFCA will mediate between you and the insurer to find a resolution.
If mediation is unsuccessful, they may make a preliminary assessment or give a determination straight away on your dispute.
A determination is legally binding on the insurer but not on you.
There’s no appeal process with AFCA.
For more information, visit afca.org.au .

Legal action

If you’re unhappy with the AFCA determination, you might want to consider taking legal action against the insurance company.

Keep your travel insurance details with you at all times while on your trip and share them with family or friends before you leave.

ULTIMATE Costco Travel Review [2024]: Who It Is & Isn’t For

* This article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you.

TL:DR: After testing Costco Travel, we recommend it if you don’t like planning all of the details of your trip—Costco Travel makes it super simple to purchase a planned vacation package, even though it might not be the cheapest option. Here are the key takeaways from our Costco Travel review:

Costco Travel offers vacation packages to destinations worldwide, including resorts, cruises, theme parks, and guided tours.
Pricing can be 20-30% lower compared to other agencies (but you might be able to find cheaper bookings if you enjoy researching travel deals). Executive members get added value like credits and upgrades.
We had a positive experience booking a Costa Rica package but found extra fees, so make sure that you fully understand what’s included in your package—for example, are meals included in your resort stay?
You can purchase flights as part of a package, but not on their own. If problems arise with the flight, Costco directs you to the airlines (even if you have trip insurance).
Cancellations and refunds are available under specific circumstances. Travel insurance provides some protection.

I fell in love with Costco because of their famous $1.50 hotdog and soda combo. But these aren’t the only deals that they have.

When it comes to selling package deals, Costco knows how it’s done. You can’t find better deals than their Kirkland brand products, gas fill-ups, and travel packages!

That’s right; I said travel packages. Costco Travel is a leader in selling vacation packages available only to members.

Costco is different from your ordinary travel search engine. They offer bundles for your favorite theme parks and cruise lines. But is it worth the membership?

Keep reading to determine if the membership is worth springing for.

A pair of hands type on a keyboard in front of a monitor displaying the Costco Travel website sitting on a white desk.

Table of Contents

What is Costco Travel?

A screenshot of the Costco Travel website 'About' page.

Costco is a members-only wholesale company that opened its first warehouse in 1983. Their popularity snowballed from there.

Costco was the first company to reach $3 billion in sales in its first six years. In 2000, they branched out and created Costco Travel .

The funny thing is that to this day, many people still don’t know Costco also sells travel packages! These packages can include flights, hotels, cruises, cars, and more.

They work with an individual tour company to sell you the same travel packages as the tour companies but with added benefits.

How Does Costco Travel Work?

A screenshot of the Costco Travel website page with instructions on creating an account.

You’ll have to become a member to get a Costco Travel package. There are two levels of membership that both allow you to take advantage of these Costco Travel deals.

The basic “Gold Star” annual membership costs $60. With this level, you’ll be able to receive the unique Costco offers at their warehouses and online.

The “Executive” membership costs $120. As an executive member, you’ll enjoy all of the benefits of the Gold Star membership and extra perks such as:

Exclusive deals and benefits on Costco services
2% cash back on Costco and Costco Travel purchases

Both membership levels are great deals and help you save money.

Search for a Travel Package

Start by clicking the travel service you’re looking for on the Costco Travel website. To find a vacation package from there, enter your destination, region, and dates.

You can adjust the dates in each city for your Costco Travel vacation packages. It’s possible to add flights, but many Costco members book flights separately.

There’s also no separate search engine for booking flights. You can get a better price and have more control over which flight you take by doing it yourself.

I suggest creating a Costco Travel account to manage your vacation packages, rental cars, and hotel rooms.

Costco Travel Review: My Experience With Using Costco Travel

A view over an man's shoulder as he types on a keyboard in front of a monitor displaying the Costco Travel website sitting on a white desk.

Costco Travel Vacation Packages

One of the biggest perks of these travel packages is the convenience of booking your vacation through Costco. I used Costco Travel on one of my recent trips to Costa Rica.

The package I purchased was around $6,000 for two weeks at a resort, which is a reasonable price.

While searching, you’ll notice that each of the vacation packages provides a list of benefits.

Some resorts give you breakfast for free and food credits per day. Others won’t include any food at all. Pay close attention–it’s frustrating when you expect everything to be paid, but it’s not.

Costco Travel doesn’t automatically include airport transportation either. When clicking through, you have to choose from multiple transportation options.

Executive members can use their 2% cashback reward on any vacation package.

Costco Flights

I like to book directly when purchasing a flight. However, Costco Travel airline tickets don’t exist for purchase separately. These flights always come as part of a package.

You can choose from a few options under the packages section that come with a flight: flight + hotel, flight + hotel + car, and the total vacation package.

Even if you have trip insurance, that won’t help with flight issues. If a problem arises, they’ll send you to the airline instead.

Costco Hotels

When booking a hotel room through Costco Travel, you should know a few things.

If you’re looking for a hotel in certain cities, you’ll need a Costco membership to see the total price.

Some popular cities worldwide aren’t available on Costco Travel, so you’ll only see travel packages without hotels for those cities.

To book a hotel for New York City, for instance, you’ll have to book the hotel directly.

Costco Rental Cars

Costco Travel has an easy interface for booking a rental car. However, they show only a select few car rental companies.

When I was looking for car rentals in Italy, I got only four different car rental companies to choose from. Those were Alamo, AVIS, Budget, and Enterprise.

Car rentals can be expensive, so I suggest comparing prices with other companies before purchasing from Costco Travel.

Costco Travel Cruises

Costco Travel offers its Costco members the ability to purchase a cruise through their easy-to-use search engine. Most other travel booking sites don’t provide this feature.

You can choose the destination you want and even a specific cruise line. There are also options to look specifically for Alaskan cruises only.

Depending on how many days you choose for your cruise, several different options will appear. You’ll get the same Costco value when you’ve booked through Costco.

There will be many reviews for each route, and select cruises are up to 30% off. Below are the different cruise lines you can choose from (not including Alaska cruises):

Carnival
Celebrity Cruises
Disney Cruises
Holland America Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Even with Costco Travel’s alleged 30% savings, the price still seems the same as booking directly.

Others are getting certain benefits like a Costco gift card and onboard credit. It’s worth booking through Costo Travel if you get these perks.

Other Deals Through Costco Travel

Theme parks & speciality vacations.

If you look further into the Costco site, you’ll find that they offer even more vacation packages.

These range from Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood resort packages to an African safari. Costco Travel has it all!

These packages aren’t cheap but are some of the most sought-after bucket list trips. You can choose from many adventures if you want a family-friendly experience.

Going on an African safari has been on my list for many years. Costco Travel has full trips planned for you already. It’s absolutely amazing–like having your own travel agent.

These guided vacations might not have lower prices, but having your trip booked through Costco Travel is more straightforward than other travel sites.

A pair of hands type on a keyboard sitting on a white desk in front of a monitor displaying a Costco Travel website page about Disneyland Resort.

Unique Deals

Costco Travel works with other travel agencies to get travel deals for its members. Executive members enjoy extra perks like free upgrades, food/spa credits, and more.

Costco Travel also offers upgraded Kirkland Signature vacations. It’s the same brand you know and love but with travel. Costco Travel offers deals on these trips for up to 20% off.

Kirkland Signature has featured deals that last only a short time. You can scroll through pre-built vacation packages with set dates.

These deals often offer other perks and services, making Kirkland Signature deals impressive ways to kick back and relax.

Cash Back on Purchases

As an executive member, you can enjoy up to 2% cash back on purchases through Costco and Costco Travel.

There’s also a credit card called “Costco Anywhere Visa,” which gives you 3% cash back. Having their credit card is helpful if you know you’ll purchase from Costco Travel often.

Different Payment Options

When using Costco booking, you’ll be happy to hear there’s a flexible payment option. You’ll only have to pay a small percentage (in comparison) upfront.

If you’re using Costco Travel booking services, you can also choose a payment plan to spread it out. Who doesn’t love a good payment plan?

A computer monitor on a white desk displaying the Costco Travel website landing page.

Membership is Necessary

To get Costco Travel exclusive deals, you must be a member.

This downside might not be a big deal to Costco members who pay the membership solely for Costco Wholesale. And, considering what you get from it, the membership cost isn’t that steep.

The extra price you’ll pay for a travel agent will cost you more. Plus, you don’t get the other services that Costco offers.

Hidden Extra Expenses

When I chose my vacation package to Costa Rica, I noticed that these resorts didn’t always offer free food and beverages. Instead, some gave you “credits.”

If you don’t read closely, you might think the food and drinks are free (especially given the prices).

I saw this less often when purchasing my Costco Hawaii package, but you should still keep an eye out.

Costco Travel Cancellation & Exchange Policy

A screenshot of the Costco Travel website Cancellation & Exchange Policy page.

Canceling your vacation package is easy. You can get a refund if you cancel within 48 hours of departure. Each scenario is different, though.

Log into your Costco Travel account. Click ‘bookings,’ then ‘upcoming,’ and ‘cancel.’ There, you’ll see your upcoming trip and how much you’re eligible for in return.

Costco Travel insurance can help if any unforeseen circumstances arise.

FAQs About Costco Travel

A close-up, angled shot of a computer screen displaying the "Helpful Tips and FAQs" page on the Costco Travel website.

Is Costco Travel the same as Costco?

Costco owns Costco Travel, but they are different business sectors. Costco Wholesale is what most people know Costco for, and Costco Travel is strictly for travel.

Can Costco save you money on flights?

Costco won’t save you money on flights, but you can get many of the same flights as you usually can find on other websites.

Looking for cheap flights? Read our detailed reviews of Hopper , Skiplagged , Scott’s Cheap Flights (Going) , SnapTravel , Dollar Flight Club , and Momondo .

How far in advance should I book Costco Travel?

When booking a travel package through Costco Travel, purchasing it between three and six months in advance is best.

Do you get two percent back on Costco Travel?

Purchases through Costco Travel are eligible for 2% cashback. This is a massive perk of an executive membership . Members receive up to $1,000 cashback.

Do you have to be a Costco member to use Costco Travel?

You must be a Costco member to purchase vacation packages through Costco Travel. One of the downsides to Costco Travel is the entry barrier, but it’s worth the cost.

Conclusion: So, is Costco Travel worth it?

A view over an man's shoulder as he types on a keyboard in front of a monitor sitting on a white desk displaying the Costco Travel website.

Using Costco Travel discounts is a no-brainer if you’re already a Costco member. At the very least, it’s worth a search to see if they have any deals that you fancy.

Costco Travel is a good deal for those who love having someone plan everything for them and do it often.

Spending $6,000 a year on travel pays for the executive membership solely from the cash back.

Costco Travel isn’t great for budget travelers. It’s also not the best option for you if you don’t like a strict plan when traveling.

But, even so, there’s still some value in having Costco Travel car rentals.

A Costco membership alone is so valuable for most people that it’s worth factoring the travel perks into the equation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Phillip Anderson

Phillip Anderson is a freelance travel writer, personal trainer, and adventure enthusiast. With years of travel experience under his belt, Phillip is an expert in finding the best deals through travel apps and websites. He knows how to find cheap domestic and international flights, like a flight to Peru for as low as $350.

When looking for cheap accommodations, Phillip combines his knowledge of websites like Airbnb, Booking.com & Hostelworld with more unique sites like TrustedHousesitters, for even more savings. Whether it’s flights, accommodations, or local experiences, he teaches travelers to make informed decisions, ensuring their adventures are both memorable and economical. For more from Phillip, check out his website, JaywalkTheWorld.com.

Looking for more travel tips and reviews? Check out these related articles below!

Best Travel Deal Sites

Best Airbnb Alternatives

Duolingo Review

Best Travel Guides

TrustedHousesitters Review

GetYourGuide Review

Best Hardside Luggage Sets

Best Travel Purses

A pair of hands type on a keyboard in front of a monitor displaying the Costco Travel website sitting on a white desk, with the text overlay, "Costco Travel Review."

Pin this image for future reference

Hi, I'm Mimi! I'm an outdoorsy Californian who has spent over 28 years immersed in the incredible natural beauty that California has to offer. My goal is to inspire others to get out and find their next adventure in California. Whether it’s escaping to an alpine lake in the Sierras, finding peace among the giant redwoods, or road tripping down the PCH, there’s always more to explore in this beautiful state.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is always important, to help ensure that you, your family or visitors to Canada will be protected for emergency medical expenses and many other unforeseen costs during a trip. Without it, travellers can be left to deal with large out-of-pocket expenses.

Enjoy Costco value!

As a Costco member, you're accustomed to a certain level of value and service. You'll get all that with Travel Insurance for Costco members – with great rates for all members. Plus, Executive members can save up to 5% on most insurance plan premiums!

Medical Concierge Service on all plans with emergency medical*

If medical assistance is required while travelling, you'll get 24/7 access to StandByMD™. This service helps you locate a clinic nearby, connect you with a physician, and assist you with emergency room admission, and much more.

There are several plans available, so you get the exact amount of coverage you need.

Travelling canadians.

Help protect your trip, whether in Canada or outside, with plans for single or multiple trips, cancellation, emergency medical, and much more.

Preparing to study abroad? Or coming to Canada to study? Help protect yourself with coverage for both emergency and non-emergency medical costs.

Visitors to Canada

Whether you have family or friends visiting you from outside Canada, or are visiting Canada yourself, lock in protection for your trip.

Take action

For more information and to speak to a Licensed Insurance Advisor, call

1-866-707-4922 (Monday – Friday 8am – 8pm ET)

Or email [email protected]

Ready to apply?

If you’re ready to lock in the coverage that works best for you - take the next step and get a quote for the coverage you need, then proceed to the application.

10-Day Free Look

If you notify us within 10 days of your purchase date, as indicated on your confirmation, that you are not completely satisfied with your policy, we will provide a full refund if you have not already departed on your trip and there is no claim in progress. For information on refunds after the 10-Day Free Look period, please refer to the Cancellations & Refunds section in the policy.

* Manulife cannot guarantee the availability of the StandbyMD service indefinitely.

StandbyMD is a registered trademark™ of Healthcare Concierge Services, Inc.

" id="mainPhoneNumber">
Annual Travel Insurance
Cruise Travel Insurance
Family Travel Insurance
Seniors Travel Insurance
Ski Travel Insurance
Budget Direct
Fast Cover Travel Insurance
Insure4Less
InsureandGo
Simply Travel Insurance
Ski-Insurance
Travel Insurance Saver
Travel Insuranz
Wise Traveller
Zoom Travel Insurance
See more companies...
Travel Insurance Tips
Covid-19 Help
Read Reviews
Write a Review

Travel Insurance Quotes

Please Note - If you are cruising around Australia you need to select Pacific. With Regions, variances can apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East. You are not required to enter stop-over countries if your stop-over is less than 48 hours.

If you don’t know where you’re traveling to within the next 12 months, choose Worldwide to ensure you’re covered no matter where you go. If you’re travelling to multiple countries choose the region that you are visiting that is furthest away (excluding stopovers less than 48 hours). In most cases you will be covered for the closer regions as well. For example, if you choose Europe, you will also be covered in the Middle East, Asia and Pacific.

Worldwide means anywhere in the world

Americas means USA, Canada, South America, Latin America, Hawaii and the Caribbean

Europe means all European countries, including UK

Middle East refers to the area from Syria to Yemen; Egypt to Iran

Asia generally means Asia and the Indian subcontinent. For some insurers this excludes Japan*

Pacific means the South West Pacific, Australia and Indonesia/Bali*. Select Pacific for domestic cruises in New Zealand waters

New Zealand means domestic travel within New Zealand only

*Note: Variances apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East. Check that your destination is covered once directed to your chosen insurer’s site.

We compare quotes from over 25 travel insurance brands in Australia. Do your comparison online to save time, worry and loads of money.

WHY AUSSIES LOVE COMPARE TRAVEL INSURANCE

No Hidden Fees

Travel agents and airlines charge huge commissions. We don’t! Our travel insurance comparison is free to use. You'll be directed to the insurer's website to buy travel insurance without any sneaky charges.

Great Prices

Whether you're looking for cheap travel insurance or fully comprehensive cover for a domestic or international trip, you'll find the prices on our site are the same great prices you get buying travel insurance direct !

Data Protection

We promise to keep your data secure and not to sell your information to other companies. And we only ever send you relevant emails you have subscribed to.

Using our comparison is easy-peasy! One simple form makes it quick and easy to compare travel insurance quotes for your holiday. You'll get quotes online for your trip in seconds.

Rest Assured

All the policies we compare have 24/7 overseas emergency assistance to help in time of need. All brands are underwritten by reputable insurers like Allianz Australia Insurance Limited, Auto & General, Chubb, Great Lakes, Lloyds, QBE & more!

Product Choice

We compare heaps of policies for all types of travellers from some of Australia’s most reputable travel insurers. We compare 25+ insurance brands including, 1Cover, Amex, Budget Direct, Insure and Go, Virgin Money, Zoom & more!

Travel Insurance Extraordinaire At Your Service

Need some help? Use the search box below to find answers to all those tricky questions. We’ve got heaps of expert travel insurance tips to help you get the best policy for your upcoming holiday!

Why Buy Travel Insurance?

We’re not silly, we know that plenty of Aussies go on holiday and have an amazing time exploring new and exciting places without buying travel insurance. But taking a gamble on your much-needed break can be risky. Here’s why!

Exxy Medical Costs

If you buy a policy for just one reason, this is it! Falling ill or being injured while travelling overseas can be extremely costly. Hospital costs in the USA can reach up to $10,000 per day, while emergency transport home for treatment can easily exceed $100,000! Ouch!

Disasters Can Strike

The excitement of getting on that plane has you knotted up like a pretzel. Picture your dismay if you had to cancel last minute. Worse still, imagine you’re mid-martini when bad news breaks. Should you need to return home, you’ll be covered for unforeseen events like injury or illness of a close relative.

Your Stuff Is Important

Loss, theft or damage to your prized possessions can be a common, yet gut-wrenching experience. If your personal belongings go AWOL while you’re away the right policy will pay to replace or repair them. Win!

Peace Of Mind

Because you have to.

Still not convinced? We hate to be the fun police, but some countries simply won’t let you in without cover! For example, it is mandatory to take out travel insurance when travelling to Thailand or Cuba.

Trending TRIP COVER Tips And Guides

ultimate guide to travel insurance

Travel insurance is two words that could make all the difference to your holiday. Get the lowdown on how to choose the right travel insurance policy and the potential traps.

Pre-existing medical conditions

Having pre-existing medical conditions doesn't mean you can't get cover or that it has to be expensive. It simply means that you need to dig a little deeper when doing your research.

CORONAvIRUS & travel insurance

The rapid spread of covid-19 around the globe has thrown international travel into chaos. Find out what's covered if you're travelling during the coronavirus outbreak.

TRAVEL INSURANCE REVIEWS

Not sure which policy to pick? Our travel insurance reviews are here to help! Thousands of Aussies have reviewed their travel insurers to give you the inside story on everything from claims handling to customer experience.

Or perhaps you want to have your say? Whether you love or loathe your travel insurer rate and review them to help other Aussies pick the right policy for their holiday.

Travel Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

Does travel insurance cover coronavirus (covid-19).

It depends! Unfortunately, the answer isn't a straightforward one. There are some situations where cover is available, and others where it is an exclusion. It largely depends on which insurer you bought your policy with ; when you bought it; where you're travelling to; when you're travelling; and, the reason for your claim. As travel continues to open up around the world, most (but not all) insurers provide cover for overseas hospital & medical expenses if someone named on the policy was positively diagnosed with COVID-19. Some insurers also provide cover for additional expenses and cancellation benefits.

Which is the best travel insurance in Australia?

The best travel insurance depends entirely on your planned trip and your circumstances. If you're a backpacker on a strict budget, you might want a no-frills medical-only policy, while if you've paid a lot in deposits or if you have pre-existing health conditions, a more comprehensive policy might be best for you. While there's no single best travel insurance that's right for everyone, finding a policy that works for you is easy when you use our quote comparison to start comparing prices and features. With Compare Travel Insurance, you can also read up on travel insurance reviews from customers to learn about their customer service and importantly claims experience.

What does comprehensive travel insurance cover?

Comprehensive travel insurance includes coverage for unexpected medical expenses overseas in the event of injury or illness, as well as cover if your luggage is lost or stolen, cancellation and disruption benefits if you need to cancel or are delayed for unforeseen reasons, as well as public liability cover. Go to our comprehensive travel insurance guide to learn more.

What do medical-only policies cover?

Medical-only trip insurance a.k.a basic policies generally only offer coverage for unexpected medical expenses overseas. Some basic policies also include a small amount of coverage for luggage or cancellations. Our website allows you to filter quotes for basic, mid-range and comprehensive travel insurance policies and their features to help you find the policy which is right for you.

Is it too late to buy travel cover?

Although we recommend buying a policy as soon as you've started paying deposits for flights, accommodation and tours, you can buy travel insurance at any point, even if you are already overseas . Exclusions often apply though, so be sure to check the PDS before you buy.

Can I purchase travel insurance at the airport?

Yes, you can. Generally speaking, you can purchase travel insurance up to a year before your trip, right up to boarding at the airport. With comprehensive travel insurance, you are covered for cancellation benefits from the moment you buy your policy, so we recommend buying it as soon as you start paying for flights, tours and accommodation.

Can I get travel insurance if I'm already overseas?

You can buy cover if you are already overseas, although each travel insurer has different rules on age limits and waiting periods. Check out our already overseas travel insurance guide to learn more.

Does travel insurance cover pregnancy?

You can buy travel insurance to cover you when you're pregnant, but every brand has different rules depending on how many weeks gestation you are, whether you've had complications, and whether you're looking for cover in case of emergency birth. Check out the handy table on our pregnancy guide for more information.

Do I need cover in Australia?

If you're an Australian resident, a domestic policy covers you for cancellations, luggage cover and often rental vehicle excess, but as you're covered by Medicare, medical coverage is not included. International visitors to Australia are currently not required to have travel insurance by law, but it is highly recommended to protect you from eye-watering medical bills and more.

Which is the cheapest policy?

The cost of travel insurance depends on a range of factors including your destination, duration of travel, age of travellers, planned activities, whether or not you have any medical conditions and the type of cover you choose (medical only, mid-range or comprehensive). The cheapest travel insurance is generally to less risky parts of the world - places with cheaper healthcare and less risk of injury, illness or theft - and policies which offer less coverage - so ones without benefits for adventure activities or pre-existing conditions. To get cheap travel insurance from Australia for your trip, create a quote and compare prices, but remember that the cheapest isn't always the best. You should consider your trip and what you require cover for.

Why should I buy travel insurance direct online?

Comparing prices and features online makes it easier to find the policy that's right for you and your circumstances. With comparetravelinsurance.com.au , the price you see is the same price direct from the insurer. Sometimes you're not after the best policy but rather the best bang for your buck and comparing prices and features online can save you time, worry and loads of money.

Our Travel Insurance Comparision Helps You

Save time, worry and loads of money.

Stay up to date with our latest news, deals and special offers.

Your privacy is important to us.

Comparetravelinsurance.com.au is Australia’s leading comparison site solely focused on travel insurance.

Our comparison is a free service that allows users to compare quotes in a few simple steps based on limited personal criteria. Comparisons supplied are not a recommendation or opinion about the suitability of a policy for a user. Comparisons are default ranked according to price and users have the ability to sort by popular cover levels. Whilst we compare a vast range of policies, we do not compare all providers in the market. This site compares the following brands: 1Cover, AllClear, Budget Direct, Downunder, Fast Cover Travel Insurance, Insure4Less, InsureandGo, iTrek, Simply Travel Insurance, Ski-Insurance, Travel Insurance Saver, Travel Insuranz, Wise Traveller, Zoom Travel Insurance . The directors and shareholders are common with companies i-Trek Pty Ltd, Zoom Travel Insurance and 1Cover Pty Ltd including it’s subsidiary brand Ski-insurance. CoverDirect takes all reasonable care when preparing this information but does not warrant its accuracy. Pricing information is supplied by the providers who participate on this site and should be verified with the insurer before you purchase. This site links users to the website of the provider to verify quotes and access the relevant PDS to understand what is, and is not, covered by a policy prior to purchase.

CoverDirect Pty Ltd owns and operates this website under AFS Licence 383590. Located at Level 12, 338 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia.

For further information view our FSG and Terms of Use . Contact us by calling 1300 659 411.

Loading Quotes...

Please login or register to continue. It'll only take a minute.

There was an error logging in, please try again.

Enter your email and password

There was an error on your registration, please try again.

Don't you have an account?

Just checking you are a human

Help Centre
1-855-863-0357

Start Searching

Packages
All-Inclusive
Cruises
Rental Cars
Hotels

* Indicates required fields

Rental Period:

pickUpDate - dropOffDate

Pick-Up: pickUpTime - Drop-Off: dropOffTime

Pick-Up Location:

pickUpAddress

pickUpAgencyName

pickUpAgencyAddress

Drop-Off Location:

Same as Pick-Up Location

dropOffAddress

dropOffAgencyName

dropOffAgencyAddress

Coupon Override

Please call.

For drivers under the age of 25, additional fees and/or restrictions may apply.

For information and assistance in completing your reservation, please call:

We're unable to find your location.

Vacation Packages
Hotel + Flight
Hotel + Flight + Car
Hotel + Car
Hotel Only

Alaska Cruise Tours:

A cruise tour is a voyage and land tour combination, with the land tour occurring before or after the voyage. Unless otherwise noted, optional services such as airfare, airport transfers, shore excursions, land tour excursions, etc. are not included and are available for an additional cost.

Sorry, but the requested page was not found.

Please explore some of our great offers.

Last-Minute Travel

It's Not Too Late to Book Vacation Package Getaways

Antigua: Royalton Antigua Package

Family-Friendly, All-Inclusive Resort Digital Costco Shop Card

Limited-Time Deals

Book Before They're Gone These Deals Won't Last!

Build Your Own Package and Save

Member Value in Every Booking More than 8,000 Hotels Across Canada and the U.S.

London and Paris: Your Way

Daily Breakfast US $ 400 London Tour Credit Rail Tickets on Eurostar, Executive Member Benefits

Las Vegas: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Package

US $ 75 Food and Beverage Credit Invited Guest Check-In

Featured Travel

Vacations of a lifetime.

Amazing Experiences Exclusively from Costco Travel

Maui and Oahu: 2-Island Package

Create Your Own Experience From The Valley Isle to The Gathering Place No Hidden Resort Fees

Cancun: Crown Paradise Club Package

All-Inclusive Resort Resort Credit Digital Costco Shop Card

Fort Lauderdale: The Diplomat Beach Resort Package

Stay 5 / Pay 4 US $ 50 Food and Beverage Credit Private Transfers

Costa Rica: The Westin Reserva Conchal Package

All-Inclusive Resort US $ 50 Spa Credit Westin® Kids Club

Hidden Gems

From the Ordinary to the Extraordinary Member Value in Every Package

Featured Destinations

Chicago, illinois.

Explore the Windy City

Calgary, Alberta

Member Value in Every Booking

Boston, Massachusetts

Make the Most of Your Boston Adventure

Featured Cruises

Kirkland signature alaska inside passage cruise.

Holland America Line | Koningsdam® Exclusive Savings and Included Extras Digital Costco Shop Card

Western Caribbean & Perfect Day Cruise

Royal Caribbean | Wonder of the Seas℠ Digital Costco Shop Card, Round-Trip Port Canaveral

Mediterranean with Greek Isles and Turkey Cruise

Princess Cruises | Sun Princess® New Ship, Digital Costco Shop Card Rome to Athens

All-Inclusive Resorts & Cruises

Trending now.

We are processing your payment.

Do not refresh your browser or exit this page.

Help Center
1-866-921-7925

Start Searching

Packages
Hotels
Cruises
Rental Cars

* Indicates required fields

Rental Period:

pickUpDate - dropOffDate

Pick-Up: pickUpTime - Drop-Off: dropOffTime

Pick-Up Location:

pickUpAddress

pickUpAgencyName

pickUpAgencyAddress

Drop-Off Location:

Same as Pick-Up Location

dropOffAddress

dropOffAgencyName

dropOffAgencyAddress

Coupon Override

Please call.

For drivers under the age of 25, additional fees and/or restrictions may apply.

For information and assistance in completing your reservation, please call:

We're unable to find your location.

Alaska Cruise Tours:

Sorry, but the requested page was not found.

Please explore some of our great offers.

Limited-Time Deals

Book Before They’re Gone These Deals Won't Last

Oahu: The Kahala Hotel & Resort Package

$260 Resort Credit Digital Costco Shop Card No Daily Resort Fee

Rome, Italy

The Eternal City Daily Breakfast with Every Package

Dominican Republic: Lopesan Costa Bavaro Resort, Spa & Casino Package

New to Costco Travel Beachfront, All-Inclusive Resort Family-Friendly, Digital Costco Shop Card

Orlando, Florida

Legendary Theme Parks Included Extras with Every Package

Tahiti: InterContinental Bora Bora & Thalasso Spa Package

Daily Buffet Breakfast and Nightly Dinner Executive Member Benefit

5 Nights with Airfare from $5,079 Per Person*

Featured Travel

Puerto vallarta: hilton vallarta riviera package.

All-Inclusive Resort Digital Costco Shop Card

Family-Friendly Fun

Vacations for All Ages Value, Quality and Features with Families in Mind

New York City: Lotte New York Palace Package

Costco Member Savings Complimentary Room Upgrade Private Round-Trip Transfers

Athens, Mykonos, Santorini and Central Crete: Your Way

Daily Breakfast

Vacations of a Lifetime

For an Experience as Unique as You Are Exclusively for Costco Members

Austin: Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa Package

Costco Member Savings Family-Friendly Pools New to Costco Travel

Featured Destinations

Boston, massachusetts.

Rich History and Culture

Yosemite National Park Area

Create Your Next Adventure

Chicago, Illinois

Award-Winning Culinary Scene

Featured Cruises

Aruba, bonaire and curacao cruise.

Celebrity Cruises | Celebrity Reflection® Digital Costco Shop Card, Round-Trip Fort Lauderdale

8 Nights from $867*

Alaskan Explorer Cruise

Holland America Line | Eurodam® Digital Costco Shop Card, Round-Trip Seattle

7 Nights from $399*

Mediterranean with Greek Isles and Turkey Cruise

Princess Cruises | Sun Princess® New Ship, Digital Costco Shop Card Rome to Athens

7 Nights from $1,018*

Baja Cruise

Carnival Cruise Line | Carnival Firenze™ Digital Costco Shop Card, Round-Trip Los Angeles

4 Nights from $384*

Greenland & Canada Cruise

Princess Cruises | Island Princess® Digital Costco Shop Card, Round-Trip New York

18 Nights from $1,529*

South Pacific Crossing Cruise

Holland America Line | Noordam® Digital Costco Shop Card, Seattle to Sydney Cruise

27 Nights from $2,879*

Hidden Gems

Trending now.

We are processing your payment.

Do not refresh your browser or exit this page.

IMAGES

How To Get Discount Travel Insurance Through Costco Travel
Costco Travel Insurance Reviews
The Best Travel Insurance For Australia And Why You Need It
The Best Travel Insurance Australia Has to Offer 2023
Costco Travel Insurance Reviews
The Ins and Outs of Costco Travel

COMMENTS

Travel Insurance
Travel with confidence knowing that your travel insurance also provides 24/7 travel and emergency assistance. You can relax and enjoy your vacation knowing that help is just a phone call away should you need assistance 1-844-246-8470. Don't let an unexpected event interfere with your vacation; let a travel insurance plan help protect you ...
Costco Executive Membership: Benefits and Services
Must be a current Australian Costco Executive Member. All Costco Shop Card will be paid via a digital Costco Shop Card issued by the Services Team at least 60 days after switching or joining a service. Costco Executive Membership offers a range of benefits to essential daily services, including insurance, gas and electricity and more.
Home
Costco Travel offers everyday savings on top-quality, brand ... Africa Alaska Asia Australia / New Zealand Bahamas Bermuda Caribbean Europe / Mediterranean Hawaii / South Pacific Mexico North America Panama Canal South America ... Travel Insurance - Opens a dialog About Costco Travel; The Costco Traveler Blog ...
Costco Travel Insurance Review
Rental cars. Instead of buying expensive travel insurance from a rental car company, Costco trip insurance offers coverage to protect your rental car. It covers damage to the rental vehicle and ...
Home
Costco Travel offers everyday savings on top-quality, brand-name vacations, hotels, cruises, ... Australia Account Bookings Logout ... Travel Insurance - Opens a dialog About Costco Travel; The Costco Traveler Blog About Us ...
Is Costco Travel Insurance Worth It? A Detailed Review
Costco travel insurance can be worth it for the right kind of traveler and trip. Good for big, expensive vacations: Policies with high coverage limits protect costly trips. Good for cruises, exotic locations or extended travel. Nice upgrade over credit cards: More robust benefits than even the best travel credit cards.
Travel Insurance: USA To Australia Trip
When traveling abroad, look for a policy with a short waiting period. The most generous travel plans provide $2,000 in trip delay benefits, per person, but you can buy policies with less if you ...
What Travel Insurance Do I Need for Australia?
Here are some common types of travel insurance: Trip cancellation insurance. Used to recoup costs when you cancel a trip due to something unanticipated, like a medical issue. Trip interruption ...
Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance Policies In 2024
Australia Post's Comprehensive Travel Insurance offers coverage for credit card fraud of up to $5,000, lost luggage insurance up to $12,000 (sub-limits apply on certain items) and no age limit ...
Does Costco Travel offer travel insurance?
Costco Travel doesn't sell travel insurance. However, we do offer Costco preferred rates through our partner Zurich when you book your vacation with Costco Travel. ... You may purchase Zurich travel insurance up until 10 days before departure. To receive a quote, please visit https://47-0351.covermore.com or call 1-844-246-8470. Plans aren't ...
Costco Travel Insurance: A Comprehensive Guide
A: Costco members can purchase travel insurance through Costco's website or by calling the Costco Travel insurance team. Q: What are the benefits of purchasing travel insurance through Costco? A: Costco offers competitive rates and additional perks for its members, such as 24/7 customer support and access to a network of trusted providers.
Insurance Services
Australia; Iceland; France; Spain; New Zealand; Sweden; Warehouses; Account; Cart. Shop. Search ... Costco Travel. Costco Travel sells exclusively to Costco members. We use our buying authority to negotiate the best value in the marketplace, and then pass on the savings to Costco members. ... Insurance Services Showing null-null of null . List ...
CHOICE travel insurance buying guide
Baggage cover varies widely, with travel insurance policies ranging from $0 to $30,000. So, if you're not carrying expensive items, you may be able to save on your premium by selecting a policy that provides lower coverage. Individual items are subject to sub-limits that range from around $250 to as much as $5,000.
Home
Costco Travel offers everyday savings on top-quality, brand-name vacations, hotels, cruises, rental cars, exclusively for Costco members.
ULTIMATE Costco Travel Review [2024]: Who It Is & Isn't For
The "Executive" membership costs $120. As an executive member, you'll enjoy all of the benefits of the Gold Star membership and extra perks such as: Exclusive deals and benefits on Costco services. 2% cash back on Costco and Costco Travel purchases. Both membership levels are great deals and help you save money.
Manulife Travel Insurance for Costco Members
Contact us. For more information and to speak to a Licensed Insurance Advisor, call. 1-866-707-4922. (Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm ET) Or email [email protected].
Enjoy the security of Zurich travel insurance
Rate it below. Heading to New York, Rio, Tokyo… or just a weekend trip to the alps? We all want our holidays and journeys to be safe and have peace of mind. Therefore, our teams provide support in all kinds of situations when it comes to travel, all around the world.
Travel Insurance
Product Choice. We compare heaps of policies for all types of travellers from some of Australia's most reputable travel insurers. We compare 25+ insurance brands including, 1Cover, Amex, Budget Direct, Insure and Go, Virgin Money, Zoom & more!
Costco Travel Insurance
In the chart above, the Costco Travel insurance costs a total of $305.80 for travelers 55 and 60 years old. Their price is competitive compared to Trawick First class, costing $310.31. However, they do not have equal footing. Costco Travel Medical Insurance is a problem.
Australia and New Zealand Cruises
Cruises to Australia and New Zealand. From jaw-dropping natural wonders to colorful local traditions, cruising to the land Down Under will thrill your senses. Australia entices with every imaginable landscape, from its rugged Outback and fascinating Aboriginal culture, to its world-famous Great Barrier Reef and lively cosmopolitan cities.
Seniors Travel Insurance
Most travel insurance providers may offer insurance to elderly passengers up to the age of 99, an Insurance Council of Australia spokesperson told Canstar. Some providers though may have certain age restrictions for certain types of cover. For example, WorldCare limits some basic travel policies to those under 75 years of age, Insurance and Go ...
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance can help provide a much-needed safety net ... Africa Alaska Asia Australia / New Zealand Bahamas Bermuda Caribbean Europe / Mediterranean Hawaii / South Pacific Mexico North America Panama Canal South America ... Amazing Experiences Exclusively from Costco Travel. Maui and Oahu: 2-Island Package ...
Vacation Packages
Costco Travel Vacations, Travel, All ... Africa Alaska Asia Australia / New Zealand Bahamas Bermuda Caribbean Europe / Mediterranean Hawaii / South Pacific Mexico North America Panama Canal South America Transatlantic ... Travel Insurance - Opens a dialog About Costco Travel; The Costco Traveler Blog ...

Is Costco Travel Insurance Worth It? A Detailed Review

What Does Costco Travel Insurance Cover?

How Much Does Costco Travel Insurance Cost?

Pros of Costco Travel Insurance

Cons of Costco Travel Insurance

What Credit CardsCover

What’s Not Covered by Costco Travel Insurance

Is Costco Travel Insurance Worth It?

Is Costco Travel Insurance Right for You?

The Bottom Line

Costco Travel Insurance Review: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Costco’s Travel Insurance Policy

Related posts:

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Our Pick Of The Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance Providers In Australia

Our Pick of the Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance Providers 2024

What Methodology Did We Use?

What does most travel insurance cover?

Which is the best travel insurance for over 70s?

Which is the best travel insurance for Covid-19?

Who is the best company for travel insurance?

Is it worth buying travel insurance at the moment?

What doesn't travel insurance cover?

Is Allianz good travel insurance?

Is Bupa good for travel insurance?

How many days before should you buy travel insurance?

Help Center

Does Costco Travel offer travel insurance?

Is this answer helpful?

Related Answers

News Week Magazine PRO

Costco Travel Insurance: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Riding Through Ink: The Art of Bike Tattoos

Search Smartraveller

Why travel insurance?

How to get travel insurance

What are you covered for?

How to make a complaint

Holidays don’t always go as planned.

The Australian Government won’t pay your medical bills.

Some countries won’t let you in if you don’t have insurance.

Do you need domestic travel insurance?

Does international travel insurance cover COVID-19?

Make your travel plans COVID-safe

1. Where are you going?

You need different cover for different regions

2. How long are you going for?

3. What are you going to do there?

4. Are you taking any valuable items?

5. Do you have any medical conditions?

Member discounts

Shop around

Use your credit card

Compromise on cover

About that fine print

How to read the PDS

And what are the catches?

Pre-existing conditions

Is a disability a pre-existing condition?

Having trouble getting cover?

Cover for your equipment

Cover for your carer

Babymooning

Mental health

‘Unforeseen’

Exclusions and inclusions

Lost luggage

Do you have the right licence?

Cruise-specific insurance

Not leaving Australian waters?

Motorcycles and mopeds

Skiing and snowboarding

Alcohol and drugs

Credit card travel insurance

Is it activated?

Is it worth it?

Internal dispute resolution

External dispute resolution

Legal action