International Medical Only travel insurance
Essential medical cover for overseas travel
Medical travel insurance for New Zealanders travelling overseas
International Medical Only travel insurance helps you travel with confidence, knowing support is available if you need medical care overseas.
Medical emergencies can be upsetting while you’re travelling, and they can also be expensive. In some countries, medical treatment is provided privately and costs can quickly add up.
If you’re looking for protection against overseas medical costs, without cover for cancellations or baggage, International Medical Only travel insurance could be a suitable option for your next trip.
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Why overseas medical cover matters
New Zealand’s public healthcare system and ACC generally don’t apply once you leave the country. If you become sick or injured overseas, medical treatment is typically provided privately, and costs can escalate quickly depending on where you are travelling.
International Medical Only travel insurance is designed to provide cover for certain unexpected medical costs while you’re overseas, offering essential medical cover for travellers who want a more budget‑focused travel insurance option.
Medical and evacuation cover includes
- Medical treatment and hospital care overseas
- Doctors’ visits and prescribed medication
- Specialist treatment
- Medical transport and evacuation
- 24‑hour medical emergency assistance
- Support from qualified medical advisers who can provide guidance during a medical emergency
- Guarantees for medical expenses and help contacting family
Medical and evacuation cover is Unlimited under this policy, subject to the terms and conditions in the policy wording.
For each deceased person.
No excess applies
Cover towards legal liability for damages, compensation and legal expenses.
No excess applies.
This page provides a summary of the key terms only. As with all insurance policies, terms and conditions apply. For our terms and conditions (including information about exclusions, excesses and sub limits) we recommend you read the International Medical Only policy document.
Who International Medical Only travel insurance is suited to
International Medical Only travel insurance is designed for the budget‑conscious New Zealander who wants medical expenses cover while travelling overseas, without paying for other features commonly included in comprehensive policies.
This policy may suit travellers who:
- Want cover for overseas medical expenses only, without insurance for trip cancellations or baggage
- Have separate cover in place for non‑medical travel risks, such as trip cancellations or lost personal items, and only require insurance for overseas medical expenses
- Want to keep costs down by focusing on medical emergencies only
Eligibility criteria apply, and it’s important to check the Target Market Determination (TMD) to make sure that this policy suits your travel plans before purchasing.
What this policy doesn’t cover
International Medical Only travel insurance focuses on unexpected medical costs overseas; however, there are a few exclusions, and it doesn’t include cover for every travel scenario. To help avoid surprises, it’s important to understand what this policy doesn’t cover.
Some exclusions include:
- Medical or hospital costs incurred within New Zealand
- Medical or hospital costs while on a cruise ship
- Cancelling or changing your trip
- Damaged, lost or stolen baggage and personal items
- Total permanent disablement and loss of income benefits
- Rental vehicle excess
Full details of exclusions, conditions and limits are set out in the policy wording.
Understanding your excess and premium
The excess you choose applies per unexpected event, refer to the policy wording.
Selecting a higher excess may reduce the cost of your premium, while a lower excess means you’ll pay less if you need to make a claim. You can choose the excess that best suits your budget and level of risk when purchasing your policy.
Trusted by travellers worldwide
Southern Cross Travel Insurance has supported more than 6 million travellers worldwide, helping people manage the unexpected while travelling, living and working overseas.
As part of the wider Southern Cross group, we bring decades of experience supporting New Zealanders when it matters most.
Important information
This page provides a summary of the International Medical Only policy. As with all insurance policies, eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, exclusions, excesses and sub‑limits apply.
We recommend reading the Target Market Determination (TMD) and the International Medical Only policy wording before purchasing to ensure this policy is right for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Does ACC cover me if I’m injured overseas?
ACC generally does not cover injuries that occur outside New Zealand. If you’re injured while travelling overseas, medical treatment costs are usually your responsibility. International Medical Only travel insurance includes cover for overseas medical treatment and evacuation, subject to the policy wording.
What medical expenses are covered under International Medical Only travel insurance?
This policy includes cover for overseas medical treatment, hospital care, specialist treatment, prescribed medication and medical evacuation, along with access to 24‑hour medical emergency assistance. Cover applies in line with the policy wording, including terms, conditions and exclusions.
When does cover under this policy start?
Cover generally starts from the date your policy is issued, for eligible unexpected medical events that occur while you are travelling overseas. Specific terms apply, so it’s important to check the policy wording.
How does the excess work on International Medical Only travel insurance?
The excess you choose applies per unexpected event, refer to the policy wording. The excess you select can affect the premium you pay and the amount you contribute if you need to make a claim. The default excess for International Medical Only travel insurance is $200, you have the option to choose between $0, $100, $200.
Does this policy cover medical costs in New Zealand?
No. International Medical Only travel insurance does not cover medical, or hospital costs incurred within New Zealand. It is designed specifically to provide medical cover while travelling overseas.
Does International Medical Only cover cruise travel?
No. This policy does not cover medical or hospital costs incurred while on a cruise ship. You can find full details in the policy wording. If you're planning a cruise, our International Comprehensive policy includes the option to add cruise cover.
This page includes some information about our products but, as with all insurance policies, eligibility criteria, terms and conditions apply. For our terms and conditions (including information about exclusions, excesses and sub limits) we recommend you read the relevant policy documents to ensure our travel insurance products are right for you.
You can find the relevant documents for all our policies here: International Comprehensive, Annual Multi-trip, International Medical Only, Domestic, Working Overseas, Visiting New Zealand, International Student