You’ve planned your visit to New Zealand down to the finest details: flights, accommodation, activities, and how to get from one part of that beautiful country to another. But what about health insurance? If you fall ill and need medical treatment, will you be able to afford it - or even access it?
The short answer is: possibly not. One thing you can’t plan for is illness or accidents – both of which can result in overwhelming stress when you are travelling internationally.
Learn more about different types of insurance from a licenced financial adviser and see what's best for your circumstances.
Health | Life | Trauma | Total and Permanent Disability | Income Protection
Why do I need health insurance as a visitor to New Zealand?
Buying health insurance to cover you in the country you intend to visit is a practical decision no matter where in the world you are located. Many short-term health insurance plans can protect you from the cost of medical care, help you access high-quality medical services, and ease some of the anxiety of dealing with unfamiliar healthcare systems.
Consider these points:
- While it’s not mandatory to have health insurance before entering New Zealand as a visitor, most travel advisers would recommend you purchase a policy as an integral part of your travel plans.
- If you already have a health insurance policy in your home country, it’s certainly recommended you revise this plan if it does not extend to treatment abroad.
- The New Zealand Government strongly advises that visitors to New Zealand who are not eligible for publicly funded health services hold comprehensive health insurance.
However, some visitors may be eligible for publicly funded healthcare. Let’s find out if that’s you.
How do I know if I’m eligible for free healthcare in New Zealand as a visitor?
If you don’t hold a private health insurance policy that covers you while visiting New Zealand, can you still rely on the public healthcare system for treatments and medications?
1. Some visitors are eligible for free New Zealand public healthcare. Under a Reciprocal Health Agreement, Australian and UK citizens temporarily in New Zealand are eligible for treatment (medical, hospital, and related) on the same basis as a New Zealand citizen if they:
- are ordinarily resident in their own country
- are on a temporary stay in NZ, and
- require immediately necessary medical treatment for a condition that arose after arrival in New Zealand, or that, without treatment, would have become acutely exacerbated after arrival. The arrangement excludes publicly funded emergency transport by ambulance.
Even so, as neither reciprocal agreement provides full medical cover, nor includes other parts of the world, travellers should hold comprehensive visitor health insurance.
2. Some work visa holders are eligible for healthcare provided by the New Zealand public healthcare system. A person who holds a work visa and is staying in New Zealand for two years or more is eligible for publicly funded health and disability services. Once again, check your situation with New Zealand Immigration thoroughly and never assume.
Can I purchase visitor health insurance for my stay in New Zealand?
Buying visitor health insurance for your trip to New Zealand is an open option for anyone in any country, as long as they meet certain criteria. Some Kiwi insurers only provide cover for New Zealand residents, so if you are a non-resident, you may need to contact several insurers before you can find a suitable plan.
Policywise works with several providers who offer a comprehensive visiting New Zealand health insurance package, open for application by non-NZ residents planning to visit New Zealand for up to two years.
We offer policies for work visa or working holiday visa holders, migrants, international students, and tourists who:
- are staying in New Zealand for 3 days to 12 months and are not eligible for publicly funded health care; or
- hold a current New Zealand work visa valid for 12+ months with at least 3 months remaining; or
- hold a current New Zealand visitor visa valid for 12+ months with at least 12 months remaining
You are not eligible for this policy if you:
- are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand; or
- are travelling to New Zealand to obtain medical or dental treatment, cosmetic surgery, or related advice; or
- have been advised by a registered medical practitioner that you are not fit to travel.
Embarking on some research before you embark on your journey is a very wise idea. Read the wording on your policy document carefully or consult with a reputable insurance broker, such as Policywise. A Policywise adviser can work through your situation, help you understand if you are eligible for the public health system, and provide you with multiple options to consider from different insurers. Once you’ve figured out your boundaries, you’ll be good to go!
Can I buy NZ visitor medical insurance if I have a pre-existing condition?
Pre-existing conditions (PECs) are medical or physical conditions you currently have or previously had at the time you buy your insurance - diagnosed or not. They include symptoms you might have asked a doctor about, even if you didn’t receive a formal diagnosis, which may have required medical care.
It is important to know that pre-existing medical conditions are generally not covered under most visiting New Zealand health insurance policies. Some insurers have automatic cover for certain pre-existing conditions, and others may allow you to buy additional cover for pre-existing conditions, although not all insurers provide this service.
Certain providers offer fair health insurance to New Zealand visitors with pre-existing conditions. Although you will not be covered for any claims that are related to or associated with your PECs, don't be discouraged from applying for cover - you might just have to pay an additional premium over and above the base premium charged.
Below are some illnesses and injuries commonly classified as PECs:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart and vascular illnesses, such as high blood pressure
- Anxiety
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Hernias
- Lung illnesses, such as asthma
- Gallstones
- Back pain
- Allergies
- Hay fever
- Eczema
- Sprain
Remember to declare all pre-existing conditions when applying for health insurance, otherwise, you may not be covered under all or part of your policy. If you are concerned that your pre-existing condition may limit your health cover in New Zealand, touch base with a Policywise adviser. They can help you find the best plan for your needs, so you can forget about what might go wrong, and instead, just relax, and enjoy your time away.
What visitor health insurance should I buy and who from?
Knowing what insurance cover you need when travelling as a visitor to New Zealand is the first step to buying health insurance. How much is too much and how little is too little?
Policywise can connect you with an appropriate insurer and also help you during claim time. Policywise offers a fast, free service which tells you which insurance provider will tick each box in your checklist. Some of these providers specialise in health insurance for visitors to New Zealand and offer plans which are cost-effective and practical, allowing you to have fun on your holiday without worrying about what will happen if you get sick.
Some New Zealand insurers offer well-thought-out health insurance packages for those with work or visitor visas valid for more than a year. They offer cover for:
- Medical costs related to surgery and admissions in private or public hospitals;
- Major diagnostic procedures (angiograms, CAT or CT scans, MRI scans, myocardial perfusion scans), with or without hospital admission
- Treatment outside New Zealand (if treatment is not available in New Zealand)
- Other benefits such as home nursing, parent accommodation, transport and accommodation (if treatment is not available in a local facility)
- Specialist consultations, including diagnostic tests, and mental health consultations (optional)
- General practitioner and nurse visits, laboratory tests, prescription drugs, and other day to day medical costs (optional)
- Some offer virtual clinics for online consultation.
What if I have a visitor visa, student visa, or working holiday visa?
Immigration New Zealand holds full legal sway over the entry requirements of visitors to New Zealand. All visa applications have points of difference, but the following information gives a broad look at why you need to include visitor health insurance in your travel budget.
- When you apply for a visitor visa (for a stay of up to 6 or 9 months), you must declare that you will pay the costs of any healthcare or medical assistance you receive in New Zealand or get health insurance. Immigration New Zealand strongly recommends that you have full medical insurance for the length of your visit.
- A fee-paying student visa (up to 4 years) must have full, evidenced medical and travel insurance for the length of their stay in New Zealand, including repatriation.
- Working holiday visa applicants (12 months), except those applying under the Working Holiday Schemes with Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, or the United Kingdom, are required to hold evidenced medical and comprehensive hospitalisation insurance throughout their stay in New Zealand.
Some New Zealand insurers offer excellent medical cover specifically designed for tourists, working holiday visitors, seasonal workers, international students, prospective residents, and everyone in between. These policies give you all the benefits you’d expect from a quality insurance product, such as:
- Medical treatment (doctor, hospital, and daycare treatment costs)
- Evacuation or return home due to disability
- Loss or damage of property
- Disrupted travel cover
- Personal liability
- Accidental death
- Plus the option of add-ons to cover you as a manual worker in general farming (excluding any activity relating to forestry), building and related trades.
How much cover do I need and how much will it cost?
As a visitor to New Zealand, the cost of your health insurance plan will vary according to your requirements. Consider your overall health at the time of application, whether you have any pre-existing conditions, and how long you plan to stay in New Zealand.
The type of cover purchased determines the premium you’ll pay. Typically, travellers can expect to pay higher premiums when their visit includes high-risk activities (especially those not supervised by a licensed New Zealand operator), or an extended time in the country. Likewise, if you are prone to certain illnesses, it would make sense to have cover for GP visits and prescription medicines. Additionally, older travellers, especially those with medical issues or pre-existing conditions, may need to pay more for their cover.
If you already own a health insurance policy in your home country, you may be able to add on a comprehensive medical travel plan with the same insurer. If not, researching providers in New Zealand (before you arrive!), comparing their policies, budgeting for the right amount of cover, and arranging it is a sensible process.
It might be helpful to access an insurance broker, such as Policywise, who can take all the hassle out of planning the necessary insurance for your trip before you leave. This service is 100% free, it’s fast, and it’s a spot-on way of determining which health insurance provider will best fit your needs.
Conclusion
Buying visitor health insurance as part of planning for your overseas adventure is pure common sense. Whether you are visiting New Zealand for some time out, as a fee-paying student, or on a working holiday, the evidence is all in favour of having a comprehensive health insurance plan in place before you get there.
While, as a short-term visitor or tourist, you won't be denied entry without health insurance, it’s still a practical decision to check out your options, compare policies, and budget for a good policy so you can enjoy your trip without the stress of wondering how you’ll cope - both financially and physically - if you fall ill.
How can Policywise help?
Policywise is a 100% free service that tells you which health, life, and disability insurance provider best suits your needs. We offer fast, comprehensive, and easy-to-understand comparisons of all leading providers and a simple summary clearly recommending which insurer is best for your situation.
Not all insurance policies are the same. Policywise can help you sort out the duds, avoid the lemons, understand the fine print and exclusions, and get the right insurance for you and your family.
We make the important decision of where to buy your insurance super easy. We’ll answer your questions, provide experienced advice, quotes, and comparisons, and manage all the back and forth throughout the application process. Taking out your cover through us means you'll have our lifetime support and claims advocacy, and we'll help you negotiate a positive outcome at claim time. We can also take care of lodging any claims on your behalf and back you up if the going gets tough.
Check out the reviews on our homepage for how other New Zealanders have found our service because now is the time to get your visitor health insurance sorted. Give your family or someone you love the most outstanding financial support possible. Book a 5-minute callback with Policywise today; our service is fast and free.