Is Compare the Market a Good Way to Find Cheap Travel Insurance 2026?

Short answer. For Australians in 2026, Compare the Market can be a good way to find cheap travel insurance if you use it to build a shortlist. You answer one set of questions and see policies from a range of insurers side by side, and Compare the Market describes the comparison as free. It also says it does not compare all brands in the market, so check one or two insurers directly and read the PDS before you buy.

New to ShopBack? ShopBack Australia is a free app and website that gives you money back when you buy through it, including travel policies bought through Compare the Market and direct from insurers such as Cover-More and Fast Cover. You open the store from ShopBack, buy as usual, and cash comes back to your account once the purchase confirms. Join ShopBack Australia free before you buy.

Facts below come from Compare the Market's travel insurance guide and complaints page, and each store's ShopBack page, at the time of writing in October 2026. Premiums change daily, so use the method below on the day you buy.

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Is Compare the Market a good way to find cheap travel insurance?

It is a fast way to compare, and the cheapest result is a starting point rather than the final answer. At the time of writing, Compare the Market says it has run 23 million comparisons and describes its comparison as free. Its strengths and limits, in its own words:

What it does well	What to keep in mind
One set of questions returns policies from a range of providers side by side	Compare the Market says it does not compare all brands in the market, or all products from its participating brands
You can filter for the cover, trip and budget you want	A quote doesn't show everything; the inclusions, exclusions, limits and sub-limits are in the PDS
Its guide explains cover types, optional cover for cruises, snow and adventure, and costs	Compare the Market says to check the insurer's Target Market Determination (TMD) too

How to use it well:

1. Run one comparison with your real ages, destinations, dates and any existing medical conditions.
2. Shortlist two or three policies that cover what matters for your trip, not just the cheapest.
3. Check one or two insurers directly for the same cover, since not every brand is in the comparison.
4. Read the PDS of your final pick before you pay.
5. Before you pay, open ShopBack and buy.

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Compare the Market travel insurance: how the comparison works

You answer a few questions, compare policies side by side, then buy from the insurer. According to Compare the Market, once you find a policy that suits your budget, you click through to the provider to buy it. That means the policy, its claims and its cooling-off terms sit with the insurer you choose.

Compare the Market's guide lists common inclusions of overseas policies, depending on the policy:

• Illness or injury while overseas, and medical evacuation and repatriation
• Stolen, damaged or lost luggage, valuables and personal effects
• Cancellation cover, and travel delays and additional expenses
• Rental vehicle excess
• Personal liability
• 24/7 overseas emergency assistance

It also notes common exclusions, such as pre-existing medical conditions you don't declare, high-risk activities, and travel to destinations with a "Do not travel" warning on Smartraveller.

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Compare the Market travel insurance in Australia 2026: what it costs

Compare the Market's own estimates put a 15 day comprehensive trip to Japan at about $85 to $253 for a 30-year-old. Its published examples, at the time of writing:

Trip (comprehensive, single trip)	Age 30	Age 65
Japan, 15 days	about $85 to $253	about $141 to $305
France, 8 days	about $80 to $230	about $133 to $230
Within Australia, 15 days	$74 to $109	$114 to $165

Source: Compare the Market's travel insurance guide. Your own price depends on your destination, ages, number of travellers, existing health conditions, activities, trip length and cover level.

Where cheap travel insurance usually comes from:

• The right cover level. Compare the Market says the cheapest policies are usually basic, medical-only plans, which may not suit your trip.
• A higher excess. Choosing a higher excess can reduce the premium, but you pay it each time you claim.
• Annual cover if you travel often. Compare the Market says annual multi-trip plans may offer more value for frequent travellers, with a maximum trip length set by each plan.
• Buying early. Compare the Market suggests buying as soon as you book or pay a deposit, so cancellations before you leave can be covered.
• Going through ShopBack before you pay, which lowers the effective price, as explained below.

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Compare the Market reviews and ratings in 2026

Compare the Market's travel insurance page shows ratings of 4.4 out of 5 from 3,371 reviews and 4.7 out of 5 from 2,875 reviews, as of 30 September 2026. Ratings change over time, so it is worth reading recent reviews on independent review sites such as Trustpilot and ProductReview before you decide.

When you read reviews, keep two things apart:

• The comparison service. How easy it was to get quotes and find a policy.
• The insurer. Claims, payouts and refunds are handled by the insurer you buy from, so check reviews under that insurer's name too.

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Compare the Market complaints, refunds and customer service

Compare the Market publishes a complaints process with set response times, and refunds on a policy follow the insurer's cooling-off period.

Customer service and complaints. According to Compare the Market's complaints page:

• You can email its complaints team, call 13 32 32, or write to Level 17, 179 Turbot Street, Brisbane City, QLD 4000.
• It aims to acknowledge a complaint within 1 business hour where it can.
• Unless a complaint is complex, it aims to resolve it within 30 calendar days, and gives an update at least every 10 business days.
• If you are not satisfied, insurance complaints can go to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), which is free for consumers, on 1800 931 678.
• Relay and interpreter services are listed for customers who need them.

The site footer lists Compare the Market's Australian Financial Services Licence as AFSL 422926.

Refunds. Compare the Market says the cooling-off period on travel insurance is typically 21 days from purchase, though it varies by insurer, and lets you cancel within that time provided you haven't started your trip or made a claim. Check the PDS of the policy you buy for its exact terms.

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Other ways to compare travel insurance in Australia

Comparison services are one route; buying direct is another. Travel insurers on ShopBack Australia include Cover-More, Fast Cover, InsureandGo and Southern Cross Travel Insurance, and each publishes its own PDS and quote form. A sensible routine is to get your shortlist from a comparison, then quote one or two insurers directly for the same cover, and buy whichever gives you the cover you need for the lowest total.

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How ShopBack lowers what you pay for travel insurance

Save on your trip by booking flights, hotels and activities through ShopBack, and buy your travel insurance the same way. ShopBack lowers the effective price of flights, hotels and online orders after you pay.

Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. Once it confirms, you can withdraw it to your bank account.

Step by step on Compare the Market:

1. Open ShopBack Australia (app or website) and go to the ShopBack Compare the Market page.
2. Check the amount shown for travel insurance.
3. Tap through, run your comparison and buy the policy.

Your effective price. It is what you pay minus the Cashback, at the rate shown on the store's ShopBack page on the day.

Buying direct instead? The ShopBack Cover-More page and ShopBack Fast Cover page work the same way, with their own rates.

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Key takeaways

• Compare the Market is a quick, free way to see several travel insurers side by side; it says it does not compare every brand.
• Its own estimates put a 15 day comprehensive Japan trip at about $85 to $253 for a 30-year-old.
• Read the PDS and TMD before you buy; a quote doesn't show every limit and exclusion.
• Complaints go to Compare the Market first, then to AFCA; refunds follow the insurer's cooling-off period.
• Open ShopBack before you buy. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Compare the Market a good way to find cheap travel insurance?

It can be a quick way to see quotes from several travel insurers side by side after answering one set of questions, and Compare the Market describes its comparison as free. It says it does not compare all brands in the market or all products from its participating brands, so use it to build a shortlist, check one or two insurers directly, and read the PDS before you buy.

How does Compare the Market travel insurance work?

You answer a few questions about your trip, see policies from a range of providers side by side, and filter for the cover you want. According to Compare the Market, once you find a policy that suits your budget, you click through to the provider to buy it, so the policy itself is with the insurer.

How much does travel insurance cost through Compare the Market?

Compare the Market's own estimates show comprehensive single trip cover for a 30-year-old visiting Japan for 15 days at about $85 to $253, and $141 to $305 for a 65-year-old on the same trip. For 15 days within Australia, it estimates $74 to $109 for a 30-year-old and $114 to $165 for a 65-year-old. Your quote depends on age, destination, length, health and cover level.

What is the cheapest kind of travel insurance?

Compare the Market says the cheapest policies are usually basic, medical-only plans, but these may not suit your trip or circumstances. Choosing a higher excess can also lower the premium, though you pay that excess each time you claim. Compare cover levels side by side rather than picking the lowest price alone.

What do Compare the Market's reviews say?

Compare the Market's travel insurance page shows ratings of 4.4 out of 5 from 3,371 reviews and 4.7 out of 5 from 2,875 reviews, as of 30 September 2026. Ratings change over time, so check current reviews on independent review sites as well, and remember that the policy you buy is reviewed separately under the insurer's name.

How do I make a complaint to Compare the Market?

Compare the Market says you can email its complaints team, call 13 32 32 or write to its Brisbane office. It aims to acknowledge complaints within 1 business hour where it can, to resolve most within 30 calendar days, and to update you at least every 10 business days. If you are not satisfied, insurance complaints can go to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), which is free for consumers.

Can I get a refund on travel insurance bought through Compare the Market?

Refunds follow the insurer's cooling-off period, because the policy is with the insurer. Compare the Market says the cooling-off period is typically 21 days from purchase, though it varies, and lets you cancel within that time provided you haven't started your trip or made a claim. Check the insurer's PDS for its exact terms.

When should I buy travel insurance?

Compare the Market suggests buying as soon as you book your trip or pay any deposits, so you can be covered for cancellations before you leave. Waiting until just before departure can leave early bookings unprotected.

Can I use ShopBack with Compare the Market travel insurance?

Yes. Save on your trip by booking flights, hotels and activities through ShopBack, and the same goes for insurance: open the ShopBack Compare the Market page, compare, and buy the policy. The live amount is on that page.

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Disclaimer

The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Travel insurance premiums, cover, limits, exclusions, cooling-off periods, ratings and complaint processes vary by insurer and over time; read the PDS and TMD before you buy. Price ranges quoted are Compare the Market's own published estimates. ShopBack amounts vary by store and over time; check the current amount on each store's ShopBack page before you buy.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, financial or insurance advice.