Blog
Contents
The nine insurers at a glance
Is Cover-More travel insurance good value for Australians?
Is Tick travel insurance any good?
Is Fast Cover travel insurance worth it?
Is Australia Post travel insurance good value?
How does Freely travel insurance work, and is it worth it?
Is HCF travel insurance cheaper for HCF members?
Is Zoom travel insurance reliable?
Is InsureandGo travel insurance good value?
Is Bupa travel insurance worth it for Bupa members?
Travel insurance reviews: Trustpilot and ProductReview in 2026
Cooling-off periods, refunds and complaints
How ShopBack lowers the cost of your travel insurance and trip
Promo codes, member discounts, rewards and ShopBack
Verdict: which travel insurer is good value?
Frequently asked questions
Key takeaways
Related reads
Sources
Disclaimer
Blog
Is Cover-More Travel Insurance Good Value for Australians in 2026?
Whether Cover-More travel insurance is good value for Australians in 2026, and how Tick, Fast Cover, Australia Post, Freely, HCF, Zoom, InsureandGo and Bupa compare on plans, member discounts, cooling-off periods and claims, plus going through ShopBack before you buy.
Is Cover-More Travel Insurance Good Value for Australians in 2026?
Short answer. For many Australians in 2026, Cover-More travel insurance can be good value, because its international plans include unlimited overseas medical expenses (subject to the Product Disclosure Statement), luggage cover from up to $5,000 on International Basic to up to $25,000 on Comprehensive+, and 24/7 emergency assistance run from Australia, according to Cover-More. Whether it is the best value for you depends on your trip, so compare it with Tick, Fast Cover, Australia Post, Freely, HCF, Zoom, InsureandGo and Bupa below.
ShopBack Australia is a free app and website that gives you money back when you book or shop online at thousands of stores, including Cover-More, Tick and Fast Cover. You open the store from ShopBack, buy as normal, and part of what you spend comes back to your ShopBack account as cash you can withdraw. New members can join free at shopback.com.au/signup.
How we checked. In October 2026 we read each insurer's own Australian site (plans, underwriter, awards, cooling-off and member discount pages) and the Terms on each insurer's ShopBack page. Cover limits and prices change, so read the current Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination before you buy.
The nine insurers at a glance
| Insurer | Who issues or underwrites it | What stands out, per the insurer | Cooling-off, per the insurer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cover-More | Zurich Australian Insurance Limited | Since 1986; emergency assistance for Australians run from Australia | 21 days, full refund |
| Tick | Europ Assistance Australia | Since 2015; kids free with parents or grandparents | See the PDS |
| Fast Cover | Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's | Australian owned; cover for travellers already overseas | See the PDS |
| Australia Post | Zurich Australian Insurance Limited | Choose your excess; $10,000 rental car excess cover on two plans | See the PDS |
| Freely | Zurich Australian Insurance Limited | Trip Extras by the day in the app | 21 days |
| HCF | Allianz Australia (managed by Allianz Global Assistance) | 25% off for eligible HCF members | See the PDS |
| Zoom | HDI Global Specialty SE | Claims assessed within 10 business days once fully documented | 14 days, full refund |
| InsureandGo | Europ Assistance Australia | Three levels: Bare Essentials, Silver, Gold | See the PDS |
| Bupa | Zurich Australian Insurance Limited | 15% off for current Bupa health members | 21 days |
Good value in travel insurance means two things: the policy pays out enough for the big, rare costs, such as an overseas hospital stay, and you are not paying for cover you do not need. Australia Post notes that overseas medical and dental expenses make up nearly one-third of international claims, and that neither the Australian Government nor Medicare covers overseas medical expenses.
Is Cover-More travel insurance good value for Australians?
Cover-More is good value for Australians who want a long-established insurer with high medical limits and their own emergency assistance team, and who will compare its plan levels carefully. According to Cover-More:
- Experience. It was established in Sydney in 1986, joined Zurich Insurance Group in 2017, and says it has looked after more than 15 million travellers since it started.
- Emergency help. Its emergency assistance operations for Australian customers are based in Australia and not outsourced.
- Three international plans. International Basic (budget cover for the essentials, up to $5,000 luggage), International Comprehensive (up to $15,000 luggage, its most popular plan) and International Comprehensive+ (up to $25,000 luggage). All include unlimited overseas medical expenses, subject to the PDS.
- Activities. Every plan includes automatic cover for about 80 activities, from snorkelling to sleigh riding.
- Annual cover. An annual multi-trip policy is available if you travel overseas several times in 12 months.
Cover-More's policies are issued by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited and administered by Cover-More Insurance Services. Cancellation cover is chosen as a level you set, so pick a limit that matches your prepaid, non-refundable costs.
Cover-More's refund policy, customer service and reviews
Cover-More's customer service line is 1300 72 88 22, according to Cover-More. It also offers a 21-day cooling-off period with a full refund of the premium, and its PDS sets out the conditions and the complaints process. For reviews, check Trustpilot and ProductReview.com.au directly, since scores change; read the most recent reviews about claims, not just the star rating.
Is Tick travel insurance any good?
Tick is a good fit for budget-focused Australian travellers, especially families, and it has a long list of value awards. According to Tick:
- Background. Founded in 2015 and underwritten by Europ Assistance Australia, which also underwrites InsureandGo.
- Kids. Children under 18 travelling with their parents or grandparents are covered at no extra cost, provided they are named on the policy and financially dependent, though pre-existing conditions may cost more.
- Activities. 90 sports and activities are covered in Standard and Top domestic policies and all international policies.
- Cancellation. Up to $20,000 cancellation cover on Top policies.
- Awards. ProductReview.com.au's 2026 Top Rated Travel Insurance, Finder awards for domestic and value cover, and a 2025 Canstar Outstanding Value award for cruise cover.
Tick travel insurance reviews. Tick's homepage showed a Trustpilot rating of 4.7 out of 5, dated 8 October 2026. Tick also notes that policies cannot be bought once your trip has started, so buy before you leave.
Is Fast Cover travel insurance worth it?
Fast Cover is worth a quote if you want fast online buying, value-focused plans and some flexible options. According to Fast Cover:
- Australian owned and operated, with policies arranged by Fast Cover as coverholder for Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's.
- Quotes in about 60 seconds online, with international, domestic and annual multi-trip policies.
- Already overseas? It has a policy for travellers who forgot to buy cover before leaving.
- Duo cover for two travellers on the same itinerary for at least 75% of the trip.
- Awards. A 2025 ProductReview.com.au Travel Insurance Award, a 2025 Canstar Outstanding Value award for seniors cover, and a 2025 Finder Highly Commended for comprehensive cover.
Fast Cover reviews. Its site showed a 4.7 rating on ProductReview.com.au from 2,241 reviews at the time of writing. Fast Cover discloses that it has referral arrangements with ProductReview, Canstar, Finder and WeMoney, and says ratings and awards are only one factor to consider.
Is Australia Post travel insurance good value?
Australia Post travel insurance can be good value if you want to control the price through your excess and you hire cars on holiday. According to Australia Post:
- Plans. International Comprehensive, Basic International and Domestic, with annual multi-trip options.
- Choose your excess on international plans when buying online or by phone.
- Rental car excess. $10,000 standard cover on International Comprehensive and Domestic plans.
- Activities. A range of activities such as abseiling, jet boating, snorkelling, kayaking and bungy jumping are included, and winter sports or motorbike riding can be covered on request.
- Awards. Mozo awards from 2023 to 2025 and 2026 Finder awards for Easy to Claim, Most Recommended, Most Trusted and Top Value.
Australia Post distributes the policies, and Zurich Australian Insurance Limited underwrites them.
How does Freely travel insurance work, and is it worth it?
Freely works like a base policy you tailor day by day: you choose a plan, then switch on Trip Extras such as ski, cruise or motorcycle cover only for the days you need them. According to Freely:
- Choose a plan. Essentials (the basics), Explorer (more benefits, higher limits) or Explorer Pro (its highest level). Overseas plans include medical expenses cover, your choice of cancellation cover and luggage cover.
- Add Trip Extras. Toggle extra activity cover for the whole trip or just certain days, even while you are away.
- Use the app. Location-based safety alerts, live chat from 7am to 7pm (AEST/AEDT), 24/7 emergency help and in-app claims.
Freely says 75+ adventure activities are included automatically, more than 300,000 Australians have been covered, and it offers a 21-day cooling-off period with a full refund if you cancel without making a claim. It is underwritten by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited.
Is it worth it? Freely suits travellers whose plans change on the road, such as a single ski day or a last-minute cruise, because you pay for those extras by the day instead of for the whole trip.
Is HCF travel insurance cheaper for HCF members?
Yes, for eligible members: HCF says members can save 25% on a new HCF travel insurance policy using a member discount code. According to HCF:
- How to get it. Log in to the My Membership app or online member services and go to the travel section of the HCF Thank You page to find the code.
- What it applies to. New policy purchases, based on standard premium rates, including optional covers.
- Who qualifies. Members with eligible HCF products; Overseas Visitor Health Cover and Ambulance Only Cover are excluded.
- Families. Up to 10 dependants can be insured on one policy if they meet HCF's criteria.
HCF describes itself as Australia's largest not-for-profit health fund. Its travel insurance is managed by Allianz Global Assistance for the insurer Allianz Australia Insurance Limited.
HCF membership benefits and ShopBack
HCF's member perks, including the travel discount, sit under its HCF Thank You programme. ShopBack Australia's HCF page lists a fixed cash amount for eligible HCF products such as health cover; check that page to see which HCF products are listed before you buy. Because HCF's travel discount uses a code, read the Terms on the ShopBack page first, since codes not featured on ShopBack are excluded.
Is Zoom travel insurance reliable?
Zoom backs its service with specific, written promises, which is a good sign of how it handles claims and refunds. According to Zoom:
- Claims. It guarantees to assess fully documented claims within 10 business days.
- Cooling-off. A 14-day cooling-off period with a full refund.
- Help. Emergency assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Price match. It will match any quote for equal cover.
- Families. Dependent children or grandchildren under 19 travel free, and up to 25 people can be on one policy.
- Ownership. Australian owned and operated, based in Sydney, and underwritten by HDI Global Specialty SE.
Optional cover for rental vehicle excess, a sports activities pack and snow cover can be chosen during the quote.
Is InsureandGo travel insurance good value?
InsureandGo can be good value because it offers three clear levels of cover, so you can pay for only as much as your trip needs. According to InsureandGo:
- Three levels. Bare Essentials, Silver and Gold, for single and annual multi-trip, domestic and international travel.
- Track record. More than 2 million Australians covered since 2012, and 20+ industry awards in the last decade.
- 2025 awards. Best for Seniors Travel Insurance (WeMoney), Outstanding Value for International and Seniors Travel Insurance (Canstar) and Trusted Brand for Travel Insurance (Finder).
- Underwriter. Europ Assistance Australia, the same insurer behind Tick.
InsureandGo reviews. Its site showed a 4.7 rating from 1,305+ reviews on Trustpilot and 4.3 stars on Google at the time of writing.
Is Bupa travel insurance worth it for Bupa members?
For current Bupa health members, Bupa Travel Insurance is worth a quote because members get 15% off new policies, according to Bupa. The discount applies to the insurance portion of the premium at standard rates, before government charges, taxes and fees, so the saving on your total bill can be a little under 15%.
According to Bupa:
- Plans. International Plus, International Essentials and Annual Multi-Trip, plus domestic cover.
- Medical. Unlimited overseas medical expenses on international plans, subject to the PDS, with 24-hour emergency assistance.
- Cooling-off. A 21-day cooling-off period.
- Rental car. Up to $10,000 rental car insurance excess cover on International Plus.
- History. Bupa says it has been helping protect members on their travels for over 20 years.
Bupa Travel Insurance is issued by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited and managed by Travel Insurance Partners.
Bupa membership benefits and ShopBack
ShopBack Australia's Bupa page is for Bupa health insurance and shows a fixed cash amount for eligible new policies, set by first-year premium. For example, if the page showed an illustrative $300 for your premium band, $300 would come back after the policy confirms. Check the live amounts and Terms on that page before you join.
Travel insurance reviews: Trustpilot and ProductReview in 2026
Review scores help, but read recent reviews about claims rather than the overall star rating. Ratings published on the insurers' own sites at the time of writing:
- Tick: 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot (dated 8 October 2026).
- Fast Cover: 4.7 on ProductReview.com.au from 2,241 reviews.
- InsureandGo: 4.7 on Trustpilot from 1,305+ reviews, and 4.3 on Google.
- Freely: 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store.
For Cover-More, Australia Post, HCF, Zoom and Bupa, check Trustpilot and ProductReview.com.au directly. Scores move, and a few recent claim stories tell you more than a rating.
Cooling-off periods, refunds and complaints
Most Australian travel insurers give you a cooling-off period to cancel for a refund, as long as you have not claimed or started your trip. Published by the insurers at the time of writing:
- Cover-More: 21 days, with a full refund of the premium if your plans change, according to Cover-More.
- Freely: 21 days from the date the policy is issued; a partial refund may apply after that.
- Bupa: 21 days.
- Zoom: 14 days, with a full refund.
- Tick and InsureandGo: the PDS sets out the cooling-off period and the complaints process.
Every insurer's PDS explains how to make a complaint and where to go if you are not happy with its final answer. Keep your policy number and receipts together before you travel.
How ShopBack lowers the cost of your travel insurance and trip
Before you check out, go through ShopBack to get a post-purchase discount on the order. 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.
How to do it:
- Open ShopBack Australia (app or website) and go to the insurer's page: Cover-More, Tick, Fast Cover, Australia Post, Freely, Zoom or InsureandGo.
- Read the rate and Terms on that page.
- Tap through, get your quote and buy in the same session.
- The amount shows as pending, then confirms. For some insurers, such as Tick, Freely and InsureandGo, it confirms after your trip.
Worked example (illustrative). On a $300 policy at an illustrative 3% rate, $9 comes back, so the policy costs you $291. That rate is only an example; the live rate is on each insurer's ShopBack page.
Booking through ShopBack lowers the cost of the trip, and you still book on the site you chose. Insurance is usually a small part of a holiday; flights and hotels are the big spend, and the same habit applies to each.
Promo codes, member discounts, rewards and ShopBack
This is where people lose money back without noticing, so read it before you pay:
- Promo codes. At the time of writing, the Terms on ShopBack's Tick and InsureandGo pages say that using any promo, coupon or discount code makes the whole order ineligible. Most insurer pages also exclude codes not featured on ShopBack.
- Member discounts. HCF's 25% member discount uses a code, so it may not track with ShopBack. Bupa's 15% member discount is applied to the premium; check the Terms on the ShopBack page for whether it affects eligibility.
- App purchases. The Terms on ShopBack's Freely page say purchases in the Freely app are excluded, so buy on the Freely website after tapping through.
- Frequent flyer points. Cover-More says you can earn 3 Velocity Points per $1 spent by entering your Velocity number when you get a quote. Whether a loyalty programme and ShopBack both apply depends on the Terms on the ShopBack page; some pages exclude other loyalty programmes unless stated.
When a code and ShopBack cannot both apply, compare the price with the code against the price after ShopBack without it, and pick the lower one.
Verdict: which travel insurer is good value?
For most Australians in 2026, the best value travel insurance is the cheapest quote that still covers your trip's big risks, bought through ShopBack.
- Want long-established cover with emergency help run from Australia: Cover-More.
- Travelling with kids on a budget: Tick or Zoom.
- Already overseas without cover: Fast Cover.
- Hiring a car and want to set your excess: Australia Post.
- Plans that change day by day: Freely.
- Already an HCF or Bupa health member: get the member-discounted quote from HCF or Bupa and compare it.
- Want three simple cover levels: InsureandGo.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cover-More travel insurance good value for Australians?
For many Australians it can be, especially if you want a long-established insurer with emergency assistance run from Australia. Cover-More has protected travellers since 1986, is part of Zurich Insurance Group, and offers International Basic, Comprehensive and Comprehensive+ plans with unlimited overseas medical expenses, subject to the PDS. Compare quotes for your trip, then go through ShopBack before you buy.
Is Tick travel insurance any good?
Tick suits budget-focused travellers. It was founded in 2015, is underwritten by Europ Assistance Australia, and says kids travelling with parents or grandparents are covered at no extra cost, with conditions. Tick lists awards including ProductReview.com.au's 2026 Top Rated Travel Insurance and a 2025 Canstar Outstanding Value award for cruise cover.
Is Fast Cover travel insurance worth it?
Fast Cover can be worth it if you want quick online quotes and value-focused cover. It is Australian owned, its policies are underwritten by Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, and it offers a policy for travellers who are already overseas and Duo cover for two people on the same trip. Fast Cover lists a 2025 ProductReview.com.au award and a 2025 Canstar Outstanding Value award for seniors cover.
Is Australia Post travel insurance good value?
It can be for travellers who want to choose their excess and a high rental car excess limit. Australia Post's policies are underwritten by Zurich, you can choose your excess on international plans, and International Comprehensive and Domestic plans include $10,000 rental car excess cover, according to Australia Post. It lists Mozo awards from 2023 to 2025 and 2026 Finder awards.
How does Freely travel insurance work, and is it worth it?
Freely lets you pick one of three plans (Essentials, Explorer or Explorer Pro) and switch on Trip Extras such as ski, cruise or motorcycle cover only for the days you need them, even while you are away. It is underwritten by Zurich, covers 75+ adventure activities automatically, and offers a 21-day cooling-off period. It suits travellers who want flexible, app-based cover.
Is HCF travel insurance cheaper for HCF members?
Yes, for eligible members. According to HCF, members can save 25% on a new HCF travel insurance policy by using a discount code found in the travel section of the HCF Thank You page. The discount applies to standard premium rates. HCF Travel Insurance is managed by Allianz Global Assistance for the insurer Allianz Australia.
Is Zoom travel insurance reliable?
Zoom sets out clear service promises. According to Zoom, it guarantees to assess fully documented claims within 10 business days, offers a 14-day cooling-off period with a full refund, and has 24-hour emergency assistance. It is Australian owned, based in Sydney, and underwritten by HDI Global Specialty SE.
Is InsureandGo travel insurance good value?
InsureandGo can be good value if you want to choose between three levels of cover. It offers Bare Essentials, Silver and Gold, has covered more than 2 million Australians since 2012, and is underwritten by Europ Assistance Australia. In 2025 it was named Best for Seniors Travel Insurance by WeMoney and received Canstar Outstanding Value awards, according to InsureandGo.
Is Bupa travel insurance worth it for Bupa members?
It can be, because current Bupa health members with an active membership get 15% off Bupa Travel Insurance on new policies, according to Bupa. The discount applies to the insurance portion of the premium at standard rates. Bupa's international plans include unlimited overseas medical expenses, subject to the PDS, and a 21-day cooling-off period.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my travel insurance?
Usually yes within the cooling-off period, if you have not made a claim or started your trip. Cover-More, Freely and Bupa list a 21-day cooling-off period and Zoom lists 14 days with a full refund, according to each insurer. Other insurers set out their cooling-off period and complaints process in the Product Disclosure Statement.
How does ShopBack lower the cost of travel insurance?
Before you check out, go through ShopBack to get a post-purchase discount on the order. Open ShopBack Australia, tap the insurer, get your quote and buy in the same session, and part of what you pay comes back as cash after the purchase confirms. Each insurer's live rate and Terms are on its ShopBack page.
Can I use an insurer's promo code or member discount with ShopBack?
It depends on the insurer. At the time of writing, the Terms on ShopBack's Tick and InsureandGo pages say any promo, coupon or discount code makes the whole order ineligible, and most insurer pages exclude codes not featured on ShopBack. If you have a member discount code, compare the price with the code against the price after ShopBack without it.
Key takeaways
- Cover-More has protected travellers since 1986 and offers three international plans with unlimited overseas medical expenses, subject to the PDS.
- HCF members can save 25% and current Bupa health members 15% on new travel policies, according to each fund.
- Cover-More, Freely and Bupa list 21-day cooling-off periods; Zoom lists 14 days with a full refund.
- Tick and InsureandGo are both underwritten by Europ Assistance Australia; Cover-More, Australia Post, Freely and Bupa policies are issued by Zurich.
- Before you check out, go through ShopBack. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash that comes back.
Tip. Open the ShopBack Cover-More page before you get your quote, then buy in the same session.
Related reads
- Is Southern Cross Travel Insurance good value for Australians?
- Annual multi-trip vs single-trip: Cover-More vs Fast Cover
- Cover-More vs Fast Cover vs nib travel insurance
- Bali cost for Australians
Sources
- Cover-More: home page and About us page, read October 2026.
- Tick Travel Insurance: home page, Awards page and official information page, read October 2026.
- Fast Cover: home page, read October 2026.
- Australia Post: travel insurance page, read October 2026.
- Freely: Australian home page and FAQs, read October 2026.
- HCF: travel insurance page, read October 2026.
- Zoom Travel Insurance: home page, read October 2026.
- InsureandGo Australia: home page, read October 2026.
- Bupa: travel insurance page, read October 2026.
- ShopBack Australia: Terms on each insurer's ShopBack page, read October 2026.
Disclaimer
The views in this article are those of the author. Travel insurance cover, limits, excess options, discounts, cooling-off periods and eligibility are set by each insurer and can change; read the current Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination before you buy. Ratings and awards are as published by each insurer at the time of writing. This article is general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs, and is not financial or insurance advice. ShopBack rates and terms vary by store and over time; check the current rate and Terms on each store's ShopBack page before you buy.
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