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Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance
Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance
Written by
Rachel Gregg
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettEasily compare Travel Insurance
Save time and effort by comparing a range of travel insurance policies with iSelect
What is annual travel insurance?
Long story short
Cover endless getaways under one policy
Annual multi-trip travel insurance lets you cover multiple trips in 12 months without needing to reapply every time you’ve got getaway plans.
An annual multi-trip policy could be a convenient option
If you’re a frequent flyer with lots of trips planned, it could work out to be more convenient and possibly cheaper to choose an annual policy over a handful of single-trip policies.
Know your annual travel policy limits
Annual travel insurance comes with trip duration limits, distance requirements, age limits, and other conditions, so make sure they fit your itinerary plans.
What is annual travel insurance?
While a standard travel policy is a one-trip wonder, annual travel insurance covers all your getaways without you needing to reapply every time you pack. Some policies don’t even need a heads-up before your trips kick off, as long as you stay within maximum trip durations. For frequent flyers, these policies can mean better value and less admin. You might even find that some annual travel insurance policies throw in domestic travel cover as well. That way, you’re covered whether you’re exploring wine country in Italy or the Barossa Valley in SA. Annual travel insurance usually comes with trip duration limits, so double-check that any single holiday doesn’t exceed these limits, or you could be left without cover.
Most annual multi-trip policies come with different coverage options (comprehensive, essential, etc.), so make sure to check whether your policy includes everything you need or whether you need to add some extra on top. If you’ve booked a Singapore resort holiday, a ski trip in Canada and a European boat cruise, getting cover that includes skiing, adventure sports, and cruises will keep you protected across all your trips in the year.
What does annual multi-trip travel insurance usually cover?
Before purchasing annual multi-trip travel insurance, it’s important to understand the inclusions and exclusions generally found in these policies. This way, you’ll know how a policy’s coverage applies to your upcoming adventures.
Unlimited trips
Take as many trips as you like in the 12 month policy period, as long as each trip takes you more than 250 km from home – this may differ with each insurer so make sure you check the PDS. Maximum trip durations will differ from one provider to another.
Overseas medical expenses
If you fall sick or get injured overseas, annual multi-trip travel insurance could cover your medical expenses (including dental) and even emergency evacuation or travel back home if required.
Trip cancellation costs
Annual multi-trip travel insurance may help you recoup trip cancellation and prepaid costs if you have to cancel or reschedule due to unforeseen or unexpected reasons as specified in your policy terms or PDS.
Lost, damaged or stolen luggage
If you’ve taken all the right steps to secure your luggage and still have things go missing, annual multi-trip travel insurance often covers you up to the item or policy limits.
Pre-existing medical conditions
You’ll need to declare pre-existing medical conditions, and sometimes pay extra to have them covered. If you don’t, it could mean you aren’t covered in an accident or medical emergency during your trips.
Personal belongings left unattended
While your policy will cover you for stolen goods, if you leave your bag unattended in a public or communal space, like an airport, your claim could be rejected.
Ignoring government advice
Be sure to check the latest government advice for your destination before the departure date. If the advice level is ‘Do Not Travel’, claims you make may not be covered.
Claims that occur while under the influence
If you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol and have an event that you need to claim for, it could be rejected.
Adventure activities
Some extreme activities that are higher risk are often excluded from annual multi-trip policies. You’ll need a specific extra to cover common activities like quad biking, scuba diving, outdoor rock climbing, and more.
Snow sports
Just like for adventure activities, extra cover is needed for snow sports. This will cover snow-related activities like skiing, snowboarding, and even tobogganing. It should also come with more coverage for your expensive gear and cancellation costs for things like lift passes.
Cruise cover
Cruising out on the high seas comes with its own set of worries. Most insurers and cruise companies will need you to take out specific cover. This will come with higher medical limits, missed ports cover, sea sickness and other concerns unique to holidays spent on the waves.
Motorcycle cover
If you plan on getting around via two wheels, you may need extra coverage on top of your policy. This cover protects you from accidents and injuries that could happen while leaning into the curves depending on your bike’s engine capacity.
Unlimited trips
Take as many trips as you like in the 12 month policy period, as long as each trip takes you more than 250 km from home – this may differ with each insurer so make sure you check the PDS. Maximum trip durations will differ from one provider to another.
Overseas medical expenses
If you fall sick or get injured overseas, annual multi-trip travel insurance could cover your medical expenses (including dental) and even emergency evacuation or travel back home if required.
Trip cancellation costs
Annual multi-trip travel insurance may help you recoup trip cancellation and prepaid costs if you have to cancel or reschedule due to unforeseen or unexpected reasons as specified in your policy terms or PDS.
Lost, damaged or stolen luggage
If you’ve taken all the right steps to secure your luggage and still have things go missing, annual multi-trip travel insurance often covers you up to the item or policy limits.
Pre-existing medical conditions
You’ll need to declare pre-existing medical conditions, and sometimes pay extra to have them covered. If you don’t, it could mean you aren’t covered in an accident or medical emergency during your trips.
Personal belongings left unattended
While your policy will cover you for stolen goods, if you leave your bag unattended in a public or communal space, like an airport, your claim could be rejected.
Ignoring government advice
Be sure to check the latest government advice for your destination before the departure date. If the advice level is ‘Do Not Travel’, claims you make may not be covered.
Claims that occur while under the influence
If you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol and have an event that you need to claim for, it could be rejected.
Adventure activities
Some extreme activities that are higher risk are often excluded from annual multi-trip policies. You’ll need a specific extra to cover common activities like quad biking, scuba diving, outdoor rock climbing, and more.
Snow sports
Just like for adventure activities, extra cover is needed for snow sports. This will cover snow-related activities like skiing, snowboarding, and even tobogganing. It should also come with more coverage for your expensive gear and cancellation costs for things like lift passes.
Cruise cover
Cruising out on the high seas comes with its own set of worries. Most insurers and cruise companies will need you to take out specific cover. This will come with higher medical limits, missed ports cover, sea sickness and other concerns unique to holidays spent on the waves.
Motorcycle cover
If you plan on getting around via two wheels, you may need extra coverage on top of your policy. This cover protects you from accidents and injuries that could happen while leaning into the curves depending on your bike’s engine capacity.
Helpful tip
An annual multi-trip policy doesn’t mean you can just disappear overseas for the entire year and be covered. Each multi-trip policy comes with a maximum trip duration for each holiday you take in the year. Go over that limit, and you could be all by yourself if things do go wrong. So, before you start packing, make sure to check the conditions of your annual trip policy so it can come with you on your year abroad.
Adrian Bennett
General Manager for General Insurance
How does annual multi-trip travel insurance work?
Unlimited trips
If you’re the type to burn through your annual leave with a handful of getaways, annual travel insurance policies offer unlimited trips. This is usually over a 12-month period. Often there is no need to give your provider a heads up each time you head off; as long as you follow the conditions of your policy (like trip durations), you’re free to roam.
Trip duration limits
Year-round travel insurance is great until you realise there are set trip durations. But this doesn’t have to put a damper on your trip; it’s just an extra consideration to think about when planning out all your getaways. Some policies have a strict maximum duration, such as 45 days, while others give travellers a bit more flexibility with 30, 45 or 60 days.
Cost
Annual travel policies often win on convenience, but if you don’t travel enough, they probably won’t win on cost. If budget is an issue, it might be worth weighing up the price of each single-trip policy compared to an annual one to see which works out better for your itinerary plans.
Age limits
You’ll most likely notice that the age limits between single and annual multi-trip policies differ a bit. Some single-trip providers might have no age limits or caps for travellers well into the 80 and 90-year mark. However, you’ll find that most annual travel insurance policies will draw the line at between 70 and 75 years old.
Who might annual trip multi-trip travel insurance be suitable for?
Think of annual multi-trip travel insurance like your Netflix subscription. One payment lets you watch an unlimited number of shows. But when it comes to your travel plans, sometimes this style won’t work out for everyone.
Take our fictional traveller Katya. She’s fresh out of uni with plans to celebrate by spending the next 12 months seeing the world. But not all at once (her bank account would melt down at that). She’s mixing part-time work with a few long length trips here and there. These are her travel plans for the year so far:
- two weeks in Japan
- three weeks in Canada
- one week in Indonesia
- one week in New Zealand
- two weeks in the US
- five weeks in Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Romania.
She wants comprehensive cover to protect her against the usual travel disasters, like lost luggage, medical care, or rental car dramas. So let’s weigh up the price her insurance could cost her on an annual multi-trip policy compared to single-trip policies for all six holidays.
If Katya only planned on taking a few of these trips in the year, single trip cover could work out better financially. But with six trips (and counting), an annual travel insurance policy could help her save some time and money, giving her more time to plan her next adventure.
Is it worth getting annual multi-trip travel insurance?
The answer really depends on what type of traveller you are. But to help make your choice simpler, here are some general perks and pitfalls that will help you decide.
Pros
Convenience: There’s a lot to think about when booking an overseas trip, so only needing to pay for travel insurance once per year can offer peace of mind and cross one thing off your to-do list each time you pack your bags
Value: If you travel often, paying once for annual multi-trip travel insurance can work out cheaper than purchasing a single-trip policy for each adventure.
Domestic travel included: Some annual multi-trip travel insurance policies include benefits for domestic travel, so you can get more coverage when exploring locally.
Flexible level of cover: Annual multi-trip travel insurance is typically based on comprehensive cover, but you can also find other levels to meet what you need.
Cons
Higher up-front costs: You’ll generally pay more up-front for annual multi-trip insurance than for a few single policies, which could be a problem if you’re on a tight budget.
Generalised cover: Depending on where you plan to travel, the coverage in some annual multi-trip insurance policies might not be specific enough for each destination.
Age limits: Providers usually put an age cap on travellers who can take out an annual travel insurance policy. This could be 70 or 75 years of age, depending on your provider.
Trip duration limits: Annual multi-trip insurance usually comes with a limit as to how long each individual trip can be, such as 15, 30, or 45 days. If you’re planning some extended trips, your policy might not cover you.
Compare annual multi-trip travel insurance policies with iSelect
If the travel bug has bitten you hard, an annual multi-trip policy could be your solution to worry-free trips (no matter how last-minute they are). If you’re ready for an adventure, compare travel insurance from a range of providers to find a policy that keeps up with your getaways.
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Save time and effort by comparing a range of travel insurance policies with iSelect
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