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One-Way Travel Insurance
One-Way 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
Can I get travel insurance for a one-way trip?
Long story short
No return ticket? No worries
One-way travel insurance is designed for trips with no set end date. That makes it perfect for people moving overseas, international students, and ‘we’ll-see-what-happens’ backpackers.
One-way policies give you peace of mind when things go sideways
From medical mishaps to stolen bags, one-way cover helps you deal with the chaos you might run into on your extended holiday.
Buy your one-way policy before you board
Most one-way policies need to be sorted out before you leave Australia. Miss that window and you might need to find another option.
Can I get travel insurance for a one-way trip?
One-way travel insurance is for exactly that! If you’re planning a trip with no return date in sight or moving overseas for the foreseeable future, then one-way travel insurance is the right option. One-way policies give more flexibility to the ‘see-where-life-takes-me’ traveller. They can also cover anyone during their overseas move until they sort out a more permanent insurance option.
How does one-way travel insurance work?
It works pretty similarly to a standard travel insurance policy, except you probably won’t have a round-trip planned. As long as you’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a one-way policy can cover you for the unexpected, like luggage coverage, cancellation fees, and medical expenses. And once your policy end date hits, your cover will stop too. But if you’re not ready to finish your backpacking adventure, some insurers give you the option to extend your one-way cover. Just watch out for capped extensions or no-coverage waiting periods while your policy extensions are being organised.
Why should I get one-way travel insurance?
Just because you don’t have a return flight home booked, that doesn’t mean you should wing it without cover. Maybe you’re setting off to live your dream life in Sweden (permanently), or you’ve been transferred to the European office for the indefinite future. Most standard travel policies will need an end date or a return flight booked home for you to be able to take out travel insurance. So instead of forgoing a travel insurance policy altogether, you can choose a one-way policy to cover you until you can lock in something more permanent. It’s a safe middle ground for those trips that are a little more go with the flow.
Who would one-way travel insurance suit?
Students studying abroad
Heading overseas for a semester of study (or a few more years)? One-way insurance is ideal for international students planning to settle in one spot for their education. A one-way policy can help cover any hiccups when you first arrive, before you get that chance to sign up with local insurance coverage. That way, you can focus on studying until you land back on home soil at the end of your time abroad.
People working overseas
Are you planning to take your freelancing gig across a few different countries, or transferring to the European branch office for a while? Whether you’re heading overseas for a contract, a transfer, or to work on the slopes for a season, a one-way policy can keep you covered until you find your feet in the new place you’ll call home.
People moving overseas permanently
Whether you’re moving for love, your career, or just for a fresh start, a one-way travel policy can cover you while you make the big move across continents. Whether it’s for a few years or indefinitely, you can be covered for medical emergencies and lost luggage until you can organise a more long-term coverage option.
What should I consider when choosing coverage for my one-way trip?
Where you’ll be setting up
Are you jetting off to live in Sweden? Or Southeast Asia? Wherever you plan on setting up this new chapter in your life needs to be listed in your policy. Whether you’re flying into one place but settling into another, it all needs to be listed on your policy to make sure you’re covered while you’re settling into your new daily life.
How long you need cover for
One-way doesn’t always mean forever. Most one-way policies are best used in the short term, as a safeguard until you can organise your own coverage with a local insurer. However, some policies can still be held for 12 to 24 months. So, think about how long you’ll need that extra protection until you can organise a policy to match your new permanent life abroad.
What you’ll be doing once you land
Whether you’re spending your time unpacking boxes or jamming in some extra time to study your new native language, it’s important to make sure your policy will cover you for the things that matter while setting up your new life abroad. Some policies may only offer a selected range of activities or coverage limits for certain things, so make sure you have everything you need covered.
Pre-existing conditions
If you have a pre-existing condition, make sure you’ve declared it to your insurer. They could ask you for more details or need to conduct an assessment. After this, they’ll be able to let you know if they can cover your medical condition and if there are any extra fees included.
What you’re taking with you
Are you taking your whole wardrobe with you to study abroad? You’ll probably end up packing more than just the bare essentials. If you’re travelling with your most precious possessions, like laptops or musical instruments, make sure to consider any extra cover for your luggage.
When to buy your one-way policy
Timing is everything when buying travel insurance. Most policies need to be bought before you fly overseas (otherwise you’d need an already overseas policy). So, make sure you get it all organised before you start packing.
What happens after it ends
One-way policies aren’t designed to last forever. Once your cover ends, you’ll need to look at local insurance options in the country you now call home or see if you can get an extension to last until your flight home.
What is and isn’t included in one-way travel insurance?
One-way travel insurance is a lot like standard travel insurance, so you’ll most likely find that what is and isn’t included will fall into the same category. While it always depends on your chosen insurer, these are a few things you can typically find in your policy.
| What is typically included? | What isn’t typically included? |
 Emergency medical care Emergency dental care Trip cancellations or disruptions Luggage and personal belongings Personal liability Theft of belongings or travel documents Some basic sports and activities |  Reckless behaviour Claims due to intoxication Personal items stolen when left in shared spaces Some sports and activities (like mountaineering) Pre-existing conditions that haven’t been declared Travelling against government advice (Smartraveller)1For more information, see Smartraveller – Destinations |
How long will one-way travel insurance cover me for?
That depends on your chosen insurer, but most one-way travel insurance policies will cover you for anywhere between 12 and 24 months.
Helpful tip
Even if you don’t know when or if you’re coming home, it’s smart to think ahead. Some one-way policies only allow extensions under certain conditions, while others don’t offer them at all. So, check your policy’s conditions and make sure you’ve got a backup plan for protection while switching to a local insurance company once you’ve settled in.
Adrian Bennett
General Manager for General Insurance
One-way travel insurance that’s got your back
Just because you haven’t booked a return flight home yet, doesn’t mean you should leave yourself unprotected. One-way travel insurance works for travellers who want to get lost in the moment without worrying about how many more days they’ve got left. Whether setting up a new life in an overseas country or spending a semester abroad to study up on your degree, one-way travel insurance will give you some peace of mind. Compare travel insurance online from a range of providers and policies to find a match with your plans – no round trip required.
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Save time and effort by comparing a range of travel insurance policies with iSelect
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