New Zealand captivates travelers from around the world with its rich natural beauty. Amidst its vast landscapes, you might even encounter large herds of sheep that outnumber the population.
It offers a wide range of outdoor activities such as bungee jumping and horseback trekking, with trekking and skiing also being popular leisure sports. Many tourists visit New Zealand in search of these experiences.
On the other hand, it’s not uncommon for tourists to encounter accidents while in remote areas or mountains.
Examples of Accidents During Activities
- Injuries such as falls, bruises, and muscle strains during activities
→ Example of medical costs: $20,000–$35,000
To prepare for unforeseen issues, it’s strongly recommended to purchase medical insurance before traveling to New Zealand.
The following insurance services offer convenient online sign-up, reasonable premiums, and comprehensive coverage:
This page highlights the importance of medical insurance for travel to New Zealand and introduces recommended travel insurance services that can be easily purchased online.
Medical Standards and Costs in New Zealand
New Zealand has a high standard of healthcare, with medical services from clinics to hospitals that tourists can feel comfortable using.
And healthcare costs are proportionate to this standard, and particularly if you’re uninsured, medical and treatment fees can be surprisingly high.
The following examples provide a general idea of typical medical expenses.
| Item | Estimated Medical Costs |
| General Consultation | $30-$60 |
| Specialist Consultation | $120-$240 |
| Emergency Room Visit | $180-$300 |
| Ambulance Service | $500-$600 |
| Hospitalization Costs | $600 – $1,800/day |
As mentioned above, to avoid significant financial burdens due to unexpected illnesses or injuries while traveling, it’s recommended to consider purchasing medical insurance before traveling to New Zealand.
Is proof of insurance required when entering New Zealand?
Some countries require travelers to have medical insurance as a condition of entry.
For instance, in the Czech Republic, travelers may be asked to show proof of insurance upon entry, and they may need to carry the proof along with their passport during their stay to avoid fines.
Reference：Which countries require travel insurance when entering the country?
In contrast, as of now, New Zealand does not require proof of insurance for tourists entering with a visitor visa.
However, here are some reasons why getting insurance is highly recommended:
- To protect yourself from unexpected medical costs
- To cover emergency transport costs
- For coverage against lost or stolen luggage
- For compensation in case of trip cancellations
Beyond medical coverage, having additional protections like flight delay or baggage loss coverage can offer peace of mind.
High-Cost Medical Cases in New Zealand
New Zealand’s healthcare services can be very costly for tourists experiencing injuries or illnesses during their trip.
Here are some actual cases illustrating high medical expenses.
Case 01: Fracture from a Skiing Accident
Outdoor sports are popular in New Zealand, and skiing or snowboarding injuries are common. Here’s a breakdown of estimated costs for treating a fracture:
- Emergency transport: $540
- Surgery: $15,000
- Hospital stay (5 days): $4,500
- Rehabilitation: $1,800
→ Total: $21,840
If helicopter transport is required, an additional NZ$3,000–15,000 may be incurred.
Case 02: Acute Appendicitis
An emergency appendectomy can be costly. Here’s an estimated breakdown:
- Emergency room visit: $240
- Surgery: $9,000
- Hospital stay (3 days): $2,700
→ Total: $11,940
Private hospitals in cities like Auckland or Wellington may charge even more.
Case 03: Severe Dehydration from Food Poisoning
Treatment costs for severe dehydration due to food poisoning:
- Emergency room visit: $270
- Hospital treatment (2 days): $1,800
→ Total: $2,070
Severe cases requiring ICU treatment can add NZ$4,000–6,000 per day.
Must-See: Online Travel Insurance Services
Here are three simple online travel insurance options to get you covered for your trip to New Zealand.
Considering traveling without insurance? Think again—explore these online travel insurance solutions today.
1. Safety Wing
Safety Wing offers excellent cost-effectiveness and coverage, making it an ideal choice for overseas medical insurance.
If you’re already in New Zealand, you can apply online and get coverage the same day, with no waiting period.
Features of Safety Wing
- Monthly premium: $56.28
- Minimum coverage duration: 5 days
- No waiting period for overseas sign-ups
- 24/7 live chat support
- Flight delay and lost baggage coverage
- Simple quoting and application process
The specific insurance details are as follows.
| Coverage Type | Coverage Limit | Examples of Coverage |
| Medical Insurance | $250,000 | Hospitalization, nursing care, ambulance for hospitalization, MRI diagnostics, long-term care after discharge, prescriptions, complications of pregnancy. |
| Emergency Dental Treatment | $1,000 | Emergency dental treatment to resolve the onset of acute pain (sudden and unforeseen). |
| Emergency Transportation | $100,000 | Costs for emergency transport to a well-equipped hospital. |
| Medical Return | $5,000 | Emergency return costs for medical reasons. |
| Emergency Return | $5,000 | Transportation costs for emergency return due to the death of a family member. |
| Lost Checked Baggage | $3,000 | Compensation if baggage is not found after 10 days of being reported lost (maximum $500 per item). |
| Flight Delay | $200 | Meals and accommodation expenses for delays exceeding 12 hours (up to $100 per day for a maximum of 2 days). |
| Passport Theft | $100 | Costs for reissuing a passport or visa in case of theft. |
| Auto Accident | $250,000 | Accidental automobile accidents occurring while possessing a valid license and wearing safety equipment. |
| Trip Interruption (Return Home) | $250,000 | Circumstances necessitating return due to family death or similar reasons. |
| In the Case of Death | $20,000 | Costs for transporting remains back to Japan (up to $10,000 if buried locally). |
* If you are viewing on a smartphone, you can scroll left and right.
For those looking to keep premiums low, you can get four weeks of coverage for just $56.28. Alternatively, you can customize the duration of coverage to match your travel dates.
Check the Safety Wing website for a quick and easy insurance quote.
Nomad Insurance for $56.28/month
* Easy estimate of insurance premiums according to your travel plan!
2. World Nomads
World Nomads is a popular choice among freelancers and digital nomads traveling abroad.
While the premium is somewhat higher at $215.38 for four weeks, it offers extensive coverage that addresses a wide range of potential travel-related issues.
Features of Safety Wing
- Premiums vary based on destination
(e.g., $265.07 per month if including travel to the U.S.) - Medical coverage limit: up to $5 million (or unlimited)
- Flight delay and lost baggage coverage included
- 24/7 support via phone and email
The specific insurance details are as follows.
| Coverage Type | Coverage Limit | Examples of Coverage |
| Medical Insurance | $5 million | Hospitalization, nursing care, emergency ambulance for hospitalization, MRI diagnostics, long-term care after discharge, prescriptions, etc. |
| Emergency Dental Treatment | $300 | Emergency dental treatment to resolve acute pain (sudden and unexpected onset). |
| Medical Transportation | $500,000 | Costs for emergency transportation to an equipped hospital. |
| Emergency Return | $500,000 | Costs associated with emergency return due to sudden illness or injury. |
| Baggage Coverage | $2,500 | Coverage for theft, damage, or loss of baggage that occurs during travel. |
| Flight Delay | $500 | Compensation for additional accommodation and transportation costs incurred due to flight cancellation or delays over 12 hours. |
| Trip Interruption (Return Home) | $3,500 | Costs for returning due to family illness or death. |
| In the case of Death | $15,000 | Transportation costs for repatriation of remains to Japan, or costs for local burial. |
* If you are viewing on a smartphone, you can scroll left and right.
The premium varies depending on the destination country (where you want the insurance to apply) and the length of stay.
Visit the World Nomads website to get an insurance quote tailored to your travel schedule.
3. Heymondo
Heymondo is a cost-effective travel insurance option for those staying abroad for extended periods.
For example, by enrolling in a three-month plan, you can reduce the monthly premium.
Features of Safety Wing
- Cost-effective three-month plan for long-term travelers
- Premium varies depending on the destination country
- Medical coverage limit of $5 million (or $10 million)
- Flight delay and lost baggage coverage
- 24-hour support (phone/email)
The specific insurance details are as follows.
| Coverage Type | Coverage Limit | Examples of Coverage |
| Medical Insurance | $5 million | Hospitalization, nursing care, ambulance for hospitalization, MRI diagnosis, long-term care after discharge, prescriptions, etc. |
| Emergency Dental Treatment | $300 | Emergency dental treatment to resolve acute pain (sudden and unexpected onset). |
| Extended Stay Costs | $1,800 | Emergency transportation costs to a well-equipped hospital. |
| Emergency Medical Transport | $5 million | Emergency return costs for medical reasons. |
| Baggage Coverage | $1,700 | Transportation costs for emergency return due to family bereavement. |
| Flight Delay | $450 | Meal and accommodation expenses for delays over 12 hours (maximum $100 per day for 2 days). |
| Trip Interruption (Return) | $3,500 | Circumstances requiring return due to family death, etc. |
| In the Case of Death | $100,000 | Transportation costs to return the body to Japan (up to $10,000 for local burial). |
* If you are viewing on a smartphone, you can scroll left and right.
Heymondo offers multiple insurance plans. The details above pertain to the general insurance plan (Travel Insurance Top).
Visit Heymondo’s official website to get an estimate.
Thank you for reading until the end!
If you’re looking for the best travel insurance, check the link below for more details: The Best Nomad Insurance; We highly recommend Safety Wing [$56/month].
This page carefully selects popular travel insurance services, detailing each plan’s features and benefits. You’re sure to find a plan that fits your needs, so be sure to take a look!
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