Why Travel Insurance Matters
At Cooee Tours, we want every guest to travel with confidence. While we hope nothing goes wrong on your trip, the reality is that medical emergencies, unexpected cancellations, and lost luggage can happen to anyone. Travel insurance provides a financial safety net and 24/7 support when you need it most.
We strongly recommend all guests purchase appropriate travel insurance before their tour — especially for multi-day tours, interstate travel, and international holidays. The small cost of a policy is minimal compared to potential out-of-pocket expenses if something goes wrong.
⚠️ Important Information
Cooee Tours is a tour operator, not an insurance provider. The information on this page is general guidance only to help you understand travel insurance options. We recommend you compare policies from licensed Australian insurance providers and read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully before purchasing.
For personalised insurance advice, consult a licensed insurance broker or financial adviser.
What Could Go Wrong Without Insurance?
Travel without insurance can leave you financially exposed. Consider these real scenarios:
- Medical emergency overseas: Hospital stays and medical evacuations can cost tens of thousands of dollars
- Trip cancellation: Illness, injury, or family emergencies may force you to cancel — non-refundable costs add up fast
- Lost or delayed luggage: Replacing essentials while waiting for delayed bags comes at your expense
- Travel delays: Unexpected accommodation, meals, and rebooking costs
A travel insurance policy can cover all of these situations for a fraction of the potential cost.
What to Look for in Travel Insurance
When comparing policies, make sure your cover includes these key areas relevant to touring holidays:
Medical & Hospital Cover
The most critical coverage. Look for policies with high medical limits, including hospital stays, surgery, ambulance, prescriptions, and emergency medical evacuation.
- Emergency hospital & surgery
- Ambulance services
- Medical evacuation
- Emergency dental treatment
Trip Cancellation & Interruption
Reimburses pre-paid, non-refundable expenses if you need to cancel or cut short your tour due to illness, injury, family emergency, or other covered reasons.
- Tour cancellation reimbursement
- Trip interruption cover
- Travel delay compensation
- Missed connection cover
Luggage & Personal Items
Protection if your belongings are lost, stolen, damaged, or delayed during your tour — including emergency replacement purchases.
- Lost or stolen luggage
- Delayed baggage allowance
- Personal items protection
- Emergency purchases
24/7 Emergency Assistance
Round-the-clock support hotline when you need help, including emergency coordination, hospital referrals, and travel document replacement.
- 24/7 phone assistance
- Emergency cash advance
- Lost passport help
- Hospital coordination
Personal Liability
Covers you if you accidentally cause injury to someone else or damage their property while travelling, including legal defence costs.
- Personal liability cover
- Legal defence costs
- Property damage protection
Adventure & Activities
If your tour includes adventure activities like snorkelling, bushwalking, or wine cycling, check that your policy covers these specifically.
- Adventure sports cover
- Water sports protection
- Equipment cover
Travel Insurance for Seniors
If you're aged 65 or over, travel insurance is especially important. Many of our guests are senior travellers, and we want to make sure you're properly covered.
When choosing a policy as a senior traveller, look for:
- No upper age limit (or a limit above your age)
- Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions (with full disclosure)
- High medical cover limits — especially for international travel
- Tour cancellation cover in case of health-related cancellations
- Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation
Always declare all pre-existing conditions honestly — non-disclosure can void your entire policy.
Our Top Insurance Tips
Practical advice from our team to help you choose the right cover:
Buy Early
Purchase insurance as soon as you book your tour. Cancellation cover typically only applies if bought within 14–21 days of your initial booking.
Read the PDS
Always read the Product Disclosure Statement before purchasing. Understand what's covered, what's excluded, and your excess (deductible) amounts.
Declare Conditions
Disclose all pre-existing medical conditions. Non-disclosure is the most common reason claims are denied.
Compare Policies
Don't just buy the cheapest option. Compare cover limits, exclusions, and excess amounts across multiple providers.
Keep Documents Handy
Save your policy number and emergency hotline in your phone. Keep a printed copy in your luggage as backup.
Save All Receipts
If something goes wrong, keep every receipt, report, and document. Claims are processed faster with thorough documentation.
Travel Insurance FAQs
Does Cooee Tours require travel insurance?
Travel insurance is strongly recommended but not mandatory for domestic day tours. For multi-day tours and any international travel, we strongly urge all guests to carry appropriate travel insurance. The potential costs of medical emergencies, cancellations, and lost luggage far outweigh the cost of a policy.
What should my travel insurance cover for a tour?
At minimum, look for policies covering medical emergencies and hospital costs, trip cancellation and interruption, lost or delayed luggage, travel delays, personal liability, and 24/7 emergency assistance. For international or adventure tours, ensure the policy specifically covers your destination and any activities planned.
When should I buy travel insurance?
As soon as you book your tour. Trip cancellation benefits typically only apply if insurance is purchased within 14–21 days of your initial booking deposit. This also ensures you're covered if something happens between booking and departure.
Are pre-existing medical conditions covered?
Many policies can cover pre-existing conditions if you fully disclose them during the application. You'll need to declare all conditions, medications, and treatments from the past 12 months. Some stable conditions may be covered at no extra cost; others may require an additional premium. Always be completely honest — non-disclosure can void your entire policy.
Can I claim insurance if I cancel my Cooee Tours tour?
If you cancel for a covered reason (illness, injury, family emergency, etc.), your travel insurance may reimburse non-refundable costs. Cooee Tours' own cancellation policy provides full refunds for cancellations 7+ days before departure and 50% for 4–7 days. Insurance can cover the gap for late cancellations or cover the non-refundable portion.
Does domestic travel insurance exist for Australian tours?
Yes. While international travel insurance is more common, domestic travel insurance policies are available and cover medical expenses beyond Medicare, trip cancellations, luggage loss, and travel delays within Australia. This is particularly worthwhile for multi-day tours and seniors who may need cover for health-related cancellations.
Where can I compare travel insurance policies?
Reputable Australian comparison sites include Canstar, Finder, and Compare the Market. You can also get quotes directly from insurers such as Allianz, Cover-More, World Nomads, and NRMA. Always compare cover levels, exclusions, and excess amounts — not just price. Read the PDS before purchasing.
Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?
Many current policies include COVID-19 coverage for medical expenses and cancellation. However, coverage varies by provider and plan level. Check the specific policy wording, as some exclude coverage if you travel to a destination with an active government travel advisory. Always confirm COVID-19 cover is included before purchasing.
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Questions About Travel Insurance?
Our team can help you understand what coverage is right for your tour. Contact us for guidance, or browse our tours with confidence knowing you can protect your investment.
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