Young Australians Increasingly Travel Without Insurance

A recent survey shows one in four young adults travelling abroad do not have insurance cover for their trips.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Australia and New Zealand

Young Australians Increasingly Travel Without Insurance

Live Poll

Is it a good idea to purchase dedicated travel insurance for your next international trip?

While insurance uptake among young Australians rose to 75 percent in 2025, 25 percent of those aged 18 to 29 still travel internationally without coverage. Data indicates that 17 percent of all Australian travellers forgo travel insurance entirely.

Why it matters

Medical costs for international emergencies can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, placing significant financial risk on young travellers who may underestimate these expenses. Such costs can easily exceed the savings gained by skipping insurance.

A survey of 1,750 Australians highlights that while 75 percent of young travellers held insurance in 2025, up from 70 percent in 2024, many still rely on limited credit card policies which dropped to 9 percent usage among young travellers. High-cost incidents include a $399,328 pneumonia claim in Japan and a $327,846 claim for a skiing accident in Canada.

The players

OneCover

OneCover is an insurance provider that processed over 11,000 claims for travellers in 2025.

The details

OneCover processed over 11,000 claims in 2025 as young travellers prioritised baggage protection at 46 percent and medical expenses at 47 percent. Some policies may exclude specific incidents such as those involving excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, or scooter accidents.

70 percent of young Australians had travel insurance in 2024.
75 percent of young Australians had travel insurance in 2025.
A survey revealed in October 2026 that 25 percent of young adults forgo insurance.

Travel Outlook

This trend of increasing insurance coverage mirrors the historical trajectory of travel insurance uptake observed between 2024 and 2025. It reflects a slow but measurable shift toward risk mitigation as young Australians navigate the rising costs of international medical care.

Travellers should verify that their insurance policies cover specific high-risk activities like skiing or cruising to avoid massive out-of-pocket costs. Those relying on credit card insurance should check if the coverage limits match the reality of potential overseas medical expenses.

The takeaway

Young travellers should carefully review policy exclusions for activities like scooter use or alcohol consumption to ensure they are adequately protected. Prioritising comprehensive medical coverage is a crucial step to avoid life-altering financial debt while abroad.