Travellers risk having claims reduced or refused for undeclared medical conditions, unattended belongings and riding motorcycles without the right licence, travel insurer Fast Cover has warned ahead of the summer holiday period.
The warning comes as domestic travel holds steady. Australians took 112.5 million domestic overnight trips in the year to June 2026, according to Tourism Research Australia.
Fast Cover said many domestic travellers skip insurance because they assume Medicare makes it unnecessary. Domestic policies exclude medical costs, but they can cover trip cancellation, lost luggage, extra accommodation after delays, and personal liability. An injury, an illness, or a declared pre-existing condition that forces a traveller to cancel may still lead to a claim.
Head of claims Christine Punzalan said travellers who complete medical screening must declare every condition, including those they consider well managed or unrelated to the trip. That applies whether or not they want cover for that condition. She said some conditions are connected, so leaving one out can affect claims linked to another.
“If a condition isn’t disclosed when we ask about it, a claim may be reduced or refused, even for a condition shown as covered on your Certificate of Insurance,” said Punzalan.
The insurer also pointed to other common grounds for refusing claims. Policies often exclude theft of belongings left unsupervised, which is a particular risk for solo travellers. Cover may also not apply if a traveller breaches the visa or entry requirements of their destination. This matters most for people on working holiday, remote work and digital nomad visas, which can set minimum health cover requirements.
Motorcycle, moped and scooter riding is a further gap. Fast Cover said riders and passengers overseas generally need extra cover. They must also meet licensing conditions and wear a helmet, whatever the local law or rental practice. For bikes up to 125cc, its policies require a licence valid in the destination country plus a current Australian driver’s licence. Larger bikes require an Australian motorcycle licence for the relevant class. Claims can be denied if those conditions are not met.
Add-on cover for activities such as motorcycling or adventure sports can be bought mid-trip. However, it applies only if the activity has not already started, and not to incidents that have already happened.
The warnings highlight where travel claims most often break down: at policy conditions and disclosure, rather than on the event itself. With the December and January peak approaching, insurers are putting more weight on what travellers declare and comply with before they leave.
