Not every trip has a return date. Thousands of Kiwis leave New Zealand each year for an OE, emigration, or a digital nomad lifestyle without a fixed return. Traditional travel insurance requires a return to NZ, making one-way cover harder to find. Fewer providers offer it, and the terms differ significantly from standard policies. Compare options below.
New Zealand's most trusted travel insurance provider, backed by the Southern Cross brand. While one-way cover availability varies, Southern Cross offers long-duration policies that may suit some travellers without fixed return dates - click below to check current options.
New Zealand has one of the highest rates of emigration per capita in the developed world. Each year, tens of thousands of Kiwis head overseas for an OE (overseas experience), permanent emigration, working holidays, or location-independent work as digital nomads. Many of these travellers do not have a fixed return date to New Zealand.
Traditional travel insurance is structured around a return trip - you leave NZ, travel for a defined period, and return. The policy covers you from departure to return. One-way travel insurance removes the return requirement, covering you from departure for a specified duration (typically 6-18 months) without requiring a return flight to NZ.
One-way cover is harder to find than standard travel insurance. Fewer NZ providers offer it, and those that do often have different terms, higher premiums, or lower cover limits compared to return-trip policies. Some providers that do not explicitly offer one-way policies may still provide long-duration cover without requiring proof of a return booking - it is worth checking directly.
An important consideration for one-way travellers is the transition from travel insurance to local health insurance. Once you settle in your destination country and have access to a local healthcare system (through residency, employment, or local insurance), travel insurance becomes less relevant. Planning this transition early helps avoid gaps in cover. See our full NZ travel insurance comparison for provider details.
Understanding one-way travel risks helps you choose the right level of cover for an open-ended trip.
| Risk | Level | Details | Insurance Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Emergencies Without Local Cover | High | One-way travellers often face a gap between leaving NZ's healthcare system and gaining access to healthcare at their destination. During this gap, a medical emergency can result in significant out-of-pocket costs. Countries like the USA, Canada (for non-residents), and the UK (before NHS eligibility) have high medical costs for uninsured patients. | Travel insurance bridges this gap, covering medical emergencies from departure until you establish local cover. Ensure your policy's medical limit is adequate for your destination - unlimited or high-limit cover (NZ$1 million+) is important, particularly for travel to high-cost medical systems. |
| Extended Luggage & Belongings Exposure | Moderate | One-way travellers often carry more belongings than holiday travellers - additional clothing, electronics, and personal items for a longer stay. The risk of loss, theft, or damage accumulates over a longer travel period, particularly during multiple transit points, temporary accommodation, and settling-in periods. | Luggage and personal effects cover has per-item and total limits that may not reflect the value of belongings carried for a long-term move. Consider whether additional contents insurance (renters or portable effects) is needed alongside travel insurance. |
| Trip Cancellation & Disruption | Moderate | One-way trips often involve significant pre-paid costs - flights, initial accommodation, visa fees, shipping costs, and deposits. If a medical emergency, family bereavement, or other covered event forces you to cancel before departure, these costs can add up quickly. | Trip cancellation cover reimburses non-refundable pre-paid costs for covered reasons (illness, injury, bereavement). Buy insurance early to maximise the cancellation cover window. Check whether visa fees and shipping costs are covered under trip cancellation. |
| Gaps Between Cover Types | Moderate - High | One of the biggest risks for one-way travellers is the gap between travel insurance expiring and local health insurance starting. This can occur if your travel insurance runs out before you gain residency or employment-based health cover. During this gap, you are uninsured for medical costs. | Plan the transition from travel insurance to local cover carefully. Some travel insurers allow policy extensions while overseas. If your local cover start date is uncertain, build in a buffer by purchasing a longer travel insurance policy than you think you will need. |
| Limited Provider Options | Moderate | The NZ one-way travel insurance market is significantly smaller than the standard return-trip market. Fewer providers, fewer policy options, and potentially less competitive pricing mean one-way travellers have fewer choices. This can make it harder to find cover that precisely matches your needs. | Compare all available options carefully. Some providers that do not explicitly market one-way policies may still cover trips without a return booking - contact them directly to ask. International expat insurance providers may also be worth considering for longer moves. |
Disclaimer: Risk levels shown are general assessments based on publicly available data from NZ SafeTravel and other public sources. Individual circumstances vary significantly for one-way travellers - consider consulting a licensed insurance adviser for personalised guidance.
One-way travel insurance is a niche product with fewer provider options. Compare available cover below and contact providers directly to confirm one-way eligibility.
New Zealand's most recognised travel insurance brand. Offers long-duration policies that may suit some one-way travellers. Contact directly to discuss options for trips without a fixed return date. Strong medical cover and 24/7 emergency assistance.
One of Australasia's largest travel insurance providers. Check directly for one-way policy availability and terms. Long-duration cover options and pre-existing conditions assessment may be available for extended overseas travel.
Global insurance provider with worldwide coverage. Extensive assistance network is particularly valuable for travellers settling in new countries. Contact directly about one-way policy options and long-duration cover availability.
Budget-friendly NZ provider with competitive pricing. Check one-way policy availability and terms directly. May offer long-duration single-trip policies suitable for travellers without fixed return dates.
One of the most flexible providers for travellers without fixed plans. Allows purchase and extension while already overseas. Popular with OE travellers and digital nomads due to flexible duration options and broad activity cover.
NZ-based provider originally focused on student and working holiday cover. May offer one-way or long-duration policies suited to Kiwis heading overseas for extended periods. Competitive pricing for longer durations.
Disclaimer: Provider information, features, and one-way policy availability are based on publicly available data as of early 2026 and may change without notice. One-way travel insurance is a niche product - contact providers directly to confirm current availability and terms. Coverage limits, exclusions, and terms vary between providers and policy tiers - always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before purchasing. Compare.org.nz may earn referral fees from some providers listed above.
Several factors influence how much you will pay for one-way travel insurance.
Longer cover periods cost more. A 6-month policy will be significantly cheaper than 12 or 18 months. Consider how long you need travel insurance before transitioning to local cover at your destination. Some providers allow extensions while overseas.
Where you are heading has a major impact on premiums. The USA is the most expensive destination to insure. Australia, UK, and Europe are mid-range. Southeast Asia and South America are typically cheaper. Worldwide cover (excluding USA) is a common option.
Premiums increase with age. Most one-way travellers are younger Kiwis on their OE, which keeps premiums lower. Older travellers or those with pre-existing conditions may face higher premiums or more limited options.
Declaring pre-existing conditions affects your premium and may limit provider options for one-way cover. Be transparent about your medical history - failing to disclose conditions can void your entire policy.
Basic one-way policies cover medical emergencies and limited luggage. Comprehensive options add higher limits, trip disruption, and broader cover. For a one-way trip with no safety net of returning to NZ's healthcare, comprehensive cover is worth considering.
If you plan to work overseas or participate in adventure activities, check whether your policy covers these. Working holiday activities, volunteer work, and adventure sports may need an add-on or higher-tier policy.
From the classic OE to permanent emigration and digital nomad lifestyles - here are common one-way travel patterns.
New Zealand's tradition of young adults heading overseas for an extended period, typically to the UK, Europe, or Australia.
Australia is the most common emigration destination for New Zealanders, with over 600,000 Kiwis living across the Tasman.
A growing number of Kiwis work remotely while travelling across multiple countries without a fixed base.
Permanent or long-term emigration to traditional Kiwi destinations beyond Australia.
Practical tips to help you get the right travel insurance for an open-ended trip.
One-way travel insurance is temporary cover. Plan when and how you will transition to local health insurance at your destination. Research your destination's healthcare system, residency requirements for access, and available private or employer-provided insurance options. Avoid gaps between your travel insurance expiring and local cover starting.
Not all providers clearly advertise one-way cover on their websites. Contact providers directly to ask whether they offer policies without a return-to-NZ requirement. Explain your travel plans and ask about specific policy terms for your situation. You may find more options than online searches suggest.
Plans change, and settling overseas often takes longer than expected. If your travel insurance expires before you have local cover in place, you are uninsured for medical emergencies. Buy a longer policy than you think you need, or choose a provider that allows extensions while overseas.
Standard travel insurance covers evacuation back to NZ. One-way policies may instead evacuate you to the nearest appropriate medical facility. Understand what your policy covers - if you are living in a country with limited medical facilities, evacuation to a neighbouring country may be more relevant than evacuation to NZ.
For moves longer than 12-18 months, international expat health insurance (from providers like Cigna Global, Bupa Global, or Allianz Care) may be more appropriate than travel insurance. These products are designed for long-term residents abroad and offer ongoing health cover without an NZ return requirement.
Register your move on the NZ government's SafeTravel website. Even for one-way travel, registration helps NZ consular staff locate you in an emergency. Update your registration if your destination or contact details change.
Common questions Kiwis ask about one-way travel insurance.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, insurance, or legal advice. One-way travel insurance is a niche product with limited provider options - availability and terms may change without notice. All pricing and cover details are indicative and based on publicly available data as of early 2026. These figures are not quotes - always obtain a personalised quote directly from the provider. Compare.org.nz may earn referral fees from some providers featured on this page. This does not affect the completeness or order of our comparisons. For personalised financial guidance, consider consulting a licensed financial adviser.
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