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AMI Insurance Travel Insurance Review

​Our comprehensive AMI Travel Insurance review covers key policy facts, pros, cons, and FAQs. We explain AMI's coverage, exclusions and must-know tips if you're considering buying an AMI policy.
Updated 18 October 2024
Summary
  • Are you looking to buy AMI Travel Insurance? Our guide covers its standout points, pros, cons, facts and frequently asked questions.
  • AMI Travel Insurance is widely popular, insuring tens of thousands of New Zealanders every year who travel overseas. But is it right for you? ​
  • We’ve included videos to break down the key policies and essential insights, making it easier for you to understand the basics of AMI's Travel Insurance offering and how a policy keeps you protected. 
  • Our review focuses exclusively on international travel coverage, not domestic travel or AMI's annual/multi-trip policy. Furthermore, we do not cover pricing - instead, we compare policies and prices on our various country-specific guides (outlined below). 

Our guide covers:​
Know This First: We compare travel insurance by country/destination. Our guides cover 15 countries and are a useful starting point to get an understanding of how 
We update our example pricing every 180 days, with an extensive number of policies reviewed in our travel insurance comparison guide. We cover: 

​AMI Travel Insurance Policy Facts

To simplify the policies, we present the most important details below:

1. Policy Coverage:

AMI Travel Insurance offers two policy options - International and Frequent Traveller Cover (popular for anyone travelling frequently to and from New Zealand within twelve months). We focus exclusively on international travel coverage, not domestic travel or the annual/multi-trip policy

The International Plan includes a range of benefits covering:
  • Medical Events
  • Life Benefits
  • Personal Baggage, Effects and Personal Money

Video Overview: MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh explains the key details of AMI Travel Insurance's International policy to help you understand the policy and further assess if it's fit for your travel needs:

2. Pricing and Quotes (Compared to Other Insurers):

AMI Travel Insurance policies are provided by Cover-More NZ Ltd, which are underwritten and issued by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited. AMI's pricing, per our research, does not lead the market. However, every traveller has unique needs, so we encourage all readers to gather quotes from as many insurers as possible, including AMI. 

Our research and extensive price sampling cover varying traveller types and 15 countries.​ You can see the results per country below:
Policy Discounts: If you are an existing AMI customer, you automatically qualify for 10% off the policy's total price.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: AMI outlines these in detail in its policy wording. 

Video Overview: MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh walks you through how to easily get a travel insurance quote with AMI:

3. Financial Strength of AMI Travel Insurance

Zurich New Zealand, the owner of Cover-More, is the insurer behind AMI Travel Insurance. The company has an AA- grade financial strength rating given by Standard & Poor's, which is the equivalent of being rated 'very strong'. As outlined in our guide to insurer financial strength ratings, a lower rating increases the risk of claim payment issues, but Zurich's AA- grade status places it among the market leaders, meaning the risk of non-payment is low.

4. Claims and Phone Support:

  • ​Emergency assistance is provided 24 hours/7 days a week. 
  • As AMI sells its travel insurance policies written on Cover-More paper, Policyholders claim using the Cover-More website, although an estimated time for an assessment is not given. 
  • Most claims (except those related to medicine) will normally be settled when the traveller returns to New Zealand. This means if you lose an item overseas, have money stolen, experience a flight disruption or any other misfortune that isn't medical, the standard procedure is to assess your claim when you return home.​

5. Options if AMI (specifically, their insurer Cover-More and underwriter Zurich New Zealand) Rejects a Claim:

Every year, many travel insurers reject claims. If you feel the decision is wrong or unjustified, you can file your complaint with Financial Services Complaints Limited (FSCL). 

Travel insurance policies have, historically, made up a large number of complaints formally investigated by FSCL. According to our research, after having their claims rejected, people complain to the FSCL about the following topics:
  • The policy was ambiguous or poorly worded
  • The policyholder failed to disclose certain information.
  • The policyholder did not understand the insurance policy 

If you need to complain, the FSCL will investigate and see if your claim is valid. If it is, it will decide in your favour, which usually means the insurer will pay. However, you won't be successful in your complaint/claim if the travel insurer's original assessment is correct. There is no cost for using the FSCL.

AMI Travel Insurance Pros and Cons

Pros
  1. Wide range of coverage: AMI Travel Insurance offers comprehensive coverage for medical and dental expenses, cancellation costs, luggage and travel documents, rental vehicle insurance excess, and more.
  2. Rental vehicle insurance excess: Coverage up to $10,000 for rental vehicle excess, offering great protection when renting cars or motorcycles overseas.
  3. Generous coverage limits: High coverage limits, including unlimited medical expenses, $25,000 for luggage, and $2,500,000 for personal liability.
  4. Adventure activity coverage: Certain activities like abseiling, jet skiing, paragliding, and white-water rafting are covered under AMI’s policy.

Cons
  1. Activity exclusions: While the policy covers many activities, some, such as snow sports and motorcycle use above 250cc, require additional premiums.
  2. Limited cover for delayed luggage: Coverage for delayed luggage is capped at $1,500, which may not be sufficient for longer delays or expensive essential items.​

General Travel Insurance Tips and Insights for New Zealanders Heading Overseas

Travel Insurance is about covering for the unpredictable and unaffordable

  • Many New Zealanders take a risk and say “why would I get travel insurance? I probably won’t use it!”. It’s the “probably” which is the issue, and if disaster strikes, being without cover can be frightening and financially ruinous.
  • Any trip overseas exposes you to unpredictable events; no one can predict the future, and even “safe” destinations expose you to unforeseen risks.
  • We believe travel insurance is about protecting yourself from the things you don’t plan for and don’t want to pay for.​

Be completely honest when buying a policy and, ALWAYS declare ALL medical conditions

Many travel insurers, including AMI, have a good reputation for paying claims, but they are under no obligation to pay you if you lied or withheld information when you applied.

AMI has a significant part of the policy dedicated to 'Existing Medical Conditions'. If you have ongoing health issues, you must talk to AMI and, if required, have a medical assessment. AMI (through Cover-More, the travel insurer providing AMI's policies) will quote separately for any pre-existing condition(s) or inform you that you cannot be covered for one or any of the disclosed conditions. 

What if I am undiagnosed but have a condition?
Generally, undiagnosed conditions do not fall under pre-existing, unless a 'reasonable person should have been aware of your condition', so if you don't know you have something and get ill later, your claim should be successful.

Our View: To minimise any concern or limited cover, it is best to consult with AMI directly if you have a pre-existing condition. It will take time, and there will likely be a cost, but getting clarity is essential.

Check our list of activities that travel insurance generally doesn’t cover, UNLESS you specifically request to add it on

  • If you plan to go beyond the beaten path or do anything else considered adventurous, check that AMI Travel Insurance covers it. If it doesn't, you will be uninsured if anything goes wrong.
  • Most insurers, including AMI,​ specifically exclude activities such as professional sport, contact sport, racing, motorsports, hunting, pot-holing or caving, rodeo, microlight flying or kitesurfing, mountaineering, hiking, trekking or tramping, abseiling or outdoor rock climbing, base jumping, parachuting, black water rafting, white water kayaking or land yachting (unless you are with an operator licensed in the relevant country).
  • Any scams or fraud you fall victim to, self-harm and losses from the breakdown of a family relationship, losses from unknown persons invited to your accommodation (or you visiting the accommodation of persons unknown to you), participating in any prostitution and any unlawful activity are also excluded.

Intoxication or being under the influence of drugs will void your cover

AMI Travel Insurance's terms and conditions make it clear - you won't be covered for "claims involving, arising from or related to Your impairment due to You drinking too much alcohol". 

What does this mean for day-to-day travel?
  • It's best to behave with caution and be responsible. If you go out at night and lose your bag while intoxicated, AMI Insurance won't cover you.  
  • ​It’s important to have common sense when it comes to alcohol and travel. If you are going to go wine tasting, don’t drive your rental car until you are sober. If you have half a bottle of wine at lunch and then go skiing, you may invalidate your policy. ​​​

AMI lists many exclusions meaning it will deny a claim if you don't comply - our summary helps you to understand what to be aware of:

AMI's travel insurance policy clearly lists all exclusions. It’s crucial to review them, as AMI will deny any claim related to these excluded events without exception. Examples include:
  • Anything relating to prohibited activities
  • Bankruptcy of a travel agent, airline or any tourism service provider
  • You break the law, or are not honest in your insurance application or claim
  • Travel booked or undertaken after a terminal illness was diagnosed
  • If you are under the influence or addicted to alcohol, solvents or drugs​ during the time of an incident
  • Where you don't follow the directions or instructions given by AMI/Cover-More's Emergency Assistance in relation to an incident.
  • Any incident that happens outside of the period of insurance.
  • Travelling to anywhere with a 'do not travel' or 'avoid non-essential travel' has been issued by the New Zealand Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Video Outline: MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh highlights some of the common exclusions in AMI Travel Insurance policies, helping you avoid surprises when planning your next trip:

AMI Travel Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

How many people can I include a policy?

You can include up to two adults and eight children on one policy, or up to ten adults. 

Are children covered for free?

Yes - dependent children under 21 years are covered at no additional charge. To qualify, the 'children' must be:
  • Your children, stepchildren, foster children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews
  • Unmarried
  • Under 21 years old at the start date of your insurance
  • Financially dependent on the adults listed on the certificate of insurance
  • Not in full-time employment

Does AMI Travel Insurance cover lost, stolen or damaged luggage?

Yes, this is covered under 'Luggage and travel documents'.

Does AMI Travel Insurance cover cancellation fees?

No, unless you specify the cover, which ranges from $0 to $200,000, to unlimited. The higher the cover, the higher the policy price.

Can I pay to reduce my excess?

Yes - AMI Travel Insurance offers excesses in $250, $100 and $0 - choosing a $0 or $100 excess means the overall policy cost increases slightly (compared to the same policy with a $250 excess).

What is the maximum length of a single trip?

The maximum time is one year (365 days)

What additional extras are there, and how much do they cost?

Am I covered if I go on a cruise?

Yes, but there are limits, so it's critical to read the International policy.

Am I covered for skiing and my equipment?

No - Ski cover is an optional paid extra that can be added to an International policy.

Am I covered if my tour company, airline, hotel or anything else collapses?

No - this is a standard exclusion. AMI's general exclusions specify:
"Claims arising from the failure of any travel agent, tour operator, accommodation provider, airline or other carrier, car rental agency or any other travel or tourism services provider to provide services or accommodation due to their Insolvency or the Insolvency of any person, company or organisation they deal with".

This means if your airline, transport provider, travel agent, or wholesaler, your travel insurance policy won't cover it.

I'm not a New Zealand resident - can I buy cover?

AMI specifies "New Zealand resident travellers are able to purchase Travel Insurance policies (from State) to any area of travel and any country/destination". 

Non-New Zealand resident travellers wanting to purchase Travel Insurance to travel to any other part of the world (e.g. outside of New Zealand) can contact AMI who may offer cover (on a case by case basis).

Am I covered to ride a moped, scooter or motorbike?

AMI states that you will only be covered if the engine capacity is 250cc or less; you hold a valid New Zealand motorcycle rider’s licence or New Zealand motor vehicle driver’s licence (or as a passenger the drivers holds the required licence); you are wearing a helmet; you are not participating in a professional capacity, racing or participating in motocross. To ensure you're covered, it's essential to check AMI's policy wording. 

Important: If you plan to ride a scooter, many media stories talk of New Zealanders getting into accidents in Bali and Thailand. Being uninsured is a major risk; in many places, hospital treatment won't be provided if there are no insurances of guarantees of payment.

Does AMI Travel Insurance cover rental vehicle excess?

Yes - you are covered for the insurance excess you are required to pay, as a result of loss or damage to a rental vehicle you have hired, up to $10,000. So, if someone hits you, you hit someone or the car is involved in any type of accident or theft, you will pay the excess to the car insurer and then claim it back from AMI.

How is this a benefit?
  • When you rent a car, a standard excess is usually thousands of dollars/euros/pounds. This puts you at a huge financial risk if something happens to the vehicle.
  • If you wish to reduce it to something much lower, or even zero, the car rental company charges an additional 'insurance' fee.
  • This can be considerable. With this benefit from AMI, you can avoid paying for 'excess protection' or 'excess reduction' insurance when you rent a car, as long as you're comfortable putting a hold on your credit card and paying the excess if you have an incident.

Where is AMI Travel Insurance based?

AMI's travel insurance policies are written by Cover-More, which is an Australian company and owned by Zurich Insurance Group. Cover-More, who will process claims, is based in Sydney, Australia.

What is the best way to buy an AMI Travel Insurance policy?

Most people will get quotes and buy policies online on the AMI website. If you are insuring for pre-existing medical conditions, it is best to contact AMI and explain your situation.

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