New Zealand is a beautiful holiday destination, with pristine beaches, clear water, stunning wildlife, and plenty of sun. It suits adventurous souls, partygoers and those who just want to relax and soak up some sun. A trip to New Zealand is sure to be a memorable experience, no matter the activities you plan. But heading to exotic locations requires some planning.
Before you pack your bags, it's a good idea to ensure you've got all the paperwork you need in order so everything goes smoothly.
If you're considering a trip to one of the best tropical vacation destinations in the world, it makes sense to have travel protection, giving you the peace of mind you need to relax and enjoy your vacation.
The documents you'll need to travel to New Zealand depend on the purpose of your trip and how long you'll be staying. Contact the New Zealand Embassy for advice if you're unsure of exactly what you'll need.
To enter New Zealand, you'll need a valid passport that won't expire until at least 3 months after your trip. If you'll be passing through any other countries on the way to New Zealand, check their rules as well because some countries require more than 3 months of validity on a passport.
It's also a good idea to check the rules for the airline you'll be using. Some airlines have a blanket policy of requiring 6 months of validity on a passport, even if the country the flight is heading to allows people to enter with a shorter validity period. If your passport doesn't meet the criteria of the airline you're traveling with, you may be denied boarding.
U.S. citizens can visit New Zealand under the Visa Waiver Program. To enter without a visa, you'll need to apply for an NZeTA. It's best to do this online before you travel rather than waiting until you get to the airport, as it can take up to 72 hours for the application to be processed. An NZeTA is valid for 2 years and can be used for multiple trips.
Whether you're planning a cruise with multiple stops or flying to New Zealand for a resort vacation, travel protection is a wise purchase. Travel protection plans aren't just about getting your money back if something goes wrong; they can help with cancellations, delays, lost luggage and medical emergencies, so even if something goes wrong, you're in a better position to still enjoy some of the trip.
Travel protection can cover a variety of things, including:
Repatriation
Medical care abroad
Lost luggage
Trip Cancellation
Travel Delays
Lost documents
The extent of coverage and its value varies depending on the travel protection company you choose and the level of the policy you take out. There may also be some restrictions on the length of the trip or the type of activities you engage in. For example, some plans may cover normal clothing and inexpensive items in lost luggage but not sporting goods or highly valuable jewelry.
It's vital you read the details of any travel protection plan you're considering before you choose it.
No matter how carefully you plan, sometimes things will go wrong on a trip. Perhaps a delayed train makes you miss a flight, or one of your travel party loses their passport.
Travel delays don't have to ruin your holiday. With the right protection plan, you can still get to your destination and have a good time.
You may have saved up all year for your cruise holiday or exciting adventure tour. You've got the items you need, arranged your NZeTA and booked time off work, only to have to cancel at short notice due to a family emergency. Trip Cancellation coverage could help reimburse you for lost trip costs in that case, which is especially important for more expensive trips.
From needing emergency dental treatment to repatriation if you fall ill and miss a flight, there are many reasons to consider travel health insurance. One thing to consider when you're looking at coverage for medical treatment is that most policies don't cover pre-existing medical conditions (our Premium Plan does! If terms and requirements are met).
If you have a pre-existing condition, pay special attention to these details in the plan you choose.
For many people, New Zealand is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. If you're going for a long time and planning lots of interesting activities, such as snorkeling or scuba diving, you'll need coverage for your baggage and sporting equipment. A good travel protection plan can help reimburse you if you have to buy things while you're abroad because your baggage is lost or delayed by the airline.
Natural disasters, unexpected illnesses, industrial action and other unforeseen events can be tricky to deal with. Knowing you've got a number to call for 24/7 Travel Assistance can be reassuring. Generali Global Assistance’s can help with a variety of issues, from lost documents to missed connections to extreme weather.
Whether you're traveling alone or in a group, knowing that help is just a phone call away makes it easier to enjoy your trip and just 'go with the flow,' even if the holiday doesn't go exactly as planned.
At Generali Global Assistance, we offer a variety of travel protection plans to suit all sorts of needs and budgets. If you're planning a trip to New Zealand, we can help you with a plan that will help cover your vacation. We offer three different tiers of coverage that all include 24/7 Travel Assistance, telemedicine, plus coverage for medical, emergency transportation, missed connections, and more.
If you're planning a trip to New Zealand or one of its islands and you'd like to take a travel protection plan with you, take a look at our coverage options and get a quote.
Note: Trip Cancellation for Any Reason coverage is not available to residents of New York and other eligibility requirements apply.