Can I extend my Travel Insurance policy?

You can apply to extend your Domestic and Overseas Travel Insurance Policy as detailed in the PDS. You will need to apply for the extension before your existing policy expires. 

Understanding the process for requesting an extension of your travel insurance policy can help ensure that you maintain cover for the duration of your travels—whether you are travelling within Australia under a Domestic Policy or overseas under an International Policy. 

How to Extend Your Travel Insurance Policy 

You can extend your policy by logging into your policy on our website or by contacting us directly: 

Make sure you request an extension on or before your policy expiry date. We are not able to extend your policy beyond the expiry date.  

An additional premium may apply depending on the circumstances of your extension. 

We will determine whether to extend your policy by (acting reasonably) considering all information available to us at the time of the request, and an additional premium may apply. 

Where we have agreed to extend cover, we will issue you with a new certificate of insurance. The period of insurance on your original certificate of insurance and your new certificate of insurance cannot exceed a maximum combined period of 24 months. 

Below are examples of some situations in which you may be able to extend your travel insurance policy with Fast Cover. 

Return dates 

If you are not sure how long you will be on your trip or  if you are unsure of your exact return date to Australia, your return date should be the date that you know you will definitely be away for. You can then apply to extend your policy (and pay the additional premium) if you do decide to stay longer than the date specified on your Certificate of Insurance 

 If you choose to apply to extend your policy, but you return earlier than your extended date, please note that we are unable to refund the unused portion of your policy. Please note that this is applicable only to Australian citizens with a valid Medicare card. Non-Australian citizens MUST have a return ticket to Australia when purchasing the policy 

Extension of your travel insurance policy if you become unexpectedly sick or injured on your trip overseas 

If you are unable to return to Australia on the date specified on your policy due to an unexpected sickness or injury, you should immediately contact our Emergency Assistance team for assistance. Your policy may be extended free of charge until you are able to return, provided it is for a reason that you can claim under your policy, and is subject to approval by Fast Cover 

If you are unsure if your sickness or injury is something that you can claim for, you can apply to extend your policy (and pay the additional premium) for the required duration and submit a claim for the cost of the extension. The Claims team will assess your claim and if your sickness or injury is for something that you can claim for, you may be reimbursed for the cost of the extension. 

If your return home is delayed 

If your return home is delayed due to an unexpected event that is covered under your policy, we may extend your travel insurance coverage free of charge. This extension will continue until: 

  • You are able to travel home by the quickest and most direct route, or 
  • A maximum of six (6) months, whichever occurs first. 

For example: You have been injured in an accident overseas and your attending doctor has advised that you are not fit to travel home on your original return date as specified on your certificate of insurance. 

Extending a 12-month policy for another 12 months 

If you already have a 12-month policy, the earliest date that you can extend your policy is 30 days from when your policy starts, which is the departure date as specified on your Certificate of Insurance.  

For example: If you are obtaining travel insurance for your 24-month International Experience Canada (IEC) visa, you must initially purchase a 12-month travel insurance policy. You can then extend your travel insurance for an additional 12 months, ensuring continuous coverage throughout your stay. 

Extending a policy for other reasons 

You must contact us before your policy expires to apply to extend your coverage by purchasing an additional period of coverage. 

For example: You decide to remain overseas for personal reasons beyond the return date specified on your policy. 

Below are examples of some situations in which you cannot extend your travel insurance policy with Fast Cover. 

If your policy has expired 

It is not possible to extend your policy once your policy has expired (the policy expiry date is the return date as specified on your Certificate of insurance). However, you may be eligible to purchase an Already Overseas policy. You can contact us to discuss your options if your policy has expired. 

Unless approved by us, cover will not be extended:  

For any new medical condition you suffered during the term of your existing policy or change to any medical condition which is listed on your certificate of insurance as a covered medical condition, or pregnancy condition, if we reasonably determine that you should return to Australia for treatment (based on the information that is available to us at the time) and you do not agree to do so, or;  

For any new medical condition you suffered during the term of your existing policy or change to any medical condition which is listed on your certificate of insurance as a covered medical condition, or pregnancy condition, unless:   

  • you agree to take a further screening process, we agree to provide cover and you pay the additional premium (if applicable), and;  

  • you agree that any ongoing medical treatment/advice, medication, test, investigation and or related expense beyond the original return date that you or a reasonable person is aware of, will not be covered. 

  • where you have not advised us of any circumstances that have given (or may give) rise to a claim under your original policy; or 

  •  where at the time of extension you are aged 90 years or over.  

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs. 

Any advice is general advice only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation, or needs. Please consider the PDS before making any decisions regarding the purchase of travel insurance.