Insurance - Requirements

As part of the Code of Practice essential that all international students have travel and medical insurance when enrolling for a New Zealand education.  This can be done prior to your arrival in New Zealand, or else your institution will ensure that you obtain insurance as part of your enrolment (application forms will include a question on insurance). 

There are many well-known insurance companies in New Zealand who can offer you competitive insurance premiums to cover all your basic needs. 

You pay for the premium, and when you need medical treatment you can then claim the cost from your insurance provider. 

Students from the United Kingdom and Australia are eligible for publicly-funded urgent medical treatment, but will need medical insurance to cover all other types of treatment.  Students from all other countries will need medical insurance to cover all types of treatment, including doctor, hospital and ambulance. 

Tertiary students can visit the general practitioner at the student health Centrex on their institution's campus, for a very nominal fee.  Secondary school students usually visit their homestay family doctor. 

New Zealand has a 24 x 7 no-fault accident compensation scheme called ACC. It covers all in the country, including visitors. If you suffer any injury as the result of an accident in New Zealand, no matter the cause and whoever is at fault, you will get subsidised medical and dental care, prescribed medication, X-rays and surgery. It also means that you cannot sue anyone for damages.

If you own a vehicle in New Zealand, it is highly advisable that you take out "third party" insurance, which covers damage or injury caused by you.