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Many insurers now offer some level of Covid-19 cover, but this can vary quite a lot between providers. Examples of what may be covered include:

• Emergency medical expenses: Including repatriation (getting you home), and additional expenses (for example, a quarantine hotel stay) if you fall ill with Covid-19.
• Cancellation: If you test positive (or a close relative passes away due to Covid-19) prior to your holiday and are unable to travel.
• Curtailment: If you test positive for Covid-19 pre-departure, upon arrival at your destination, or while on holiday. Additionally, look for a policy that offers curtailment cover in the event a close relative passes away from Covid-19 during your holiday.

In the T&Cs of all policies, there will be some exclusions, so read these carefully to prevent a claim being unsuccessful. Some common exclusions to be aware of are:

• Pre-existing medical conditions – always disclose any medical conditions to your insurer before you take a policy out or you risk claims being rejected. Some policies may exclude any claims that are as a result of these but there are specialist pre-existing medical travel insurance policies available too.
• Accidents as a result of certain activities – while you’re in Australia, you may get swept away with the outdoors lifestyle and decide to try an extreme or water sport. But many policies will exclude adventure sports, so check your policy and buy extra cover if you need it.
• Incidents while you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs – if you hurt yourself or others while intoxicated, or something else goes wrong, you’re unlikely to be able to claim for the damage.
• Refused entry – make sure you have all of the correct, up-to-date documents for your trip.
• Limits on the number of days you’re travelling – if you’re going to Australia for an extended trip, check how many consecutive days you’ll be covered for. Specialist backpacker travel insurance policies may be more suitable if you’re travelling for a longer period.

Don’t forget to look at the excess levels on policies too – the amount you’d have to pay out if you made a claim.

If you are a British citizen with residency in the UK and are travelling with a British passport, you will be entitled to some medical treatments for free in Australia under reciprocal healthcare agreements.

However, this is limited and doesn’t cover items such as the treatment of pre-existing medical conditions or non-urgent medical issues, use of the ambulance service, medical evacuations, or the prescription of medicines (unless you’re a hospital in-patient).

So don’t let this lull you into a false sense of security that you won’t need travel insurance, as it’s not a substitute.

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TravelSupermarket Limited (FCA FRN 953671) is an appointed representative of MONY Group plc, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA FRN 303190). MONY Group Financial Holdings Limited, registered in England No. 3157344.