Fly off to the Philippines

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR THE PHILIPPINES

If hiking through emerald forests, swimming in pristine water under year-round sun, or sharing in a rich multi-ethnic culture interests you, then look no further than the Philippines. Scroll on down for our handy guide on visas, getting around and the must-see spots in this nation of more that 7600 islands. Zoom's Philippines travel insurance has you covered for any unexpected holiday hurdles. Cover includes medical expenses should you fall sick or become injured, as well as cover for trip cancellation, lost luggage, family emergencies and more! What are you waiting for? Zoom to it!

PHILIPPINES QUICK GUIDE

Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is host to earthquakes, typhoons, and some of the most incredible natural landscapes on the planet. With rich exchanges with Asian, European and Middle Eastern communities, it is also home to a diverse range of historical sites and cultural experiences.

Go on, zoom to the Philippines and find out for yourself!

No matter which kind of Philippines experience you're planning, Zoom can cover your trip with a range of plans.  You can minimise your costs with Medical Only cover, or choose to buy Comprehensive Travel Insurance for extra protection to cover things like travel delays and cancellation. Compare Zoom's Travel Insurance plans online today.

VISAS FOR THE PHILIPPINES

Australians and Kiwis staying in the Philippines for less than 30 days generally don't need a visa, but the Bureau of Immigration generally requires proof of onward travel (usually in the form of a return ticket). If you're staying longer, be sure to arrange a visa before you arrive. 

Visa requirements can change quickly. For up-to-date information, contact your nearest Embassy or Consulate of the Philippines, or check with the Philippines Bureau of Immigration. 

ON ARRIVAL

No matter where in the Philippines you're going, there is a budget flight, bus or ferry that will get you there, with most flights routing through Manila or Cebu.

If you're on a budget, make sure you get a white taxi which runs on the meter. If a driver is asking for a fixed price upfront, it's probably more than a metered trip.

GETTING AROUND

First, the bad news. Roads are poorly developed or maintained - less than a quarter of the roads are paved - and drivers often adopt a more frenetic pace that you may be used to. Always adopt a defensive driving style if you're hiring a car, and consider hire vehicle excess insurance. 

Buses are cheap, and often slow, indirect and cramped. The bigger bus companies which target tourists have newer and more comfortable (read: air-conditioned) vehicles. But they go almost anywhere, and are a great way to see the diversity of the Philippines.

Catch a jeepney! What's a jeepney? It's a modified American army jeep left behind after the Second World War. These are the primary form of transport in many cities, with their routes written on the side, and start at around eight pesos for an intratown trip. 

With thousands of islands, a great way to get around is via ferry. From the proper ferries (100s-plus passengers), to big bangkas (50) and bangkas (up to 10), they will get you to places that are otherwise inaccessible. They have something of a poor safety record, so for longer journeys, a budget flight is recommended.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Tourist season in the Philippines is the dry season, from November to April. The temperature can be unbearable to visitors during March and April - rarely dipping below 35*C, so consider November to February if you want to beat the heat. The wet season - May to October - has fewer people but also a lot more rain, including typhoons around July and August!

WHERE TO GO

Be warned - with more than 7000 islands, you'd spend over 20 years trying to visit each Filipino island for just one day. A good idea for first-timers is to stick to one or two cities, and have day trips to close-by islands.

The capital, Manila, features a number of pre-colonial, colonial and revolutionary landmarks, including Fort Santiago, a 16th-century citadel, and the San Miguel heritage district. Also stop by Yuchengo Museum, with a wing dedicated to revolutionary hero, Jose Rizal, or for the more bizzare, see notorious former First Lady Imelda Marcos' shoe collection in the Marikina Shoe Museum.

South of Manila, southern Luzon has great natural experiences, such as whale shark snorkelling areas and Mount Mayon Volcano, but also fun man-made ones, including the Enchanted Kingdom and Sky Ranch theme parks.

Check out Cebu for incredible dive sites, such as the reef at Langilan, or look for unique cultural sites, such as the Basilica del Santo Niño - a Catholic church founded in the 1560s after a sighting of Jesus - or the Taoist Temple. 

Love wildlife? Go to Loboc for its famous Tarsier Sanctuary, home to one the cutest/weirdest primates on Earth. 

MUST KNOW TIPS

Cash is king - unless you're planning a luxury vacation, you'll find that backpackers hostels, street food, etc are all cash only. Some towns don't have ATMs, so always have a secret stash packed away in case you find yourself in a digital black hole (hint: you will).

Don't overplan and definitely don't plan to arrive on time. Not only is this unlikely with traffic being what it is, it is also kind of rude when visiting people's homes! A good rule of thumb is to be there 15 minutes later than invited.

ZOOMING ELSEWHERE?

Are you planning to zoom somewhere else on your holidays? Whether your next stop is Nepal or you're calling on Cambodia we've got plenty of helpful advice on other popular travel destinations to check out. What are you waiting for? Zoom to it!
 

WHY BUY WITH ZOOM

Medical cover

medical cover

Relax knowing that your hospital expenses are covered with Zoom's unlimited medical coverage. Zoom to top notch cover!

travel delays

Travel delays

Setbacks on your sojourn are never much fun. Cover your Philippines travel disruptions in a flash with Zoom travel cover. We keep things zippy!

luggage cover

LUGGAGE COVER

Your stuff is precious and we get that. Take off on your adventure in the Philippines knowing your luggage is protected with Zoom.

Family emergencies

Family emergencies

Had to rush home or cancel your trip due to a family emergency? We'll cover your non-refundable deposits so you can focus on the rest.

kids go free

kids go free

Family holiday to South-East Asia? Save your pesos with all dependants under 19 included under your policy at no additional cost.

Car Hire Excess

rental car excess

Driving in the Philippines? Our rental vehicle excess add-on is a must for roadtripping travellers.

easy claims

easy claims

We've done away with lengthy forms and have kept our claims process simple. We guarantee to assess fully documented claims in a flash.

Car Hire Excess

Peace Of Mind

Zoom to Zen. You can sit back and relax on your holiday knowing that you’re covered by award winning travel insurance.

PHILIPPINES TRAVEL INSURANCE FAQs

Got some curly questions in regards to your Phillipines travel insurance cover?
Be in the the know before you go with answers to the most common queries below.

  • Am I covered medically while holidaying in the Philippines?

  • Yes, all our policies cover for unlimited medical coverage. Zoom provides cover for your overseas medical expenses including hospital stays, surgery, doctor visits, emergency evacuation and repatriation home if required. We can provide written guarantees of payment of reasonable expenses directly with your hospital in emergency situations. Phew!

  • What happens if I need medical assistance in the Philippines?

  • Have complete peace of mind on your adventure to the Philipines. Zoom provides immediate support through our emergency assistance provider, First Assistance. Help is just a phone call away any time of day 365 days a year. This includes access to medical advisors, medical transfers and emergency evacuation if required. We also assist with passing on messages to family and returning unsupervised dependants back to Australia.

  • How do alcohol and drugs affect my cover?

  •  When it comes to alcohol we advise you to drink in moderation. One lambanog too many could see you jeopardizing your cover. Please note that we may exclude any claims where excessive drugs or alcohol have been involved.

  • I have high value items; how much can I insure them for?

  • If you have an expensive item that you just can’t leave behind you can insure it separately for up to $5,000. Please note that high value item cover is only available under our comprehensive plan.

  • Am I covered for pickpocketing in the Philippines?

  • Yes, you’re covered for muggings, provided of course you were acting with reasonable care (i.e. did not leave your belongings unattended). If you’re the victim of a pickpocket, you’d be covered for loss, theft and damage to your luggage and personal effects. If you are robbed, it’s important that you get a police report and contact us as soon as possible.

  • What age limits apply to Zoom travel insurance policies?

  • You must be under the age of 85 to buy a policy with Zoom. Those under 79 years can purchase a policy for a maximum trip duration of 365 days. Those aged between 80-85 years can purchase a policy for a maximum trip duration of 184 days only. You must also be under the age of 69 to purchase our add-on ski or adventure packs.

  • Can I reduce my excess with Zoom products?

  • Yes you can reduce the standard excess of $200 by paying a excess reduction fee within the payment process. 

  • What is a dependant?

  • This means your dependant children or grandchildren under the age of 19 at the date of policy issue who are travelling with you.

GET A QUOTE
Zoom

Zoom travel insurance offers simple, flexible travel insurance for maximum peace of mind no matter where you're zooming to.

About Zoom Policy Wording Compare Zoom Plans Travel AlertsComplaints
"Zoom Travel Insurance" is a registered Business name of the Insurance Geeks Limited, Company No. 5904999 (a NZ company). We are a Registered Financial Service Provider FSP505566. The Insurance Geeks is an authorised representative of Coffre-Fort Pty Limited ABN 66 125 358 518, AFS Licence No. 472457. This site contains general guidance only on insurance products available to you and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before you buy a policy, please read the Policy Wording to determine if the product suits your needs giving consideration to your personal circumstances. This insurance is underwritten by HDI Global Specialty SE – New Zealand.
© 2023 ZOOM TRAVEL INSURANCE. All rights reserved.
PRIVACY |  SITEMAP