Bula! Hello! Sunny, beachside Fiji is a popular holiday destination for Australians. Find out more about travel insurance for Fiji on the CANSTAR website.
Exotic and tropical with everything from five-star resorts to the humble garden bure (bungalow), Fiji has it all. Australia and Fiji have a long-standing relationship – Fiji has remained a popular travel destination for Aussies for the past 10 years, and more than 367,000 Australians visited Fiji in 2015 alone (DFAT, 2016).
Not surprisingly then, people comparing travel insurance on our website are often looking for travel insurance for Fiji. Here’s what you need to know about the country and getting Fiji travel insurance.
Compare Travel Insurance Fiji
If you think of Fiji as an island, you’re not far wrong – it is actually a nation made up of 333 islands, 106 of which are inhabited with people living on them. Tourists are able to visit many of those 333 islands, with the most popular one being Viti Levu which hosts the main airport and the capital city, Suva.
How long does it take to fly to Fiji from the eastern capitals of Australia? As a general guide, it can take between 3 to 5 hours to fly direct from an eastern capital to Fiji. Flight times vary depending on whether your airline forces you to take a pitstop somewhere in Australia before really getting going.
What is Fiji famous for? The most popular things to see and do in Fiji obviously involve lying on the beach with a Mai Tai or two… But there’s much more to the Fijian Islands than just white sand and blue waters.
This nation of islands boasts a wide array of sparkling white beaches, pristine jungles, and friendly locals. Aside from the many lavish resorts, the islands offer activities like scuba diving, swimming, jungle trekking, and Fijian cultural experiences.
You would be amazed at the list of native animals that can only be found in the Fijian Islands – there are almost too many to count! If you go scuba diving, keep your goggles fog-free so you can see all the amazing tropical fish including the Fiji Blue Midnight Angelfish and the Damselfish. If you go on a jungle trek, keep a keen eye and ear out for the Golden Dove and the Fiji Crested Iguana and Fiji Banded Iguana. And for any creepy-crawly-obsessed kids, Fiji offers the chance to hunt down the world’s second largest beetle – the Giant Fijian Longhorn Beetle.
Here are a few quick facts about the sun-kissed island known as Fiji:
Capital: Suva
Land area: 18,376 sq km
Official language(s): English, Fijian, and Hindi
Population: 869,458 (Fiji Bureau of Statistics, 2015) or possibly 892,145 (World Bank, 2015)
Currency: At the time of writing, the currency conversion rate means $1 Australian Dollar (AUD) buys $1.57 Fijian Dollars (FJD)
Source: FijiTourism
Fijian culture presents a variety of experiences for travellers, with just a few challenges. There are three main religions to be aware of – Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. Modest clothing is preferred at all times but especially inside local villages, so cover up more than you would in Australia. Always leave your shoes outside the door when entering someone else’s home. Do not wear a hat in a village, as this is an insult to the chief. Touching someone’s head is also an insult, even for the friendly children who will happily approach you.
Do I need travel insurance for Fiji?
It’s impossible to know when an accident, illness, or theft is going to happen, which is why travel insurance for Fiji is so essential. Most travellers may not make a claim on their travel insurance policy, but for those who do need to, travel insurance is worth every penny.
Some reasons why you might need travel insurance in Fiji include:
Cancellation costs for flights, accommodation and tours. Having to unexpectedly cancel your trip before it starts or mid-way through can mean a big hit to your wallet in the way of cancellation fees and lost deposits for your flights, accommodation, and tours. An illness for you or a family member back home, or your employer denying your annual leave application after you’ve already booked your flights, or even a natural disaster in the month before you go can be times your travel insurance comes in handy. Travel insurance for Fiji Zealand can cover you for out of pocket expenses as a result of cancellation, such as cancellation fees.
It’s worth noting that following Tropical Cyclone Wilson in February 2016, much tourist infrastructure and many tourist venues have been affected. To avoid having to make unnecessary cancellations, you should check with local resorts to confirm they are open and operational before you make any travel arrangements.
Overseas emergency medical expenses. Unfortunately there aren’t many ways to keep the mosquitoes in Fiji from biting, but travel insurance gives you peace of mind that if you need a trip to the hospital to treat Dengue, you should be covered. International travel insurance should provide coverage to help with the costs of overseas hospital admission and treatment for medical emergencies.
Knowing that public hospitals and other medical facilities in Fiji are generally not up to Australian standards in terms of equipment, services, and medications on offer, you don’t want to spend a lot of time stuck there. In the case of serious illness or injury, the standard cover for medical evacuation and repatriation (an emergency flight home) comes in handy, as you can’t just catch any old plane and medical flights can run into the tens of thousands of dollars.
The Australian government’s SmartTraveller website strongly recommends that you take out comprehensive travel insurance before visiting Fiji, as the Australian Government will not pay anything towards a traveller’s overseas medical expenses or medical evacuation costs.
If you are considering deep water scuba diving, please be careful to avoid “the bends” from coming up too fast or going down too fast. There is only one operational decompression chamber in Fiji, and it is located at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva, quite far from most of the popular dive sites. So any divers needing emergency decompression treatment must be medically evacuated to Suva first, which can be costly.
Also remember to enjoy the local flavours responsibly. When it comes to alcohol, your coverage may be partially or fully excluded if your claim arises from you being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Case Study: Lee
Lee was attending a wedding in Phuket, Thailand, when he fell down some stairs at the hotel, breaking his leg and several ribs. Because he’d been celebrating with a few alcoholic drinks, his insurer refused his claim for medical expenses, citing his intoxication at the time.
The incident cost Lee $10,300 in medical expenses, which had to be paid in full before he could leave hospital. Lee’s injuries also meant he was unable to work for the next six weeks, causing further financial hardship.
Source: SmartTraveller.gov.au
Cover for theft or lost luggage and personal items. The government’s SmartTraveller website advises travellers to Fiji should be careful to leave valuable belongings in a safe place at all times, as theft can be common in city streets at night. Thankfully, travel insurance would cover the cost of replacing lost items including a lost passport if that should happen.
In the case of a lost wallet, remember to put a temporary lock on your cards if you can or call your bank to ask them to freeze your cards. If your current credit card doesn’t offer a temporary lock option, you can compare travel credit and debit cards on our site to find one that does.
Looking for another money option that’s prepaid? The Australian dollar goes pretty far in Fiji, but it might still be worth comparing travel money cards for Fiji on the CANSTAR website.
Compare Fiji Travel Money Cards
Driving or riding a motorbike, scooter, or quad bike around the island. Riding a scooter or quad bike around the islands is quite a popular adventure activity, but there are a couple of things you should know before you hop on.
First, driving can be dangerous in Fiji because of hazards such as stray animals and the rough dirt roads. Driving is especially dangerous at night because there is insufficient street lighting by Australian standards.
Second, riding a motorcycle or scooter in Fiji may not be covered by your travel insurance as standard. Many travel insurance policies will only cover you or the person driving has a valid motorcycle licence, and they’ll only cover you to ride a motorcycle of 250cc or less. Make sure you check the terms and conditions of motorcycle travel insurance cover very carefully with your provider before you leave.
Third, make sure your Australian driver’s licence isn’t due to expire while you’re travelling. You’d hate to get in hot water with the Fijian police, your travel insurer, and the bike hire company for driving without a valid licence.
Source: FijiTourism
Travel delays or changed travel plans. Apart from the cyclones during the rainy season, there are many reasons why your best-laid travel plans could blow over. Travel insurance can cover you for any last-minute and unavoidable changes in your travel plans, such as cancellation fees, emergency accommodation, and emergency transport costs.
Extreme sports. Extreme adventure sports including scuba diving, deep water diving, kayaking, and more are everywhere in Fiji, which is great news for the adrenaline junkies! But be warned – none of these activities are generally covered under a standard policy. It’s worth adding the optional extra coverage to your travel insurance if you’re considering anything exciting.
SmartTraveller says you should also know that the safety of tour operators is not always up to Australian standards, especially for adventure sports such as scuba diving or kayaking. Always use safety equipment such as lifejackets or seatbelts, even if the locals don’t. If there is not enough safety equipment to go around and you have missed out, do not continue with the activity – use your travel insurance coverage and cancel the activity or that part of your tour. You can always find another kayak shop or tour provider in Fiji.
Our CANSTAR database shows that people who compare travel insurance on our website most often search for cover to ride a motorcycle, scooter, or jet ski (17%); snow sports and skiing (16.5%); water sports (16%); and rock climbing (7%).
Oh, and just remember – there’s a big difference between adventure-seeking activities and deliberately putting yourself in risky situations. Enjoy the local flavours responsibly. Your travel insurance provider may not cover you in full or at all if you were drunk or under the influence of drugs at the time of an incident, or if you deliberately chose to ignore safety signs and instructions when participating in an activity.
Personal legal liability and the laws in Fiji. Travellers to Fiji are subject to all local laws, including laws that may seem strange or unreasonably harsh by Australian standards. For example, a prison sentence can be given for possession of any amount of illicit drugs, or for drinking or being under the influence of alcohol in an airport or on an airplane.
If you are arrested, the Australian Embassy will do what it can to arrange a lawyer and/or an interpreter, but they cannot get you out of jail, and court cases in Fiji can last for years, meaning you remain in a Fijian jail for years. This is why it’s so important to read up on the local laws before you leave, and so important to have travel insurance to cover the cost of said lawyer and/or interpreter.
Compare Fiji Travel Money Cards
Other local customs you should be aware of in Fiji are:
The dress code in Fiji is very conservative. Tourists should take care to dress modestly to avoid offending others.
Homosexuality is not illegal but it is not an accepted practice in the region. LGBTI travellers should take special care not to offend.
Open displays of affection (PDA, kissing, etc.) can cause offense, especially in rural communities
Can I get travel insurance for Fiji that covers my kids as well?
When travelling as a family you want to be sure that every family member is covered by your travel insurance policy. Most travel insurance providers offer different plans for families that are priced for a family of 4 but can be offered to larger families at no additional cost.
What does Fiji Travel Insurance cost?
Travel insurance is definitely a “must-have” travel essential when you’re travelling to a developing nation like Fiji. Compared to the cost of your flights, accommodation, and any tours or activities you choose to do, your travel insurance premium is a minor cost. If you’re on a tight budget you might wonder whether it’s worth it, but the real question is whether you could afford a flight in the tens of thousands of dollars if you needed an emergency medical evacuation/repatriation back to Australia.
To give you an idea of what travel insurance premiums cost for Fiji, we’ve crunched the numbers on 225 international travel insurance policies from 75 providers. The tables below show the minimum, maximum, and average travel insurance premiums you would pay on a 10-day or 21-day trip to Fiji.
All premiums below are based on the premium data collected for CANSTAR’s 2016 Travel Insurance Star Ratings. Premiums have been rounded to the nearest dollar.
For singles – 10 day premiums and 21 day premiums:
10 day
21 day
Min
$26
$37.50
Average
$72
$103
Max
$217
$294
For couples – 10 day premiums and 21 day premiums:
10 day
21 day
Min
$47
$67
Average
$136
$197
Max
$412
$559
For families – 10 day premiums and 21 day premiums:
10 day
21 day
Min
$52
$67
Average
$141
$203
Max
$434
$560
For senior singles – 10 day premiums and 21 day premiums:
10 day
21 day
Min
$65
$86
Average
$195
$288
Max
$608
$823
For senior couples – 10 day premiums and 21 day premiums:
10 day
21 day
Min
$116
$166
Average
$345
$507
Max
$1,154
$1,564
What does Fiji travel insurance cover?
Travel insurance for Fiji will cover medical expenses you might have while travelling; expenses to replace lost luggage and other personal belongings, including your passport if it is lost, stolen, or damaged; and expenses if you have unexpected travel delays or cancellations. Travel insurance can’t prevent things from going wrong but if something does go wrong, insurance means your budget will recover after your trip.
It’s not all about price, remember. At a minimum, you should expect to find the following cover in a standard international travel insurance policy for Fiji:
Medical or dental emergency – Hospital admission, emergency care and medical evacuation.
Repatriation – If tragedy strikes while you are away, repatriation covers the cost of flying your body and belongings back home to Australia. Some travel funds also include a separate sum for funeral expenses.
Lost or stolen luggage, passport or other items – Replacing luggage and travel documents is the most common claim for travel insurance.
Cancelling your trip unexpectedly – Cancellation fees if you have to cancel your trip due to illness, accident, holiday leave being revoked, or a natural disaster at home or at your intended destination.
Legal liability – If you break a local law and need a lawyer/interpreter.
Canstar’s research shows you get what you pay for. Policies with a 3- to 5-star rating tend to cover most things, whereas 1- and 2-star policies have various exclusions, even sometimes for accidental death.
The bottom line is to compare travel insurance and check the fine print carefully to make sure you’re covered for the things that matter to you. A policy that falls short will not help your wallet much if you do have to make a claim.
Compare Fiji Travel Money Cards
Risks in Fiji
The government’s SmartTraveller website says travellers to Fiji should “Exercise normal safety precautions” but adds “Conditions can change suddenly”. Subscribe to updates to hear about any changes while you’re planning and preparing for an upcoming trip.
What health risks are there in Fiji?
Zika virus. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are advised not to travel to Fiji, because Zika outbreaks have been reported in Fiji (WHO). Zika virus has been shown to cause the risk of birth defects in babies born to women who were infected with Zika while pregnant.
Mosquito-borne diseases. Outbreaks of endemic mosquito-borne illnesses such as the debilitating Dengue Fever and Malaria are common. The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises that to avoid mosquito bites, travellers should use insect repellent containing DEET, IR3535 or icaridin, wear long-sleeved shirts and long-pants in light colours, and closing windows and doors at night or sleeping under a mosquito net. Seek medical advice immediately if you get a fever.
It is recommended that you see your GP at least 8 weeks before you leave Australia to get a check-up, have the necessary vaccinations for Fiji, and obtain a script for an anti-malarial medication. Your GP should prescribe an anti-malarial drug such as Doxycycline, which is to be taken every day, starting from a few weeks before you leave to a few weeks after you return.
For more information see the World Health Organization’s dengue fever factsheet.
Vaccinations needed for contaminated food and water. Vaccinations needed to fight contaminated food or water for Fiji include Hepatitis A, influenza, measles, mumps, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, and typhoid. For those who expect to be sexually active, using needles, or obtaining a tattoo or other piercing, the Hepatitis B vaccine is also recommended. While some Australians may already be up-to-date on these vaccinations, many may need a booster shot.
Travellers’ diarrhoea is also common in many developing countries such as Fiji, so your GP can prescribe a script for anti-diarrhoea medications or other treatment options just in case. Standard hygiene tips for Fiji to avoid diseases and the more commonplace travellers’ diarrhoea include:
Only drink bottled water – even when brushing your teeth.
Avoid ice cubes in your drinks and food.
Only eat well-cooked food (avoid under-cooked food such as rare steaks).
Always wash your hands before and after eating.
Avoid food poisoning from naturally-occurring seafood toxins such as ciguatera, scombroid (histamine fish poisoning), and toxins in shellfish.
Kava. Many travel websites will tell you that drinking kava is a must while in Fiji, but there are some risks associated with this drink that travellers should be aware of when deciding whether to drink or not. The customary practice of sevusevu is where the head of the village presents travellers with a bowl or cup of kava or yaqona. However, kava is a narcotic drink and therefore reacts dangerously if you are taking prescription medications (including anti-depressants) or other alcoholic substances.
For more information, see the Victorian government’s factsheet on kava.
Is terrorism a threat in Fiji?
Our comparison tables show that travellers are increasingly looking for terrorism cover from their travel insurance, with 47% of visitors selecting this feature in July 2016 after the Nice terror attacks. Unfortunately in this day and age we know that terrorism is a threat throughout the world. However, Fiji is not highlighted as a particular hotspot in the SmartTraveller terrorism bulletins.
Are women safe to walk the streets in Fiji?
SmartTraveller advises that both tourists and ex-pats have been the victim of violent crimes and sexual assaults in Fiji. Most of these crimes seem to be opportunistic, with victims often being attacked in urban downtown areas at night. Be particularly careful in the downtown Suva area at night and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Is civil unrest a threat in Fiji?
The Fijian government has a chequered past, with military coups and political unrest not uncommon. Avoid any demonstrations or street rallies, and stay away from military bases or anywhere you see military activity going on.
Local authorities occasionally put checkpoints and road closures in place, and you should follow all instructions at these checkpoints, even if they seem unreasonable. Tourists can be detained in prison for minor offences, with court cases involving tourists often taking years to be processed – and Fijian prisons are not as nice as Aussie prisons.
Are there pickpockets in Fiji?
Sadly, crimes such as robbery, theft, violent assault, and home invasion do occur even in a tropical paradise like Fiji. Incidents are more common at night and in urban city areas. When walking at night, leave your valuable items in the hotel safe (e.g. jewellery or cameras), as carrying them around could make you a target for criminals.
Credit card fraud and card skimming devices are in use by some criminals in Fiji. Always cover your hand when entering your PIN into ATMs or EFTPOS machines.
Also keep your passport in a safe place at all times. Your passport is also a valuable document that can be used in identity theft crimes.
Are there natural disasters to worry about in Fiji?
Yes – travellers should be aware of the possibility of severe tropical cyclones. Cyclone season begins in early November and lasts until late April, and involves more than just severe winds and rain – you should also expect flooding, landslides, and disruptions to essential services such as electricity and water.
For example, Tropical Cyclone Winston caused widespread damage across Fiji in February 2016, destroying buildings, roads, telecommunications networks, electricity and water infrastructure, and many tourist venues.
Before you leave for your trip, keep up-to-date with the Fiji Meteorological Service about changing weather conditions in Fiji and cyclone warnings. The Fiji Ministry of Information also gives updates on approaching and current cyclones via their website and Facebook page.
If a cyclone does strike while you are in Fiji, you should identify your local shelter, follow all instructions from hotel staff and local authorities, and continue to monitor weather reports. Be aware that flights out of the country may be delayed or cancelled, and available flights are likely to fill quickly. Keep your passport and other travel documents and identification on you at all times in a safe, waterproof location.
Fiji also experiences earthquakes and tsunamis because of its position along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Fiji is also familiar with flooding, especially in downtown Nadi and along the Coral Coast. This can often cut off roads, including the roads that lead to the airport.
Risks aside, Fiji is a beautiful and relaxing country to visit. It’s well-worth a look – as long as you have insurance and you’ve made sure you know what to do if something unexpected happens.
Do Australians need to get a Visa for Fiji?
No, you don’t need a Visa to visit Fiji if you are an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident. But you will need to make sure that your passport will be valid for at least 6 months from the date you expect to return to Australia.
For more information, see the Fiji High Commission in Australia website.
When is the best time of year to visit Fiji?
Fiji has a very even climate, temperature-wise. With an average of 25°C and temperatures ranging from above 30°C to a balmy minimum of 18°C – it’s hot all year round!
Peak season is during the dry months of Fijian “winter” – May to October – so naturally this is when prices for flights, accommodation, and tours and activities are at their highest. Nevertheless, it might be worth paying top dollar to avoid the tropical storms that start in early November and last into late April. For bonus points, Fijian winter also features less humidity.
Anecdotally, we can tell you that you should definitely bring enough sunscreen to cover your trip. Sunscreen in even the tourist centres of Fiji can come in very small tubes for very laaaarge prices. If you’re not sure which Aussie sunscreen to bring with you, check out the customer satisfaction ratings of sunscreen brands on the Canstar Blue website.
How to get help in Fiji
You should always register your travel plans and your overseas contact details with DFAT before you go. This means DFAT can contact you easily in the case of an emergency, and when you’re out of touch at least your loved ones can find out whether you were travelling in the area when an emergency happened.
Don’t forget to phone your travel insurance provider straight away if someone goes wrong that you are covered for – they should have a 24/7 helpline/hotline number you can call from overseas.
If you need to complain about tourism services, you should contact the tourist service provider directly in the first instance. If they won’t fix the problem for you, you might be able to lodge a complaint with the Consumer Council of Fiji or the Fiji Tourist Police, which are both located at the Fiji Visitors Bureau in Suva (email:infodesk@fijifvb.gov.fj).
How to call the Police in Fiji
If you’ve been robbed or had something stolen, or someone has assaulted you, or some other crime has happened, contact the police emergency number.
Phone: 917
How to call the Ambulance in Fiji
If you or someone with you has a medical emergency such as a life-threatening injury or illness, phone an ambulance right away.
Phone: 911
How to get help from the Australian Embassy in Fiji
If you lose your passport and need a new one to get home, or you need help to find a lawyer, hospital, or interpreter, or you need other consular services, the Australian Embassy in Suva can help you.
Australian High Commission, Suva
Address: 37 Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva, Fiji
Telephone: +67 9 338 2211
Facsimile: +67 9 338 2065
Website: www.fiji.highcommission.gov.au
Opening hours: 8.00am – 4.30pm on weekdays (except public holidays)
See the High Commission website for more information about opening hours and temporary closures such as public holidays.
If you are unable to contact the High Commission and it is an emergency, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305, or your family can phone 1300 555 135 from within Australia.
Compare Travel Insurance Fiji
The post Travel Insurance for Fiji appeared first on Canstar.