We firmly believe that everyone should be able to explore the world safely, regardless of their gender identity and expression, or their sexual orientation. Our commitment is to care for and help protect all our travellers.
Although many countries have made great strides in ensuring rights for LGBTIQA+ people, community members can still be particularly vulnerable when travelling due to discriminatory laws, customs and social attitudes. With this in mind, you may want to consider taking out travel insurance – and our Explorer Plan has features that will allow you to explore more freely.
If you get sick or injure yourself overseas, you may be able to claim unlimited medical and dental expenses incurred overseas. Cover will not exceed 12 months from onset of illness or condition.
Only applies to Overseas Explorer Plan.
If necessary, we'll help with emergency evacuation or repatriation to bring you home.
Only applies to Overseas Explorer Plan.
With Freely, you'll get 24/7 access to medical and emergency specialists, telehealth and geo-specific safety alerts designed to keep you safe.
We've made buying travel insurance easier by bundling medical, trip and belongings cover in our single Explorer Plan. Get a quote and buy your policy in minutes.
If you need additional coverage for your trip or favourite gadgets, you can build upon the Explorer Plan by adding any of our Trip Extras.
Last-minute ski trip? Need a rental vehicle or motorcycle for the day? Embrace spontaneity and toggle on additional activity coverage for the days you need it.
We've simplified travel insurance with our bundled Explorer Plan that you can build upon with extra coverage. This way, you only pay for the coverage you need on the days you actually need it.
We provide coverage for overseas medical expenses, including hospital expenses for approvable claims. If things go really wrong, we can help with emergency repatriation or evacuation to bring you home.
Only applies to Overseas Explorer Plan
If you need to amend, delay or cancel your trip, we can help smooth out bumps in your travel plans. You can even increase your cancellation coverage in increments of $1,000 by paying additional premiums.
When things go wrong overseas, travel insurance can be the unexpected hero of your trip. Freely's Overseas Explorer Plan offers coverage for medical and dental, emergency evacuation and repatriation, trip cancellation and amendment, and lost and delayed luggage.
If you suffer an injury caused solely and directly by violent, accidental, visible and external means (as opposed to being caused by sickness or disease) that results in your death, we will pay your estate the amount (provided your death occurs within one year of the accident).
If you suffer an injury caused solely and directly by violent, accidental, visible and external means (as opposed to being caused by sickness or disease) that results in your permanent total loss of sight in one or both eyes or the loss of use of one or more limbs, we will pay you the amount shown in the Plan purchased (provided the loss occurs within one year of the accident).
If you become sick or injured while on your trip, we may provide cover for unexpected medical and hospital expenses.
If you need to pay for unexpected dental treatment during your trip, we may provide cover for emergency overseas dental expenses.
If you become sick or injured while on your trip and need emergency repatriation, we may provide cover for that.
Some existing medical conditions are automatically covered by our Explorer Plan (subject to the criteria outlined in the PDS). If your existing medical condition falls outside the criteria or isn’t on the list, we may still be able to provide cover for your condition subject to the outcome of a short medical assessment, an additional premium may apply.
If you become sick or injured while on your trip and need emergency evacuation, we may provide cover for that.
If you suffer an injury caused solely and directly by violent, accidental, visible and external means (as opposed to being caused by sickness or disease) that results in your death, if approved, we will pay your estate the amount (provided your death occurs within one year of the accident).
If you suffer an injury caused solely and directly by violent, accidental, visible and external means (as opposed to being caused by sickness or disease) that results in your permanent total loss of sight in one or both eyes or the loss of use of one or more limbs, if approved, we will pay you the amount shown in the Plan purchased (provided the loss occurs within one year of the accident).
If you need to unexpectedly amend or cancel your trip for a covered reason, we can reimburse you for the costs of your prepaid, non-refundable travel arrangements.
If you encounter unexpected accommodation and/or transport costs during your travels because of a covered event, we may provide cover for the additional expenses you incur.
If your pre-booked, prepaid transport is temporarily delayed during the journey for at least 6 hours due to an unforeseeable circumstance outside your control (including a cyber incident), we may provide cover for the related expenses you incur up to $2,000.
If you need to return to Australia while you're on your trip because of the sudden serious injury, sickness, disease, or death of your relative or business partner, we may provide cover for the cost of resuming the journey up to $2,000.
If, due to an unforeseeable circumstance outside your control, your journey would otherwise be delayed – resulting in you being unable to arrive in time to attend a wedding, funeral, 25th or 50th wedding anniversary, or a prepaid conference, music festival or sporting event that cannot be delayed due to your late arrival – we may pay for the reasonable additional cost of using alternative public transport to arrive at your destination on time.
If you become unintentionally legally liable to pay compensation for damage caused to someone, we may provide coverage of up to $3,000,000. Limits, sub-limits, conditions and exclusions apply.
If your luggage or travel documents are lost, stolen, or damaged on your trip, we can reimburse you for your items or for repairing your items. The limit per item is $750.
If your luggage is delayed by a transport provider for more than 12 hours during your trip, we can reimburse you for the costs of several personal items purchased.
We may pay you for the cost of replacing travel documents and credit cards lost or stolen on the journey. We may also pay for your legal liability arising from their illegal use. You must, however, comply with all the conditions of the issue of the document prior to and after the loss or theft.
If your cash, bank or currency notes, postal or money orders are accidentally lost or stolen on your trip, we can reimburse you for the cost of the loss.
It's easy to assume that travel insurance is only necessary for overseas holidays – but travelling domestically within Australia's borders carries many of the same risks! Freely offers coverage for all domestic travel: from the bustling hubs of Sydney and Melbourne to more regional, nature-based destinations such as Tasmania and the Gold Coast.
If you suffer an injury caused solely and directly by violent, accidental, visible and external means (as opposed to being caused by sickness or disease) that results in your death, we will pay your estate the amount (provided your death occurs within one year of the accident).
If you suffer an injury caused solely and directly by violent, accidental, visible and external means (as opposed to being caused by sickness or disease) that results in your permanent total loss of sight in one or both eyes or the loss of use of one or more limbs, we will pay you the amount shown in the Plan purchased (provided the loss occurs within one year of the accident).
If you need to unexpectedly amend or cancel your trip for a covered reason, we can reimburse you for the costs of your prepaid, non-refundable travel arrangements.
If you encounter unexpected accommodation and/or transport costs during your travels because of a covered event, we can provide cover for the additional expenses you incur.
If your pre-booked, prepaid transport is temporarily delayed during the journey for at least 6 hours due to an unforeseeable circumstance outside your control (including a cyber incident), we can provide cover for the related expenses you incur up to $2,000.
If you need to return to Australia while you're on your trip because of the sudden serious injury, sickness, disease, or death of your relative or business partner, we can provide cover for the cost of resuming the journey up to $2,000.
If, due to an unforseeable circumstance outside your control, your journey would otherwise be delayed – resulting in you being unable to arrive in time to attend a wedding, funeral, 25th or 50th wedding anniversary, or a prepaid conference, music festival or sporting event that cannot be delayed due to your late arrival – we will pay for the reasonable additional cost of using alternative public transport to arrive at your destination on time.
If you become unintentionally legally liable to pay compensation for damage caused to someone else's property or for the injury or death of someone, we may provide coverage of up to $200,000.
If your luggage or travel documents are lost, stolen, or damaged on your trip, we can reimburse you for the cost of replacing or repairing your items. The limit per item is $750.
If your luggage is delayed by a transport provider for more than 12 hours during your trip, we can reimburse you for the costs of several personal items purchased.
If your cash, bank or currency notes, postal or money orders are accidentally lost or stolen on your trip, we can reimburse you for the cost of the loss.
Build on your Explorer Plan by adding Trip Extras to get greater protection for your personal belongings, and enhanced delay and cancellation coverage. You can also toggle on Daily Boosts to get coverage for certain activities, from motorbike riding to adventure sports – and toggle them off when your plans change!
Some countries still criminalise consensual same-sex acts, activities and relationships, and/or criminalise people based on their gender identity or sexual orientation. Before booking a holiday, it’s a good idea to research the laws of the destination/s you are visiting regarding LGBTIQA+ people to ensure that you will be safe travelling in that area. If you’re looking online, the Human Dignity Trust provides information on countries that criminalise queer people, and Human Rights Watch have a guide on anti-LGBTIQA+ laws around the world.
When selecting a destination to visit as an LGBTIQA+ traveller, safety is often a huge consideration, alongside other obvious factors like adventure, culture and beauty. Here are some of our favourite LGBTIQA+-welcoming places with thriving queer scenes and progressive, inclusive legislation.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage in 2001, and its capital, Amsterdam, hosts a unique citywide Pride event every August – with fabulous celebrations taking place on boats that float across the canals. Reguliersdwarsstraat is a street you’re likely to enjoy all year ’round, with plenty of queer-friendly places to wine, dine, shop and party. Other areas popular with LGBTIQA+ visitors and residents alike include the Centre district, Zeedijk and Warmoesstraat, Amstel and Kerkstraat.
Madrid, Spain
Often described as the gay capital of Europe, Spain was the third country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage, and has plenty of queer-safe places scattered throughout, from Barcelona and Ibiza to Sitges and Granada. Madrid hosts an incredible Pride festival in June: the Fiestas del Orgullo Gay, which attracts millions of people each year. Even when the festival isn’t on, Madrid is an epic and vibrant city to explore, with lots of nightlife that caters to LGBTIQA+ people – especially in the ‘gaybourhood’ of Chueca.
Valletta, Malta
Malta has come a long way from once being one of Europe’s most religious countries, and in the past few years has passed some of the most progressive LGBTIQA+ laws in the world. For instance, in 2016, it became the first country in Europe to ban gay conversion therapy, and in 2017, the Chief of Equality and Non-Discrimination at the United Nations Human Rights Office deemed it “the gold standard of LGBTQI reforms”. Though the capital Valletta is a small city with a population of just 6,000 people, it boasts an array of queer-friendly establishments for LGBTIQA+ travellers!
While we aim to provide comprehensive coverage, it's important to be aware of some exceptions in your travel insurance. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) that applies to your chosen type of policy. And if you have questions, get in touch with us.
• Illegal activities: Our coverage does not extend to any illegal activities.
• Coverage may not apply if you exceed the specified limits for alcohol. Our policies do not provide any cover for claims which in any way relate to the ingestion of any non-prescription drug or substance.
• Non-emergency treatment: Remember, our insurance is designed for travel emergencies; it doesn't cover non-urgent treatments that can wait until you return home.
• Ongoing treatment at home: Ongoing medical treatment in your home country is typically not covered.
• Unattended belongings: Personal belongings left unattended in public areas, such as beaches, may not be covered.
• Reporting incidents: To avoid claim denial, be sure to report theft or loss within 24 hours to the appropriate authority.
Please also note that our domestic policies do not cover medical expenses incurred during your trip.
Here are some helpful tips to consider ...
Head to Australian Government website Smart Traveller to read the travel advice for all the destinations you plan to visit. The site is updated regularly with information about natural disasters, political unrest and other crises that may impact travellers. You can also subscribe to keep up-to-date with any changes.
Wrap your head around the customs and laws of the destinations you are visiting. Make sure you stay within the local law – even if you disagree with it. Depending where you are, authorities might ignore crimes that target LGBTIQA+ people, or may even be discriminatory against you themselves. Horrifyingly, reporting a crime against you in some places.
If the name and photo in your passport are different to how you present, you could have trouble at international borders. If you can, update your passport with your current name, photo and gender identity before you leave home.
