Roaming to Rome?

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR ITALY

Whether you're hiking the wildflower-covered hills of Umbria, taking in the romance and splendor of Venice, or exploring the famed fashion houses of Milan, Italy really does have something for everyone. Scroll on down for our handy guide to one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations. Zoom's Italy 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!

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 Italian travel disruptions in a flash with Zoom travel cover. We keep things zippy!

cruise cover

SAILING COVER

Sailing around Italy is covered up to 10 nautical miles from land. If you want to go up to 15 nautical miles from land, we've got you covered with our Sports and Activities add on.

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 Europe? Save your euros with all dependant bambinos under 19 included under your policy at no additional cost.

Car Hire Excess

rental car excess

Cruising up the Amalfi Coast? 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.

ITALY QUICK GUIDE

Stretching from the heart of the Mediterranean Sea to the scenic Alps, Italy is a melting pot of culture. Known for its art and architecture, with the rich legacy of the Roman Empire and Renaissance alive and well, it is easy to see why over 50 million tourists visit Italy every year. 

Go on, zoom to Italy and experience it for yourself!

No matter which kind of Italian 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 ITALY

Aussies and Kiwis visiting Italy score up to 90 days visa free before you either need to apply for one, or leave the Schengen Area. If you leave the area for 180 days, you can come back for another 90 visa-free days. Too easy! 

While you might not need a visa, you do need to have:

- A passport with at least six months validity on entry
- Proof of sufficient funds in the form of a bank statement or cash
- Return airline tickets/proof of onward travel
- Documents showing proof of purpose of trip
- All documents and visas required for the next destination, if applicable 

These rules can change quickly. Contact your nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate before you travel for the most up to date information.

ARRIVAL

If you're flying from Australia and New Zealand, you're looking at a minimum of a day's travel, with stopovers or layovers for connecting flights all over the world.  

Travelling to Italy from elsewhere in Europe can be a delightful way to see the country. Consider a Eurail Pass - they can be configured for unlimited single country, bordering or multi-national rail travel, and domestic rail as well. While you will have to book in advance for popular high-speed rail routes, they can save a huge amount of incovenience in places where there may be language barriers. 

For those seeking a luxury experience, the Orient Express - made world famous by Agatha Christie - runs from London to Venice with around 30 hours travelling time. 

GETTING AROUND

The railway system is good and inexpensive - although train worker strikes can be very common. The state-owned Trenitalia has high-speed options (La Frecce) and slower (Regionale) options. While you will need to book La Frecce a few months in advance if you're heading over during peak season, Regionale trains book out much less frequently, or don't have a reservations system at all. These can be booked in conjuction with the Eurail system.

Renting a car is a great way to see parts of Italy you'd otherwise miss, but be aware that petrol and insurance can be more than at home. Some hire companies will require you to have an International Drivers Permit; anyone with a valid Australian or New Zealand driver's license can apply for one from their local road authority.

Italy also has some 4000km of coastline, so don't be afraid to check out ferry routes around the mainland and to Corsica and Sicily. 

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Summer is peak tourist season in Italy, with locals also going on holiday throughout August. While nothing beats an Italian summer, if you're keen to avoid the crowds, consider mid to late spring (April and May) or early autumn (September).

Unlike the competitiveness of many European ski resorts, Italian resorts such as Cortina d'Ampezzo and Cervinia are perfect for those skiers looking for a more chilled-out winter sport experience. 

WHERE TO GO

While there are plenty of Roman archeological sites that are familiar to tourists, history buffs should check out the places that even the Romans thought were ancient. 500 years before the Romans, the Etruscans were building cities, burying their dead and making millenia-spanning art. Visit Chiusi, Cosa and Tarquinia for some of the most splendid examples.

The world-famous (and still active!) Mount Vesuvius is a fairly gentle climb to the crater, with incredible views of Naples and the surrounding cities. Make it a day trip and visit Pompeii and Herculaneum, the two cities buried under Vesuvius' 79AD eruption. 

Want to holiday where the Italians holiday? Don't miss out on Puglia, in Italy's south west. A gateway to the Agean, and arguably Italy's food basket, the region produces almost half of Italy's olive oil, and is home to ancient fortified towns, fresh, full-flavoured cuisine and stunning beaches. With Arab, Roman, Greek and Byzantine influences, it's hard not to fall in love with the mix of weird and wonderful architecture alongside stunning natural landscapes. 

While you probably know about Vatican City, you probably don't know that Italy has a second land-locked state within its borders - San Marino. With breathtaking emerald hills that are perfect for hikers, San Marino is home to the enigmatic Castello della Guaita in San Marino - an 11th century castle and Museum of Ancient Weapons that sits on one of the country's highest peaks.

MUST KNOW TIPS

It's not enough to have a ticket for the train or bus - you also have to get it validated. Most tickets aren't time or date specific, so an unvalidated ticket could be used again and again. Unvalidated tickets can result in fines up to 10 times the cost of the ticket!

While changing because of tourists, it's still rare to hail a cab on the street. In Italy, you need to call for one, or go to the taxi stand.

Eat as the Italians eat - that means no cappuccinos after breakfast, and don't skip lunch expecting to grab a bite at 3 - many restaurants shut from after lunch until dinner time. And be prepared for a later dinner than at home - most places don't open til at least 7pm, and if you're eating with local friends, you might not meet until 8:30!

Restaurant and service culture is a little different in Italy - don't be the foreigner who asks for modifications to the menu (especially if you can't speak the language). Instead, if you have a dietary requirement, let your server know and they may recommend the right dish for you.

ZOOMING ELSEWHERE?

Are you planning to zoom somewhere else on your holidays? Whether you're going to Greece or seeing Singapore, we've got plenty of helpful advice on other popular travel destinations to check out. What are you waiting for? Zoom to it!
 

ITALY TRAVEL INSURANCE FAQs

Got some curly questions in regards to your Italy 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 Italy?
  • 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!

  • Am I covered to ride a vespa in Italy?
  • Yes, with Zoom, you're covered to ride a motorbike or vespa of any engine size provided you are licensed to do so in Australia. If you do not have a valid motorbike license then you can only ride a bike of 50cc using your Australian drivers license. You must also be wearing a helmet at all times. View more information on travel insurance and riding a motorike overseas.

  • Am I covered for sailing around Italy?
  • Yes, provided you are not more than 10 nautical miles off any land mass, you can rest easy knowing that coverage for sailing is included. If you're wanting to sail up to 11-15 nautical miles off the land, you can purchase our Sports and Activities Cover add-on, provided you're not racing! 

  • What happens if I need medical assistance in Italy?
  • Have complete peace of mind on your Italian adventure. 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 too many vinos 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 Italy?
  • 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.