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Single Trip|Annual Multi-Trip
› Travel Insurance
22 January, 2020 By Eugene Wylde
There’s no better feeling than escaping the daily grind; the wind in your hair, not a care on your mind. But travel is not all rest and relaxation!On the contrary, heading to new and distant regions can throw you any number of curveballs.
Not sure what travel insurance is good for? Whether you’ve taken a spill on the sidewalk, been mugged in a market or picked up an exotic disease, travel insurance can helpyou back on track quicker than you can say ‘happy holidays’.
No matter ifyou're holidaying at home or taking an overseas vacation, our comparison helps you to compare quotes from some of Australia’s most reputabletravel insurers.
Although you shouldn’t bank on the worst possible scenario, it’s hardly worth taking a gamble on your travels. So what's stopping you?Compare online to save time, worry and loads of money today!
What istravel insurance?
Trave insurance isinsurance cover for your holiday or business trip. It covers for emergencies or accidents that might happen to you or your belongings while you're overseas, as well as some emergencies where you need to get back home quickly. You can buy travel cover for both international and domestic trips.
Typically, travel insurance is bought online or through travel agents. You pay a premium upfront which covers you for the travel dates you've chosen, and is calculated based on your trip duration, your age, your destination,and for any declared pre-existingmedical conditions and add-ons you choose.
WHat does TRAVEL INSURANCE cover?
Exxy medical costs
If you buy a policy for just one reason this is it! Falling ill or being injured while travelling overseas can be extremely costly. Daily hospital costs in the USA can reach up to $10,000, while emergency transport home can easily exceed $100,000!
Disasters can strike
Disasters can strike, anywhere in the world at any time! Travel insurance covers you for lost deposits and pre-paid travel arrangements for unforeseen circ*mstances like severe weather, accidents or illness world-wide.
Your stuff is important
Loss, theft or damage to your luggage andpossessions can be a common, yet gut-wrenching experience. If your personal belongings go AWOL on holiday your policy will pay to replace or repair them. Win!
People get sued
Imagineyou are involved in an accident overseas or cause at-fault damage! Have peace of mind that your travel insurance policy will cover you for legal liability - usually up to at least $2 million. Phew!
Because family matters
You’re mid-martini when bad news breaks. Should you need to return home due to afamily emergency, you'll oftenbe covered for unforeseen events like injury or illness of a close relative.
Cruisey benefits
Travel insurance can take theload off so you can get some R&R. Many comprehensive policies include benefits for pets back home, missed port cover while cruising, and even a lump sum if you get a hole-in-one in golf.
six steps to buyingtravel insurance
There are hundreds of companies in the market from supermarket giants such as Coles and Woolworths to specialisttravel insurance brands like 1Cover, Travel Insuranz and Zoom all offering cover for Australiantravellers. So where do you start? You can jump online and compare travel cover quotes online using a comparison site like ours, go directly to the insurers, or even buy over the phone. Whichever method you decide is right for you, you still need to follow the same steps. From where you're going, to what you're going to do when you get there...we take you through the six steps to buy travel insurance.
1. Where are you going?
When quoting, some insurers ask you to select the countries you are travelling to and others ask you to choose a region. Hover our uber cool interactive map which helps you pick the right region for your trip.
AS
Asia
Generally means Asia and the India subcontinent excluding Japan.
PC
Pacific
Means the South-West Pacific including Australia, Indonesia/Bali, Fiji.
Perhaps you're taking a cruise...
Even if you’re going on a cruise in Australian waters, once your ship has left port, you’re no longer covered for hospital or medical expenses by Medicare (or your usual private health care provider). So even if you’re going on a domestic cruise you’ll need to purchase a Pacific policy.
2. How long for?
When buying travel insurance online you’ll need to enter a start date, and end date of travel. The start date should be the date that you leave home (not the date you land in your destination if you’re flying) and the return date should be the date you return from your trip. If you travel often you may save some cash by purchasing an annual multi-trip policy rather than a single trip each time you go away.
3. Who are you travelling with?
You’ll need to select the number of travellers to be included in the policy, and enter the name and date of birth of each traveller.In most cases kids are included for no additional cost within your policy as long as they’re under 21, not in full-time employment and named on your policy. Yippee!
4. What are you doing when you get there?
It’s easy to get caught out by participating in 'extreme' sports before realising you’re not covered! Quite a few sports and activities are excluded from standard policies, so it’s always a good idea to check whether your intended adrenaline activity is covered:
Activities that are usually covered:
Cycling
Kayaking
Swimming
Trekking
Recreational sports
Surfing
Zorbing
Horse riding
Activities that are sometimes covered:
Skiing
Abseiling
Rock climbing
Heli-skiing
Sailing
Bungee jumping
Scuba diving
White water rafting
Activities that are typically never covered:
Skiing off season
Base jumping
Cross country charity
Motorbiking
Motor racing
Professional sports
Running with bulls
Hunting/shooting
5. What are you taking with you?
Watch out for single item limits within your cover. If you’re taking your Louis Vuitton luggage, surfboard, DSLR camera, golf clubs, laptop, or even your wedding rings you should make sure your policy covers for these high-value items. You can increase the amount you are covered for by paying an additional premium. The average comprehensive travel policy generally limits individual items to between $500 and $3000.
6. Do you have any medical conditions?
Travel insurance exists to cover the unforeseen, not medical conditions you’re already aware of. Medical conditions that exist prior to purchasing your policy may not be covered.Whether you’ve broken your arm, undergone hip replacement surgery, or suffered a bout of bronchitis, you’ll need to disclose any injuries, illnesses and major procedures to your insurer. Depending upon your condition, you might have to fill out a medical declaration signed by your doctor and have it assessed by the travel insurance company before you buy your policy.Pre-existing medical conditions apply to everyone listed on the certificate of insurance. So, the person who buys the travel insurance policy, travelling companions, and close relatives too. In the instance of cancellation, it also applies to close relatives that aren’t necessarily travelling with you.
WHAT IS the best TRAVEL INSURAnCE?
There’s no such thing as "the best travel insurance", as there's no one size that fits all, but here’s six tips to help you find the right policy for your trip.
1. Pickthe right type of policy
Single trip policies cover you for one trip (from one day up to 18 months and can be extended from overseas).Annual multi-trip policiescover you for as many trips as you make over the course of a year (internationally anddomestically)
2. Choose your level of cover
Most insurers have 3 levels of cover to choose from: Basic (often medical cover only), mid-range andcomprehensive.You should pick the cover that best suits the type of holiday and activities you have planned. Remember that not alladventure activitiesare covered automatically.
3. Go with a reputable brand
A good way to find a decent policy is to ask friends and family who they’ve bought from before. Reading past customer reviews is an excellent way to get the inside story - there’s no sugar-coating it!
4. Shop around
Just as you might compare flight prices, you can compare insurance policies too. Travel insurance policies vary in price and benefits. A comparison website is an easy way to digest all the information in one place.
5. Be honest
Don’t tell porky pies. It’s important to be honest with your insurer when you take out a policy. If you have anypre-existing medical conditionsbe upfront about them so that you know you’re covered.
6. Buy early
If your trip is cancelled or delayed due to unforeseen circ*mstances, you’ll be covered for any pre-paid expenses. As soon as you’ve booked your holiday, travel insurance should be next on your list!
Typical exclusions - what's not covered?
Travel insurance is a must-have for any holiday, but like any type of insurance it’s important to realise there are cases where you will not be covered. Because holidays don’t always go to plan, it’s a good idea to understand your policy before you head off. Keep reading to learn the most common travel insurance exclusions. You’ll find a full list of general exclusions within your chosen Product Disclosure Statement.
Unattended Items
In a nutshell, look after your stuff! Anything you leave out of reach, that isn’t properly supervised, or isn’t safely locked away will be considered unattended and (most probably) won't be covered if you try to claim for it being lost or stolen. E.g. you wouldn’t be covered if you left your phone in the back of a taxi, or on the table in a restaurant. Luggage that is left in a storage room of a hotel once checked out is also considered unattended!
Being reckless
We know that travel is all about new and exciting experiences, but if you deliberately put your life in danger (like jumping off a cliff into the sea) you wouldn't be covered. Injuries or loss when alcohol or drugs have been involved may not be covered either. Not too many piña coladas now!
High risk activities
Hey there adrenaline junkie! Many high risk activities and extreme sports (e.g. American football, boxing, skydiving, competitive cycling , rock climbing, polo and motor sports) are not covered. Always check whether your planned activities are covered before you go jumping out of a plane (for example.)
Travel supplier financial default
Does your tour operator sound a bit dodgy ? Travel insurance does not always cover for insolvency of travel agents, tour wholesalers, tour operators or booking agents. Make sure you’re confident in the operater making your travel arrangements.
Countries With Travel Warnings
If you visit a destination or region that Smart Traveller has issued a travel warning for you would not be covered for an incident relating to that warning. This can range from natural disasters, terrorist threats and riots. Similarly, if you are heading to a natural disaster zone or region of civil unrest, you would no longer be able to purchase cover for the events taking place in the media.
Some Cancellations
Cancellation covers you for transport and accommodation expenses if you experience delays or cancellation of your travel plans because of illness, accidents, or other unforeseen circ*mstances such as a sudden natural disaster. You can’t just cancel your trip for any reason and be reimbursed. You’re won't be covered if your flight is cancelled due to a mechanical fault, overbooking or airline company closure. This is the airlines responsibility.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Some medical conditions that exist before you travel won’t be covered. But if you do have a pre-existing condition, it’s not to say that you will be travelling without any cover at all. You can still buy a policy that would cover you for all other benefits, and for any unrelated illness or injury to your pre-existing condition would of course still be covered.
Conditions that are usually covered:
Asthma
Cataracts
Diabetes
DVT
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Migraine
Osteoporosis
Conditions that may require a medical assessment:
Mental illness
Cystic fibrosis
Epilepsy
Heart problems
Lung problems
Organ transplant
Pacemakers
Stroke
Conditions that are NOT typically covered:
Blood-thinning meds
Childbirth
Alcohol or drug addiction
Elective surgery
Awaiting surgery
STD
Recent surgery
Terminal illness
Pregnancy
A few insurers consider pregnancy a pre-existing condition, so it’s sometimes trickier to get cover in the later stages. Most insurers cover until 26 weeks, but some exclude cover for pregnancy altogether. Find out who offers travel insurance while pregnant.
Unlicensed travel
Travelling in/on a vehicle that you (or the driver) are not licensed to drive is not covered. Riding a motorcycle or scooter in Thailand or Bali is a common one. Make sure you wear a helmet too!
What's the deal with claims?
From time to time holidays don’t go to plan...here's some tips to help when it comes to claiming on your travel insurance.
Read your policy docs
Understand what is covered and what is not, paying particular attention to exclusions and how to make a claim.
Have evidence
Like receipts, bank statements, photographs, photocopies or serial numbers so you can prove ownership of your belongings.
Get written proof
Get letters from your airline of flight delays & cancellations, and medical certificates for hospital stays - all written proof helps to back up your claim.
Report incidents asap!
It is vital that you report any loss, theft or damage to your insurer, the local police, transport provider, or the relevant authority within 24 hours, or asap!
Be honest
When you buy your policy and disclose any pre-existing conditions. If you lie about your medical history your insurer may deny your claim.
Know who to call
All insurers have telephone numbers to call in an emergency. It is a good idea to keep this number on you, along with your policy details.
TRAVEL INSURANCE Faqs
Have a tricky travel insurance question? Here are some of the most common querieswe get from our customers.
Which is the best travel insurance?
The best travel insurance depends entirely on you and your circ*mstances. If you're a backpacker on a strict budget, you might want a no frills medical-only policy, while if you've paid a lot in deposits or if you have pre-existing health conditions, a more comprehensive policy might work for you. Create a quote to start comparing prices and features.
How much does travel insurance cost?
How long is a piece of string! The cost of travel insurance will hugely depend on where you're going, how long you're travelling for and your age. It can also increase in price if you're taking a cruise, have high value items or are doing some action-packed activities that you need extra cover for. Pre-existing illnesses that you declare and pay to cover can also increase the cost of cover. Travel Insurance policies usually come in three different tiers; depending on your trip and the level of cover you choose will also determine the price of your premium.
What am I covered for?
Comprehensive travel insurance includes coverage for unexpected medical expenses overseas, as well as cover if your luggage is lost or stolen, cancellation and disruption benefits if you need to cancel or are delayed for unforeseen reasons, as well as public liability cover. Go to our comprehensive travel insurance guide to learn more.
Which insurers cover pre-existing illnesses?
Travel insurers usually cover a range of conditions automatically, these are things like diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, but restrictions are usually still in place. Then there are other conditions like heart disease, lung disease, cancers, surgery and more that will need to be assessed before cover can be granted. Not all insurers have medical screenings. Our guide can help you see which Australian insurers have online medical assessments.
Why should I compare travel insurance?
In short, to save time, worry and loads of money! You can spend your time visiting each insurers site individually, or you can use a comparison site like ours to compare prices and features in one handy place. The prices you see are the same as going direct as we don't add any sneaky charges. The insurers pay us a small fee for policies purchased that we refer to them.
OTHER HANDYTips & Guides
What activities are covered?
Are you a self-confessed adrenaline junkie? If you’re planning on doing some risky activities on your trip make sure you know if they’re covered, as not all of them are!
Pre-existing medical conditions
Having pre-existing medical conditions doesn't mean you can't get cover or that it has to be expensive. It simply means that you need to dig a little deeper when doing your research.
Best travel insurance
When it comes to travel insurance, finding the bestfor your holiday requires you to think about the type of trip you are going on and the level of cover you will need.
Natalie Smith
Having travelled to over 40 countries, studied tourism management and worked as a flight attendant for over three years, Natalie knows more than a thing or two about travel! She’s an adventure-lover, whose favourite trips have been trekking Machu Picchu and volunteering in an animal shelter in the Amazon. Qualified in Tier 2 General Insurance General Advice and specialising in travel insurance for the last five years, she in passionate about helping travellers get the most out of their holiday.
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