It often sits at the bottom of the to-do list when planning an overseas holiday.
But in reality, having comprehensive travel insurance cover in place before you depart is just as important as having a valid passport and your entry visas in order. It’s designed to safeguard you against financial loss resulting from unforeseen circumstances while travelling. In this guide to comprehensive travel insurance, we explore why every traveller should obtain appropriate cover as part of their trip preparation.
What is comprehensive travel insurance?
Broadly speaking, a comprehensive policy like this travel insurance for Australia provides protection against a range of unexpected events that could cause you to incur extra cost during your holiday. Travel provider cancellations, interruptions and delays, medical expenses, and lost or stolen luggage will all have a negative impact on you financially. In some situations, such as the need for surgery or repatriation for medical treatment, the cost could be very significant.
It’s important to remember that in the event of a problem while travelling, you will be solely responsible for resolving it financially. The Australian and New Zealand governments do not provide monetary assistance for stranded or ill citizens, and they both recommend having comprehensive travel insurance. It can reduce the cost of dealing with many of the most common issues faced by travellers, and provides valuable peace of mind as part of the deal.
Cover for medical costs
It’s a fact: many countries don’t have the same level of universal healthcare that Australians and New Zealanders enjoy. In some of the world’s most popular destinations, if you fall ill, you will be required to pay for medical treatment up front and in full — which could be very costly depending on the severity of the situation. Comprehensive travel insurance generally provides cover for out-of-pocket medical expenses (including those relating to a pre-existing medical issue if an additional premium is paid). This coverage can help cover the cost of doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency surgery, and in the most extreme situations — repatriation back home.
Cover for travel disruptions
Travel in the modern world is a complex business and there are endless ways that things can go wrong — most of which are outside your control. Comprehensive travel insurance can generally cover you for costs incurred due to a disruption to your arrangements, including flight delays and cancellations (and subsequent missed connections). It may also cover expenses related to the rebooking of flights, accommodation, tours, and other pre-paid components of your trip.
Cover for lost luggage and valuables
The loss of your luggage and valuables while on holiday is calamitous, but knowing you have comprehensive travel insurance in place can lessen the pain. You can tailor your cover to include lost luggage, along with theft or damage to valuables such as phones, cameras, and laptops. Be sure to check the PDS (product disclosure statement) from your insurer to confirm what documentation will be needed to substantiate a claim (which will likely include written airline and/or police reports)
24/7 Assistance
Imagine if something serious did go wrong while travelling in a foreign country and you had no local language skills. Who would you reach out to for help? The ultimate peace of mind is to have an expert on call back home, so look for a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes 24/7 phone and email-based assistance. It will prove invaluable in the event of an emergency, and will ensure you get the help you need quickly and efficiently.
Customisation of your policy
Every traveller is different and comprehensive travel insurance can be tailored to meet your particular requirements. You may want cover for extreme sports, adventure activities, or pre-existing medical conditions, or be looking for a policy specific to the destination you’re visiting — for example, travel insurance for Fiji. Alternatively, you may want to save money by not paying for inclusions that aren’t applicable to you. Search for a provider who offers the ability to customise your cover, so that you can choose the level of protection that best suits your needs and budget.
Travel Insurance for Australia & New Zealand
With its stunning beaches, lively cities, and infinite opportunities for adventure, Australia is a popular destination for international travellers. Comprehensive travel insurance is essential for any trip ‘down under’, as the cost of hospital treatment can quickly add-up for non-citizens. Comprehensive travel insurance can cover medical expenses, lost or stolen luggage, and costs arising from the disruption of your travel plans.
New Zealand is another destination that’s extremely popular with international travellers. While the reciprocal health care agreement between New Zealand and Australia provides some medical protection for travellers from across the Tasman, it doesn’t cover every eventuality. Citizens from other nations will be required to fund their own treatment in full, making comprehensive travel insurance a necessity. Having adequate cover in place means you can focus on enjoying your holiday, rather than worrying about the possibility of things going amiss.
Know what you are and aren’t covered for
And finally, once you’ve settled on a policy, make a point of studying the PDS from cover to cover. Yes, it may be a dry read, but knowing exactly what you’re covered for and how to make a claim if the need arises are paramount. It’s all right there in black and white!
This post was published thanks to Travel Insurance.
The information contained in this story is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice in any way. We make every effort to ensure this content is accurate, but we do not guarantee it. You should do your own research and seek the advice of professionals before acting or relying on any of the information provided in this story.
Additional images: Depositphotos, Bigstock, and Envato
About the writer
Adam Ford is editor of Top Oz Tours & Travel Ideas, and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He loves to experience everything a new destination has to offer and is equally at home in a five-star Palazzo in Pisa or a home-stay in Hanoi.
