When you're researching travel insurance it's important not to focus on the price alone.
What's important is getting cover that's right for you. So if something does go wrong, you've got the reassurance that your policy covers you and your belongings.
Know what’s excluded: That way you’ll avoid a nasty surprise when you come to make a claim. A Product Disclosure Statement is a crucial piece of reading and can help you decide whether a travel insurance policy is right for you or not.
Don’t assume you’re covered for every activity either – check first. And if you’re off on a winter holiday but not covered to hurtle down a mountain on a snowboard for example, you may be able to get an add-on insurance package from your insurer. If not, then choose a policy where you are covered.
Get covered from the start: To make the most of the benefits of having travel insurance, take it out as soon as you know your travel dates – when you’re leaving and returning to Australia. Some credit cards include travel insurance, but make sure you meet the eligibility conditions before you go away in order to be covered.
For eligible credit cards, you must spend at least $500 in a single transaction on your prepaid travel costs and activate to ensure you receive any cover, including Overseas Medical cover#. For World Debit Mastercards, you need to activate to receive comprehensive cover. Overseas Medical cover and personal liability insurance is automatically included.
Discover more about international travel insurance included with eligible CommBank credit cards.
Be upfront about your health: You must tell the insurer of any pre-existing medical issues. Not doing so may leave you counting the cost if something goes wrong and your pre-existing medical condition is excluded from cover.
Act on travel warnings: You do yourself no favours by purposefully putting yourself in harm’s way. Getting travel insurance retrospectively after a travel warning won’t wash either. Don’t ignore a travel warning – it could invalidate your travel insurance.
Register with smartraveller to get up-to-date travel advice from around the world. Doing this also means it’s easier for the Australian government to contact you and your family in an emergency.
Insurers do make payouts, they’re not trying to catch anyone out (insurers are governed by the General Insurance Code of Practice). But you’ve got a responsibility to read the fine print.
Some things to look out for:
Exclusions vary from insurer to insurer though, the information above is only a general guide.
If you’re unclear about anything give the insurance provider a call before you purchase a policy.
Most insurance policies include a cooling-off period but why go through the hassle of cancelling when you can get it right first time?
It’s crucial to get in touch with your insurer straight away – especially for medical emergencies.
There are a few things you can do to make it easier for you and your travel insurer before you submit a claim.
1. Keep receipts of items you take with you (or evidence of ownership) so if they’re lost or stolen you know how much to claim. And keep receipts for the things you’ve had to buy as a result of an unexpected event
2. Make copies of key documents including your travel insurance certificate, car rental vehicle certificate, passport and driver’s licence. It’s worth taking photos of important belongings too
3. Don’t admit fault or liability for an accident or event, or promise to pay any money without checking with your insurer first
4. Get a police report ASAP to confirm any items that have been lost or stolen. It’s extremely difficult to get a police report for an incident that happened overseas after you return to Australia. Also check whether you need to report the loss or theft to anyone else e.g. the theft of a credit card to your bank.
Check your policy or call your insurer to avoid inadvertently invalidating your claim before you’ve even submitted it.
And give them your current contact details – it’s important you’re available to assist your insurer if they need to get in touch with you.
Knowing how to make a claim should be part of your research process. If you ever need to make a claim you want it to be straightforward and stress-free.
Times vary but give your insurer around 10-15 business days to consider your claim. Although some claims, especially medical emergencies, can be assessed on the spot.
If you have international travel insurance included with your CommBank Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Smart or Ultimate credit card, or have purchased CBA Travel Insurance, you can make a claim either:
It helps everyone involved if you’ve got everything you need to hand including your insurance policy number (it’s usually on your travel insurance certificate).
It’s also worth being aware that the Australian Government provides 24/7 consular assistance. Call +612 62613305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (in Australia) if you need their help.
When you book a holiday, consider getting travel insurance at the same time. This could save you money especially if you have to cancel your holiday for an unexpected reason.
For 24 hour travel insurance emergency assistance, call Cover-More in Australia direct and toll free on +61 2 8907 5641. You can also call from:
Charges apply if calling from a pay phone or a mobile phone.
Things you should know
This article is intended to provide general information of an educational nature only. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as financial product advice.
Insurance issued and managed by Cover-More Insurance Services Pty Ltd (AFSL 241713, ABN 95 003 114 145) on behalf of the insurer Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (AFSL 232507, ABN 13 000 296 640) for Commonwealth Bank of Australia (‘CBA’) (ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945). CBA and its related bodies corporate do not issue or guarantee this insurance. It does not represent a deposit with or liability of either CBA or any of its related bodies corporate.
#For eligible credit cards, you will need spend at least $500 in a single transaction on your prepaid travel costs (e.g. the cost of your return overseas travel ticket, prepaid accommodation, cruise, travel or tour) by charging the cost for that trip on your eligible card account before leaving Australia and activate to receive any cover, including Overseas Medical cover. You will also qualify if the $500 worth of prepaid travel costs is redeemed using CommBank Awards points. You will need to provide a copy of the letter/statement/email confirming the redemption.
Terms, conditions, exclusions, (including for pre-existing medical conditions and persons aged 80 years or over for international travel insurance included with an eligible CommBank credit card or persons aged 74 years or over for CBA Travel Insurance) limits and excesses apply. Before making a decision, refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement for full conditions at commbank.com.au.
We (CBA) do not provide any advice on this insurance based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. If you purchase or upgrade a policy, we (CBA) receive a commission which is a percentage of your premium.
