Whether you’re travelling domestically, heading overseas, taking a cruise or setting off on a backpacking trip, there’s one thing every traveller needs to consider: travel insurance. It might not be the most exciting purchase before a trip, but it can save you a significant amount if something goes wrong before you leave or while you’re away. If you can’t afford travel insurance, you simply can’t afford to travel.
When should I buy travel insurance?
The best time to buy is as soon as you book your trip, because some levels of cover include cancellation cover, which protects you if the trip falls through due to unforeseen circumstances. Read the Policy Wording Documents so you know exactly what’s included and excluded at that level of cover. If you don’t book early, you can still buy travel insurance any time before you depart.
When travelling, what do you need to take with you in case you need to make a claim?
Take your travel insurance certificate and the relevant policy wording booklet with you. If you can’t print them, keep a record of your policy number and the emergency medical assistance and claims line numbers instead.
I am going away a few times this year, what cover should I get?
If you’re travelling several times in a year, an annual multi-trip product is worth considering, since depending on your circumstances it can be the more efficient and affordable option. Some insurance providers offer Annual Multi-Trip travel insurance across a varying range of trip durations.
I have pre-existing medical conditions, will I be covered?
Depending on your pre-existing medical condition, it may:
- Be automatically covered at no extra charge
- Require a medical loading for coverage
- Not be covered
If your condition can’t be covered, that doesn’t mean you can’t get travel insurance, it just means any claims related to that condition will be excluded.
I plan to partake in sports and activities, am I covered?
This depends entirely on the type of cover your insurer provides. Some travel insurance includes cover for over 90 sports and activities at no additional cost, including a range of hazardous activities such as bungee jumping and snorkelling. Check the Policy Wording Documents for full details of the covered sports and activities.
Will I be covered for scuba diving or trekking?
This depends on the insurer again. With some providers, scuba diving is covered at no extra charge in all international travel insurance policies, provided you’re a qualified diver, diving less than 30 metres, and not diving alone. If you’re not a qualified scuba diver but you’re diving with an instructor, you’re still covered provided you dive no deeper than 30 metres.
Some insurance providers also provide medical expense cover for trekking up to a maximum of 5000 metres. Between 3000 and 5000 metres, though, you must be participating in the trek with a commercial operator, which is available to the general public. When you’re buying travel insurance, make sure you consider the finer details of your activities and check exactly what is covered.
Why should I get winter sports add-on cover?
Winter sports carry risks that are unique to this type of activity, such as stolen ski equipment, lift passes, piste closures and more. In addition, if you get hurt while skiing, this add-on will cover the associated medical costs.
What if I am backpacking?
If you’re backpacking, make sure your cover actually matches that type of holiday. Some insurance providers offer Backpacker travel insurance for the spontaneous and adventurous traveller. This option has up to 18 months of continuous and comprehensive cover and provides coverage for some high-risk activities, like cascading, paragliding, skydiving and more.
There’s no such thing as a dumb question when you’re buying travel insurance. Make sure you understand what you’re getting and that it matches your destination and planned activities, and don’t be afraid to talk it through with your insurance company of choice before purchasing.
Having the right insurance coverage is important for a safe and enjoyable hike in Australia too. It can protect you from unexpected medical expenses, including ambulance costs associated with search and rescue operations. For a comprehensive guide on Bush Search and Rescue (BSAR) services in Australia, and the potential costs involved in medical extraction, see my post about Bush search and rescue (BSAR) in Australia.
