Someone, somewhere once said, “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel”. You may not initially agree with that statement, but when you pause and think about it, it makes a lot of sense – especially when you consider all the things that could possibly happen while you’re away from home.
To help you choose the right cover, we’ve compiled a list of some of the common questions about travel insurance that we hear and have tried to answer them here. We hope you find this article helpful.
When should I buy travel insurance?
Put simply, before you travel! When you’re taking out a travel insurance policy, you’ll be asked to specify the dates of your travel. This means you’ll need to know that information and your destination, at the very least.
Think about taking out travel insurance once you have your flights booked. Although you specify the dates of your trip, your insurance cover can start as soon as you purchase it, which means – depending on your chosen policy – you could be covered if your flight is cancelled or rescheduled and then impacts other aspects of your trip before you leave.
Can I buy travel insurance on the day of departure?
Yes, you can. Remember to purchase it before you embark on your trip though. There are often conditions and restrictions applied if you take out a policy and you’re already overseas.
How much cover do I need?
When comparing policies and their inclusions, you’ll need to consider a few things. The cost of your trip, the cost of the belongings you will take with you, the destination you’re travelling to, and the type of trip you’re taking are all key criteria.
- Look for cancellation cover that will help cover the costs of rebooking.
- Will you have valuable or expensive items with you that you need additional protection for, such as surf boards or camera equipment?
- Healthcare in countries like the USA is expensive, so think about the level of medical cover the policy provides.
- A cruise holiday is very different to a skiing holiday, which is different to a sight-seeing holiday. The type of trip you’re taking is important when making decisions about the type of cover you need.
Is my travel insurance from my credit card enough?
Like with any insurance, you need to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) thoroughly. Often the insurance provided with a credit card has additional restrictions, such as only being covered for things you have used the card to purchase. You may not be covered for the same things you would be with a stand-alone travel insurance policy, so you should check the exclusions.
Our Visa Platinum credit cards provide travel insurance. This is activated when you pay for the full amount of your return flights or cruise using your credit card, and meet the eligibility requirements. Full details of this insurance, the insurer and the terms and conditions can be found in the information booklet.
Is travel insurance worth the added expense?
Imagine landing in a new country and having to use your holiday funds to purchase new clothes and toiletries – and that’s before you can even begin to enjoy your trip!
When travelling things can go wrong, so having sufficient travel insurance cover can offer you added peace of mind. You’ve probably worked hard and saved even harder to be able to enjoy the holiday you’ve planned for. Could you afford to cover the cost of a stolen passport? How about covering emergency dental fees if you chip a tooth while trying some delicious local delicacy?
What is multi-trip cover?
If you love jet-setting and know that you’ll be travelling overseas several times in one year, then a multi-trip policy could be the solution for you. It means you won’t need to take out a new policy every time you travel – and it may save you money depending on your trips. Win!
If you have a trip on the horizon and need travel insurance, then we may have cover to suit you. Visit our Travel Insurance page for a quote. Alternatively, speak to us in-branch or call our local Contact Centre team for further assistance.
Police & Nurses Limited (P&N Bank) ABN 69 087 651 876 AFSL 240701 acts under its own AFSL and under an agreement with the issuer Insurance Australia Limited trading as CGU Insurance ABN 11 000 016 722, AFSL 227681. Any advice provided is general advice only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs (“your personal circumstances”). Before using this advice to decide whether to purchase a product, you should consider your personal circumstances and the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations.