to cWe love providing helpful advice to all our friends, so it pleased us enormously when we were recently contacted by Alison Rex Paulin of Travel Insurance Direct in relation to our earlier post about Top Tips for Stress Free Travel.  The lovely Alison has now compiled for all La Maison Pacifique subscribers, friends, guests and followers her Top Tips on How to choose Travel Insurance – and you know they will be great as it comes from an Industry Professional (and a real person!)

Thanks again Alison, and read on for her/our Top Tips on how to choose Travel Insurance:

Buying travel insurance is becoming more complex in Australia as there are so many insurers to choose from.  Here are some tips to look out for when you buy.

Comparison Sites

Comparison sites are a go-to for those who are starting their search.  Be aware that comparison sites are a business, they charge a fee for companies to get “compared”, and some of them don’t see the value in that.  Consequently not every travel insurer is included in the comparison – because they’re not there, doesn’t mean they’re no good.  There are some comparison sites that will ask for your email address and contact information before providing you with a quote and that can put people off.

Travel insurance is included with many credit cards.  You will need to meet strict terms and conditions in order to activate the insurance for your holiday such as, meeting a minimum spend on your card for flights.  There may also be a high excess that can’t be reduced.  Ensure you understand the benefits of the policy and if you don’t, then contact them to find out.

When looking for travel insurance, here are some things to consider:

1. What am I covered for if I am sick or injured overseas?

If you think of the worst case scenario then trust is a big factor when considering travel insurance.  Ask yourself, do you think this company will look after you if something goes really wrong?  Is there a 24hr/emergency assistance number?  Will you be  repatriated to Australia?  Will they fly someone over to be with you?  Do you have to pay medical costs upfront?  Is the underwriter a name you recognise?

2. What’s the excess?

If you need to claim, the excess will be deducted from the final amount they pay you.  Some insurers will allow you to reduce the excess for an additional premium.  Check which benefits the excess applies to and if it’s applied to every claim or just once.  If there is a low premium, check whether there is a high excess.

3. Are my medical conditions covered?

Many insurers will cover your medical conditions which are stable and low risk such as asthma and allergies.  Some insurers consider all your medical history and some will only look at conditions you’ve had 90 days before you buy.  Existing medical conditions relate to the travellers and usually to relatives at home as well.  If you have elderly parents whose illness may mean you need to cancel your trip, then find out what you’d be covered for.

4. What’s the cover for your belongings?

If you are taking expensive gear with you, is depreciation applied when you claim or is it “new for old”? Can you pay extra to have your valuable items covered for what you paid?  Is there cover for items you have borrowed or buy on your trip?

5. What activities are you planning to do when you are away?

If you are skiing, snowboarding, sailing or surfing you will need to check whether your policy covers you while you are doing these activities.  There may be exclusions or limitations to the cover – for example, you may need to pay extra if you are skiing there may be certain conditions around the licence you need to have if you plan to ride a motorcycle or scooter.

6. Any recommendations?

The best recommendations you can get are from your friends or family who have made a claim and have had a positive experience.  Have a look on review sites, Facebook pages and social networks to see what others are saying about the insurer you want to go with.  If people have had problems with the insurer, see how the company manages it on social media.  Email the insurer a question and see if you are happy with how they respond to you and how quickly they respond.

and… don’t forget – a little research time is never wasted

Spending a bit of time researching can save you a lot if things go wrong, so if you can, don’t leave your travel insurance decision to the last minute.

Article written by Alison Rex Paulin.  Alison is the Customer Experience Manager for Travel Insurance Direct.

Happy holidays – dream about what is possible; believe you can do it; make the most of your leave; plan, book and enjoy your holiday; then dream about where you will go next!  It is your turn!

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Di Hendy
Property Consultant & Interior Designer
La Maison Pacifique
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