Complimentary credit card travel insurances - Any adequate ones?

[tdimdad]

Perhaps the property, interest rate, and "good old times" discussion would more naturally belong to the General Off Topic Discussion.

At the same time, @MEL_Traveller's example of CC insurance sounds almost like 'too good to be true'. That has been one fantastic product over time and a real sweet spot you've discovered there.

I'm lucky enough to be far from the age cut-offs and my PEMC's should still be relatively easy to clear if I want them included (in my current TI, I've excluded them for now as they are not expected to trigger any events). But one thing I always struggle with insurances is the side-by-side comparison of plans and reading the PDS's to find the right one is quite a job in itself. Thanks to everyone who've reminded of the fine print!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I don't think the ANZ policy is too dissimilar to the others. It's mostly the eligibility requirements that vary.

 

[Flyfrequently]

I don't think the ANZ_ policy is too dissimilar to the others. It's mostly the eligibility requirements that vary.

Yes agree @MEL_Traveller , it does pay to thoroughly read PDS and eligibility criteria.

Both Westpac and ANZ are with Allianz, ANZ now charge $75 fee per Pre existing pax and Westpac have remained at $45 - though have not checked since May this year.

 

[theblank]

While we talk about separate annual multi-trip TI's here, it'd be interesting to know if any of the commonly available credit cards provide TI policies which would be generally adequate to replace a separate insurance policy?

Pretty much all of them are better than Basic retail TI policies, some are as good as Premium.

If you can get a premium credit card for free, then go with that one. Commbank Smart/Ultimate is great IF you are paying airline tickets in full with the card. Not so good if using FF points.

There really is no difference between Retail Policies and Complimentary. Dont listen to anyone who tries to tell you the complimentary ones should be avoided - they usualy cant provide you with a reason. Regardless of whether you pay for a policy or not, you gotta read the PDS and assure you are covered for the events of particular interest to YOU.

For example, not all Policies provide cover to "get to an important event on time, like wedding, sport event etc"
Some pay only coughpy little amount of only $1000 for golf clubs.
Widely varying limits for rescheduling travel/flights- thats a critical one these days.
Medical is usually unlimited for all of them.

I have made 3 claims on complimentary policies in recent years (ANZ-Allianz and CBA - Covermore). In all cases I was treated like a premium client not a leper. As far as they are concerned, we are a paying customer (obviously they are not providing the insurance for free)

 

[Jleno]

using points to travel,

interestingly HSBC Premier (which uses Allianz) has the following for spend eligibility:

"before leaving Australia you spend at least $500 on your prepaid travel costs (i.e. your travel costs that you pay for before leaving Australia) and you charge these costs (e.g. cost of your return overseas travel ticket; and/or airport/departure taxes; and/or your prepaid overseas accommodation/ travel; and/or your other prepaid overseas itinerary items) to the accountholder’s card account;"

So you'd think that should cover any surcharges on points redemptions (even though they're no longer just 'taxes', but they're still 'costs').

The interesting one is what 'overseas itinerary items' covers - so if you prepay theme park tickets at your destination would that be an 'overseas itinerary'? What about prepaid dinners (eg buffets). What about prepaid movie tickets at the destination?.

I wish they had a way whereby you can input actual spend items (i.e. point to items shown on the credit card) and then receive confirmation of whether you ticked the eligibility box or not for peace of mind before travel.

 

[Cynicor]

It’s one matter to activate it while travelling on points, but another entirely to cover cancellations and refunds when on points flights. So you may need to consider both issues

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It’s one matter to activate it while travelling on points, but another entirely to cover cancellations and refunds when on points flights. So you may need to consider both issues

Yes, before travel generally refundable. Once travel has commenced you need to read the individual policies but some of them for example will calculate the points value against a normal revenue airfare and refund that to you in cash.

 

[Warragul]

Off topic again but your comment needs a response. Houses are more expensive due to the cost of land. It has nothing to do with fancy gadgets and the like. Do some research on the cost of housing (or land) compared with average income. Give me 17% rates with 1980s pricing and salaries any day.

Just to continue off topic -

In 1980ish the median house price was around 3.5 times average weekly earnings, August this year median house price was 7.4 times average weekly earnings (annualised). Lower interest rates are the thing that keeps housing something near affordable at the "lower" end.

 

[latawiec]

Just to continue off topic -

In 1980ish the median house price was around 3.5 times average weekly earnings, August this year median house price was 7.4 times average weekly earnings (annualised). Lower interest rates are the thing that keeps housing something near affordable at the "lower" end.

It is not my intention to continue this off topic.
And I like to close it by saying one again that in early 1980th houses were mostly a single story, smaller and with less equipment.
First property buyers were starting with a cheaper smaller smfh older houses away from the CBD.
We were buying properties that we can afford. You can still afford to buy property if you adopt a similar strategy.
And as a prove of the above see attached info.

Hope to end this off topic. If you want to continue than open a new thread. You can read more:

Average House Size in Australia - BuildSearch

Newly built detached average house sizes have been similar for 20 years at about 230m2. 47% of new properties are apartments reducing the average to 189.8m2

buildsearch.com.au

 

[Rich]

It is not my intention to continue this off topic.

Then don't reply with your simplistic comments.

 

[theblank]

So you'd think that should cover any surcharges on points redemptions (even though they're no longer just 'taxes', but they're still 'costs').

I can confirm Allianz is fine with that. I made a claim - payout around $3500 and they dont ask for 'proof' of prepaid expenses on the claim form, nor a copy of credit card statement (as one insurer did in the past). But the did ask for a copy of my itineray, so sent then my plane tickets paid for with Velocity points. They may or may not have ascertained the prepaid travel from that detail. It was an ANZ card, so the spend was only $250. Maybe as the qualifying amount was so small, they really didnt give a cough.

The interesting one is what 'overseas itinerary items' covers - so if you prepay theme park tickets at your destination would that be an 'overseas itinerary'? What about prepaid dinners (eg buffets). What about prepaid movie tickets at the destination?.

it says "and/or your other prepaid overseas itinerary items" and if you ask them, they will only respond by saying that if you make a claim, it will be assessed.

But, in light of the wording, i would say no to movie tickets and food, it seems to be specifically transport and accomadation costs. Its not hard to determine what falls into that category.

Hotels can be a bit of a pain though, some its not easy to pay in full up front

wish they had a way whereby you can input actual spend items (i.e. point to items shown on the credit card) and then receive confirmation of whether you ticked the eligibility box or not for peace of mind before travel.

you are asking them to make assessments on policies which might not result in claims, which would be hudge increase in the insurers operating expenses for no benefit. Not going to happen.

 

[theblank]

It’s one matter to activate it while travelling on points, but another entirely to cover cancellations and refunds when on points flights. So you may need to consider both issues

i have not yet seen a policy that doesnt provide a way to caculate the monetary value of Reward points to payout a claim.
I recall that when Alliance paid me out for a points flight I lost, i got paid way more than my value of the points < winning.

 

[Flyfrequently]

From smartraveller today:


New survey shows concerning travel insurance trends
Last updated : Wednesday, 13/12/2023

A new survey has revealed a concerning trend of uninsured travel among Australians. Many people are putting themselves at risk by travelling overseas without protection.
Quantum Market Research surveyed 1000 travellers on behalf of the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and Smartraveller. The results found that one in six Australians (16%) weren't covered by travel insurance on their last overseas trip.
Young travellers were more likely to risk not being covered. More than half (60%) of under 30s surveyed said they would consider travelling overseas without insurance in the future.
Travel insurance is as important as your passport. Travel doesn't always go to plan. An unexpected accident or illness can cost 1000s of dollars. Comprehensive travel insurance can protect you or your family from the financial burden of a trip gone wrong.
The survey also found that even among those with travel insurance, many are overconfident about their coverage and have not properly read their policy documents.
Just one in five (19%) insured travellers said they had spent time reading every detail of their product disclosure statement (PDS) before travelling.
Reading the PDS can be daunting. But it's essential to understand what your insurance does and doesn't cover. You may need to purchase add-ons to cover all your planned activities, particularly if you're doing anything adventurous. The CHOICE travel insurance buying guide has advice to help you read the fine print.
The survey found that one in seven (15%) recent travellers who went without insurance said they did so because they couldn't afford it.
And a third (34%) of travellers said they would consider travelling without insurance to save money in response to the rising cost of travel. Most (86%) travellers will find ways to keep costs down while travelling, which may increase their risk exposure.
Resist the temptation to get the cheapest option without checking that it suits your needs. The most important thing is choosing a policy that covers what you need for you and your trip. This also applies to free credit card travel insurance. Consider your unique needs and read the PDS. If it's not a match, it's not good value. Plenty of insurers have a range of travel insurance policies to choose from. Shop around.

Key survey findings​

• One in six (16%) Australians were not covered by travel insurance on their last overseas trip.
• Younger travellers (under 30) were most likely to travel without insurance (60%).
• Even among insured travellers, many are overconfident about their coverage and have not properly read their policy documents (19%).
• The rising cost of travel is prompting more Australians to travel without insurance or to take risks that may not be covered (34%).
• Most (86%) travellers will find ways to keep costs down while travelling, which may increase their risk exposure.

​

 

[straitman]

[mod hat] The Off Topic comments about housing affordability have been left in at this point HOWEVER it's time to get back to the topic. Any more baiting or OT comments and they will ALL be removed. [/mod hat]

 

[Mattg]

I was just having a read through the HSBC complimentary insurance terms and conditions. I can't see any reference to an age limit for the international travel insurance cover. Am I missing something?

HSBC Credit Card Terms and Conditions - HSBC AU

Terms and Conditions for all HSBC Credit Cards, including fees, balance transfers, rewards programs and more. Find answers to all your questions here.

www.hsbc.com.au

 

[Black Duck]

On the subject of CC insurance. I used westpac cc TI in South Korea a few years back. Allianz I think and they were very good. Managed to smash my shoulder up badly. The hospital there was good and very cheap. It was late evening (and no I hadn't been drinking - was still on my way to that). Although a fairly small city, there was an emergency centre open at the hospital for ortho type stuff 24hrs. Didn't have to wait long -got put back as best they could and said they could operate 2 days later. I wasn't sure about that as they said I would need 2 weeks in hospital. I think I actually misunderstood and they meant not fly for 2 weeks.

We contacted the TI who were very much on to it all. They wouldn't cover surgery in Korea but would get me home -guess it cost them less. She was looking for quick flights as couldn't get us back with our tickets. We were booked in J, which they didn't realise, but quickly changed plans and booked us out the next day in J on Cathay. Organised a car to Seoul, overnight at the airport then home to PER via Hong Kong. Wheel chair at airports and a car at PER which would have taken us all the way home - some 450kms - except our car was in Perth so taken to friends instead and off to hospital next morning. Really couldn't have hoped for more. The only difficult thing was we had to provide our marriage certificate as we use different surnames. Fortunately we can access our computer files from overseas so all okay.

The wheel chair attendant in Hong Kong was pretty rough though. Cathay crew were really helpful. Driver in Perth was wonderful - drove so carefully so as not to cause me any pain. Ti also covered the out of pocket expenses at the hospital in Korea - they were really very cheap.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I was just having a read through the HSBC complimentary insurance terms and conditions. I can't see any reference to an age limit for the international travel insurance cover. Am I missing something?

HSBC Credit Card Terms and Conditions - HSBC AU

Terms and Conditions for all HSBC Credit Cards, including fees, balance transfers, rewards programs and more. Find answers to all your questions here.

www.hsbc.com.au

Good pick up. I can’t seem to find an age restriction anywhere either!

 

[SYD]

Good pick up. I can’t seem to find an age restriction anywhere either!

My QF Business AMEX (not QBR) is 79 yo. So I have a few years to run.

It certainly pays to look closely at the trigger requirements. The same card has no min spend, just has to be the outbound travel, including points flights.

I just booked some flights QR J flights from CGK to Europe (return) but they don’t count. The repositioning flights are QF CRs and SYD+1 used a different AMEX to get a cash back

Although, we had been planning to take out seperate comprehensive TI. We normally have an annual, multi-trip policy in play year to year.

 

[arlene_i]

Pre-existing conditions can be covered if they are stable. There’s a $75 screening fee - all automatic now - and if they agree to cover you can pay the $75 fee. If they can’t provide cover, you pay nothing. The remainder of your insurance is valid, just you can’t claim anything related to the PE condition.

Hi! Is that $75 screening fee and an additional $$$ once PEMC cover is approved? I used my ANZ Frequent Flyer Black to book a trip for my husband and myself, and in need of cardiovascular disease cover for my husband (stable, meds only, never hospitalised) which I'm thinking of getting a separate TI for.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi! Is that $75 screening fee and an additional $$$ once PEMC cover is approved? I used my ANZ Frequent Flyer Black to book a trip for my husband and myself, and in need of cardiovascular disease cover for my husband (stable, meds only, never hospitalised) which I'm thinking of getting a separate TI for.

You go on line and do the screening test for pre-existing. That’s on the ANZ CC insurance page. Once completed it gives you the result… cover will, or won’t, granted.

If cover is granted, you are given the option to accept by paying the $75 fee. You pay nothing extra.

If you choose not to accept, or cover is not granted, you don’t pay the $75.

Once you pay the $75 they send you a certificate confirming the conditions covered.