Credits or refunds on unused travel insurance

[troels]

I'm an annual policy holder and had a trip booked for March. I requested a cancellation via their online form in March and had nothing except an email saying "sorry for taking so long" about 7 weeks ago. Now its almost June and still nothing.

 

[willclan]

I'd prefer cash as well, but TID isn't offering that as an option - I'll be happy to at least get a credit approved, considering I didn't think I'd be eligible for anything at all.

You need to state IN WRITING that you will not claim on the policy to get a refund. If you have taken out the policy PRE COVID, then I think you have a good case under Consumer Law, keep fighting.

 

[Jurahn]

You need to state IN WRITING that you will not claim on the policy to get a refund. If you have taken out the policy PRE COVID, then I think you have a good case under Consumer Law, keep fighting.

You're probably correct, however the policy wasn't very expensive and TBH I would quite likely use the credit for a trip either later this year or early next year (going to visit my elderly father in NSW as soon as it's safe to do so). I had to state on the claim form I've submitted that I would not make any claims under the policy. I've already had to go through a lot of rigmarole to (successfully) claim refunds for all my accommodation and airfares, and given the $ value of the policy, I'd be OK to let this go through as a credit, assuming it's approved.

 

[awaywithfairies]

Thanks for the tip. I was supposed to be leaving on a 3 day cruise on 5 June and am insured with TID. I've just submitted a cancellation request. Will see what the outcome is.

I've just received a reply from TID. Apparently I am not eligible for a refund as my policy's cooling off period has expired. But they have offered me credit for a new policy to be used before 30 June 2021.

I probably would have preferred a refund but at least I have 13 months to use the credit.

 

[woodborer]

You need to state IN WRITING that you will not claim on the policy to get a refund. If you have taken out the policy PRE COVID, then I think you have a good case under Consumer Law, keep fighting.

I don't think there is anything in consumer law that would compel them to provide a refund.

Some insurers (e.g. Allianz) have been providing flexible options from the get go, while others have not.

 

[nickykim]

I’m interested in knowing whether there is any information about Allianz travel insurance. I paid for an annual policy in late January and neither of my planned holidays are now going to happen. It would be great if there was an opportunity for a credit or an extension equivalent to the period of travel bans...

 

[woodborer]

I’m interested in knowing whether there is any information about Allianz travel insurance. I paid for an annual policy in late January and neither of my planned holidays are now going to happen. It would be great if there was an opportunity for a credit or an extension equivalent to the period of travel bans...

Contact them:

Any policyholders who purchased travel insurance for trips they are no longer able to take will be provided a refund of the unused premium.

https://www.allianz.com.au/media/news/2020/allianz-support-for-policyholders-impacted-by-covid-19

 

[maia200]

I'm an annual policy holder and had a trip booked for March. I requested a cancellation via their online form in March and had nothing except an email saying "sorry for taking so long" about 7 weeks ago. Now its almost June and still nothing.

I am also an annual policyholder and requested a refund through the online portal in March and have heard nothing since. I will follow that up.

 

[PeterM]

I had 2 overseas trips booked for 2020 - a scuba diving trip in June and a European cruise trip in September. The cruise trip was insured with AAMI and the scuba trip with Covermore.
I read about the possibility of refunded and/or credited unused premiums and contacted both companies on 1.5.2020.
AAMI emailed straight back and invited me to get someone on the phone. I had no trouble getting on and was told that the company had adopted a policy of refunding premiums under the circumstances. I provided my particulars and received a full refund by EFT within a few days.
Unfortunately my experience with Covermore has been less successful - non-existant in fact. I submitted my request by email and got an auto-response saying they'd get back to me within two working days. One week later I hadn't heard anything so sent their email back to them on their regular contact email address advising that I'm keen to hear from them. Nothing. I posted them a letter. Nothing. I've tried to get them on the phone - waiting times start at 75 minutes.
Needless to say I am very happy with AAMI and extremely disappointed with Covermore for completely ignoring me.

 

[sart]

Apologies that this message not related to TID policies but instigated by Matt Grahams's post about getting travel insurance credits - I have just goat a credit (for 18 months) for an unused 1Cover Insurance Policy. Simply logged on to Policy Manager and got the credit instantly.

 

[JohnM]

Apologies that this message not related to TID policies but instigated by Matt Grahams's post about getting travel insurance credits - I have just goat a credit (for 18 months) for an unused 1Cover Insurance Policy. Simply logged on to Policy Manager and got the credit instantly.

I think the title should be changed to something like 'Credits or refunds on unused travel insurance'.

Mine referenced Columbus Direct and others have mentioned other companies.

It's a useful general thread IMO.

 

[AFF Editor]

I think the title should be changed to something like 'Credits or refunds on unused travel insurance'.

Mine referenced Columbus Direct and others have mentioned other companies.

It's a useful general thread IMO.

Done!

 

[VPS]

Interesting - my annual TI expires early July so I've emailed GTG and asked if I am able to have a partial refund. I'll let you know how I get on

 

[roryg]

I asked RACV if we could get our money back on a one-off policy purchased in September 2019 for a trip that we should be on now.

The answer was negative, as it was purchased before the coronavirus became an issue. However, we can change the dates, up to 18 months from the date of purchase.

Howeverhowever, we can claim for any losses related to the coronavirus. The only loss we have suffered so far is ... not being able to get refund on our travel insurance.

 

[PeterM]

I asked RACV if we could get our money back on a one-off policy purchased in September 2019 for a trip that we should be on now.

The answer was negative, as it was purchased before the coronavirus became an issue. However, we can change the dates, up to 18 months from the date of purchase.

Howeverhowever, we can claim for any losses related to the coronavirus. The only loss we have suffered so far is ... not being able to get refund on our travel insurance.

I got onto Cover-More‘s chat contact yesterday and after a brief discussion and my indication that I would not claim on the policy, I was assured that I’d receive a refund to my credit card in around 7 days.
I’ll post again next week.

 

[JohnM]

I got onto Cover-More‘s chat contact yesterday and after a brief discussion and my indication that I would not claim on the policy, I was assured that I’d receive a refund to my credit card in around 7 days.
I’ll post again next week.

That's good to hear. I have a Cover-More policy for a trip scheduled for Sept-Oct to Europe and Africa that I can't see is likely to go ahead.

Did they indicate a full refund, or a partial refund less admin expenses as Columbus Direct did to my other policy? (I do add that didn't mind copping a charge for their expenses. Better than being stuck with a credit that one may never use IMO.)

 

[PeterM]

I'll post a comprehensive account of my experience with Cover-More when I receive my refund, hopefully within a week or so. But a full refund was indicated as one of my three alternatives, and that was what I chose.
And, as i said in my initial post, that is what AAMI gave me - no questions asked.

 

[VPS]

So Good2go have offered me a refund of about $60 which is about 15% rebate.

 

[lindyb]

We have Qantas (NIB) Travel Insurance purchased September 2019 for a trip in September 2020 with that trip now "transferred" to September 2021. I went onto their site to see if a credit is being offered, it's not, nor can I manage my booking and the site says they are no longer offering travel insurance. So I emailed them a week ago and have just heard back from them offering the following
1. Amendment of the departure date on your policy, if you know the dates and same destination
2. Travel insurance credit for your policy. To be able to redeem this credit, you will need to purchase your new policy with us before 30 June 2021.
So not the credit I was hoping for after reading everyone else's post but still happy with what is being offered.

 

[Beano]

I believe a few insurance companies are offering a refund on unused policies but charge an "administation fee". For one I know it is $35.