Travel Insurance for Over 70's

[MEL_Traveller]

I used to have TID annual multi-trip, but the year after a small claim they bumped the premium significantly and declined to say why. This was still pre-70yo. Since then I've used Medibank Private, the rate was much better and I get a fund member discount and they have periodic special deals. The rate for me went up when I turned 70. The total cost for myself and my wife (<70) last year was $618.80 on a $250 excess, max trip duration 30 days each.

Apply for an ANZ platinum $79 annual fee. Covers both of you, up to 80 years. Saving over $500 a year. And 6 months trip duration.

 

[redbigot]

Apply for an ANZ platinum $79 annual fee. Covers both of you, up to 80 years. Saving over $500 a year. And 6 months trip duration.

Having looked at conditions on some CC insurance offers and heard from people I know of claim issues, this sort of policy usually doesn't suit me, especially if there is a requirement to pay for much of the trip cost via the card. But I'll have another look at this one, thank you.

My existing NAB Platinum Visa Card has a similar policy, I'll look at that again too, the required spend seems to be smaller now than I remember from prior investigation some years back.

 

[Major]

Obtaining a CC after you have retired is bloody near impossible. Even if you have substantial assets you have to go through multiple hoops and they still reject your application.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Having looked at conditions on some CC insurance offers and heard from people I know of claim issues, this sort of policy usually doesn't suit me, especially if there is a requirement to pay for much of the trip cost via the card. But I'll have another look at this one, thank you.

There's been extensive discussion on other threads here on AFF - definitely read the PDS, but the ANZ policy is equal or better to any paid cover (excluding extras such as dangerous sports or skiiing). It even covers car excess.

The beauty of ANZ is the very low eligibility threshold - just $250 for any travel needs to be put on the card before you go... that could be the taxes for an award booking (yes, award bookings from any source are covered, provided you spend at least $250 on the card before you go), or a couple night's hotel, or even a domestic connecting flight in Australia or overseas.

I can appreciate some people feel they might have been burned by CC insurance, and will caution against it. but that is usually because they haven't read the PDS and terms and conditions. So they don't understand how to meet the eligibility threshold. But ANZ is very simple in that respect.

 

[tgh]

Interesting conversation , appreciating all the insights muchly.. thanks everyone.
The 30 day limit is an issue; we mostly fly a long way at least once a year and try to make it worthwhile.

 

[tgh]

Obtaining a CC after you have retired is bloody near impossible. Even if you have substantial assets you have to go through multiple hoops and they still reject your application.

I have no idea of your worth , but we have no trouble at all getting cards, been retired for 20 years.
The first time was a bit dodgy as I approached it a bit hesitantly and tried to fill out all their bloody forms
Now I just tell them I have no idea how much it costs us to live or how much we spend or anything much at all ..…...and it seems to work.

 

[Mystic]

We are both over 70 and I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has had experience with CIti bank Credit Card insurance . I think they use Alliance who allow you to claim pre existing conditions. I always declare anything medical that has even occurred 10 years ago (cardiac stent)
A example why you never travel without travel insurance.
A friend last month had a sudden illness flying to Europe and went unconscious on the plane. Drs on the plane said she had to go to a hospital immediately so the plane landed in Istanbul where she has been in intensive care , she did recover slightly but then had a massive heart attach. Last week she was finally been retrieved by a special medical evacuation team and plane from Australia and arrived in Townsville Thursday night. 1 month following the her first attach. No idea what the cost would be but a guess $100.000. Thankfully the travel insurance covered her.

 

[redbigot]

No idea what the cost would be but a guess $100.000. Thankfully the travel insurance covered her.

CC insurance or other insurance?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

CC insurance or other insurance?

The Choice report into credit card travel insurance does provide some warnings - but none regarding the failure to pay for insured events. They do not draw a distinction between the quality of cover provided by paid v CC: Travel insurance that comes with credit cards

The warnings are the necessity of a return ticket, and meeting the eligibility criteria. But most of the warnings in the Choice report don't apply to ANZ (very low activation, no need to notify, and basic pre-existing conditions automatically covered).

There are good reasons why some need paid policies - including those who might buy their tickets overseas, who want cover for dangerous activity, or a pre-existing condition that an insurer has aleady agreed to cover.

 

[redbigot]

The Choice report into credit card travel insurance does provide some warnings - but none regarding the failure to pay for insured events. They do not draw a distinction between the quality of cover provided by paid v CC: Travel insurance that comes with credit cards

The warnings are the necessity of a return ticket, and meeting the eligibility criteria. But most of the warnings in the Choice report don't apply to ANZ (very low activation, no need to notify, and basic pre-existing conditions automatically covered).

There are good reasons why some need paid policies - including those who might buy their tickets overseas, who want cover for dangerous activity, or a pre-existing condition that an insurer has aleady agreed to cover.

Thanks.
I need to check on domestic travel cover too, we do a bit of that as well as overseas. The CC insurance seems to be quite limited for domestic travel.

 

[DenaJordan]

My husband and myself have both reached the grand old age of 70 this year, and my husband has a pre-existing condition which is not automatically covered, incurring a higher premium. We have previously been insured with InsureandGo, but the premium for travel to the US this year was astronomical. We have insured instead with COTA which has lower premiums but a higher excess for claims related to his pre-existing condition. We preferred this option as in nearly 20 years of overseas travel the only claims we have ever made have been for a stolen camera and the flu.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks.
I need to check on domestic travel cover too, we do a bit of that as well as overseas. The CC insurance seems to be quite limited for domestic travel.

Domestic is a whole different issue. I think for paid policies it is a different type of policy as well for domestic... not much to cover... except perhaps for cancellation and lost luggage.

 

[redbigot]

Domestic is a whole different issue. I think for paid policies it is a different type of policy as well for domestic... not much to cover... except perhaps for cancellation and lost luggage.

My annual policy covers both international and domestic, including hire car excess, cancellation, theft etc.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

My annual policy covers both international and domestic, including hire car excess, cancellation, theft etc.

Then perhaps a separate domestic policy?

 

[Mystic]

CC insurance or other insurance?

Not sure what they had.

 

[por930]

Obtaining a CC after you have retired is bloody near impossible. Even if you have substantial assets you have to go through multiple hoops and they still reject your application.

Agree. I thought this would be an issue and retained my citicard when I "retired".

When I tried for a few cards (after I left the workforce) to get better flyer points and insurance, I was knocked back due to no salary type income. I laughed at them saying, you are nuts guys, I have a few mill in my super, the best risk ever, as I will never lose my job!
Eventually, BankWest gave in, but at a miserable low monthly amount of $10k...Three or more times a year we go overseas, with tickets always costing $12-15k each trip. I have to prepay the card before use. I am 70 next year, and the BankWest travel insurance appears great until I am 80.
My pre-existing condition (blood pressure) means on my citicard I have to pay $80 per trip to get cover. On my Bankwest card, blood pressure is considered 'common' and not reportable, hence no additional trip cost.

 

[tgh]

Agree. I thought this would be an issue and retained my citicard when I "retired".

When I tried for a few cards (after I left the workforce) to get better flyer points and insurance, I was knocked back due to no salary type income. I laughed at them saying, you are nuts guys, I have a few mill in my super, the best risk ever, as I will never lose my job!
Eventually, BankWest gave in, but at a miserable low monthly amount of $10k...Three or more times a year we go overseas, with tickets always costing $12-15k each trip. I have to prepay the card before use. I am 70 next year, and the BankWest travel insurance appears great until I am 80.
My pre-existing condition (blood pressure) means on my citicard I have to pay $80 per trip to get cover. On my Bankwest card, blood pressure is considered 'common' and not reportable, hence no additional trip cost.

I am a tad puzzled by the problems getting cards. In my pervious post I *may* have implied that I have rivers of gold to back up my applications.. that's not the case at all .. I'm just a pension drawing superannuant.
I do think it is very important not to treat these card providers with too much respect.
A strong confident , no s**t, demeanor opens many doors….

 

[drron]

I got knocked back for a Coles Mastercard with a 3K limit.But as I work when and where I like I don't have a regular income.I think they thought I spent too much money.Moi?

 

[por930]

I am a tad puzzled by the problems getting cards. In my pervious post I *may* have implied that I have rivers of gold to back up my applications.. that's not the case at all .. I'm just a pension drawing superannuant.
I do think it is very important not to treat these card providers with too much respect.
A strong confident , no s**t, demeanor opens many doors….

It is because the CC applications seem to be geared to salary incomes with regular payslips. In the end, I had to work out my Bank int, share dividends, net share trades and play the game. They were not interested in assets, purely income. I also saw some where not to keep applying and get knocked back for CC, as apparently your credit record somewhere has the knock backs noted, which makes subsequent applications more problematic.

My original CC supplier, while working, keeps asking me to raise my monthly limit from present 25k. to $35k...I suppose after some 20 years of never missing a payment means something. Just wish Citi had better CC travel insurance.

 

[ayebee]

There's been extensive discussion on other threads here on AFF - definitely read the PDS, but the ANZ policy is equal or better to any paid cover (excluding extras such as dangerous sports or skiiing). It even covers car excess.

The beauty of ANZ is the very low eligibility threshold - just $250 for any travel needs to be put on the card before you go... that could be the taxes for an award booking (yes, award bookings from any source are covered, provided you spend at least $250 on the card before you go), or a couple night's hotel, or even a domestic connecting flight in Australia or overseas.

I can appreciate some people feel they might have been burned by CC insurance, and will caution against it. but that is usually because they haven't read the PDS and terms and conditions. So they don't understand how to meet the eligibility threshold. But ANZ is very simple in that respect.

Haven't quite reached 70, but this thread is informative.

I agree with your view on the ANZ cover.
I had cause to claim on a AU$50k+ medical emergency in USA couple of years back and I had no issues with the underwriter QBE. It is now Allianz, so I hope they are just as responsive.
Your comment on skiing being an exclusion concerns me as I have previously relied on this card for several o/s skiing holidays (without claim).
The policy information document does not identify skiing as an exclusion.
Do you have more info or experience on skiing related claims?