Travel Insurance for Over 70's

[MEL_Traveller]

Do you have more info or experience on skiing related claims?

As a non-skier myself I could have made that up! TBH I haven't looked for skiing. It is a fairly comprehensive policy, so it may cover that.

 

[ayebee]

As a non-skier myself I could have made that up! TBH I haven't looked for skiing. It is a fairly comprehensive policy, so it may cover that.

That's a relief.
If you look at the GoPro site, where the loonies post their most recent cliff jump, you might get the impression that skiing is dangerous.
However, cruising the groomers in search of the best place for lunch is pretty pedestrian.

 

[ayebee]

Afterthought ...
One aspect of CC insurance is the lack of documentation / certificate you can take with you in case you need to show coverage. For example, getting medical attention in USA, or that some tours want to see.
Any strategies for that ?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Afterthought ...
One aspect of CC insurance is the lack of documentation / certificate you can take with you in case you need to show coverage. For example, getting medical attention in USA, or that some tours want to see.
Any strategies for that ?

I have seen a couple of policies where they can issue you with a certificate of cover. ANZ calls it a 'letter of eligibility' - page 6 of the PDS.

https://www.anz.com.au/content/dam/anzcomau/documents/pdf/premium-cards-insurances.pdf

 

[philelltt]

We used to have the ANZ platinum credit card until my partner turned 80 a while ago. That was quite good, but as mentioned,the travel insurance is only valid until the day before you turn 81... and that's but a memory for us now.

A few years ago, I saw the Bankwest no-annual fee platinum Mastercard credit card. There is no upper age limit for the travel insurance. We have to show that we've spent $500 beforehand for the overseas trip using the credit card. Naturally there is a long list of medical exclusions, so you need to watch that carefully.

However, getting the credit cards at our age wasn't easy. It took a lot of paperwork to prove our dividend income for a number of years.Eventually we were each given the no-fee platinum Master cards. One of us has a $6,000 credit limit and the other a $8,000 credit limit. This is less than we used to enjoy with the ANZ card.


A nice bonus is that there is no currency conversion fee when using the cards overseas. This puts a smile on our faces.

So far , touch wood, we've not had a medical emergency. However we mostly tend to travel to countries which have reciprocal agreements with Australia (Italy, Malta and a range of others). There is no age limit attached to those agreements.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for this philelltt - I'll look into this for my folks!

 

[CMA222]

Afterthought ...
One aspect of CC insurance is the lack of documentation / certificate you can take with you in case you need to show coverage. For example, getting medical attention in USA, or that some tours want to see.
Any strategies for that ?

CBA CC insurance is through Allianz Insurance and immediately after you register your trip and complete the on-line application you receive a copy of a 'Certificate of Insurance' summarising the cover for the trip and setting out all contact numbers for urgent matters and for claims. Also attached is a full copy of the applicable PDS so it can all be carried on your phone or computer. I have made two claims for cancelled flights that involved additional accommodation, meal and local travel expenses and they were settled in full without any delay once I emailed copies of receipts and proof of the delay. Medical coverage is consistent with most standard travel policies.

 

[tgh]

I have banged on a bit in the past about my experience, but in summary the woolies card was a complete failure when I really needed help.
Others may have had better outcomes . but once bitten twice shy.

 

[COTA Travel Insurance]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Tim and I work at COTA Insurance which is a not-for-profit organisation that provides a range of insurance products - including Travel Insurance - that have been tailored for Seniors.


I wanted to highlight a few pitfalls and broadly address a few points that have been raised in relation to cover for international trips. Specifically, on two key areas, Reciprocal Health Agreements and Credit Card Insurance.

Firstly, with regard to Reciprocal Health Agreements (RHA). While there are 11 countries that currently have an RHA, a key fact is that not all countries have the same benefits. Therefore, it pays to check with the official Australian government source regarding what may be applicable based on your travel destinations.

www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/reciprocal-health-care-agreements

A few quick examples to illustrate this include:

New Zealand - Does not cover:

· Care from a GP or other primary care

· The full cost of medicines a GP prescribes – you’ll pay part of the cost of these

· Ambulance travel

United Kingdom - Does not cover:

· Non-subsidised medical from pharmacies

· Prescription medicines if you’re not a National Health System (NHS) patient

· Any dental services

· No free cover for attending a GP

In fact, there are an even broader range of coverage elements that are not part of RHA’s, such as medical evacuation/repatriation, funerals and additional costs for changes or cancellation to existing travel arrangements (such as your flight home).

Perhaps all best summarized by the Australian Government Smartraveller website www.smartraveller.gov.au which states:

“Reciprocal health care agreements provide health care in some circumstances, but will not cover all health care needs. They do not replace the need for travel insurance. Obtaining appropriate travel insurance before you go overseas will help you and your family avoid a financial burden if things go wrong.


Secondly, a few questions to consider when utilizing free Credit Card Insurance, which go beyond the obvious step of reading of the terms and conditions to decide if the product is right for your needs:

· What are the contact details for emergency assistance in case something does go wrong?

· How can you obtain a copy of the policy wording and Certificate of Insurance including your policy number?

· Who is the underwriter of the policy?

· Are there any age restrictions?

· Does it cover Domestic trips?

· What excess applies to claims and does it vary depending on the type of claim?

· Are existing medical conditions covered – and if so to what extend and does an (additional) excess apply?

· Who is covered by the credit card policy?

· Is there coverage if a partner or traveling companion has an existing medical condition that results in a claim?

· Is there coverage if a relative in Australia falls seriously ill or dies (and does an age limit apply to the relative)?

· Are there terms and condition for activation of the cover?

· Does the coverage for cancellation only include what has been paid for on the credit card?


Regardless of whether you choose to rely on a RHA, use free Credit Card Insurance or purchase a Travel Insurance policy; Get the information that is relevant to you and if considering travel insurance, as Matt says in his article – “read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)” to understand what is covered as well as the terms and conditions that may apply.

Hopefully this information, while general in nature, is helpful and may provide additional insight into what can be a complex area.

Safe Travels!

Details about COTA Travel Insurance, including term and conditions, can be found on our website.

 

[JohnM]

Thanks, Tim. Very informative and good to have you aboard.

As someone all too rapidly approaching 70, yet with a predilection to travel to, let us say somewhat unusual places, I’ll scope your company.

I never really trust CC insurance.

I’m travelling to Sudan in November and my usual insurer in recent times does not cover that. I’ll be interested to see if you do... .

 

[MEL_Traveller]

@ COTA... the exact same questions apply to credit card insurance as they do to paid policies. A useful list regardless of whether one is paying or using CC.

As for the reciprocal health.. note the issues you raise. But at the same time, many policies have an excess of $100-$250. Those excess may be be more than going to the doctor anyway.

Agree the additional expenses... repatriation of person/body, funeral etc... those might be necessary. But as was pointed out above, for some policies at the upper age limits there might be $2000 excesses, and limited cover anyway.

 

[ayebee]

CBA CC insurance is through Allianz Insurance and immediately after you register your trip and complete the on-line application you receive a copy of a 'Certificate of Insurance' summarising the cover for the trip and setting out all contact numbers for urgent matters and for claims. Also attached is a full copy of the applicable PDS so it can all be carried on your phone or computer. I have made two claims for cancelled flights that involved additional accommodation, meal and local travel expenses and they were settled in full without any delay once I emailed copies of receipts and proof of the delay. Medical coverage is consistent with most standard travel policies.

(belated) thanks for the info.
ANZ is also underwritten by Allianz, but last time I got in touch they weren't interested in pre-registration. They more or less said I would be fine if I had spent the qualifying amount and put in a claim if I needed. The process you describe sounds much better so you have some documentation to show providers if needed.
In my "event" in US, I managed to get past the emergency department gatekeepers without being asked for a credit card authorisation, but later on in the ward I did get a visit from the chaplain asking if I wanted to apply for charitable support. It would have been a lot simpler if I had a simple certificate from the CC insurer.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

(belated) thanks for the info.
ANZ is also underwritten by Allianz, but last time I got in touch they weren't interested in pre-registration. They more or less said I would be fine if I had spent the qualifying amount and put in a claim if I needed. The process you describe sounds much better so you have some documentation to show providers if needed.
In my "event" in US, I managed to get past the emergency department gatekeepers without being asked for a credit card authorisation, but later on in the ward I did get a visit from the chaplain asking if I wanted to apply for charitable support. It would have been a lot simpler if I had a simple certificate from the CC insurer.

As posted above, ANZ now offers a certificate of eligibility. It might be new though, i don’t recall it being there a couple years ago for example.

 

[ayebee]

As posted above, ANZ now offers a certificate of eligibility. It might be new though, i don’t recall it being there a couple years ago for example.

Thanks - missed that ...
My last contact was Feb this year. Maybe introduced with change of underwriter to Allianz. Will follow up for the next trip.

 

[serfty]

Fully endorse the ANZ credit card insurance. ANZ basic platinum card - $79 annual fee - provides comprehensive travel insurance for trips up to 6 months duration. Must activate coverage before 81st birthday (so need to book at 80 years and 364 days, travel can be up to a year after that).

Very low $250 activation, which can be on anything - including the taxes on an award ticket. Or even just a connecting flight somewhere.
...

Does this have to be actual AUD or can it be equivalent in Foreign Currency; e.g. a prepaid Hotel Room in Hong Kong, charged at, say HKD2000 (~AUD355).

I see this in the PDS:

used a participating card account before you went on
your trip to purchase at least AUD$250* in total (inclusive
of taxes and other charges) of:

• transport costs (airfares and/or cruise); and/or
• land content (tours, hire cars or other hired transport

and accommodation),

(The * references reward points)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Does this have to be actual AUD or can it be equivalent in Foreign Currency; e.g. a prepaid Hotel Room in Hong Kong, charged at, say HKD2000 (~AUD355).

I see this in the PDS: (The * references reward points)

It’s AUD250 billed to your account before departure (as you say, hotel must be pre-paid if using this, I got caught out once where it was pay on arrival).

Can also include other things such as the taxes/fees on award flights booked solely for travel outside Australia. As long as it totals AUD250 or more on the account (after currency conversion).

Because of currency conversion fees with the ANZ card I bill any AUD originating charges to $250, and then switch to 28 degrees.

 

[Major]

If you are considering Insure and go then Code "insure10" will give you 10 % discount

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As a data point I used insure4less for an 11 day trip to Europe for my folks (in their 80s). Premium was AUD170 (per person).

Pre-existing medical was compulsory but all done in real time with a series of drop-down boxes leading you through each disclosure. For example if you went to hospital for something that would open a drop-down to ask the type of procedure. Then another box with a set of questions specific to that procedure would open. Then another drop down to ask about post operative care.

Results were immediate and you go straight to the payment page. I thought it was a very fair and pragmatic assessment tool, far from being overly cautious or risk-averse.

 

[straitman]

I'm just catching up on this thread.

Yes maybe cheaper but don’t try to make a claim. Very difficult to deal with.

I recently claimed on a Covermore/CBA CC Insurance policy and it was the easiest claim I can ever recall. Sent the claim in on Monday morning and the payment was in my account Friday afternoon.

 

[straitman]

As posted above, ANZ now offers a certificate of eligibility. It might be new though, i don’t recall it being there a couple years ago for example.

Thanks - missed that ...
My last contact was Feb this year. Maybe introduced with change of underwriter to Allianz. Will follow up for the next trip.

CBA CC Insurance, as mentioned earlier, is now run by Covermore and the claim process is very quick and easy.

Also you apply for each trip individually and get a policy number with add-ons being available for cruises, skiing and other things various.

From the PDS:
"Apply for cover with our range of Upgrades if you have existing medical conditions, want to do more adventurous activities or want extras for skiing or cruising, or if you’re aged 80 or over. A premium applies."