Travel Insurance

[MEL_Traveller]

Travel insurance and reward booking.

Does TI cover you for reward bookings. For example. If your connecting flight ( example QF Syd - Mel) was severely delayed/cancelled and as a result, you couldn't make it to your international flight ( Mel - DXB) does TI cover you for the loss of points ( for the Mel-DXB). ???

(PLEASE NOTE) Syd -Mel trip is not part of the international reward booking. It is me travelling to Mel ( using a commercial airlfare) for the purpose of redeeming my reward booking

This is one you’d want to check with the TI company.

Most TI’s *don’t* cover missed connections, unless for an ‘important event’ (such as you being a keynote speaker at a conference, or your attendance at some other event is required or that event couldn’t proceed… for example a family member’s wedding).

Some TIs do cover missed connections, but they usually have restrictions… such as you must be scheduled to arrive at the connecting airport no later than when check-in opens for the inward connecting flight. So SYD-MEL-SIN and check-in for the MEL-SYD opens four hours prior to departure, you’d need a flight scheduled to arrive in MEL four hours prior to the SIN departure.

In general I’d say it would be risky if flying with separate tickets to rely on TI in this instance to cover you, unless your policy explicitly states it does, and you meet the requirements.

(Of course if all on one ticket, it’s a moot point as the carrier would protect you with an onward flight, which would negate any insurance compensation.)

 

[RooFlyer]

Does TI cover you for reward bookings.

Agree with what MT said above, but, looking more broadly than your example, the TI polices I look at do have provision for compensation for a forfeited/missed Reward journey via a formula, same as for a revenue fare.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Agree with what MT said above, but, looking more broadly than your example, the TI polices I look at do have provision for compensation for a forfeited/missed Reward journey via a formula, same as for a revenue fare.

Agree. There’s a calculation for lost points… but you’d still have to have an eligible claim.

If the TI doesn’t cover missed connections it might not cover the loss of points for the onward flight. Although it might provide cover under some other section.

 

[JayTee]

This is one you’d want to check with the TI company.

Most TI’s *don’t* cover missed connections, unless for an ‘important event’ (such as you being a keynote speaker at a conference, or your attendance at some other event is required or that event couldn’t proceed… for example a family member’s wedding).

Some TIs do cover missed connections, but they usually have restrictions… such as you must be scheduled to arrive at the connecting airport no later than when check-in opens for the inward connecting flight. So SYD-MEL-SIN and check-in for the MEL-SYD opens four hours prior to departure, you’d need a flight scheduled to arrive in MEL four hours prior to the SIN departure.

In general I’d say it would be risky if flying with separate tickets to rely on TI in this instance to cover you, unless your policy explicitly states it does, and you meet the requirements.

(Of course if all on one ticket, it’s a moot point as the carrier would protect you with an onward flight, which would negate any insurance compensation.)

Thank you. Very good info you've provided!!!!.. It just sux that there is almost zero availability on reward redemption out of Sydney, yet other states have a few leftover and therefore, we have to make our our way to that state, separate to the award booking.. Do you know what I mean? Do you have any tips/suggestions to avoid the possible missed connection ( Our local airlines are obsessed with cancelling flights and I don't want their screw up to jeopardise my big flight)

 

[TheRealTMA]

Travel insurance and reward booking.

Does TI cover you for reward bookings. For example. If your connecting flight ( example QF Syd - Mel) was severely delayed/cancelled and as a result, you couldn't make it to your international flight ( Mel - DXB) does TI cover you for the loss of points ( for the Mel-DXB). ???

(PLEASE NOTE) Syd -Mel trip is not part of the international reward booking. It is me travelling to Mel ( using a commercial airlfare) for the purpose of redeeming my reward booking

Yes it “can” but depends on the company. Read the TI T&Cs.

 

[Gold Member]

Which TI’s offer coverage for missed connections (on separate tickets) whether both paid or by using points? I‘m keen to compare them for some upcoming travel plans which would otherwise require an overnight stay and add another day to the trip.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Which TI’s offer coverage for missed connections (on separate tickets) whether both paid or by using points? I‘m keen to compare them for some upcoming travel plans which would otherwise require an overnight stay and add another day to the trip.

Insure4less used to offer it… I have an email from them in 2015 confirming missed connections. They had the requirement to be at the connecting point in advance of checkin:

As you are aware we state that you must:​

a. plan to arrive at your departure point in advance of the carrier’s earliest scheduled check-in time​

​

Dunno if they still offer if. Worldnomads was another one.

There may be one or two others that have offer it now… that’s going back a while now since I bought the Insure4less policy! But it’s not common.

Insure4less also stated a claim for the missed connection must be due to an ‘insurable’ reason (covered under the policy).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thank you. Very good info you've provided!!!!.. It just sux that there is almost zero availability on reward redemption out of Sydney, yet other states have a few leftover and therefore, we have to make our our way to that state, separate to the award booking.. Do you know what I mean? Do you have any tips/suggestions to avoid the possible missed connection ( Our local airlines are obsessed with cancelling flights and I don't want their screw up to jeopardise my big flight)

Yup.Fly the night before if you think you need to. Or early in the day for an evening departure of the connecting flight. And have a back up plan (Rex is pretty good here usually having cheap fares right up until departure.)

 

[Oscarq]

Wondering if anyone has found any travel insurance policies further to those stated in this thread? Travelling this year to USA and Europe for 70 days, youthful 60 year olds in good health (a little hypertension). Currently looking at "Insure4less" and "Southern Cross". Amex CC is good but doesn't tick all the boxes for us.

 

[VPS]

Wondering if anyone has found any travel insurance policies further to those stated in this thread? Travelling this year to USA and Europe for 70 days, youthful 60 year olds in good health (a little hypertension). Currently looking at "Insure4less" and "Southern Cross". Amex CC is good but doesn't tick all the boxes for us.

I may have posted this earlier but I used COTA for a 4 month trip to USA and Europe starting last October

 

[Oscarq]

I may have posted this earlier but I used COTA for a 4 month trip to USA and Europe starting last October

Thank you @VPS will look closely at COTA

 

[karen blancfield]

If using points you have to have paid the taxes/fees on your Amex.



It vaires by state but in some US states now you wont be covered by insurance (even if purchased from the rental car company) unless you are driving on an interantional not an Aussie license. A fairly recent chnage and I believe Florida is one state enforcing this.

Oh thanks for that heads up. I need to check that out. Any idea where that info is, specific to Florida?

 

[karen blancfield]

There is nothing substandard about CC insurance per se. Its cover can sometimes be better than any paid policy.

The main thing is to read the PDS to see what you will be covered for, and how to activate the cover.

I use ANZ CC cover, it’s perfectly fine for the USA and covers hire car liability and excess, covers the loss of frequent flyer points, has unlimited medical, and if they agree to cover you pre-existing medical conditions the charge is just $75. (The standard ‘pre-existing’ conditions are covered for free, just like most policies).

I had to claim on ANZ insurance and the process couldn’t have been simpler, rapid response by the underwriter to the hospital, frequent check ups by the underwriter with the hospital and me to make sure everything was ok, and they even prepared the claim forms for me.

The only time I have needed to buy a policy was for my first trip after covid restrictions were lifted. ANZ wasn’t covering covid claims. They have since changed that.

I have no idea why people say CC insurance is not acceptable as a blanket rule.

Agree, brought home business class years ago on ANZ CC insurance, from USA, after a snapped Achilles required surgery. They were excellent.

 

[billmurray]

Wanting some advice in anticipate for an insurance claim.

I booked a non-refundable flight with Delta Airlines for my mother, due to depart in approx 6 weeks. I booked with an AMEX Explorer, with her own supplementary card under my account. We are expecting that my father with dementia may not last the next several weeks.

My question is whether its benefital for us (not for the insurer) to inform Chubb in anticipation of this event happening or to wait until its 100% known. Looking at the AMEX Explorer insurance T&Cs, it notes the following, ive cherry picked from the document;

Eligibility
1. You are a Card Member or an Additional Card Member or their:
2. You are going on an International Return Trip and You pay the full amount of Your outbound ticket for a Scheduled Flight or Scheduled Cruise leaving Australia on Your:
i. American Express Card Account;

She does meet the above eligibility

Trip Cancellation and Amendment Cover
A Close Relative, suffering an Injury or an unforeseen Illness ordying before or during Your Trip

How to Make a Claim - When should I notify Chubb of my claim?
You should advise Us as soon as possible of an occurrence or an Event which could lead to a claim, or within 30 days of the Event taking place which gives rise to a claim, or as soon as reasonably practical.

 

[Happy Dude]

Based on what you've written, I'd suggest you're covered. Unless they contract those words to create "unforseen dying", which in your case may not be the case, particularly if you suggest it to them. I'd say that's a very mean interpretation and a long bow but it's insurance companies we're talking about here. But I doubt anyone, including Chubb, would have a definitive answer anyway @billmurray.

Once, prior to a trip, I contacted them with a "would I be covered if..." question and they refused to answer and simply/frustratingly said "You can submit a claim with supporting documentation at the time". IMO, this makes it very difficult to be sure you're actually covered.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Wanting some advice in anticipate for an insurance claim.

I booked a non-refundable flight with Delta Airlines for my mother, due to depart in approx 6 weeks. I booked with an AMEX Explorer, with her own supplementary card under my account. We are expecting that my father with dementia may not last the next several weeks.

My question is whether its benefital for us (not for the insurer) to inform Chubb in anticipation of this event happening or to wait until its 100% known. Looking at the AMEX Explorer insurance T&Cs, it notes the following, ive cherry picked from the document;

Eligibility
1. You are a Card Member or an Additional Card Member or their:
2. You are going on an International Return Trip and You pay the full amount of Your outbound ticket for a Scheduled Flight or Scheduled Cruise leaving Australia on Your:
i. American Express Card Account;

She does meet the above eligibility

Trip Cancellation and Amendment Cover
A Close Relative, suffering an Injury or an unforeseen Illness ordying before or during Your Trip

How to Make a Claim - When should I notify Chubb of my claim?
You should advise Us as soon as possible of an occurrence or an Event which could lead to a claim, or within 30 days of the Event taking place which gives rise to a claim, or as soon as reasonably practical.

Sorry to hear your news

You only need to notify them once you have an event which could lead to a claim. And then you should do so as soon as possible if you wish to claim. The purpose of this is so the insurance company has a chance to help you minimise your (their) losses.

Insurance polices generally exclude any pre-existing condition, whether it is for the insured, or a third party which might affect the insured’s travel. In the section next to the one you have quoted in the PDS there’s a list of things ‘not covered’ (‘we will not pay for’), one of which is that the event leading to the cancellation could have been foreseen.

It is possible this event may not be covered, depending on when the ticket was purchased, and what was known at the time.

However, you may have recourse through Delta themselves. From a quick google search it looks like Delta will consider a refund of tickets in the event of a death in the family. This would not have the same test as might be applied by an insurance company. I’d probably make Delta the first port of call… either for a full refund, or possible to change the tickets to another date if your mother would still like to travel (but say in 6 months or something).

 

[VPS]

Wanting some advice in anticipate for an insurance claim.

I booked a non-refundable flight with Delta Airlines for my mother, due to depart in approx 6 weeks. I booked with an AMEX Explorer, with her own supplementary card under my account. We are expecting that my father with dementia may not last the next several weeks.

My question is whether its benefital for us (not for the insurer) to inform Chubb in anticipation of this event happening or to wait until its 100% known. Looking at the AMEX Explorer insurance T&Cs, it notes the following, ive cherry picked from the document;

Eligibility
1. You are a Card Member or an Additional Card Member or their:
2. You are going on an International Return Trip and You pay the full amount of Your outbound ticket for a Scheduled Flight or Scheduled Cruise leaving Australia on Your:
i. American Express Card Account;

She does meet the above eligibility

Trip Cancellation and Amendment Cover
A Close Relative, suffering an Injury or an unforeseen Illness ordying before or during Your Trip

How to Make a Claim - When should I notify Chubb of my claim?
You should advise Us as soon as possible of an occurrence or an Event which could lead to a claim, or within 30 days of the Event taking place which gives rise to a claim, or as soon as reasonably practical.

just check there are no age restrictions - that can often affect the claim