What's your 2018 annual travel insurance plan?

[albatross710]

Over the past week I've started looking at my travel insurance needs for 2018. Have completely read three policies this week and each one leaving me with the thought that it doesn't suit me.

Question for those that have Annual Travel Insurance policies, what is your process for choosing a policy?

My 2017 travel year included 11 work trips to Asia. One 11 hour delayed luggage, one low cost medical visit to a Philippines hospital, a few 2-3 hour delays.

My travel insurance wish list:

Reimbursement/re-accommodation in times of natural disaster.
Travel Cancellation prior to departure.
Medical cost/evacuation:

Other insurance considerations:

• Flight & airline problems usually seem to be covered by the airline, so not as critical in the insurance.
• Lost luggage seems to be becoming rarer.
• 6 -8 hour Flight delays I'm happy to wear the cost of airport food if needed.
• Sport aviation, wakeboarding & ziplines, maybe I'll do this in 2018 travels.

What I discovered:

Westpac Black travel insurance
Excludes claims caused by flood and atmospheric conditions.
$500 spend not always triggered for reward bookings or some domestic travel.

Budget Direct policy
Has some weird exclusions which ruled me out due to family relations.

Alliance multi-trip policy
Ruled this out because of the property depreciation rules. Excludes ziplines & wakeboarding.

So for those with annual policies, how do you choose?

Alby

 

[wandering_fred]

At my age I would seriously consider a policy that covered
1- travel disruption not due to my stupidity
2- accident and environmental disease medical/repatriation coverage
and did not cover
1- age related medical condition coverage
2- non-accident related dental coverage

I wonder how much less expensive travel coverage exAustralia would be if the airlines were subject to delay/re-accomodation requirements similar to those in force in the European Union?

Just wandering
Fred

 

[Cynicor]

Dunno. I need backcountry unguided snowboarding, and it's crazy in a stand alone policy but cheap(ish) in an annual, so I always have a QBE annual via the entertainment book discount. They've paid on a few other things but the medical is all I truly need.

 

[JessicaTam]

I have annual cover with 1Cover. Basically chosen because of their treatment of my mother and uncle when he had a stroke in Scotland. After proof of the situation they were faultless with providing the help needed to get him home.

 

[Pushka]

Annual policy with insure and go and with known medical issue clearance plus natural disaster cover.

 

[sinophile888]

The same as Pushka. Insureandgo have been my goto insurance company for some years. They are very good for pre-existing conditions and I like the natural disaster option they provide.

 

[Pleb Status]

I have an annual QBE policy purchased through HCF. It is about half of the cost getting it through QF for a similar product.

QBE paid everything they should have paid when I made my one and only TI claim a few years ago for an accident prior to travel.

 

[JohnK]

I have been with QBE via Entertainment book for a few years now. Annual trip + zero excess for around $300.

This year has been the first year I have claimed. The claim process is very slow as apparently SQ is not playing ball by providing details. Basically golf bag was damaged and SQ paid 90% but golf driver was damaged and golf ball retriever broken beyond repair. SQ does not want to cover. Interesting to see if the claim will be settled by QBE.

Due for renewal end January 2018 and I will more than likely stick with them.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'm watching this thread with interest. I used to have TID annual coverage every year, but even though I have never had the need to claim, they became too dear IMHO. I decided that as I'm insured for my work travel, I'd simply buy one--offs for my leisure travel. Works well, right up until you simply forget to buy it (which happened to us last trip). An annual is so much better in that regard.

 

[oz_mark]

I Works well, right up until you simply forget to buy it (which happened to us last trip). An annual is so much better in that regard.

Unless you forget to renew

 

[drron]

For me it is becoming a lot easier.This year it needed to be a multi trip policy that covered 70 year olds for trips up to 60 days.Didn't leave many.Then it is the cheapest as long as medical etc were comparable to others.
For 2018 the list shrinks a little as now must cover a 71 year old for trips up to 60 days.

 

[dajop]

Continuing full annual travel medical cover via BUPA.

However, remain self insured for delays, cancellations, luggage etc (or rely on credit card insurance for trips I actually pay for). My only potential claim this year was travelling with my mum, who was fully insured. Stuck overnight after flight cancelled, but the cost of the new hotel was less than the excess on insurance.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

remain self insured for delays, cancellations, luggage etc

What about non-medical costs associated with a medical condition? Does Bupa cover extend to those?

As an example, our recent trip where we genuinely forgot to buy cover was the closest we've come to actually needing it ... twice. I ended up with an infected ankle which had it got even a little worse, could have required a return to Australia, which in turn would have resulted in loss of accommodation paid and loss of airfares booked. All up, probably about AU$5k. Would Bupa cover those costs?

 

[serfty]

I have been using the policy with the 20% discount through the AFF link for paid members.

It had a loading due to my cholesterol medication, mild as it is.

I do check other options before renewing each year, but in recent times that has been the more cost effective.

With 8 trips at least in the next six months and likely a dozen before Christmas
next year the annual policy is where its at.

 

[wandering_fred]

The policy referenced by serfty is limited to under 70s.....

Just wandering
Fred

 

[serfty]

Well, Just checked the Columbus policy (annual) I referred to above and with AFF discount, it's base was $307. Added my pre-existing Condition and it rose to $562 .

So checked some others, TID was the most cost effective base at $404. They do not add additional premium for simple pre-existing, so for me nothing extra for full cover. I also found a 10% discount code which reduced the premium to $363.

 

[9gedan]

only credit card plan though

 

[Mumanddad]

We've gone with Southern Cross Insurance. Covers us for our trip >60 days and for a notifiable medical condition (additional premium).

 

[get me outta here]

I also do the big PDSs examination every year. For the last few years I have gone with TID and almost always get a 10% off voucher. Have had no claims, but the price is good, around $400 annual. If I have particular questions I email them before buying to get answers in writing.

 

[drron]

Always read the full PDF.One of the cheapest annual policies for a 71 year old said medical cover was $25 million.However they only pay $100 a day if in hospital.Would go far in the USA.