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

 

[dmgale1960]

Interested in travel cover at the moment - both the other half and I have had heart conditions that have been corrected by surgery (Arrhythmia's) so no more problem. We both also have higher blood pressure controlled by medication.

The travel insurers I have been looking at all seem to freak over the arrythmias and don't get that they have been removed by the surgery. Paying an extra $150 each for something that can't happen again seem a little excessive!

Any ideas? My partner works on the theory that we need cover for the broken leg or a car accident....but this concerns me.

 

[sinophile888]

I have had similar problems with travel insurance as I have mentioned on other threads. After 13 rejections, I was finally accepted by insureandgo but at an increased premium. It does mean though, that I can travel and I do take advantage of it. I have an annual policy at present and am giving it a good bashing.

 

[dmgale1960]

I have had similar problems with travel insurance as I have mentioned on other threads. After 13 rejections, I was finally accepted by insureandgo but at an increased premium. It does mean though, that I can travel and I do take advantage of it. I have an annual policy at present and am giving it a good bashing.

Thanks for your advice - I checked with them and found a much better - and affordable solution. Many thanks!

 

[JessicaTam]

Don't mind the moderator moment of confusion.

 

[dajop]

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?

There is extra cover available covering other cancellation costs, my cover only includes additional costs not cancellation costs, which for me is not an issue, as usually my accommodation is either cancellable or not at the expensive end of the range. If at a whim we suddenly decide to book $500 a night non cancellable accommodation (which is so not us), then maybe have to adopt a different strategy!

If the insured is unable to continue the trip due to an acute illness or injury covered by the insurance, when accepted by the Company prior to the change of travel itinerary, additional and reasonable expenses for
accommodation, food and local transportation shall be covered until the insured is able to travel again, as well as an economy class ticket to continue the planned travel. The decision of the Company's medical consultant shall prevail as to when the insured is again fit to travel.

 

[amaroo]

Last few years we've had an annual policy with TID, but I've got a massive problem with their very restrictive renewal policy limit for renewals.

A few words about the Annual Multi Trip plan.

• › This policy must be purchased within 30 days before the start of your period of insurance.

QBE is our new provider.....

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Last few years we've had an annual policy with TID, but I've got a massive problem with their very restrictive renewal policy limit for renewals.

This policy must be purchased within 30 days before the start of your period of insurance.

For an annual multi-trip policy, doesn't the period of insurance begin when you purchase it, regardless?

 

[amaroo]

For an annual multi-trip policy, doesn't the period of insurance begin when you purchase it, regardless?

The 30 day limit is the issue .... see more here Travel Insurance options

 

[serfty]

The 30 day limit is the issue .... see more here Travel Insurance options

ISTR this TID restriction has been around for a couple of years ...

 

[Cynicor]

I don't understand the issue? I don't know any annual policy that allows you to buy it for even further than 1 month out of the intended period of coverage.

 

[get me outta here]

Here's some Choice breakdowns which may help to short circuit some searches:

https://www.choice.com.au/compareall/travel/money/travel-insurance/travel-insurance

I see on Ozb a code which may give a 20% Scoopon | SCOOPON EXCLUSIVE: 20% Off World2Cover Travel Insurance off on World2Cover which Choice seems to think well of:
Product Disclosure Statements › World2Cover Travel Insurance

 

[get me outta here]

Here's another Choice table that's useful for annual policies. I have never seen so much Choice info free.

Credit card and annual travel insurance compared - CHOICE

 

[JohnK]

QBE annual multi-trip with $0 excess has gone up over $100 the past year. Now $420+ with 25% Entertainment book discount included.

Need policy tomorrow so cannot shop around.

 

[drron]

Here's another Choice table that's useful for annual policies. I have never seen so much Choice info free.

Credit card and annual travel insurance compared - CHOICE

Thanks for that.Much easier comparing policies than the usual comparison suspects.
However only 5 policies to choose from when 60 day trip limit and age over 70.
So over the weekend all will be scrutinized to see which basically is the cheapest with best claims satisfaction.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

So with the CC insurances, do you have to pay the expense on the CC first and then claim it back, or do you simply ring them and they arrange it all like a proper insurance company? Interesting to see (on a quick glance at above mentioned link) that the NAB cards fair best of all. I was just about to get rid of my NAB Velocity card, but perhaps it may be worthwhile for the travel insurance?

 

[drron]

Reading the CBA diamond insurance PDS you only have to tell them and I believe something on the card.
In the choice article they had a healthy claims satisfaction of 58%.Better than most so they are definitely going to be told of future trips.

 

[Rugby]

We’ve gone a QBE annual multi-trip this year too, with a discount through HCF. Our 4th different provider in 4 years - never claimed, changed every year based on the research when it comes around to renewal time. An annoying process, but one of those chores that has to be done.

I haven’t looked at our credit cards insurances since deciding, a few years back, that we needed a separate annual multi-trip policy. So not sure if they would be up to scratch or not now.

 

[tgh]

My WOW plat ins bombed when I really needed it. Phone person in Au said , sorry we don't do their emergency calls any more.
Swmbo was at home in brisvegas , tried to get someone to help , got the royal run around and gave up.
End result was that I pressed on and finished my Itinerary half crippled when a decent policy would have managed medical intervention and the decision process about termination , treatment and rebooking.
I have several plat card ins entitlements and I will not rely on any of them.
Stuff that happens in unfamiliar environments and languages when the subject is in pain and stressed does not lend itself to negotiation , waiting , or other weasel words.
We need to ring the number and get results.. end of story.

 

[Cynicor]

That sucks TGH. I wouldn't be happy relying on a cheap card, but would hope that a good AMEX or Citi or big 4 claim would be better. (for the record I hold QBE as I need special ski coverage so it's moot for me.)

 

[Moindardt]

We have had a TID annual policy for a few years now. About $1000 with nil excess and snow sports. Have claimed lost luggage and flight changes no problems but was always worried how they would be if it was something significant.

My Wife just broke her ankle skiing in Whistler 2 weeks ago. They were excellent. If she had to be operated on over there, she would have had to stay from a week to a month afterwards, total cost somewhere are $100k and they would cover it all. We preferred to have a top surgeon back here operate, so they didn't bat an eyelid flying her Business on Air-Canada direct back to Brisbane. If they fly you back home, they don't cover your medical at home because it is not emergency. They paid her approx $3k medical bill for Canada. As my wife was on a PNR with the kids, they paid for all the change fees to put them and me on the same flights. About $2k for that. We moved my wife's return flights to later in the year (lots of points and status in those flights) and they will pay the cheaper of the no-show or the change fee (another $1k).

All up they paid about $13k and did not hear a single word of complaint from them. Honestly, I would have to rate them 10/10 and that is not something I ever thought I would do.