Choosing the right travel insurance

Ensuring that you are covered for the unexpected during your journey is standard practice these days, and gives you peace of mind right up until the time you arrive (and sometimes, even after). Most travel insurance products will give you cover while you are travelling to your final destination and some offer the flexibility to continue for a period after you arrive.

Policies will vary in what they cover but as a rule, will include such things as repatriation, trip cancellations and interruptions, travel delays and missed connections, lost, stolen or damaged baggage, medical care, emergency evacuation, car rental coverage, flight accident and assistance services.

Optional riders can also be purchased for special concerns that are not covered under the regular plan, such as injuries due to adventure activities, lost sports equipment, risk of identity theft, stolen passports, financial default (if your travel company goes bankrupt before you depart) and more.

Before you buy, first decide exactly what type of coverage you want and need. You can use an online comparison engine to review a number of travel plans and find one that suits your travel needs, or talk to a travel insurance specialist.

Choosing Your Policy

• Determine what type of coverage you need. Make a list of what is most important to you. It might include cancellation due to illness, losing your bags, missing a flight, getting sick and needing medical care etc.
• Calculate your total trip cost. For trip cancellation coverage, you will need to insure the total amount of pre-paid, non-refundable trip payments.
• Compare companies based on the criteria you have selected – don’t simply choose the policy with the ‘cheapest’ price. Every company and policy will have different limits, so make sure you are comfortable with the amount.
• Always check the fine print! The most important sections are benefits and exclusions. The benefits section describes what you are covered for, so make sure you read it thoroughly. The exclusions section specifies clearly when the benefits do NOT apply – read this extra carefully, or you may be in for an unwelcome surprise.

Keeping Your Policy Safe

• Make three copies of your confirmation email and travel plan documents. Keep one copy with you in your carry-on luggage or on your mobile/laptop, pack one into your luggage, and leave one behind with a friend or family member. 
• If you’re travelling with digital copies, remember to password-protect your electronic devices, including hand-held devices and laptops, in case they are stolen.
• Have a copy of your driver’s license and passport as well (one in your luggage and one in your wallet or carry-on). If the originals are stolen, it will be much easier to get replacement documents.

More Information

• Find out more about moving your pets with Transfur.
• Find out more about the types of insurance in Australia.
• Find out if you need private health insurance.