Travel Insurance and Medical Cover

At InsureandGo, we understand the importance of having the right medical cover while traveling. Understanding how medical coverage works with your travel insurance can be tricky. However, it is important for a stress-free vacation.

Why Travel Insurance is Essential?

Travel insurance ensures you stay relaxed and stress-free during your vacation. Here's why medical cover is a crucial part of your travel insurance:

Comprehensive Medical Cover

If you get sick or hurt while traveling, medical insurance can help pay for your treatment. This includes visits to a doctor or a hospital. With the right medical cover, you can claim back the costs of your treatment up to your policy's maximum limit.

Deciding What Medical Cover You Need

The medical cover you will need for your trip will depend on your personal health, what type of holiday you are planning and how much safety and care you want your insurance to provide.

It is generally beneficial to consider whether you need cover for:

• General medical treatments and surgical treatments
• Hospital treatments and cash benefits
• Ambulance expenses and other emergency medical expenses
• Repatriation or medical evacuation
• Pregnancy or childbirth complications
• Compensation for severe injury or death
• Accommodation and/or travel expenses if you cannot travel home for medical reasons or if you require someone to stay/travel with you due to medical necessity

Understanding Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Pre-existing medical conditions are conditions that you have or have had in the past few years. Some pre-existing medical conditions can preclude you from obtaining reimbursement for costs related to that condition while you are travelling.

If you do have a pre-existing medical condition, try searching for a provider who is open to assessing all conditions or who offers competitive premiums for covering your condition.

Making a Medical Travel Insurance Claim

Claims processes will differ slightly from provider to provider. In general, however, you will need to provide documentation when making your claim. This can include:

• Medical certificates or statements outlining the treatment you received overseas and the costs involved
• Receipts to prove you have paid for the treatment
• Medical certificates for any pre-existing conditions you have

Medical Cover & Exclusions

There are some circumstances when you won’t be protected by your travel insurance medical cover. While you can still be treated for these incidents overseas, you usually won’t be able to claim back the costs of these treatments or services via your travel insurance. Some common examples can include:

• Search and rescue assistance
• Private hospital rooms (unless medically necessary)
• Any treatments you need due to an attempted suicide or an act of deliberate self harm
• Any treatments you received that were not immediately and medically necessary
• Pregnancy or childbirth treatments, unless due to a diagnosed complication
• Any treatments you receive after a doctor has deemed you are fit to travel or return home

Always make sure you read your Product Disclosure Statement and gain an understanding of what is excluded from your medical cover.

How to choose the right travel insurance for you

Travel insurance is a crucial aspect of planning any trip, whether you're traveling domestically or internationally. With numerous options available, it's essential to select the right travel insurance cover for your needs. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you choose the perfect travel insurance plan for your next adventure.

1. Where are you going?

This will affect the type of insurance you need – are you travelling domestically, internationally or both? Are all of your destinations coverable?

If you will be travelling frequently throughout the year, you should consider whether a multi-trip package might be more cost effective for you.

2. How old are you?

Age can influence the insurance packages available to you. Ensure the policy suits your age group. If you're traveling with children, check how the coverage applies to them. Some policies offer free coverage for kids, while others may require additional premiums.

3. Decide what cover is essential

Travel insurance policies come with various inclusions and exclusions. Start by listing the types of coverage you need. Standard policies typically cover medical expenses, trip cancellations, liability, and luggage and personal effects. However, consider additional coverage for:

• Sports and activities you plan to participate in
• Driving a rental car or vehicle (rental vehicle excess)
• Trip disruptions or delays that could affect your income
• Valuables like cameras, laptops, and other electronics

4. What limits will best suit you?

Trying to understand how much cover you need might seem tricky at first, but it simply needs a little attention to detail:

• Start by attributing a dollar value to everything involved in your trip – your flights, accommodation, tours, activities, baggage and valuables
• When it comes to things like medical and emergency expenses, or liability cover, you’ll need to look at the limits offered, assess your own financial situation and consider how much more you could afford to pay – or not pay –out of your own pocket
• If you don’t have a lot of spare cash, opting for more comprehensive cover or cover with higher limits could work out to be more beneficial for you if you get into strife on your trip

Remember, at the end of the day, the more that’s included in your travel insurance policy, the more protected you will be!

5. Do You Have a Pre-Existing Medical Condition?

Pre-existing medical conditions can exclude you from certain policies, so if you do have a condition or illness, you may need to do a little more research and compare the options that are available to you and your specific condition.

If you are pregnant or becoming pregnant on your holiday, you should also investigate what is/isn’t covered here as well.

6. Evaluate Cancellation Cover

Cancellation cover is an important aspect of travel insurance. It protects you if you need to cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or a family emergency. Check the policy to see what situations are covered for cancellation and ensure it meets your needs.

7. Consider the Duration of Coverage

When selecting a travel insurance policy, consider the duration of your trip. Some policies offer coverage for up to 12 months, which can be beneficial if you plan to travel for an extended period. Ensure the policy duration aligns with your travel plans.

8. Get Travel Insurance Quotes

To find the best travel insurance plan, obtain travel insurance quotes from multiple providers. Compare the coverage, limits, and premiums to ensure you're getting the best value for your money. Look for policies that cover cancellation, medical expenses, and other essential areas.

9. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)

Thoroughly reading the product disclosure statement (PDS) is the best way to understand your policy. Pay attention to:

• Specific inclusions and exclusions
• Conditions related to coverage levels or items
• Circumstances that might exclude you from coverage (e.g., driving under the influence)

If you have any questions or uncertainties, contact the provider for clarification before purchasing the policy.

10. Understand the Terms, Conditions, and Limits

It's crucial to understand the terms, conditions, and limits of your travel insurance policy. This includes knowing what is covered, what is excluded, and any limits on coverage amounts. For example, some policies may have limits on luggage and personal effects or rental vehicle excess. Make sure you are fully aware of these details to avoid any surprises during your trip.

Conclusion

Choosing the right travel insurance involves careful consideration of your destination, age, essential coverage, coverage limits, pre-existing medical conditions, and the policy's terms and conditions. By taking the time to evaluate these factors and reading the product disclosure statement (PDS), you can ensure a safe and worry-free trip. Remember, the more comprehensive your travel insurance cover, the more protected you'll be during your travels.

What is the Excess on My Travel Insurance Policy?

You spend a great deal of time researching and planning out your holidays for them to run smoothly and without unwanted surprises. When it comes time to buy travel insurance to protect your hard-earned holiday, you should also take a bit of time to understand the basics of your policy.

Although you aren’t expected to be a genius in regards to knowing everything about travel insurance, you should know certain components that could affect how much your premiums are, as well as how any travel insurance claims you may make will be affected. One component you should familiarise yourself with is your policy’s “excess”.

Understanding Excess

Excess is the amount of money you agree to pay should the unfortunate happen and you need to make a claim to your insurer, per person, per event and per applicable section. For instance, let’s say you had a medical situation while travelling abroad that was covered under your travel insurance policy. If your policy’s excess was set at $100, it means that when you go to file an eligible claim that is accepted, $100 will be deducted from any claim payment. Our standard excess amount is $100, but you can choose to remove or double this amount through the purchase process.

In cases where your eligible claim may be thousands of dollars, the excess you pay is very small compared to the majority of the bill covered by your insurance company. This is why travellers purchase travel insurance to rule out the possibility of being hit with sometimes very large expenses in the event of accidents or unforeseen circumstances.

Standard Excess vs. Voluntary Excess

An insurer may offer different types of excess that can apply in various situations or apply concurrently. Most top insurers allow you to increase or decrease your excess to adjust the cost of your premium to a level that suits you. The excess amount set by your insurer that must be paid towards any claim is known as “standard excess”. In contrast, the option to increase or decrease the amount you’re responsible for in a claim is called a “voluntary excess”.

One of the easiest ways to decrease the amount you pay for travel insurance is to increase the excess amount, for example, by doubling it. This instantly saves you money on your policy. However, keep in mind that should you need to make a claim, you will need to cover a bit more of the cost related to the incident you are claiming. Essentially, you are taking more of a risk to save guaranteed money upfront. Always select an excess amount that you are willing and able to afford, should you need to make a claim.

If you wish to be fully covered in the event you need to make a claim, you can set your policy’s excess to $0. This means that in the event you need to file an eligible claim, you will pay nothing, and your insurer will cover the entirety of your expenses for an accepted claim. You will pay a bit more for your policy by choosing this option, but it may prove beneficial should you need to file a claim.

Paying Your Excess in the Event of a Claim

You may wonder when you will have to pay your excess amount in the event you make a claim. This will ultimately depend on your travel insurance company’s policies. You may be asked to pay the excess amount before they pay the remainder of the claim, or they may simply deduct the amount from the claim they are paying you for.

Knowing What Excess Amount You Should Choose

When looking at excess options, think in terms of value for money. You may not want to pay a high excess amount that covers you for an event that has a small claim value, such as lost travel documents or a rental car. On the flip side, with things like trip cancellation or medical cover, your claim value may be exponentially greater than your excess. Understanding your policy's limitations and exclusions is essential to making an informed decision.

Conclusion

Understanding the excess in your travel insurance cover can help you make more informed decisions and potentially save you money. Be sure to read the PDS (Product Disclosure Statement, PDS) to fully understand your policy. Whether you opt for a set amount, decide to reduce the excess, or are willing to pay an additional premium, having a clear understanding of your travel insurance policy will ensure smoother claims processes in the future.

Fallen sick or hurt yourself overseas? Here’s how to make a claim at InsureandGo

February 7, 2025

Falling sick or becoming injured overseas can put a lot of strain on your holiday, particularly if medical expenses are building up. If you’ve taken out the correct travel insurance policy with InsureandGo, seeking help to cover the costs of your overseas treatment is quick and easy!

Below, we have put together some simple scenarios and claims processes to help you understand what you need to do if you fall sick or hurt yourself while travelling.

Scenario 1: General illnesses

If you’re unwell but still able to travel, you may be experiencing something like allergies, colds, headaches, gastro problems or even food poisoning. At this stage, you’ll need to decide whether you are able to continue travelling or whether you should seek medical advice from a doctor.

1. Contact InsureandGo as soon as you feel you need medical treatment
2. We will locate your nearest medical facility and arrange transport for you if needed
3. If required, we will then send a ‘guarantee of payment’ to the medical facility to cover your costs
4. We’ll also send any information about any pre-existing medical conditions you have, so make sure you inform the attending doctor if you have a pre-existing medical condition

Scenario 2: Medical emergencies

In an emergency, your health and wellbeing is the top priority. You may be involved in an accident, you may have suffered an illness like a heart attack or stroke or you might have broken a bone.

Here’s what to do if you experience a medical emergency overseas:

1. Seek help immediately and head to the nearest medical facility available
2. Take your passport with you if you can, as most hospitals will require this to treat you and ensure payment
3. If possible, ask your travelling companion to contact InsureandGo to explain the situation (or call us yourself if possible)
4. Undergo medical treatment as necessary and do everything the doctors tell you
5. If you’ve contacted us prior to your release, we’ll send a ‘guarantee of payment’ to the hospital to cover your expenses, which may include costs for scans, x-rays, consultations, drugs and even equipment like rubber gloves

Note: If you haven’t contacted us and you don’t have your passport with you, you will need to pay for your medical expenses when you are discharged from the hospital. You can then Contact InsureandGo and submit a claim to arrange for a reimbursement of costs.

Scenario 3: Non-urgent claims

If you receive medical treatment overseas, you are not obligated to submit a claim while you are still travelling. If your claim is not urgent, you still have 30 days to submit your case after you arrive back in Australia.

1. Submit your claim by filling in the relevant claims form and emailing it to InsureandGo at assistance@insureandgo.com.au
2. Post the original form and your original receipts/documents to us at InsureandGo Australia, PO Box 4860, Sydney NSW Australia 2001 (make sure you keep copies of all your documents for your own records)
3. Send your documents by registered or traceable post to ensure delivery
4. Our friendly Customer Service team will then contact you to request further information or let you know the outcome of your claim

Tips for a successful claim

• Keep all travel insurance documents with you at all times while travelling; keeping them in your bag or wallet is a good idea
• Keep InsureandGo’s contact details on hand as well, so you can access them easily if something happens
• In most cases, you should contact InsureandGo before you pay for any medical costs yourself or if your costs exceed AU$500
• Keep all receipts, reports and doctor’s notes with you until you return home to Australia; these will be essential for completing your claim
• Remember, we can only cover your expenses for the amounts and circumstances listed in your individual travel insurance policy

Learn more about claims by downloading the relevant claims form or contacting InsureandGo on 1300 401 177 (or Reverse Charge +612 9333 3999 if you’re still travelling).

12 Tips for Planning Your First Overseas Holiday (as a Retiree)

It’s finally happened! You’ve retired. You’ve saved. And now, you’re thinking about taking that overseas holiday. But what if you’ve never travelled outside of Australia before?

When my Dad took his first trip at age 50, he was pretty nervous and unsure. He kept asking if he’d be safe. What did he need to know before booking anything? And what if he fell ill or chose a bad hotel?

Luckily, some of our friends and family (myself included) weighed in and gave him their best advice for a safe and enjoyable journey. Later, I asked Dad what he found most helpful.

1. Talk to your doctor. Discuss your plans with your doctor before you book anything and get the all clear to travel. Don’t forget about your medications, too. Will you have enough to last your whole trip? When should you take them, given the change in time zones?

Tip: Ask for a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor to take with you as well, just in case authorities ask for it.

2. Take out Seniors Travel Insurance. Shop around for quotes and ensure you’re covered for things like medical, hospital, luggage, activities, delays, cancellations and anything else you need. Don’t forget to ask if your pre-existing medical conditions can be covered as well.

3. Register with Smartraveller. Smartraveller.gov.au allows you to register your travel plans with the government so that if something goes wrong, they’ll be able to contact you. You can also subscribe to official advice and updates for any destinations you’re planning to visit.

4. Copy your documents. Leave a copy of your passport, itinerary, visas and any other travel documents at home with someone you trust, like a family member. If you lose these while travelling, the copy will be a useful backup.

5. Make a list of important numbers. This can include things like emergency numbers, your travel insurer, local police stations and hospitals, and the Australian embassies near your destination/s.

Tip: Writing down the phone numbers of family and friends at home can be a good idea, too.

6. Take a tour. Or three! Tours are a great option if you’ve never been overseas before. They can be easier and safer than travelling around on your own. According to Dad, they’re a wonderful way to see the main sights and meet other travellers, too.

Tip: If you’re unsure about finding a trustworthy tour operator, research reviews online or get a travel agent to do the bookings for you.

7. Ask about hotel safety. If you’re like my Dad, you can’t necessarily afford to stay in 5-star resorts. But things like 24-hour reception/concierge services, fob access for floors, in-room safes and added security can make your stay much safer. Give your desired hotel a call before booking to see what safety measures they offer.

8. Pack light & smart. Packing light used to be a challenge for me, but I’ve realised that you will never need all that stuff and packing light has real advantages. It means you can easily wheel your suitcase around even pick it up without much trouble.

Tip: When it comes to carry-ons, I always make sure I’ve got a spare change of clothes, my medications and anything else I’ll need for the flight.

9. Leave the valuables behind. Valuables can easily get lost, stolen or damaged while on holiday, so leave them at home. If you’re taking something like an iPad or camera, check that it’s covered by your travel insurance.

Tip: When you’re out and about, be careful of flashing your valuables and money around, just as you would at home. Be discreet, and keep your belongings in a fully closable bag that can’t easily be snatched (for example, I always have a cross-body bag; my Dad took a backpack).

10. Research do’s and don’ts at the destination. This can cover anything, like areas to avoid, whether drinking water is safe, foods that shouldn’t be eaten, methods of public transport, potential tourist scams, and what’s considered polite (or rude) in relation to local culture and customs, etc. The more you know, the more prepared you can be! And hopefully this will lead to a safer trip.

11. Stay well on the plane. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, walk around the plane regularly, and talk to your doctor about whether you’re at risk of DVT. Other little things like wearing comfy clothes and stretching while sitting can help, too.

12. Give yourself jet lag recovery time. If you’re going on a long-haul flight, don’t expect to start exploring straight away. No matter what age you are, you’ll need at least a day or two to recover from jet lag and get used to the new time zone, so don’t plan a lot for those first couple of days.

Tip: One trick that worked for my Dad was to book a hotel for that first night near the airport. That way, he could rest shortly after the flight, without having to worry about making it into the city. He then simply moved onto his “real” hotel the following day, after a good night’s sleep!

Travelling without cover? 9 Reasons Why You Must Buy Travel Insurance

At InsureandGo, we understand just how important travel insurance can be. More and more travellers each year are spending thousands of dollars out of their own pockets, simply because something has gone wrong on their trip.

Travel insurance is crucial in making sure that you stay relaxed and worry-free during those fun holiday times. Here’s why:

1. Medical Treatments:

If you become sick or injured on your holiday, the last thing you’ll want to worry about is money. If you are treated for a medical problem overseas, the costs can range from hundreds into the thousands. For example, if you are hospitalised in South East Asia for a week, you can generally expect to pay around $5,600* or more, according to Smart Traveller. In two weeks, that becomes $10,000+.

The right travel insurance can ensure you are covered for these medical treatments and means that you won’t have to pay thousands from your own wallet.

2. Cancellation or Delays:

If you cancel your trip unexpectedly or experience a delay, travel insurance may also help recover some of the costs you may lose. Airlines, hotels, cruise lines, car hire companies and travel agencies will often be unwilling to give you a refund, so it’s important that you cover your costs with an insurance policy.

3. Lost Items:

Lost or delayed baggage, valuables or equipment can also put a damper on your holiday. While losing a pair of shoes might not seem like a big deal, losing your wallet or your passport can be disastrous.

If you have the appropriate cover, you may be able to claim your losses, so that you can replace your items or at least get some compensation. Ensure you read your policy, however, so that you understand exactly what items are/aren’t included.

4. Emergency Trips:

Some policies will also cover you if you need to return home due to an emergency. This can be ideal if you have loved ones who aren’t well, if you are travelling for a long stretch of time or if you simply want to be able to return home quickly if something happens. Depending on your level of cover, you will usually receive reimbursement for the cost of returning home and/or the cost of resuming your trip again overseas.

5. Emergency Support:

Having travel insurance can also mean you receive the right support if you get into hot water overseas. When purchasing a policy, it can be useful to look for a provider who offers 24/7 phone support and also reverse charges, so that you don’t have to worry about paying for the call.

6. Death or Serious Injury:

Unfortunately, anything can happen on a holiday. Luckily, death and serious injury can also often be covered by travel insurance. Both injury and death can be extremely costly due to ongoing medical expenses and medical evacuation costs. The right policy can mean you will be covered appropriately and it also means that you can save thousands of dollars.

So putting a little bit into travel insurance now could save you lots of money in the long run. To get full details on what you are or aren’t covered for read through the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or contact our customer service agents before you buy to understand your options.

7. Cover for Adventure Activities:

If you're planning on engaging in adventure activities like skiing, scuba diving, or bungee jumping, travel insurance can provide coverage for injuries sustained during these activities. Many policies include coverage for a wide range of sports and activities, ensuring you can enjoy your adventures without worry.

8. Personal Liability:

Travel insurance often includes personal liability coverage, which protects you if you're held legally responsible for causing injury to someone else or damaging their property while you're travelling. This coverage can save you from significant financial burden in case of an unfortunate incident.

9. Natural Disasters :

Natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods can disrupt travel plans. Travel insurance can cover the costs of trip cancellations, delays, or interruptions due to natural disasters, ensuring you’re not left out of pocket when nature takes an unexpected turn.

So putting a little bit into travel insurance now could save you lots of money in the long run. To get full details on what you are or aren’t covered for, read through the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or contact our customer service agents before you buy to understand your options.