How to Compare Travel Insurance Companies

Are you searching for travel insurance, but completely confused about what’s what? Are different providers offering you different things? And if so, how do you decide what policy to choose?

Like any type of insurance, different travel insurance providers will offer different types of insurance options. Here are some tips on how you can compare various companies and find a policy that’s right for you:

1. Start with you

If you’re unsure which travel insurance providers you should be comparing, start with you and your trip.

• Make a list of all the circumstances and items you feel you require cover on your holiday; a good way to think about this is to take into account your tangible items (e.g. luggage, valuables) and also consider what other risks you will be taking (e.g. will you be going diving? Hiking? Cycling? Driving?)
• Where possible, attribute a dollar value to each item to help you understand how much cover you need
• Make a list of “nice to have” insurance inclusions to help guide your decision further; this might include things like cover for loss of income or pet insurance, if you’ll be putting your pet into a boarding home while you’re away
• Once you understand what you need, you can conduct a simple check of each provider you are considering to see whether they offer what you want
• You can then narrow down your choices into a shortlist of potential providers; three to five companies would be a good amount to compare

2. Do your research

• Grab your travel insurance shortlist and do some research on each company; find out as much as you can in regards to their cover, service and quality
• You can look at their websites, read about them on other news sites, check out their social media pages – and most importantly, you should also read their customer reviews
• While there will almost always be good/bad points about each, be wary of choosing a company who has received a high volume of negative reviews and feedback

3. Look carefully at what’s offered

Now that you’ve got a definitive shortlist of providers, you’ll need to start looking carefully at what types of cover and limits are offered for each of your required items (the ones you wrote in your list in Step 1). Does one company provide more cover than another?

• Tip: Drawing up a rough table to help you compare each limit and cost can be helpful at this stage

4. Put your glasses on and read the fine print!

The fine print – otherwise known as terms and conditions – is where you get to learn exactly what is and isn’t covered in the insurance policy, so it’s essential to read this carefully for all the policies you are considering.

If you notice certain circumstances, limits or exclusions are causing issues for you, you can eliminate that policy from your consideration or move it lower down on your priority list.

• Tip: If you’re still unsure at this stage which policy is better or if there are two or more companies that are offering similar packages, go back to your research and see which company has garnered better reviews and feedback from customers

5. What other perks are there?

Finally, if you’re at the finishing line but still can’t make that final decision on who to choose, consider what each company is offering in terms of perks or additional benefits. Common perks can include:

• 24-hour insurance support /assistance while you’re away
• Free phone support if you need help or experience an emergency
• Promotions or offerings that can save you money
• Benefits for kids, such as free cover or additional cover for certain items
• Quality upgrades that you can use to tailor your package (e.g. upgrading to include business cover, winter sports, etc.)

Travel Insurance for Seniors – Tips for Seniors Buying Travel Insurance

InsureandGo works with many senior travellers each year to organise comprehensive and affordable travel insurance. We cater to a range of ages, ensuring coverage for those in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond..

Whether you're embarking on a tour, a cruise, or a self-guided holiday, travelling as a senior can be a wonderful way to enjoy life. It's important to ensure that the travel insurance you purchase is suited to your trip and individual needs.InsureandGo understands that seniors may have specific health concerns and travel needs. Our policies include coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, 24/7 emergency assistance, and flexible options for single and multi-trip plans, ensuring that you travel with confidence and peace of mind.

Age Limits

Many travel insurance providers will have a limit as to what age they will cover you for (e.g. up to 100 years), so make sure you check the age limit of your policy.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

It is vital that you disclose all pre-existing medical conditions when purchasing your policy and also let us know if you are waiting on any test results or treatments/surgery. Learn more about getting cover for your pre exisiting medical conditions here.

If you are looking for a quicker sign up process, InsureandGo does not require medical certificates or paperwork from you until you need to make a claim. This can make purchasing your senior travel insurance much more easy and hassle-free.

Travel Duration

If you are over a certain age (e.g. 65 years), some travel policies may only cover you for a certain length of travel time, such as 3 months. Make sure you check this in your policy to ensure you are covered for the entire duration of your trip.

Destinations

Everyone, including seniors, should make sure that their travel insurance covers them for all countries/destinations they will be travelling to. If you are going on a cruise or tour, remember that your destinations include any place that you stop or dock at, even temporarily.

Cancellations

You may need to cancel your travel plans unexpectedly. For this reason, it can be a good idea to check that your travel insurance policy covers you for emergency cancellations. Some policies can also include cover if an emergency happens while you are travelling and you need to return home.

Baggage & Valuable

The right travel insurance can mean that your holiday won’t be dampened by lost, stolen or delayed baggage/belongings. You’ll be able to seek compensation if something unfortunate occurs.

If your possessions are lost or stolen, make sure you report this as soon as possible to the local police (or to your carrier, if your items were lost in transit) and obtain a report from them. You’ll then need to provide this report when making your claim.

Activities & Equipment

If you plan to engage in certain activities during your travels, it is in your best interests to check that these activities are covered by your policy. If you will be participating in a sport, like golf or skiing, you may also want to consider upgrading your policy so that you are covered for any gear you hire, as well as any related injuries or illnesses.

Further Tips When Buying Seniors’ Travel Insurance

• Consider discussing your travel plans with your doctor before making any bookings
• Make sure you understand all conditions and exclusions in your policy; don’t let anyone push you into buying before you’ve read and understood your Product Disclosure Statement
• Consider limiting what valuables you will take with you in order to keep your insurance premiums down

Need help understanding how travel insurance works? Make sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or contact our customer service agents before you buy to understand your options. InsureandGo can help explain the ins-and-outs of your policy to you.

Why is budgeting for travel insurance important?

Here are eight reasons why travel insurance should be a part of your holiday budget

1. You might need medical treatment

Whether you plan on trekking, driving, cycling, diving or simply wandering around the streets, accidents can happen. And if you need medical treatment overseas the costs can range from the hundreds into the thousands, even for something as simple as a couple of stitches, a broken finger or food poisoning.

2. What if your baggage is lost, stolen or delayed?

Lost, stolen or delayed possessions can hamper your holiday fun – and often means you’ll need to fork out to replace your absent belongings and valuables.

Travel insurance can compensate you for your inconvenience and your losses, so that you’re not left down on cash thanks to an airline or carrier’s mistake, or a thief’s schemes.

3. You may need to cancel

Falling ill or dealing with an emergency can force you to cancel your trip. In some cases, airlines, accommodation suppliers and tour operators will offer you a refund. But this isn’t always the case

Travel insurance can reimburse your flight, accommodation and other costs in this instance – meaning you get your money back, even if you unexpectedly cancel at the last minute.

4. Unexpected trip changes can be costly

Trip delays, disruptions and even curtailments can all be out of your control. You can miss port calls, accommodation check-ins and even tour take-offs.

If you have the right level of insurance cover, you can receive compensation or reimbursement for the money that you’ve lost due to a disruption.

5. You plan on hiring a car

Under most car rental policies, you’re liable to pay an excess if you get into an accident – the same way you would if you have a car accident back home. This potentially means your accident can cost thousands. If your travel insurance package includes a rental car excess waiver, however, it can cover the excess for you, potentially saving you lots.

6. You love skiing! (and other winter sports)

Participating in adventurous winter sports and activities may be great fun, but it also puts you at a much greater safety risk. Travel insurance can cover your medical treatment (as described above) if you get into an accident, and it can also cover things like damaged or lost sports equipment and ski passes, losses due to resort closures and medical evacuations.

7. What if you’re on a business trip?

It’s highly recommended for business travellers to take out travel insurance for any trip they take – after all, who wants to be personally liable for business mishaps?

In terms of equipment (like laptops, phones etc.), you can check out what’s covered in the “belongings” component of your travel insurance policy. However, it can also be better to upgrade to a business package (if offered), which can often cover you more comprehensively for risks to your business equipment and/or cash. Elements like emergency courier costs or replacement support staff can also be coverable.

8. You’re a frequent traveller

Travelling more frequently throughout the year is even more of a reason why you need travel insurance!

Multi-trip packages can save you money and can cover you for a whole year’s worth of travel. When searching for a multi-trip insurance deal, ensure you are covered for all potential destinations with the best level of cover for your needs. Don’t forget to read the terms and conditions too!

Common Exclusions – When Travel Insurance Will Not Cover You!

Travel insurance is essential when you’re on holiday, providing protection against unforeseen events. However, there are circumstances when you won’t be covered by your policy. While the specific cover you choose determines what you are covered for, some well-known exclusions usually prevent claims. It's important to take the time to read the policy wording carefully to understand these exclusions. Additionally, always check the limits and conditions related to each exclusion to avoid unexpected surprises.

Leaving Your Belongings Unattended

Most policies will cover you for loss or theft of your belongings and valuables, but not if you leave them unattended or in an unsecure location or with someone you don’t know.

What you can do: Keep your belongings with you at all times or ensure they are locked away in a secure safe. In order to make a claim, you will need an official police report outlining the incident and the items stolen.

Claiming Against an Unapproved Medical Condition

If you have a pre-existing medical condition or if you are waiting for test results/treatment for a medical problem and you don’t tell your provider, your travel insurance may be automatically void for any claims you make relating to those medical needs. In most cases, you may also not be covered if you travel against medical advice or if you travel in order to seek medical treatment.

What you can do: Be honest and upfront when you purchase your policy about your pre-existing (or potential) medical conditions.

Engaging in Reckless Activities/Behaviour

Indulging in reckless activities, such as excessive drinking or taking recreational drugs, can lead to a rejection of any insurance claim, whether related to medical, baggage, liability or anything else.

What you can do: Be aware of the situations in which any reckless behaviour could exclude your eligibility for a claim and consider how this will impact the decisions you make while on holiday.

Participating in High Risk Sports & Activities

Travel insurance will not cover you if try to make a claim resulting from a sport or activity that isn’t covered by your policy. This can apply to cover for injuries and illness (medical), as well as equipment loss/damage and any personal financial losses.

What you can do: Make sure that each sport or activity you will be engaging in is covered by your insurance policy; if it’s not, enquire about upgrading to ensure you are appropriately covered.

Travelling Against Government Advice

If you decide to travel to a specific region despite advice or warnings from the Australian government, your travel insurance provider will not cover you for that destination.

What you can do: Pay attention to government warnings via www.smartraveller.gov.au and be wary of travelling to destinations that involve high risk or serious personal dangers.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

It is important to disclose all pre-existing medical conditions when purchasing your policy. Failure to do so may void your coverage for related claims.

What you can do: Provide accurate information about your health conditions when buying your policy.

Trip Cancellations

If you need to cancel your trip unexpectedly, ensure your policy covers trip cancellations.

What you can do: Check your policy to confirm cancellation coverage and any conditions that apply.

Ignoring Road & Driving Rules

Hiring a car can be common on any trip, but things like driving on non-tarmac/cement roads, driving under the influence or letting an unauthorised person drive the car can all render your travel insurance null and void. In most cases, you’ll also have to take out Collision Damage and Third Party insurance through the rental company to ensure your travel insurance cover stays active.

What you can do: Pay close attention to the rules or limits set out by both your travel insurance policy and your rental company; if any of these rules are broken at the time of an incident, you won’t be covered. Make sure you read your Product Disclosure Statement carefully for a list of full terms and conditions.

Changing Your Mind

Unfortunately, very few travel insurance polices will approve your claims if you simply change your mind about travelling or if other circumstances, like failing to get a passport or visa in time, affect your travel plans.

If you are still unsure about certain circumstances under which you will not be covered by your travel insurance, you should read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or contact our customer service agents before you buy to understand your options.