Travel Insurance Comparison

12 Tips for Travelling Internationally With Kids

Jennifer C — Mon, 07 May 2012 23:59:40 +0000

Travelling internationally with kids can be a challenging experience, but with a little bit of planning, it doesn’t have to be. No matter where you are travelling, by following the 12 easy tips listed below, your travel experience may be more enjoyable and help you have a trip your kids will always remember.

1. Consider family travel insurance

Travel insurance is not as expensive as you might think. Do you know what you would do if your kid got sick right before the trip? You might have to cancel everything, and it would be expensive considering the lost deposits and cancellation fees.

If you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy, you will have cover to help with the costs if something like this happens to you. To get started, browse online to compare travel insurance benefits and choose a policy for your family.

Image by GoodNCrazy

2. Schedule an appointment with your kid’s doctor

Kids find it much more difficult to adjust to cabin pressure on a flight, and if they are suffering from a condition that may affect their ears, they could be in pain during take-off and landing. Also, if they need any vaccinations before they leave the country, their doctor can take care of that.

3. Let your travel agent know about any special needs

For example, if your child requires any type of special care or medical attention, the airlines may need to know about this when your flight is booked.

4. Choose a direct flight or a stopover flight

You should base this decision on your child’s temperament. Keep in mind that fewer stops will mean less disruption, but a stopover will give your child a break during a long trip.

5. Dress them in comfortable clothing

Layers of clothing will work great, because the temperature in the plane cabin may be warmer or cooler than what your child is used to. You should also take an extra change of clothes in case of spills or other messy accidents.

6. Pack some of your child’s favourite toys

Keeping a child entertained is a huge part of air travel. Make sure none of the toys are noisy. If you give your child noisy toys on a flight, they will disturb you and the other passengers.

7. Bring along a first aid kit

Your basic first aid kit might contain items such as sticking plasters, a soothing lotion for skin problems, and antibacterial skin wipes. You may not need this, but it’s always best to be prepared in case something happens.

8. Don’t over pack!

For example, instead of bringing along your child’s stroller or high chair, consider renting them instead. This will be more practical because you won’t have to worry about hauling all of it with you when you travel.

9. Have your passports ready

Every member of the family will need a passport when travelling internationally. Even children will need their own. Since the application process can take a few weeks, be sure to start early. Have your passports in a handy place when travelling so that you can get to them without unpacking your bags!

10. Try to keep your child’s mealtime routine

Children are reassured by their familiar routine, so try to eat at the usual times while you travel. Also, carry plenty of your child’s favourite snacks and drinks with you while you’re touring around.

11. Be careful about potential dangers

Do not let your child play near unfenced swimming pools or balconies. Always supervise them and don’t let them out of your sight, especially since you’re in an unfamiliar place.

12. Explain everything first

Before you and your family leave for your vacation, talk to your child about the trip. Let them help to pack their things, and tell them how much fun they will have on the plane. Get them as ready for the experience as possible. This will help them feel less stressed.

Now that you have a list of easy travel tips, international travel will be much more relaxed for your family. Consider tip 1, travel insurance. It really can make a huge difference, and your trip will be more fun if you have no worries about cancellations or medical emergencies. Enjoy your trip!

Compare Domestic and International Travel Insurance

Kelly — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:27:47 +0000

According to SmartTraveller.gov.au, millions of Australians travel each year, both within the region and internationally. The government has set up this website to help these people plan for their holidays and visits abroad. Aside from the usual travel advisories and tips, there is another major aspect to tourism: travel insurance comparison.

Travel insurance may be very helpful in saving you time and headaches if something goes wrong on the road. When you compare travel insurance, you’ll find coverage for medical care, lost possessions, travel cancellations, and more. Before taking out a policy, make sure you read the fine print and know exactly what’s covered and what isn’t.

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Travel Health Insurance

First and foremost, let’s look at medical care. As the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade points out in an article on travel insurance: “Each year we handle over 20,000 cases involving Australians in difficulty overseas. This includes over 1,400 hospitalisations, 1,000 deaths and 30 evacuations of Australians to another location for medical purposes.”

Without comparing travel insurance, you may be liable to pay your own medical costs in case of an emergency. Look at the stats from the SmartTraveller website:

Daily hospitalisation costs in Southeast Asia regularly exceed $800
Return of remains from Europe may cost in excess of $10,000
The cost of medical evacuations from the United States regularly range from $75,000 to $95,000 and sometimes up to $300,000.

A travel insurance policy can help to cover those costs (though of course, read the policy in full before you sign and note any exclusions or limitations).

Other Forms of Travel Insurance

There’s also the issue of personal baggage loss or damage, and the costs incurred if you cancel or change your travel plans. With plane tickets costing hundreds or thousands of dollars, this is a lot of money for some people to give up if they need to cancel their flight but they don’t have cancellations cover.

And what about domestic travel insurance? While Medicare and private health insurance will both help to cover you for health care throughout Australia, there are still other things that can go wrong, unfortunately. For instance, you could run into car problems on a road trip, or someone could steal a valuable possession. Pessimism isn’t fun, but it’s always good to plan for the worst and hope for the best; hence the whole reason for travel insurance.

For maximal peace of mind on your journeys, travel insurance is highly recommended. So, when you and your family are getting ready for a holiday or extended stay abroad, the best thing you can do to protect yourself, your finances, and your possessions is to consider taking out a travel insurance policy.

Added costs may not be welcome to people travelling on a budget, but a small payment now is preferable to the huge costs that could arise if there’s an emergency while you’re travelling. The last thing you want is for your dream holiday (and finances) to be ruined because of a medical problem or travel plans gone haywire. If you take sensible precautions now, before your departure, you can enjoy peace of mind while you’re relaxing on a beach somewhere.

International Traveller: Do You Need Travel Insurance?

Kelly — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 22:42:39 +0000

Travelling abroad can be a great experience, but not every traveller’s experience is as easy or glamorous as they had hoped it would be. Long-distance travel may require lots of planning, time, energy, and money. There are so many costs involved aside from the flight and hotels, including but not limited to visas, land transport, and perhaps most importantly of all, your travel insurance.

Before departure, most experienced international travellers compare travel insurance to make sure they’re covered in case of emergency while they’re abroad.

Image by Joe Thomissen

What is Travel Insurance For?

You may have been waiting for this moment for months. Years, maybe. You’re finally arranging a holiday abroad. You have everything researched and some things paid… but have you compared travel insurance yet? Do you know what t covers?

For one, travel insurance may help to cover your health care costs if you get sick or injured while in another country. Travel insurance may also cover things such as lost luggage, damage or loss of other personal possessions, and money lost through cancellations. Be sure to read through what’s covered in a policy before buying it.

Is Travel Insurance Required?

Some countries, especially in Europe, may require that you have some form of approved health insurance before entering the country or applying for a visa. Travel health insurance may be obtained from an insurer within the country you’re travelling to; it’s important that your policy matches the local government’s rules for health insurance. I know from my own experiences in Germany that many insurance policies from my home country would not have been accepted there, so I bought my policy through a company based in the country I was visiting.

What About Medicare?

Thanks to the government signing Reciprocal Health Care Agreements, Medicare is able to help cover your health care costs in some countries:

Australia
New Zealand
The United Kingdom
The Republic of Ireland
Sweden
The Netherlands
Finland
Italy
Belgium
Malta
Norway
Slovenia

However, Medicare doesn’t cover everything, and for countries not listed above, you will probably need to compare travel health insurance. You may have to become a policyholder before you’re even allowed in the country.

What About Private Insurance?

According to the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman, private health funds in Australia may cover various health-related costs during a trip abroad, but again, it depends on the country and the insurer’s terms and conditions.

International Students

In most instances, students wanting to study abroad will need to compare travel health insurance and buy a policy before arriving in their destination country. You may be generally young and healthy, and not see any need fo insurance, but this is required for most international students, so don’t ignore it!

When it comes to travelling outside Australia, do yourself a favour and compare travel insurance policies. You may never encounter any problems during your holiday or time of study, but you can never be 100% sure, can you? Luckily, there are many insurers that offer policies, giving you a wide range of options for both cost and coverage.

Maximizing Your Holiday: Travelling Abroad

Jennifer S — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 22:00:14 +0000

It’s that time of year. People are thinking about hitting the road, or the airways, for a holiday. While most are thinking about what to pack, if you are planning to travel any great distance, you may also want to think about purchasing travel insurance.

While no one wants to focus on the possible unpleasant outcomes instead of the joy and fun of a vacation, it won’t be much fun if you lose your luggage or get into an accident, and it could be even worse if you’re unable to pay for what you need in an emergency. Travel insurance exists so that you can stick the worry at the back of your mind and can have a great time during your holiday.

Image by Paul.White

Compare Travel Insurance Rates

What are the different types of travel insurance that you can take out for a holiday, and which one is right for you? It’s worthwhile to compare travel insurance policies carefully to help you select an appropriate one for your travels.

For comprehensive, international travel insurance, you can take out a policy for one adult for as little as $80.00 for one week’s cover. If you’re travelling as a couple, it may cost double that price, or $160, for the pair of you. If you’re travelling as a family, the premiums are typically about the same as for couple.

If you’re travelling to Europe, it’s even cheaper – as low as $60 for one adult, and double that for a couple, with a bit extra for a family of four.

If you choose only medical coverage, the policy prices may go down further. An international travel insurance policy for strictly medical coverage may only cost about $50 for one adult and $100 for a family of four. A European policy is usually slightly less.

Only stopping for the weekend? For jetsetters who are flying in for just a day or two, prices go down further. An international policy for one person on a short stay may cost around $60, and for a four person family only about $120, while cover for a short break in Europe is typically slightly less.

If you’re a frequent traveler, you may decide to take out an annual policy that covers your travels throughout the year. This helps keep any worry out of your head, letting you travel freely without needing to buy travel insurance every time you book a trip. Plus, these policies may offer good value – they start from about $350.

The Value of Travel Insurance

You may spend much more on tickets, accommodation and souvenirs than you do on travel insurance. But if you have reason to make a claim, travel insurance might be the most useful expenditure for your trip. It provides financial support if something goes wrong while you’re travelling, and peace of mind for everyone on your trip.

Do keep in mind the following points about travel insurance:

Many companies include an excess in their policies. This is an amount decided beforehand that the insured party must pay if making a claim. This can may be as high as about $500. Sometimes you can choose your excess amount, with a lower excess necessitating a higher policy payment.
There may be a cancellation charge due if you cancel your travel insurance.
If you need to use your travel insurance, you may have to pay out of pocket first and then get reimbursed by your insurer.

Go over all of the fine print before you choose your policy, so you are aware of all of the details. Taking out a travel insurance policy is relatively simple, yet it may save your holiday from ruin. A quick travel insurance comparison can help you find a policy that appeals to you.

What You Should Look For in a Travel Insurance Policy

Jennifer S — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 22:00:57 +0000

Getting away for some relaxing time with family or friends? You’ll want to have a great time and escape the worries and stresses of everyday life. Taking out a travel insurance policy can help you to ensure your trip runs smoothly, even in the event that something does go wrong while you’re away.

There are many options for travel insurance, and each company has its own packages and features to give you the coverage you need for your trip. The travel insurance Australia has to offer is excellent and you can usually find what you need for any holiday. Here are some tips for what to look for in a policy so that you get one of the best matches for your needs:

Image by knoteuh6

24 hour emergency assistance

You’ll be reassured to know that know matter what time of day an incident occurs, there’s someone at the other end of the phone line to talk you through what to do next. Without 24 hour contact available, you may face the frustrating and limiting situation of not having a representative to help you deal with your emergency and get you the help that you need.

Basic and premium plans

Every holiday is different, and therefore each trip may have its own needs in terms of insurance coverage. You’ll want to be able to choose between different options to give you the best chance of finding the coverage you need at a price you are willing to spend.

Baggage coverage

This provides coverage in the event that your luggage gets lost. Unfortunately, even though this is not a frequent occurrence, it may happen. If it happens to you, you may regret it if you are not covered for the loss. Showing up at your destination without all your clothes and holiday essentials, and out of money for new purchases, could spoil your vacation.

Cancellation charges

Sometimes a trip or part of a trip must be cancelled due to circumstances beyond your control. You or one of your loved ones may come down with a serious illness or suffer an accident, and therefore you may need to cut your trip short for health, financial or personal reasons.

Emergency dental coverage

Our teeth are often the last health issue we think about, but emergencies do come up. Emergency dental coverage will help you to deal with a dental emergency immediately without handing over too much money or having to wait to return to Australia to handle it.

Personal items coverage – cash theft, credit cards and travel documents

This is another holidaymaker’s requirement that many travel insurance plans may cover. Your personal items are often your most valuable possessions, and if that’s true for you then this coverage may be at the top of your list.

Unlimited repatriation

If you are at a destination where the medical facilities are limited or non-existent, you may want to have insurance to help you come back to Australia for treatment.

Personal liability cover

In an unusual circumstance, you may become liable for damages while on your holiday. In this rare occurrence, you may be required to pay a high sum of money. This type of insurance can help you to handle the cost.

Accidental death and injury

If something happens to you on holiday, if for example you get a serious injury and must suffer loss of income for a certain time, your travel insurance may help you to financially support your dependents for a certain amount of months. Travel insurance may offer financial support to your dependents and next of kin in the event of your death while on holiday.

Customized plans for different destinations

Your insurance needs will vary depending on the destination you choose. You won’t want to pay more than you have to for a local destination, but for a foreign destination you may want to look at more extensive cover. Compare travel insurance policies to see which insurers provide a broad range of options at suitable prices.

International Travel Insurance: The Facts

Sophie — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:27:23 +0000

When planning a vacation, most people focus on the activities, flights and accommodations. What happens if your trip is cancelled for unforeseeable circumstances such as an illness, injury or natural disaster? Will you be covered or receive your money back? What happens if you lose your luggage? Travel insurance answers all of these questions.

What Travel Insurance Covers

In most instances, neither Medicare nor private health insurance will cover medical and hospital expenses outside of Australia. International travel insurance helps to cover what your regular insurances will not cover. Deposits lost from cruise cancellations may be covered, as well as lost or stolen luggage. Transportation for medical evacuation, hospital stays and surgery may also be covered.

Image by Duncan~

Medical Costs When Travelling

Travellers often do not consider the possibility of becoming sick or injured. The reality is that many Australians travelling overseas are injured or hospitalized during some portion of their trip. In fact, each year, over 25,000 cases of emergencies abroad are handled. These emergencies include 1200 hospitalizations, 50 evacuations and 900 deaths.

If you are not covered, the expenses incurred will be your personal responsibility. Some holidays have resulted in significant financial burden for some travellers. Medical expenses in another country can accumulate quickly. Some Australian holidaymakers have cited medical expenses in Southeast Asia as exceeding $800 per day.

What if you have to come home because of a serious medical problem? The cost of a medical evacuation from the United States, for example, may range from $75,000 to $300,000, depending upon the severity of the medical condition. Even sending a loved one’s remains home to Australia may cost a significant amount. There have been some instances of travellers liquidating their assets to cover the costs of their medical bills.

A holiday should be a time of enjoyment. Travel insurance will ensure that you do not incur any unexpected expenses while travelling abroad.

What to Expect From a Travel Insurance Policy

Not all travel insurance policies are created the same. Some policies vary by level of coverage offered. Some international travel coverage will cover medical expenses, cancellation fees, lost or stolen luggage and personal liability. Determine what your needs are for international travel insurance and verify that the travel insurance company offers the coverage you are seeking.

For instance, some travel insurance companies will cover lost luggage, cancellation of the policy for any reason and medical up to a certain amount. The same insurance company may charge the customer less if they exclude some coverage. Some insurance companies will cover the fees for cancellation only for natural disasters and not for any other reason. Some insurance companies will provide accommodations reimbursement if your flight is delayed or cancelled for unforeseeable weather conditions. Others will not cover this expense at all.

Experts advise that you ask questions to determine what is covered in your travel insurance. Exclusions will be found in the disclosures section of the document. Some common exclusions include:

Cancellation or hospitalisation due to pregnancy, because it is classified as a pre-existing condition.
Trip cancellation or hospitalization in a location where you have been warned not to travel by the travel advisory.
Acts of civil unrest may not be covered.
Other pre-existing conditions may not be covered.
Self-inflicted injuries may not be covered.
Injuries sustained while under the influence of alcohol may not be covered.
Some insurance policies may not cover injuries related to snowboarding, surfing, hunting, rock climbing, bungee jumping, kite surfing or any underwater activities. Inquire with your insurance company if you need coverage for these types of extreme sports.
Some jewellery, cameras or other expensive items may not be covered by this type of insurance.

If you are unsure, ask for an insurance policy that will allow you to cancel for any reason and that will give the maximum medical coverage allowed. This will ensure that you are covered for most events. Compare insurance companies, because some may offer more coverage for less money.

What Else Should I Know About International Travel Insurance?

Availability and Claims Payments

Experts advise that you also determine the insurer’s availability during emergencies and how fast the company pays claims, before selecting an international travel insurance. Most reputable insurance companies will have an agent on-call at all times for questions.

Keep the Phone Number and Two Copies of Your Policy Handy

Frequent travelers advise that you make a copy of your travel insurance policy to take with you and another one to leave home with a friend or relative. Email a copy to your own email account to ensure that the document is accessible from any location. Also, keep the phone number handy in case you need to call the insurer with any questions.

Search for Discounts

Some discounts for travel insurance may be found online. The prices for travel insurance will vary. However, some discounts may offer up to 30% off the quoted price. This may be a significant savings, as travel insurance can be costly.

Conclusion

International travel insurance is recommended by most experienced travellers. The expenses and headache of unexpected medical problems is an undesirable reality from some travellers’ holiday experiences. Consider purchasing travel insurance before your next holiday.

How Travel Insurance Can Save Your Tropical Vacation

Robert — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 05:47:27 +0000

Being able to spend a vacation in a tropical country could be something that most people are dreaming of. Being able to bask under the tropical sun while lying down in the fine white sands of the tropical beaches could be a dream-come-true. However, you might find that travelling to a tropical country also offers various risks. Especially if you come from a country that has a totally different climate, your body might end up feeling weird once you step in the tropical territory. Moreover, jet lag is another enemy.

Photo: Marc van der Chijs

Aside from the circumstances that may compromise your tropical enjoyment mentioned above, the weather may also be an issue. Tropical countries are known to be prone to receiving the beating from tropical storms. The weather can also become very erratic – you might arrive with the sun smiling at you but when you decide to go out and have fun, the shine will suddenly go away and there is a tropical shower.

The bottom line is that a tropical vacation can be very unpredictable. And the best protection that you can get is getting is a travel insurance plan.

Below are the various ways that a travel insurance policy can save your tropical vacation:

Compensation for Lost Luggage

Whether you are in a tropical country or an icy city, losing or misplacing your luggage and belongings can be very annoying. You don’t want to ruin your enjoyment because of a lost belonging, do you? Plus, the more remote your tropical destination is, the more layovers you will have, and the more likely your luggage doesn’t make it with you to your final destination. With a travel insurance cover that will provide compensation for your lost possessions, there is no need to worry over losing your luggage!

Reimbursement for Additional Expenses Caused by Delayed Flights

As mentioned above, weather and climate in a tropical country can be very unpredictable. Thus, the likelihood of a delayed flight is inevitable. Should your flight be delayed, you might end up paying for accommodations or additional transportation costs. The travel insurance will reimburse you for these miscellaneous expenses.

Refund for Cancelled Flights

When you are about to go to the tropical country of your choice, it might just happen that an emergency will take place and you would need to cancel your flight. A weather disturbance such as a strong typhoon creating havoc in your destination would also force the airline to cancel the flight. In such cases, the travel insurance will provide a refund for the payment you have rendered for the plane ticket.

Coverage of Medical-Related Expenses

As briefed above, your body might not be able to easily adjust to the tropical climate, especially if you came from a country where the climate and weather is more constant. If you get sick while on travel, your travel insurance can cover the expenses for the medical assistance. Meanwhile, if you have an accident, you can also use the travel insurance to get the care you need. Moreover, if you need to be transported to a medical facility or if you need to be brought back home, the travel insurance will also pay for the expenses related to the medical evacuation. Tropical destinations are also known for having a lot of activities that can be dangerous, such as surfing, zip-lining, and hiking. You never know when a fun day can turn into something else.

Family Travel Insurance

Jennifer S — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 10:24:06 +0000

Getting away as a family is an important time for bonding and relaxing. Since getting around Australia is relatively quick and inexpensive, it’s not difficult for many families to find the time to go on Holiday and fit the expense into their budgets. Since your family is your most precious asset, you also want to include travel insurance in your plans for a stress-free family vacation.

Photo: Roxanne Ready

Why Travel Insurance?

When you’re creating a dream vacation, the last thing you want to happen is for you to run into an unfortunate circumstance and not have the resources to deal with it; but when you’re out of your element, you’re usually not in the best situation to handle difficulties that can arise and that may even be more likely to come up. You could lose your luggage or have it damaged, sustain injuries or require medical assistance or be faced with any other number of challenges along your journey. When your kids are involved, you don’t want to take any chances. While dealing with any of these struggles will put a damper on your trip, if you have travel insurance, you will at least have the relief that you will be covered financially for the damages and have some of the stress erased from what could have ruined your vacation.

How Much Extra for Kids?

While you may decide that you need travel insurance, the cost might appear as a necessary evil. Fortunately, most travel insurance policies are free for kids! Some packages cover children for free until age eighteen, while others will cover them until age twenty one. That means you get the coverage you need at a very affordable rate, and it may not be evil for you at all.

What Does it Cover?

There are many types of policies available for families, and you need to compare travel insurance packages to find the right one to fit your needs. If you are going on a beach vacation, you will want to take out a policy that covers water activities such as skiing, surfing, skiing and eve bungee jumping. If you are going on a cultural trip, you won’t need these covered in your plan, but rather a more standard plan covering air travel and theft. There are generally two levels of coverage in addition to specific plans – basic and premium. A basic plan covers medical and repatriation, which means that they will fly you back to Australia for treatment. A premium plan is a bit more expensive and covers extras such as luggage theft, personal liability, vehicle rental, cancellation fees and lost deposits. For families that travel together frequently, you can find annual packages that give you premium coverage at a discount per vacation.

How to Get the Best Rates?

Travel insurance policies are available through a wide range of insurance providers, each with different terms and premiums. When choosing, try to get recommendations from others who have taken out policies. A travel insurance comparison will help you determine the differences between each provider’s policies and allow you to make an informed decision, so you get the best value for your money. On the one hand, you don’t want to overpay, but on the other hand, you want to know that you are obtaining a reliable policy from a verified provider.

Using Travel Discount Sites

Brian — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:17:54 +0000

In the expenses associated with vacations, it is no wonder that travel discount sites have taken off – no pun intended. Yet, navigating them seems as difficult as with anything else. Follow along for some tips on how to use and get the most out of them.

Which One?

Photo: Spree2010

Good question.

While there may not be any easy answers, and we don’t have the time to evaluate each of the top choices, we can come down to some conclusions. An important item is to remember that you don’t have to use just one: in fact, you might do better by searching through a few of these sites to see what happens.

Better yet, use the sites that will cross-check with other travel discount sites. These are growing in popularity, and operate as a sort of “price comparison” tool, so to speak.

Your best bet may be to start bookmarking these sites. You never know what one site will offer versus another; keep your options open.

Warnings

There is a lot to remember when it comes time to plan a vacation. You do need to be careful, though.

The biggest item in this conversation is hidden fees. The price that you see may not take into account taxes and other items, including fees for using the service at all. Make sure you are aware of such points when you book through one of these sites.

Always read the fine print. For instance, you might find a great package vacation deal on a new travel site. However, when you go to redeem, you find that it is not valid on the weekends and it expires in a few months. Don’t dive in too quickly.

Change Your Mind? Something Come Up?

Another area where you need to be careful is with cancellation; with many travel discount sites, it may not be an option.

As you might expect, this is one topic where travel insurance comes into play. You might do very well to purchase travel insurance to protect yourself against many scenarios that may arise. When you factor in the savings that you receive with some of these travel discount sites, you can obtain good coverage and still come out ahead.

Consider travel insurance to protect yourself against cancellation, delays, medical items that may come up, and other coverage areas. It could save you when the time comes to put it into action.

Overall

Travel discount sites can save you a lot of money. You’ll need to be careful with the sites that you use, so you take into account the fees that are involved. Also, build a number of sites that you can cross-check to make sure you’re getting a great deal.

Also, remember to check into travel insurance if it fits your needs. It can really put the icing on the cake with regard to the deal you are getting, by protecting yourself with the “what ifs” that can take place on a vacation. Perhaps you’ll find your next great deal on a travel discount site.

Domestic Travel Insurance in 2012: Pros and Cons

Jennifer S — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 08:38:40 +0000

Although everyone likes to save a penny, it’s not worth it to fool ourselves into thinking we don’t need something when

Photo: Travis Simon

the minimal cost could save us loads of hassle. That’s how it works with domestic travel insurance. Any type of insurance is just protection on a rainy day, and hopefully you’ll never have the need to use it. In many cases, we opt to buy it anyway, because the risk is just too great. Some types of insurance, such as health, are useful to just about anyone. Then there’s a range of insurance types that may be required by all or some members of society depending on their needs and activities. It’s never simply a guessing game; you have to assess what you plan to do versus the economical value of what could happen.

Benefits of Domestic Travel Insurance

In general, traveling in Australia may not be looked at so much as traveling, since you’re in your own backyard. However, there are additional issues to think about when traveling that you wouldn’t necessarily deal with when you’re literally in your own backyard.

If you are driving, you’ll be spending a good deal more time on the road than you normally would. Car insurance would handle some of it, but travel insurance keeps you covered for more situations. For example, if someone gets an injury while in your car, your car insurance may not cover you for the area that you’re in – check your policy, because many are strictly local and illustrate a very straightforward policy about location. If you’re driving, a travel insurance policy that protects against car accident and theft would keep you covered. Depending on where you’re visiting, there could be mountainous terrain, and many parts of Australia can be difficult to maneuver by car, increasing your risks.

If there are health related issues, Medicare would cover you mostly in the same way, but if you have a private health fund it will most likely not follow you wherever you are going. Travel insurance will fill in the gap. For example, if you find yourself with an infection that lands you in the hospital, Medicare may only cover you for certain hospitals and services.

Statistically, you are not likely to and yourself a huge medical bill; but someone is, whether your aunt Suzy or cousin Al. since no one knows who will actually need the coverage, you can cover yourself by taking out a policy.

In addition to accidents and injuries related to cars and health, there are a myriad of smaller disasters that can happen for which travel insurance will cover you. These can include lost luggage, stolen wallets, passports and personal items and hotel cancellations, as well as many other potential accidents and thefts.

Disadvantages of Travel Insurance

Domestic travel insurance is beneficial for travelers; the only disadvantage is that it’s money out of your pocket for a service that you might not every need or use. You must pay up front, but in the event that it doesn’t become necessary to exercise, you don’t get your money back. Some people might label this a gamble, but as with most types of insurance, it can be looked at as protection; would you take a gamble on $50,000 medical bill?

Always compare

To get the best value for the money you spend for protection, always compare travel insurance quotes. You would be surprised that some companies will offer the same services at vastly different costs to the consumer. Checking around online and speaking to representatives from different companies will yield you the best price for the services you wish to obtain.