Travel Insurance with Suresave

Travel insurance is intended to cover various travel risks such as medical expenses and financial or other losses incurred either while travelling or, in some instances, even before you travel. The nature of travel insurance and the policy wording is inevitably complex but it is essential to understand what you are and are not covered for, and what you, as a traveller, are responsible for.

While actual policy benefits vary considerably between companies, there are several common parts of a travel insurance policy and each covers different elements.

You should always take the time to read the Combined FSG and PDS (including Policy Wording).

Medical Expenses & Medical Evacuation

Hospital costs in the USA can approach $10,000 per day, while medical evacuations to Australia can easily exceed $100,000. The cost of travel insurance suddenly seems like small change, and is infinitely better than having to re-mortgage your house to bring loved ones home.

Some things to look for:
• * Unlimited cover if you're travelling to the US, Canada or Japan.
• * Cover for emergency Medical Evacuation.
• * An allowance for a relative to accompany you if you're ill or injured and travelling alone.
• * Cover for emergency dental work.
• * Cover for pre-existing medical conditions or pregnancy.

Cancellation

Cancellation cover applies to lost deposits and cancellation fees for pre-paid travel arrangements due to unforeseen circumstances neither expected nor intended by you or which are outside your control. There is provision to claim for cancellation of your trip for a variety of reasons including being called for jury duty, the death of a close relative (conditions apply), sickness, accidents, and natural disasters. However it does not cover you if you merely change your mind about your trip.

The important thing to remember here is that for this section of the policy to be useful, you have to buy the policy when you start booking tickets and not the week before you leave.

Some things to look for:
• * Loss of non-refundable deposits and costs paid in advance if you cancel before departure due to illness or injury, compulsory jury duty, unforeseen retrenchment and natural disaster.

Luggage and Personal Effects

Luggage is the reason most people take out travel insurance and is probably the least important component; things can be replaced, health can't. There are usually per item limits and exclusions regarding the definition of 'reasonable care' which means a claim will be denied if you leave your baggage unattended in a public place and it's stolen. Lastly, should you have to claim, you will always be asked for proof of ownership in some form, so you might like to consider this before you go.

Some things to look for:
• * individual item limits
• * cover if your luggage is stolen from your hotel room.
• * cover if luggage is stolen from the boot of a locked car
• * does it cover loss of cash

Personal Liability

If you cause an accident when abroad and injure someone, insurance can cover your liability and legal expenses but most won't pay legal expenses if you have a car accident.

Rental Vehicle Excess

When you hire a car overseas, if you have an accident there is usually a policy excess that you have to pay to the car hire company. Travel insurance may cover the costs of this.

Delays

Flight delays aren't uncommon, but very occasionally delays can run into days which can quickly become expensive.

Resumption of Trip

Some policies allow for special circumstances where if you had to return home due to hospitalisation of a sick relative or an unexpected death in the family, then not only will you be able to claim for some of these costs, but you can also resume your trip within 12 months of your return to Australia.