If you’re travelling within Australia, whether that’s a trip on the Ghan or a trip to Tasmania, check that you still have some domestic cover. It’s easy to overlook, but it’s useful to have cover for cancellation and rental car excess even on a trip close to home.
2. Pre-existing medical conditions
Complimentary policies have often not covered pre-existing medical conditions, and with these changes it is more important than ever to check exactly where you stand.
If you have any ongoing condition, don’t assume you’re covered. Read the policy wording carefully, and if it’s unclear, ask the insurer directly.
This is crucial.
3. Cancellation cover, a very significant change
At least one major bank has now removed cancellation cover from its complimentary insurance altogether. This is the change we’re most concerned about for our clients.
People often focus on whether a policy offers unlimited overseas medical expenses. That cover matters, but in practice it isn’t claimed on very often.
In dollar terms, cancellation is far and away the largest area travel insurers pay out worldwide. When someone has to cancel a trip prior to departure for an insurable reason, such as unexpected illness or injury, the claim can easily reach $30,000, $40,000, $50,000 or more. On a polar expedition, where cabins often cost well into five figures per person and cancellation penalties can apply many months before departure, that is exactly the exposure you need to protect.
Even where cancellation cover remains, check the exclusions carefully. A common one is illness affecting an elderly relative, particularly one in aged care. If a parent’s health could lead you to cancel, make sure your policy would actually respond.
