Cheap and cheerful Overseas Travel Insurance

chukkii on 25/12/2013 - 22:13

Hi Guys,

I'm looking to travel to Hong Kong and Bangkok next year and I want to buy some travel insurance. Specifically I want to cover:

  • Baggage Loss/Theft
  • Flight cancellation/Rescheduling (and accommodation associated with this)
  • General Injury/Hospital insurance

I do have insurance on my amex credit card that I am eligible for, but from what I've heard trying to file a claim is like trying to get blood from a stone.

I am travelling with my parents (all under 65 with one turning 60 while overseas) for a period of 1 month max. No pre-existing conditions (other than a bad back…)

Really I just want to make sure we're covered for any losses due to shitty baggage handling, theft or more likely, flight cancellation/re-scheduling.

Cathay Pacific have flight insurance for a hefty $247pp.

Can anyone suggest someone cheap and easy to file claims with please?

Travel Insurance Travel Insurance

Comments

  • chukkii on 25/12/2013 - 22:46

    Is AIG any good?

    I get a pretty good discount (about $100 off) if I choose to go with them…

  • carpecrash on 25/12/2013 - 23:29

    SCTI are unbelievably cheap and great.

  • missalicia on 26/12/2013 - 02:08
    +1

    I used Southern Cross Travel Insurance as well and they were pretty good with claiming on my lost mobile while in New York. A bit of back and forth was required (not unreasonably they required a same day police report plus detailed narrative, proof of purchase, credit card statements etc) but the amount I got back in the end was very fair.

  • Benicio on 26/12/2013 - 10:37

    +1 for Southern Cross. I've had to claim medical expenses on every trip I go on over the last few years (I go to some dark and dirty places) and they've come through every time.

  • blitz on 26/12/2013 - 10:46
    +2

    Well, remember that the proof of any insurer is not whether they take your money, nor what they claim to cover, but whether they will actually pay out in the event of a claim.

  • goosegog on 26/12/2013 - 14:31
    +2

    WELL THE NUMBER OF TIMES I HAVE ADVISED FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE!! with Southern Cross (SCTI )on this site.This is the one to use - they go the further mile as I have stated in the past + having a great caring team to deal with any issues that might arise. Also their fees are far cheaper than any other comparable companies. Again as stated in the past we are not affiliated with the company - just very happy clients.

  • peterpeterpumpkin on 26/12/2013 - 16:58

    As a cheapskate backpacker, my travel insurance is really only ever intended for medical emergencies so I've never won the insurance company lottery that so many of my friends have (e.g. free hotel coverage).

    I can confirm that SCTI paid me out with no dramas for my medical emergency, but then again it only cost them $80 (since I was injured in Asia and the excess was $100 and the insurance policy about the same). The terms and conditions of all these policies make me hesitant to seek care for potential medical emergencies, since I'm never really sure if I'm covered (and they expect you or the hospital to ring before assuming). What if the motobike rental place accidently gave me 125cc instead of 120 cc voiding my insurance plan? What if it turns out that little scrape on my foot from coral was deadly but I didn't want to waste $99 on medical treatment since I wouldn't get the money back etc…being cheap can be deadly :) With SCTI you have to name pre-existing injuries and pay for extra coverage. The stupid part, at least when I applied, was that you couldn't specify the exact location and type of injury. If you're unconscious and you need urgent microsurgery to re-attach your fingers will they do it if your form says "Pre-existing injury to bones in hand" when you've already lost a thumb (extreme example to make a point :))?

    They also won't help with money immediately if your initial emergency bill is less than something like $350 (maybe it was more?), so expect a medical emergency to cost you either way in the short-term and of course you can't avoid ATM withdrawals, taxis and hostels/hotels close to the hospital for potential follow-up care. Dressings and check-ups are covered but will cost you extra money in the meantime - not good if you still have a week to go, no credit card and less than a $700 left in your debit card…

  • caro on 26/12/2013 - 17:52

    1Cover is an excellent travel insurance and good with claims

  • Baysew on 26/12/2013 - 17:59
    +3

    Travel Insurance Direct meets the cheerful criteria. It seemed a good sort of price. Never had to claim though.

    • Cheeper on 30/12/2013 - 23:39
      +1

      We have used them 5 or 6 times… easy to organise online and took our premium in a cheerful manner which gave a fuzzy warm feeling.
      Only claimed once for a dr visit for a bad cold. Excess was $100 so didn't get much back but the claim process was easy enough.
      There are % off codes usually floating around … google is your friend.

  • ozf1 on 28/12/2013 - 18:52

    OP, I can not vouch for SCTI, few tips, have ALL receipts for things you are taking overseas (electronics), if you are hoping to be covered in case of loss/theft /damage.
    If no receipts, then valuation (prior to the date claim (iam yet to find this in their policy, but we were recently requested to provide valuation prior to the 'incident', I only read valuation in their policy…). Valuation… who is going to provide an official valuation for say a computer?
    Have a police report for any loss or theft, damage reports (repairer), remember, even for a damage claim, you still need a receipt in particular if the damage is total.

    I once used (claimed) Clubmed complimentary travel insurance, and I believe they covered us to the same level SCTI would/have covered.
    I believe your Amex cover is probably enough, be sure to read their T&Cs, for anything of concern they may not cover. I found at the time that Clubmed covered to the same level as your entry level insurance policies.
    Read bellow post re: people's feelings re: travel ins.companies attitudes/practices.
    TID never bothered to reply to my query to them on my post, I am SURE they read it.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/123501

  • goosegog on 30/12/2013 - 22:27

    SCTI have never failed in their promises . They are good & provide everything as stated in their agreement + plus having a less expensive policy to start with. We have used them for years - luckily with no use - until April of this year when I unfortunately broke my wrist on holiday in Koh Samui. Their attentiveness after the initial phone call went beyond anything we expected. They flew us back business class at the end of the trip + on arrival home followed up with a courtesy call to ensure everything was O.K. I cannot fault this company & we will continue using them.

    • ozf1 on 31/12/2013 - 19:49
      +1

      "SCTI have never failed in their promises ., We have used them for years - luckily with no use - "

      So until April, you have purchased policies for years, but not actually 'used them'. Not tobe picky, but all insurances are good… until you need to claim, most of us only find out when we need to claim.
      What if you were not covered, because you broke your wrist by say… playing watersports (fell off seadoo), and you make a claim and they told you, you are not covered because you did not specify you would use motorised equipment, and you are only covered for accidental slips, trips and falls.

      "They are good & provide everything as stated in their agreement "

      who reads all the T&Cs, we all 'should' but as many in OZB and other forums point out, we don't, we all 'expect/assume' we will have a certain level of cover, and are shocked by some of their conditions, granted it is not their fault we don't read the T&Cs.

      • goosegog on 01/01/2014 - 21:04

        This company came through beyond anything we were expecting. Their prices far out match other companies. Obviously you don't take out cover to use but simply to have the reassurance in case of mishaps in your travel plans as happened in our case.You can knock them ozf1 but don't do it until you have tried.Yes you can purchase policies with any numerous sites - @ a far larger premium - but to find a very competitive price with a company who also follows through with such attentiveness to any claim made puts them as Number 1 on our list.

  • chukkii on 08/01/2014 - 10:44

    Thanks for all the replies guys,

    I'm looking at choosing between woolworths insurance and SCTI.

    At the end of the day I agree with everyone else here; I just want the provider that makes it easy to claim should I be unfortunate enough to have an accident.

    That being said, I have heard good things about SCTI and Woolworths…. What do you guys think?

    • goosegog on 09/01/2014 - 14:00

      Compare what each company is offering ( including the T&C's ) then decide which suits the circumstances for your travel, individual needs & of course price. Good luck & please let us all know on your final choice.

  • beany155 on 08/01/2014 - 15:18
    +1

    Travel Insurance Direct is the way to go.. Just had to make a claim and it was painless and approved within days.

  • lisss on 10/01/2014 - 12:33
    +1

    In general, things to watch out for in t&cs and be aware of:

    Baggage Loss/Theft
    - Most budget insurers will not cover unaccompanied baggage or things stolen from the room etc, only from on your person.
    - Different rules re depreciation of items and whether a receipt is needed etc.

    Flight cancellation/Rescheduling (and accommodation associated with this)
    - Budget insurers will not cover missed connections or associated accommodation if you miss your connection.

    General Injury/Hospital insurance
    - Most budget insurers are fine in terms of what they will cover as long as you follow their t&c. Obviously some are more personable and helpful and this is where recommendations come in.

    General comments:
    -Most complaints I read on the internet re travel insurance companies arise from people expecting to be covered for things that they are NOT, and if they had read the t&c they would have known this.

    Personal experience:
    - 1Cover: I claimed for accommodation and alternative transport (in the form of flights) when my train was cancelled due to fog. 1Cover were happy to accept a letter from the tour company I was with explaining the circumstances.

  • tonester on 23/01/2014 - 15:18

    I do have insurance on my amex credit card that I am eligible for, but from what I've heard trying to file a claim is like trying to get blood from a stone.

    credit card travel insurance is usually fine for most people - who's provides/underwrites amex's? zurich does most

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/110367#comment-1499814 might also help :)

  • [Deactivated] on 23/01/2014 - 23:25

    if youre going thailand, please know that they have all now changed their policies due to "state of emergency" and you wont really be covered by (profanity) all.

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