Travel Insurance for South America

Noodles93 on 30/10/2016 - 20:29
Last edited 30/10/2016 - 20:30

Hi All,

Can anyone recommend some good travel insurance for a student travelling to South America over summer.

I was about to book with Southern Cross Travel Insurance but i noticed here (https://www.scti.com.au/travel-advice/top-travel-insurance-q…) that they don't provide cover for events related to travel warnings as per the Smartraveller website.

3 of the countries i plan to visit (Peru, Bolivia, Brazil) all have High Degree of Caution as the official advice and Smartraveller states that "Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media about possible new safety or security risks." I spoke to a Southern Cross rep over the phone and i was advised that I wouldn't be covered for any injuries or personal losses related to getting mugged or attacked in the these countries if i took out a policy with them. It goes without saying that it would be prudent to be covered for such events as there is a good chance that something will go wrong.

Would anyone be able to recommend an alternative travel insurer which would cover events related to travel warnings? I'm considering TID (as they have a 10% off coupon atm - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/270908) but i noticed they are a fair bit dearer than Southern Cross.

Any advice would be appreciated :)

Cheers.

Travel

Comments

  • Marcsie on 30/10/2016 - 22:32

    Why don't just get Internatinal Travel insurance free from all the major banks ?

    • inherentchoice on 31/10/2016 - 10:17
      +1

      Good point but it's not always free, as often you need to have a credit card with an annual fee. And then to activate it you usually need to either book your flights or accommodation with that card (which can also result in credit card surcharges, and OP has probably already booked most of their trip).

      But there is probably one or two out there that will be free.

      Actually, I think this card will provide free insurance without having to activate it by paying for the trip on the card, but the deal ends today.

      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/269838

      And it might cover Peru, Bolivia and Brazil, but here's what the policy states:

      the advice or warning risk rating is ‘Reconsider your need to travel’ or ‘Do not travel’ (or words to that effect) or the advice or warnings advise against all non-essential travel to or in that location or advise against specific transport arrangements or participation in specific events or activities

    • Succulent Synth on 31/10/2016 - 11:27
      +1

      The cover that free bank travel insurance offers is usually very limited, eg medical expenses are capped rather than unlimited. Whilst these may be ok for some domestic travel, I would avoid them for overseas trips where costs can quickly add up in the event of something going wrong.

      I used Travel Insurance Direct when I went to Peru, I had a medical problem there and had no issues claiming. There are some out there with even more cover but will probably be too costly if you are a student.

  • Marcsie on 31/10/2016 - 12:36
    +3

    I have a Diamond Visa Card with CBA, got International Travel insurance cover, now you don't need to pay travel expense with Card, I have been to 40+ countries across 6 continents, only made a claim once,all good,very happy with them :)

  • BucketsJackson on 04/11/2016 - 16:36

    I spent 7 weeks in South America and visited all the countries you mentioned.

    I was insured through SCTI and made 3 claims, 2 were for health/doctors/medicine in Bolivia and Chile and one for a misplaced tablet.

    They were fantastic, paid out everything and even paid out on the tablet which I had no receipt for. Couldn't recommend them enough.

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