This was posted 7 years 5 months 26 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Free Travel Insurance for CBA Gold/Diamond/Platinum Credit Card Holders - Register Online, No Spend Required

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Free Travel Insurance for CBA Gold/Diamond/Platinum Credit Card Holders - Register Online, No Spend Required
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GreatWhiteHunter on 01/08/2017 - 15:29 commbank.com.au (1592 clicks)
Last edited 01/08/2017 - 15:58

A couple of years ago you could get free travel insurance from your credit card provider only if you paid for your flights and/or accommodation with the credit card.

That is no longer the case.

As long as you hold a Gold, Platinum or Diamond credit card from CBA, you are entitled to free travel insurance for trips of up to 6 months duration (Platinum and Diamond) or 3 months if Gold.

There is no need to buy your airfares with your credit card - in fact there is no need to spend a cent on the card to get the insurance (for international trips anyway).

You do need to activate the insurance before you travel here:
https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/insurance/travel-insura…

A $250 excess applies to claims for Dimaond/Platinum cardholders ($500 for Gold)

Read the PDS here https://www.commbank.com.au/content/dam/commbank/personal/ap…

If you need transit insurance (protection from injury while on transport like planes, boats, etc) you must pay for your "trip" on the CBA card - see the PDS.

I am doing a trip shortly. Most insurance is $200+ and has a 30 or 60 day trip limit.
Flight Centre quoted me $489 for insurance.
Although the excess here stings a little, it's less than the premium would otherwise be.

Free travel insurance with cards is nothing new, but its a timely reminder.

This PDS is dated 31 March 2017 so it's safe to assume they made changes to the cover on that date. Exactly what those changes were I do not know…

See previous post https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/272233 for prior comments/discussion.

Note: The cover is largely for international trips only. There are limited exceptions for domestic travel costs, read the pds for full details https://www.commbank.com.au/content/dam/commbank/personal/ap…

Also please note you must ACTIVATE this insurance through NetBank BEFORE you depart for your trip. Very important!!

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closed Comments

  • mr chow on 01/08/2017 - 15:32

    Does it apply to domestic travels?

    • JuggaloG on 01/08/2017 - 15:35

      no, international only

    • GreatWhiteHunter on 01/08/2017 - 15:36
      +4

      From page 76 of the PDS some is covered if you pay for the domestic travel with your card. Looks like flights only, not accomodation.

      https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/insurance/travel-insura…

      I am not a legal expert, but as I read it, this is basically international travel insurance with some domestic cover in some situations.

      Might be worth giving CBA or the insurer Allianz to confirm if you want domestic cover.

  • CDG on 01/08/2017 - 15:35

    I wounder is there any different compare to "PAID" insurance. For Example: QBE, Bupa, NRMA, Aust Post etc……

    • mr chow on 01/08/2017 - 15:40

      I know that some things are not covered by credit card insurance. For instance, Acts of Terror or Act of God events are usually not covered. The only paid insurance I get is with Covermore as they cover pretty much everything. My brother works in Flight Centre and tells me so anyhow.

      • GreatWhiteHunter on 01/08/2017 - 15:44
        +2

        I am a scuba diver. I found the Flight Centre insurance didn't cover that, whereas this does.

        There are certainly major differences between policies so make sure you read the PDS and decide if this cover is adequate for your needs.

        A lot of other policies from other providers only cover trips of 60 days or less. This can cover trips of 6 months which is a big plus if you like extended travel.

      • redforever on 01/08/2017 - 15:49

        Just checked covermore pds. Doesn't seem to cover act of terrorism.

      • zzymurgy on 01/08/2017 - 16:34
        +8

        Hahahaha, that's because their commissions to Flight Centre are huge

    • GreatWhiteHunter on 01/08/2017 - 15:41
      +1

      Heaps of differences between every policy from every company. Be particularly careful about what is excluded.
      Common exclusions include scuba diving, parasaling, bungee jumping, mountain climbing, etc.

      This has a fairly high excess but bear in mind it's FREE.

      • Cheap Charlie on 01/08/2017 - 17:31

        This has a fairly high excess but bear in mind it's FREE.

        Not excluding the fact there is an annual fee associated with each of the mentioned Credit Cards.

        • joelmuzz on 01/08/2017 - 20:44

          Yes but they have other good advantages like no international fee, extended warranty, price guarantee, bonus points, airport lounges (not the CBA cards specifically).

    • joelmuzz on 01/08/2017 - 20:41

      Depends on the policy, they are all unique.
      Some better some worse.
      Generally the more you pay the more you get, but not always.

    • thonk on 02/08/2017 - 08:33

      The insurance goes through Allianz

  • nydc123 on 01/08/2017 - 15:40
    +30

    its been like that for a few years now, what's new?

    • GreatWhiteHunter on 01/08/2017 - 15:42

      The PDS is dated 31 March 2017 so you can safely assume something changed on that date….

      • RockyRaccoon on 01/08/2017 - 17:35
        +1

        A yes the PDS changes so its got to be good!!

        Problem is, for whom?

        The PDS might just as easily taken features away, so that wouldn't be a bargain

    • tagin on 01/08/2017 - 16:46

      Yes, it's been around for a couple of years at least.

  • ozdesi on 01/08/2017 - 15:47
    +1

    These cards have annual fees, so you need to pay that if you are just after free insurance.

    • theHMASfriendship on 01/08/2017 - 15:48

      So is it really free travel insurance?

      • ozdesi on 01/08/2017 - 15:53

        To be fair OP mentioned deal is for card holders but you need to get a card and pay annual fees to use free travel insurance after registration of your trip.

        For international trips, it is easy to spend $1000 on other credit cards to get similar insurance free of charge.

      • saimone on 01/08/2017 - 16:10

        Yes

    • mr chow on 01/08/2017 - 15:56
      +6

      I actually have a Platinum CBA card which I don't pay annual fees because I registered for a card as I was invited to a program with $0 annual fee for the life of the card… winning.

      • ozdesi on 01/08/2017 - 15:57

        That's a great offer, what sort of program was that?

        How did you get invite? Do you have salaried account?

        • mr chow on 01/08/2017 - 16:01
          +1

          That was like 8 years ago when I think they were pushing out AMEX/Cba cards registrations. Can't find that around these days anymore. Plus it was an invite only and I was a long time CBA customer

        • thonk on 02/08/2017 - 08:34

          @joeyhoey19: Same! Probably because of being a long time customer and having a mortgage with em.

      • [Deactivated] on 01/08/2017 - 16:05
        -1

        Meh, I got the Citi Signature card, FFFL, comes with annual Priority Pass membership + travel insurance.

        I fail to see how this is a good deal firstly because Commbank's rewards are absolute shite, and also given complimentary travel insurance is offered with any of the cards that have 100k points signup bonus, annual domestic airfare, lounge passes & an annual fee commensurate to the cost of the travel goodies.

      • shiningstars on 01/08/2017 - 18:42

        Thats a great deal. I have a deal from about 8 years which gave me diamond for the price of gold. So i pay $110 annual fee which i easily recoup through awards points.

      • AtheistPeace on 01/08/2017 - 18:49
        +2

        Yeah same I got upgraded from Awards to Diamond a number of years ago and I only have to pay the Awards fee of $59 for the life of the card. They basically just sent me the Diamond AMEX and MasterCard and said if you want to upgrade just activate the new card and make one purchase.

    • Catabolic on 01/08/2017 - 17:49
      +1

      The Low Fee and Low Fee Gold credit cards from CBA don't incur an annual fee if you spend over $1,000 or $10,000 p.a., respectively. Regardless, I worked for CBA in credit cards several years ago and I never felt convinced by their travel insurance, it might be quite different now. I always go with Southern Cross Travel Insurance now.

  • tightm8 on 01/08/2017 - 15:50
    +13

    This has been the case since forever, this is not a DEAL, it is a benefit of holding the card, which has ANNUAL FEES, not trying to be mean, just facts. I've had the GOLD low rate card years.

  • bk1973 on 01/08/2017 - 15:52
    +2

    Appreciate the reminder on how to activate. This really good to use if you use frequently flyer points for travel instead of buying a ticket. My other card (Bank West Platinum) has free insurance too, but only if > 75% of the flight cost is charged to the card (and this doesn't include frequent flyer trips). Hence, the CBA Gold is good for "free" trips (free except for taxes and fees, that is).

    As noted above, it's hard to compare the different policies sometimes though, and they differ a lot. I would really like to know how this one (and Bankwest's) compares to a paid policy. CBA's is underwritten by Allianz, while Bankwest uses Zurich for their policies.

    • theHMASfriendship on 01/08/2017 - 15:57

      Bankwest use allianz, and it's $500 spend per person on the policy. Spend can be anything prebooked before departing, including accom and activities.

      • Polak on 01/08/2017 - 22:03

        Only problem is you need to purchase return tickets as well.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/08/2017 - 16:03
    +1

    FYI This was posted a year or two ago.

    • ilikeradiohead on 01/08/2017 - 17:02
      +1

      Deals eventually expire on Ozbargain and it's within the guidelines to repost them. This may not be a new deal but could potentially alert someone to something they are entitled.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/08/2017 - 16:03

    Would an additional cardholder be eligible?

    • saimone on 01/08/2017 - 16:09

      yes

      • skimp on 01/08/2017 - 17:57
        -1

        Only if the additional card holder is a spouse or dependent children.

        • skimp on 02/08/2017 - 22:24

          My bad, looks like any additional cardholder is eligible.

          Q: Can an additional cardholder activate the International Travel Insurance included with Credit Cards?
          A: Yes, an additional cardholder can activate this insurance and be eligible for the same travel insurance benefits as the Primary cardholder even if they aren’t travelling with the Primary cardholder.
          https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/insurance/travel-insura…

  • m_tank on 01/08/2017 - 16:17

    A lot of comments about annual fees here. These are waived/replaced with a fee for the relevant mortgage bundle package (and if you have one of those, I think Diamond card can be included & has best rewards). OP does mention that it is for Credit Card Holders but I'm not sure it is a deal per se. Maybe a forum discussion?

    I used this cover for delayed luggage last year. I'd rate it a sold "Meh" out of 10. Better than a kick in the teeth I guess. Not sure how it compares to other travel insurance. Check the PDS to ensure the product is right for you :-)

    • [Deactivated] on 01/08/2017 - 20:24

      So you mean you get do travel insurance free as part of a free credit card as part of a mortgage package that costs $395 per year?

      • StickMan on 02/08/2017 - 12:51

        Yeah, 'free' credit card while you have the Wealth Package, and it functions like a normal card with all the benefits.

  • sj2can on 01/08/2017 - 16:18

    As posted, don't forget to register your trip in netbank. Pretty straight forward.

    Policy is issued through Allianz, I think it's pretty comparable to other [paid for] policies?

  • Samsungnote10 on 01/08/2017 - 16:26
    +1

    this a good deal since you dont have to go through the usual conditions of spending $x and above on flights,
    PLUS must book accomodation PLUS more than x% of the total accomodation must be purchased on the card , associated with most credit card travel insurance

    However, its been around for a few years now, so its not a new deal,

    I have been covered for a few trips now, but fortunately have not had to claim,

    from what I hear its pretty good in terms of coverage and is NOT a crappy free product that hsa limited coverage with a million exclusions,

  • aurotaro on 01/08/2017 - 16:36

    Got a question regarding these travel insurance offered by Credit Card companies.

    If I book say Sydney -> LAX return for a period of 20 days travel on my credit card that offers travel insurance but in between that trip take a flight from LAX to Mexico return that I pay via a non-travel insurance eligible credit card (cheaper, no international transaction fees) and say I make a claim for any unfortunate event in Mexico, am I eligible for it since I still fall under the overall 20 days of my trip or I won't be eligible since this wasn't booked on the original credit card?

    Hope that made sense.

    • GreatWhiteHunter on 01/08/2017 - 16:38

      When you register with this deal you would have had to say you are going to the USA and Mexico (you must declare your destinations when you activate).

      I suspect if you didnt tell them you are going to Mexico they wont cover you for accidents in Mexico.

      If you told them you were going to Mexico, you would be covered, regardless of how you paid for the Mexican flights.

      The above is for the CBA insurance in this deal. It will vary by card and card issuer…

      • aurotaro on 01/08/2017 - 16:39

        Yep, sorry I forgot to mention…. this deal is amazing for what you stated. But I'm on the Ozbargain Citibank Signature card, what happens in that case and most other travel credit cards prior to this deal. It doesnt say anything in the PDS from what I could read.

  • SirFlibbled on 01/08/2017 - 16:44

    This isn't new. Been using it for the last 2 years like that. You can even pay extra for pre-existing coverage.

  • locknuts on 01/08/2017 - 16:50

    Yay i already have one of those cards. Thanks OP!

  • ferguscan on 01/08/2017 - 16:57

    Anyone here have experience actually claiming through these policies? I've read some shocking reviews online.

    • Pigey on 01/08/2017 - 16:59

      Yeah, got pick pocketed in Greece.

      Claiming was fairly simple with a police report, but it's a bit of an interrogation to make sure it actually happened.

      Excess was on the high side, but everything was paid out.

    • GreatWhiteHunter on 01/08/2017 - 17:00

      I've had bad experiences with fully paid standalone policies. Never had to claim on this one in the two trips I've used it so far.

  • netsurfer on 01/08/2017 - 17:52
    +1

    Well, I had really bad experience with CommInsure (for building insurance). Commonwealth bank was so dodgy that (a) they gave me an outdated booklet for terms and condition + this 1 page addendum (that addendum actually contains clauses/updates which removed all the essential / key bits of items which a normal building insurance should cover and (b) they came up with all sorts of excuses not to pay.

    It's free, but I don't trust CommBank when it comes to insurance. They will gladly take your money, but they simply won't pay. Avoid CommInsure.

  • Godric on 01/08/2017 - 17:53

    How is this a deal if it's an existing benefit of holding these card types?

    • stingy-oz on 01/08/2017 - 18:45
      -1

      If you have their packaged home loans, then diamond cards is a given. so this effectively also free insurance benefits.

    • gimli on 01/08/2017 - 18:55
      -2

      ok

    • JetBombat on 01/08/2017 - 19:27
      -1

      This deal is not about credit card though

      • scrone on 01/08/2017 - 19:53
        -2

        Then it's not a deal.

  • imurgod on 01/08/2017 - 18:06

    Oils ain't oils when it comes to travel insurance. You get what you pay for. You want things like unlimited medical, car hire excess buyout and many more. Compare your PDS or have a wording comparison done.

    • gimli on 01/08/2017 - 18:55

      thanks

      • WhyAmICommenting on 01/08/2017 - 19:13

        Yes, this. See http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/kawa-sweeney-recovering-in-perth-a…

        They thought they were covered by credit card travel insurance

        • noise36 on 01/08/2017 - 19:55

          Would most none CC travel insurers cover this event?

        • WhyAmICommenting on 01/08/2017 - 22:24

          @noise36: I expect you mean non… But I couldn't be sure, however:

          "Consumer advocacy group Choice has previously issued a warning about the pitfalls of relying on travel insurance which comes with credit cards, cautioning travellers to always read the fine print."

  • Kamsi on 01/08/2017 - 19:27

    So i don't need to buy the air ticket with my cba card but what is transit insurance?

  • noise36 on 01/08/2017 - 19:53

    This is good but how is it a bargain? Its just a product feature.

  • 00 on 01/08/2017 - 19:59
    -6

    Not a bargain and not really a deal so giving a neg.

    It's an included feature of a product sold by a bank. It's also been around since earlier this year.

  • ozisaver on 01/08/2017 - 20:04
    +2

    Totally a duplicate post. This has been on ozbargain ages ago and the insurance has been included on these cards for ages. Thanks for the reminder though

    • dufflover on 02/08/2017 - 08:34

      That's what I was thinking.
      I'm pretty sure I saw this ages ago, back when I even still had a CBA card which is at least 2 years (doing the yearly rotation of fee free cards).

  • mustard on 01/08/2017 - 20:57
    +2

    I got really sick in South America a couple of years ago and had to finish up early and fly home. I held travel insurance through my CBA Platinum CC and was expecting to have to go through a battle to get anything back, but it was a really simple process and I ended up getting just over $8k back. I was out of pocket a bit as I chose to book new flights home rather than try and amend my flights, but I was pretty happy with the whole process. Keeping in mind that back then I had to purchase my flights with the card and their insurer was Zurich.

  • vinster55 on 01/08/2017 - 21:41

    Have activated insurance through my Commbank Platinum Credit card multiple times over the last year.

    This has been the case for over a year now I can confirm , as I did a overseas trip september 2016 and activated this insurance

    Thanks for the reminder op

  • horde666 on 01/08/2017 - 21:53

    Not sure how this differs from the others available - i.e Westpac's '55 Day Platinum credit card' which is a zero cost credit card with international travel insurance

  • Kingfield on 01/08/2017 - 23:50

    This has been going on for a while. I activated it when I went to the US in oct/nov last year.

    Managed to claim back $2k as my laptop died while overseas.

    Claim process was relatively painless - excess was a bit expensive @ $250 but really can't complain when its free.

  • iversonjack on 02/08/2017 - 00:33
    +1

    I have claimed in the past and it was pretty easy process.

  • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2017 - 04:01
    +1

    Thankyou! Just spent $100 on travel insurance last week tho, post faster next time huh!?!

  • Cave Fire on 02/08/2017 - 10:41

    Just a heads up for anyone using this, the insurance actually has an exclusion period for certain claims. So even after you activate, there is a 72 hour exclusion period (from memory) for certain claims. Got caught out with this clause for a potential claim for illness before a flight due to this. So OP should probably add that you should activate a few days earlier up the top.

  • StickMan on 02/08/2017 - 12:53

    Keep in mind higher risk activities like snow sports are either not included or have limited cover depending on your card.

  • BlueSkyHarvest on 05/08/2017 - 08:47

    "If, as a result of a pre-exisitng condition, a relative of your dies… The most we will pay is … $4,000 for a cardholder with a spouse…"

    The two forms for the local doctor to fill have onerous requirements including:

    "Full medical history (or attach a copy of the patient’s health summary):
    Has your patient EVER been referred to, any specialists for this or related condition? If yes, please provide ALL reports (pathology and radiology), results, referral letters and specialists’ letters back to you
    Please provide copies of the discharge summaries from hospitalizations in the past 3 years.
    Current medication prescribed, and reason for (or please attach a copy of the current medication list)"

    "ALL reports and results", if charged at $2 per page, could be expensive and reduce your net benefit well below the $3,750 ($4,000 minus $250 excess). The time required to fill such onerous forms comes across to me as an uncaring waste of Australia's scarce medical resources. Deterrent tactics I feel. I wonder how many claimants give up at this stage.

  • compache on 12/09/2017 - 18:53

    We had to make a travel insurance claim with Allianz about a month ago. It was the absolutely worst process I have ever had to go through. We had a very clear cut claim, backed up by full documentation and two recorded phone calls with them expressly clearing us for the claim, and they still denied us.

    We had to fight them for about 2 weeks until they caved and they didn't pay the full amount, and only after a range of real legal threats.

    I would strongly recommend that nobody use this free insurance or Allianz. They are 100% absolute dogs and liars.

    • Ughhh on 12/09/2017 - 19:02

      Had a poor experience with Allianzs comprehensive car insurance too. Avoid.

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