Australian travel insurance

Heading Down Under can be one of the most memorable and exciting experiences of your lifetime. Dont let the joy be marred by lack of insurance coverage! It is absolutely necessary to apply for insurance coverage when traveling to Australia, as you cannot predict the future and cannot foresee unfortunate accidents, injuries, theft, or even (God Forbid!) death.

Important Information to Know

· Medical expenses coverage may not be provided if you stay in Australia beyond a period of 12 months. So inform your insurer if this will be the case, and ask about coverage for the extended stay before the policy matures.

· Insurance coverage may not be provided for travel to certain areas in Australia.

· You need to inform the insurer in advance if you are planning to indulge in any adventure sport in Australia. In fact, every insurer will mention restrictions for certain activities. For example, you may not get cover for underwater diving if you do not have a valid license or will not be going into the depths without supervision from a licensed instructor. Also, you need to pay extra premiums for winter sports such as skiing.

· You are unlikely to get coverage at all if you are spending less than a day in Australia and are just making a quick trip for a couple of hours.

· Some insurance firms provide coverage specifically for Australian citizens living overseas and planning to visit Australia.

· Your travel insurance policy will not cover expenses incurred due to a terrorist attack or a war.

What is covered by the Travel Insurance Policy & Approx. Limits

· First and most important, medical expenses are covered, including hospital expenses as well as any dental expenses that may be incurred in case of an accident. Some policies also give small amounts of cash (maybe less than $25 per night) as an allowance towards your hospital stay. However, there may be certain conditions for this allowance, such as that the stay in hospital is not less than 48 hours.

Approximate: up to $1,000,000

· You will be covered for loss of your baggage as well as if it gets stolen. Some personal items will be covered, such as your camera and cell phone. Even your travel documents will be covered.

Approximate: up to $3,000

· Lets suppose your luggage gets delayed by the airlines via which you flew to Australia. Your policy will cover the expenses of buying essential provisions, such as baby food or basic clothes. Naturally, this does not mean that you head to an expensive retail store and buy fancy branded clothing!

Approximate: up to $200.

· When you are traveling from one place to another in Australia, and your coach gets delayed beyond a specific number of hours, you may need to find accommodation till the transport is arranged. Your policy may provide cover towards the accommodation expenses.

· Imagine a worse-case scenario: You board a train in Australia, looking forward to enjoying the picturesque scenery on your journey. Instead, there is a hold-up on the train and a large gang of goons hijacks the train. All the passengers are held hostage. This means forcible detention, and if it extends to a full day or more (God forbid!), your travel insurance policy will provide for an allowance of a certain amount for every day that you are detained.

Approximate: up to $2000.

· There is a sudden hurricane and you are forced to rearrange your plans or cancel your journey entirely. This is considered to be an “unforeseen circumstance”, for which you should get insurance coverage.

Approximate: up to $10,000

· Personal Liability cover is generally a major inclusion in any travel insurance policy. It covers any legal expenses that may be incurred if you cause injury to somebody or cause some kind of property damage (such as denting a fence while parking) during your stay.

Approximate: up to $1,000,000

· You would like to explore Australia in a rental car. In the possibility of the car getting stolen or damaged, you can get insurance cover towards the excess. However, you will likely have to take this coverage as an extra option.

· In the horrid eventuality that you die as a result of injuries, a death benefit is payable to your family.

Approximate: up to $10,000

Note: Amounts mentioned are approximate and refer to the maximum benefit limits. Every policy will, naturally, have its own terms and limits.

Checklist for your Travel Insurance Policy

· Select the least expensive plan that is, it should cover medical costs vis-a -vis situations involving a major illness or accident, but you are able to pay for minor medical expenses and dont need to file a claim for the small stuff.

· Apply for a travel insurance policy from a reputed insurance firm not from some travel agent who has no expertise or experience in the field of insurance.

· Do not blindly take just about any policy read the fine print carefully! A policy will allow you to get claims for hospital fees and fees towards medical tests. What may not be covered are the costs of eyeglasses and hearing aids, as well as payment towards cosmetic changes (unless, of course, you get disfigured in an accident). If you find the words of a policy confusing, consult an independent insurance professional.