Planning to make a trip to the Land Down Under? Finding the right one can be a daunting task given the plethora of choices offered to travelers. Buying the wrong policy can turn out to be nightmarish for most people seeking the best experience from their trip. Here are ten tips you should know when looking for cheap travel insurance Australia.
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1. Australians are not legally entitled to get financial assistance from the Government if something goes wrong while traveling abroad.
Any medical expenses that you may incur while abroad will not be paid for by Medicare and hence can be costly. Thus, if you get suddenly become sick in a country like the US, for instance, your medical expenses can be huge if you are not sufficiently covered. Hence, getting insured is a must if you want to travel.
2. Insure your gadget
The number of electronic devices carried by Australians on their travel has triggered an increase in the number of travelers seeking additional coverage. iPhones, laptops and other devices can be prone to theft which could increase the cost of their baggage above the limits of their policy.
3. Claim as quickly as possible
If something gets stolen from you while on your trip, inform the police right away as much as possible within 24 hours and keep a copy of the police report. This will facilitate the claim process.
4. Get medical insurance
You can get covered for trip cancellations and additional costs that result from an existing medical condition. The amount of coverage will depend on the result of your medical evaluation.
5. Get insurance in “safe” countries as well
A survey authorized by Bupa Australia revealed that 55 percent of the respondents get travel insurance based on their perception of the country’s safety. There is a misconception that cheap travel insurance Australia should be purchased only if they will be involved in risky activities.
6. Age does not mean higher insurance coverage
While some of Australia’s over-the-counter insurance policies are two times more expensive than online policies for travelers more than 60 years old, there is a way out of getting additional travel insurance charges. There are online travel insurance sites that will free travelers from being charged additional insurance costs because of their age.
7. Don’t rely on your credit card company
Too much reliance on your credit card company for travel insurance can expose you to huge risks. Some insurance policies cannot be processed without providing a copy of your credit card. Likewise, they do not cover business or sporting activities. Aside from that, the coverage is only valid for three months and does not pay for overseas trips. But if you intend to get insurance from your credit card company, get a written confirmation of coverage and what the policy covers.
8. Determine how your coverage is calculated
The cost of your travel insurance is usually dependent on the type of coverage you requested, the age, the destination and how long you will stay. It is best to determine what your policy covers and if the inclusions are right for you. Buy insurance that is right for you.
9. Get insured for sports and activities
You can always include sports and activities during your trip as long as you get yourself insured prior to departure. It can be costly to get insurance on the ground than including it on your overall policy. So always make sure that you get coverage for these activities.
10. Look around
It pays to do some research when looking for insurance coverage. This can turn out to be a daunting task but it will eventually pay off.
When looking for cheap travel insurance Australia, get only the coverage that you need and that it will insure you throughout the duration of your trip. More importantly, read the fine print first before signing.
