Travel insurance for Aussie travellers

[MicCanberra]

Yes. I always worried about that too.

 

It is always a worry when travelling that someone at home will pass before you return, but that is life (and death). You rarely know when.

[NSWP]

Several 'older' people we have met on cruiseships tell us that they are members of Probus and that they get their travel insurance through a company that has a deal with the club. They say they can get insurance at an age when it would otherwise be difficult. We shouldn't have a problem until we reach 80 (a long, long way in the future), but we might then have to look at joining Probus if we still want to continue cruising. :)

We have been Probus Club members down here since 2005. So not all real old people in it, Probis is retirement club Australia wide for over 55's. Yes Probus does have travel insurance through their head office. But I would not join Probus just for the sake of travel insurance, that is not in the spirit of Probus. I don't use it, it is not cheap but does cover the 'super dinosaurs, LOL.

Edited January 20, 2016 by NSWP

[Aus Traveller]

We have been Probus Club members down here since 2005. So not all real old people in it, Probis is retirement club Australia wide for over 55's. Yes Probus does have travel insurance through their head office. But I would not join Probus just for the sake of travel insurance, that is not in the spirit of Probus. I don't use it, it is not cheap but does cover the 'super dinosaurs, LOL.

OK for when we are super dinosaurs and can't get any other insurance.

[MicCanberra]

We have been Probus Club members down here since 2005. So not all real old people in it, Probis is retirement club Australia wide for over 55's. Yes Probus does have travel insurance through their head office. But I would not join Probus just for the sake of travel insurance, that is not in the spirit of Probus. I don't use it, it is not cheap but does cover the 'super dinosaurs, LOL.

 

OK for when we are super dinosaurs and can't get any other insurance.

 

Isn't Probus for professional business people like accountants and such rather than professional cruisers.;)

[cruisine21]

It is always a worry when travelling that someone at home will pass before you return, but that is life (and death). You rarely know when.

 

So true.

[The_Big_M]

Isn't Probus for professional business people like accountants and such rather than professional cruisers.;)

 

I'm sure there's an overlapping group in the Venn diagram. ;-)

[Aussie_Kiwi_Family]

We've been using SCTI.

Never had to claim. It's good peace of m

[MicCanberra]

I'm sure there's an overlapping group in the Venn diagram. ;-)

 

LOL, I am sure there is.:D

[MicCanberra]

We've been using SCTI.

Never had to claim. It's good peace of m

 

The problem with insurance is that they can vary so much so it is never just apples to apples.

People will say that a particular company is good due to ease of getting the policy and cost but really may never know how it is to deal with when making a claim.

Having claimed on insurance for some things and having them pay out is really the only way I know the insurance is a good one. That said, I would rather I didn't need to make a claim.

[NSWP]

OK for when we are super dinosaurs and can't get any other insurance.

True. But by the time I get to 'Super Dinosaur' in the year 2028 @ 80 if I make it....I will have retired from travel, my bucket list is nearing completion. But Antarctica could be on the cards.

 

So currently just call me a Dinosaur travelling on ANZ Platinum CC travel insurance.

Edited January 22, 2016 by NSWP

[NSWP]

Isn't Probus for professional business people like accountants and such rather than professional cruisers.;)

Mic..PROBUS = Professional and Business People in Retirement. Don't know how they let me in, I even got to El Presidente.

Edited January 22, 2016 by NSWP

[NSWP]

come on dont retire from holidays there was a 102 yr old on my cruise you got to break that record [unless there has been older on one] he was i think in the services so i heard at my table as some were talking about him and he was having his 102nd birthday on the cruise at that

I would not wish to obstruct/delay others if I were using a zimmer frame or scooter.

So if I reach that stage, so endeth the cruising.

 

Same with golf, I will play golf 3 days a week at http://www.clubcatalina.com.au until I cannot walk the course, no carts for me, cheating.

Edited January 22, 2016 by NSWP

[MicCanberra]

Mic..PROBUS = Professional and Business People in Retirement. Don't know how they let me in, I even got to El Presidente.

 

Cheers, I think my dad was in one many years ago but he then retired from it.

[MicCanberra]

I would not wish to obstruct/delay others if I were using a zimmer frame or scooter.

So if I reach that stage, so endeth the cruising.

 

Same with golf, I will play golf 3 days a week at http://www.clubcatalina.com.au until I cannot walk the course, no carts for me, cheating.

 

Yes, I think you may be right, although by the time I get to that age, I won't remember this conversation so will cruise anyway.;)

[NSWP]

Yes, I think you may be right, although by the time I get to that age, I won't remember this conversation so will cruise anyway.;)

Uh? Say that again please Mic, I just woke up from my Dinosaur nap at the old folks home, have to put the hearing aid in old chap.

Edited January 22, 2016 by NSWP

[MicCanberra]

Uh? Say that again please Mic, I just woke up from my Dinosaur nap at the old folks home, have to put the hearing aid in old chap.

 

Pardon:confused:

[Hawka]

I would not wish to obstruct/delay others if I were using a zimmer frame or scooter.

So if I reach that stage, so endeth the cruising.

 

Same with golf, I will play golf 3 days a week at http://www.clubcatalina.com.au until I cannot walk the course, no carts for me, cheating.

 

fair enough go cruising and golfing for as long as you can then , i think i would probably be the same rather be able to walk then not

[Maxit]

We have used Travel insurance direct TID.

Service has been fantastic,

Have claim twice once to bring my sons back from delayed Bali flights covering additional flights accomadation and food costs .

Secondly to bring my daughter home from Spain where she was taken very ill with sudden onset type 1 diabetes. TID even paid for me to fly over and escort her home plus hospital and medication.

[MicCanberra]

We have used Travel insurance direct TID.

Service has been fantastic,

Have claim twice once to bring my sons back from delayed Bali flights covering additional flights accomadation and food costs .

Secondly to bring my daughter home from Spain where she was taken very ill with sudden onset type 1 diabetes. TID even paid for me to fly over and escort her home plus hospital and medication.

 

Good results after unfortunate events.:D

[Cabansail]

The test of an insurance is when you have to make a claim. I have used two companies and had to claim on each. I used to use TID (Travel Insurance Direct) and they were very good. Had an accident in New Zealand and was off work for some time recovering. They covered my wages after the set period. Unfortunately a colleague I recommended them to a few years later had a poor experience and it ended up being too much hassle to claim.

 

I have an excellent travel agent that I have used for over 20 years, which ever company employs her. She swears by Covermore. I used them a couple years ago for the first time when I went to Thailand. Ended up getting very ill in Bangkok and used their Travel Assist service, they arranged to get me to a good hospital and helped me all the way through. The bill was about US$5000 and I needed to get a Business Class fare home. There was no hassle at all. Really good service. Recently when I was on Radiance of the Seas I had a bad throat infection that needed Antibiotics. Had to go to the medical centre on the ship. They charged US$121 for the consultation and then US$60 for the tablets. That was over AU$250 and I claimed when home. It was all done online and the money was in my account within two days, less the AU$100 excess.

 

The cost of the policy for the cruise was almost half the price of an annual policy, so we got that. Have recouped most of it already with the savings on hire car excess fees (they cover the excess up to AU$4000) and then the above claim.

[Cruizeee]

A reason to keep cruising when we eventually get old

 

http://diply.com/auntyacid/article/why-was-this-old-lady-alone-on-a-cruise-ship

 

PS it's a joke but I think it has some merit too

[Pushka]

I think that would work except Medicare wont cover for anything. So permanent travel insurance and thats impossible.

[chrisaus]

Another recommendation for travel insurance direct - great service and easy to claim / renew

[Tara Jane]

I have a query that I can't seem to find the answer so hoping someone here can help me.

Have purchased insurance in the past but a couple of years ago we changed our credit card to a diamond with CBA which gives free overseas travel insurance.

In 2011 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, had surgery and chemo etc and technically now in remission. As the cancer had spread to one lymph gland I have not been able to find a company to cover me for the breast cancer, which I have always felt ok about. I still need to cover for other pre existings which I have done with an extra fee. The CBA used to be underwritten by Zurich but now are Allianz and the extra fee jumped from $45 to $196.

So I have been on the lookout for another cc provider and have been researching and researching with no answer. My query is and in the fine print I think it isnt explained, If I dont cover for breast cancer which I know they wont cover me for, does that mean I wont have cover for anything medical. I have maybe incorrectly believed that I would be covered for anything else medical just nothing related to the cancer. I am now just thinking maybe I have to advise them of the cancer history even though I dont want cover for it.

Wish I was able to decipher that fine print!!

Another query is when would I no longer be considered as having a pre exisiting condition? example - I had my appendix out 45 years ago, but it is a condition, had ovaries out a year ago, is that a pre existing condition? its all over done and dusted in my interpretation.

Maybe Gus could help us out with his interpretation of pre existing.

I am at this stage thinking I will go with a westpac 55 days platinum card. their fee for the pre exisitngs that I need to cover are $44. Even if I stay with the CBA I am still unsure where I stand re advising them of the cancer. I always believe in being honest and that way i wont get into trouble. I have tried emailing the CBA -Allianz, have sent 4 emails with no reply other than the usual generic we will contact you within 5 business days. I don't like talking to them on the phone as there is nothing in print if things get unstuck. It also gives me no faith if they can't attend to my emails.

Thanks in advance. Hope I have explained myself adequately.

Anyone out there used Westpac cc and had a claim? They are underwritten by QBE.

Edited May 11, 2016 by Tara Jane

[joybook]

You raise some interesting points. My big bugbear with travel insuance is that pre-existing conditions are not necessarily black or white but online travel insurance quotes always seem to think they are. I wish to goodness there was the opportunity to actually sit down person to person and work through a travel insurance quote but the providers don't seem to want to offer that. I even suggested to my GP that he ought to get together with a few other doctors and start a travel insurance business - that way they would know all about your existing and pre-existing medical conditions and quote accordingly.

Edited May 12, 2016 by joybook