Travel Insurance Australia - FAQs for travellers

1. Why is Travel Insurance Direct so cheap?

With Travel Insurance Direct you don't have to pay significant sales commissions and because we are predominantly online, we pass on the efficiencies that the internet offers. Cutting the cost not the cover.

2. How much does a policy cost?

Please see our prices and benefits for all holiday cover or get a quote here. Alternatively, get a Business quote or a Essential quote or an annual quote here.

3. Who can buy a policy?

Travel Insurance Direct is available to citizens and permanent residents of Australia travelling anywhere in the world.

Direct Travel Insurance is available to citizens and permanent residents of New Zealand travelling anywhere in the world.

4. Can I buy a policy if I am over 70?

Yes, you can!
Cover is now available to travellers aged up to 76 years or under 81 years, depending on which policy you have chosen.

5. Can I buy a policy if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

We automatically cover some listed pre-existing medical conditions, however many others will require further assessment. For more information, Australian customers can call our sales team on 1300 843 843.

6. Where do I get a pre-existing medical assessment form from?

The pre-existing medical assessment form can be obtained through the quote and purchase process.

7. Which destination should I choose?

You should choose the destination where you are spending the majority of your trip. All other areas you travel to will be covered by this destination choice also. For example, if you are spending 3 days in Singapore, 2 weeks in the UK and 4 weeks in Europe, select 'Europe' as your destination and you will be covered in Singapore and the UK also.

8. When does my policy start?

When purchasing online, you are covered immediately after we have received payment and provided you with a Certificate of Insurance. Your actual policy starts on the commencement date you nominated when applying, although your cancellation cover is a pre-travel benefit that 'kicks in' immediately after purchase.

9. Are my children automatically covered under my single or family policy?

Yes, they are!
Provided they are under 21 years of age and not in full time employment, your children are automatically covered under both a single or family policy. You will be asked during the purchase process if any dependents are travelling with you - if this is the case please select yes, and enter their names in the relevant sections.

10. Can I extend my policy while I am overseas?

Yes, you can!
You will need to phone us +61 (0)2 8263 0483 during office hours Mon-Fri 8am-8pm or Sat and Sun 10am-2pm AEST to extend your policy before it expires. You will need to advise credit card details for payment of the extension and we will then email you the extended policy certificate. Please note that we can only organise ONE extension of your policy provided the total period does not exceed 12 months. An extension of cover is not provided for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions previously accepted by us in writing and/or for any conditions you suffered during the term of your original policy or if you are over 81 years of age at the time of extension, or where you have not advised us of any circumstances that have or may have given rise to a claim under your original policy.

11. What is the difference between the policy types?

Holiday cover has benefits related to skiing and golfing and thus is aimed at the "Holiday" traveller. This policy is available to those aged 80 years and under. We also offer a domestic plan suitable for domestic travel. This policy is available to those aged 80 years and under.

Business cover has a number of business oriented benefits, eg document reproduction and business equipment hire, which could benefit the business traveller. This policy is available to those aged 75 years and under.

The Essential policy has been designed with the budget conscious traveller in mind. We have removed benefits that most travellers don't want and but still give you a policy with unlimited medical cover.

Our Annual policy is designed for the frequent traveller and is essentially a single policy with one named policy holder on the Certificate of Insurance. Spouse/De facto and/or dependent children under 21 years are automatically covered by the policy when travelling with the policy holder only. Spouse/De facto and/or dependent children under 21 years are NOT covered if travelling independently of the policy holder. This policy is available to those aged 75 years and under.

12. I don't trust internet security. Can I buy another way?

Although you can now buy a policy by telephone as well as online, please be aware that your payment will be processed through our website in both cases.

We make the credit card transaction directly and securely with the bank. We do not see, record or store these card details in any form, simply get authorisation from the banking institution.

13. Does my insurance pay for any overseas medical costs upfront, or do I have to pay and claim them back later?

You will need to contact Mondial Assistance, the emergency assistance provider, as soon as you anticipate that you will incur ANY medical costs. They will let you know at that time how settlement of your account will be made. Phone numbers can also be found on your policy certificate once you have bought a policy.

14. Can I buy out the policy excess?

The policy excess means that if you make a claim we deduct the first $100. If you would not like us to deduct this in the event of a claim you simply have to tick the excess buyout box when you buy a policy and pay an extra $25.

15. What is the cover provided automatically for laptops and cameras?

The item limit we will pay for any one item is $700 (and $4000 limit where the item is a laptop, notebook, handheld computer, camera or video camera). You would thus be covered up to $4000 collectively for any camera equipment and $4000 collectively for computer equipment on a single or family policy without having to specify the items and pay an extra premium. Any additional camera equipment or computers exceeding the $4000 collective limit would need to be specified under the additional option for an extra premium in order for them to be covered.

16. What type of rental vehicle does my insurance policy cover?

The only vehicles that the Travel Insurance Direct policy covers are those listed in the definition of "Rental Vehicle" within the policy wording. A rental vehicle means a rented sedan, campervan, hatchback or station-wagon, four wheel drive or mini bus/people mover rented from a licensed motor vehicle rental company. Unfortunately cover does not extend to motorhomes, convertibles, sports cars, luxury vehicles, motorbikes, trucks or any other type of vehicle other than that mentioned in the definition.

17. Who underwrites Travel Insurance Direct?

Your policy is underwritten by Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFS Licence No. 234708 of 2 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000, Australia.

18. Can I buy a policy after I have departed Australia?

Yes, you can. You do not have to be in Australia at the time of policy purchase, but you do need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

19. Can I puchase a policy if I am departing on a one way ticket?

Yes, you can!

When purchasing a policy, enter the date you want the policy to end in the 'return date' section. Please be aware however that if you need to be repatriated during your trip and do not hold a return ticket at that time, you will be charged for the cost of that return ticket by the insurer.

20. Where can I find the combined Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)?

This can easily be found on 'What's covered'

21. I made a mistake when buying the policy. How do I fix it?

Oops, accidents happen sometimes! If you've made a mistake on your policy, call us on 02 8263 0483 for more information on what you need to do.

22. How do I know my payment is secure?

We make a secure transaction with the bank via a payment gateway. We do not see, store or record these credit card details, simply receive authorisation from the banking institution. This connection uses a 40bit encrypted SSL web server certificate so that any information is encrypted and scrambled, making it impossible to intercept or steal.