How does it work? What you need to apply for ETIAS The ETIAS travel authorisation system is set to launch in late 2026. The ETIAS is a travel authorisation required for residents of more than 60 countries, including Australia, to visit most Schengen area countries. ETIAS holders can enjoy up to 90 days in 30 European countries in any 180-day period. It is valid for tourism, business, and transit in all Schengen Area countries. How does it work? The ETIAS is a fully electronic process that allows and keeps track of visitors from countries who aren’t required to have a visa to enter the Schengen Zone. It will allow travellers free movement through 30 countries in the Schengen Area in Europe. According to the EU, the ETIAS is not a visa, but a pre-travel authorisation system similar to the ESTA system for the USA. If given, the ETIAS travel authorisation... more

What's covered What's not covered Pregnancy is one of life’s greatest joys. When you fall pregnant, it's natural to want to visit your loved ones and perhaps even head off on a Babymoon. Travel Insurance Direct can help you make the experience everything you want it to be. Whether traveling interstate or abroad, our policies – Domestic, The Works, and Annual Multi Travel – may cover pregnant women while travelling provided the trip ends on or before the26th week of gestation. Although it's not part of the policy requirements, you should discuss your travel plans with your doctor before you make any arrangements. What's covered? Our travel insurance automatically covers pregnancy, as long as the claim fits the criteria within the Product Disclosure Statement. Cover is still available for all the regular stuff, like stolen luggage and travel delays, but coverage is only available for some pregnancy-related claims, including: Cancellation costs... more

What's covered? What's not covered? Arrived at the mountain ready to hit the slopes but there’s no snow? While we can’t guarantee the weather, amount of snow, or your skiing ability. Our optional Snow sports cover available on all our plans is designed to help when things don't go to plan on or off the slopes.[planavailability] If you’ll be taking part in snow sports on your trip, you must select the 'Snow sports cover' to have cover under all benefit sections of your policy for any claim arising from your participation in snow sports. Definition of Snow Sports: we define Snow Sports as, ‘Snow skiing and snowboarding on and off piste, back country skiing and snowboarding, snowmobiling, tobogganing, cross-country skiing, telemark skiing’ What's covered? Overseas medical expenses for illness or injury. Medical evacuation to the nearest facility for treatment when approved by us, including any transport by ski patrol Ski lift passes: The costs of... more

What sports and activities am I covered for? What's covered? What's not covered? What sports and activities am I covered for? Whether you're planning to go mountain biking in the Alps, scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, or trekking in the Himalayas, it's crucial to consider travel insurance. You just never know when you may take a tumble or worse end up in hospital with a serious injury. TID offers some flexible travel insurance coverage options no matter which land, air or water sport or adventure activity you’re planning. TID offers several plans that can cover many activities and sports. Our plans include: The Works The Basics Annual Multi Trip International There are important conditions around what's covered and what's not covered that it's important to be aware of. What's covered? International plans (The Works, The Basics and Annual Multi Trip) offer cover for: Emergency medical assistance – including hospitalisation and medical treatment... more

What's covered? What's not covered? You’ve hit your dream destination, and the beach is looking pretty good… but you’re keen to explore what’s under the water as well as above.  Whether you’re an experienced diver or want to try it for the first time, many of our plans offer travel insurance cover for scuba diving and snorkelling.  [planavailability] TID offers some flexible travel insurance coverage options no matter which land, air or water sport or adventure activity you’re planning. Our plans can offer cover for many activities and sports. The Works The Basics Annual Multi Trip International What's Covered Overseas medical expenses for sudden illness or serious injury while scuba diving Medical evacuation to the nearest facility for treatment Treatment in a decompression chamber if required. Note: You should note that you must be appropriately qualified and hold an open water diving licence – if you don’t you must dive under the instruction of a qualified instructor. If... more

What do TID policies cover? What's not covered? FAQs Travel with confidence Very few globetrotters these days take flight without their suite of tech-friendly devices. That is why our TID policies - The Works, The Basics, Domestic and Annual Multi Trip – offers cover for your luggage & personal effects if they are stolen, permanently lost or accidentally damaged due to circumstances outside your control. What do TID policies cover? Smartphones All mobile phones, including iPhones and Android phones, are covered up to AUD$700, so if your phone is more than AUD$700 you can add it as a valuable item, so it is listed on your policy for the original purchase price, up to AUD$4,000. Personal computer, cameras and video equipment There are varying levels of cover for your laptops, notebooks, tablets, cameras and video cameras depending on which one of our plans you buy - The Basics, The Works, or... more

What you need to know about airlines and booking flights: What's covered? What's not covered? No matter how well organised you are, how often you check your flight status and gate number, nor how on-point you are with your arrival at the airport, travel doesn’t always go to plan. As a team of travel experts ourselves, we know that airlines regularly reschedule, cancel, or delay flights with little regard for your travel plans. This article gives you information about delays caused by a carrier, what you'll be covered for and some things to look out for when it comes to your airline. Our TID policies do consider disruption because of severe weather conditions, natural disasters, riots, strikes and civil unrest too. For more details read the policy information here. What you need to know about airlines and booking flights: It’s always best to embark on any vacation with the expectation... more

Holiday tipples are fun, but don't overdo it Alcohol laws differ by destination We all know that travel no matter the destination is all about relaxing and letting our hair down, after all we’ve worked hard for it right? That often means dialling up the fun-meter, which might include having a vino on the plane to celebrate; a sake over a long lunch; or perhaps a cocktail or two in the evenings as the sun goes down after a long day of sightseeing. There’s nothing wrong with that, in fact it’s a rite of passage for most adventurers, and then there’s the duty-free alcohol benefits, most of us get in on that too. Holiday tipples are fun, but don’t overdo it As fun as it is, don’t overdo it and remember that not all countries across the globe partake. Everyone knows that too much alcohol impairs judgment, affects motor skills... more

Sun shimmering on the water, a choice of beaches, islands and sandbanks to visit and dinner just a line’s throw away.  It’s no wonder TID travellers love sailing and boating, and why you need to know what travel insurance does, and doesn’t, cover when you’re out on the water. How can travel insurance help when sailing or boating? Will my sailing gear be covered? What's covered What's not covered FAQs What you should know before you go sailing Where is the best place to go sailing? [planavailability] How can travel insurance help when sailing or boating? If cruising is more your style, you can read more about it here, or read on to find out what travel insurance covers for sailing and boating. Our plans offer cover if you’re on a boat for a day, a week or taking an extended trip and a boat is the main mode of... more

Travelling against advice Information regarding Travel Alerts What is covered? When travelling the world, the team at Travel Insurance Direct want you to be safe and enjoy every moment. However, your travels may be affected by a mix of unforeseen events worldwide, which could include severe weather, riots, civil unrest and terrorism. That’s why we think you should consider taking out a travel insurance policy with us, whichever you think suits you and your travel plans best. We offer four great choices that suit whatever travel needs you may have - The Works, The Basics, Domestic and Annual Multi Trip. Each of our policy options have inclusions and exclusions, and while everything is outlined in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), there are a few things that can affect your ability to claim. Travelling against advice If you choose to travel to, plan to travel to or choose to remain in a country or region for... more

Making a B-line for the beach is often the first thing many of us do when we arrive at our summer holiday destination, and this is even more true for surfers! Whether you're experienced at chasing barrels or a newbie practising on the sand, many of our plans offer cover for surfing.[planavailability] TID offers some flexible travel insurance coverage options no matter which land, air or water sport or adventure activity you’re planning. Our plans can offer cover for many activities and sports. The Works The Basics Annual Multi Trip International What's covered? Overseas medical expenses for illness or injury Medical evacuation to the nearest facility for treatment Theft or damage to your surfboard whilst in custody of a carrier Cover for some Coronavirus-related events - cover varies between plans   Hiring replacement surf equipment If your surf equipment is accidentally lost, delayed, or damaged during your trip (except when in use) we will pay for... more

What's covered What should I be aware of when riding a scooter, motorcycle or moped? What's not covered? Handy tips before you go riding a scooter, mope, or motorcycle It’s no secret that Aussies love to rent a scooter, moped or motorcycle when going overseas. It can be a really fun experience, and its cheaper than renting a vehicle. However, it can be far riskier than driving a car, as scooter accidents can result in an extended stay in a hospital and a hefty medical bill. With this in mind you need to always ride cautiously and consider travel insurance just in case you’re involved in an accident or are injured. It goes without saying that you need to wear a helmet and use appropriate clothing, give way to larger vehicles, and watch out for potholes and other hazards on the road. Before you hit the road, there are a... more

What do we mean by unattended Are any items or bags stolen from my vehicle covered? When you're at home, you wouldn't leave your mobile phone on a table in a restaurant while you go to the counter to pay, would you? In some places in Australia, it may still be there when you get back, but chances are it won't. You need to be even more careful when you're travelling overseas. We often find that travellers will be trusting and leave their gear with a stranger or under a seat while they check a train timetable, pay a bill or leave their hostel room. However, the plans offered by Travel Insurance Direct don't cover any loss, theft or damage to items left unattended or unsupervised in a public place. What to do we mean by unattended? Under our policies ‘unattended’ refers to the following: Leaving your luggage or personal... more

Returning home early by choice Cancelling outside the cooling-off period What is covered? What is not covered? What is the most we will pay? No globetrotter sets off on their travels thinking we may need to cut our trip short and return home before the journey is complete. As wonderful as it is, any kind of exploration has the potential to lead to misadventure, that’s why travel insurance is important to consider when planning a holiday. Returning home early by choice If you return home before your policy return date, all cover under your policy ends. And for single trip policies, the policy cannot be used for any future travel. If you need to cut your trip short for any reason, we may cancel the remainder of your policy, without a refund. This condition is detailed in our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). Cancelling outside the cooling-off period If you request to... more

What is financial default? Could it affect my travel insurance? None of us expect that when we set off on our travels, having exhausted our hard-earned holiday funds to get there, that we’ll be faced with more than a few bumps in our otherwise well-planned schedule.  When you take out a policy with Travel Insurance Direct, whichever you choose --  The Works, The Basics, Domestic and Annual Multi Trip – you know what cover is available. It’s as necessary to also know what you’re not covered for, even the things you don’t think you’ll encounter. It’s all about research. What is Financial Default? TID defines Financial Default as ‘insolvency, bankruptcy, provisional liquidation, liquidation, financial collapse, appointment of a receiver, manager or administrator, entry into any official or unofficial scheme or arrangement, statutory protection, restructuring or composition with creditors, or the happening of anything of a similar nature under the laws... more