Insurance Coup; Triumph for AFF

[Cocitus23]

Hi all,

In June 2009, in some frustration with my travel insurer, QBE, I posted the following question on this site:

QBE Travel Insurance; Family Member Coverage

I have a QBE "Annual Multi-Trip" policy. It cost me $650, and I paid an extra $100 to have accompanying family members covered. Simple enough; I guess many of you have the same cover.
I am about to take a 4-week RTW trip, MEL - HKG - CDG - ATL - LAX - MEL. My wife is coming with me, but she is going to stay on in USA for another 4 weeks after I return to MEL. My issue is to ensure that she is covered for the latter 4 weeks.
I asked at the Qantas office (where I had bought my initial policy) and was told initially that it can't be done, that she would have to take out her own policy for the entire 8 weeks. I disputed this, saying (truthfully) that I had taken out such 'add-on' insurance for similar trips in previous years. The Qantas staff member then phoned QBE who said that, yes, it could be done and the cost would be $808. I refused to accept this as I had never previously paid more than $500 for similar coverage.
I then got on to QBE's web site, from where I received a quote of $693. Well, that was better than $808, but still more than $650, the cost at which an annual policy was still on offer. So I phoned QBE for an expalnation of these anomolies. I was shunted to four different people (or "insurance experts", as they introduced themselves), to handle this "quite complex" issue. The first expert said that it couldn't be done. The second and third passed the buck, and the fourth, after consultation with his supervisor, quoted me $372 for the four weeks. I said "I'll take it."
I suspect that these experts have a random number generator as their tool for generating quotes.
What experiences have others had when wanting to insure a family member for an add-on period like this? Are other insurers better or worse?

Several of you (notably Dave Noble and Serfty) replied, suggesting that I should try Travel Insurance Direct (TID) or Columbus Direct.

I buy essentially the same insurance package every year, namely (A) an annual multi-trip policy for myself plus travelling wife, plus (B) an add-on covering my wife's solo extended vacation days. I have today taken out this year's package. Remembering Dave and Serfty's advice I got quotes from both TID and Columbus. I chose TID. It is very interesting to compare last year's cost with this year's:

2009, QBE:
Annual Multi trip policy $650
Extra to have wife included $100
Add-on policy to cover wife when she is alone for 4 weeks $372
Total $1122

2010 TID

Annual Multi trip policy $354

Extra to have wife included $0

Add-on policy to cover wife when she is alone for 4 weeks $174
Total $528

Reduction in price $594.

So thanks a million Dave and Serfty. I confess that I did not take the time to read all the fine print to compare that I am buying a similar product, but a quick perusal of the major items suggested to me that TID's coverage was OK. Is anyone able to give me reassurance on this question of coverage?

Oh, one extra thing I learned in my discussion with the very helpful TID sales rep was that not only would dependent children travelling with me be covered on my annual policy (provided that I registered their names with TID before commencement of the trip), but so would any grand-children travelling with me. I had previously had considerable difficulty getting QBE agree to extend coverage to grand-children.

Three cheers for AFF!

Cocitus23. Happy Boy

[lovetravellingoz]

I have now been using TID for several years. Both myself and others.

Sometimes the year one, and sometimes just single trip policies depeding on my years flight plans.

I have been very happy with them and their service, including for my one claim (monkey bite in Vietnam).

Their price is great, and so far always has been discounted again as normally you can find a current promo code (just do a google) when buying.

[Jobu]

Does the Amex Plat Card insurance cover family members?

Cheers,

JOBU

[straitman]

Does the Amex Plat Card insurance cover family members?

Cheers,

JOBU

Are you refering to the Platinum Credit Card or Platinum Charge Card

The Charge Card does and I think the Credit Card does but I'm not 100% sure on that.

[Fifa]

I have been with QBE for the last 3 years as the coverage on the annual policy is for up to 60 days each trip.

Last year I found it for 33% off and it cost me $645.21 for 2 adults and a dependent with nil excess and snow sports cover.

I have just priced the annual policy on the same website for next year and it is a whopping $1,353.40!

Qantas are offering it through their website for $1145.00 with a $100 excess.

Now I am wondering who we will use next year as we are proposing an 8 week trip to the US and TID only insure for trips up to 38 days on their annual policy.

I contacted TID last month to enquire about insurance for a trip longer than 38 days and their reply was:
"For any days of travel above the set trip limits will need to have a separate policy purchased for those particular days. The Annual Frequent Traveller policy cannot be extended in any way."

I presume the additional price would be similar to a single trip policy.
Decisions!

[Sprucegoose]

I found QBE 300% more expensive than TID on std t&c's !!!!

sorry QBE but no brainer

[haydensydney]

Can anyone share any claims experiences with TID and similarly with QBE?

It is important to compare coverage AND the insurers willingness to pay claims - afterall theres no point paying for a policy if trying to claim is like drawing blood from a stone. I believe QBE are quite good with their "grey areas" whereas some other cheaper alternatives may view those grey areas as "do not pay".

[Cocitus23]

Can anyone share any claims experiences with TID and similarly with QBE?

It is important to compare coverage AND the insurers willingness to pay claims - afterall theres no point paying for a policy if trying to claim is like drawing blood from a stone. I believe QBE are quite good with their "grey areas" whereas some other cheaper alternatives may view those grey areas as "do not pay".

You are dead right, haydensydney, to remind us that a low cost for a policy is meaningless if the product is no good. I was aware when I made the original post, in my euphoria over the apparent bargain, that I was really only reporting on one side of the equation. For the other side, I was relying on the recommendations of Dave Noble and Serfty. Now, too, lovetravellingoz, Fifa and Sprucegoose have all given me some comfort, and thanks to them all.

But it would certainly be good to have some more feedback from other users of Travellers Insurance Direct. Has their experience been good, indifferent or bad, and if bad, in what way? Does anyone have any regrets over having bought a TID policy?

Cocitus 23.

[Sprucegoose]

I found some threads which may assist with claims histroy. TID came out in good light.

I used them recently in NZ and will use them again for the US shortly.


http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/comm...fer-23784.html

Travel Insurance

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/comm...nce-21314.html

cheers

SPRUCE

[Cocitus23]

Thanks, Sprucegoose, for hunting down those two threads. I read right through them, and they gave me comfort in my decision to have bought with TID.

Be sure that if I have a negative experience with them you will read about it here, but I don't think that will be the case, for the very good reason that I will probably not put them to the test. I have been buying these annual policies for years (from either QBE or RACV) and I simply never have cause to make a claim. I am hoping that my luck does not change.

Cocitus23.