Best travel insurance for me?

[madduxglav]

My wife and I are travelling to YVR for a week of skiing at Whistler, then on to the US for another 3 weeks.

I have priced a few insurance policies, but would like people's opinions of what they consider the best policy.

Naturally, it would have to include unlimited medical expenses (especially since I reach break-neck speeds on the snow).

All views welcome, thanks.

 

[alect]

I just asked a similar question and bought insurance for Ireland. See Travel Insurance - InsureMyTrip.com. Though I am not sure if it works for Aust residents. It's a good comparison shopping site. I ended up going with the Travelex package based on my requirements.

 

[Dave Noble]

My wife and I are travelling to YVR for a week of skiing at Whistler, then on to the US for another 3 weeks.

I have priced a few insurance policies, but would like people's opinions of what they consider the best policy.

Naturally, it would have to include unlimited medical expenses (especially since I reach break-neck speeds on the snow).

All views welcome, thanks.

I wasn't aware of any policies having unlimited expenses

I have taken out an annual policy from Columbus Direct which I am happy with. Including Winter Sports cover , the cost for a couple is $389 ($194.50 each) and covers Medical Expenses to $12.5 million . If you only want insurance for this single trip , the cost with winter sports cover for a couple is $306 ( $153 each)

I had to make a claim with them last week (for delayed baggage rather than medical) and they have paid up without any issue. On tuesday I sent off the claim for the maximum amount covered under that section of the policy ($500) , phoned them on friday to make sure that it had been received by them and they confirmed , not only had they received it, but the claim had been processed and approved and that the cheque will be sent out on monday. I was pleased with their service on the important issue of insurance of "what happens when u make a claim"

Gold membership of AFF will drop the cost. The single trip cover for a couple would drop to $244.50 and the annual policy would drop to $311.20. Adding the $50 cost fpr a Gold AFF membership, the total cost would be $294.50 and $361.20 respectively

Although minor player in AU , Columbus is a large established company in the UK and I had no qualms about using them

Unless you have no plans to go away at all n the rest of the year, I would go for annual policy since it is only an extra $33 each to cover the whole year. It will even cover trips of min 2 night duration taken in Australia. If you go for it, then I would suggest taking out Gold membership of AFF since it will be cheaper plus you can avoid adverts when visiting AFF whilst helping out admin with the costs of the site

Dave

 

[straitman]

I agree with Dave Noble with regard to Columbus.

I did a lot of research late last year (there are some historic topics on this forum) and came to the conclusion that the annual policy was definately the best way to go. Linking it through AFF Gold membership also saves some cash and helps with the running of the site. (a win, win I believe)

Thanks for bringing this up as I'd forgotten about the 5% discount available through The Hotel Club