Beware the complicated conditions of card travel insurance

[Archphoto]

As TID seems to have been mentioned frequently, I have a question. The annual insurance allows for the cover of a couple, provided the names are shown when purchasing and the itineraries are the same. What is an itinerary? I ask since I tend to purchase separate tickets with FF reward tickets often being part of MrsWF's selection even though we will be on the same flights (though perhaps not in the same cabin).

And when we return to Australia (though not home) can we then "break" the trip, starting separate itineraries?

Happy wandering

Fred

TID asks the countries you are travelling to along with your departure and return dates. If you include AU, it will *only* cover you under their domestic policy, so if you were to split up and travel in AU, I'd think you'd select a separate, second policy.

I had a few questions that I emailed to them, and they clarified very quickly what I had to do, to ensure I had International coverage (even though I would be travelling in AU on a few flights), namely to include the end date when I arrived at my *FINAL* destination in AU.

Might pay to drop them a couple of lines or give them a call to know for sure, how to select correctly. I've had annual insurance previously, (but as a single, not a couple) and never had problems, but splitting up your itineraries upon return might change how things work.

Best bet IMHO - contact them to be sure you're covered for any/all possible scenarios you usually find yourself in. :mrgreen:

 

[Limewood]

We both have ANZ plat cards, always relied on the fee travel insurance but never had to make a claim, past few yeas on a number of occasions used purchased USA miles for long haul trips, so to clarify I contacted the insurance company to see if we were covered the answer as yes.

My understanding is excellent travel insurance at a discount is available to AFF gold members.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

We both have ANZ plat cards, always relied on the fee travel insurance but never had to make a claim, past few yeas on a number of occasions used purchased USA miles for long haul trips, so to clarify I contacted the insurance company to see if we were covered the answer as yes.

.

Indeed... ANZ covers loss of points (section 3B of the policy), calculated as the revenue fare against the number of points lost, with the balance refunded to you. Useful for USDM awards where travel couldn't be changed after the commencement of the journey... but not so relevant under AAdvantage where awards are one way only.

 

[equus]

As TID seems to have been mentioned frequently, I have a question. The annual insurance allows for the cover of a couple, provided the names are shown when purchasing and the itineraries are the same.

Not sure if the PDS has been changed, but the TID annual policy I have is for "Family" - which I believe is the only alternative to single, and that allows for your "partner", as defined, to be covered on totally independent travel.

 

[Archphoto]

Not sure if the PDS has been changed, but the TID annual policy I have is for "Family" - which I believe is the only alternative to single, and that allows for your "partner", as defined, to be covered on totally independent travel.

That is an ideal "family" package design; after all sometimes people combine work trips and tack on a few days at the end if possible for leisure. Nice to know that your partner/SO etc can join you and still be covered independently on the same policy.

 

[serfty]

My recent travel at Easter was comprised of 8 different flights over 5 separate bookings, some award, some revenue.

In the new year a trip I had was 15 & 8 respectively!

With that type of travel I have long given up on trying to use CC based insurance; an annual policy does it for me (and I have read the PDS and do understand it).

 

[Archphoto]

My recent travel at Easter was comprised of 8 different flights over 5 separate bookings, some award, some revenue.

In the new year a trip I had was 15 & 8 respectively!

With that type of travel I have long given up on trying to use CC based insurance; an annual policy does it for me (and I have read the PDS and do understand it).

+1 Serfty.

I used Annual Policies for nearly 10 years: set and forget as it renewed automatically on my Amex card. Gave me 90 days cover per trip, and it was invaluable - made only 2 claims during that time, for a doctor visit to my hotel in BKK and to replace a destroyed laptop due to a (chauffeured) car accident in Tokyo. Both times ACE Insurance (through Amex) paid quickly upon presentation of documentation.

This wasn't a CC policy, rather a policy that was reduced in cost for Amex Card holders - you had to have one to receive the discounted rate. (A couple of colleagues also purchased, but as they didn't have Amex they paid more for their policies.)

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I don't really follow the OP's complaint. He failed to "activate" his travel insurance and so was not covered.

This is no different to not actually taking out a paid travel insurance policy early enough

A major benefit of ALL TI policies is that it covers cancellation insurance. I often meet friends and relatives who have booked trips, and most if I ask about TI state that yes that they will take it out before they go, completely oblivous to the fact that they are forgoing a major part of the policy by not being covered early enough.

Yes CC TI is not for all situations, but it is great for many. Particularly those one that cost little to activate, and cover point redemptions.

 

[sabre1]

My recent travel at Easter was comprised of 8 different flights over 5 separate bookings, some award, some revenue.

In the new year a trip I had was 15 & 8 respectively!

With that type of travel I have long given up on trying to use CC based insurance; an annual policy does it for me (and I have read the PDS and do understand it).

Which company do you use for the annual policy??

 

[defurax]

So regarding the "travel must start and end in Australia" clause does this simply means that every time you leave Australia you have to make sure that you have at least one flight back to Australia in the coming 6 months?
I reread my NAB QF Premium card insurance policy yesterday and if I prepay 500$ of transportation or hotel or tour expenses the insurance is activated as long as the "Australia start/end" clause is respected.
Is this correct? You can travel on 50 PNRs in the 6 month period as long as when you leave Australia you have already booked at least one xx_-Australia flight?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So regarding the "travel must start and end in Australia" clause does this simply means that every time you leave Australia you have to make sure that you have at least one flight back to Australia in the coming 6 months?
I reread my NAB QF Premium card insurance policy yesterday and if I prepay 500$ of transportation or hotel or tour expenses the insurance is activated as long as the "Australia start/end" clause is respected.
Is this correct? You can travel on 50 PNRs in the 6 month period as long as when you leave Australia you have already booked at least one xx_-Australia flight?

My understanding is that as long as you have the round-trip, once you are overseas you can do whatever you want - change plans, add extra flights... all covered.

But you have to beware if you return to Australia at any time. You cover will terminate on the first return to Australia, then you need to reactivate (this happened to me last year where I have a short mini-trip back to AU nested as part of a bigger itinerary)

Check directly with NAB for clarification.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I am looking to use the NAB for for next trip too now. I was going to use my Westpac Black but need $500 per person, and looking at the accommodation I am now likely to book, getting to a $1000 will be hard as the venues either do not want to be piad till we arrive, or will only charge 30-50% up front! I am currently covered for cancellation by my ANZ card, but am going to canel it prior to the trip concluding. So need other coverage.


Plan activation Your Plan is activated if: (a) You are a NAB cardholder; and (b) Prior to the commencement of your overseas journey, you have paid a minimum of $500 in pre paid overseas transport costs (including travel by air, rail, road or watercraft); and or accommodation costs; and or organised land tour costs all of which are inclusive of any charges, fees and or taxes (excluding foreign currency and traveller’s cheques) with your NAB Card; and

Not that is is an using for my trip, but I note that the NAB does not require having to have a return tick as an activation. This could be handy for people needing pre-pay tour, cruises etc who have not yet sorted their flights.

 

[defurax]

I am looking to use the NAB for for next trip too now. I was going to use my Westpac Black but need $500 per person., and looking at the accommodation I am now likely to book gettinga toa $1000 will be hard as the venues either do not want to b piad till we arrive, or will only charge 30-50% up front!


Plan activation Your Plan is activated if: (a) You are a NAB cardholder; and (b) Prior to the commencement of your overseas journey, you have paid a minimum of $500 in pre paid overseas transport costs (including travel by air, rail, road or watercraft); and or accommodation costs; and or organised land tour costs all of which are inclusive of any charges, fees and or taxes (excluding foreign currency and traveller’s cheques) with your NAB Card; and

Not that is is an using for my trip, but I note that the NAB does not require having to have a return tick as an activation. This could be handy for people needing pre-pay tour, cruises etc who have not yet sorted their flights.

If you read the definition of "overseas journey" in the glossary you will see it requires return trip to Australia.

 

[sabre1]

If you read the definition of "overseas journey" in the glossary you will see it requires return trip to Australia.

But the NAB document does not require the holding of a ticket for the return to Australia. But note that return is to your "usual place of residence" - this seems to provide cover if your journey includes travel in Australia before you leave or return to home. Note that cancellation cover starts form the time you have spent $500 on travel items.

This is a much better policy than ANZ/QBE in that you do not have to have a ticket back to Australia for cancellation cover (which cost me $5,500)

 

[defurax]

But the NAB document does not require the holding of a ticket for the return to Australia. But note that return is to your "usual place of residence" - this seems to provide cover if your journey includes travel in Australia before you leave or return to home. Note that cancellation cover starts form the time you have spent $500 on travel items.

This is a much better policy than ANZ/QBE in that you do not have to have a ticket back to Australia for cancellation cover (which cost me $5,500)

I'm not so sure, here is the wording from the NAB policy (my bolding):
"‘Overseas Journey’ means the shorter period commencing from the time you leave your usual place of residence in Australia to travel overseas, until:
1. the time you return to your usual place of residence in Australia; or
2. the expiry of six (6) consecutive months following the time that you leave your usual place of residence in Australia to travel overseas. The maximum duration ofcoverage is six (6) consecutive months.For the Overseas Travel Insurance Plan to apply, your overseas journey must commence and conclude in Australia."

So how can one prove that the journey will end in Australia without holding a reservation by air or ship back to Australia?

 

[sabre1]

I'm not so sure, here is the wording from the NAB policy (my bolding):
"‘Overseas Journey’ means the shorter period commencing from the time you leave your usual place of residence in Australia to travel overseas, until:
1. the time you return to your usual place of residence in Australia; or
2. the expiry of six (6) consecutive months following the time that you leave your usual place of residence in Australia to travel overseas. The maximum duration ofcoverage is six (6) consecutive months.For the Overseas Travel Insurance Plan to apply, your overseas journey must commence and conclude in Australia."

So how can one prove that the journey will end in Australia without holding a reservation by air or ship back to Australia?

Seems to be a simple statement of fact - if you have returned home within six months of departing then you have been covered and can make a claim.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Seems to be a simple statement of fact - if you have returned home within six months of departing then you have been covered and can make a claim.

Not exactly. My reading is that you can't travel overseas on a one way ticket, and book, while you're overseas, a return to Australia (within 6 months).

The policy appears to only activate once you have a return ticket to Australia, which, by implication, must be prior to departure. It's a factual requirement, not an 'intention' requirement (which would be hard to prove).

 

[AdMEL]

Not exactly. My reading is that you can't travel overseas on a one way ticket, and book, while you're overseas, a return to Australia (within 6 months).

The policy appears to only activate once you have a return ticket to Australia, which, by implication, must be prior to departure. It's a factual requirement, not an 'intention' requirement (which would be hard to prove).

That's my understanding too.

 

[aspro2]

A quick note about NAB insurance - the policy covers NO pre-existing medical conditions, which is a substantial difference from many other policies. It's worth keeping in mind for people who travel and suffer from e.g. mild asthma, very infrequent migraines, and any of those other conditions often automatically covered.

 

[QF1]

These are half baked policies not worth much at all. Try calling Zurich and asking them for anything ...they send you a link for the policy document.