Beware the complicated conditions of card travel insurance

[JCD]

I have always found the Amex Platinum coverage OK but on a recent skiing trip to Japan I had a close look at the fine print of the policy and found that it doesn't cover off-piste skiing. I quickly took out another policy to ensure that I was covered.

 

[karen blancfield]

Our experience with ANZ Platinum was excellent, as long as you read and follow the rules. They flew us both home and then flew us back to USA to resume the trip 6 months later. They were very helpful, giving us phone support in Buenos Aires and negotiated with our own doctor so we could make some decisions ourselves. We've never had a reason to doubt it, having had first hand experience of needing it.

 

[macfadcg]

Has anyone had an experience using Jetstar Platinum Credit Card Travel Insurance? I have only just joined Jetstar and am travelling to Fiji in a month. Appreciate any feedback you may have. Thanks

 

[bullerdude]

I have always found the Amex Platinum coverage OK but on a recent skiing trip to Japan I had a close look at the fine print of the policy and found that it doesn't cover off-piste skiing. I quickly took out another policy to ensure that I was covered.

Can I ask which ski travel insurance you went with Coventrys?

 

[RTWtraveler]

On a holiday to New Zealand, there was a two hour mechanical delay out of SYD to AKL. We missed out camper pickup, so had to overnight in a motel as well as pay for the rental day missed. QBE would not cover the loss as our delay was less than three hours. Air NZ has since dropped QBE. On a trip to the states I used my US based card to cover the car rental insurance. Was rear ended and the card covered everything, no questions asked.

 

[roseworks]

Yes we were caught with american express
We cancelled a holiday in Noosa ,from Brisbane because of the cyclone,State government advised people to stay home .
cancelled the holiday and claimed insurance .
We were 15 kilometres short of the 150km mininmum distance requirement to be eligible to claim.
As the last thread mentioned .Read the fine print

 

[brucek]

Citi Bank Emirates Platinum World Card.

Has anyone experience with the Zurich insurance attached to this card?

 

[coco50]

Back of mind has always been the adage "if you can't afford the travel insurance, then you can't afford to travel".

I couldn't agree more. Having the travel insurance gives peace of mind. My travel agent also assures me that if there are any claims to be made, she will assist me with making the claim.

 

[Bazzi]

The past 5 plus years we have traveled under the ANZ Plat card insurance. During the Icelandic Volcano drama, it cost us $2k to get from Stockholm to Paris by train - didn't contact Chartis (the underwriter) en route for authorisation, just submitted our amended travel docs on return to AUS and all paid within 10 days of claim lodgement, no questions asked.

Our 13th October JQ flight OOL NRT was cancelled with 3 hours notice due to Typhoon Vong Fong. We had flown from SYD the day prior to join the flight - we actually live in the Southern Highlands of NSW - and were joining a cruise in Tokyo. Our experience with JQ to reorganise flights was disastrous to say the least - details in another post.

ANZ insurance is now underwritten by QBE - I contacted them after my first phone call to JQ and asked what our options were (JL SYD NRT was showing availability for the next day in Y) and was told that we had to accept the first available flight JQ offered, which at that stage was Thurs 16th. I explained that we were joining a cruise which departed before we would arrive on the 16th and that the next port was Osaka - they said they would cover expenses from NRT to KIX. To add a further layer, the cruise company had to seek permission for us to board in Osaka and, as of the 13th, were unsure whether the ship would call at Osaka - all dependent on what, if any, damage caused by the typhoon. All this was conveyed to QBE and basically they said they would pay for us to chase the ship for up to 5 days before they would deem the situation a lost cause. However, the claim would have to be assessed - no guarantee we would recover any costs. Not so sure I will be traveling under that cover anymore.

 

[Anna]

Be careful with this, many Insurance policys specify that if you have another form of coverage, they will not cover you. Each could deny your claim on the basis the other provides coverage.

If they are insurers writing cover in Australia, this would be illegal under the Insurance Contracts Act. You are entitled to insist that your claim is met under one policy and it is up to that insurer to sort out any dual insurance issues with the other insurer and get a contribution from them if appropriate.

 

[roseworks]

Connected with Qantas frequent flyer ,not sure of the exact description .Not anymore ,we cancelled the card and they have lost our entire account( we used it as general purchase as well to gain points )for a couple of thousand dollars .
Plenty of cards offer insurance .
We made a claim against the NAB when in NY and they were fine with a stat dec plus woolworths international travel insurance was excellent .We had belonging lost in Italy and they paid up within the month.

 

[wandering_fred]

About ten years ago I started a RTW with QBE coverage from the TA. Alas I had to learn about the wonderful levels of care available at the Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok. No problems there. Or with QBE discussions with the hospital or the return to Perth. They weren't too happy when I asked to resume the trip after clearance from the Perth specialists, but paid for the tickets back to HKG. However they declined (any) coverage (through the TA) for a trip the next year.

Just another possibility to consider.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[Sprucegoose]

I always have supplemental insurance ie through TID, as back up

 

[tracman]

Having travelled extensively, I have almost always used my NAB CC Platinum insurance, although to date have not needed to claim - with the exception some years back of lost (expensive) glasses which was promptly paid . Generally when compared to normal TI policies it is just as comprehensive.

One point however is that over the years the underwriters have changed a number of times, therefore I believe it's important prior to undertaking a major or complex trip to review the current PDS, and if necessary contact the underwriter (as I recall, presently Chubb) for clarification on any particular risks identified with that particular trip (given they can be multi sectors and various modes of travel once departed Australia).

I have had one instance where I opted to take out an additional policy due to the length of the trip and combination of travel - cruise and flights.

 

[dajop]

On a holiday to New Zealand, there was a two hour mechanical delay out of SYD to AKL. We missed out camper pickup, so had to overnight in a motel as well as pay for the rental day missed. QBE would not cover the loss as our delay was less than three hours.

Some insurance underwriters (be they for paid/commercial or credit card complimentary) exclude mechanical delay from coverage as something that is the airline's fault. Another reason why I can't be bothered any more and self insure (i.e cop it on the chin) for non-medical.

 

[TIDAustralia]

it depends where you buy your TID policy from... if you buy if from TID Australia, you may not be covered as you must be a resident of australia, with a permanent australian residential address.

If you buy it from TID thailand, you may be covered.

you are correct that ANZ (australia) will only cover return trips from australia.

At TID we know that there are many travellers temporarily based overseas who don't meet the requirements for a local product and find it hard to qualify under the Australian product. Our polices are available to Australian (or NZ) citizens or residents who are already overseas. You do not need to start or end your trip in Australia. Also, our definition of resident allows you to take a policy provided you are an Australian citizen or resident with an Australian address. Please note that if you need to be repatriated for medical reasons we will bring you back to Australia. The medical costs in Australia are not covered by us so you will need to have Medicare or appropriate private health insurance to cover the costs back home. Please refer to the PDS on the TID website for the full definition of 'resident' and 'trip' as well as the terms and conditions of our policy. If you have any other questions please reply on this thread and I'd be happy to respond.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

At TID we know that there are many travellers temporarily based overseas who don't meet the requirements for a local product and find it hard to qualify under the Australian product. Our polices are available to Australian (or NZ) citizens or residents who are already overseas. You do not need to start or end your trip in Australia. Also, our definition of resident allows you to take a policy provided you are an Australian citizen or resident with an Australian address. Please note that if you need to be repatriated for medical reasons we will bring you back to Australia. The medical costs in Australia are not covered by us so you will need to have Medicare or appropriate private health insurance to cover the costs back home. Please refer to the PDS on the TID website for the full definition of 'resident' and 'trip' as well as the terms and conditions of our policy. If you have any other questions please reply on this thread and I'd be happy to respond.

Thanks for the explanation and welcome on board!

I have read the PDS and the definitions of 'resident', however I have a question...

The definition of 'resident' in the PDS states you can be an Australian citizen, but then in part c) says:

c) who has a permanent Australian residential address

If I am an Australian citizen, living in London, but have an Aussie address at my parents' place (for example where my Aussie mail is sent to)... does that qualify for coverage?

Under the above scenario (living in London), I wouldn't be considered resident in Australia under the normal dictionary definition, nor most likely under the Australian Tax Office definition.

 

[Ric]

If I am an Australian citizen, living in London, but have an Aussie address at my parents' place (for example where my Aussie mail is sent to)... does that qualify for coverage?
QUOTE]

Or If I am an Australia with dual citizenship, say British, living/working in London with an Aussie permanent address (my own).......does that qualified for coverage?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Or If I am an Australia with dual citizenship, say British, living/working in London with an Aussie permanent address (my own).......does that qualified for coverage?

Given the insanely cheap prices for insurance policies in the UK I suspect you'd want to buy one there, not Aussie based! Looking at comparethemarket (UK site) they have annual policies for just GBP21.50 (yup, just AUD42)! max stay of 30 days per trip!

I guess with the huge volume of policies sold, they can keep em cheap.

 

[TIDAustralia]

Thanks for the explanation and welcome on board!

I have read the PDS and the definitions of 'resident', however I have a question...

The definition of 'resident' in the PDS states you can be an Australian citizen, but then in part c) says:



If I am an Australian citizen, living in London, but have an Aussie address at my parents' place (for example where my Aussie mail is sent to)... does that qualify for coverage?

Under the above scenario (living in London), I wouldn't be considered resident in Australia under the normal dictionary definition, nor most likely under the Australian Tax Office definition.

Thanks for the welcome! It's great to be part of the forum.

We would accept your parents' address as your Australian address as this is where your mail is being sent.

You will find differences in the definition of 'resident' when used in a travel insurance context.