Insurance availability, Bali

[4lex]

Not so lucky for me, I booked to go to Bali on Tuesday arvo. Insurance company is claiming the policy started one hour after their 'cut-off' for ash cloud related cover. I didn't even know about the event then!

Does anyone recall how long it took the insurers to re-start selling policies covering unforseen delays last time this happened? We leave in a week.

Cheers.

 

[Hvr]

Hi as you've found out it's not when you became aware of the incident but when the insurance company did.

As always book your insurance when you book your ticket not when you're about to travel. If you had booked your tickets a couple of months ago and immediately purchased insurance then, you may well have been covered. Same as if you had an accident and couldn't travel.

Did you pay with your credit card? Do you have insurance through them? Can't hurt to ask.

 

[Wayne Herring]

Took a month or so last time and with this volcano predicted to possibly keep erupting for several months I wouldn't count on being covered for it again anytime soon. As HVR said check your credit card insurance if you have any, could get lucky.

 

[4lex]

Took a month or so last time and with this volcano predicted to possibly keep erupting for several months I wouldn't count on being covered for it again anytime soon. As HVR said check your credit card insurance if you have any, could get lucky.

Yeah, therein lies the problem. The insurance is that of the credit card, I just hadn't read the thirty seven pages of dense text saying that they've changed the rules and now I must activate said insurance through internet banking.

 

[Captain hum]

Not so lucky for me, I booked to go to Bali on Tuesday arvo. Insurance company is claiming the policy started one hour after their 'cut-off' for ash cloud related cover. I didn't even know about the event then!

Does anyone recall how long it took the insurers to re-start selling policies covering unforseen delays last time this happened? We leave in a week.

Cheers.

Who did you book with? Is it flights only that you have paid for? VA are offering rebooking or a credit if your flight is cancelled. Obviously your accommodation wont be covered if you have paid up front...

 

[Deleted member]

I usually go with an annual policy. Hopefully this avoids some of these problems.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yeah, therein lies the problem. The insurance is that of the credit card, I just hadn't read the thirty seven pages of dense text saying that they've changed the rules and now I must activate said insurance through internet banking.

Just out of interest, which credit card is this requiring activation through internet banking? Might have relevance to others.

 

[Wayne Herring]

Commonwealth Bank now requires activation for anything beyond the basic level of cover. It can be done through Netbank at the same time you're notifying them you're travelling overseas.

 

[Cynicor]

CBA.

They have significantly improved the insurance and even cover skiing for free via a range of cards, but you do need to activate it.