Middle East Airspace Diversions/Cancellations

[transpactraveller]

In particular because some other countries (eg US and UK) have already downgraded from 'do not travel' (which invalidates insurance) to 'reconsider non-essential travel' so citizens/residents of those countries will be covered for travel insurance, but Australians will not be.

 

[LionKing]

In particular because some other countries (eg US and UK) have already downgraded from 'do not travel' (which invalidates insurance) to 'reconsider non-essential travel' so citizens/residents of those countries will be covered for travel insurance, but Australians will not be.

If there are dual citizens, perhaps buying travel insurance from the UK would be better?
Anyways, I actually wonder for expats going home whether travel insurance is necessary, where I have almost never bought travel insurance to travel between Hong Kong and Australia.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If there are dual citizens, perhaps buying travel insurance from the UK would be better?
Anyways, I actually wonder for expats going home whether travel insurance is necessary, where I have almost never bought travel insurance to travel between Hong Kong and Australia.

There is the issue in terms of TI cover and validity.

If you buy insurance based in another country, that is likely to be considered your starting point. So you may not be covered for anything that goes wrong in Australia.

If you don’t have a return ticket ‘home’, it maybe be classified as ‘one way’ and cover can sometimes end as little as 24 hours after arrival at your destination.. again, may not be ideal if you are 0lanning a two week holiday away out of australia.

Then there’s repatriation in the event of a medical emergency… they will likely want to return you to the country in which the TI was issued. So if that’s the UK, you might end up back there instead of Australia!

Do you need insurance if going ‘home’? For me it depends if I am still covered by local medical arrangements, or reciprocal arrangements. The NHS for example covers those ordinarily resident in the UK, so if you weren’t from a country with reciprocal health agreements, you may still need insurance going ‘home’.

 

[justinbrett]

If there are dual citizens, perhaps buying travel insurance from the UK would be better?
Anyways, I actually wonder for expats going home whether travel insurance is necessary, where I have almost never bought travel insurance to travel between Hong Kong and Australia.

Travel Insurance policies don’t usually care about citizenship, it’s about which country you are resident of.

 

[Tiki]

I pulled the trigger on Atmos rewards TAS-DOH in Y (only A320) and DOH-MCT-BKK in J for April next year. Pretty sure this nonsense will be over by then. It's on the way back so if I get delayed going home its not a huge problem, just need to stay healthy for the 8 hours transit in Doha. If things get worse, Atmos awards are refundable minus $12.50 booking fee. Then I will go direct from TAS-BKK. But I want to use those Atmos before the program gets devalued or something and looking forward to Oman Air J class on a 787=900.

 

[LionKing]

Travel Insurance policies don’t usually care about citizenship, it’s about which country you are resident of.

So as long as I have an address of that country, then I can apply?

I don't think I wanted to go for any travel insurance in Australia, because they slug me with excess whilst most Asian countries don't.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So as long as I have an address of that country, then I can apply?

I don't think I wanted to go for any travel insurance in Australia, because they slug me with excess whilst most Asian countries don't.

Not necessarily.

The country in which you purchase your insurance is generally the country in which they will repatriate you to. They may choose to do this as the medical costs can be better or cheaper than the foreign country.

You need to read the eligibility section kf any policy you want to buy. They may require residence - although that’s not necessarily the determining factor (you may be buying cover for a side trip for example, and not be resident in the country of departure).

As for excesses, it all depends on what type of policy you are buying. If it’s ’medical only’ a $200 excess to be flown back to australia for lifesaving surgery would be something most people would be willing to pay.