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.

 

[justinbrett]

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.

Even if you are an Australian citizen and resident, you can't apply for Australian travel insurance if you are out of the country.

Your trip has to include travel out of Australia and you must be in Australia when you purchase the product, you can't do it retrospectively.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Even if you are an Australian citizen and resident, you can't apply for Australian travel insurance if you are out of the country.

I have obtained several policies from World Nomads over the years when I was working os and holidaying from there. Now there are several other Australian insurers who provide "already overseas" coverage

 

[transpactraveller]

Even if you are an Australian citizen and resident, you can't apply for Australian travel insurance if you are out of the country.

There's also a restriction that worldwide travel/medical insurance policies cannot cover anyone in Australia who is eligible for Medicare in Australia (eg citizen/PR). I've looked into this because my worldwide medical insurance policy issued in the US is far better than any of the local private health insurance policies we are encouraged to buy as citizens to avoid tax penalties. It covers 100% of most things with no excess or co-payment. If I wasn't an Australian citizen my worldwide policy would even cover 100% of GP gap fees in Australia.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Even if you are an Australian citizen and resident, you can't apply for Australian travel insurance if you are out of the country.

Your trip has to include travel out of Australia and you must be in Australia when you purchase the product, you can't do it retrospectively.

Incorrect.

It is possible to purchase australian travel insurance after you have left.

There is often a waiting period - typically 72 hours - for some types of claims (but accident cover is usually instant provided you haven’t already been injured and trying to insure post-event!)

 

[justinbrett]

I have obtained several policies from World Nomads over the years when I was working os and holidaying from there. Now there are several other Australian insurers who provide "already overseas" coverage

Specialist policies sure, but not standard policies. I'd imagine they heavily police residency requirements for these.

Edit - it's here:
As a guide, your country of residence is generally the country where you:

• Are a citizen or a legal resident with unrestricted, unconditional right of entry.
• Have your principal, permanent residential address.
• Have access to long term medical care through a national health insurance scheme and/or private health insurance (not including reciprocal health agreements).
• Will be repatriated to for ongoing medical care if you're unable to continue your trip.

Read the article on Country of Residence for country-specific information, and read the Policy Wording to confirm you meet the eligibility criteria before purchasing.

Incorrect.

It is possible to purchase australian travel insurance after you have left.

There is often a waiting period - typically 72 hours - for some types of claims (but accident cover is usually instant provided you haven’t already been injured and trying to insure post-event!)

As above

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As above

You’re still misinterpreting the eligibility requirements, and it’s important because there are people who forget to take out insurance before they leave and may only remember, for example, as they arrive. Telling them they can’t get cover is potentially detrimental to them.

The requirements you have quoted above do not say ‘must have purchased before leaving australia’.

As i have said, there are several - ‘non-specialist’ policies - which happily provide cover after you have left Australia.

I bought one after a last minute trip to the USA and I’d forgotten to take out a policy before departure. No worries, signed up while I was there. Aussie company, same residency requirements you listed. There was a short waiting period to make sure you aren’t trying to claim for something that’s already happened.

 

[justinbrett]

You’re still misinterpreting the eligibility requirements, and it’s important because there are people who forget to take out insurance before they leave and may only remember, for example, as they arrive. Telling them they can’t get cover is potentially detrimental to them.

The requirements you have quoted above do not say ‘must have purchased before leaving australia’.

As i have said, there are several - ‘non-specialist’ policies - which happily provide cover after you have left Australia.

I bought one after a last minute trip to the USA and I’d forgotten to take out a policy before departure. No worries, signed up while I was there. Aussie company, same residency requirements you listed. There was a short waiting period to make sure you aren’t trying to claim for something that’s already happened.

On the contrary, check out your policy carefuly, as the standard Australian policy doesn't provide cover (there's like 2-3 insurers that back almost all retail products here). It's the exception not the rule, and if it doesn't have "already overseas" in the product name (which to me makes it a specialist policy), I wouldn't be buying it without going through the PDS line by line.

This is off topic anyway, I brought this up to show you can't just buy a TI product from a random country even if you have a loose connection to it, as even Australians have to be careful buying TI if they aren't departing Australia.

 

[VPS]

So what does the Instagram thingy actually say?

7newssyd

There's a new push to downgrade warnings for travel through the Middle East.

The travel industry wants the level lowered so Australians heading away for the European summer can access insurance.

But the government isn't convinced it's safe.