TI Policy 2017; Single / Annual "CHOICE" Recommend?

[PLANT]

Hi all,

I have used TID and family has used Good2go

On review of a new single or annual policy I discovered Choice 2017 recommendations:

Single: Compare the best travel insurance - CHOICE

Annual: Credit card and annual travel insurance compared - CHOICE

Do you agree with their recommendations?

I believe Medicalcover is the No 1. important aspect and then claim and cost?

Looking at over 45 day trip for Annual policy seems Qantas has a QBE product that has good car rental excess too......
Can't seem to make excess $0 though

Any one used and comment on them?

 

[TheRealTMA]

We use a mix of CC TI (Westpac Earth) and RACQ. CC TI we have found to be excellent if your trip fits the criteria (CC TI paid out $33,676 for a torn tendon repair plus hotel expenses for recuperation claim from Vienna at Christmas four years ago). If our trip doers not fit the CC TI T&Cs then we buy a single trip policy. RACQ seemed to be competitive in price and features and offers $0 excess policies. Last trip (UK/Spain) we used RACQ and I had a dental claim for $267. They paid the claim in 3 days. Was very impressed with RACQ.

 

[cgichard]

Couldn't see any ANZ cards in that credit card list. And the NAB flybuys card that heads the list is no longer available to new customers.

 

[Skyhawk]

I've found it difficult to select a satisfactory CC for TI as I often fly one way, and then I book the return flight once I know from where, and when, I am returning. Most CC TI doesn't provide cover for one way trips. I'm not sure if this applies to open jaw bookings.
I'm also studying the Choice article but haven't made a decision yet. Comparing all of the variables can be quite time consuming.

 

[jbman]

I am in the same boat. Usually book one ways so the cc insurance isn't an option.

My tid annual is about to expire so I am also looking at what's on offer at the moment.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I've found it difficult to select a satisfactory CC for TI as I often fly one way, and then I book the return flight once I know from where, and when, I am returning. Most CC TI doesn't provide cover for one way trips. I'm not sure if this applies to open jaw bookings.
I'm also studying the Choice article but haven't made a decision yet. Comparing all of the variables can be quite time consuming.

Yes, that's why we have started to use RACQ TI. Some CC TI's T&C seem to allow this, some not, but I decided not to push the point.We use FF points to Europe then buy returns from Europe to Oz. Travel F at price of J.

 

[Skyhawk]

There's also the issue of how much you need to spend on the CC so as to activate the TI. e.g. some cards require $500 or more.
It would be easy to think that you had insurance when in reality there was a term or condition which voided the cover.

 

[Skyhawk]

Some of the Commbank cards look like they could be suitable as the fare doesn't need to be purchased on the card to activate cover. The Low Rate Gold Card currently has a $300 cashback offer too.

 

[LordGarlic]

Columbus travel is fairly decent. Discount available if you are a aff gold member. *about time to promote benefits of being a gold member*

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Most CC TI doesn't provide cover for one way trips. I'm not sure if this applies to open jaw bookings.

Intended users of CC TI need to check the PDS, but it is common that you need a 'return ticket to australia'. Whether that be by plane or boat or whatever. Open jaws are fine. Just need that ticket home.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Couldn't see any ANZ cards in that credit card list. And the NAB flybuys card that heads the list is no longer available to new customers.

I was reading another Choice article and a reader asked the question 'why no ANZ cards?'. The reply was that ANZ didn't respond to Choice's questions and the Choice team didn't have the capacity to research the policy themselves. Wonder if it's the same issue here?

 

[TheRealTMA]

Intended users of CC TI need to check the PDS, but it is common that you need a 'return ticket to australia'. Whether that be by plane or boat or whatever. Open jaws are fine. Just need that ticket home.

And, importantly, some CC TI require travel to start and end in Australia. Not all however.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Intended users of CC TI need to check the PDS, but it is common that you need a 'return ticket to australia'. Whether that be by plane or boat or whatever. Open jaws are fine. Just need that ticket home.

Indeed a common requirement. I enquired with Bankwest 1-2 years ago and they said that 2 one-way tickets was fine (doesn't need to be a single return trip booking), but I elected not to chance it.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Indeed a common requirement. I enquired with Bankwest 1-2 years ago and they said that 2 one-way tickets was fine (doesn't need to be a single return trip booking), but I elected not to chance it.

No reason why two one ways shouldn't be ok - but again it's important to check the PDS. These days with LCCs or award travel it's not uncommon to have two separate tickets. What the insurance companies are looking for is that you have transport back to Oz. ANZ permits two one ways.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

return overseas travel ticket means a ticket from and returning to Australia.

The Bankwest/Zurich wording - references to ticket are singular.

 

[straitman]

Columbus travel is fairly decent. Discount available if you are a aff gold member. *about time to promote benefits of being a gold member*

We have used Columbus for several years. We have not claimed though I have queried them on a few things and found them very easy to deal with.

Our daughter and family who has been travelling almost full time for the past two years has also used them, have made several claims and had no issues what so ever. As they travel continually and with changing plans Columbus lets the take out an open ended policy for twelve months and they cancel the balance if they come back to Australia.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The Bankwest/Zurich wording - references to ticket are singular.

Just read the PDF... that is nasty and I can see the confusion! Although I suspect it's a case of bad writing? There will be plenty of people who have purchased a one way airfare combined with a cruise back, or used FF miles one way and a paid fare back.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Although I suspect it's a case of bad writing?

Quite possibly. While there's no reason to automatically disbelieve the phone advice about 2 one-ways, the policy wording gives the insurer an out that could potentially be very difficult to challenge.

 

[Peter D]

Indeed, there is difference between a return ticket and a ticket to return.

Westpac Black PDS says “return ticket” but ANZ says “a ticket to return”.

I suspect the use of the singular is sloppy drafting and that a series of tickets might be accepted but not sure I would want to rely on it.

Oh dear!! last we year did. Separate bookings a few days apart with Qatar to Washington and Cathay returning from Toronto. With QF points too.

 

[Ric]

I am a lot like the others in that I buy my return tickets nowadays outside Oz e.g. Mnl>Syd>Mnl.
Used to get TID but now use World Nomads which does not require a return ticket or a ticket to return to Australia.
And you can buy the insurance while travelling and outside of Australia already as long as you are Australia resident/citizen.