Travel insurance - optional or essential?

[Foreigner]

I haven't had a claim for flight delays, ever. If there were to be then the airline would come to the rescue in most instances, IMO.

Nonetheless I keep an annual policy put together by the business broker. Essentially, I'm concerned about medical/injury risks.

 

[DrA]

Essential.

I climb. I want full evacuation insurance.
I scuba dive. I want full evacuation insurance.
I go to remote places that often have a significant security risk. I want full evacuation insurance.
I go to the US (heaven forbid you have a medical issue while there). I want full medical insurance.

 

[jetlagger]

Absolutely essential, especially inclusive with snow skiing.
Though I always read the fine print & note the exclusions.

 

[Hvr]

Essential.

Have never been injured overseas (touch wood) but if it happens I'll be covered.

I have used my travel insurance once, I was in BKK in 2008 when the yellow shirts invaded the airport. I was there for 6 extra days before Qantas was able to get extra flights running and get us out. (Magnificent job by Qantas no problems there at all.)

On the buses from BKK to HKT there was a bus full of people who were injured but didn't have travel insurance, they were not comfortable.

My travel insurance covered all extra expenses such as hotels and food. They paid up in a fortnight. Being able to talk to them whilst in BKK and be assured everything was covered was very comforting.

I had a friend whose mother had a stroke in the Former USSR and needed to be evacuated. Travel insurance covered all the expenses with no problems. Immediate evacuation to Germany and the back to Australia. They flew paramedics to accompany her home and paid for a couple of business class seats to be removed to accommodate the hospital bed.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Very sensible advice HVR. Travel Insurance is essential as you quite rightly put it.

 

[footy99]

The medical part is essential. The rest I could do without if it means a significant discount.

 

[UP4014]

I think I read the Australian king hit in Bali didn't have cover, the cost for him to return in a coma to Perth, $45K, the family is raising the money.

Insurance is the cheapest part of my travel.

I have been to South America several times to 'escort' Australians back when trouble strikes. First class fares, weeks in Anglo American hospitals waiting, the bills add up.

Matt

 

[UP4014]

A bit extra, a night call out by a Doctor in Vegas to a large hotel, $600.

A broken leg in Colorado, $10K. ($10K is about the daily charge for a stay in a US hospital, a heart attack there with the follow week in hospital, $90K)

 

[wandering_fred]

Essential.
Used only once - in Bangkok. I would hate to think what 3 days ICU in the USA would have cost.

Happy wandering needs the insurance.

Fred

 

[PrincessK]

Essential... In the US for a conference I fell ill and had to be taken by ambulance to hospital where I stayed for a day (not overnight). $16K later, fully covered by travel insurance, I'd never travel without it.

 

[Happy Trails]

.......I was in BKK in 2008 when the red shirts invaded the airport.

Small point of order, but it was the yellow shirts stirring the pot on that occasion.

 

[harvyk]

Essential, considering that you can find basic insurance that cost a couple of dollars a day, it is probably going to be the cheapst expence you'll have all trip. If it really is such a big expence the answer is simple, (for those without lounge) have a couple less beers at the airport before going and you'll find your TI money...

 

[doctau]

Essential. As the saying goes "if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel".

The only overseas destination I'd go without it is NZ (if no risky activities), as Australia have reciprocal medical care arrangements. That said both times I've been there we're hired a car, and paying for TI that also covered rental car excess was cheaper than paying the car company to have no excess.

Luckily I have never had anything too serious happen. I got stuck in NZ for a few extra days when the volcanic ash clouds were around a few years ago, but that's it.

 

[Austman]

Essential for international travel but is it essential for domestic travel (for Australian residents)?

 

[benmay]

Like any insurance, it's a form of gambling. When I used to travel a lot less, I didn't worry about it. Now that' I've been doing a few more trips Internationally, (US, Europe, Asia etc) It's a must.

Doing just domestic / NZ flights I wouldn't keep the annual policy.

Like others said, it's for the health risk. I can cop it if I miss a flight or what not and some how the airline doesn't look after me.

 

[serfty]

Essential - if nothing else for the health risks.

Have some friends - a couple who loved MRU and would holiday there, if not yearly, every 18 months.

A bug bite caused havoc - to cut the story short, one morning she woke up in her hotel bed and could not move.

Months hospitalised in Mauritius, flight back on QF in a row of 4 economy seats (744) via SYD to MEL (330) with attendant medical nurse and an ambulance to hospital in Melbourne.

Their insurance covered the lot including his extended accommodation in Mauritius.

(Sadly, she still has very little movement 18 months later.)

 

[Rox]

I was told of someone stuck in Europe as they were certified as not safe to fly.
The insurance covered living expenses in Europe for 3+ months. They made the most of it, until the cover ran out.

 

[Hvr]

Small point of order, but it was the yellow shirts stirring the pot on that occasion.

Totally correct, have amended my post. Thanks.

 

[DrA]

Essential for international travel but is it essential for domestic travel (for Australian residents)?

I'd say so.

I was in Melbourne a few years back for a conference and my hotel room was broken into (both the Police and myself are pretty sure it was an inside job). My laptop, camera and a few other things were stolen. At the time, these things weren't covered under my home and contents policy, but were covered under our corporate travel policy at work.

I've also had check-in luggage go on holidays without me on domestic (and international) trips, never to be seen again.

 

[phily]

Essential for international travel but is it essential for domestic travel (for Australian residents)?

It's probably not essential for domestic travel here, but with an annual insurance policy you're covered anyway. For anyone who travels OS more than about 4 weeks a year, then it's probably worth getting annual travel insurance.