Travel Insurance – A necessity or optional extra
There is nothing more confusing than the fine print and legal language to decipher when considering travel insurance. At Leisure Options we have a long standing relationship with Cover More travel insurance and whilst we are not experts, our 21 years of experience has guided us in selecting the most appropriate cover, either domestic or international, for our travellers.
Travel Insurance – What is it?
Organising travel insurance is an essential part of preparing for your holiday. If you are uninsured, you (or your family) are personally responsible for covering any medical or other costs resulting from unexpected incidents or accidents. You should make sure your travel insurance covers all medical expenses for injury or illness, as well as theft of valuables, damage to baggage and cancellations or interruptions to flight plans. Accidents can happen to anyone, and medical costs can be expensive. Your travel insurance premium will be calculated based on your origin, age, destination and duration of travel and exists to protect your investment on your journey.
When should you take out travel insurance?
As soon as you have paid any money towards your holiday, travel insurance should be issued. At Leisure Options, we recommend you send in your signed travel insurance form with your deposit so we can issue the policy providing you with immediate cover. Not only are you covered during the course of your trip, you also have provisions to make a claim and recoup any non-refundable costs should injury or illness prevent your travel. Another important consideration is ensuring you have a policy that covers you for the duration of your holiday. For example, if you are away from home for 14 days, make sure you have at least a 15 day policy commencing on the day you depart.
What type of insurance is best for me?
There are 2 main types of polices available:
- A single trip policy covers you for the duration of your travel and ceases once you return to your point of departure. Any subsequent illness/injury or even ongoing treatment that may have commenced whilst away on holiday is most likely not going to be covered under your policy once you return.
- A multi trip or annual policy is something to consider when holidaying two or more times each year as this will usually be cheaper than taking out two single trip policies. The only clause you need to consider is that your holiday destinations must be at least 250 km from your home.
Pre Existing Medical Conditions
There are many conditions automatically covered by travel insurance and these should be listed in their product disclosure document. Should you wish to obtain cover for a pre – existing medical condition not featured under the automatic cover, you can apply to have this covered, however it is at the discretion of the insurance company and will be an additional cost. Should you have any questions regarding this matter, you should always contact the insurer direct.
For Leisure Options travellers, you will find information in Cover-More’s Product Disclosure Statement on:
Page 14 – Existing Medical Conditions
Page 15 – Conditions Automatically Covered
Page 16 – Conditions Which Cannot Be Covered
Page 16 – Conditions We Need To Assess along with the 1300 72 88 22 for additional assistance
Claims
We always recommend contacting your insurer for guidance when a claim is likely to occur. Leisure Options is able to complete the claim on your behalf or alternatively provide the paperwork for you to complete and lodge.
At Leisure Options we believe that travel insurance is a vital element in preparing for any holiday. It offers you piece of mind at a very reasonable price and allows you to relax and enjoy your well earned break. Please contact our friendly staff if you would like any further information.
