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Ignoring the practicalities of travelling through a large, remote and often very hot and dry country has tripped up many experienced travellers. Here are a few things to know about your travel insurance coverage before you travel around Australia.
Australians are renowned for their welcoming attitude and with good reason. However, while the majority are friendly to travellers, some are more interested in your wallet than getting to know you. Claims for theft in Australia are common. It takes just seconds for a thief to grab your camera or wallet from under your beach towel at Bondi or off the table while you’re ordering coffee. Always keep your valuables on you or locked up (using the hotel safe or hostel lockers). Also, don’t leave anything in your car as break-ins are common in urban areas (especially at night). If your belongings aren’t with you, and there is no evidence or police report of a theft, you may not be covered if they’re stolen.
Travel insurance isn’t designed to cover everything, particularly if you leave something behind. Check your policy carefully for full details of coverage, including the limit payable on each item, adventure sports upgrades, and any exclusions or conditions of coverage such as depreciation or valid proof of ownership.
Australia’s remoteness is part of its charm but can also present some challenges if your baggage is delayed. Most visitors require a half-day plane ride to get to Australia, so you’re unlikely to get your baggage back quickly if your airline has delivered it to Sidney, Canada instead of Sydney, Australia. Most travel insurance policies can help replace essentials, like a change of clothes or toothbrush, if you have to wait more than 12 hours for your bags to arrive. It won’t cover the costs of swapping your ripped jeans for a designer pair. Be sure to read the conditions and exclusion of the Baggage, Personal Effects and Sporting Equipment section of your policy.
Before you leave home, ensure your baggage is clearly labelled and the tags are firmly attached, giving your airline the best chance of getting it on the right plane or finding it quickly and getting it back to you.
The Australian medical system is first class, but it comes with a price, which makes buying travel insurance even more important. Your government health insurance plan (GHIP) has limited or no coverage overseas.
Emergency medical coverage from your travel insurance plan is your safety net if you get sick or get into an accident; it’s not designed to pay for every scratch and headache. Conditions and exclusions apply. If you’re hurt or injured, contact us and we can help you understand what your policy covers. If it’s a life-threatening medical condition, always seek medical help immediately. You should also contact the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. The team can help you get access to medical assistance and keep your family and friends informed of the situation
There are many great opportunities to do adventure sports in Australia, which is why World Nomads travel insurance covers hundreds of activities from kite surfing and skiing to hiking and scuba diving. Be sure to check our Help Centre article about covered adventures and sports to see what types of activities may be covered. You may have to purchase a sports upgrade for an additional fee. Read your policy carefully before you go bungee jumping in Cairns or scuba diving in Byron Bay. If you get hurt skiing in the Victorian Alps, and you only found out after the accident that off-resort skiing is not covered, it’s going to be a very expensive trip.
There are exclusions, too. Such as if you do something really stupid, like grab a snake by the head or go swimming with crocodiles, you may not be covered at all.
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, of if you have questions about your coverage, just ask us.
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Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
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Contact the teamTravel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.
Before your trip, check the latest government advice – for your destination and any travel alerts including important COVID-19 coverage advisory and limitations.