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Compare Travel Insurance

How to find the best travel insurance? Our guides shows you what to look for when comparing travel insurance policies so you can make the right choice.

1. What Is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is meant to protect you from unexpected losses that are incurred when you’re travelling. Seems simple right? Well you’d be surprised. When comparing travel insurance policies it is important to make sure you know exactly what you’re covered for. May people don't ask themselves the right questions or find out if they're covered for things like skiing or cruising before they head off. 

When comparing policies and trying to find the best travel insurance for you, remember to read the product disclosure statement (PDS) in full. 

 

 

2. What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

 

A comprehensive policy should provide cover for the following. Be sure to check the benefit limits in relation to each component of coverage as these can change drastically between providers. 

 

ticks Medical 

The most important aspect of your cover, after all, you can’t put a price on your health. Read more about what 1Cover can do for your medical coverage


 

ticks

Cancellation

This will be a key consideration for any long-term trips you may have planned. Be sure to read the terms and conditions of your policy before paying any deposits for flights, accommodation or with your travel agent. 

 

ticks

Luggage

This should include not only luggage and personal effects but delay expenses and theft of cash. 


 

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Ancillary

Should include rental vehicle excess and personal liability as a minimum. 

 

 

 

2.3 What Doesn't Travel Insurance Cover?

 

Travel insurance policies are designed to cover you for unforeseen circumstances that could occur when you’re travelling. Most if not all travel insurance policies will not cover the following instances, so keep these in mind next time you are comparing policies. 

 

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You Break The Law

Not just Australian laws, but be aware of local laws as well. 

 

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You Ignore Official Warnings

Be a Smart Traveller, always make sure you are up to date with the lastest travel advice.
 

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You Purchase A Policy After A Claimable Event Becomes Publicised 

Insurers won’t cover you if you have to cancel your trip because of a natural disaster if you purchased your policy after the event was made public in the mass media. Do your research before you plan your next trip! 
 

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You Leave Your Belongings And They Get Stolen

Leaving your things lying around is asking for someone to take them. 

 

cross Travel Supplier Financial Default 

Be sure to use a reputable travel provider, as most insurers won't provide cover for financial collapse. 

 

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You’ve Been Drinking 

This can be a grey area, but this is a general exclusion in most if not all travel insurance policies

 

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You Didn't Read The PDS And Thought You Were Covered

Ignorance is not always bliss. Just because you thought something was covered, doesn’t mean it will be. Always read the PDS

 

 

2.4 Cover For Activities

 

Have you got an action packed trip planned? Are you going skiing or taking part in winter sports? Generally, insurers take three different approaches to providing cover for activities: 

Tick

Automatically included in your policy

Graph

Can be included at an increased premium

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Excluded from cover

 

Some Activities That Are Automatically Included in 1Cover Policies 

Abseiling
Abseiling
Go Karting
Go Karting
Horse Riding
Horse Riding
Marathon
Marathon*
Paint Balling
Paint Balling
Safari Tours
Safari Tours

Some Activities That Are Not Covered (By Most Insurers Because Of The Risk)

Base Jumping
Base Jumping
Professional Sports
Professional Sports
Parachuting
Parachuting
Hang Gliding
Hang Gliding
Open Water Sailing
Open Water Sailing
Mountaineering
Mountaineering
Hunting
Hunting

* Exclusions apply see PDS for full details. 

3.1 How To Compare Travel Insurance Providers

When comparing travel insurance, where your cover comes from can tell you a lot about the customer service, quality of cover and care you are likely to receive. 

 

Umbrella

Direct Providers

Travel insurance is the primary focus of these businesses, meaning they are specialist and experienced in the industry.  They are also often the cheapest as they don’t have to pay commissions. 1Cover provides travel insurance direct to customers and we do not pay expensive travel agent commission so we keep insurance premiums lower

 

 

Builsings

A Secondary Function Of A Larger Business

These brands are backed by large, well-known organisations. But travel insurance is rarely their primary focus, so they might not have the same level of expertise as Travel Insurance specialists like 1Cover.

 

 

Credit Card

Included With Your Credit Card

Credit card travel insurance can be included in your card fees, however be sure to check the levels of cover and benefit limits of your insurance, as these can be much lower than from other providers. If you want to compare credit card travel insurance, check out our comprehensive guide.

 

 

Travel Agent

Provided By Your Travel Agent

Insurance provided by your travel agent may be very similar to what direct insurers provide. It is always important to know that the travel agent is acting as a middleman for another insurer meaning you might be paying much higher premiums. Ask them what commission they get for selling Travel Insurance, and then always compare their quotes. It only takes 30 seconds to get a 1Cover

 

 

3.2 Travel Insurance Provider Checklist

 

On the surface, all travel insurance providers can seem the same, but if you’re going to trust them with your safety and peace of mind on your next trip, it’s important to dig a little deeper. When comparing between different providers, ask yourself the following:

 

Emergency Line

Do they have a 24-hour emergency assistance service?

Umbrella

Are they underwritten by a company you know and trust?

Australia

Are they locally owned and operated?
 

 

Claims

Do they manage their own claims? 
 

Experienced

Do they specialise in travel insurance?
 

 

4. How To Compare Price

Just pick the cheapest one, right? Well, sort of. There are a few other things you should keep in mind when comparing travel insurance policies based on price. 

 

How Much Should Your Policy Cost

As a general rule of thumb, the more risky your travel plans are, the higher the cost of your insurance will be. The cost of your travel insurance is determined by a number of variables; 

 

Globe

Destination

The distance your destination is from Australia, and the cost of medical care there will affect the price of your insurance.  

 

 

 

Calendar Dates

The longer the duration of your trip, the more you insurance will cost. 

 

 

 

Age Age

Sorry, there’s not much you can do about this.   

 

 

 

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Most policies will have a list of automatically included conditions. Applying for cover outside of these may increase the cost of your policy.  

 

 

Diamond Ring Extra Coverage for Skiing, Cruising, Rental Car Excess & High Value items

Adding extras such as high-value items, ski cover, cruise cover, or extra rental car excess could increase the price of your policy. 

 

 

 

Get a Quote In minutes
 

 

 

4.1 Adding Pre-Existing Medical Conditions To Your Policy

 

When comparing travel insurance, different insurers have different processes for assessing pre-existing conditions, and this could affect both the level of cover and price that you can receive from your insurer. 

Here at 1Cover, we consider the following to be pre-existing conditions:

 

Medication A condition that you have received treatment, advice or medication for in the last 90 days

 

 

Stethoscope A chronic or ongoing illness

 


 

Multiple pregnancy Multiple pregnancy later than 19 weeks

 

 

Surgery Any surgery you have had in the last 12 months

 


 

Pregnancy Single pregnancy later than 24 weeks

 


 

Magnifying glass Any condition currently being investigated

 

 

4.2 How Are Pre-Existing Conditions Assessed?

 

Insurers have different ways of assessing the cost of covering your pre-existing condition. Be sure to raise this issue with your chosen provider when purchasing a policy.

At 1Cover, some pre-existing medical conditions are automatically covered, but certain criteria must be met. 

If you don't meet the criteria, you can still get travel insurance. It might just mean that: 

 

increased

 

You can obtain travel insurance, but if you want your medical condition to be covered, you'll need to pay; or 

 

speech

 

you can obtain travel insurance but it will be mandatory to purchase coverage for your medical condition; or 

 

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your medical condition won't be covered at all, but you can still purchase travel insurance. 

 

 

Please note, there's a possibility we might not be able to cover you at all, but we will tell you this during your medical assessment. 

 

4.3 Things that Shouldn’t Affect Your Premium

 

Be sure to be aware of hidden costs that some insurers can add to your premium. Always find out whether the following will affect the price of your premium before you purchase. 

 

Making A Claim

Making A Claim

Unlike car or home insurance, making a claim will not affect the cost of your future travel insurance policies with 1Cover. There are multiple ways of making a claim - via post, email, over the phone or the fastest way is by using our Online Claims Form
 

Standard sports & Activities 

1Cover covers nearly 150 different adventure activities. This includes some of the most popular activies such a surfing, bungee jumping, and scuba diving. Always remember to check the PDS for all T&Cs, limits and exclusions. 

Dependants

Adding Dependants

Dependents under 19 years not working full time who travel with a parent or grandparent for 100% of the journey are covered at no additional cost on 1Cover single and family policies.*

 

*For policies purchased before the 19th Feb 2019, the age of a dependant was defined as 21 and under

5. How To Compare Travel Insurance Cover

While comparing price is simple enough, comparing cover can be a little more complicated. Always remember that not all travel insurance policies are the same, and comprehensive does not necessarily mean ‘absolutely everything’ is covered.

The key things you should look out for when comparing policies are:

 

 

Flowchart

 

 

5.1 Medical Benefit Limits

 

The benefit limits below apply to medical claims for 1Cover comprehensive policies. These can be used as a benchmark when comparing the medical benefit limits and other benefits of other policies. 

Benefit Comprehensive Medical Only
Overseas Emergency Medical Assistance^ Unlimited Unlimited

Overseas Emergency Medical & Hospital Expenses^*

Includes Dental Expenses (per person)^

Unlimited

$1,000

Unlimited

$500

Additional Accommodation & Travel Expenses*

Includes Family Emergency*

Includes Emergency Companion Cover*

 

$2,000

 

X

Resumption of Journey^* $3,000 X
Hospital Cash Allowance^* $5,000 X
Repatriation Of Remains $15,000 X
Permanent Disability^* $25,000 X
Loss of Income^* $10,400
Personal Liability# $5 million $5 million

5.2 1Cover Medical Limits Explained

The medical benefit limits for 1Cover policies refer to the following situations:

  • Overseas Emergency Medical Assistance
  • Includes 24-hour emergency medical assistance, ambulance fees, medical evacuations, funeral arrangements, and messages to family and hospital guarantees.

  • Overseas Emergency Medical And Hospital Expenses
  • Cover if you are injured or become sick overseas, including; medical, hospital, surgical and nursing. 

  • Dental Expenses
  • Cover for your emergency dental treatment for the relief of sudden and acute pain to sound and natural teeth.

  • Additional Accommodation & Travel Expenses
  • Cover for additional travel expenses if you cannot travel because of an injury or sickness (whilst overseas).

  • Family Emergency
  • Cover for additional travel expenses if your travelling companion, or a relative of either of you is aged 84 or under and resides in Australia or New Zealand, dies unexpectedly, is disabled by an injury or requires hospitalisation.

  • Emergency Companion Cover
  • Cover for additional travel and accommodation expenses to remain with your travelling companion if he or she can't continue their journey because of an injury or sickness.

  • Resumption Of Journey
  • Cover for the cost of airfares for you to resume your journey if you return home because of the unexpected death or hospitalisation of a relative of yours.

  • Hospital Cash Allowance
  •  An allowance of $50 per day if you are hospitalised for more than 48 continuous hours while overseas.

  • Repatriation of Remains
  • Funeral costs overseas, and/or repatriation costs of your remains to your home are covered.

  • Permanent Disability
  • A permanent disability benefit is payable for total loss of sight in one or both eyes or loss of use of a hand or foot (for at least 12 months, and which will continue indefinitely) within 12 months of, and because of, an injury sustained during your journey.

  • Loss Of Income
  • A weekly loss of income benefit is payable if you become disabled within 30 days of an injury you sustained during your journey, and you are still unable to work more than 30 days after returning to Australia.

 

 

 

5.3 Luggage Benefit Limits

 

The following benefit limits apply to luggage claims for 1Cover comprehensive policies. These can be used as a benchmark when comparing the benefit limits of other policies. 

Benefit Single Annual

Credit Card Fraud & Replacement^

Includes Travel Documents & Traveller's Cheques^

$5,000

$5,000

Theft of Cash^# $250 $250
Luggage & Personal Effects* $15,000 $15,000
Luggage & Personal Effects Delay Expenses^ $250 $250

 

5.4 Luggage Limits Explained

 

The luggage benefits for 1Cover policies refer to the following situations:

  • Credit Card Fraud & Replacement
  • Cover for the replacement cost of your credit cards lost or stolen from you during your journey, and loss resulting from fraudulent use.

  • Luggage & Personal Effects Delay Expenses
  • Cover to purchase essential items of clothing and other personal items following Luggage delayed and Personal Effects being delayed, misdirected or misplaced by your carrier for more than 12 hours. 

 

 

 

5.5 Cancellation Benefit Limits

 

The following benefit limits apply to cancellation claims for 1Cover comprehensive policies. These can be used as a benchmark when comparing the benefit limits of other policies. 

Benefit Single Annual
Cancellation Fees & Lost Deposits*

Unlimited

Unlimited

Disruption of Journey* $1,000 $1,000
Alternative Transport Expenses^ $5,000 $5,000

 

5.6 Cancellation Limits Explained

 

Cancellation benefits for 1Cover policies refer to the following situations: 

  • Cancellation Fees And Lost Deposits
  • Cover for cancellation fees and lost deposits for pre-paid travel arrangements due to unforeseen circumstances neither expected nor intended by you, and which are outside your control, such as; sickness, injuries, strikes, collisions, retrenchment and natural disasters.

  • Disruption Of Journey
  • Cover for additional meals and accommodation expenses, after an initial 6 hours delay, if your Journey is disrupted due to circumstances beyond your control.

  • Alternative Transport Expenses
  • Cover for additional travel expenses following transport delays to reach events such as; a wedding, funeral, conference, sporting event and pre-paid travel/tour arrangements.

 

 

 

5.7 Ancillary Benefit Limits

 

The following benefit limits apply to ancillary claims for 1Cover comprehensive policies. These can be used as a benchmark when comparing the benefit limits of other policies. 

Benefit Single Annual
Personal Liability#

$5 million

$5 million

Domestic Pets^* $500 $500
Domestic Services^* $500 $500
Rental Vehicle Excess#*

$5,000

$5,000

 

5.8 Ancillary Limits Explained  

 

Ancillary benefits for 1Cover policies refer to the following situations:

  • Personal Liability
  • Cover for legal liability including legal expenses for bodily injuries or damage to property of other persons as a result of a claim made against you. 

  • Domestic Pets 
  • Cover for additional boarding kennel or cattery fees resulting from your delayed return home, also veterinary fees if your pet is injured while you are away.

  • Domestic Services
  • Cover for housekeeping services following injury/disablement continuing upon your return home.

  • rental Vehicle Excess
  • Cover for the excess payable on your rental vehicle's motor vehicle insurance resulting from the rental vehicle being; Stolen, Crashed or Damaged and/or cost of returning the rental vehicle due to you being unfit to do so. 

 

 

6. How To Compare the Claims process

When comparing travel insurance providers, the proof is in the pudding. When you go to make a claim you want to know that you’re going to be looked after properly. But how will you know before purchasing a policy? Use the checklist below to find out more about how your chosen provider assesses claims.

 

1   Customer Reviews

          Check online to find customer reviews about your provider, paying attention to reviews that have verified claims.  
 

2   In House Claims Department

          Does your provider manage their own claims or outsource this to another business? 
 

3   Claims Turnaround

          How long does it take your provider to pay claims? You can usually find this in the product disclosure statement
 

4   General Exclusions

           Pay special attention to the general exclusions in the PDS
 

5    Underwriter You Know And Trust

           Make sure your travel insurance provider is underwritten by a reputable underwriter. 

 

7. Get A travel insurance Quote

 

 

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Why Choose 1Cover Travel Insurance?

Trusted by 2 Million customers


Since 2003, we've provided travel insurance to more than 2 million happy customers around the world. We don't focus on anything else but travel insurance, and that makes us specialists in the field.

Award winning Insurance 

We’re proud to be awarded for our quality products and services. We recently won Mozo's 2023 Experts Choice Award for Exceptional Value Comprehensive Travel Insurance. As well as Product Review's Travel Insurer of the Year in 2019.

Local Customer Service

Our customer service specialists are based in Sydney and operate from Monday to Friday.  Whether you're buying a policy or making a claim, you can be sure one of our caring, knowledgeable customer service legends will be able to help you out. 

/emergency-contacts/

24/7 Emergency Assistance

The one time you really need travel insurance is in case of emergency. With 1Cover, you have 24/7 emergency assistance at all times - so when one thing goes really  wrong, we'll be there to help you.  

Pre-Existing Medical Cover

Unlike many other travel insurers, we automatically cover 35 conditions under our policies. We know everyone is different and that's why our medical team assess each pre-existing condition on a case by case basis.

Fast Claims 

If you want your claim paid quickly, and you don’t want to deal with a complicated claims process, then use 1Cover. Just make sure you have all your receipts and relevant documents handy.