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  1. Home
  2. Travel

5 things no one knows about travel insurance

This is what's hidden in the fine print. - by Laura Barry
  • 04 Nov 2019
5 things no one knows about travel insurance

Going on holiday should be a fun, exciting and relaxing experience, but sometimes things go wrong, and you need to make a claim on your travel insurance. Unfortunately, not all travel insurance policies are equal, and in many cases there are specific criteria you need to meet in order to make basic claims.

Insurer InsuranceandGo has revealed five things many people don’t know about making claims on their travel insurance, and how you can avoid falling into these traps.

“Although travel insurance is both important and necessary when travelling, before purchasing just any policy, travellers need to think about where they are going, what they will be doing at their destination, and what they are likely to need cover for,” says Jonathan Etkind, spokesperson at InsureandGo.

“They also need to declare any pre-existing health conditions, as well as the valuable items that they will be taking with them. These are important considerations that will help travellers choose a policy that is right for them – and, in the unfortunate event that something goes wrong, help them understand whether or not they will be covered.”

travel essentials camera headphone passport
Getty

1. You need to know where your stuff is at all times

Did you know that any luggage left unattended or unsecured in a public place could nullify a travel insurance claim, and this includes any personal belongings you leave with someone who is not travelling with you for more than 50 per cent of your trip. It also applies to any personal belongings that you accidentally left in your hotel room, after you checked out. However, anything that is lost, stolen or damaged during your trip will be reimbursed by your insurer as long as you were carrying it on you, or it was stored in a hotel safe.

2. You need proof of ownership

You’ll need to keep receipts for expenses, itineraries, travel contracts and items in your luggage that will verify that your lost, stolen or damaged possessions are actually yours.

3. High-value items need additional cover

Never assume that valuable items such as phones, laptops, cameras and jewellery will be automatically covered by your insurer. In fact, they are often excluded from standard or basic travel insurance policies, or their cover is capped at just a few hundred dollars. Some policies may allow you to specify items, while other won’t cover them at all.

4. Know the IMEI number of your phone

Your travel insurance generally will not cover you for any claim relating to a lost, stolen or damaged mobile device if you are unable to supply the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number (a 15- or 17-digit unique number found within the settings of mobile devices, and used to identify them). You will also need to provide proof that you have blocked this number by an Australian telecommunications provider to make a claim.

5. Self-inflicted injuries and illness aren’t covered

If you knowingly put yourself in danger while travelling, you run the risk of having your cover invalidated if an incident occurs. Ignoring official advice by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller website can also invalidate your insurance. For example, if you caught a tropical disease and did not get the recommended vaccinations, your claim for medical services may be denied.

Want to know how to stay healthy when you travel? Watch the video below.

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Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How to afford a holiday by making these simple lifestyle swaps

How to afford a holiday by making these simple lifestyle swaps

5 legal ways to reduce your capital gains tax on investment property

5 legal ways to reduce your capital gains tax on investment property

Fast Ed's food tour of Vietnam

Fast Ed's food tour of Vietnam

Dr Harry visits Calgary Stampede's Chuckwagon Races

Dr Harry visits Calgary Stampede's Chuckwagon Races

{headline}

{headline}

Dr Harry visits wild Canada

Dr Harry visits wild Canada

A cheese festival is coming this November

A cheese festival is coming this November

Johanna and Pete visit The Rocks

Johanna and Pete visit The Rocks

{headline}

{headline}

Dr Harry visits Billabong Zoo Koala and Wildlife Park

Dr Harry visits Billabong Zoo Koala and Wildlife Park

James Tobin visits Mungo National Park

James Tobin visits Mungo National Park

Tara visits White Cottage in Tenterfield

Tara visits White Cottage in Tenterfield

Johanna visits the Northern Rivers with Pete Murray

Johanna visits the Northern Rivers with Pete Murray

This is the world's most expensive cracker

This is the world's most expensive cracker

This is Australia's best holiday home for 2020

This is Australia's best holiday home for 2020

Graham visits Nooroo Garden

Graham visits Nooroo Garden

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