What Is Travel Insurance & Why Is It Important for Me?
When travelling, always remember not to go without travel insurance – whether you are an individual tourist, business traveller, backpacker or sportsperson, emergencies can happen at any time. Travel insurance protects you in the case of unexpected medical emergencies and other incidents that may arise while you are travelling overseas.
Travel insurance is supported by 24/7 emergency medical assistance and also legal assistance – these services help you navigate seeking and receiving proper service and assistance. The benefits usually include:
[list style=’arrow’]
[li]Emergency hospital and medical costs[/li]
[li]Ambulance and air ambulance costs[/li]
[li]Trip cancellation for non-refundable monetary loss (check policy or sub limit)[/li]
[li]Trip interruption[/li]
[li]Baggage loss, rental car excess, out of pocket expenses [/li]
[li]Accidental death and dismemberment benefits.[/li]
[/list]
The medical insurance benefits may vary between travel insurance, i.e. variety of coverage, benefit options and price but the typical emergency medical benefits include:
[list style=’arrow’]
[li]Hospital care, related diagnostic and drug services[/li]
[li]Outpatient services[/li]
[li]Physician and laboratory expenses[/li]
[li]Prescription drugs[/li]
[li]Hospital guarantees and direct payment to the hospital and treating doctors[/li]
[li]Assistance with bringing a family member to your bedside[/li]
[li]Air ambulance or commercial repatriation home[/li]
[li]Dental benefits are restricted to pain stilling costs only[/li]
[/list]
Know Your Trip Conditions
[li]If you are planning any high risk activity make sure it is covered by your travel insurance policy (i.e. activities such as rock climbing, bungee jumping, parasailing, light aircraft/rotary non-scheduled aircraft flights, or competitive or professional sport).[/li]
[li]Consider options such as an annual multi-trip policy rather than just a single trip policy as this may be a more economic option.[/li]
[li]Check Government travel advisories; and register with NZ Government Travel Safe.[/li]
[li]Read your travel insurance policy, pay special attention to the eligibility requirements, exclusions and benefits.[/li]
[li]Anything you do not understand – ask about it (HMIS can help)[/li]
[li]Be mindful of policy sub limits for items of special value; this applies not only to cameras/videos, electronic equipment but also sporting equipment.[/li]
[li]Will any property be freighted as non-accompanied luggage[/li]
[li]Travel insurance is for emergencies – understand what is typically not covered: non-emergency care, continuing care, unstable pre-existing conditions etc.[/li]
[li]Do not buy on price alone as plans vary. When reviewing policies compare similar benefits, exclusions and excess, if any.[/li]
[li]Business traveller policies are specifically designed to respond to the needs of business travellers.[/li]
[li]If travelling into hazardous regions there are special risk protection considerations – we deal with a wide cross section of high hazard risk cases. (Click here for more information).[/li]
[/list]
Eligibility, Exclusions and Limitations
Many recreational activities will be automatically included within a travel policy but it is common for winter sport activities to be insured only if you have paid an additional premium; but there may well be restrictions under this extension (i.e. on piste, no competitive activity). Professional sport and competitive sport are excluded but in most cases, this can be separately insured. Also, if your activities will include motor cycling check if a cc limitation applies (if it does separate arrangement will need to be made).
Common pitfalls are:
[list style=’arrow’]
[li]Credit card travel insurance often have trip time limits and age restrictions;[/li]
[li]Reasonable care – it is a requirement of all policies to take “reasonable care”; be mindful of leaving personal items or baggage unattended in public places, or not properly secured when left in an unattended motor vehicle.[/li]
[li]Jewellery and items of special value; wear it or lock it in a safe; or leave at home.[/li]
[li]Immediate reporting – contact the insurer as soon as you can. Use the 24/7 assistance help number. Also insurers will ask for a report made against the airline or carrier in respect of lost or delayed luggage and where appropriate ask for a police reports or report from the appropriate authority.[/li]
[li]Pre-existing conditions – tell the insurer about all conditions and symptoms you know about (see below).[/li]
[/list]
Know Your Health Conditions
[li]It is implied you meet minimum standards of good health but make sure you review the eligibility requirements and answer all medical questions accurately[/li]
[li]Ask your doctor for help in answering medical questions if you are not sure about medications or tests you are undergoing or recent referrals you have had.[/li]
[li]It is common today for applications to be made online or by phone; in such cases verify your responses or ask for a copy of your response.[/li]
[li]If your medical condition changes before your trip let the travel insurer know as this may affect your eligibility and the premium.[/li]
[/list]
What Are Pre-existing Medical Conditions?
Travel policies do not automatically cover claims arising from or exacerbated by some existing medical conditions or pregnancy. Where insurance is required for existing medical condition cover there is a special application process and if accepted may be subject to special conditions, limitations, excesses and amounts dependant on the traveller’s age, duration of travel and destination.
There are three classifications for existing medical conditions:
[list style=’arrow’]
[li]It is implied you meet minimum standards of good health but make sure you review the eligibility requirements and answer all medical questions accurately[/li]
[li]Conditions that can be automatically covered.(click here for conditions which can usually be automatically covered).[/li]
[li]Conditions which the insurer needs to assess.[/li]
[li]Conditions which cannot be covered.[/li]
[/list]
It is therefore important that you understand your medical status and report it correctly; if inaccurate or incomplete answers are given this can create indemnity issues at time of time and at worst could result in a claim being denied. Generally, insurers will not cover conditions or symptoms that have within a certain time frame prior to departure:
[list style=’arrow’]
[li]deteriorated or become more frequent[/li]
[li]been treated by a medical professional (routine check-ups excepted)[/li]
[li]required change of medication type or dosage[/li]
[li]been recommended for consultation or tests and [/li]
[li]travel is booked or being undertaken against medical advice[/li]
[li]conditions for which a traveller is undertaking to seek medical advice [/li]
[/list]
Travel insurance is for unexpected medical emergencies and related expenses and other unforeseen loss while travelling outside of your home country. This brochure is for general information purposes only. For complete eligibility requirements, exclusions, and benefits read your policy and ensure you understand your policy before travelling.