Has anyone used Travel Insurance Direct??

[AussieDisneyNut]

I am just in the process of comparing travel insurance quotes and found a very cheap quote from Travel Insurance Direct but I have never used them before... Has anyone had any dealings with them good or bad ?? It says it is an Australian owned and operated company underwritten by Allianz, so I am hoping that it is a good company because they are at least $100 cheaper than the next quote!! Thanks for any advice.

 

[kylieh]

I haven't used them, but I've found a great deal of difference in the small print and for pre existing conditions. My DH had heart surgery many years ago, he's fixed now, but a lot of companies won't provide him cover even though they are underwritten by the same people and he has a specialist letter saying "he is cured."

Allianz are pretty good with our car insurance (we've had two major claims both very easy in the past two years) so probably the same with travel insurance claims.

Same with personal stuff like cameras, laptops, etc. I remember one company covering say $1500 total for all cameras on a family plan and another having $1500 per piece of camera gear for a family. Again, same underwriter.

 

[Oz-kateer]

Also try AAMI Travel Insurance - they are VERY reasonable. Their polciies are comprehensive.

I find them particularly useful as they do not word their policies "your dependent children or grandchildren" just "dependent children".

 

[AussieDisneyNut]

I haven't used them, but I've found a great deal of difference in the small print and for pre existing conditions. My DH had heart surgery many years ago, he's fixed now, but a lot of companies won't provide him cover even though they are underwritten by the same people and he has a specialist letter saying "he is cured."

Allianz are pretty good with our car insurance (we've had two major claims both very easy in the past two years) so probably the same with travel insurance claims.

Same with personal stuff like cameras, laptops, etc. I remember one company covering say $1500 total for all cameras on a family plan and another having $1500 per piece of camera gear for a family. Again, same underwriter.

Also try AAMI Travel Insurance - they are VERY reasonable. Their polciies are comprehensive.

I find them particularly useful as they do not word their policies "your dependent children or grandchildren" just "dependent children".

Thanks It is always so hard to make these decisions ... or is that just me!

 

[platypus67]

We've used them for a few years now. I've compared them with a number of online insurance companies and found them to be most comprehensive and best price by far. We've never had a claim so can't say how good they are regarding this.

 

[battymum]

Just a thought,

I suffer occassional migraines - would this be a "pre existing" condition?
I had one the other day and all I could think of is our trip and me having treatment for a DVT and getting denied cover because I had previously had a migraine,
(would be OK if I died i have enough super and life insurance to get my body back home - seriously this was going through my head - what the)

 

[PrincessInOz]

Just a thought,

I suffer occassional migraines - would this be a "pre existing" condition?
I had one the other day and all I could think of is our trip and me having treatment for a DVT and getting denied cover because I had previously had a migraine,
(would be OK if I died i have enough super and life insurance to get my body back home - seriously this was going through my head - what the)

I think I see where your screen name came from BattyMum....

On the more serious note...I read my insurance company Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) from cover to cover...on line...before I left. For the life of me, I can't work out why I can't remember a single word of the 50 or 500 page document! Must be that old fogie in me coming out right now.

If you haven't already, it may pay to put aside some snooze time to go through the PDS for your insurance and see if migraine is considered pre-existing. You.just.never.know.

 

[battymum]

I have done just that princess,

Migraine is automatically covered as long as I havent been hospitalised,

But what is frightening

25.If you, a Relative or a member of your Travelling Party:
a.commits suicide, attempts to commit suicide or deliberately injures himself or herself;
b.is under the influence of, or is addicted to, intoxicating liquor or a drug, except a drug taken in accordance with the advice of a registered medical practitioner;
c.takes part in a riot or civil commotion;
d.acts maliciously;
e.races (except on foot); mountaineers – or rock climbs – using support ropes; or takes part in a professional sporting activity;
f.rides a motor cycle (except as a pillion passenger) without a licence that is valid in the relevant country; or
g.dives underwater using an artificial breathing apparatus unless you hold an open water diving licence or you were diving under licensed instruction.
"



WHAT, WE CANT DRINK!!!!

What is more concerning is the rock climbing, we are going on Freedom of the Seas and my kids will definitely want to use the rock climbing wall, will they not be covered,

Also, is a snorkal an artificial breathing device?

I am so suspicious of insurance companies and terrified of US medical costs!!!

 

[AussieDisneyNut]

We've used them for a few years now. I've compared them with a number of online insurance companies and found them to be most comprehensive and best price by far. We've never had a claim so can't say how good they are regarding this.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[AussieDisneyNut]

WHAT, WE CANT DRINK!!!!

What is more concerning is the rock climbing, we are going on Freedom of the Seas and my kids will definitely want to use the rock climbing wall, will they not be covered,

Also, is a snorkal an artificial breathing device?

I am so suspicious of insurance companies and terrified of US medical costs!!!

I too am suspicious of insurance companies, that's why I'm seeking independant confirmation of good service! if that is even guaranteed!

 

[kylieh]

I have done just that princess,

Migraine is automatically covered as long as I havent been hospitalised,

But what is frightening

25.If you, a Relative or a member of your Travelling Party:
a.commits suicide, attempts to commit suicide or deliberately injures himself or herself;
b.is under the influence of, or is addicted to, intoxicating liquor or a drug, except a drug taken in accordance with the advice of a registered medical practitioner;
c.takes part in a riot or civil commotion;
d.acts maliciously;
e.races (except on foot); mountaineers – or rock climbs – using support ropes; or takes part in a professional sporting activity;
f.rides a motor cycle (except as a pillion passenger) without a licence that is valid in the relevant country; or
g.dives underwater using an artificial breathing apparatus unless you hold an open water diving licence or you were diving under licensed instruction.
"



WHAT, WE CANT DRINK!!!!

What is more concerning is the rock climbing, we are going on Freedom of the Seas and my kids will definitely want to use the rock climbing wall, will they not be covered,

Also, is a snorkal an artificial breathing device?

I am so suspicious of insurance companies and terrified of US medical costs!!!

They will do anything not to pay you!

Many of the companies require you to have a certain form completed by the attending Dr too. So whichever company you choose check if there is a form, print out a copy or two and take it with you. Just in case.

 

[AussieDisneyNut]

They will do anything not to pay you!

Many of the companies require you to have a certain form completed by the attending Dr too. So whichever company you choose check if there is a form, print out a copy or two and take it with you. Just in case.

That is good advice which I will definitely follow!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I have done just that princess,

Migraine is automatically covered as long as I havent been hospitalised,

But what is frightening

25.If you, a Relative or a member of your Travelling Party:
a.commits suicide, attempts to commit suicide or deliberately injures himself or herself;
b.is under the influence of, or is addicted to, intoxicating liquor or a drug, except a drug taken in accordance with the advice of a registered medical practitioner;
c.takes part in a riot or civil commotion;
d.acts maliciously;
e.races (except on foot); mountaineers – or rock climbs – using support ropes; or takes part in a professional sporting activity;
f.rides a motor cycle (except as a pillion passenger) without a licence that is valid in the relevant country; or
g.dives underwater using an artificial breathing apparatus unless you hold an open water diving licence or you were diving under licensed instruction.
"



WHAT, WE CANT DRINK!!!!

What is more concerning is the rock climbing, we are going on Freedom of the Seas and my kids will definitely want to use the rock climbing wall, will they not be covered,

Also, is a snorkal an artificial breathing device?

I am so suspicious of insurance companies and terrified of US medical costs!!!

I think I see the "get out of jail" card for your drinking problem....

 

[battymum]

shush, can you write me a note?

 

[PrincessInOz]

(psst....Shushh can be found occassionally hanging out in her PTR/TR and updating her blog.....)

 

[gogo65]

I have used Travel insurance direct for a few years. I use there annual policy which is excellent value and covers all family members travelling with you
Last year I claimed 2 nights hotel accomodation in Dubai due to the April volcano and had no issues whatsoever, getting my refund. They allowed me to book any hotel, paid for all my meals and transfers without a question. I also had another trip to Europe in November and ended up in a hospital in London, again they were fantastic, I had no british pounds as I was on a return flight from Rome to Sydney and was only meant to be in transit, as I ended up at Heathrow at 3am with no money and no transport, they booked a hotel for me, called me back,arranged a taxi, had a doctor call me to check on me and again called me when I got home to see how I was. They also asked if I required a business class seat for my return flight to make me more comfortable, unfortunately this was at the time of the A380 qantas bungle and the flights were full, so I declined the business class seat in 3 days time as I just wanted to get home.
They even offered to pay me some compensation because my luggage got left at Heathrow due to all the flight changes, I declined because I was home so didn't need it.
I will always recommend TID-if you use the code TIDTHANKS you will get a $10 discount

 

[AussieDisneyNut]

I have used Travel insurance direct for a few years. I use there annual policy which is excellent value and covers all family members travelling with you
Last year I claimed 2 nights hotel accomodation in Dubai due to the April volcano and had no issues whatsoever, getting my refund. They allowed me to book any hotel, paid for all my meals and transfers without a question. I also had another trip to Europe in November and ended up in a hospital in London, again they were fantastic, I had no british pounds as I was on a return flight from Rome to Sydney and was only meant to be in transit, as I ended up at Heathrow at 3am with no money and no transport, they booked a hotel for me, called me back,arranged a taxi, had a doctor call me to check on me and again called me when I got home to see how I was. They also asked if I required a business class seat for my return flight to make me more comfortable, unfortunately this was at the time of the A380 qantas bungle and the flights were full, so I declined the business class seat in 3 days time as I just wanted to get home.
They even offered to pay me some compensation because my luggage got left at Heathrow due to all the flight changes, I declined because I was home so didn't need it.
I will always recommend TID-if you use the code TIDTHANKS you will get a $10 discount

Thanks for sharing your experience ... always love hearing a positive story! And I might just be able to use that discount code.

 

[battymum]

Just to let anyone who is interested know, I asked the question to Travel Insurance Direct about climbing on an artificial rock wall, this is their response:

"Hi Lisa,

Thank you for your email.

Unfortunatley, rock climbing is not covered under this policy or activities that use support ropes."


I am assuming all insurance that is underwritten by Allianz will be the same, I know there was an incident last year on Freedom where someone had an accident on the rockclimbing wall. I think they had to be airlifted. Looks like a lot of PDS reading for me before I take out a policy.

 

[kylieh]

Just to let anyone who is interested know, I asked the question to Travel Insurance Direct about climbing on an artificial rock wall, this is their response:

"Hi Lisa,

Thank you for your email.

Unfortunatley, rock climbing is not covered under this policy or activities that use support ropes."


I am assuming all insurance that is underwritten by Allianz will be the same, I know there was an incident last year on Freedom where someone had an accident on the rockclimbing wall. I think they had to be airlifted. Looks like a lot of PDS reading for me before I take out a policy.

I just checked our policy too from Suresave underwritten by Lloyds of London (they're the only ones that will cover DH's heart condition with a medical ok.) They have pretty much the same wording. I'm thinking it may be standard:

"races (except on foot); mountaineers – or rock climbs – using support ropes; or takes part in a professional sporting activity;"
"A loss that arises from parachuting, sky diving, hang gliding, paraponting or travel in an air supported device other than as a passenger in a licensed passenger aircraft operated by an airline or charter company. This does not apply to hot air ballooning or parasailing."

and there are a heap more.


Don't forget this one in relation to claims for goods:

"provide evidence of the value and your ownership of the goods" So you'll need receipts or similar for goods lost or stolen. Again, I believe pretty standard across a number of providers.

ETAL: One more!!! Whilst printing out DH's form for the Dr (he's going this afternoon for the paperwork) I noted it says "Hospitalisation (including day surgery), or attendance to an Emergency
Department has occurred within the past 24 months.' I rang for clarification. About 4 weeks ago DD was taken to Children's with a suspected broken wrist. Turns out it was badly bruised and strained etc. I just rang for clarification on that one. Turns out without preexisting cover for DD on the wrist we wouldn't have any coverage for her wrist, even though it wasn't broken. Not that I'm expecting it to happen, but you never know.

 

[battymum]

I am quite troubled by this, has anyone seen the documentary "sicko" ? I know we are dealing with Australian companies but.....

I am not particularly concerned with incidentals such as luggage, as much as it would be a hassle, we wont have anything that valuable - but US medical expenses can be huge,

Guess i just have to say no to the rockwall, they can do that at home!.