What is included in a Bupa International Travel Insurance policy?
What you’re covered for on your holiday will change, depending on which policy you end up going with. For example, if you’re planning on cruising around the Mediterranean, you might consider an international policy with cruise coverage added on.
But remember: check Mozo’s data fields or the Bupa Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for details on pay-out limits and general exclusions for specific areas across the Essentials, Premium, Platinum, Domestic, and Cancellation Only policy options.
The following inclusions can be expected across all of Bupa’s international travel insurance policies, starting with the Essentials plan:
Unforeseen cancellation
Loss of frequent flyer or other air points due to cancellation of airline ticket
Trip rescheduling
Medical, hospital, and dental expenses
Overseas evacuation or repatriation and funeral expenses
Loss, damage, or stolen luggage and personal money
Travel documents, credit cards, and traveller’s cheques
Emergency expenses
Alternative travel options for special events (weddings, funerals)
Legal liability costs
Moving up the tiers of international travel insurance, the Premium plan also includes cover for:
Travel agent cancellation fees
Luggage delay
Resumption of trip costs
Accidental death and disability
Rental vehicle excess and cover
Loss of income
Travel delay
Hijack and kidnap cover
Finally, taking out Bupa’s Platinum plan provides additional cover for:
Financial default of travel services providers
Domestic pets cover, including boarding fees caused by your travel delays
Domestic services, like housekeeping, that you are unable to perform due to illness or injury sustained during your trip that have caused disability
Mugging
Does Bupa Travel Insurance have COVID-19 cover?
Bupa does not cover pandemics, epidemics or other outbreaks of infectious diseases in their insurance policies. So, unfortunately no COVID-19 cover is available with Bupa at the present time.
What optional add-ons does Bupa offer on their travel insurance policies?
You have the option to add cover for your ski and winter sports adventure or insurance for a cruise holiday, which are essential if you’re trying to make a claim that relates specifically to these activities. While it will increase your premium, if something goes wrong with your lift pass on the snow, or your cruise ship leaves without you, you may not be covered unless you’ve taken out the extra cover.
Be sure to check out Bupa’s PDS before you buy, to see the nitty-gritty of what each of these add-ons cover. But for now, here’s a brief run-down:
Ski and Winter Sports
Bupa’s ski and winter sports policy is available under both their international and domestic travel insurance plans. Generally, it covers you as long as you’re on-piste (or off-piste with a professional instructor), you are not racing or part of a competition, and you are not participating in a professional capacity. Obviously, in order to be covered you have to act responsibly and ensure your possessions aren’t left unattended if, for example, your claim relates to the loss of your winter sports equipment.
The winter sports that Bupa covers include:
Under this policy, you could be covered for cancellation of pre-booked and prepaid ski passes, equipment hire, tuition fees, and lift passes. It could also cover your overseas medical and hospital expenses resulting from an injury whilst on the snow. Some other coverage inclusions are:
To find out more about what ski and winter sports travel insurance covers, Mozo’s snow travel insurance guide can give you a heads-up on what to look out for.
Cruise cover
Bupa’s cruise cover option is only available on their international travel insurance policies. Generally, this policy add-on may cover you for:
Cancellation of your pre-paid cruise, shore excursions, or tours
Various onboard medical and hospital costs
Formal attire cover (including loss or damage)
Emergency expenses
Missed cruise departure
If you do not add this policy on top of your existing international travel insurance plan, then you will likely not be covered if something goes wrong on your cruise.
If you’re planning a cruise holiday and want to know what to look out for when choosing to add on cruise cover to your policy, then check out Mozo’s cruise travel insurance guide.
What pre-existing medical conditions are covered?
Bupa covers many pre-existing medical conditions automatically. However, in order to be covered, you must inform them about medical conditions you’re aware of prior to purchasing your policy. If you have any conditions that fall outside what’s automatically covered, you can get a medical assessment to seek cover for those too.
Some of the pre-existing medical conditions that Bupa covers are:
Allergies (limited to Rhinitis, Chronic Sinusitis, Eczema, Food Intolerance, and Hay Fever)
Cataracts
Diabetes (subject to conditions)
Hip and knee replacement complications
Hypertension
Migraines
Sleep Apnoea
Pregnancy (up to the 24th week, single child), which includes cover for unexpected pregnancy complications and childbirth before the end of the 24th week which was accelerated by accidental injury.
What sporting activities are covered with Bupa Travel Insurance?
The following sporting activities are only covered if conducted through a commercial operator, are available to the general public, and they don’t require any special skills or a high level of fitness:
Abseiling
Bungee jumping
Canoeing and kayaking
Go karting
Paintball
Unfortunately, some of the more high-risk sports aren’t covered. These include:
Trekking and hiking above 3,000 metres
Running of the bulls
Expeditions on the Kokoda Track
Professional sports
Hunting or anything involving firearms
Quad biking
Does Bupa Travel Insurance cover motorcycle riding?
You are covered if you’re riding or travelling as a passenger on motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters. However, you’re only covered when riding with a valid license, or travelling as a passenger when the rider has a valid license, you are wearing a helmet, and when you aren’t breaking any local safety laws.
What exclusions are there to look out for in a Bupa Travel Insurance policy?
If you’re travelling to a country that is on either of the Smartraveller advice levels of ‘Reconsider your need to travel’, or ‘Do not travel’, then Bupa will not cover you. This isn’t only for COVID-19, and can include countries experiencing riots, civil protests, and natural disasters.
If your claim results from a lack of reasonable personal responsibility, then Bupa will not provide coverage. This includes situations where you leave your luggage unattended in an unlocked car, and it gets stolen.
What do I do if there’s an emergency during my trip?
If there’s an emergency and you are currently overseas, contact Bupa’s 24/7 assistance team on:
If you’re calling from within Australia, contact them on:
If your emergency is due to unexpected medical problems, Bupa’s team will find you the nearest hospital, and even bring you back to Australia, if need be.
How do I make a claim with Bupa Travel Insurance?
You can lodge a claim 24/7 with Bupa by contacting them or your insurance advisor. Bupa will ask you a range of questions related to your claim, in order to get a broader overview of the situation. They may ask you to provide documents supporting your claim, like receipts if your luggage has been damaged (to prove its value). For medical, dental, or hospital claims, Bupa may request a copy of your medical history.
It’s always a good idea to have a read through the PDS, where possible, before making your claim. That way you know what kind of supporting documents you might need to provide, hence speeding up the process.
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