What is included in a Freely international travel insurance policy?
Freely offers a set international policy: Mandatory Benefits. This policy aims to provide you with the essential cover necessary for your international trip.
Freely’s international policy has some standard inclusions which you can expect coverage for, in the event the unexpected happens. However, your cover may change depending on which tier you think you’ll need. It’ll also change if you add on any optional extras.
Here’s what you can from Freely’s international travel insurance policy:
Additional expenses
Cancellation and amendment
Passport and travel documents
Personal liability
Accidental death and disability
But remember: check Mozo’s data fields or the Freely product disclosure statement (PDS) for details on pay-out limits and general exclusions for specific parts of their travel insurance policy across the range.
What other optional extras can I add to my Freely policy?
If you want to tailor your coverage and opt for extra inclusions for the entirety of your overseas trip, then you can choose from Freely’s Boosts for some extra cover, at an extra premium.
The Boosts Freely offers include:
Luggage loss, theft, or damage, as well as delay and loss of personal money
Specified items cover for specific items (requires Luggage Boost option as well)
Gadget cover for multiple electronic items over $750 (includes smartphones, laptops, cameras, and more)
Cancellation pay-out increase (by $1000 increments)
Flight inconvenience, including travel delay expenses, resumption of journey costs, and special events cover (up to $2000 each)
Finally, Freely also offers pay-per-day Boosts, which you can add on at any time for an extra charge. It’s a flexible option for certain types of cover which you might only need for one day at a time.
The pay-per-day Boosts include:
These add-ons will increase the premium you pay, but without them you may not be covered for anything that happens related to these sorts of claims or activities. Always be sure to check out the PDS to find details regarding limits on cover amounts and general exclusions.
Snow sports cover
Snow insurance cover is vital if you’re hitting the ski fields. Without it you won’t be covered for any claims related to skiing, snowboarding, or snowmobiling.
Freely offers a snow insurance cover Boost (at an additional premium) and includes coverage under their Mandatory Benefits policy for:
On-piste skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling
Off-piste skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling (as long as you’re not going against local advice)
Heli-skiing/boarding if you’re on a guided tour with a licensed operator
However, they won’t cover you if you are competing in a professional capacity, or if you’re racing. They also won’t cover you for personal liability if you’re snowmobiling.
Cruise cover
If you are travelling 2 or more nights on a cruise ship, then you may need cruise travel insurance for any cover related to that portion of your journey. However, if you’re not leaving Australian waters (e.g. you’re cruising the Murray River, or doing the Kimberly Cruise) then you won’t need to add cruise insurance to your policy.
Cruise cover includes:
On-board medical and dental cover
Ship to shore medical cover
Sea sickness cover
Cabin confinement (if you’re unwell)
Missed port
Missed shore excursions
Unfortunately, COVID-19 is not covered if you’re on a multi-night cruise, meaning that you could be liable for any medical expenses or trip disruptions if you contract the virus.
Adventure activities cover
Arguably, the most important part of travelling is the experiences you have. With Freely, there are many activities automatically included across all policy plans. But for those who are a little more adventurous, some activities require you to purchase the Adventure Activities and Adventure Activities+ optional add-ons.
If you’re planning on participating in adventure activities, then you may want to add this optional-extra to your Freely policy. But note, if you’re engaging in these activities in a professional capacity, you may not receive the benefits of your policy on any claims you make.
Freely automatically covers activities such as:
Abseiling
Archery
Bungee jumping
Horse riding
Jet Skiing
Paragliding
Parasailing
Snorkelling
Working holidays
You will need to pay for the Adventure Activities Boost if you plan on participating in activities like:
Closed circuit triathlon up to a 1.5 kilometre swim, 40 kilometre bike and 10 kilometre run
Outdoor rock climbing (with ropes and/or guides, or bolted) less than 2,000 metres above sea level
Scuba diving (check the PDS for in-depth details)
Parachuting or skydiving (not including BASE jumping)
Trekking (including the Kokoda Track)
If you think you might be participating in an activity that is particularly risky, then it’s always best to double-check the PDS, in case your activity isn’t covered, or if there are conditions.
Motorcycle and moped riding cover
If you plan on riding a motorcycle or moped on your trip, then purchasing extra cover for these activities can cover you in case something goes wrong.
If the engine capacity of your motorcycle or moped is capped at 250cc you may be covered if:
For all other engine capacities, including those over 250cc, you will only receive cover if:
The motorcycle/moped is hired
You have held an Australian motorcycle rider’s licence for the last 5 years
You currently hold a valid Australian motorcycle rider’s licence
You are a registered owner of a motorcycle/moped in Australia with an engine capacity equal to or less than the hired motorcycle/moped
If you’re the passenger, the driver holds a valid Australian motorcycle or moped licence
You are wearing a helmet
You’re not participating in a professional capacity
You’re not racing
You’re not participating in motocross
Rental vehicle excess
If you’re renting a vehicle on your overseas trip, then you might want to get cover for rental vehicle excess, in case you have an accident on the road.
The rental vehicle excess cover Boost from Freely applies if:
You hire a rental vehicle
You are the nominated driver on the rental vehicle agreement
You have comprehensive motor vehicle insurance for the rental vehicle for the hire period
Does Freely travel insurance have COVID-19 cover?
Freely does cover some COVID-19 related claims. But, like many travel insurance companies, they will not provide cover for COVID-19 related claims if you are travelling to a destination that has a Smartraveller ‘Do Not Travel’ warning in place. With Freely, there is no coverage if there are government directed border closures, mandatory quarantines, or self-isolation requirements.
It’s important to note that some of the benefits related to COVID-19 only apply to travellers in Australia and New Zealand, and may not apply to those on a multi-night cruise. Cancellation cover for COVID-19 is also capped at $5,000 and only available for policies purchased more than 21 days before the start of your trip. Always read the PDS to make sure you understand what circumstances are required to receive your cover level’s benefits.
Cancellations or amendments
Freely provides cover for cancellations and amendments of your trip, if:
Cancelling or changing your travel plans is unavoidable and necessary
You your travel companion are medically diagnosed with COVID-19 by a qualified professional after the purchase of your policy, but before you depart
If your close relative, who lives in Australia, is diagnosed with a life-threatening case of COVID-19, causing you to miss your trip, after you purchase your policy
You are an essential healthcare worker and you leave is revoked
You catch COVID-19 on your trip and you can’t continue it
Overseas medical expenses
Freely could cover overseas medical costs like:
Additional expenses
Freely may cover additional expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as:
Additional transport or accommodation costs of you get sick
If you pass away due to COVID-19
If your relative or business partner (residing in Australia or New Zealand) gets a life-threatening case of COVID-19 and you need to cancel or end your trip early
Are pre-existing medical conditions covered under Freely’s travel insurance?
Freely provides cover for travelling with pre-existing conditions.
Some pre-existing conditions are automatically covered under Freely’s policies, but they may have additional criteria relating to your eligibility for cover. These include, but are not limited to:
If your pre-existing condition isn’t listed among the automatically covered ones, then you may still be able to apply to cover them. This includes automatically included conditions for which you do not meet the eligibility requirements. To get your pre-existing condition covered, you can contact Freely through the app, or by calling them.
What exclusions are there to look out for in a Freely travel insurance policy?
Unless you have already had your pre-existing medical condition approved for coverage with Freely, they will not cover you for claims related to a pre-existing medical condition. This includes trip cancellations prior to departure due to your medical condition, and medical expenses incurred.
If the country you are travelling to, or choose to remain in, has a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning issued by the Australian government’s Smartraveller website, then you will not be covered under Freely’s policies regarding any COVID-19 claims.
A brief list of general exclusions also include claims relating to:
Deliberately putting yourself, or if any covered person puts themself, in danger
Not taking reasonable care to protect your belongings in the case that they are stolen
The consumption of alcohol or drugs
Biological or chemical warfare
The use of a motor vehicle by an unlicensed driver, or not following local safety laws
Any involvement in illegal acts
Always make sure to check the PDS for details relating to general exclusions.
What do I do if there’s an emergency during my trip?
If there’s an emergency during your overseas trip, call Freely on their emergency assistance line. Depending on where you’re calling from, the number will vary. See below for the numbers you can call, toll free.
The emergency assistance line is available 24/7 if you need it. Freely’s team will be able to help you out with things like finding medical facilities and emergency hospital expenses, among other things. When you call, make sure you have your policy number and a phone number which they can call you back on if need be.
How do I make a claim with Freely travel insurance?
You can submit your claim through the Freely app on your smartphone. To register a claim with Freely, you will need to have all the relevant documentation to support your claim, like receipts for valuables, or invoices from hospitals and doctors if you incurred medical costs.
If you can’t complete your claim through the app, then you can either email your documents to Freely at claims@gofreely.help, or by posting them to:
Freely.
C/o Cover-More
Private Box 913
North Sydney NSW 2059
Australia
Remember that when you post your documents, you should always have a copy of them stored safely with you, in case they get lost along the way.
If you need help submitting your claim, you can email them at claims@gofreely.help.
Is it possible to cancel my Freely travel insurance policy?
You can cancel your Freely Mandatory benefits or boosted policy and receive a full-refund within 21 days of purchasing it, provided you haven’t started your journey or intend to make a claim. If your trip has started and you still feel like cancelling your policy, you can get a partial refund of the premium you’ve paid, depending on the unexpired period of your cover.
If you would like to cancel, contact Freely on 1300 772 183 (within Australia) or +61 2 8907 5987 (from Overseas), or via email at team@gofreely.help.
Loading form ... 