What does a Travel Insurance Saver policy cover?
The specifics of what your policy covers and any limits imposed on claim pay-outs will depend on the plan and cover type you purchase. Below are some of the main benefits included at all levels of cover with Travel Insurance Saver. If you’d like to see sub-limits for specific items or events, check the data field above or find the product disclosure statement (PDS) on the Travel Insurance Saver website.
Unlimited emergency hospital expenses when travelling overseas
Cancellation fees
Lost or damage luggage
Unexpected accommodation and travel expenses
Travel documents and traveller cheques
Personal liability
If you opt for either the Comprehensive or Essentials plan, the cover will extend to other benefits, although coverage caps will vary according to the option you’ve chosen and paid the premium on. These include:
Emergency medical assistance while overseas
Cash allowance for hospital stays
Accidental death
Rental vehicle insurance excess.
Then, there are additional benefits that are exclusively available with the Comprehensive option. These are:
Permanent disability
Loss of income
Costs to resume your travels
Credit card fraud and replacement
Emergency travel expenses for a friend or relative
The option to include cover for snow sports (as an extra at additional cost).
Can you get Covid-19 cover with Travel Insurance Saver?
Yes, there is some cover for events related to Covid-19 offered by Travel Insurance Saver on its international plans (not for domestic travel). For example, if you contract Covid while travelling overseas and require hospitalisation, this is included in the relevant cover across the different policy levels, as is medical evacuation and repatriation.
If you would like broader Covid cover for your trip, you’ll need to take out the Comprehensive plan. With this cover, non-refundable cancellation costs will be included should you or someone you’re travelling with get diagnosed with Covid-19. The same goes for if you’re an essential worker and the pandemic stops you from travelling because of work, or if a close relative or business partner in Australia is hospitalised or dies from Covid after you purchase your policy and you’re therefore not able to travel.
Quarantine expenses for if you’re diagnosed with Covid are also included under the Comprehensive plan. However, be sure to read the policy terms, conditions and exclusions closely for all the relevant documentation you’ll need to receive a claim pay-out.
Does Travel Insurance Saver cover pre-existing medical conditions?
There are more than 40 pre-existing medical conditions automatically covered across the Comprehensive, Essentials and Bare Essentials packages. This includes things like epilepsy, diabetes, hypertension, Graves Disease and various allergies.
For some conditions, you’ll need to meet certain criteria. For example, asthma is covered, but only if you are under 60 and have not required hospitalisation or medications other than your inhaler for the last 12 months. Costs related to unexpected pregnancy complications while you’re travelling will also be covered (up to 26 weeks pregnancy) so long as the issues developed after you bought the insurance policy.
You may still be able to take out a policy with Travel Insurance Saver if you have conditions beyond this list. Conditions like cancer and cardiovascular disease can be covered under the Comprehensive plan after a medical assessment (which may cost extra).
As always, be sure to read through the PDS for any exclusions or specific criteria for claims related to your current health condition.
Check out Mozo’s guide to travel insurance and pre-existing medical conditions for extra information.
What optional travel insurance cover does Travel Insurance Saver offer?
Snow Sports Cover
Under the Comprehensive international travel plan you can opt for Travel Insurance Saver’s snow sports cover to protect you while you hit the slopes. For an extra premium, you can be covered for benefits like ski run closure, ski lift passes and rental of replacement ski equipment if yours is damaged or stolen. And of course, accidents arising out of your snowy adventures will be included in medical and other coverage sub-sections when you include this optional extra in your policy.
If you’re heading to the snow on your next trip, check out Mozo’s dedicated guide on finding snow travel insurance.
Specified Item Cover
If you’re taking an item with you – say a piece of jewellery or an electronic gadget – that's worth more than the limit on your policy for that cover type, you can insure it for extra value. You will pay an extra premium depending on the item’s value so if it's lost, stolen or damaged, it’ll be covered for the relevant higher amount. This optional extra is available to customers purchasing a Comprehensive or Essentials plan.
Additional Rental Vehicle Insurance Excess Cover
The Essentials and Comprehensive plans already offer some cover for rental vehicle excess, but you can increase that cover by including this optional extra (only available through the Comprehensive plan). This cover is relevant for if you’re hiring a rental vehicle and need to pay an insurance excess to the hire company if an accident or theft occurs.
Age limits on Travel Insurance Saver policies
If you take out a Comprehensive Travel Insurance Saver plan, age is not a limiting factor. For those who choose the Essentials or Bare Essentials options, you’ll need to be aged 69 or younger when you take out the policy to be covered.
Keep in mind that your age can have an impact on the price you’ll pay for your policy, as different age groups present different health and lifestyle risks insurance providers must assess.
Travelling with dependents on a Travel Insurance Saver policy
Travelling with family can bring about a whole new set of challenges, but Travel Insurance Saver makes it easier by covering dependents for free under your travel insurance policy. People who can qualify as dependents include:
Your child or grandchild (including step children and foster children) who you are the legal guardian for
Under 25 years old
Employed for less than 30 hours per week
Travelling with you for the duration of the trip.
How do I make a claim with Travel Insurance Saver?
Here are a few steps to follow if you do have to make a claim against your Travel Insurance Saver policy.
Gather all your details. This includes your personal details like ID and health records, travel insurance policy details, travel itinerary and any documents (like police reports, medical certificates or tourism operator information) related to the event you’re claiming for. Having these at hand will make the process a lot smoother and quicker.
Use the nib online claim lodgement system to submit your claims form or download a form, fill it out and send it to nib via post.
Make sure you include all relevant information, including receipts or official statements with your claim. If you don’t it could mean delays or even a reduced payment.
You should receive an acknowledgement that nib have received your claim if you submit online, and a reply to your claim within ten business days. If your claim is approved, you may be required to pay an excess before the cover kicks in, depending on the type of claim.
Remember: Different types of claims (like damaged baggage vs a cancelled trip) will usually require different documentation or evidence.
Can you cancel your Travel Insurance Saver travel insurance policy?
In case you decide your travel insurance policy isn’t the one for you, Travel Insurance Saver offers a 21 day cooling off period, during which you can cancel your travel insurance policy for a full refund. This only applies as long as you haven’t started your trip or made any claims on your policy (it doesn’t apply to extensions on your policy).
You’ll still be able to cancel the policy after the 21 day period, but you won’t necessarily be offered a full or partial refund unless Travel Insurance Saver deems it appropriate to do so.
Note on COVID-19 cover: Policies provide cover for some coronavirus-related events. Cover is not available for loss arising from: government intervention including travel bans, border closures, or broadly imposed quarantine requirements; events for which the Government has issued a 'Do Not Travel' warning for your destination, or failure to follow advice from official bodies. Your ability to travel may be affected by travel restrictions. Check the latest government advice and the travel insurance alerts on Travel Insurance Saver.