Ok im feeling kinda lazy to do alot of searching at the moment. What are some of the places to get a good deal on travel insurance?

I noticed a few that have a $1000 limit on personal items. Thats pretty crap if you lost a laptop or some else worth more than a grand.

Mine has a limit of $4k, but you have to pay a premium on each item, I think about 5% of the value of the item.

http://www.travelinsurancedirect.com...FcMupAodaU2ojQ - thats who i used for my rtw trip

i remember i compared for a while and for the places (which included the states which automatically brings your insurance up) i was going it was the cheapest and included 12k worth of personal effects and i doubt many travellers would take more than that overseas. the lonely planet one is the cheapest all round but doesn't include a lot of stuff so i didn't go with it.

check out 1cover, im with them for my next upcoming trip, heard all good reports so far.

I meant $4k/item

You get free comprehensive travel insurance with some gold Visa cards.

^^ which is next to useless compared to real travel insurance.

it doesn't cover a lot of you out of pocket expenses, and associated with injury expenses. how much do you travel? generally it's worth the piece of mind to get "real" travel insurance.


allianz is also pretty good.

I use these guys the last 4 years of travelling. Allianz cover them. Cheaper and better cover back to back when compared to Nomads, MBF (member), and NRMA Care (member).

http://www.worldcare.com.au/default.aspx

As for expensive personal items (laptop, mobile, camera gear, designer sunnies, etc), get "personal effects" cover through your household insurance (so long as it covers worldwide) - it was cheaper for me to insure all my carry about stuff this way for a year, than it was for the laptop alone for a 10day trip to SYD/BNE!

Then just get your normal travel insurance cover as required

Quote:

Originally Posted by jezzster

You get free comprehensive travel insurance with some gold Visa cards.

Be careful with this option as you tend to only be covered for trips for which the flights etc were booked on the card.

Try searching the forums as there is heaps of info on different kinds of insurance - http://www.inthemix.com.au/forum/sea...archid=1940134

Also while I'm here the original "suitcase or backpack?" thread http://www.inthemix.com.au/forum/sho...light=backpack

Cheers for that. The suitcase will be fine for moving to london and living there. I just dont know if it will curse me later when i visit another country and might need to take a suitcase with a day pack.

Quote:

Originally Posted by navskore

http://www.travelinsurancedirect.com...FcMupAodaU2ojQ - thats who i used for my rtw trip

i remember i compared for a while and for the places (which included the states which automatically brings your insurance up) i was going it was the cheapest and included 12k worth of personal effects and i doubt many travellers would take more than that overseas. the lonely planet one is the cheapest all round but doesn't include a lot of stuff so i didn't go with it.

another vote for TID underwritten by allianz

Well for those who don't wanna get insurance i suggest you do. I arrived home yesterday but am supposed to stil lbe in Japan. On NYE/NYD landed from a extremely high drop onto my heels and couldn't walk. i had to go on from Tokyo to Hokkaido for a ski week, needless to say i stayed in the room for 7 days. Went to the hospital there twice and had xrays and all sorts. costing over $1200 AUD My insuance company (travelinsurancedirect) were great. they insisted i come home and brought me back business class costing $3700... so for thos of $153 i paid for my insurance they spent about $5000 to look after me and get me home safe.

they are under written by allianz.

Has anyone used/heard of insure4less?

I will be traveling for around a year so am looking for something pretty basic. They come in cheaper and are underwritten by lloyds.

TID are a bit more expensive but may be worth it. World Nomads (Loney Planet) is surprisingly not that economical and they have caused me issues in the past.

Why would you want to get something basic if you're going for such a long time? It'd definitely be worth it in the long run I would've thought..
I've always got quotes from dodgy internet only insurers and have had it matched by CoverMore through the travel agent, which often provided better cover any way. They have basic and comprehensive packages and paid out in full on a claim I made.
*sound like a rep...

a plan with unlimited medical would be a wise idea if you are traveling to the United States.

Quote:

Originally Posted by irashnl

Why would you want to get something basic if you're going for such a long time? It'd definitely be worth it in the long run I would've thought..
I've always got quotes from dodgy internet only insurers and have had it matched by CoverMore through the travel agent, which often provided better cover any way. They have basic and comprehensive packages and paid out in full on a claim I made.
*sound like a rep...

Why? Because I will not be working for a year so spending over $1200 on a policy when I can get an online policy for $450 which covers medical and limited personal items seems like the better option.
I have used covermore before and if the agent can match or at least give a semi-comparable price I will go with them. I used to work as a travel agent and the commission is 40% on those plans, so they definitely have room to move.

Quote:

Originally Posted by unwritten_law

a plan with unlimited medical would be a wise idea if you are traveling to the United States.

Absolutely, but I am going to India. At worst they will fly me back to Australia to receive medical attention. However, all doctors here seem to be Indian, so I think I will be fine! Go Dr Patel

Don't you know someone who'll sell you the insurance nett then?

Our store had a pretty high turnover. Out of the 5 people I used to work with, there is only 1 left and they are on maternity leave.
In my training group, all 16 have moved on. If I hunt around on facebook I may be able find someone but I would feel like I am taking the piss if I contact them just to organize a discount.

www.1cover.com.au.

Have used them for the past few years. I've only needed to claim once and it was easy as... got my payout in about a week. Cheap, good service, good cover, and the ability to add extra valuable goods on top of the standard cover.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryler

Our store had a pretty high turnover. Out of the 5 people I used to work with, there is only 1 left and they are on maternity leave.
In my training group, all 16 have moved on. If I hunt around on facebook I may be able find someone but I would feel like I am taking the piss if I contact them just to organize a discount.

Where'd you work?

FC St Kilda Rd. I worked with decent people and organized a lot of great trips for nice people, but then there was the downside of the arrogant pricks in suits demanding the 2 week trip to Thailand over Xmas and New years or the trip to the Gold Coast for the long weekend but not wanting to pay for it.

Yeah you just build up a thick skin haha. It's not like they're going to get it anywhere else so fuck them

i too am lazy and trying to get recommendations for laptop cover with travel insurance...anyone??

allianz comprehensive insurance.

5k

I'm looking for one with a high money limit in case you lost or you cash gets stolen

I'm looking at Nomads travel insurance...

cheap and looks decent enough.

defence health insurance ftw!

http://www.defencehealth.com.au/Trav...5/Default.aspx

for about 9 months in the USA and south america it cost me about $600 with good cover

compared to about $1500 every other insurance company quoted me

has anyone used itrek?
http://www.itrektravelinsurance.com.au/

for a couple its under $500 (for 5 months) and seems pretty reasonable cover for laptop etc.

Can I just say, when you guys look at a travel insurance policy. Don't just look at the 'what we cover bit'.
As far as I'm concerned, straight after you look at that and it looks all glamorous, go down to the policy exclusions section and read teh 'we will not pay for' section, you'd be surprised!!!

Cover for working holidays? Terrorism? Emergency Dental limitations (try cracking a tooth on a friggin gobbstopper in the USA and see how much that bill is only to find out you're covered up to $500AUD!). How about if the airport is closed down due to civil commotion and you can't get there (and lose all your money on the tour you have booked)? How about if you're travelling to a country that has a travel warning out for it (not being covered AT ALL)?

Just sayin

Quote:

Originally Posted by drinker

defence health insurance ftw!

http://www.defencehealth.com.au/Trav...5/Default.aspx

for about 9 months in the USA and south america it cost me about $600 with good cover

compared to about $1500 every other insurance company quoted me

I work for AIG Insurance. We provide the Defence Health travel insurance. Basically its our our standard AIG Travel product which we brand for defence health customers and give them a 40% discount (which anyone can actually purchase) God I hate dealing with the pricks from Defence Health!

Lots of speculataion about the free insurances that come with gold credit cards on here and yes most of that speculation is completely that. We underwrite the gold and platinum card policies for NAB and ANZ. They are both comprehensive policies which are in fact very similar to the policies which we sell.

I would recommend getting either the ANZ Gold or Platinum cards. Great policies. Gold covers you for 4 months of travel and the Platinum will give you 6 months of cover. All you need to do is spend a minimum of $250 towards one of you prepaid itnerary costs and you will be coverd for the full period of your trip............and yes you are still covered for things that arent paid for using your card....... Who ever said that you arent is just talking crap!

Shoot me a private mesage and I'll shoot you a link to get half price travel insurance through AIG

A travel insurance policies have general exclusions and exclusions for each section. Make sure you check both!
If you have any queries shoot me a message. I breathe this shit every day......

Heres our full priced product: www.aigtravel.com.au
I can halve that for you

PM sent

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassfreak

Heres our full priced product: www.aigtravel.com.au
I can halve that for you

Very peculiar there is enough margin to discount by 50% and still actively promote a sale.

Not peculiar at all, that's how the insurance industry works. The overheads are relatively small, the only other costs is paying out claims.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikewebster

Not peculiar at all, that's how the insurance industry works. The overheads are relatively small, the only other costs is paying out claims.

Indeed, obviously the aim of any company is sustainability. Fundamental business practice would indicate that in order for an insurance company to make money:

Premiums received should be > claims paid out

Therefore, for stated insurance to make profit they would either have:

1) Extremely low claims (indicating they don't pay out a lot of claims -- see the we will not pay sections and general exclusions)
2) Extremely high excesses ($200) which negate half of the claims they actually receive
or
3) Total market dominance

Seeing as the bulk of price matches I action are against one cover and travel insurance direct (underwritten by allianz & mondial) it would indicate the first or second scenario.

Just saying, if a product has enough margin in it to give an easy 50% off and still incentivise someone for selling it (indicating a further remuneration) than you wonder what the true value of that product is.

Let me paint a scene for you, Somewhere in Queens, New York...

[tyrone biggs] hey you wanna buy this camera
[you] yeah man how much
[tyrone biggs] $500
[you] I've only got $250
[tyrone biggs] sold *than runs off while farting and talking about loving crack*
[you] realise the camera is actually a brick wrapped up in a camera box
(anyone that watches the chappelle show will get the tyrone reference)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gyrus

Indeed, obviously the aim of any company is sustainability. Fundamental business practice would indicate that in order for an insurance company to make money:

Premiums received should be > claims paid out

Therefore, for stated insurance to make profit they would either have:

1) Extremely low claims (indicating they don't pay out a lot of claims -- see the we will not pay sections and general exclusions)
2) Extremely high excesses ($200) which negate half of the claims they actually receive
or
3) Total market dominance

Seeing as the bulk of price matches I action are against one cover and travel insurance direct (underwritten by allianz & mondial) it would indicate the first or second scenario.

Just saying, if a product has enough margin in it to give an easy 50% off and still incentivise someone for selling it (indicating a further remuneration) than you wonder what the true value of that product is.

Let me paint a scene for you, Somewhere in Queens, New York...

[tyrone biggs] hey you wanna buy this camera
[you] yeah man how much
[tyrone biggs] $500
[you] I've only got $250
[tyrone biggs] sold *than runs off while farting and talking about loving crack*
[you] realise the camera is actually a brick wrapped up in a camera box
(anyone that watches the chappelle show will get the tyrone reference)

Very few people pay full price for our travel insurance. The full price product is only really there for people who dont really care about the over inflated price! The full price product is not marketed at all. The 50% discount is only marketed to employees and their friends and families. The majority of our insurance is sold at discounts ranging from 20%-40% Usually marketed as an employee or member benefit for various companies/organisations eg. Bigpond, Defence Health, Diners Club, NAB employees, insurance brokers.........

Our insurance has no excess when the trip is less than 35days. Excess buy out on longer trips is $15..........

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gyrus

Therefore, for stated insurance to make profit they would either have:

1) Extremely low claims (indicating they don't pay out a lot of claims -- see the we will not pay sections and general exclusions)
2) Extremely high excesses ($200) which negate half of the claims they actually receive
or
3) Total market dominance

Not true.

Premiums do not need to exceed claims in order for insurance companies to make money. Claims are just one factor in determining premiums. Another important one is how well capital markets are doing. If investment returns exceed claims and other costs of doing business, then the insurer still profits.

Find me a business model of an insurance company that doesn't have premiums greater than claims and you can whip it out and i'll suck it, idiot.

I'm looking at buying some insurance tonight. Leaning towards travelinsurancedirect. Its roughly 800 for a year which seems decent. Only worried about medical bills and my laptop, seems to cover but I'm reading the fine print. Anyone got any advice?

Quote:

Originally Posted by djdarbs

Find me a business model of an insurance company that doesn't have premiums greater than claims and you can whip it out and i'll suck it, idiot.

You obviously know very little about the insurance industry.

From Wikipedia (which is as much reading as you'd ever need to do to understand my original point):

Quote:

The business model can be reduced to a simple equation: Profit = earned premium + investment income - incurred loss - underwriting expenses.

Insurers make money in two ways: (1) through underwriting, the process by which insurers select the risks to insure and decide how much in premiums to charge for accepting those risks and (2) by investing the premiums they collect from insured parties.

Clearly you are ignorant to the second aspect of insurance profitability, which, I should say, is by far the most lucrative. It is not necessary for both (1) and (2) to be profitable, but merely that a profit in one should exceed any loss in the other, so as to give total overall profit.

You can give me that headjob next time I pop in to book a holiday.

No, that's not what I said. You will not find a company that runs it's business model with a voluntary loss on it's premium vs claims return. Of course there might be instances where it becomes the case but that's going to be the anomaly, not the norm. Especially in the current economic climate. Noone said insurance companies don't make money from investments.

And from your beloved wikipedia (which is not admissable in court in case you weren't aware)...

Quote:

...Of course, from the insurer's perspective, some policies are "winners" (i.e., the insurer pays out less in claims and expenses than it receives in premiums and investment income) and some are "losers" (i.e., the insurer pays out more in claims and expenses than it receives in premiums and investment income); insurance companies essentially use actuarial science to attempt to underwrite enough "winning" policies to pay out on the "losers" while still maintaining profitability.

Quote:

Originally Posted by djdarbs

Find me a business model of an insurance company that doesn't have premiums greater than claims and you can whip it out and i'll suck it, idiot.

hahahahahah fuckin oath!

www.travelinsurancedirect.com

I was wondering if anyone could give me any info on covermore?
I've booked a holiday in Europe for Dec/Jan this year with STA which includes a 1 week ski austria trip with my brother.

The quote I got from STA with covermore was about $650 (They included a premium because I was going snowboarding)
But I've been doing some research into TID ($260) and HBF because I'm a member is about $220. (Neither have snowboarding premiums)

I really struggling to see any difference in the policies and was wondering if someone could shed some light on the reason for the difference?

Thanks!!

This might help mate

www.comparetravelinsurance.com.au

Quote:

Originally Posted by djdarbs

Find me a business model of an insurance company that doesn't have premiums greater than claims and you can whip it out and i'll suck it, idiot.

HIH, CIC and FAI all used to work on that model. That's the "Humungous Insurrance Headache", the "Colossal Insurance Catastrophe", and "F--- All Insurance".

Carte, if you want to understand how an insurance company business model should work, track yourself down a copy of this:

http://www.allenandunwin.com/default...=9781741142945

Quote:

Originally Posted by silhouette

I was wondering if anyone could give me any info on covermore?
I've booked a holiday in Europe for Dec/Jan this year with STA which includes a 1 week ski austria trip with my brother.

The quote I got from STA with covermore was about $650 (They included a premium because I was going snowboarding)
But I've been doing some research into TID ($260) and HBF because I'm a member is about $220. (Neither have snowboarding premiums)

I really struggling to see any difference in the policies and was wondering if someone could shed some light on the reason for the difference?

Thanks!!

There's heaps of little differences. Read the "what we will not pay for" and "exclusions" section in each one.

Alternatively, you could got to STA and ask them to point out the differences.

Also, ask them for Covermore's "Travelsure" policy instead of "Options" which is probably what they have quoted you on. It has a lower margin and has similar cover.

Check out World nomads..