Australia Travel Insurance - What You Need To Know About Travel Insurance DownUnder!

(Note - The above is for Travel Insurance if you live in the United States. If you live in the UK then click here instead to get our travel insurance pick for UK residents.)

Everyone would like to enjoy the trip of a lifetime and for many people their choice of country might be Australia – that vast continent with sunshine and sea or huge expanses of bush. Like many other countries in the world, medical care in Australia can be expensive so you should get the best and most comprehensive travel insurance that you can afford.

Nobody wants their vacation ruined by illness, accident or lost or stolen property, but if you have sufficient insurance then at least you won’t have the resulting money worries to go with it. There are companies in Australia which offer insurance for visitors, or you may want to get yours independently before you travel, or through your travel advisor. Whatever you decide to do you should make sure that any policy will cover you for the following:

• Lost or stolen baggage and travelers cheques
• Basic medical care
• Injury cover and hospital stay
• Airlift home
• Legal liability to third persons or property

You might also want to include cover if for some unexpected reason the holiday has to be canceled as most travel agents have very strict rules on this one. If you do decide to purchase your insurance in Australia itself then there are some very good rates on offer. For example, one week’s holiday insurance which covers you for medical, dental and any other costs associated with this, cancellation expenses if for any reason you are unable to travel, travel documents and luggage that is either lost or stolen and third party and property liability, will cost you sixty three Australian dollars per person. You might also want some extra protection for water sports – just in case you decide to go scuba diving off the Australian Barrier Reef as a normal policy would not cover accidents deriving from this.

Some travel insurance companies, including the world wide ones give people the option to tailor their own cover, so you decide just exactly what protection you need and then the company will give you a quote for that cover. Tell the insurers where you are going and they should be able to advise you on any additional cover that you may require while you are in Australia. It is always wise to have as comprehensive a policy as possible, particularly if your vacation includes any kind of sport that carries with it a risk.

Finally, always shop around for your travel insurance, don’t take the first policy on offer. Always read the small print and take special not of anything that the policy does not cover- you may want to ask if that cover is available for a higher premium. Always keep any receipts and other documents relating to any claims you need to make and be sure to send in your claim within the time frame stated.