Travel Insurance

[makkam]

My wife is soon to embark on a trip to LoS.

I rang Wesfarmer's ( one of the biggest companies in Oz) to get a quote .

The salesperson stopped me when I told him the destination saying they weren't allowed to issue policies for insurance for travellers to Oz.

Amazing! The place is better and safer than it has been for years but it's regarded as an unsafe place to travel to.

Political innuendo removed.

Edited June 11, 2014 by Rooo

[Rooo]

Moved to travel forum & political remark removed.

[aussiebrian]

Are you getting confused? I am. You say "My wife is soon to embark on a trip to LoS.

I rang Wesfarmer's ( one of the biggest companies in Oz) to get a quote .

The salesperson stopped me when I told him the destination saying they weren't allowed to issue policies for insurance for travellers to Oz.

Amazing! The place is better and safer than it has been for years but it's regarded as an unsafe place to travel to."

So is your wife in Oz and going to Thailand? Or in Thailand and going to Oz?

If she is in Oz and wants insurance to come to Thailand then I recommend www.ouch.com.au They insure through QBE and I have found them to be exceptional.

[roamer]

Assuming it is Thailand you are talking about.

Well, Australian travel insurance companies, or to be more precise, the underwriters, have a situation where the government has been has been very cautious about travelling to Thailand. Some of the larger companies pulled cover last month

You're belief that " The place is better and safer than it has been for years but it's regarded as an unsafe place to travel to." is obviously different to that of the travel companies.

Shop around, you will find cover but be aware it will have a lot of "holes" in it due to the fact that a military coup has taken place and a lot of exclusions in the small print.

[Shot]

I'm confused as well. Are you coming or going? Either way, I always use http://www.columbusdirect.com/

[craigt3365]

This thread lists a bunch of different options:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683540-travel-insurance/

But you need to read the fine print. Also, many don't cover accidents while renting scooters. A major reason many here need insurance coverage, but find out they don't have it.

[stevenl]

I rang Wesfarmer's ( one of the biggest companies in Oz) to get a quote .

Do they even offer travel insurance? I tried to find it on their website, and could find nothing of the sorts.

[raybal5]

I'm confused as well. Are you coming or going? Either way, I always use http://www.columbusdirect.com/

1. Why the confusion? The OP clearly states she is going to LOS and that he got a quote from an OZ (Australian) insurance company.

2. http://www.columbusdirect.com is pretty expensive with the cheapest cover for 1 year starting above $500.

The best value for Australians that I have found seems to be http://www.itrektravelinsurance.com.au/ or http://www.travel-insurance.com.au/ with 1 year covers starting from around $350

And to pick up on post#6 by craigt3365 who cautions us about motorbikes, both of the companies I found do cover you with conditions and are underwritten by Allianz Insurance.

This is from their exclusions conditions (I have added text enhancements)

IF

11] your claim arises from being in control of a Motorcycle

without a current Australian motorcycle licence or you are a

passenger travelling on a Motorcycle that is in the control of

a person who does not hold a current motorcycle licence valid

for the country you are travelling in.

12] your claim arises from being in control of a Moped or Scooter

without a current Australian motorcycle or drivers licence or

you are a passenger travelling on a Moped or Scooter that

is in the control of a person who does not hold a current

motorcycle or drivers licence valid for the country you are

travelling in.

...then they will reject your claim.

So, if you are planning to ride on a 2-wheeler, make sure you have a valid licence or be a passenger only with someone who does.

And ) for more than 3 months (single trip policies) / more than 6 months (annual multi trip policies).

Residents of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man can obtain a quote by selecting Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man on the country of residence list.

Edited June 12, 2014 by raybal5

[roamer]

I'm confused as well. Are you coming or going? Either way, I always use http://www.columbusdirect.com/

1. Why the confusion? The OP clearly states she is going to LOS and that he got a quote from an OZ (Australian) insurance company.

2. http://www.columbusdirect.com is pretty expensive with the cheapest cover for 1 year starting above $500.

The best value for Australians that I have found seems to be http://www.itrektravelinsurance.com.au/ or http://www.travel-insurance.com.au/ with 1 year covers starting from around $350

And to pick up on post#6 by craigt3365 who cautions us about motorbikes, both of the companies I found do cover you with conditions and are underwritten by Allianz Insurance.

This is from their exclusions conditions (I have added text enhancements)

IF

11] your claim arises from being in control of a Motorcycle

without a current Australian motorcycle licence or you are a

passenger travelling on a Motorcycle that is in the control of

a person who does not hold a current motorcycle licence valid

for the country you are travelling in.

12] your claim arises from being in control of a Moped or Scooter

without a current Australian motorcycle or drivers licence or

you are a passenger travelling on a Moped or Scooter that

is in the control of a person who does not hold a current

motorcycle or drivers licence valid for the country you are

travelling in.

...then they will reject your claim.

So, if you are planning to ride on a 2-wheeler, make sure you have a valid licence or be a passenger only with someone who does.

And ) for more than 3 months (single trip policies) / more than 6 months (annual multi trip policies).

Residents of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man can obtain a quote by selecting Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man on the country of residence list.

Why the confusion ? Well he got turned down for a quote from a company that doesn't sell travel insurance for a start.