Travel Insurance for Australia.

[Mason45]

I'm an Australian and I have a Thai wife, we've been married for 12 years and have lived all that time in Bangkok. We're going to Australia for 3 months, so we need travel insurance. I'm sure I've been cut from Medicare being out of Australia for so long, so I will need to pay for both of us. Has anyone got any ideas in regards to travel insurance for expats and their wives. Most Australian websites are only for those departing Australia and in some cases are for Australian nationals only. I really only need basic hospital cover as we'll be travelling light and living in my unit in Melbourne.

Thanks.

[sales]

Moved to insurance forum

[Bpuumike]

I used Columbusdirect.com two years ago to Oz. It was GBP126 for the 2 of us for 31 days (I was paying with a UK card but you can get a quote in $). Obviously it will cost more for 3 months and I'm not sure if 90 days isn't the maximum.

It doesn't matter which nationalities you are, give them your trip plans for a quote.

I've used them on several trips but never had a claim. They insure through Lloyds of London so should be sound.

Have a good one.

[moojar]

You can purchase short-term (medical only) cover from the private health funds like Bupa and HCF. I forget the details, but we did it for a visiting niece some years ago. You'll find info on their websites.

You sure about the Medicare thing btw? If you're a citizen then can you not just rock up to a Centrelink office and say "I'm baaaaack!"? I'd be interested to hear more on this...

[topt]

Try World Nomads for "travel" insurance - http://www.worldnomads.com/

I used them for 18 months but not sure of coverage rates needed for Australia.

Otherwise I would suggest maybe using a Thai broker (AAInsure perhaps) to give you local options if you potentially want repatriation back to Thailand?

[nedkellylives]

If you are a australian citizen you are covered by medi care, just inform centrelink you have

returned to Australia and you will be issued a medi care card

I got travel insurance for my wife in Australia thru Jetset travel over the Internet

It included unlimited medical cover

[simple1]

Requirements to enroll in Medicare for returnmg Oz citizens / PR holders

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/medicare/medicare-card/medicare-enrolment-for-returning-residents

[nedkellylives]

Requirements to enroll in Medicare for returnmg Oz citizens / PR holders

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/medicare/medicare-card/medicare-enrolment-for-returning-residents

Things may have changed but when I renewed my medicare card about 3 years ago

I just phoned centrelink from Western Australia and informed them I was back

in Australia on a temporary basis, I supplied no paper work of any kind and

received my new medicare card in 2 days and it was posted from Sydney or Melbourne

which means it was issued immediately after the phone conversation