Insurance I0I

If you find the idea of buying travel insurance online a bit daunting, you shouldn’t. Millions of people make online purchases every day without hindrance from dubious operators (despite what A Current Affair might say). Buying direct gives you heaps of benefits. To help you get started, we’ve put together some tips that’ll get you saving on your travel insurance in no time.  

So what is direct travel insurance? Well, ‘direct’ simply means that there’s no additional party operating between you and the travel insurance provider, such as a travel agent. So you save money by not having to pay a commission. There are many Australian companies that specialise in selling direct travel insurance. The great part about purchasing travel insurance online is that a quick Google search allows you to access detailed information on a wide selection of providers. Instead of just taking the option offered by your travel agent, you can compare travel insurance policies, recieve free insurance quotes in a matter of minutes and get the best deal possible online.

What constitutes a good policy will depend on your situation. You may simply want to cover yourself against major calamity, which means a basic policy which includes items such as medical expenses and emergency evacuation may suffice. A safer option is to get a comprehensive policy, which will cover things like personal liability, loss of income and loss of luggage. Whichever option you choose, ensure the provider offers 24 hour traveller assistance worldwide.

Once you’ve chosen a policy, there are a few ways you can make sure your money will be in safe hands. Firstly, you need to check that the website you’re visiting is secure. This means you can enter personal details (such as your credit card number) without worrying that the information might get into the wrong hands. You’ll usually see a locked padlock icon to verify that a site is secure. Many browsers also display warning messages when you enter or leave secure sites. 

Secondly, you can do some cyber snooping on the insurance provider. Check the provider’s website to find which insurer underwrites their policies. An underwriter guarantees that the terms of your policy will be honoured. Each underwriter has an independently assigned rating as to their financial strength and ability to pay claims. You’ll find this on their website. 

When you make your purchase it’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully. As with all insurance policies, you have a duty of disclosure. To ensure you don’t have any issues when making a claim, tell your insurer of any pre-existing medical problems and keep all relevant documentation. 

Buying holiday insurance online gives you the freedom to find the option that best suits you. The wealth of information on the web will help you make an informed choice. And if you still have questions or concerns, you can always give the travel insurance provider a call. Because despite the lack of face-to-face interaction, you’re still dealing with real people after all.