Travel Insurance advice

Travel insurance advice and getting help overseas.

The baby boomer generation are finding themselves in the position to travel more and overseas. Therefore it is important to take note of this travel insurance advice.

Everyday our consulars have to deal with tragedies involving the death, injury or hospitalisation of Australians abroad. Every year they handle over 20,000 cases involving Australians in difficulty overseas. This includes over 700 hospitalisations, 600 deaths and 100 evacuations of Australians to another location for medical purposes.

If these Australians are not insured then the tragedies are further compounded by long-term financial burden.

My travel insurance advice hopefully will make you aware of how to avoid this financial burden.

We all think this won't happen to us but look at those numbers I have given you and also remember we are not getting younger so are more susceptible to illness.

It is not only hospitalisation, think about medical evacuation or even the return of deceased remains to Australia. This could cost $10,000 if sent from Europe. Medical evacuations from America can cost $75,000 to $95,000 and in some cases $300,000. Where would you find that kind of money. Even the Asian countries are expensive.

If you do not have travel insurance then you will be liable to cover the incurred medical and associated costs.

This travel insurance advice is not intended to put you off as only 0.6% Australians encounter difficulty each year.

What you can do to prevent a costly trip is to:

* take out travel insurance suited to your situation

* make sure you insure against illness

* insure against loss of personal belongings

* insure against theft of personal belongings

* insure against robbery or assault

Take note that some insurance policies will not always cover claims made in countries the DFAT (Dept Foreign Affairs and Trade) recommend against travel.

For up to date travel insurance advice check out the Insurance council of Australia and the Insurance ombudsman service who have issued guides on travel insurance for travelers.

Where you are unable to obtain insurance for a medical condition you should consider the potential financial risks very carefully before deciding whether to proceed with planned overseas travel.

Getting help overseas

DFAT (consular services) provide help to Australians who find themselves in trouble overseas.

They will do what it is able to help whether it is helping Australian victims and survivors of terrorist bombs, assist to repatriate the body of loved ones from overseas and provide comfort and advice for anyone in an overseas prison.

Last year the department helped over 25,000 Australians in difficulty in over 152 countries.

What the department can do to help Australians overseas:

* help during crises, such as civil unrest and natural disasters, by confirming the number of Australians involved and providing advice to family members at home.

* provide advice and support in the case of an accident, serious illness or death, or if an Australian is a victim of a serious crime, and arrange for next of kin to be informed.

* visit or contact Australians who are arrested and arrange for their family to be informed.

* contact relatives on an Australians behalf and ask them to assist with money or tickets.

* provide some financial assistance in real emergencies (strict criteria).

* provide info on a government scheme under which eligible Australians can apply for financial assistance in limited circumstances to help with legal costs overseas.

* provide a list of local doctors, lawyers.

* issue passports, including emergency passports.

What they cannot do:

* give legal advice, investigate crimes overseas or intervene in court proceedings.

* get Australians out of prison or obtain special treatment.

* provide medical services or medications.

* arrange visas, work or residence permits for other countries.

* pay or guarantee payment of hotel, medical or any other bills, including the cost of returning lost luggage to Australia.

* act as a travel agent, bank or post office, or store luggage.

* become involved in commercial disputes or take up complaints about local purchases.

* provide translation, interpreter, telephone or photocopy service.

go from travel insurance advice back to travel insurance

Click here to contact us for more information re insurance