Why travel Insurance is a holiday essential
Travel insurance is available for both international and domestic travel.
Anyone who has planned a holiday since COVID-19 restrictions began to ease will understand the importance of flexibility when it comes to travelling in 2022.
RACQ Head of Commercial Management and Delivery Quintin Dyer said travel insurance could offer protection against several scenarios that could impact your plans.
“RACQ has worked closely with Tokio Marine since 2016 to help give members added peace of mind that comes from travel insurance,” Mr Dyer said.
“With entry requirements changing and COVID-19 in the community, flexibility is very important, so travel insurance can help you recoup some of the costs if you have to make changes to your travel plans.
Travel insurance also helps cover you for lost or stolen luggage, overseas medical and hospital expenses.”
A Tokio Marine spokesperson said the pandemic had impacted the way holidaymakers thought about travel insurance.
“More than 90 percent of travel policies that members have been purchasing through us since November 2021 include some form of COVID-19 cover,” the spokesperson said.
“Tokio Marine was able to pay out claims for members impacted by travel cancellations at the peak of COVID-19, subject to policy terms and conditions.”
Mr Dyer said domestic travel insurance was becoming more popular among Australian travellers.
“Travel insurance is not always associated with domestic travel but, as we’ve seen in recent years, travel situations can change at any time,” he said.
“Domestic travel insurance can provide added peace of mind with cover that includes luggage items, such as smart phones and tablets, as well as cancellation fees and lost deposits. There’s also the option to add extra coverage to your policy if you’re planning a ski holiday for an extra charge.”
Mr Dyer said the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) provided essential information on what is covered by your travel insurance and should be read in combination with the Target Market Determination (TMD) which explains if the particular product is appropriate.
“Like any insurance policy, it’s important to do your research to find a policy that fits your needs and helps provide an adequate level of protection, having regard to your individual circumstances,” he said.
“Carefully reading the PDS and TMD may help ensure there are no surprises in the event that you have to make a claim.
“Once your travel insurance is sorted you can focus on enjoying your holiday, knowing you have taken steps to be prepared as best as possible.”
Get travelling again
- Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your return date.
- Check the COVID-19 provisions in your travel insurance cover.
- Check your destination requirements for insurance, vaccinations, international drivers permits and visas.
- Download the Australia Digital Passenger Declaration app and complete the form before returning to Australia.
- Register your trip on Smartraveller and sign up to alerts.
Members save on RACQ Travel Insurance
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Things to note
The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.
Insurance Products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQI) and arranged by RACQ Distribution Services Pty Ltd (RDS) ABN 35 116 361 650, AFSL 567130 and RDS' authorised representatives (including RACQ Operations Pty Ltd ABN 80 009 663 414, AR No. 234978 (RACQO)). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply.
Any advice provided by RDS and RACQO is general advice only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and you will need to consider whether the advice is appropriate for you. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making a purchase decision on the product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website.
RDS receives a commission from RACQI for the policies it arranges. RACQO receives fees paid for services it provides to RDS. Further details about remuneration are available on request prior to purchasing.
Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.
Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.
RACQ Bank subscribes to the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice which establishes higher standards than the law requires. The Code reflects modern consumer expectations and developments in approaches to issues such as consumer vulnerability, guarantors, and supporting customers through financial hardship. Please read our Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice page for more information.
RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414, AR No. 234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803, AR No.432492) (RACQ) are authorised representatives of the RACQ Travel Insurance insurer Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548) (Tokio Marine). Tokio Marine Management (Australasia) Pty Ltd (ABN 69 001 488 455, AR No. 1313066) is an authorised representative of Tokio Marine, and administers RACQ Travel Insurance as the managing agent on behalf of Tokio Marine. Terms, conditions (including eligibility criteria), exclusions, limits and sub-limits apply. Any advice is general advice only, and does not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation or needs. Before you purchase, please consider the Combined Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) / Financial Services Guide (FSG) and Target Market Determinations (TMDs) available at racq.com or on request from RACQ.