When holiday plans go awry
JETSETTERS headed overseas are unlikely to think twice about the cost of caring for their pets or having someone clean their house if they are delayed home or return sick or injured.
Unexpected circumstances can cost travellers tens of thousands if they don’t have insurance.
A new comparetravelinsurance.com.au study found policy holders may not realise how far their cover goes. Some policies cover:
■ Accommodation for your pets if you are delayed on your return home
■ Someone to clean your house if you return home injured and are incapacitated
■ Cocktail dress cover if your dress rips and must be repaired or replaced, or
■ If you’re made redundant, some insurers will reimburse you for prepaid expenses.
Rebecca Penn, 27, and her partner Rob Andrews, 32, are off to Europe for a month.
“I always sign up to travel insurance and usually look for cover for my phone, passport, baggage or things that could disrupt my trip,’’ she said. “I never …thought about having cover for my dog Wolverine.”
Comparetravelinsurance.com.au’s director Natalie Ball said check the fine print closely before signing up.
“Travellers typically look for medical benefits and coverage for cancellations, delays or lost luggage,’’ she said. “But there are a host of other benefits.”
The Insurance Council of Australia’s spokeswoman Lisa Kable said travel insurance can be as little as $80 for an 11day trip and it’s vital to pick the right policy.
“If you are going to a wedding and a ripped cocktail dress is going to be a problem then include that, but if you are backpacking you won’t need that,’’ she said.
She said you may want cancellation cover in case you have to call off your trip suddenly.