Travel insurance key for travellers
With the northern hemisphere summer approaching, the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) is urging Australians planning overseas trips to purchase travel insurance, as new data shows a concerning number of holidaymakers are considering travelling without the crucial safety net.
A survey commissioned by the ICA and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller shows that 41 per cent of Australians would consider travelling overseas without travel insurance.
The survey also revealed that one in six (16 per cent) did not have travel insurance on their most recent overseas trip.
The most common reasons cited for not having travel insurance were:
• Perceived safety: 24 per cent believed their destination was safe enough.
• Unsure if it was needed: 27 per cent didn’t think it was necessary.
• Short trip: four per cent felt their trip was too short to warrant insurance.
The survey also found 44 per cent of travellers used Smartraveller for pre-trip information, but 10 per cent would still travel to destinations against government advice.
Key takeaways for travellers:
• Purchase travel insurance before your trip.
• Read the policy terms and conditions carefully.
• Use Smartraveller (smartraveller.gov.au) for the latest travel advice and information. Andrew Hall, CEO Insurance Council of Australia said “we hear of too many stories of families facing financial hardship due to medical emergencies or accidents overseas, simply because they didn’t have travel insurance. Travel insurance is as vital as your passport. We encourage everyone planning a trip to purchase travel insurance well in advance and to carefully read the terms and conditions”, said Mr Hall.