Gearing up for a road trip?
COVID keeping you grounded? Why not hit the open road, and explore Australia’s backyard instead. Aside from nailing down the ideal route, deciding on how many days you’ll go for, and what your preferred ride will be, there are some other key considerations that should be on your pre-departure checklist to ensure your journey is memorable for all the right reasons.
Should I consider travel insurance for my road trip?
All roads lead to cool places and Australia sure is a big place with plenty to discover. So it’s no wonder so many people are choosing to pack the car, van or camper and let their adventurous spirits guide the way. Gallivanting from town to town, along the coastal fringe or deep into the red centre, road tripping is a rite of passage no matter your age.
It is definitely one of the best ways to see Australia, but rental cars and caravans can break down, GPS devices and phone reception are not always foolproof, and distances between destinations can be misleading.
Travel insurance can help you out of some of the sticky situations you may encounter on the road. If you’re injured and need medical evacuation, have an accident in your rental vehicle (any four-wheeled vehicle with a gross vehicle mass less than 4.5 tonnes), or a section of your road trip is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances and your rental vehicle needs returning, having cover may help.
What's covered?
- Overseas medical (international plans only - not available on the Domestic plan)
- Medical evacuation and repatriation - If you get sick or are injured and a TID-appointed doctor advises you need to be evacuated or repatriated, we can help get you get home safely. (Note: Ambulance costs are excluded for cover from our Domestic plans by law)
- Cancellation or holiday deferment costs - If you, a member of your travelling party or your close relative or business partner who is resident in Australia dies or becomes seriously ill and you can’t start or finish your trip.
- Emergency travel arrangements and accommodation expenses - For when your pre-arranged accommodation is destroyed by a bushfire or severe weather conditions; you're retrenched from your permanent employment in Australia; or your car hire company can no longer fulfil their commitment to you.
- Personal liability - TID may be able to help with damages or compensation in certain cases if your negligence causes injury to people or property – this does not include damage or injury to yourself or members of your travelling party, or property owned by them or you, or for which you or they are responsible. Travel insurance offers cover for the legal costs you may incur because of that negligence, but only if you get our consent before legal costs are incurred or you take action.
- Luggage and personal effects - Your locked car broken into and hidden items taken? Medications lost or damaged during a trip? We may be able to help when your items are lost, stolen or damaged on your trip – see the Luggage section of our policy for more information. Benefit limits and depreciation apply.
- Coronavirus travel costs - If you or a member of your travelling party is diagnosed with Coronavirus and you need to cancel your trip, or close relative back home is hospitalised from Coronavirus and you need to cut your trip short (exclusions apply if you don’t heed government health warnings), we may be able to help - benefit limits apply.
- Rental vehicle insurance excess - If your hire car is stolen, damaged in an accident, storm or fire, then we may pay up to your chosen limit for any excess you may be liable for from the hire company. You can choose to increase the standard $4,000 excess to $6,000 for an additional premium on the Customise Your Plan page when purchasing the policy. Please note, this inclusion is reliant on the rental vehicle having valid comprehensive motor vehicle insurance for the period of the hire.
What’s not covered?
There’s a number of things that are just not covered, and will affect any claim you may make if it contributed to the event you’re claiming for. These include:
- Reckless high-risk behaviour - if your behaviour contributes to or causes something to go wrong, it may affect your claim for that event– so have a think before you join that riot, go base jumping, or ride a motorbike without the right safety equipment like a helmet.
- Intoxication - If you make bad decisions while intoxicated that end badly (like drinking and driving) it may affect any claim you make in relation to that event.
- Driving without a valid license - Never a good plan – it’s illegal as well as obviously unsafe.
- Riding a motorbike with an engine capacity greater than 250cc
- Items stolen from an motor vehicle, caravan or motor home if:
- The vehicle was unlocked; or
- The items weren’t concealed appropriately; or
- The items were stolen at night between sunset and sunrise.
- Riding or being a pillion passenger an all terrain vehicle or quad bike
- Fraudulent activity
- Operating a rental vehicle in violation of the agreement
- Complications as a direct result of an existing medical condition
Choose a plan that suits your holiday.
Just like choosing the perfect destination for your next getaway, selecting a travel insurance plan to suit your needs may be just as important. We have four plans to choose from, each offering a different level of cover. Check out each of the plans below where you'll find loads of information about each one.
Domestic
If you're taking some time to explore your own backyard, our Domestic plan protects you for trips within Australia. It can cover you for car hire excess, lost or stolen valuables and cancelled accommodation.
The Works
Our most popular plan, The Works offers broad cover for international trips including cover for costs such as unlimited medical expenses for up to 12 months and cancellation as well as added benefits.
The Basics
Sticking to a shoestring budget? The Basics plan is designed for travellers who want coverage for all the important things, like hospital bills and stolen luggage, without breaking the bank.
Annual
Are you a frequent flyer? If you travel often for business, or have a few holidays coming up, our Annual Multi Trip plan could be for you. Made for globetrotters, your trips can be up to 35 days in duration and there is no limit to the number of trips you can take during a 12 month period.
This is a brief summary of cover only and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions. Read the PDS before purchasing.
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