Travel Insurance

Domestic travel Insurance

Planning a trip around Australia? Compare travel insurance quotes to cover your trip for less

When confronted with the idea of getting travel insurance for a domestic holiday, have you thought, “Why would I need insurance when I’m travelling in Australia?”

It’s because the unexpected can disrupt travel plans no matter where you go. Have you ever been on a beach holiday on the Gold Coast and your camera was stolen? Would you dread missing a State of Origin decider due to a delayed or cancelled flight? Travel insurance can cover you in these instances.

Need more convincing? Let’s have a look at top reasons why travel insurance is a smart idea for any Aussie on-the-go.

Do I need domestic travel insurance?

It may be easy to overlook at times, but travel insurance for holidays in Australia is important to consider. If your plans are disrupted by lost or stolen luggage, cancelled flights or excess for hired car claims, travel insurance can be a great safety net to ensure your holiday stays on track.

What should my domestic travel insurance policy include?

Similar to travel insurance for overseas destinations, your domestic travel insurance policy should include cover for your baggage, flight cancellations, rental car excesses and cover for meals and any personal items you might need if your journey is delayed for an extended period.

What can domestic travel insurance cover?

Lost or damaged belongings

Whether it’s during transit or once you’ve arrived at your final destination, losing your belongings is a common fear. In particular, losing your credit card while you’re travelling can be a major inconvenience. That said, travel insurance can ease the financial burden of having to replace any lost or damaged items.

N.B. Your policy may not cover unattended items that are lost or damaged. Remember to always check your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to know exactly what you’re covered for.

Theft

Australia is a reasonably safe place to travel around. However, any holiday where you’re exploring new surroundings may lead you to unexpected places. In these instances, it’s at least comforting to know that your belongings may be covered if they’re stolen.

Cancellation fees / the cost of delays

Most Australian airlines are reliable when it comes to delays and cancellations. According to the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities, almost 83% of flights arrived on time in February 2019, while over 84% of departures left airports on schedule.[i] Furthermore, the same research found that only 1.9% of all flights during that month were subject to cancellation.

While statistics suggest that delays and cancellations don’t occur regularly, it’s a good idea to have a plan for such instances. Your travel insurance policy could potentially reimburse you for cancellation fees or lost deposits (depending on the policy you hold) if circumstances were out of your control.

For example, if you book concert tickets in another city, but your flight is cancelled and are unable to attend, your travel insurance policy could pay out a lump sum of cash to make up for the loss.

Car rental excess

When you hire a car, you’ll generally have to take out insurance from the rental company in case your vehicle is damaged. This is a smart extra to pick up, as you’ll be driving on unfamiliar roads in a car you’ve never used. However, if an accident happens, you may owe an excess to the rental car company.

Travel insurance can pay for car rental excess, which means you have one less thing to worry about during an already stressful time. Keep in mind this may come as an optional extra that you pay a little more for.

Medical expenses

Domestic travel insurance won’t cover any doctor or hospital expenses. However, if you have a Medicare card, you have access to subsidised healthcare all over Australia. As such, you don’t have to worry too much about medical expenses when travelling domestically.

That said, Australian residents (except those who live in Queensland or Tasmania) who don’t have cover that pays for emergency transportation across the country, and need to use an ambulance, may be out of pocket for those ambulance expenses.  In many cases, travel insurance will cover these costs.

We detail the cost of those expenses on our ambulance cover page.

Cruise

Standard domestic travel insurance policies generally don’t include cruise cover as a standard benefit. However, it may be added as an extra for travellers specifically looking to go on a cruise holiday. This addition could be crucial, as Medicare and hospital insurance will not cover medical expenses while on board the ship.  Additionally, having cruise cover will ensure any claims for cancellation fees can be assessed.

Domestic travel insurance for seniors

Retirement can be a great time to go on that Australian road trip, and seniors under 99 years of age can still be covered by travel insurance. While there may be reduced limits for Australians over 70, senior travellers can still have the peace of mind knowing some expenses such as delayed flights, lost luggage and activity cancellations may be covered.

Domestic travel insurance exclusions

Every travel insurance policy has instances where you may not be covered. Common exclusions for domestic travel insurance policies are:

• cases where you’re already compensated. If your flight or other booked activities have been delayed or cancelled, travel insurance may cover any costs incurred. However, this won’t be the case if the airline or activity provider has already reimbursed you.
• unlicensed operation of vehicles. When operating any vehicle, always make sure you have the license required. Otherwise, any accident you may have might not be covered by your travel insurance policy.
• scuba diving without a licensed instructor. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the world, and it’s an essential sight for any bucket list. To explore the iconic landmark safely, always do so under the supervision of a licensed professional.
• injuries from activities not covered by your policy. There are specific activities you might need to disclose with your travel insurance provider. For example, if you’re looking to carve the slopes at Perisher, you’ll probably need snow sports cover included in your policy.

For a comprehensive list of common travel insurance exclusions, visit Sergei’s Solutions Hub (see: What does travel insurance not cover?). Remember to always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) of your policy to know exactly what you are and aren’t covered for.

Top domestic travel tips

1. Pack essentials in your carry-on bag

Whether you’re travelling from Melbourne to Hobart or Brisbane to Perth, always ensure you have what you need in your carry-on, particularly if it’s medication. After all, the latter flight can take over five hours, and cancellations or delays could always leave you somewhere longer than expected.

If you need to carry medication on your flight, make sure it’s in its original packaging and that you have a note from your doctor clearly explaining what it is and your dosage requirements.

2. Be wary of time zones

During daylight savings, east coast states such as New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania are three hours ahead of Western Australia. While it might not seem like much, it should be considered when making your holiday plans. After all, booking a flight at 8 am in Perth during summer would be equivalent to booking it at 5 am in Sydney!

3. Don’t carry restricted items while travelling interstate

Similar to travelling overseas, there are restrictions on what you can take with you when travelling domestically. Items such as plants, fruits, vegetables and animal products can carry biosecurity risks including weeds, pests and diseases. To avoid getting fines from Australian Interstate Quarantine, it’s recommended to dispose of these items before travelling.

4. Research road rules

Even if the differences are subtle, it’s important to acknowledge road rules for every state you visit. For example, if you’re travelling to eastern states, you might have to pay tolls on certain motorways, while a state like Queensland has limitations on using horns.

For more information, read our guide on how road rules differ across Australia.

5. Follow all warning signs

Australia has many places to swim, but some areas may be off limits. Whether it’s a sign warning you about crocodiles or one about staying between the flags at the beach, it’s best not to take any risks. Along with the potential dangers, disregarding these warnings could also void your travel insurance.

Compare domestic travel insurance

Looking for a policy to cover your next holiday? We can help!

You can find a great deal in just minutes through our free travel insurance comparison service. Instead of going to multiple websites, we can show you prices from several reputable partners on one page. We don’t mark up prices, meaning you’ll pay the same price with us as you would be going directly to the provider.

So, why not see if we can help cover your next journey?

Setting your sights on a trip overseas? We look at international travel cover for different countries too!

Sources:

Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities. Airline On Time Statistics – Monthly.

Queensland Legistlation. Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Road Rules) Regulation 2009.

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Travel insurance

  Travel Insurance for china ,Planning a trip to china Compare Travel Insurance quotes to cover  your trip for less.

China is truly a land of extremes. You have the breathtaking space-age style of Shanghai, the constant bustle of Hong Kong, and then the natural beauty of the Li River and the Yellow Mountains. This country has the largest population of any nation on the planet, and each region is truly like a country of its own.

Because of this, you need to account for every situation on your travels, so let’s take a closer look at how travel insurance can protect you against the unexpected.

Do I need travel insurance for China?

The question you should ask yourself is whether you can afford to travel anywhere without travel insurance. That’s because the unexpected has the habit of striking when you least expect it! What if you break your ankle climbing the Great Wall of China, lose your passport in transit or your flight home gets cancelled? You’d be tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket in medical bills and other expenses.

Travel insurance is specifically designed to provide financial protection against these mishaps or for when things go wrong, so you can enjoy your trip when things go right. You can’t put a price on peace of mind!

Here are a few key reasons why you should get cover for your trip to China.

Medical expenses

Medical treatment in China can be expensive. If you require healthcare services, you’ll be grateful to have a travel insurance policy to shoulder the cost, especially if you need medical evacuation, which can cost thousands of dollars up front.

It’s good to know that medical care in China is top tier, and the staff who treat you in popular tourist hubs will typically be able to communicate via a translator – or, they’ll speak English. You may struggle to find English-speaking doctors and nurses in rural areas, however.

Are you vaccinated? You should consider vaccinations against the following diseases:

• polio
• rabies
• tuberculosis
• influenza
• measles
• hepatitis A/B
• typhoid
• Japanese Encephalitis

Consult a doctor or visit a travel health clinic a month before departure for the most up to date information.

Driving

Roads in China are notoriously busy and can be in poor condition, which could increase your likelihood of getting into a car accident. If this happens, your rental car company would typically charge you an excess to cover the cost of repairs.

Travel insurance helps pay for this excess if your rental car is damaged or stolen, although this will depend on your level of cover.

Other things to look out for on the roads:

• drive on the right-hand side of the road in mainland China
• don’t switch your headlights on during the daytime or you could land yourself a fine.

Theft and loss of belongings

The threat of theft in China is the same as in any other overpopulated country. This means that getting your mobile phone nicked on the train by an opportunistic pickpocket isn’t improbable and neither is the likelihood of losing your suitcase in transit. That’s where travel insurance comes in; it could cover your luggage and personal belongings from theft, damage and loss.

Keep in mind that you should keep your passport on you at all times, in case you’re asked by authorities to present it. This then represents an opportunity to lose it though, so be on your guard and keep this precious document out of sight whenever possible.

Cancellations and cost of delays

Despite increased capacity at Chinese airports, flight delays are getting worse, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, with data revealing that the average length of domestic flight delays increased to 24 minutes in 2017.

This means you could miss your connecting flight from Beijing to Hong Kong and have to fork out to stay in a hotel near the airport overnight to catch the next available flight. Travel insurance can provide financial protection for trip cancellations or delays up to a limited amount.

What should my travel insurance policy for China include?

Typically, you’ll have the choice between single-trip and annual cover travel insurance. Single-trip policies cover one trip, and potentially layovers as well, until you return to your home in Australia.  An annual or multi-trip policy generally covers any number of overseas trips taken within a year, however, the policy will stipulate what the maximum trip length is for any one journey. The maximum trip length will vary – some policies could be as low as 15 days, some as high as 93 days. It’s important to ensure that your longest trip doesn’t exceed the policy’s stipulated maximum trip length. Generally, travel insurance should provide cover for:

• overseas medical and hospital expenses
• trip cancellation, amendment and delay costs
• lost, damaged or stolen luggage and personal belongings
• theft of cash
• additional expenses
• rental car excess
• some sports and activities
• personal liability
• permanent disability and loss of income
• accidental death
• dependents under 21
• 24-7 emergency assistance.

Travel insurance benefits are subject to the limits of cover, policy terms, conditions and exclusions outlined in your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). Not every policy covers all of the above.

China travel insurance: exclusions and what to watch out for

Just like any other insurance product, travel insurance comes with a set of general exclusions and doesn’t typically cover:

• travelling against government advice or warning (these are listed on Smartraveller)
• negligence leading to loss or damage of personal belongings and valuables (i.e. forgetting your luggage at the taxi rank)
• trip cancellations due to change of mind or unpreparedness (i.e. forgetting to renew your passport or getting a visa on time)
• extreme or high-risk sports and activities
• hire car excess if the accident was caused by not adhering to road rules or if the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• injury sustained from paid work
• drug or alcohol-related claims
• loss or injuries from unlawful activities
• loss or injuries from unapproved pre-existing conditions
• acts of war, terrorism or civil unrest.

Things to keep in mind when travelling to China

• Tourists have previously been targeted by scammers. Common scams include credit card skimming, tourists being invited for a massage, teahouse service, or to a café, before being given an inflated bill they must pay before they can leave and travellers being drugged and robbed. It’s important to remain vigilant and look out for suspicious activity.
• You’ll need to request permission from the Chinese government if you’d like to travel into Tibet.
• Drug offences are severely punishable by the law, and this includes the death penalty. Even the possession of a small amount of drugs could land you in jail, or worse.
• You’ll require a visa to enter the country for longer than three days.

China does not enjoy an uncensored internet, so you may not be able to access Facebook, Google, etc.

Top travel tips for China

1. Check your passport and visa requirements

If you’re travelling to China as an Australian citizen, you should make sure your passport has at least six months’ validity from your planned return date, or you risk being refused entry into the country.

You also typically need a visa to travel to China. You can apply for a Chinese visa in person or by mail to the relevant Chinese Visa Application Service Centres in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or Brisbane. It can take anywhere between four days and two weeks for your visa to be approved. You should also know that the Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Australia don’t accept visa applications submitted directly by passport holders.[1]

2. Register your trip with the Australia government

There’s no such thing as being too safe, especially when it comes to international travel. That’s why you should consider registering your travel plans with Smartraveller, so that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can keep track of you in China and contact you or your family in case of emergency.

The Australian government offers advice, alerts and the latest updates for more than 170 countries to help Aussies avoid difficulties abroad. Remember however, that registering with Smartraveller doesn’t guarantee you consular assistance if you get into trouble on foreign soil.

3. Always have cash on hand

While Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted in China, you should know that some cities still operate largely on a cash-based economy. As such, it might be a good idea to keep some cash handy just in case or be prepared to take regular trips to the ATM to withdraw Chinese yuan.

Also, be sure to get a credit or debit card with low or 0% international transaction fees, so you don’t get charged for making transactions overseas.

4. Research local Chinese laws and customs

You’ll be bound by China’s local laws and penalties the moment your plane lands in the country. Some may appear harsh by Australian standards but their legal traditions have been in place for centuries, and you’ll need to obey them all. A person aged 14 years and over is considered an adult under the law in China.

So, do your research around what acts are forbidden and punishable by law. Sanctions for serious drug offences are especially severe in China; foreigners have been executed for drug offences.

The following activities are also illegal in China:

• participating in certain religious activities like preaching, distributing literature and associating with unapproved religious groups
• gambling and the promotion of gambling activities
• taking pictures of military or government buildings without permission from local authorities.

Compare travel insurance

Looking for travel insurance to protect you on your Chinese adventure? Use our free comparison tool to compare a range of comprehensive and basic policy options based on your preferred level of cover, policy benefits and excess amount to find a travel insurance in just minutes!

If you’re thinking of travelling somewhere else, check out our travel guide cover for different countries.

Sources

Travel Vaccination Clinic- Vaccinations for China (2018).

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Australia- How to Apply and Visa Fees (2016).

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Travel Insurance

Turkey Visa Assistance

Turkey is a one of ultimate relaxation destinations. With vast natural beauty & adventure experiences Turkey will leave you spoilt for choice. Turkey features an enchanting diversity of landscapes, historical, and cultural uniqueness making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

1. From 11 July 2016 onwards, ALL visa applications for Turkey within Pakistan will be made ONLY through Gerry’s Visa Drop-box Contact Centres.

 2. Visa applicants still need to fill in preliminary application form online at www.visa.gov.tr take a printout and sign. (Please do NOT take an appointment date online. Appointments taken from the system are not valid.)

3. Call and visit one of Gerry’s Visa Drop-box Contact Centres and presents your signed pre-application form and relevant documents. 

Visa Application Requirements:

1. Visa application form duly filled, submitted on the online system, printed and signed by the applicant. (CNIC number, father and mother names, complete residential and host (if applicable) addresses are must).
2. Passport / travel document valid for at least 8 months as from the date of your arrival in Turkey
3. Copies of the recent and old passports along the used pages concerning visa entry and exit stamps (If it is relevant and not empty pages)
4. Two (2) recent colored biometric photographs of the applicant with the size of 5x5 cm and white background matt
5. Travel health insurance certificate covering the minimum of Euros 30.000, the period of stay in Turkey and the repatriation costs as well
6. Polio vaccination certificate from the Government hospitals or thr authorized laboratries (The validity of the vaccination certificate should cover the travel period and the vaccination's date should not be more than one year old)
7. Copy of the flight reservation (Reservation only , not the ticket)
8. Copy of the hotel reservation (Reservation only)
9. Employment letter stating the name, position, salary, profession, or type of skill (if there is an) from the company (if there is any)
10. Bank account maintenance certificate and original bank statements of the last three months [the current balance should cover all the expenses (air ticket + accomodation + food and beverages)] which are signed and stamped by the bank officer
11. Consent letter of the applicant for verification of documents conditional documents:
12. Ex-Pakistan leave paper or NOC for Government officers from their institutions (if it is relavant)
13. Id card copy
14. Salary slip last three months
15. NTN and company registration documents
16. If with family travel provide FRC family registration certificate. 

Important Notice:

Applicants personal appearance is must

Requirements for now are these, because Embassy is changing the requirements very often

E-Visa:

Pakistani nationals who have a valid visa or residence permit of the Schengen countries, UK, USA and Ireland can apply for e-Visa online through https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/

Please note that e-visa is only valid when the purpose of travel is tourism or business. Other purposes such as study and work requires regular visa issued by the Embassy or Consulate General of the Republic of Turkey.