Australians are fortunate to live in a beautiful country of contrasts and unique opportunities with a superb standard of living. Although overseas travel is not to be underestimated in terms of experience, travelling domestically within Australia is something all natives should do at some time in their lives. So many of us take our home for granted that we neglect to wander far from our own doorsteps, preferring to jet off to exotic locations and see the wonders of the world. Yet, Australia has much to offer with unimaginably vast, wild spaces and ecological environments ranging from the lush, dense rainforest of Queensland to the arid, featureless deserts of the Outback.
Whether you prefer the modern comforts and fine-dining experiences of some of the most cosmopolitan cities on Earth, seeking out unique indigenous wildlife, or thrashing a 4WD vehicle across an island made entirely from sand, the adventures and experiences within Australia are almost limitless. In this article, we will examine the subject of domestic travel insurance and why you need it when embarking on an odyssey to explore and understand the great land down under.
Why do I need domestic travel insurance?
Why would Australians need to take out domestic travel insurance? Aren’t they already covered by Medicare when they remain within the confines of their island continent home? Well, although domestic travel insurance is not required for medical purposes for most Australians taking a journey to explore their home country, there are some other compelling reasons why it is worth considering. Not all issues that occur when travelling are medical ones. Although they are certainly the most critical feature of any overseas travel insurance, domestic travel insurance is a fantastic way to protect yourself and your loved ones against a raft of other potential incidents, including:
- Delays—An unavoidable aspect of travel from time to time, delays caused by factors outside your control can make a mess of any travel itinerary and have a knock-on effect with expensive repercussions elsewhere. Decent domestic travel insurance covers any pre-arranged tours, shows, or events with non-refundable tickets that are missed due to delays. If you also have unused accommodation and are forced to pay for alternative arrangements, that will also be covered, and you should be fully reimbursed.
- Lost luggage—A disastrous result at any time, lost luggage can be particularly problematic in business situations or formal gatherings requiring a dress code. If your suit or formal wear fails to arrive at the same place that you do, you can console yourself with being able to purchase an alternative and not be out of pocket in the long run.
- Accidental fatalities—The worst outcome imaginable of any trip is when the policyholder is accidentally killed. This awful situation is exacerbated for the shocked, grieving family by them having to pay for arrangements to have the body returned to them and any associated administrative costs. Domestic travel insurance takes care of this and will not put the financial burden of handling the death on the family.
- Personal liability—If the policyholder injures another person or damages their property during their trip, they will not be liable for the costs of assisting the injured person or repairing any damage.
- Adventure activities—Although injuries sustained during participation in adventurous, risky activities will be handled by Medicare, any damage or loss of equipment will be the participant’s responsibility. You may need to specify your intended activities ahead of time and pay extra premiums, as is the case if you plan to go skiing, so be sure to discuss this with your provider.
- Theft—Domestic travel insurance will cover any loss of vehicles, gadgets, or other items experienced due to theft. Although your vehicle almost certainly already has insurance that covers theft, this may not be true of any rental vehicles, and you may find yourself liable for a considerable excess unless you have a policy to protect you.
- Family illness—If your trip is cut short due to a family member falling ill or being injured, you can claim back any additional travel costs and any loss of existing, non-refundable expenses.
- Vehicle rental excess—The bane of so many trips within Australia, the excess payments demanded if any rental vehicle is damaged can be alarmingly high. Domestic travel insurance negates this issue and will cover the costs for you. There is a good chance that any policy of this kind will represent much better value for money than any alternative offered up by the rental company.
It should be noted that all of these scenarios are described generically, and there will likely be variations and exceptions in your domestic travel insurance of choice. It is crucial to speak with your policy provider’s representative and be fully informed of any exclusions and differences.
Domestic cruises
Most Australians are entirely unaware that, even if your cruise never leaves Australian waters, you are not covered by Medicare for any emergency medical expenses or treatments. Most domestic travel insurance providers will offer additional cover at your request, as it is unlikely to be included in any standard policy.
Cancellations
From the moment your domestic travel insurance becomes active, you can safely book any future events, trips, and excursions, knowing that you are protected if you need to cancel. Cancellation benefits will also offer provisions for other pre-trip payments, including:
- Flights, rail, and bus tickets
- Accommodation
- Tours, shows, courses, sporting events
- Rented vehicles
- Adventure activities
Natural disasters
Australia is not without its share of natural disasters, from flash floods and powerful storms to droughts, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and the dreaded bushfires. All can be terrifyingly destructive and will almost certainly disrupt your plan if an area you intend to visit or are already in is affected. Airports close, trains and buses are halted, and even travel in your own vehicle can be impossible as whole regions can often become inaccessible. This is especially prevalent in the case of rampant, uncontrollable fires that threaten lives, property, ecological systems, and wildlife in Australia every year. A good domestic travel insurance policy will cover your existing travel bookings, and some will also assist with the cost of getting home safely when you are forced to leave unexpectedly.
Distance from home
Not all domestic travel insurance providers will provide coverage if your trip sees you travel less than 100 miles from home, so it is vital to check with them if you will spend time within that distance.
Frequent travellers
While you might only require domestic travel insurance coverage for a single trip, many Australians travel more frequently. In this case, speaking with your representative and arranging a multi-trip or frequent traveller policy is recommended. This will undoubtedly reduce costs versus purchasing a fresh single policy each time and reduce administrative demands.
Cost
Domestic travel insurance is almost shockingly inexpensive, and most Australians would be surprised to learn just how affordable it is. Compared with the potential losses you might incur in any worst-case scenario, it becomes virtually indispensable. Take a few moments to calculate the cost of your whole trip and ask yourself how much you are willing to lose if things don’t go according to plan. Is a small amount extra that covers all your other expenses if things go wrong worth the investment? It’s hard to see how the answer can be anything other than ‘yes’, even if just for the burden it lifts from your shoulders. Taking another element of stress out of the equation is one of the great benefits of any insurance policy, and domestic travel insurance is no exception.
How to choose the right domestic insurance policy
Although purchasing insurance can often feel like a minefield designed to catch you out at every turn, it isn’t like that. Clearly stated policy provisions and caveats are your allies in choosing, and any provider that does not provide them must be dismissed immediately. Make a list of things you want the most coverage for, then start your research. It is easy to check the validity and credentials of any unfamiliar providers using the Australian government’s website, which is designed to protect consumers. A quick search for reviews and other people’s experiences is always a useful step, but in those cases, it is worth taking everything you read with a pinch of salt unless it can be verified.
Do your homework, find the right policy for you, and then put it out of your mind, along with all the other worries you are now protected against. When put this way, we think you’ll agree that taking out a policy and experiencing the relief it provides is priceless.
Conclusion
We hope this article has illustrated why domestic travel insurance is an essential component of any trip within Australia. The sheer number of issues and unfortunate events it immediately addresses and protects against make it a valuable asset. If nothing else, it allows the policyholder ultimate peace of mind, knowing they are fully covered against almost any eventuality. This will enable them to relax and focus on enjoying the trip or getting the most out of any business opportunities if it is work-oriented.
Trips away from home can be an incredible relief from life’s daily stresses and frustrations, but they do not come without their own versions. Domestic travel insurance blows most of those worries from your mind and allows you to explore the myriad of exciting features and experiences that this beautiful, enigmatic country offers.
