Please Note - If you are cruising around Australia you need to select Pacific.
With Regions, variances can apply for Bali, Indonesia, Japan and Middle East.
You are not required to enter stop-over countries if your stop-over is less than 48 hours.
Luggage and personal effects cover is the most frequently claimed benefit, but it's also the one that causes the most confusion at claims time. We answer some of the most common questions customers ask us about luggage cover and help you find which insurers have the right luggage cover for you.
Most comprehensive travel insurance policies (not basic, medical-only ones) include coverage for theft, loss or damage of your luggage and personal effects in a range of circumstances. These include:
Claiming for luggage and personal items is fairly straightforward. The procedures are generally very similar across insurers but it's a good idea to check your insurer's policy documents to be sure. To validate your claim, they generally require:
Knowing exactly what you need to claim and the timeframes you need to obtain documents can mean the difference between a successful and denied claim
In the event of a theft, most insurers require you to get a police report in the local jurisdiction within 24 hours - the sooner you can do this, the better. In the event of a loss, report it to your airline, hotel, tour or cruise provider, or some other relevant authority. Get a copy of any reports you have made, as this will help establish proof of loss to your insurer.
Confirm whether you are eligible for compensation from your airline or another provider in the event of loss, theft, or damage - depending on where your flight takes off and lands, some airlines are required to offer you some compensation, up to certain limits. Get documentation of whether or not your provider is accepting liability - whichever is the case, already having that information can speed up how your claim is processed.
If something has been damaged, your insurer will generally require a quote from a reputable repair business. The quote will need to outline the nature of the damage confirming if it can be repaired or needs to be replaced entirely, and how much repair would cost.
It's important to ask your repair person to break down the cost of repairs into their component parts. For example, if you dropped your phone and shattered the screen, and broke the CPU and body. Insurers who don't cover smashed screens will generally cover any other damage.
To submit your claim, you'll need documents that show proof of the loss (for example, theft or loss report or repair quote), as well as proof of ownership. So dig out your old receipts, credit card statements, or check your email for an invoice to help prove that you owned the item you say you did. Depending on the insurer, they may also require a copy of your original flight and accommodation itineraries. In order to prevent fraudulent claims, you will usually be required to provide identification. This could include a drivers licence or passport and a bank statement so they can confirm they are making payment into the correct account.
Find your insurer's claims page online, and fill out their claims form and attach your documents where prompted. Give them as much information and documentation about what happened as possible so they can make a decision easily. If they don't have enough information, it can delay your claim. For more on claiming, visit our travel insurance claims page.
iPhones and other smartphones tend to be subject to more strict conditions, because they are small items that cost a lot of money, and scammers try to upgrade to a newer model by saying their phone was damaged or stolen.
Most insurers exclude cover for smartphones that are left in the cargo hold of a plane, so bring it with you in your carry-on luggage. You should also check whether your insurer covers water damage or smashed screens before you buy a policy. Some insurers exclude smartphone coverage altogether or have it as an add-on.
All insurers that we're aware of have item sub-limits for phones of around $1,000. This means that even if your phone costs $1,500, the most you would get back is $1000, minus any excess and depreciation. If you want to insure your item for its full value, consider listing it as a high-value item.
On top of proof of theft from police or another authority, or a damage repair quote, you will also require the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of your phone, and evidence that it has been blocked by your telecommunications provider. Blocking the IMEI means that no one can use your phone's handset, and helps show that your phone was lost or stolen, rather than you've handed it on or sold it.
Visit our guide for more on mobile phone travel insurance.
As above, jewellery is rarely covered if it's in the cargo hold of a plane, so keep it with you - or keep it at home. Most travel insurance brands will only let you claim up to $500-$750 per jewellery item, and they don't allow you to list it as a high-value item. So reconsider bringing that expensive engagement ring along if you can't afford to lose it. Visit our guide for more on jewellery travel insurance.
General Advice Warning: The contents of this article were accurate at the time of writing. Insurers change their policies from time to time, so some information may have changed. You should always read the Product Disclosure Statement of your chosen insurer to understand what is covered and what isn't. The information provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal circumstances.
Comprehensive travel insurance policies include luggage cover up to a specified limit. Each insurer has a different list of items and situations that are covered, so it pays to compare their policies, shop around, and find the policy that's right for you. Some insurers do not cover sporting equipment, while others don't cover it while it's in use. Some don't cover musical instruments, or have any benefits for theft of cash. Luckily, it's all written in their product disclosure statement - so read through it so you know exactly what you'll be covered for before you buy. Reading through customer reviews for travel insurance can also help you understand why claims are accepted or denied, so you can stay ahead of the curve.
An excess is the amount under which an insurer won't pay your claim. So if you have a $100 excess and a $20 pair of sunglasses go missing, you can still claim for it, but you wouldn't get anything back because it is below excess. However, if your suitcase went missing, with $3000 worth of items, including your $20 sunglasses, then the most you could get back is $2900 ($3,000 less your $100 excess). Most insurers charge an excess per event - so if your camera was stolen one day, and your backpack fell off the cruise ship another day, each claim would incur an excess.
Holding onto your original receipts can make claims move faster. However, if you don't have them, have a hunt around for your bank or credit card statements from the time to see if they're confirmed on there. If you have them, you can use them to help substantial your claim, or you can visit the retailer and ask them to reprint the receipt. Paid in cash? A screenshot, email or statutory declaration from the person you purchased it from may help. Otherwise, do you have any photos from before the loss or theft? Some insurers may accept this as proof of ownership, although it may not help them know what its value is or how much depreciation to deduct, so you get their underwriter's minimum amount.
Most items are covered if checked into the cargo hold of a plane, however, most insurers do not cover jewellery, phones, laptops and other expensive items stored in the cargo hold. You may also be eligible for luggage delay benefits if the airline misplaces your luggage, and you temporarily need to buy clothes, toiletries, etc. Check your insurer's policy documents for details.
Yes, most insurers require you to get a police report within 24 hours. Check your policy to confirm. Some insurers also require this if an item is lost. Check out our guide for more on claiming on your travel insurance.
Your IMEI is an identification number specific to your handset (it's not your mobile number). It is printed on the box you received with your phone and is typically also on the receipt from the retailer you purchased from. You can also typically find out your IMEI number from your phone service provider, and request that they block your IMEI number. This means that no one else can insert another SIM into the phone and start using it. Most insurers require proof that your IMEI has been blocked to cover claims related to phones.
Within some benefits, like luggage and personal effects benefits, there are sub-limits for individual items. You might have a total benefit of $7,500-$10,000 for luggage, but you may have an individual item limit of $500-$750, or $3000 for computers, or $1000 for phones. These sub-limits will vary between insurers. Check your policy documents for more information.
With a research and journalism background, and certified in Tier 2 General Insurance General Advice, Crystal is passionate about investigating customers’ tricky travel questions and helping them find the answers they’re looking for. A writer and filmmaker whose favourite trips have been to film festivals in Cuba and South Korea, and campervanning around the USA, she loves getting to know new people and seeing a glimpse of the world through their eyes.
Need some help? Use the search box below to find answers to all those tricky questions. We’ve got heaps of travel insurance tips to help you get the best policy for your upcoming holiday!
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