Travel Insurance Reviews

Flights to UK cancelled resulting from the pandemic, but we thought we were one of the lucky ones that wouldn't suffer loss because our travel insurance stated we were covered for a pandmic and we took it out in Dec 2019 - pre-COVID.

Unfortunately, because we have been offered a voucher by the travel agent, we are advised we are ineligible for a refund. This, despite that fact said travel voucher must be booked by end 2020, rendering it useless, in light of international travel restrictions

Budget Direct are hiding behind 'travel credits' as grounds for refund avoidance. The travel credits offered will almost certainly be useless within the time frame we have to use them.

We have been traveling for two decades, have taken out travel insurance dozens of times, and made a claim on two previous occasions, both of which was satisfactorily rseolved. This was our first time insuring with Budget Direct. Take heed BD. When this is all said and done, people will remember and you will get your just desserts.

These guys do everything they can to not pay you when you need them the most.
I’ve been through the hardest time of my life recently having to deal with getting back to Australia during covid 19 and after another life catastrophe.

I will never use this company for anything ever again.

Has cheaper premiums but the reality hits when a claim is made.
Four months to assess a claim and they only pay a portion of the claim

I wish I had read these reviews before getting their travel policy. Lost $1200 on a policy that will not cover anything. As others have stated claiming is very difficult and then they find excuses to decline the claim. In our case they declined medical expenses that are clearly covered by the policy. The excuse was that their terms require documents that no clinic will provide for a regular doctor's visit. Never experience anything like this with any other travel insurance. Medical expenses have been paid out by other insurances without any problem. I provided them all the documents from the clinic, prescription and all the receipts. But that's not enough according to their PDS. To me seems illegal and I'm filing a case with AFCA and we will see if it is (illegal) or just a legalised scam.

Whatever you do, do not take any policy with Budget Direct. I've also cancelled my car insurance with them.

Took a travel insurance for my holiday back in January and my claim was rejected because "Covid 19 was a known issue back then."

It is even frustrating coz it took them 30+ days to get back to me (after me emailing them pushing them for decision)

Their product statement clearly said that we will be covered if a travel ban was imposed due to epidemic but they are backtracking their word.

Will not recommend.
Please find another.

Terrible and Slow Customer Service
Poor Communication
Conducting business on Bad Faith
Better find another

Book their travel insurance for a trip back in January and was denied of a claim saying "Covid 19 was a known issue at that time"
The communication sucks, took them 30+days to get back to me after sending them email again pushing them for a decision.
Your product disclosure Part A-Section 8 stated that:
"We will pay a benefit under this Section if the cancellation of your trip is necessary and unavoidable as a result of:
You being unable to travel because of travel restrictions imposed on you after an epidemic, terrorist attack or natural disaster."
I feel like they are trying to weasel their way out of this.

I will never use Budget Direct again. Failed to reimburse me for my claim appropriately. I missed my connecting flight due to a 4 hour immigration queue between airport terminals. I was not reimbursed for this flight or any other expenses related to travel and accommodation as a result.

After our cruise was canceled due to Covid-19 I began contacting everyone I had booked with. We are receiving a full refund from the cruise line, accommodation, tour bookings, airport car parking etc. Even receiving a refund where it was stated bookings were subject to a no refund policy. Everyone has been so helpful and understanding... except Budget Direct. We have paid for a comprehensive travel insurance policy we no longer need because... we are not traveling. So you would think it would be possible to cancel in light of the current situation. But no, they won’t cancel or refund because it is outside their cooling off period. No consideration at all for their customer’s nor any compassion shown. Needless to say we will never use any of their insurance products again.

We purchased their Comprehensive Insurance within 2 weeks of booking our holiday and 3 months out from our vacation... with the COVID-19 travel bans coming in we claimed (as travel ban is covered in their PDS) and they denied our claim!!! Dumbest excuses either - we're taking them to the Ombudsman.

We decided to cancel 2 trips out of the country, due to our age and the coronavirus. One trip was insured by Australian Seniors. No trouble. Got a full refund. The other trip was insured with Budget Direct. Not a cent was offered in return ie no refund. Not again, Budget. You talked us into taking on a top of the range policy, so now we lose it. Not a good choice by Choice.

Easy online travel insurance..good value for money..online chat helpful and immediate reply. Car insurance also good value and good customer care.

I can't believe this company is allowed to perpetrate such a blatant fraud on consumers. Their PDS outlines cover they have either no capacity to provide or more accurately no intention to honor.

They make up the rules as they go and if you need assistance will just drag it out until the policy expires or you've returned home.

JUST PLAIN CRIMINAL CONDUCT