Why is Insurance important?

“Why is Travel Insurance important?”
I pose this question only because over 30% of all travellers do not believe it is!
Do not take my word for it. This is the response given to a number of leading pollsters by members of the travelling public. Yes, even people like you and me, readers of ‘Travel Australia’.
Over the considerable number of years that I have been in the Insurance Industry, I have heard most of the reasons or, dare I say, excuses why Travel Insurance is not important.

“ There is too much small print and ‘they’ never pay claims!”
Yes there is a certain amount of small print in all precisely worded legal documents. However the majority of insurers are at great pains to explain ‘wordy’ insurance jargon in plain English. If the worthy attempts, in your opinion, still fall short, you can always consult your Insurance Advisor. He or she possesses the knowledge and skill to explain clearly to you what is covered by the policy, and equally as important what is not covered!
“ They never pay claims” What nonsense. The Insurance industry pays millions of pounds in claims every year to Travel Insurance policyholders. ‘Go Walkabout’ has handled a single claim this year which will be settled at a figure in excess of £30,000!

“I’ve never bothered with insurance – and nothing has ever happened to me”
Congratulations on your good fortune, but please do not spin that roulette wheel too many times!

“It’s not worth the hassle of claiming”
Of course it is, because insurers make it as hassle-free as possible. All insurers maintain a 24 hours response service for emergencies that happen anywhere in the world. Detailed advice is provided by insurers, in their documentation, on how to proceed in the event of a claim. Carry your policy with you at all times, read the ‘Claims Procedure’, apply a modicum of common sense, and I can guarantee that any hassle will be kept to a minimum.

“I’m ‘Backpacking’, I’m not taking anything of value”
Really? I happen to know that you are taking something more valuable to you than anything else in the world. Yourself!
Suffer an illness or have an accident in a ‘Third World’ country. Then you will realise how valuable you are, especially if you have no insurance cover.
If you lose your backpack you will realise just how important your belongings are as well!

“Why do I need medical insurance when there is a reciprocal arrangement in Australia and treatment will cost me nothing?”
Wrong thinking again, I’m afraid. You will pay for emergency dental treatment. You will pay for an ambulance. You will be charged for prescriptions. More importantly, if you have been seriously hurt in an accident or are seriously ill, how will you get home? Medicare will not pay for an air ambulance or nursing care on a return trip. Sadly, there are many examples of families being financially embarrassed and even bankrupted in their attempts to bring loved ones home.


“Excesses are so large it is not worth claiming”
A small contribution to a very large medical bill is hardly false economy. Any way the maximum excess payable on a ‘Go Walkabout’ policy is only £30.

“It’s too expensive – I’ve spent all my money on my trip, and I ‘d rather have spending money than wasting it on insurance premiums.”

A holiday can cost many hundreds of pounds. Even those who are on a tight budget are spending a lot of money on tickets alone. What if the trip has to be cancelled? Are you happy to give all that hard earned cash away to an airline or travel company with nothing in return? You can buy a year’s insurance to Australia and New Zealand for as little as £124. This amounts to less than 10% of your travel costs, and if you are unfortunate enough to have problems on the way, in real terms the cost of your cover is infinitesimal. How do you put a price on peace of mind? Where else other than in a travel insurance policy can you buy Medical Cover with Baggage, Liability, Cancellation and Curtailment, Loss to Passports and Money, etc.etc…. for less than £3 per week?

Why is Travel Insurance important?
If you can spare a little of your time, please call me at ‘Go Walkabout’.
I am always happy to have a chat and I’m sure that I can answer your question.