Pros
- Fast Cover's Comprehensive policy won the 2023 Finder Award for the Value category.
- With a specific Bicycle add-on, travellers heading on a cycling holiday can opt for extra protection - up to $5,000 per bike.
- Fast Cover Travel Insurance offers a wide range of customisations, including specific packs for bicycles, motorcycling, adventure activities, snow sports and cruising.
| Overseas Medical and Hospital Expenses | Unlimited |
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| Cancellation and Amendment Fees | Unlimited |
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| Luggage and Personal Effects | $15,000 |
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| Maximum Age Limit | 65 |
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Table updated March 2024
Best Travel Insurance - Value
Fast Cover Travel Insurance won the 2023 value award because it's cheaper on average than the other 27 international policies we analysed. It covers you for the essentials including COVID, travel delay and luggage delay.
Full list of 2023 winners
Fast Cover is one of the few insurers that offer some cover for COVID-related claims. The three key benefits covered are:
- Unlimited Covid-19 overseas emergency medical expenses, including medical evacuation and repatriation
- Up to $5,000 for trip cancellation and disruption due to Covid-19
- Additional expenses you might incur, including travel, accommodation and childcare costs
There are still some pandemic-related costs that are not covered at all by Fast Cover, including expenses related to lockdowns, border closures and quarantine.
Fast Cover has six levels of cover available: Domestic Plus, Snow Sports Plus, Basics, Standard Saver, Comprehensive and Frequent Traveller Saver. Here are some of the main insured events a policy can cover you for:
Domestic Plus
Snow Sports Plus
Basics
Standard Saver
Comprehensive
Frequent Traveller Saver
The insurance is issued by Lloyd's. It comes with a 25-day money back guarantee and a $200 standard excess. The excess is the amount you're required to pay when you make a claim and you can reduce this to $100 or $0 if you pay an additional premium.
Standard features
A Fast Cover Travel Insurance policy has a stack of benefits that can cover you leading up to and during your trip. We've highlighted some of the main benefits included in the Comprehensive policy to help you decide if Fast Cover is the best option for you:
- 24/7 overseas emergency medical assistance
- Accidental death
- Loss of income
- Luggage and personal effects
- Overseas emergency medical and hospital expenses
- Overseas emergency dental
- Permanent disability
- Special event transport expenses
- Trip disruption expenses
- Trip cancellation expenses
Optional add-on
When purchasing any of the insurance plans from Fast Cover, you have the chance of choosing a Single Policy, Duo Policy or Family Policy at purchase. Other optional add-ons include:
- Adventure pack for additional cover on top of the standard sports and activities
- Motorcycle pack covers you as a rider or passenger on a motorcycle, scooter or moped
- Bicycle pack can cover any bicycles that you take on your trip
Exclusions
As with any travel insurance provider, there are certain situations when your claim may not be paid. Some of Fast Cover Travel Insurance's general exclusions include if:
- If your claim arises from a medical
- Your claim arises from you being aware at the time you bought your policy of something that would impact your ability to travel. For example, if you knew a family member may pass away during your trip, and you had the intention of using your policy to cover last minute changes to your travels, you might not be covered for those expenses.
- You won’t be covered if you travel and ignore government warnings and known events in the media for reasons set out in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). For example, you may not be covered if you take out a policy after a volcano eruption warning is issued on the news.
- Your claim arises from being denied boarding from a travel provider due to COVID-19 vaccination requirements, or from errors in any booking arrangements, failure to obtain relevant visa, passport or travel documents, or being rejected access to a country on arrival for any reason.
- You won’t be covered if you travel against the advice of a doctor or medical practioner.
- You won’t be coverd if your claim arises from the consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs.
Make sure you review Fast Cover's Product Disclosure Statement for a detailed breakdown of what is and isn't covered.
For emergencies, you can contact Fast Cover's emergency assistance team on +61 2 8320 7999 or emergency@fastcover.com.au.
All other claims can be completed online by following these steps:
- Head to https://fastcover.com.au/claims
- Enter your email address and policy number
- Complete the required details
- Attach any documentation to support your claim
- Submit, and wait for Fast Cover to contact you
Fast Cover's comprehensive policy offers an impressive range of add-on options, including specific packs for bicycles, motorbikes, adventure sports, snow sports, and hire cars. This means policies can be customised to suit a wide range of holidays and travellers.
However, there are areas where Fast Cover's Comprehensive Travel Insurance isn't as strong. Like how pregnancy cover is on the lower end of what is typically offered by insurance brands and is only covered up until the end of the 23rd week. (We found 11 brands that extend beyond this point).
Finally, there is no specific cruise policy. While cover can be extended so you're protected on cruises, cover for some cruise-specific risks may be lacking, such as cabin confinement or seasickness cover.
My son is going to domestic snow fields with school camp – would his equipment and any accident be covered?
Hi Rachel,
It’s important to review Fast Cover’s PDS (which is available on its website) to be clear on exactly what is and isn’t covered under a policy.
I can see Fast Cover has a Domestic Plus option. At the time of writing, it covered up to $1,500 in snow sport equipment. Its medical benefits look quite restricted though, so you may benefit from speaking with the insurer directly about your needs.
Best wishes,
James
Does Fast Cover allow for cancellation due to Covid illness or other unforeseen medical issue prior to departure on a Pacific Cruise.
Does it cover isolation costs if contract Covid while on cruise.
Thanks
Hi Jenny,
Fast Cover Travel Insurance provides cover for trip cancellation or disruption due to COVID-19 for domestic trips, domestic cruises and selected international destinations.
COVID-19 cover is not available for all countries or for all travellers. The country you’re traveling to, your age and pre-existing medical conditions are all considered, and used to determine if your trip is eligible for cover.
To find out if you can get travel insurance for COVID-19, it’s worth getting a quote to check your eligibility.
Hope this helps!
I want to know we are travelling to Canada next week. I want to know if your insurance would cover covid related medical expenses if we happened to get sick?
Hi Ryan,
Fast Cover Travel Insurance offers an ‘Optional COVID-19 Pack’ where they do include some cover for the following if you contract COVID-19:
1) Overseas emergency medical, hospital and medical evacuation expenses
2) Trip cancellation and disruption
For more information, please refer to Fast Cover’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). This is available on this provider’s website – you can click the ‘Get Deal’ button above to get started.
It’s crucial to read the policy’s wording with care so you know what your insurance covers you for, along with any restrictions and exclusions.
Regards,
James
Basic travel insurance to Thailand for 60 Days in 2022 I will be 84 and in good health . What would be the costs involved
we want to hire a scooter in bali does Comprehensive cover, cover us thanks
Hi Kerry,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder.
Fast Cover’s Comprehensive policy doesn’t automatically cover you if you’re hiring a scooter overseas but they do offer a Motorcycle Pack which is available as an add-on to your policy. Just be aware that to be covered, you will need to follow Fast Cover’s conditions;
Riders:
Passengers:
We also have a page dedicated to motorcycle travel insurance (includes scooters), if this helps.
Kind regards,
Jessica