Debit card travel insurance

How debit card travel insurance works

There are a few ways you can get travel insurance, and I reckon I've tried them all at one point or another. Buying a single policy, and annual multi-trip policy, free credit card travel insurance - they're the main ones. They've all got their pros and cons.

Debit card travel insurance is the same as credit cards that come with travel insurance. Of course with the benefit of not going into a mountain of credit card debt. That, I can say from experience, is pretty crummy.

Finder survey: What type of travel insurance have Australians purchased?

Why debit card travel insurance isn't perfect

The free travel insurance you get with a debit card has strings attached. They're not deal breakers, but they're worth thinking about.

• You have to use your debit card to book a minimum amount of costs on your trip, normally $500. If you buy flights on your card, this is typically sorted.
• You have to manually activate your insurance. You'll likely to do this on your bank's app.
• The actual travel insurance policies are typically pretty basic, and don't cover you for much.
• Most policies won't cover trips that are longer than 3 months.
• Most card policies don't offer much customisation. For example to get cover for cruises or ski trips.

What does debit card travel insurance cover?

Free travel insurance with your debit card is probably a basic policy, covering things like delayed flights, delayed luggage, lost luggage and other travel interruptions.

Limits and sub-limits on debit card travel insurance differ from those offered by standalone policies. Smart money is to compare the free policy you get against the policies on Finder to see if it suits your trip, or if you should get a standalone policy.

Which debit cards have travel insurance?

There are a couple of debit cards available in Australia that have free travel insurance. As of January 2024, that includes:

• World Debit Mastercard*
• NAB Platinum Visa Debit card

*The World Debit Mastercard is offered through CommBank, but it appears to be invite only. If you're an existing CommBank customer you might be able to call and see about getting an invite, but you can't apply online.

Is debit card travel insurance enough or nah?

I've heard some absolute horror stories about travel insurance, but I've also been poor and travel obsessed, so I feel uniquely positioned to give you an honest answer on this.

• Firstly, you need some travel insurance for every trip. Especially if you're travelling somewhere like the USA, where medicine is really spenno, get some cheap medical cover at least.
• If you're doing dangerous stuff like snow sports, climbing, skating, riding bikes etc, you should get a standalone policy. You'll need to declare all that to be covered, and card policies don't always let you do that.
• If you're travelling on a cruise, you should get a standalone policy, for similar reasons.
• If you've got a pre-existing medical condition, same situation. Get a standalone policy so you can declare it and not be excluded from medical cover.
• If none of the above apply to you, then debit card travel insurance is better than nothing. If it's a choice between the free cover on your card and nothing, get the card cover.

That being said, you can get travel insurance from like $10 a day. Which is really not that bad.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What if I need emergency assistance overseas with debit card travel insurance

  Most debit card travel insurance policies include access to a 24/7 emergency assistance helpline. This service can help you coordinate medical treatment, provide interpreter services, offer legal assistance and guide you through the claims process while you are abroad. Always save the emergency contact number before you depart.

• Does debit card travel insurance cover natural disasters or acts of terrorism

  Coverage for natural disasters or acts of terrorism varies significantly between policies. Some debit card policies may offer limited cover for medical expenses or cancellation due to these events while others may have specific exclusions. It is vital to check your policy's PDS for details and always follow Smartraveller advice.

• Is there an age limit for debit card travel insurance

  Yes, many debit card travel insurance policies have age limits. Typically cover is provided for account holders up to a certain age often 70 or 80 years old. If you are above this age you might need to seek a standalone travel insurance policy that specifically caters to older travellers.

• What is the excess I might have to pay on debit card travel insurance

  Like most insurance policies debit card travel insurance usually includes an excess amount. This is the sum you must pay towards each claim before your insurer pays the rest. The excess can vary but is often around $100 to $250 per claim. Check your PDS for the specific excess amounts applicable to different claim types.

• Does debit card travel insurance cover lost or stolen passports

  Debit card travel insurance often provides cover for the costs associated with replacing a lost or stolen passport while you are overseas. This usually falls under the 'travel documents' or 'baggage and personal effects' section of your policy. You will typically need to report the incident to local police and your embassy or consulate to make a claim.

Written by

Tim Bennett

Insurance expert

A seasoned journalist with over 10 years of experience in news, politics and finance reporting, Tim has previously held roles at the ABC, SBS and Fairfax Media. Tim’s expert insights have been quoted in The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail and more. He regularly appears on TV and radio, and has been interviewed on 7 News, Sunrise, SBS News, ABC Local, 3AW and 5AA. Tim is passionate about simplifying complex insurance topics for Australian consumers. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics) from Macquarie University and a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification, which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). If you’re interested in a media interview with Tim, please reach out to our PR team at aupr@finder.com. See full bio

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Tim has written 145 Finder guides across topics including:

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