Complete Guide to HSBC Complimentary Credit Card Insurance

Since August 2015, HSBC credit card insurance has been offered in conjunction with Allianz Group Australia (AGA). Before this change, it was underwritten by Zurich.

To save you from wading through the updated terms and conditions, we have outlined the most important points about HSBC credit card complimentary international travel insurance here. Find out the eligibility requirements, what is and isn’t covered and how you can make a claim below.

What are the eligibility requirements?

• Eligibility. To be eligible for the cover, you must pay for at least 90% of your overseas return travel ticket with your HSBC card.
• Activation. The cover is automatically provided when you meet the eligibility requirements and there’s no need to tell Allianz or HSBC about your travel plans to activate it.
• Pre-existing medical conditions. There is no cover for pre-existing medical conditions. You can apply to have your pre-existing medical conditions insured by calling Allianz directly on 1800 648 093.

How do I know if I’m covered and what I’m covered for?

HSBC Platinum credit cards provide complimentary international travel insurance for up to four months from the date of your departure from Australia. Your spouse and dependant children are also covered when you purchase 90% of their international travel ticket using your HSBC account.

Only the primary cardholder can claim the benefits listed specifically for the “cardholder”, while a spouse or dependant must claim benefits listed under the cardholder’s “spouse or dependants” benefits section of this insurance policy. Your spouse and dependant children must also travel with you for the length of your journey to be eligible for HSBC credit card insurance benefits.

How do I make a claim?

Documents to take with you

You will need to provide these documents if you want to make a claim:

• Proof that you’re eligible for cover, such as a card statement or a receipt of payment for your overseas travel ticket.
• If you’re making a claim for a stolen, lost or damaged personal item, you must provide a copy of police report or any other official reports relating to the incident.

Steps to make a claim

Follow these steps to make a claim on your HSBC credit card insurance policy:

1. Overseas. To make an emergency overseas claim, call Allianz Global Assistance on +61 7 3305 7499 (reverse charges from overseas). You will need to provide your policy number as well as proof that you paid for your travel tickets with your eligible HSBC credit card. The Allianz Global Assistance phone service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Allianz can also put you in touch with their global team of medical professionals who can help with:
   • Emergency transport to the nearest hospital
   • Emergency evacuation to Australia
   • Providing payment guarantees to overseas medical institutions
   • Provide an emergency service and emergency medical travel planning
2. In Australia. Make sure you contact Allianz on 1800 648 093 within 30 days of your return home if you want to make a claim against your HSBC credit card insurance. You may be required to provide a written loss report within 30 days. Allianz reserves the right to reject your claim if you fail to submit this document on time.

What insurances am I covered under?

The following benefits and limits apply to HSBC credit card complimentary international travel insurance. HSBC Premier World Mastercard cardholders receive a higher benefit limit.

Complimentary insurance sub-limits

Sub-limits also apply for some of the benefits listed here. For example, within the Luggage and Travel Documents benefit, you receive up to $5,500 per personal item for baggage, clothing and personal valuables and get up to $600 for emergency replacement of lost clothes and toiletries.

• Overseas medical expenses. Allianz provide overseas medical cover for the following events:

• What medical issues won’t Allianz cover you for?

  • Pre-existing medical conditions (unless you have prior approval from AGA first)
  • Dental treatment caused by preventative dental treatment or the use of precious metals
  • Travel you book against medical advice
  • Travel booked for the purpose of seeking medical treatment
  • Medical conditions resulting from STDs, STIs or drug use
  • Travel you take after you’ve been told you’re terminally ill
  • Any funds you can claim from a private health insurer or government scheme

• Luggage and travel documents. Allianz will provide cover for the loss or theft of the following personal items:
  

  Item	Cover
  Luggage, valuables and personal valuables	$5,500
  Portable electrical equipment and binoculars	$5,500
  Cameras and equipment/accessories	$5,500
  Laptop computers and equipment/accessories	$5,500
  Travel documents, traveller’s cheques, credit cards and cash	$600 up to $1,100 for a family

• Domestic travel exceptions. A trip from mainland Australia to Lord Howe Island, Christmas Island or Cocos Island is considered an overseas journey; however, hospital and medical expenses do not apply if you’re visiting these destinations.
• Cancellation of travel arrangements and unexpected expenses. Allianz will cover you for cancelled travel arrangements and unexpected costs for the following situations:

Other insurances

You’re eligible to receive the following insurances when you use your HSBC platinum or premier credit card overseas and in Australia:

• Purchase protection insurance. Get 90 days of worldwide cover for items purchased with your eligible HSBC credit card. You can claim up to $125,000 per year for each account.

• Guaranteed pricing scheme. This benefit refunds you the difference in price when you buy an item and you see it on sale for less elsewhere.
• Transit accident insurance. This cover provides a financial benefit if you’re injured or killed when riding in a public passenger vehicle such as a ferry or bus.
• Extended warranty insurance. Extended warranty insurance will match the Australian warranty equivalent up to one year for eligible items purchased with your HSBC credit card. The table below highlights how it works:
  

  Australian warranty	Extended warranty
  7 days	7 days
  14 days	14 days
  1 month	1 month
  6 months	6 months
  1 - 5 years	1 year
  5 years +	N/A

HSBC platinum and premier credit cards can cover you and your family for emergency medical and dental costs, lost personal items and travel delays for up to four months. All you need to do is charge at least 90% or more of your overseas travel ticket to your eligible HSBC credit card.

If you want to use this insurance, remember to take a copy of your policy document and product disclosure statement with you when you leave Australia. You’ll need these documents, as well as proof of purchase of flights with your HSBC credit card, to make a claim through Allianz.

We can help you with general questions about your credit cards and complimentary insurance cover, so feel free to write a comment below. If you have any specific questions about your insurance policy, you will need to contact Allianz on 1800 648 093 for information specific to your circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

• How do I get a copy of the product disclosure statement?

  Head to the HSBC platinum credit cards page and look in the fine print for a link to the product disclosure statement. This information is also available from the Allianz website. Alternatively, you can get a copy of the product disclosure statement by calling HSBC on 1300 301 168.

• How do I contact Allianz?

  You can get general advice from Allianz by contacting Allianz Global Assistance on 1800 648 093 (8AM - 5PM AEST).

• How do I get cover for a pre-existing medical condition?

  You will need to contact Allianz to get covered for a pre-existing medical condition. Call Allianz Global Assistance on 1800 648 093 for more information.

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