HSBC credit cards complimentary travel insurance

HSBC offers complimentary insurance across its range of credit cards, including domestic and international travel insurance on HSBC Platinum and World Mastercard credit cards. The actual policies are underwritten by Allianz Insurance Australia (Allianz) and can be different based on the HSBC credit card you choose.

Like any insurance policy, there are terms and conditions you need to meet to get the cover and have your claims approved. The insurance policy booklet has complete details, so it's always good to keep that handy. But if you just want a quick guide of the cover you'll get, including what's available in a pandemic, we've got the key details here.

Which HSBC credit cards have complimentary travel insurance?

HSBC offers complimentary travel insurance to people with platinum and World Mastercard credit cards, as well as other types of insurance on other cards. Here are the key details for HSBC cards currently on the market.

What's covered by HSBC complimentary international travel insurance?

HSBC credit card travel insurance can give you cover for overseas trips of up to 4 months if you need to go to hospital overseas, miss flights because of delays, have your luggage stolen and for other situations that can leave you out of pocket.

The actual cover is broken down into "benefits" based on what you can and can't claim. Some claims also have an excess you need to pay before you'll get any money if a claim is approved.

Here, we've broken down the different types of claims, with an example of a situation when you might use the cover. But remember: You should always read the insurance policy booklet for complete details of the cover.

Medical, dental and emergencies cover with an HSBC credit card

HSBC complimentary international travel insurance for cancellation, delays, accommodation and transport

Luggage and personal items cover offered with HSBC credit card complimentary insurance

Personal liability cover offered with HSBC complimentary credit card travel insurance

HSBC credit card complimentary international travel insurance for death and funerals

What's not covered?

Every insurance policy has details of when you will and won't get cover. These details can be very specific, which is why it is important to always check your insurance policy documents.

To give you an idea, here are some of the key things you won't be covered for with HSBC credit card complimentary international travel insurance:

What do I need to do to use HSBC's credit card
international travel insurance?

If you're planning a trip and want cover through your HSBC credit card, you'll need to meet the following requirements:

• Travel bookings. You need to use your eligible HSBC credit card to pay for at least $500 of your travel costs before the start of the trip. A simple way to meet this requirement is to pay for your airfares, cruise or hotel stays with the card. You also need a return ticket before you go.
• Australian residency. You need to permanently live in Australia.

Does HSBC credit card travel insurance cover family members?

Yes, if you meet the eligibility requirements for cover on an upcoming trip, your spouse and dependants (children) can get cover under this policy when they're travelling with you for at least half of your trip and meet the following requirements:

• They need to permanently live in Australia.
• At least $500 of their pre-paid travel costs have been paid for with your eligible HSBC credit card and they have a return ticket to Australia.
• They need to be travelling with you for at least 50% of your trip.

They also need to meet all the other conditions of the insurance policy.

Pre-existing medical conditions

This complimentary international travel insurance doesn't typically cover pre-existing medical conditions.

In simple terms, that means you won't get cover if you've seen a doctor or other qualified professional about a condition that causes issues overseas. It's the same if you're aware of a physical, medical, mental or dental condition before you travel.

There are some exceptions if you're pregnant, though:

• You can get cover for pregnancy complications that arise from injury or sickness when you're travelling and meet the other eligibility requirements.
• If you were eligible for the travel insurance before you became pregnant, you'll be entitled to available cover.

If you have a pre-existing condition you want covered, follow these steps:

1. Call Allianz Global Assistance on 1800 648 093. You'll then go through an assessment process.
2. Answer all the questions honestly and give them any extra information they ask for.

If your pre-existing medical condition is approved for cover, you will need to pay an administration fee. This fee is non-refundable and the cost is not detailed in the insurance policy booklet, so make sure you ask how much it will be when you call Allianz.

If you follow these steps and get approved, Allianz will send you written confirmation of cover for your pre-existing medical condition.

• Pre-existing medical condition definition for HSBC credit card insurance

  Travel insurance policies all have specific ways of looking at pre-existing medical conditions, so it's really important you're aware of the actual definition they use.

  As well as the summary above, we have included the definition that's in the current HSBC card insurance policy document for HSBC Platinum Cards and Premier World Mastercard accounts.

  These are effective from 14 October 2022.

  a condition of which a reasonable person in the circumstances, should have been aware at the time eligibility for the cover available was met, including:

  • Any dental condition; or
  • Any physical condition; or
  • Pregnancy; or
  • Any lifelong illness; or
  • Any chronic illness; or
  • Any mental illness; or
  • Any current or previously treated cancer, or

  Any condition which, in the last two years:

  • Was treated by surgery (including day surgery); or
  • Required regular medication; or
  • Required on-going treatment; or
  • Was referred to a specialist medical adviser; or
  • Had regular reviews or check-ups; or
  • Caused admission to hospital; or
  • Was treated at a hospital emergency department or out-patient clinic.

  If you're not sure whether a pre-existing medical condition will be covered, call Allianz on 1800 648 093 to check if you can use this insurance.

How to make a claim through your HSBC credit card complimentary international travel insurance policy

If you think you will need to make a claim, contact Allianz Global Assistance as soon as possible so that they can give you specific information.

You can do this by calling +617 3305 7499 from overseas (a reverse charge number) or 1800 648 093 in Australia.

There are 2 main ways you can submit your claim:

Allianz will review your claim and ask for any further details before giving you an outcome.

What to include in your claim

With insurance claims, it's always good to include as much detail and supporting documentation as possible. It makes it easier for the insurer to look at the claim and your eligibility for a payout.

So when you're travelling overseas with this cover, try to get as much written or photo evidence as you can for any claim you need to make. This could include:

Other types of HSBC complimentary
credit card travel insurance

Transit accident insurance

• What is it? Cover for accidents that happen when you're travelling overseas on a plane, train, cruise ship, bus or other eligible vehicle. You also get cover for related accidents that happen when you're boarding or leaving the transport.
• When can I use it? You are eligible for cover if you have paid for the entire trip with your eligible HSBC credit card before you leave. If your partner or dependants are permanent residents of Australia and travelling with you, they'll also get cover.
• Is there an excess cost? No, you don't need to pay an excess for any claims but there are limits to how much you can get paid out. For example, the loss of one hand or one foot has a maximum benefit limit of $100,000 for the cardholder, $50,000 for a spouse and $12,000 for a dependant.

Domestic travel insurance

• What is it? Cover for specific issues that come up when you're travelling to a different state or territory in Australia for up to 14 days. This can include costs relating to cancelled return flights, flight delays of 4 hours or more, delayed or lost luggage and rental vehicle excess insurance costs if you hire a vehicle.
• When can I use it? If you have used your eligible HSBC credit card to pay for the entire flight or at least $250 of your flights and accommodation before you leave. If your partner or dependants are travelling with you for at least 50% of the trip and meet these requirements, they'll also get cover.
• Is there an excess cost? Yes, $200 per claim for cover relating to cancellation or luggage.

Rental vehicle excess insurance in Australia

• What is it? Cover for damage or theft of a car or other vehicle you have hired in Australia, up to a maximum of $6,000.
• When can I use it? You are eligible for cover if you have paid for the hire car (or vehicle) using your eligible HSBC credit card. The vehicle hire agreement also has to include details of how much you need to pay if the vehicle is damaged or stolen.
• Is there an excess cost? Yes, $200 per claim.

HSBC credit card complimentary insurance for shopping

HSBC credit cards give you access to other types of insurance, also provided by Allianz. Below is a snapshot of the different types.

Purchase protection insurance

• What is it? Cover for the cost of a new item that is stolen, accidentally damaged or lost. It covers most household and personal items such as laptops, shoes, jewellery and glasses. Exclusions include second-hand items, perishables, cash, computer software, vehicles and items you've accidentally left in a hotel after checking out.
• When can I use it? If you use your eligible HSBC credit card to pay for covered items, this insurance will apply for the first 90 days from when you get them. This cover is available for personal items bought anywhere in the world, and for gifts you have bought and given to someone who is a permanent Australian resident.
• How can I make a claim? You need to show proof that you own the item and report the loss, theft or damage to the local police or relevant authorities (such as the office of a transport company). You also need to show proof of the report, such as written confirmation for the authorities involved. Then, call Allianz on 1800 648 093.
• Is there an excess cost? Yes, $100 per claim. There are also maximum claim amounts depending on the item.

Extended warranty insurance

• What is it? Cover that doubles the manufacturer's warranty for items bought in Australia, up to a maximum period of 12 months. For example, if you bought a laptop with a 12-month manufacturer's warranty and it stopped working for no reason after 12 months, you could make a claim under this cover.
• When can I use it? If you used your eligible HSBC credit card to pay for an item and it came with an Australian manufacturer's warranty of between 7 days and 5 years. You can make a claim if something happens after the original warranty period has ended.
• How can I make a claim? Call Allianz on 1800 648 093 and give them as much information as possible.
• Is there an excess cost? Yes, $200 per claim. There is a total maximum claim limit of $10,000 per year.

Other HSBC cards with complimentary insurance options

HSBC also offers different types of travel insurance on the following cards:

• HSBC Corporate Card. If you're looking at getting a card account for your business, the HSBC Corporate Card offers travel insurance and corporate liability against deliberate misuse by cardholders.

Frequently asked questions

How do I activate my HSBC travel insurance?

If you have an eligible HSBC credit card, you'll get international travel insurance when you pay for at least 90% of your return travel ticket before the start of your trip.

Does HSBC credit card travel insurance cover cruises?

Yes, the international travel insurance policy would cover you for eligible issues that come up when you're on a cruise.