Bupa Travel Insurance Review

How does Bupa Travel Insurance compare?

Bupa’s aim is to help its members live longer, healthier and happier lives. As a company that's primarily focused on health insurance, it's familiar with the bumps and pitfalls we can face - which can often be magnified while travelling, both at home and overseas. Travel insurance can help you make the most of your trip and get help if things go wrong. Offering a range of insurance options and benefits for its members, see if Bupa Travel Insurance could offer the cover you need for your next adventure.

• Who Underwrites Bupa Travel Insurance?

  Bupa Travel insurance is issued by Insurance Australia Limited (IAL).

What travel insurance policies does Bupa offer?

Bupa understands that different people have different needs, hence the need for different types of cover. You can choose from the following travel insurance policies:

• Australia Plan – Travelling around Australia is a great thrill, but it’s not without its dangers. The Australia Plan offers unlimited cover for cancellation and reschedule travel, cover for additional expenses due to travel delays as well as alternative transport to a special event, and luggage and travel documents.
• Economy Plan – Travel is not without its costs, but that doesn’t mean you need to break the bank for insurance. An Economy Plan provides the minimum level of insurance if you are travelling to New Zealand, Norfolk Island or the South Pacific iIslands, covering overseas medical expenses and evacuation, accidental death and disability, and luggage and travel documents.
• Standard Plan – Want to keep insurance simple? The Standard Plan offers higher cover than the Economy Plan and provides the minimum level of cover required if you are travelling to Asia, including Bali.
• Super Plan – If you’re travelling to the UK, Europe, South America, Russia, India, Africa or the Middle East, Super Plan provides unlimited overseas medical expenses and evacuation, as well as additional cover for cancellations, amendments, luggage and travel documents.
• Super Plus Plan – The highest level of protection available at Bupa, the Super Plus is required if you're travelling to or via the USA, Canada or Japan. It provides all the same benefits of the Super Plan with additional cover for luggage and travel documents, and rental car insurance excess.
• Select Your Cover – Bupa offers each policy as single, couple of family cover, with cover increasing to make sure your travel companions are protected too.

How do Bupa's policies compare?

What is excluded from my travel insurance policy?

General exclusions include:

What other options are available?

• Cancellation Cover Plan – If you are travelling in either Australia or New Zealand, a Cancellation Cover Plan will protect you against any sudden cancellation of transport or special event. Cover is available in Single travel policies only.

What kinds of situations will I be covered for?

Getting travel insurance from Bupa is beneficial as it provides different types of cover for different situations. Here are some of the benefits that Bupa Travel Insurance provides in the following cases:

• My flight was cancelled - am I covered? If your journey is cancelled, delayed, rescheduled or interrupted, Bupa Travel Insurance will cover amounts that you have paid in advance for travel that is unused and you are unable to recover.

• What happens if my bags are stolen? If your luggage or travel documents are lost, damaged or stolen, your policy will pay you a limited amount depending upon the insurance cover that you have opted for.

• If I get sick overseas, are my medical expenses covered? In case you become ill, injured or need medical or dental treatment, your travel insurance policy will cover you up to the amount stated on your policy.

• Does Bupa provide a death benefit? If you die or become permanently disabled as a result of an accident caused by violent, visible and external means, Bupa Travel Insurance will pay your estate up to the maximum amount under your plan.

Always refer to the Product Disclosure Statement before you sign up for a policy.

Some reasons to consider Bupa

• Comprehensive cover. Bupa is committed to offering high-quality cover with a wide range of options to meet all your travel needs. So wherever your holiday takes you, you can relax knowing that you're covered.
• 24/7 assistance. If the unexpected happens while you’re travelling overseas, emergency help is available 24 hours a day. If you have any difficulties while you are travelling, do not hesitate to contact the Emergency Assistance Hotline and you will be able to speak with one of their multilingual and highly trained staff, who are trained to handle a range of issues.
• Discounts for existing members. Bupa health insurance members can receive up to a 15% discount on their travel insurance premiums.

I need to make a claim...what do I do?

If you wish to make a claim you must phone Bupa within 30 days of completing or cancelling your journey.
Phone: 13 24 80

If you have an emergency while travelling, you can contact Bupa’s Emergency Assistance Hotline.
Within Australia: (02) 8895 0694

While Overseas: +61 2 8895 0694

Frequently asked questions

• Am I covered for pre-existing conditions?

  You are covered automatically for some conditions, including the following (check PDS for full details):

  • Acne
  • Allergies
  • Anaemia
  • Asthma
  • Benign breast cysts
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Cataracts

  • Diabetes (types 1 and 2)
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • High blood pressure or cholesterol
  • Migraines
  • Osteoporosis
  • Routine screening tests where no underlying disease has been detected

  You must apply for cover if you:

  • Have a cardiovascular/cerebrovascular disease (eg angina, heart attacks, heart failure, aneurysms)
  • Lung diseases (eg emphysema, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis)
  • Neurological disorders (eg multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, muscular dystrophy)
  • Organ transplants
  • Chronic pain
  • Any cancer excluding non-melanoma skin cancers
  • Any other high-risk condition

• Is there a cooling-off period?

  Yes. If you change your mind about a policy, Bupa offers a 21- day cooling off period, in which time you can cancel your insurance and get a full refund, so long as you haven’t begun your travels or made a claim. If you wish to cancel or change your policy outside of this period, you can apply to Bupa online or over the phone.