HBF Travel Insurance

HBF Travel Insurance Review

No matter if you are travelling within Australia or going abroad, travel insurance is a necessity. While you think the likelihood of you getting injured on your holiday is minimal, accidents do happen and wouldn't you want to be insured just in case? Best case scenario, you're fully insure and nothing happens. Worst case, you have no insurance and are forced to pay out of pocket in a foreign land.

HBF insurance provides travel insurance for domestic and international trips, for both short-term and long-term trips. The flexibility of plans, the continuous emergency medical support and affordability of insurance options allows you to be covered during travels. Unlike many travel insurance brands, HBF insurance company will cover you even if you indulge in a risky recreational activities such as snowboarding, skiing, bungee jumping or white water rafting.

Who is HBF Travel Insurance?

HBF Health Insurance Company is one of the most revered organisations in Western Australia. HBF is known for their 24/7 medical services and with their modest premium increases over the years, HBF is easily affordable by everyone. Something like, While HBF have been providing insurance since 1941, it wasn't until 1986 that they decided to enter the travel insurance market. With the introduction of an electronic claiming process, customers can now make a claim from the comfort of their home. In 2011 and 2012, HBF has paid about $4 million in health claims every working day, which amounts to well over $1 billion in total. Since 2003, customers have been able to use HBF Financial Services, which helps them get neutral, third party financial advice from the experts.

HBF insurance company aims to create a community of healthier and happier customers. Apart from travel insurance, HBF also provides insurances for life, health, home, car, trailer, boat, caravan and personal belongings.

Why Take Out Cover with HBF Travel Insurance Australia?

There are a number of travel insurance options available from HBF insurance company. Customers have the option of customising their plan to suit their needs, making sure that they are only paying for the services they need. The following plans are available for travel in Australia and abroad:

These coverage options are also available in doubles and singles. The Super plan covers travels to the UK, India, Africa, Middle East, South America and Europe. But for travels to Japan, USA or Canada, customers have to take advantage of the Super Plus plan. While the cover for medical, dental, cancellation, loss of luggage, accidents and liability cover are same for both of the plans, the car hire excess waiver for the Super plan is $2000 and that for the Super Plus plan is $3000. The Standard and Economy plans do not have unlimited medical covers like the Super plans, but are the minimum cover for customers travelling to Asia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island and South Pacific Islands.

HBF offers unlimited 24/7 medical assistance and cover for expenses like ambulance services, medical or dental care (which may include hospitalisation). HBF also offer discounts of up to 10% to members, with a further 10% discount for those who book online.

HBF Travel Insurance Options

The first step for customers is to choose the country they are planning to travel to, as this will determine which insurance option will be applicable. If the customer is the only adult travelling, the Singles cover is appropriate. If travelling with another adult, the Doubles cover is ideal. Both of these covers include dependent children. After that, a medical assessment is conducted if the customer either has a pre-existing medical condition that is not included in the policy or is above 70 years of age during or before departure. After that the customer can contact HBF to estimate their premium; a policy is taken out by simply paying this premium. The following plans can be taken out:

• Super:Under this plan, trips to Russia, India, the UK, South America, Africa and the Middle East are covered. It provides unlimited medical expenses for both the doubles and singles cover. On cancellation or reschedule of travel, unlimited cover is provided as well for both types of cover. For resumption of overseas travel, $3000 and $6000 are allotted for singles and double covers respectively. For the loss of luggage and travel documents the policyholder is covered for $10,000 single and $20,000 double. Accidental death and disability charges covered are $25,000 and $50,000 for the singles and doubles cover. Liability cover in this plan is $2.5 million.
• Super Plus: This plan covers trips to the USA, Japan and Canada. It is very similar to the Super plan. It also provides unlimited medical expenses for both the doubles and singles cover. Likewise, on cancellation or reschedule of travel, unlimited cover is provided as well for both types of cover. For resumption of overseas travel, $3,000 and $6,000 are allotted for singles and double covers respectively. For luggage and travel documents loss cover, $10,000 and $20,000 are allotted respectively, just like the Super plan. Also, the accidental death and disability charges covered are $25,000 and $50,000 for the singles and doubles cover. Only the hire car excess waiver for this cover is $3,000 instead of $2,000 of the Super plan. Liability cover for this plan is the same as the Super plan as well- $2.5 million.
• Standard: This is the minimum cover available for trips to Asia. The medical expenses cover is $300,000 for singles and twice that for doubles. Dental cover of $1,000 for singles and $2000 for doubles. Cancellation cover is unlimited for both singles and doubles. The liability cover for singles and doubles is $2 million.
• Economy: This plan is available for trips to New Zealand, Norfolk Island and South Pacific Islands. The overseas medical expenses provided are $100,000 for singles and $250,000 for doubles. Cancellation compensation is unlimited like the three previous plans. Liability cover provided for both singles and doubles is worth $1 million.
• Australian: The Australian plan covers domestic travels only. Here cancellation and rescheduling expenses cover is unlimited. But minor travel delays cover is only $500 for singles and $1,000 for doubles. Loss of luggage and travel documents cover is $2,500 for singles and twice that for doubles cover. Liability cover is $1 million for both the covers. An important thing to note is that the Australian plan does not cover medical or dental expenses because these are likely to be covered by the individuals’ Medicare plan. If you are planning on travelling by boat in Australian waters, you may need to check if you are covered by Medicare or your private health insurer.

HBF Travel Insurance Policy Benefits

If anything happens to you while you are travelling, you can rest assured that HBF will be there to provide you with advice and financial support. Hospitalisations, deaths, evacuation and relocation to different medical facility are all covered by all HBF travel insurance. Personal tragedies not only leave travellers bereft emotionally, but also drain them financially.

In Southeast Asia, daily hospitalisation costs are around $1000. HBF travel insurance can help you minimise that cost. Returning the remains of the deceased can be a very expensive affair and cost over $10,000. The HBF Super insurance plan offers reimbursement for return of remains from Europe. In United States, medical evacuation and relocation can cost anywhere from $80,000 to $300,000. The unlimited medical expenses cover of the Super and Super Plus plans protect travellers against exorbitant medical costs.

HBF travel insurance have a variety of premiums. Members of HBF are eligible to receive a discount of up to 10%, with a further 10% off available for those who book online.

HBF Travel Insurance Claims Process

The process of filing a claim is quite transparent if a little elaborate. The member can call up the HBF services, available 24/7, to seek assistance in the claims process. They have to provide all the relevant information needed to assess by the insurance company to evaluate the claim. All the originals for receipts, valuations and ownership proofs, medical, dental and police reports must be provided.

For medical and dental injuries, a written confirmation of the condition or injury by a qualified member of the relevant profession is also required. For theft or loss of personal items, a copy of the police report is necessary.

In the event of luggage delay, written advice from the member’s transport provider is needed to evaluate what compensation should be paid by the company. In case of rescheduling expenses, all the original receipts and tickets are required. If not available, a letter from the travel agent listing the charges incurred due to cancellation or rescheduling should be provided along with a letter from the carrier. The claim must be filed within 30 days of completion or cancellation of the journey.

When a claim is settled, the maximum amount that HBF will reimburse is the maximum amount listed in the policy. In case of settlement of claim, the excess amount will either be deducted from the compensation or the member will have to pay the excess back to HBF. If a cancellation claim is settled where the member has used frequent flyer points or a similar scheme in buying the ticket, the financial contribution is less.