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HIF Travel Insurance
Our verdict: HIF Travel Insurance covers all the basics but excludes pre-existing medical conditions so if you have one, you might want to look elsewhere.
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Pros
HIF's Comprehensive, Domestic and Non-Medical policies are available to travellers of all ages, whether they're under 18 or over 100.
There are a range of customisations available so you can tailor your policy to suit your specific needs, including adding pre-existing medical conditions, snow sports cover and cruise cover.
Cons
HIF's COVID-19 cover is limited. In most cases, you'll have to be diagnosed with COVID-19 to make a claim.
Pregnancy is only covered up until the 24th week, but we found 13 brands that offer cover further into a pregnancy.
HIF Travel Insurance is not currently available via Finder. You can head to the HIF website or compare alternative options available below.
HIF Travel Insurance came in third place largely because it's competitive on price and its age limits. It can also cover pre-existing medical conditions. You just need to fill out its online medical assessment, which provides an instant outcome.
HIF offers limited cover for COVID-19. In most cases, you or your travelling partner will need to be diagnosed with COVID-19 to make a claim. Here's what you can expect:
Overseas emergency assistance, medical costs and hospital expenses if you require treatment for COVID-19.
Overseas emergency medical costs if you need treatment for COVID0-19while on your trip
Cancellation or amendment costs if you or your travelling partner are diagnosed with COVID-19 and need to cancel or reschedule your trip.
Additional expenses such as transport, accommodation or meals if you or your travelling partner are diagnosed with COVID-19 while on your trip.
There are many scenarios that are not covered by HIF including costs if your accommodation, transport, or activity are cancelled due to COVID-19.
You also won't be covered if you travel against medical advice, knowing you have COVID-19, or if you willingly and knowingly come into contact with someone who has COVID-19.
What policies does HIF offer?
HIF offers five insurance policies to travellers. Comprehensive, Essentials, Domestic, Multi-Trip and Non-Medical.
Comprehensive
Essentials
Domestic
Multi-Trip
Non-Medical
The insurer of this product is Allianz Australia Insurance Limited. It comes with a cooling-off period of 14 days and choice of $200 standard excess for international plans.
Here's a breakdown of HIF Travel Insurance features
These are some of the main insured events that HIF will cover. Some of these benefits may only apply on the Comprehensive International plan.
Overseas emergency assistance
Overseas medical treatment
Lost, damaged or stolen property
Trip cancellation or amendment
Additional accommodation and transport
Theft of money or travellers cheques
Luggage and travel delay
Emergency dental costs
Rental vehicle excess
Personal liability
Permanent disability
Accidental death
Optional add-ons
HIF also offers four add-ons that provide cover for a wider range of risks.
Adventure Pack. Cover for a range of high-risk activities including deep sea fishing, outdoor rock climbing and riding a motorbike with the appropriate licence.
Cruise Pack. Extends your insurance policy to cover cruises and a range of cruise-specific risks including cabin confinement, marine rescue and shore excursion cancellation.
Snow Pack. Extends your insurance policy to cover time on the slopes plus a range of specific risks including piste closure, avalanches, and equipment hire.
Increased Item Limits Cover. Increase the claimable amount on a specific item. For example, if you're travelling with high-value jewellery, gadgets, or clothing.
Exclusions
Unfortunately, travel insurance doesn't cover everything. Generally, HIF will not pay your claim if it relates to:
Unlawful, wreckless or unreasonably unsafe behaviour by you
Behaviour while you were drunk or under the influence of drugs
Expenses related to a pre-existing medical condition
Pre-existing medical conditions not listed on your insurance policy
Self-inflicted injury or illness, suicide or attempted suicide
Make sure you review the HIF PDS for a detailed breakdown of what won't be covered, found under its list of general exclusions.
How to make an HIF Travel Insurance claim
You can lodge your claim online, 24 hours a day, at the Allianz Claims Portal.
If you need support lodging your claim, you can call HIF customer support on 11300 313 302, Weekdays 8am - 7pm AEST or on Saturday 8am - 5pm AEST.
Alternatively, you can email Allianz, the provider of HIF travel insurance, on travelinsurance@allianz-assistance.com.au.
Here's the bottom line about HIF Travel Insurance
HIF offers a great range of customisations including options to add pre-existing medical conditions, change item limits, and adjust excesses, as well as snow, adventure, and cruise packs.
There's also no age limit to HIF's Comprehensive, Domestic and Non-Medical policies, making them suitable for travellers young and old.
However, HIF is lacking cover for COVID-19. In most cases, you or your travelling partner would need to be diagnosed with COVID-19 to make a claim, which leaves you exposed to some risks.
Cover for pregnancy could also be stronger, ending at the 24th week while many other brands extend cover beyond this mark.
No. You do not need to be an existing HIF customer in order to buy HIF travel insurance.
No. HIF offers travel insurance to all ages. However, the snow and adventure packs are only available to travellers aged under 75.
HIF will provide cover for your children or grandchildren (including stepchildren, adopted children, foster children and children you care for under a legal guardian arrangement).
However, they must be accompanying you for 100% of your journey, must not be in full-time employment, and must be aged under 25 years. In some cases, an additional premium may be required.
Request travel insurance quotes and compare policies
Nicola Middlemiss is a contributing writer at Finder, with a special interest in personal finance and insurance. Formerly a business and finance journalist, Nicola has written thousands of articles helping Australians better understand insurance and grow their personal wealth. She has contributed to a wide range of publications, including Domain, the Educator, Financy, Fundraising and Philanthropy, Insurance Business, MoneyMag, Mortgage Professional, Yahoo Finance, Your Investment Property, and Wealth Professional. Nicola has a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Leeds.
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