Your complete guide to Westpac credit card complimentary travel insurance.
This page is a summarised guide to Westpac credit cards’ complimentary insurance policy, which is provided by QBE Insurance. All claims and enquiries relating to the insurance should go through QBE, rather than Westpac. You can also refer to the Consumer Cards Complimentary Insurance Policy Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Information Booklet available on the Westpac website for a full overview of your policy inclusions and exclusions.
Which cards offer complimentary travel insurance?
| Card Category | Card |
|---|---|
| Black CardsWhere the term ‘Black Cards’ appears, it refers to the following eligible Westpac credit cards: |
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| Platinum Plus CardsWhere the term ‘Platinum Plus cards’ appears, it refers to the following eligible Westpac credit cards: |
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| Platinum A CardsWhere the term ‘Platinum A cards’ appears, it refers to the following eligible Westpac credit cards: | |
| Platinum B CardsWhere the term ‘Platinum B cards’ appears, it refers to the following eligible Westpac credit cards: | |
| Gold CardsWhere the term ‘Gold Cards’ appears, it refers to the following eligible Westpac credit cards: |
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Benefits and features of Westpac credit cards
What are the eligibility requirements?
Cardholders with an eligible Westpac credit cards can get complimentary overseas travel insurance when they satisfy these requirements:
- Australian residence. You permanently reside in Australia, or you currently reside in Australia and hold a valid 457 Visa.
- $500 prepaid travel expenditure. You spend $500 or more on prepaid travel costs (e.g. return travel ticket, airport or departure taxes, prepaid overseas accommodation or travel itinerary items) before departing Australia, and charge these costs to your eligible Westpac credit card.
- Return travel ticket. You have a return overseas travel ticket before leaving Australia.
- 80 and under. You are not over 80 years of age when you first qualify for coverage by meeting the three conditions above.
Spouse and dependent children
If you’re eligible for this complimentary insurance, your spouse or dependent child will also qualify for coverage if they satisfy these four requirements:
- Travel together on entire journey. The spouse and/or dependent child or children travels with the cardholder for the entire journey.
- $500 prepaid travel expenditure. Each spouse and/or dependent child spends $500 or more on prepaid travel costs (e.g. return travel ticket, airport or departure taxes, prepaid overseas accommodation or travel itinerary items) before departing Australia, and they charge these costs to your eligible Westpac credit card.
- Return travel ticket. The spouse and/or dependent child or children has a return overseas travel ticket before leaving Australia.
- Not over 80. The spouse and/or dependent child or children is not over 80 years of age when they first qualify for coverage by meeting the three conditions above.
Definition for spouse and dependents
Spouse
Defacto partner of the cardholder who is permanently living with the cardholder at the time the journey starts, or a person married to the cardholder.
Dependent children
- All children up to and including the age of 18, who the cardholder has sole custody of and who live with the cardholder.
- All children up to and including the age of 18, who the cardholder has shared custody of.
- All children from 19 to and including 25 years of age, who are full-time students attending an accredited institution of higher learning in Australia and who the cardholder has sole or shared custody of, and who are dependent upon the cardholder for their maintenance and financial support.
- All unmarried persons who are physically and mentally incapable of self-support who the cardholder has custody of and who live with the cardholder.
- Dependent children under two years of age when the journey commences are eligible for overseas travel insurance, once the cardholder becomes eligible for the same insurance, as long as the dependent child is travelling with the cardholder for the entire journey.
- Dependent child/children never includes an infant born on the journey.
What insurances are provided under this policy?
| Benefit | Limits | |
|---|---|---|
| Black cards, Platinum Plus cards and Platinum A cards | ||
| 1. Medical and hospital expenses incurred overseas. | Unlimited, except emergency dental is limited to $2,000 per person and bed care patient allowance is limited to a total of $15,000 ($100 per day on miscellaneous expenses such as phone calls and TV rental). | |
| 2. Loss or damage to personal property. | Up to $20,000 per person and $30,000 per family, except property and personal goods left unattended in a motor vehicle are only insured up to $5,000 in total. | |
| Clothing and personal valuables. | Up to $5,000 per item. | |
| Portable electrical equipment and binoculars. | Up to $5,000 per item. | |
| Cameras and associated equipment/ accessories. | Up to $5,500 per item. | |
| Laptop computers and associated equipment/ accessories. | $5,500 in total. | |
| Travel documents, travellers’ cheques, credit cards, cash etc. Up to A$5,000/item. | Up to $550 per person and $1,250 per family. | |
| Emergency replacement of your clothes and toiletries. | Up to $800 per person and $1,600 per family. Note: Does not cover items used for any business purpose or purchased in a business name. | |
| 3. Unexpected cancellation of travel arrangements and other unexpected expenses. | Unlimited for covered events, except:A travel agent’s cancellation fee, which is limited to the lesser of $500 or 15% of the travel value arranged.
| |
| Cover for the financial insolvency or financial collapse of a licensed service provider is limited to $5,000 per person and $10,000 per family. | ||
| 4. Resumption of journey following the death of a relative. | Up to $5,750 per person and $12,500 per family. | |
| 5. Special event | Up to $3,750 for reasonable costs of arranging alternative transport to attend a special event. | |
| 6. Rental vehicle excess. | Up to $5,500. | |
| 7. Travel delay. | For reasonable additional meal and accommodation costs after a six hour delay, up to $500 per person and $1,100 per family. | |
| 8. Funeral expenses. | ||
| 9. Accidental death. | In the event of accidental death which is not covered under the ‘Transit accident insurance policy’, $50,000 per cardholder and $25,000 for a spouse or dependent child/children to a maximum of $150,000 per family. | |
| 10. Legal liability. | Limit of $2,500,000. | |
| 11. Loss of income. | Up to 12 consecutive weeks cover limited to $1,000 per person per week and a maximum of $12,000 in total. | |
| 12. Domestic Pets Boarding. | Up to $50 per 24-hour period and a maximum of $500. | |
| 13. Assault requiring hospitalisation. | Limit of $500. | |
| 14. Hijack and detention. | Up to $250 per person per 24-hour period and a maximum of $20,000 per family. | |
| 15. Kidnap and Ransom | Up to $100,000. | |
Policy exclusions: What is not covered?
Generally, you will not be covered for:
- Pre-existing medical conditions. Pre-existing medical conditions are not automatically covered by this travel insurance. You may be able to get cover for some conditions by contacting QBE on 1800 091 710 and discussing your circumstances.
- Pregnancy and childbirth. Unless the condition is an unforeseen consequence of the pregnancy or childbirth.
- Travel taken against medical advice/after diagnosis of a terminal illness. Also includes travel for the purpose of getting medical treatment or advice.
- Alcohol or drugs. Except when the drugs are prescribed by a qualified and registered medical practitioner.
- Illegal activities. This includes fraud and abuse.
- Underwater activities using artificial breathing equipment. Except if you have an open water diving license or are diving with a qualified and registered diving instructor.
- Air travel and aerial activity. Except when you are a paid passenger in a fully licensed commercial passenger aircraft.
- Exchange rate changes. This includes currency devaluation.
All other general exclusions, as well as specific exclusions applicable to your type of cover, can be found in your policy.
What is considered a pre-existing medical condition?
According to the policy booklet, a pre-existing medical condition refers to any existing medical condition (including but not limited to mental disorder, anxiety, alcoholism, drug addiction or pregnancy and/or any chronic or ongoing physical, medical or dental condition), for which investigation (whether or not a diagnosis has been made),where treatment or advice has been received, or medication prescribed or taken at any time before you obtained your return overseas travel ticket or after you obtained your return overseas travel ticket, but prior to the commencement of your journey.; or This definition also applies to any complication arising from any such condition. outlined above, except Note that unexpected/unforeseen events relating to pregnancy are not regarded as pre-existing medical conditions.
Conditions covered automatically without referral
Subject to the respective requirements stated below, these conditions are covered:
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Acne | You have not required treatment by a medical practitioner in the last three months. |
| Allergies | The condition has not required treatment by a medical practitioner in the last 9 months and you have no known respiratory conditions, e.g. Asthma. |
| Asthma | There has been no exacerbation requiring treatment by a medical practitioner in the last 12 months. |
| Cataracts / Glaucoma | You have no ongoing complications, are not on any waiting list for an operation and have not been operated on in the last two months. |
| Coeliac Disease | The condition has not required treatment by a medical practitioner in the last six months. |
| Diabetes / Glucose Intolerance | You were diagnosed more than 12 months ago and have not had any complications in the last 12 months. You must also have a blood sugar level reading between 4 and 12, or a HbA1C score of 9% or less, and must also not be currently undergoing treatment for kidney, eye or nerve complications. |
| Ear Grommets | You must not have a current infection. |
| Epilepsy | There are no underlying medical conditions (e.g. previous head trauma, stroke) and you have not required medical treatment for a seizure in the last two years. |
| Gastric Reflux | The condition does not relate to another underlying diagnosis (e.g. Hernia, gastric ulcer). |
| Gout | Your gout condition has remained stable for the last nine months. |
| Hiatus Hernia | No surgery is planned. |
| Hip / Knee Replacement | The hip or knee replacement was performed more than nine months ago and less than 10 years ago. |
| Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) | You have no known heart conditions and your current blood pressure reading is lower than 165/95. |
How do I apply for cover for a pre-existing medical condition?
You can apply for coverage of a pre-existing medical condition by contacting QBE before departing on your journey by calling 1800 091 710 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm AEST), or by completing an online assessment. If approved, you will be charged an administration fee will apply of $75 for phone applications or $45 for online applications. You will then receive confirmation outlining the pre-existing medical condition you are covered for, the period of cover, and any special conditions or exclusions which apply to the cover.
How do I know if I’m covered and what am I covered for?
Providing you meet the eligibility requirements outlined above, you automatically qualify for complimentary overseas travel insurance through your card. Similarly, your spouse and any dependent children will be covered as well if they meet the requirements listed above.
Period of cover
You are covered from the time you become eligible up until your journey ends.The maximum coverage is six months for Black cards, Platinum Plus cards and Platinum A cards, and three months for Platinum B cards and Gold cards. If your return to Australia is delayed due to covered events, coverage is automatically extended for up to four weeks.
Area of cover
Apart from overseas travel, this policy also covers you when:
- Travelling from Tasmania or from mainland Australia to Norfolk Island or Christmas Island.
- Travelling from Norfolk Island or from Christmas Island to Tasmania or mainland Australia; however medical and hospital expenses are not covered if the person claiming is eligible for Medicare benefits.
- Travelling from Tasmania or from mainland Australia to Lord Howe Island or Cocos Island; however medical and hospital expenses are not covered.
- Travelling from Lord Howe Island or from Cocos Island to Tasmania or mainland Australia; however medical and hospital expenses are not covered.
How do I make a claim?
In the event of a claim, please contact QBE directly.
Use the following policy numbers when making a claim:
| Insurance product | Policy number |
|---|---|
| Overseas travel insurance for persons up to and including 80 years of age | WP01000001-00 |
| Interstate flight inconvenience insurance | WP01000002-00 |
| Transit accident insurance | WP01000004-00 |
| Purchase security insurance | WP01000005-00 |
| Price guarantee cover | WP01000006-00 |
| Extended warranty insurance | WP01000007-00 |
| Rental vehicle excess in Australia insurance | WP01000009-00 |
Claims procedure
In the event of a claim, you must:
- Contact QBE within 30 days. Contact QBE on 1800 091 710 within 30 days or as soon as possible of returning home from overseas or interstate (even if you have previously reported the matter to QBE Assist). If you are already home, contact QBE within 30 days or as soon as possible of learning of an occurrence (loss, damage or breakdown) that may result in a claim.
- Provide any evidence or documentation required to verify your claim. Depending on the nature of your claim, this can include (but is not limited to) police reports, valuations, medical reports, credit card account statements, original receipts or proof of purchase and ownership, travel tickets and itineraries.
- Provide any liability claims against you in writing. You must not make any admission or offer to settle any claim, because doing so may reduce the amount payable in respect of the claim.
- Report all losses. Report anything that was lost (under the Loss or damage to personal goods benefit) to the local authority within 24 hours of learning of the theft, loss or damage. The report must clearly list and describe the missing or damaged property/personal goods.
- Provide all accounts. Submit accounts to your private health fund before submitting to QBE medical expense items.
- Immediately report any lost luggage or damage to the conveyance carrier and submit a claim to them. The conveyance carrier may be legally liable for the loss or damage.
Failure to comply
Failure to comply with any of these conditions relevant to your claim may result in a refusal of your claim or a reduction in the amount payable to you.
24 hour worldwide medical & emergency assistance
If you face an emergency, contact QBE immediately. In Australia, you can contact them on 1800 091 710. If you’re overseas you can call +61 3 8523 2800, fax +61 3 8523 2815 or email gbeassist@qbe.com. QBE also has local numbers for many countries, as well as the following Australian phone numbers for Westpac cardholders:
For Black cardholders: 1300 651 999 (Westpac)
For Platinum Plus or Platinum A or Platinum B cardholders: 1300 859 100 (Westpac)
For Gold cardholders: 1300 651 089 (Westpac)
You may also want to contact QBE, visit its website or refer to your Westpac credit card insurance booklet for details of local numbers when you are overseas.
Other available types of cover
- Purchase security insurance policy. QBE provides complimentary insurance against loss, theft, or accidental damage of a wide range of new personal goods purchased anywhere in the world. To get coverage, the entire purchase must be charged to your eligible credit card account.
- Extended warranty insurance policy. QBE provides extended warranty insurance if the entire purchase is charged to your eligible credit card account, the item has a manufacturer’s unique identification serial number on it and has an Australian warranty period of under five years.
- Price Guarantee Cover (Black card, Platinum Plus card & Platinum A cardholders only). QBE guarantees the best price when new personal goods are purchased in Australia and the entire cost is charged to your eligible credit card account. This scheme has certain conditions included in your policy.
- Interstate flight inconvenience insurance policy (Black card, Platinum Plus card & Platinum A cardholders only). If you charge the entire cost of your return interstate flight to your eligible credit card account, QBE will cover you for delays (including flight and 12-hour luggage delays), loss or damage to personal items, funeral expenses as a result of accidental death, and cancellation of domestic travel arrangements.
- Rental vehicle excess insurance in Australia policy (Black card, Platinum Plus card & Platinum A cardholders only). QBE will reimburse you up to $5,500 for any rental vehicle insurance excess or deductible provided you meet the claim eligibility criteria.
- Transit accident insurance policy. QBE provides accidental death and injury cover if you sustain an injury while riding as a passenger in, or boarding or alighting a plane, bus, train or ferry if the entire payment for the trip was charged to your eligible credit card account. Please see your policy for the full schedule of benefits.
This page is a summary of Westpac’s complimentary insurance policy. Please bear in mind that the available cover may vary between individuals, so you should contact Westpac or QBE directly to discuss any specific enquiries. Please also see the Policy Disclosure Statement (PDS) for a full overview of the policy inclusions and exclusions, and to confirm your coverage.
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Will Westpac complimentary insurance cover me for a ten day tour in Cuba
Regards Ruby
Hi Ruby,
Thank you for your inquiry.
If your Westpac credit card comes with a complimentary travel insurance, you must meet the eligibility criteria listed above in order to get cover for your 10-day travel in Cuba. You may also like to get in touch with QBE Insurance on the phone number listed above if you have specific inquiries about the complimentary insurance policy.
Cheers,
May
I have a. Westpac Earth Platinum Card. Am I covered for overseas travel insurance. Also does it cover cruise insurance
Hi Denise,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Yes, your Westpac Earth Platinum Card comes with a complimentary travel insurance, but I’m afraid that the policy does not include cruise cover. You might like to compare travel insurance options which include cover for cruises here.
Cheers,
May
I am a holder of a Westpac altitude black master card and American Express card. My family are travelling to QLD next month, are we covered by the complimentary travel insurance for airfares and accommodation?
Hi Susan,
Thanks for your question.
Just to confirm that the complimentary travel insurance attached to the eligible Westpac credit card is applicable for international travel only. Although it may cover interstate flight inconvenience insurance, which is outlined above. For the overseas travel, to be eligible, before you leave Australia for your journey, you must use your Westpac Altitude Black to purchase your travel costs worth $500 or more per person (for you, your spouse and dependent children) as explained above under “What are the eligibility requirements?” section.
Cheers,
May
I AM A HOLDER OF A WESTPAC EARTH BLACK MASTERCARD CREDIT CARD AND A WESTPAC EARTH BLACK AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CARD.
CAN YOU ,PLEASE,SEND ME THE WESTPAC CREDIT CARDS COMPLIMENTARY INSURANCE POLICY BOOKLET,ABOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE.
THANK YOU.
I Have an Earth Black master card. We are traveling to Norfolk Island later this year.
Are we covered for insurance with this card?
Do we have to register our holiday before we go with the insurance group?
Hi Pam,
Thank you for your question and for contacting finder.com.au – we financial comparison website and general information service designed to help consumers make better decisions. Please note that we are not affiliated with any company we feature on our site.
The Westpac Earth Black credit card actually comes with a complimentary travel insurance and as stated in the T&Cs for the purpose of the purposes of the ‘Overseas travel insurance policy,’ travel from Tasmania or from mainland Australia to Norfolk Island will be considered as overseas travel. You will only be eligible to get covered by the complimentary travel insurance if you meet the requirements outlined above.
You may like to review the T&Cs outlined in the PDS for more details.
Cheers,
May
Hi Jean-Pierre,
Thanks for reaching out.
Please note that we are finder.com.au, a financial comparison and information website, not Westpac. I’ve sent you an email with a link to Westpac Credit Cards Complimentary Insurance Policy PDF. If you wish to receive a hard copy, you can directly request it from Westpac.
Cheers,
Anndy
I am having trouble finding the assessment form to fill in for pre-existing conditions. I need to fill out two forms
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your reaching out.
The assessment forms can be accessed through the QBE website. You can also get in touch with QBE directly if you need assistance in filling out the forms. For your convenience, I’ve forwarded to your email QBE’s website and contact details.
Cheers,
May
Hi. I have booked Flights to NZ in August using my linked American Express Westpac Altitude Black card. Does this activate the insurance or do I have to use the Westpac Altitude Master card to activate the insurance. Thanks Rod
Hi Rod,
Thanks for your question.
As a Westpac Altitude Black cardholder, you automatically become eligible for complimentary Overseas Travel Insurance cover once you meet all of the eligibility criteria listed on the Westpac Credit Cards Complimentary Insurance Policy booklet I’ve sent on your email. You just need to use any of the cards linked to your account to meet the prepaid travel cost spend criteria of at least $A500.
Cheers,
Anndy
How does my complimentary Insurance Policy become activated? I paid for my travel some weeks ago and thought it was “automatic”. Someone has now suggested that I should have made contact with Westpac to indicate I used my platinum Amex/Mastercard to be issued with a policy.
I am frantic because I thought all was OK – and I leave for the USA on Monday. HELP!!!!
Hi Ron,
Thanks for your question.
Nothing to worry about as no need to activate the complimentary travel insurance policy attached to your Westpac Platinum card. When you use your card to purchase for your return overseas travel ticket and pay for your travel costs (at least AU$500), your complimentary overseas travel insurance will automatically become effective/activated.
I have forwarded to your email the link where you can access the Westpac credit card complimentary travel insurance booklet in PDF format for more information.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
May
If I pay my full fare / cost to Lord Howe Island via credit card is travel insurance included?
Hi Terry,
Thanks four inquiry.
Yes, you are covered provided that at least $500 of the travel costs are paid for using the appropriate Westpac credit card. Moreover, as stated on page 12 of Westpac Credit Cards Complimentary Insurance Policy, travel from Tasmania or from mainland Australia to Lord Howe Island or Cocos Island will be considered as overseas, however, medical and hospital expenses are not covered.
I’ve forwarded to your email the link where you can access the Westpac Credit Cards Complimentary Insurance Policy for your reference.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
May
My wife and I intend booking a tour to Indochina this year which will cost more than $2000 and will be paid for with my Platinum Plus Card My birthday is on 6th August 2016, when I will turn 81 years
I satisfy the eligibility conditions on Page 30 of your Brochure but have the following questions regarding Complimentary Travel Insurance
1 Does our journey have to be commenced before 6th August
2 If so, does our journey have to be completed before 6th August
Hi Richard,
Thanks for reaching out.
Kindly note that finder.com.au is an online comparison service that does not represent any credit card issuer such as Westpac.
Nonetheless, their terms and conditions indicate that as long as you are not over 80 years of age when you first become eligible for the cover, plus you permanently reside in Australia or hold a valid 457 Visa and reside in Australia, and you’ve already purchased a return overseas travel ticket before leaving Australia, then you will be covered.
Should you wish to clarify on this further, it would be best to contact Westpac’s insurance company directly, which is QBE.
That said, I have emailed you the link to Westpac’s complimentary travel insurance policy together with QBE’s contact details for your reference.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Ally
I have purchased a 3 day Cruise out of Brisbane. The ship does not dock anywhere. I do not need a passport. Does this qualify as an overseas trip? Do I qualify for the QBE Black Card insurance? I am spending just over $500 and I’m under 80 years old.
Hi J.C. , thanks for your question!
Unfortunately Westpac’s credit card complimentary insurance policy does not include cruise cover. You may like compare travel insurance options which include cover for cruises on this page.
Cheers,
Jonathan