Toothbrushes more important to Aussie travellers than insurance
Results from a recent survey suggest that while most Australians wouldn’t leave home without a toothbrush, many would be willing to travel without proper insurance.
Startlingly, a recent Galaxy poll consisting of over 1,000 travellers revealed that just 10 per cent of people considered travel insurance a “must-have” expense.
This put travel insurance well behind other expenses like toiletries and credit cards which, while important in their own respect, perhaps aren’t as critical.
What might be just as disturbing however, is the startling admission from more than half the survey’s respondents that they had in the taken international trips in the past without bothering to take out any travel insurance before heading overseas.
Allianz Global Assistance Chief Market Manager Damien Arthur expressed concern when speaking to News.com, “When you compare the cost of replacing a $2 toothbrush to the cost of having to cover an $85,000 medical repatriation from the US, it’s not in the same ballpark. I think there needs to be a bit more prioritisation in people’s minds.”
Mr Arthur also noted that insurance tended to be more of a priority for people the further they travelled from home. Visitors to popular locations like the US were considered more risk conscious than those to places like New Zealand and Indonesia.
“Going to the US is a big trip for people so they are more inclined to take out insurance,” Mr Arthur said. “On the other hand New Zealand is considered a “low-risk” destination because of the reciprocal health agreement with Australia but people forget about things like cancellations and lost luggage.”
The importance of ensuring you have sufficient travel insurance is highlighted on the Federal Government’s Smart Traveller resource, which notes, “Travellers without travel insurance are personally liable for covering any medical and associated costs they incur. The Australian Government won't pay for your medical treatment overseas or medical evacuation to Australia or a third country. If you are uninsured, you (or your family) are personally responsible for covering any medical or other costs resulting from unexpected incidents or accidents.”
One of the greatest shames about this is the fact that it’s relatively easy and inexpensive to organise your travel insurance before you go. Over60 Travel Insurance allows you to tailor your cover to your needs and save money by not paying for things you don’t need. Click here to read more about Over60 Travel Insurance.
For more information about Over60 Travel Insurance, call 1800 622 966.
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