Travel insurance can be a little confusing at the best of times, let alone with new COVID-19 rules and requirements. We’ve had a chat with nib Travel’s National Head of Sales, Matt Endycott to shed some light on travel insurance in this new era of travel.
Matt Endycott joined nib Travel as Head of Sales in August 2017. Before joining nib, Matt held various roles across different travel industry segments, including Adventure World (The Travel Corporation) and Virgin Australia.
For those new to nib Travel, it is a trusted travel insurance provider partnering with businesses and travel agents across Australia.
With its expert network of travel insurance partners, nib Travel Insurance helps to empower travellers to make the right choices when buying travel insurance.
So let’s find out the answers to your most burning questions right now:
What happens if I have to cancel my trip before I go because I get COVID-19 or because of related travel restrictions? Can I claim my money back on my trip?
nib Travel has introduced cover for some coronavirus-related events on all of our plans (excl. the Cancellation and Additional Expenses Plan). Still, the types of benefits and benefit limits vary.
Our policies include plans which can offer cover for Coronavirus Travel Costs which includes cover for several coronavirus related events, including cover for quarantine expenses and trip cancellation if you are diagnosed with coronavirus.
If a traveller is unfit to travel due to contracting COVID-19, they may be able to access up to $2,500 in benefits.
Our policies do not offer cover for cancellation due to travel restrictions – this is a General exclusion under our products.
If a traveller’s trip is impacted, we encourage them to submit a claim, which will be assessed, along with all supporting documentation.
What happens if I catch COVID-19 whilst travelling? Am I covered for medical expenses, quarantine, cancellations?
If you get sick with coronavirus while on your trip, all of nib’s International travel insurance plans include cover for overseas medical expenses, subject to all policy terms and conditions.
This benefit is unlimited for up to 12 months from the date an illness first appears or injury first occurs and can cover reasonable and necessary medical expenses overseas.
Compulsory quarantine due to diagnosis and cancellations can also be covered under Coronavirus travel costs on plans that include this benefit, up to $2,500.
What happens if I have to quarantine on arrival because I’m a close contact or contracted the virus en-route? Am I covered for hotels costs and extras?
If the traveller’s policy has the Coronavirus travel costs benefit, this can provide cover for quarantine or additional costs if you are required to quarantine as a close contact or contracting COVID-19.
There is a limit of $2,500 for all expenses under this benefit.
The policy does not offer cover for routine quarantine that is not a result of your diagnosis or close contact with a case of COVID-19.
Do vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers have the same cover?
There is no impact on travel insurance premiums based on a traveller’s vaccination status.
However, it’s essential for travellers to know that our policies contain exclusions for failure to observe appropriate preventative measures for the travel region as outlined by the World Health Organization, including relevant vaccinations.
Travellers should maintain an awareness of government restrictions that may affect their ability to travel and also be aware that losses arising from border closures and travel bans are not covered by travel insurance policies.
What are your unique selling points?
One of the great things about nib is that we include cover for cruising at no additional premium. This also includes cover for some coronavirus related events before and during the cruise.
For families travelling together, you are able to add up to six dependents (up to the age of 25 years) to an adult’s policy free of charge.
In addition to medical expenses overseas, our comprehensive and AMT policies can offer cover for expenses relating to eight COVID-19 related events.
There is also no age limit on International comprehensive and AMT plans.
Does nib have ways of communicating with both travel advisors and travellers? How easy is it to speak with somebody directly?
We have teams available in customer service via phone and email for general enquiries, and while away, travellers have access to our 24/7 emergency assistance team who are based in Australia and can help when overseas.
We understand travel insurance will be critical in giving travellers the confidence to explore the world again.
The Partnerships team host regular monthly webinars and share important information about our products via EDM on a regular basis.
We’re available Monday – Friday between 9am – 6pm and can be contacted on partners@nib.com.au or via your Partnership Manager directly.
Visit their website for more on what’s covered under nib Travel’s policies for COVID-19.
Click here for more information.
