Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

When you’re travelling overseas, right up there with your passport on the list of travel essentials, is travel insurance^{2https://smartraveller.gov.au/guide/all-travellers/insurance/Pages/default.aspx}. Even if you’re just travelling within Australia, travel insurance is a great idea, as luggage can still be lost and unforeseen circumstances can also force the cancellation of your trip.

So if you’re planning several holidays over the next twelve months, especially multiple overseas trips, then you may find that a multi trip travel insurance policy, or annual travel insurance policy, offers the most value for your travel needs.

What is multi trip travel insurance?

A multi trip travel insurance policy is also known as an annual travel insurance policy. It’s a policy that covers you for unlimited trips for a twelve month period, usually for trips of up to 60 days in duration. However, if you’re going on a longer trip, for example, a 90 day trip, then you will need to take out a policy that covers you for 90 days specifically – otherwise you may only be covered for the first 60 days of your 90 day trip.

There’s lots of other things that can go wrong on your travels, which is why it’s important to still get travel insurance. Here’s just a few examples:

• Being injured in an accident and requiring medical treatment or even repatriation
• Falling ill and needing to either cancel your trip, or return home early
• Lost or stolen personal belongings such as luggage, travel documents, equipment, cash and electronic devices
• Travel delays resulting in missed bookings
• Causing an injury to someone else or accidentally damaging their property
• Having an accident in a hire vehicle and being able to claim any insurance excess costs

Lots of people fall back on travel insurance included with their credit card, but it’s important to check the level of cover and any exclusions, as this base level cover may not provide adequate protection.

Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) so you know exactly what is and isn’t included before you make your decision.

Going on multiple holidays in one year? Multi-trip insurance might be for you!

A multi trip travel insurance policy may provide great value if you’re taking multiple holidays within a twelve month period.

Even just two or three trips can mean that an annual policy provides you with the cover you need and within your budget, depending on your destinations. Just be sure to check that the policy covers you for all activities on your various trips. For example, if you’re going to have a Singapore resort holiday, a ski trip in Canada and a European boat cruise, make sure that you get cover that includes skiing and adventure sports and cruise insurance.

Like to book holidays spontaneously? Purchase cover for the year and avoid last minute hassles

An annual travel insurance policy is also an excellent option for those deal watchers out there who like to book spontaneous trips when the price is right.

With multi-trip insurance you avoid last minute scrambling to organise travel insurance while you’re busy packing, or racing to the airport. Just book your deal, pack your bag, and you’re good to go, safe in the knowledge that you’re covered should something go wrong.

Remember though that most insurers won’t provide cover for situations like:

• Travelling to countries in defiance of government recommendations
• Negligence, like deliberately leaving your luggage unattended
• Drug and alcohol related incidents
• Extreme or dangerous activities that are not specifically listed as inclusions on your policy
• Unlawful activities

What about extended trips?

Multi-trip policies may place restrictions on the length of each individual trip you take. These restrictions can be from anywhere from 15 to 365 days^{3https://smartraveller.gov.au/guide/all-travellers/insurance/Pages/choice-travel-insurance-buying-guide.aspx}, so it’s important to read the fine print on your policy. If you’re planning a longer trip, it’s important to understand how your policy may treat these restrictions.

How to compare multi trip travel insurance policies

Some of the things you may need to consider when evaluating a multi-trip travel insurance policy, or comparing it to multiple single trip policies include:

• Do you need domestic cover, international cover or both?
• Your intended overseas destinations – for example, if you’re more of a spontaneous traveller who chooses where to go based on the best deals, it could be worth choosing cover for the more expensive destinations, just in case
• What style of traveller are you? Are you a city loving urbanite, happy to explore the trendiest restaurants and get your culture on in the world’s best museums? Or are you more of an adventure sports junkie that needs cover in case of broken limbs and other injuries?
• How long will each trip be? For most insurers trips longer than 60 days in duration will need a specific policy

Start comparing multi-trip travel policies today!

At iSelect we understand there’s more exciting things you’d rather be doing before your trip than organising insurance. That’s why we make it easy to compare travel insurance policies side by side, so that you can find the one that suits you, and purchase it right there on the spot. Start comparing online today!

Written by

iSelect Editorial Team

Writer

The iSelect Editorial Team is comprised of a bunch of seasoned writers, editors, industry professionals and data analysts who are dedicated to helping Aussies improve their financial literacy.