In general, travel insurance will not cover you for pre-existing health conditions unless the insurer has been told about the condition and agrees to provide cover before the insurance starts. The definition of ‘pre-existing condition’ depends on your policy with some definitions being much broader than others. You should declare any pre-existing health conditions to your travel insurance provider if you want to have it covered.
You can purchase travel insurance through a broker, travel agent or directly through an insurance company. But remember, when it comes time to make a claim, insurers can sometimes make things difficult for you and refuse to pay out your claim. So, if you’ve had a denied travel insurance claim that you want to dispute, Taxcellent Consulting Services is here for you. Our expert travel insurance lawyers can help you receive your full entitlement by:
There are some travel insurance policies that offer such low coverage for a small range of incidents that they simply aren’t worth buying. So, make sure the policy provides all the coverage options you need before you buy it. If the premium seems too good to be true compared to other policies then it probably is!
Most policies state you that must provide evidence to support a claim. For example, if you’re claiming for the cancellation of flights due to ill health, you would need to produce the medical certificates and flight cancellation documents.
If your travel insurance claim is denied, get in touch with your local Taxcellent Consulting Services team. Our travel insurance lawyers are experts at combing through to fine print of insurance policies to help you get your full entitlement.
If your travel has been impacted by the pandemic, be sure to read our COVID-19 travel insurance claims blog article for information on how to make a travel insurance claim during these uncertain times.
We even offer ‘no win, no fee’* arrangements for these types of cases. This means that you don’t pay if your claim isn’t successful.
We have travel insurance lawyers across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin and throughout regional Australia.
Contact us today to receive a free travel insurance claim check and find out how we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the policy wording but generally you are covered as long as you’re not currently receiving medical treatment for your pre-existing condition. You’ll also be covered if the insurer has been told about your condition and agrees to provide cover.
Call your insurer on their international contact number. It should be listed on your policy certificate.
Contact Taxcellent Consulting Services as soon as your claim is rejected. If we believe you have a legal right to the insurance payout, we can help you challenge your insurance company’s decision.
Time limits for travel insurance claims will vary between insurers, but commonly you must lodge your claim within a specified period of you returning from your trip – typically 30 days. Insurer’s cannot deny claims outright when they are lodged late but it can make the claim more difficult.
How much you receive from your claim will depend on the type of event you are claiming for and what your excess is. An excess is the amount above which your insurer will pay for an event.
For example, most travel insurance policies have excesses between approximately $100 – $250. So if you have a $200 excess and $1800 medical bill, the most the insurer will pay you is $1600.
Your insurer has to respond to your dispute within 45 days from the time you first raised a complaint.
If your dispute is not resolved within 45 days you can lodge an additional complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). Their decision is binding on your insurer and your local Taxcellent Consulting Services team can help you increase your chance of success throughout the dispute process.
Yes, absolutely. If you believe your insurer has incorrectly denied your claim you can lodge a dispute with them directly or through the AFCA. It is also possible to sue the insurer through Court.
Your dedicated team of travel insurance lawyers at Maurice Blackburn can help you with your claim by:
- Advising you on whether you have a valid claim
- Submitting all the necessary paperwork and presenting it in the most convincing way
- Ensuring your claim is processed as quickly as possible
- Negotiating with your insurance company and their legal teams
- Fighting to ensure you receive your full entitlement
