Questions, answered in the first sentence

Medicare and most domestic health funds do not reliably cover overseas medical treatment, evacuation, or trip cancellation. For international travel, a travel insurance policy is the usual way Australians transfer those risks — after reading the PDS for destination, activity, age, and medical limits.

Compare the PDS, not the brochure headline. Line up medical and evacuation limits, cancellation triggers, excess, activity exclusions, destination and age rules, then get a quote for your actual itinerary. Price alone is a poor ranking.

Typical Australian policies can include overseas medical and dental emergency, evacuation and repatriation, trip cancellation or interruption, luggage, and personal liability. What is actually covered is defined by the PDS, your answers on the application, and any medical screening.

An excess is the amount you agree to pay towards an accepted claim. A lower premium often means a higher excess. Check whether medical claims use a different excess, and whether you can buy the excess down.

Sometimes for a short, simple trip — often not. Complimentary card cover usually has activation rules, trip-length caps, age limits, and thinner medical or cancellation wording. Read the card’s insurance terms, not the points-marketing page.

Often yes, if you disclose it and complete the insurer’s screening. Undisclosed conditions are a common reason claims are reduced or refused. Some conditions are excluded, some are covered after assessment, and some need a written variation.

You contact the 24-hour assistance line for medical emergencies before expensive treatment where you reasonably can, keep receipts and reports, then lodge through the insurer’s claims channel with the documents listed in the PDS. Time limits apply.

For medical emergencies, contact the 24-hour assistance line on your certificate before expensive treatment where you reasonably can. Keep reports and receipts, then lodge through the insurer’s claims channel within the PDS time limits.

Often only with a winter-sports add-on, and usually on marked pistes. Off-piste, racing and some equipment claims need specific wording.

You need wording that treats the ship as part of the journey: onboard medical care, evacuation from a vessel, and missed connections to the home port.

Definitions, medical and evacuation limits, general exclusions, activity lists, excess, claims time limits, and any screening outcome. Marketing pages are optional.