Has Anyone Used Budget Direct Travel Insurance?

If we determine that the accident was not your fault, we’ll have the damage to your car inspected and fixed.

You will not be required to pay an excess if you provide us with the full name, residential address, and car registration number of the at-fault driver or person.

While your car is being fixed, we’ll offer you with a complimentary rental car.

Who is Budget Direct underwritten by?

We employ over 1,300 individuals and work with hundreds of car repair shops and construction companies across the country.

Auto & General Insurance Firm Limited, an Australian insurance company regulated by APRA and a member of the Insurance Council of Australia, underwrites our policies.

The firm includes one of the largest direct personal lines insurers in South Africa and one of the largest personal lines insurance intermediaries in the United Kingdom, with approximately nine million customers.

Can you claim lost money on travel insurance?

Not taking reasonable care of your cash: If you leave your cash unattended or out in the open, you won’t be able to make a claim; instead, keep it on your person or in your hotel safe.

Who offers higher coverage?

Budget Direct’s benefit restrictions are often higher than AAMI’s. For example, they cover emergency repairs up to $1,000, but Budget Direct only covers up to $500. They also win when it comes to emergency travel and lodging, with up to $1,000 in coverage versus $850 from Budget Direct. Personal property is the same way. Budget Direct only offers $500, but AAMI has a $1,000 cap. AAMI is arguably the finest vehicle insurer for you if you want all of these benefits.

What companies does each underwriter work with?

AAMI is a component of the Suncorp Network, which includes AAMI, Suncorp, GIO, Apia, Shannons, and Bingle. AAI Limited, a joint venture between the Suncorp Group and Good Shepherd Microfinance, underwrites their car insurance.

Auto & General Insurance Company Limited, part of the international BHL group, underwrites Budget Direct. Since its inception in 2000, Auto & General has specialized in the sale, management, and underwriting of insurance products in Australia. Budget Direct, Australia Post, Virgin Money, 1st for Women, Ozicare, and ING are among the companies that they insure.

Is Budget Direct Australian owned?

Budget Direct is an Auto & General low-cost, value-focused insurance brand based in Brisbane, Australia. Auto & General Insurance Company Limited underwrites their car and home insurance products. Auto & General Insurance Company is a member of the Insurance Council of Australia and is regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).

Budget Direct is part of the Budget Insurance business, which was founded in the early 1970s and collects insurance premiums.

Is Budget Direct owned by QBE?

Budget Direct referred New South Wales motorists seeking obligatory third party insurance to QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd from 2005 to 2019. While we’re delighted to have been associated with QBE, our contract with them expired on December 31, 2019.

Is YOUI owned by Suncorp?

AAI Limited, a joint venture between Suncorp Group and Good Shepherd Microfinance, underwrites its car insurance. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Australian Securities and Investment Commission regulate Youi Pty Ltd, which underwrites its own policies (ASIC).

Is YOUI an Australian company?

Youi Pty Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Youi Holdings Pty Ltd, which is a subsidiary of OUTsurance International Holdings Pty Limited, which is part of the Rand Merchant Insurance Holdings (RMIH) Group. Youi Pty Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Youi Holdings Pty Ltd, which is a subsidiary of OUTsurance International Holdings Pty Limited.

Youi Pty Ltd is a licensed general insurer that underwrites its own policies. Vehicle (Car, NSW CTP Green Slip, Motorcycle, Caravan and Trailer), Home (Buildings and Contents), Watercraft, and Small Business Insurance are presently available.

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) regulate us, and we are members of the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and signatories to the General Insurance Code of Practice. We’re a completely owned subsidiary of OUTsurance International Holdings Pty Limited, a large international insurance services business that’s part of the Rand Merchant Insurance Holdings Group (RMIH).

Our Australian Business Number (ABN) is 79 123 074 733, and we have the number 316511 on our Australian Financial Services License (AFSL).

We respect the privacy of your personal information and adhere to the Australian Privacy Principles and the Privacy Act. View our Privacy Statement and Terms of Service.

Does travel insurance cover lost or stolen items?

When you think of travel insurance, you probably think of a medical emergency.

When accidents or major diseases while traveling abroad are uncommon, a respectable insurance carrier should cover the following:

  • Visits to licensed medical professionals (relating to your emergency injury)
  • Unless you have a more comprehensive plan from a business like Medjet, medical evacuation is usually limited to a local medical facility. For further information on evacuation, see the section below.)

Accidental or natural disaster-related medical evacuations might cost up to $500,000 USD. Naturally, having a comprehensive insurance plan comes in helpful in this situation. Most insurance policies will transport you to a safe location “In the event of an injury or natural disaster, go to the “nearest appropriate facility.” They don’t have to send you home, contrary to popular assumption.

If your doctor deems it essential, you may be repatriation to your home country, however this is uncommon and normally only occurs when local medical personnel are unable to give the care you require. That is why firms such as Medjet exist; they assure that you go home, not merely to a nearby hospital “acceptable” service

Accidental injury and unexpected pain are covered here, as they are in other medical crises. For instance, chipped teeth or an unexpected infection.

General checkups and extensive dental procedures that isn’t related to an injury or accident occurred while traveling are not covered. You’ll have to pay out of pocket if you merely need your teeth cleaned or a new filling.

When compared to the rest of your medical emergency coverage, most policies provide modest dental coverage (typically under $1,000 USD).

I understand that thinking about something like this happening is never nice, but knowing that you’re protected will offer you and your family piece of mind.

Most insurance plans will cover the costs of a family member collecting your body and transporting it home if the worst happens. Some insurance will also cover cremation or international burial if that is desired.

Death from alcohol or illicit substances, suicide, or pre-existing diseases not covered by the plan are also common exclusions.

Death/dismemberment coverage ranges from $5,000 to $50,000 in most policies. Many firms, on the other hand, do not provide coverage for this. If death and dismemberment coverage is important to you, make sure you get an insurance from a provider that offers it.

You can seek compensation from your travel insurance provider if your flight is delayed or canceled (provided the airline does not cover you). You can claim for reimbursement as long as the cancellation or delay was not your fault. However, sleeping in does not qualify as an acceptable justification for missing your flight!

Keep all emails, receipts, and correspondence from your airline about the delay or cancellation, since you’ll need them to verify your claim and receive reimbursement.

You can claim for reimbursement from your insurance carrier if you need to cancel your trip — either before or during your trip — due to a certified medical reason, the death of a close relative, or the death of your travel companion.

If you’re canceling due to illness, request a note from your doctor to validate your claim. You’ll need to supply a copy of the death certificate if you’re canceling due to a death (as well as other supporting documentation).

Unless you have a premium plan, coverage is usually restricted to a few thousand dollars. World Nomad’s Explorer Plan, for example, provides up to $10,000 USD in trip cancellation coverage, but their Standard Plan only provides $2,500 USD.

Most travel insurance companies will compensate you for some or all of your belongings if they are stolen while you are abroad (there are usually limits on gear like laptops and cameras unless you buy a comprehensive plan with additional coverage). Make sure you file a police report because you’ll need it to file a claim.

Compensation for delayed baggage or baggage that is damaged in transit is frequently included in the coverage.

Some plans may cover the expense of having a replacement passport or credit card shipped to you if your wallet or passport is stolen (this usually will depend on your residency). You won’t be able to claim the money if your wallet is stolen with cash inside.

Most travel insurance policies cover items like laptops, cameras, and cell phones that are lost or stolen. However, the amount you may get back for these high-ticket things is usually limited (usually under $500 USD per item).

If you’re traveling with pricey equipment, you’ll want to pay for additional coverage to ensure that it’s adequately protected. Make sure you have receipts for everything you bought. Keep copies in your email so that if something goes wrong, you may file a claim without having to look for them.

What Travel Insurance Does NOT Cover

While every plan is different, here is a list of the most typical items that your standard or basic travel insurance plan will not cover:

  • Accidents resulting from extreme activities such as hang gliding, paragliding, or bungee jumping (though you can often upgrade to plans that do cover those activities)
  • Climbing techniques or alpine hiking (again, some plans can be upgraded to cover these activities)
  • Pre-existing conditions are a type of pre-existing condition. For instance, if you have diabetes and require additional insulin, you will not be covered.
  • Most insurance companies will not evacuate you if civil upheaval makes your destination unsafe but your government has not ordered an evacuation. (Medjet is the one exception.) They provide the most comprehensive evacuation coverage.)
  • Most trip cancellation policies do not cover changing your mind about your trip, unfriending or breaking up with your travel companion, or pre-existing medical conditions.
  • If your visa application is denied, you will very certainly not be paid if you decide to cancel your trip.

A Note on COVID-19 (and Other Pandemics)

Most travel insurance coverage do not cover pandemics, as many passengers discovered the hard way. Most travelers haven’t been concerned about this until lately. Prior to last year, I had never given much mind to the “pandemic clause” when reviewing my insurance contracts.

Pandemic coverage, on the other hand, is at the forefront of every traveler’s concern these days (and rightly so).

Fortunately, as insurance companies adjust to our new reality, some are now offering COVID-19 coverage (or other pandemics). Trip cancellation or delay (like with World Nomads, though they also provide some medical coverage) or transportation home are normally covered with this restricted coverage (as is the case with Medjet). Basic COVID coverage is also available through SafetyWing.

Always study the fine print on pandemics and COVID-19 before purchasing a plan. Make sure you know exactly what is and isn’t covered so you can respond appropriately if a problem arises. If you’re unsure, give them a call and chat with a representative. Don’t put your health at risk based on misconceptions!

Suggested Companies

Here’s a list of the best travel insurance companies to help you remain safe on your next trip:

Safety Wing is my preferred travel insurance provider. Safety Wing caters to digital nomads and long-term travelers with convenient and cheap plans. They offer reasonable monthly plans, excellent customer service, and a simple claims process, making them ideal for travelers.

Do you need a police report to claim on travel insurance?

In order to file a claim, most insurers will require you to contact the police within 24 hours. As previously said, having images of the stolen items from before you departed for your vacation, as well as receipts to establish ownership, will assist speed up the process.