Overseas Emergency Medical Cover

This is the benefit that could justify the whole policy. Both Travel Protect plans include unlimited* cover for overseas emergency medical and hospital expenses, because medical costs are the one travel risk with no natural ceiling: a single serious accident in the United States or a medical evacuation from a Bali hospital can produce bills larger than a house deposit.

Optional upgrades

Onboard treatment for cruises

Medical coverage for motorcycle
and moped rides

Emergency rescue during a ski trip

What the benefit covers

• Emergency hospital and medical treatment for sudden, unexpected illness or injury overseas, including surgeon, physician and nursing fees.
• Emergency dental for sudden, unexpected, acute pain or injury.
• Medical evacuation to the nearest appropriate facility when local care is not adequate, arranged by our assistance team.
• Repatriation to Australia with medical escorts where needed, when it is medically necessary to bring you home.
• 24/7 emergency assistance who can provide payment guarantees to hospitals, monitor your treatment and keep your family informed.

What it looks like in practice

You call our emergency assistance line (or someone calls for you) as soon as something serious happens. The team verifies your policy, talks to the treating hospital, arranges payment directly with the hospital where possible so you are not funding treatment on a credit card, and makes the medical decisions about evacuation or repatriation with the treating doctors. For up to 12 months of treatment, the benefit works the same in month 12 as in week 1.

What is not covered

The exclusions that matter most, stated plainly: treatment for conditions that meet the pre-existing condition definition and are not covered under the policy; routine, elective or non-emergency treatment; treatment after you return to Australia, where Medicare takes over; injuries sustained while doing an excluded activity, such as riding a motorcycle without the motorcycle pack or skiing without the snow pack; and events arising when the relevant policy conditions have not been met. The full list is in the PDS, but those five categories account for most declined medical claims across the industry.