| What is an excess? |
| An excess is the first part of a claim you have to pay. This helps keep down the cost of insurance and to keep out very small claims. Excesses vary from policy to policy, so make sure you check what yours is before buying a policy. |
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| What is an excess waiver? |
| You can pay an extra 10% on the premium at the time of purchasing your policy so that if you make a claim you do not have to pay an excess. This is recommended. |
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| What is a pre-existing medical condition? |
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Health Conditions
This insurance contains conditions that relate to your health and the health of others who might not be travelling with you but whose well being your trip may depend on. In particular we do not cover medical problems that you or they had before the cover started, unless the medical condition has been declared to and accepted by underwriters. However, the following conditions may be accepted under the terms of the Policy, without a declaration being made, provided you or the person whose well being your trip may depend on:
- has received no treatment as a hospital in patient or out patient in the 12 months prior to taking out this policy
- is not undergoing or waiting to undergo further tests or consultation
- is not on a hospital waiting list
- their condition is stable
- is not travelling against the advice of a doctor or to seek medical treatment abroad
- has not been referred to a specialist or consultant in the previous 12 months or is waiting to see a specialist or consultant
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Abcess/Boil
Acne
Allergy, provided allergic reaction is not life threatening
Appendectomy
Asthma, Mild *
Bells Palsy
Benign Lump/Growth
Cartilage Damage
Damaged Ligaments
Dermatitis provided not taking oral
steroids
Diabetes Mellitus **
Dislocation
Ear Infection
Eczma - provided not taking oral
steroids
Endometriosis
Enlarged Prostate (Benign)
Fatty Lump (Benign)
Fibroids
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Fractures, provided successfully repaired
Gall Bladder Removal
Glandular Fever
Glaucoma
Goitre
Gout
Grommets
Haemorrhoids
Hiatus Hernia
High Blood Pressure ***
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hypertension ***
Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Hysterectomy (Non Cancerous)
Impotence
Indigestion
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Knee Replacement
Lipoma (Benign Fatty Lump)
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Migraine
Overactive Thyroid
Perforated Ear Drum
Polyps Benign
Psoriasis
Rhinitis
Sinus Problems
Sinusitis
Talipes (Club Foot)
Tendon Problems
Thyroid Problems
Tinnitus
Tonsilectomy
Twisted Ovaries
Underactive Thryoid
Varicose Veins
Vasectomy
Vertigo
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* On up to 2 types of medication, well controlled, suffered in isolation. No cover if using more than 2 inhalers
** Provided controlled by diet/tablets only, suffered in isolation and no associated kidney/blood vessel/nerve/eye/circulation problems
*** Provided suffered in isolation and you are taking no more than 2 types of medication
If you or any others who might not be travelling with you but whose well being your trip may depend on have, at the time of arranging this insurance (or if there is a change in medical condition(s) between the date of arranging your policy and the booking of each trip if you have purchased an Annual Multi-Trip Policy) suffered from medical conditions not referred to above, please contact Downunder on 0800 393 908 who may be able to accept the stated condition(s) in return for additional premium and/or changes in terms. Please also see General Exclusion 1.
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| What are the Policy Age Limits? |
| Backpackers Policy and the Adventurer policy has a maximum age of 45 years. The Comprehensive policy has a maximum age limit of 55 years.Generally the older you are, the higher your level of cover will be, and the higher the cost. |
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| Do I have to take my policy travelling with me? |
| Some authorities will ask to see you policy so you should carry a photocopy. However, to take advantage of our 24 hour emergency assistance all you need is the 24hr medical emergency telephone number and your policy number. |
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| What is the 24 hour medical emergency phone number? |
| +44 (0) 1273 765 339(available for enquiries no matter where you are). |
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| Am I covered for bungee jumping, scuba diving and white/black water rafting? |
| Yes you are. All of our policies will cover most adventure sports. Please check the policy details to see if your sport is covered. Most sports not automatically covered can be added to your policy for an additional policy. |
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| Do you cover valuable items? |
| We do not recommend you take valuables away with you, however if you do have an expensive item, like a camera, then it will normally be covered up to the single item or valuables limit (max of £200) contained in your existing policy. if the item is expensive and you would like to insure it for more than your policy allows, items such as photographic and video equipment, telephones, computers, musical instruments and sporting equipment can be insured for a maximum of £1000 per item up to £2000 for a collection of goods for an additional premium. |
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| I am travelling on a 1 way ticket. Does my cover finish when I reach my destination? |
| No, unless you are emigrating or the country that you are travelling to is the country of your passport. Provided it is your intention to return to the UK, cover will continue for the duration of your policy, subject to the total duration limit of 550 days. |
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| If I loose my baggage, can I commence my claim from overseas? |
| Yes. You must notify the Underwriters of your claim within 31 days but bear in mind that you will be corresponding with the Underwriters at long range. You could get your family/friends back home to deal with it for you to hasten the process but they will need your Police report and any other relevant documentation. |
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| How do I make a claim? |
| Downunder Insurance are your broker. To make a claim on a policy bought on/after 1st March 2007 you need to contact the Underwriter - AIG Travel Assist on +44 (0) 1273 765 339. For policies bought on or prior to 28 February 2007, please contact the Underwriter - Inter Group Claims Services Limited on +44 (0) 208 680 5142. When you make a claim you need to have reported any goods stolen to the Police, or in the case of medical claims, have documentation from the place you received medical treatment. |
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| Do I have to pay the bill if I am ill? |
| No, providing you report your medical condition as per our terms and conditions. However you are expected to settle small bills such as prescription claims and doctors call-out fees. Just keep the receipts and claim them later. In a medical emergency call the 24 hr medical emergency number (above). |
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| Must I be a UK resident to get Downunder Insurance Cover? |
| No, but you have to be able to provide a UK address and you must be departing from the UK on your travels. We happily provide cover to EU nationals, Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans. |
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| What is the 25% rule? |
| The rule states that people who have chosen cover for Area 3 (worldwide excluding USA and Canada) or Area 4 (Australia and New Zealand) should note that this policy extends cover to include Area 5 (USA and Canada) for up to 25% of their trip duration. |
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| Does baggage have to be locked in the boot of a vehicle to ensure a claim? |
| Yes, however you are not covered for luggage/baggage left in the boot between 10pm and 8am. Also, even if your baggage is locked in the boot and out of sight, you are not covered for the loss of money or valuables at any time if left in the vehicle. |
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| Can I travel whilst pregnant? |
| Yes, you are covered up until the 24th week of your pregnancy. |
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| Is it safe to give my credit card details over the internet? |
| Yes. We have a secure site, and use Protx |
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| Why is Downunder Insurance policies so much cheaper than everyone else? |
| Downunder Travel Insurance specialises in Backpacker and Independent Traveller policies with varying levels of cover. We perform the majority of our sales over the internet which cuts costs and we don't offer you cover you don't need. Also, due to the age and type of our policy holders, you are viewed as a lower risk and are therefore rewarded with cheaper prices. |
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| Can I cancel my policy and get a refund? |
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If this cover does not meet you requirements, you may return the policy documents to Downunder within 14 days of buying the policy or the date you receive the policy documents, whichever is the later. In line with the conditions below, we will refund all the premiums you have paid within 30 days of the date you contact us to ask to cancel the policy.
If you are a single-trip policyholder, we will not refund your premium if you have travelled or made a claim before you asked to cancel the policy within the 14-day period.
If you are an annual multi-trip or long-stay policyholder and you have travelled or made a claim before you asked to cancel the policy within the 14-day period, we will only refund a proportionate amount of the premium.
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| Can I still get insurance with Downunder Travel Insurance even though I'm not a backpacker? |
| Yes, however please be aware that our policies have been developed to suit backpackers and independent travellers and you should ensure the policy provides the right type of cover for your needs. You can view the policy wording here. |
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| Can I extend my policy? |
| Yes, you can extend your policy to a maximum of 18 months, but you can't extend you cover once your existing policy has expired. Once your policy has expired, you will need to be buy a new policy and be issued with a new policy number. |
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| Can I purchase a policy if I have already left home? |
| Yes, as long as you are a resident of the UK and you intend to return to the UK after you have finished your travels, you can call or email us for an 'Overseas Application Form.' You will then be emailed or faxed the form and you must return it to us for processing. |