Travel insurance for couples
Expert tips for finding the right travel insurance policy for you and your travel partner
Our Executive General Manager of General Insurance at Compare the Market, Adrian Taylor, has some top tips for helping couples pick a suitable travel insurance policy.
Adrian Taylor
Executive General Manager – General Insurance
Consider what inclusions you want cover for
When choosing your policy, consider both you and your partner’s circumstances to help ensure you have adequate cover for the both of you. This may include cover for medical expenses, travel delays, cancellations and more. Depending on your destination, you may want to consider additional cover for cruises, winter sports or adventures.
Check your claim limits to ensure you’re covered correctly
Since there are two of you on the policy, you should check the claim limits to ensure you have the right level of cover. For example, if your airline loses both of your luggage, is your claim limit high enough to cover you both? It’s a good idea to choose a policy with comprehensive cover for higher claim limits.
Consider increasing your excess for a lower premium
If you want to reduce your premium, consider choosing a higher excess on your policy. But remember that your excess is what you pay out of pocket if you need to make a claim, so always choose a manageable excess amount.
What is travel insurance for couples?
Travel insurance for couples is intended to cover two people under one policy and can often work out cheaper than two individual policies. It’s suitable for any two travel companions sharing the same itinerary on their trip, depending on the insurer’s eligibility criteria. Most insurers will allow family or friends travelling together for the entire trip to purchase just one policy to cover both individuals.
If you and your trip partner are frequent travellers, you may also opt for an annual multi-trip policy for couples, which allows you to be covered for any number of trips during a 12-month period. On the other hand, a single trip policy can cover you for one trip lasting up to 12 months.
Choosing the right level of cover is a smart step for travelling pairs and can provide assurances on your health, plans and possessions. Like other types of travel insurance, travel insurance for couples can typically be broken down into three levels of cover:
- Basic or saver. This protection may cover medical expenses, as well as limited dental treatment, luggage and personal liability cover. Or, if you choose a basic medical-only policy, you’ll usually receive a high amount of medical cover and emergency assistance, but nothing else.
- Mid-range or standard. Additional coverage for medical expenses, dental treatment, luggage, cancellation and delays, as well as personal liability cover.
- Comprehensive. Higher level cover for the inclusions in a standard policy, and may come with additional inclusions such as rental vehicle excess cover.
Understanding travel insurance for couples
What’s the difference between a single and couple’s travel insurance policy?
The main difference between a travel insurance policy for two people and purchasing two single policies is the costs involved. Couples are likely to save money and time by choosing one inclusive policy, rather than two separate policies.
Depending on what level of cover and insurance provider you choose, selecting travel insurance for couples may ease the burden of having two separate policies. You can both know exactly what you’re covered for, and there will be no surprises if you need to make a claim overseas.
What’s included in a travel insurance policy for couples
Just as with regular travel insurance cover, travel insurance for couples will cover you for many potential overseas incidents that could cost you money, particularly if you choose comprehensive couples cover. You could potentially have a cheaper premium and save time by dealing with just one couples policy rather than two single policies. Some common comprehensive policy benefits may include:
- Cover for medical and hospital expenses. If you or your partner becomes unwell or injured on holiday, you could be covered for medical expenses such as hospital accommodation, medical treatment, dental (up to certain sub-limits) and prescription medication.
- Accidental death benefit and repatriation. If you or your partner suffers a medical emergency and need evacuation out of the country, this often-substantial bill can be covered by your policy. Furthermore, if the worst were to happen and either of you pass away during your travels, your remains can be repatriated back to Australia.
- Theft and loss of property. Reimbursement for damaged, lost or stolen luggage, valuables, personal belongings, credit cards or cash. You should always report an incident to your insurer, the airline and local police within 24 hours.
- Cancellations and delays. Cover for expenses related to travel plans that are affected by illness or unforeseen circumstances. Postponed flights, missed holiday tours and trip cancellations are common occurrences with travel.
- Personal liability. If you or your partner damage a person’s property or injure someone, your travel insurance can pay for your legal expenses. However, never admit to guilt before speaking with your insurer, or your claim may be rejected.
- Rental vehicle excess. Your insurer can cover the excess fees for your rental car in case of a car accident.
- Loss of income and permanent disability. Some policies offer benefits if you’re injured abroad and can’t return to work for some time.
- Optional cover for adventure sports and activities. Handy for couples venturing to places where the risk of injury is heightened (e.g. if you need ski and snowboarding cover or adventure cover).
Limits, sub-limits and inclusions will vary between policies and insurers. Always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure your joint policy covers you for all that you need. You should also read the Target Market Determination (TMD) to check your suitability of the policy.
Common exclusions and helpful information
While having the appropriate level of cover for you and your travelling companion is a step in the right direction, there are some exclusions you should be aware of when taking out travel insurance for couples. Similar to other policies, some activities and circumstances may affect your cover. As such, reading and understanding your PDS to know exactly what you are and aren’t covered for is essential.
Common exclusions include:
- Injuries sustained while partaking in a potentially risky physical activity (although many activities may be included in adventure cover)
- Injuries while partaking in winter sports (usually you’ll need to pay extra for winter sports cover)
- Riding a motorcycle or driving without a licence
- Your hotel or tour operator going into financial receivership
- Undertaking illegal activities (breaking the law)
- Being under the influence of drugs and alcohol
- Ignoring official government warnings (natural disasters or civil unrest)
- Leaving your possessions unsupervised.
You should also be aware that pre-existing medical conditions can impact the outcome of your claim. Both members of the couple should always disclose any pre-existing conditions to their insurer, who will decide whether they can cover the condition, potentially for an extra premium.
It’s also important to understand that a couple’s policy won’t cover any dependent children. If it’s a family trip, it might be worth looking at a family policy instead.
Does travel insurance for couples have to be with your spouse/partner?
Not necessarily. In most cases, travel insurance can be purchased for family members or friends travelling together, provided they have the same itinerary. In cases where travel insurance for couples isn’t available, you may be able to take out a group insurance policy.
Can you travel separately from your partner for any duration of your trip?
Travel insurance policies typically state that your departure and arrival dates must be the same as the person you’re travelling with, as do your destinations. Some insurers may allow you to take separate flights, as long as the dates and destinations are both the same. It’s more common, though, for both travellers to have the same itinerary.
Meet our travel insurance expert, Adrian Taylor
As a General Insurance expert with over 13 years’ experience in financial services, Adrian Taylor believes in educating customers about the importance of travel insurance so that anyone can kick back and make the most of their time away from home. While no one wants a disrupted holiday, a suitable travel insurance policy can provide a financial safety net for yourself, your belongings and your trip in case things go wrong.