Start with the medical risk
Indonesia is not among Australia’s reciprocal health care agreement countries. Do not plan on Medicare paying for treatment in Bali. The Australian Government cannot pay your overseas medical bills.
For each policy you are considering, locate the sections about overseas treatment, emergency assistance, evacuation and pre-existing conditions. Follow the insurer’s declaration process for health conditions rather than assuming a condition is covered because it is stable.
Match cover to the actual holiday
Smartraveller advises reading the Product Disclosure Statement for inclusions, exclusions, definitions, claims and emergency support. Activities such as motorcycling, diving and higher-altitude walking may require extra cover or be excluded.
Write down the activities you genuinely intend to do, including ones offered as an optional excursion. A scooter rental agreement is not evidence of insurance cover, and extra insurance does not grant a driving entitlement.
| Your plans | What to establish |
|---|---|
| Medical treatment | Limits, exclusions, assistance contact and any approval process. |
| Existing health conditions | The condition is declared and the insurer’s acceptance is documented. |
| Activities | The exact activity, supervision and equipment conditions fit the cover. |
| Disruption | Cancellation and delay triggers, exclusions, excess and evidence required. |
| Belongings | Single-item limits and unattended-property conditions. |
Compare the financial consequences
Make a list of bookings already paid for and the cancellation terms of each. This helps identify the exposure you want a policy to address. Compare excesses as well as premiums: a cheaper policy can leave a larger portion of a small claim with you.
If using credit-card insurance, establish how cover is activated and who is insured. Keep evidence of eligibility and any activation steps. For a multi-trip policy, examine the maximum length of each trip, not just the policy’s annual expiry.
Keep an assistance pack
- Save the policy number, assistance phone number and the policy wording offline.
- Share the assistance details with a travelling companion or trusted contact.
- Retain medical reports, receipts and evidence of disruption relevant to a claim.
- For non-urgent treatment or an expensive change, follow the policy’s instructions for contacting its assistance team. Immediate safety and emergency care take priority.
- This guide compares decisions to make, not insurance products. Only your insurer can confirm whether a particular event is covered.