READ the fine print.... that's the advice from consumer group CHOICE after its review of 35 travel insurance policies found only two insurers may cover you for mental illness while traveling while exclusions around alcohol, adventure sports and pre-existing conditions are also likely to catch you out.
“A single visit to a therapist for common ailments including stress, insomnia, short-term depression or mild anxiety can be enough for insurers to deny cover or reject a claim if it isn’t disclosed, even if the incident occurred more than a decade ago or is ongoing but well managed,” said CHOICE's Tom Godfrey.
“With around half the Australian population experiencing a mental health issue at some point in their lives, you would think the insurance industry would be able to price the risks appropriately to look after their customers.
“Travelers need to be aware that very few travel insurers cover mental health claims, leaving people with mental health issues high and dry.
However CHOICE said getting travel insurance was crucial if you are heading overseas. Without it you can be left out of pocket by thousands of dollars if something goes wrong.
“While travel insurance is a ‘must have’, it’s vital you look at the detail of each policy and understand what you are not covered for,” says Mr Godfrey.
“For example, if you are planning a more adventurous holiday and going canyoning you may need to pay extra to get coverage. Or if you plan to party hard, you need to be aware that you probably won’t be covered if something happens after a few too many alcoholic drinks.
“Insurance fine print can be a bore to read but consumers need to know what they are paying for.”
For further information visit choice.com.au/travelinsurance
