One-way travel insurance seems to be quite a popular option nowadays, with multiple benefits to your safety and security while abroad, at a lower price point.
But just what is one-way travel insurance and why the high demand lately?
If this is your path, read on to find more!
One Way Insurance Policy
One-way insurance is a special type of insurance package that covers outward-bound travels from your home country to your destination of choice. One of the many reasons you might need it is emigration to other countries or returning to your home country after staying in Australia, perhaps with a few stops on the way.
The vast majority of insurance policies are limited to about 30 days, so if you plan on staying longer, one way travel insurance is definitely something to look into.
How does single trip travel insurance work?
One way travel insurance in Australia is similar to standard travel insurance policies, including medical expenses, lost luggage, and the possibility to cancel your one-way flight (in a certain time interval). Standard travel insurance policies oblige you to arrive at your final destination at a certain time, which is usually a week after the departure for standard insurance packages. But one way travel insurance lets you wander a bit more before you reach the final destination.
Apart from wanting to stop and sightsee, note that travel stops may not always depend on you – layover flights are a typical example. One-way insurance policies offer long-term packages that cover potential stops during your travels. This considers any possible changes to the plan, which increases your safety for an additional 24 hours during your trip.
In fact, air traffic is exceptionally dynamic and flights are regularly postponed, rescheduled, or even cancelled. Chances are you could be even more unlucky and your luggage may get lost or stolen during your trip. These are the common events that have been driving the demand for one way travel insurance. Should any of this happen to you, the policy covers the costs.
In case you suffer from any long-term health conditions, you should probably examine the more specific travel insurances intended for pre-existing medical conditions. It will certainly cost more, but any specific claim regarding your condition will be declined otherwise.
Other incidents are generally covered by travel insurance one cover and in the event that anything happens to you, you will be taken care of at your destination of choice rather than your country of origin.
Conditions of Cover
Whenever you’re taking out travel insurance, it’s prudent to investigate the terms and conditions it actually provides. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of one-way insurance.
| Benefit | What does it entail? |
| Overseas medical costs | Unforeseen hospital expenses (except pregnancy and childbirth) |
| Cancellation fees | Cost of previously paid travel, accommodation and similar expenses. Should you be forced to delay or cancel a trip due to a last-minute event or injury, the travel insurance covers it |
| Luggage and personal effects | The cost of your personal belongings. In the event that they are lost, damaged or stolen, you can rely upon your insurance |
| Additional costs | Additional travel, accommodation and food expenses. You will be reimbursed if the event was insured |
The claim you are entitled to receive will vary depending on the company and type of insurance package you’ve chosen. After reviewing your needs and the nature of the trip, the exact figures for the insurance premium and the claim should be presented to you by the travel insurance agent.
While it’s an awesome option to have, one way travel insurance from Australia has its downsides and does not cover absolutely everything. We’ve taken a closer look at the exceptions and list them below.
Your one-way travel insurance will not cover:
- Incidents that occur 24 hours after you’ve left immigration control in the destination country
- Mistakes in your travel bookings
- Any type of incident including alcohol and/or drugs
- Riding a motorcycle without the necessary licence or without wearing a helmet
- Loss of luggage if left unattended
- Countries listed on the ‘do not travel’ list by the Australian government’s Smart Traveller website
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Hospital costs that arise in Australia (that are already taken care of by Medicare or your private health insurance)
- Relevant vaccinations and inoculations are at your own cost if you’ve failed to take them before leaving
Advantages of One Way Travel Insurance
What are the main advantages that might encourage you to choose it? Let’s dive in and talk details.
Annual travel insurance, also known as the standard multi-trip travel insurance, covers you for 12 months, but the time spent abroad is usually limited to a month, whereas one-way travel insurance lets you freely wander around the world without a specific return date.
For a clear overview, we’ve listed the main advantages in the table below.
| Medical benefits | Financial benefits | Snow sports benefits |
| 24/7 Overseas medical assistance | Trip cancellation expenses | Snow sport equipment |
| 24/7 Overseas hospital expenses | Personal liability | Snow equipment replacement hire |
| Overseas emergency dental care | Trip disruption expenses | Snow prepaid expenses |
| Overseas emergency evacuation & repatriation | Trip resumption expenses | Snow resort closure |
| Overseas hospital cash payment | Luggage & personal effects | |
| Accidental death | Passports, credit cards, & credit card fraud | |
| Permanent disability | Special event transport expenses | |
| Loss of income | Rental vehicle excess | |
| Travel delay expenses | ||
| Delay of luggage and personal effects | ||
| Theft of cash |
How much does travel insurance cost in Australia?
You can usually find one way travel insurance in three principal plans, depending on the type of travel and your personal needs: basic, standard, and comprehensive.
Additionally, there’s an optional Snow Sports Plan, which can be bundled with any of the others.
The price of any type of travel insurance policy will vary depending on your destination, the characteristics of your trip, as well as some personal attributes such as your age. In general, the average prices are about $35 for the basic plan, $65 for a standard plan, and $84 for the comprehensive insurance.
In order to work out the final cost, you will need to contact an insurance specialist and discuss the nature of your trip.
What’s The Bottom Line?
Оne way travel insurance is a real benefit to those looking for affordable coverage during a one-way trip to a specific destination or a wide-open, no-agenda trek of self-discovery. It doesn’t require a return ticket, letting you explore the world without having to worry about medical and financial safety.
However, note that any pre-existing medical conditions – including pregnancy or childbirth – won’t be covered by your one way travel insurance package.
FAQs:
1. Can you get travel insurance without a return ticket?
Travelling without a return ticket is all the rage among adventure-seekers nowadays, yet most travel insurance agencies won’t offer you coverage without a return date. What is more, they usually require a return ticket with a specific date to complete the form. That’s where one-way travel insurance comes in handy, offering the possibility to travel without a return ticket and still stay insured.
2. Can I add more cover to my one-way policy?
Depending on your travel plans, you may consider: snowboarding and ski cover, or cruise cover. These extras come with their own limits, sub-limits and exclusions, so be sure to read the PDS before deciding to purchase.
3. What happens if I want to return home sooner than expected?
Buy another policy to cover your losses on your return trip home. However, know that you can’t make a claim for something that happened before you took out a policy.
