Aussie travellers could be missing out on hundreds of unclaimed dollars because current travel insurance claims processes are painfully laborious or just not worth the effort.
A staggering 82% of travellers who have claimed on their insurance say they’ve had issues with the process, admitting that current methods ‘involve too much paperwork’ (44%), ‘claims are only partially reimbursed’ (32%), or ‘they take too long to settle’ (31%). Furthermore, 72% are looking for a quick and easy claims process when they are weighing up different insurance providers.
A real time solution
To celebrate the launch of new Real Time travel insurance from TravelCard, 1,000 Australians were surveyed to reveal their travel incidents overseas and pain points with current travel insurance providers.
The TravelCard research revealed that nearly half of Aussie travellers (45%) have experienced an incident overseas, for which they could have made an insurance claim for. Of those surveyed who did have to fork out to pay for the, sometimes high, cost of medical treatment while abroad – more than half (55%) didn’t bother to follow through with actually making a claim on their return!
Catriona Rowntree, Australia’s most travelled broadcast presenter endorses the new real time in surance from TravelCard, having used it herself when her laptop went missing abroad.
“One of the most annoying things for travellers when it comes to travel insurance is the mountain of paperwork that needs completing when you return, and how long reimbursement can actually take.
Having your holiday ruined by an unforeseen incident is bad enough, let alone the added hassle of claiming on your policy. That’s why I’m a fan of TravelCard, it offers travellers access to immediate funds, in real time, to purchase necessary emergency items. Travellers simply use the TravelCard to withdraw cash at any ATM, taking the stress out of holiday mishaps – no matter how big or small.” What’s the motive for Australian travellers to claim?
Currently, travellers are most likely to make a claim when they’re forced to cancel a trip before departing (50%), while the most common incidents that have occurred to Australians when travelling are:
● Delayed flights (32%)
● Receiving medical treatment (30%)
● Losing, damaging or having your goods stolen (28%)
Interestingly, a quarter of travellers (25%) would be put off taking out travel insurance for short trips and 44% because of its affordability. But with nearly half (45%) of Aussies admitting they could’ve put forward a claim whilst travelling due to an incident abroad, it proves travel insurance is a must have, no matter where you’re travelling or for how long.
Michael Tauber, CEO of TravelCard Australia commented, “We love helping people who travel and we want to enrich the travel experience of Australians, not hinder it, especially when things don’t go to plan. Our philosophy is to assume the best in everyone and that all our customers are trustworthy, providing them with peace of mind through the delivery of real-time solutions means that our customers experience a streamlined and easy process when needing help abroad, so they can get back to enjoying their holiday.”
TravelCard uses big data and a special insurance payment card, linked to MasterCard, to help travelling Australians when they need it the most – paying travel insurance claims in real time.
TravelCard also has 24/7 worldwide assistance, so no matter where you are, you won’t need to be stuck in any sticky situation.
TravelCard customers can reach our 24/7 global assistance by dialling the reverse charge call number: +61 2 7909 2777, or via Skype: TravelCardOz