Review: Allianz travel insurance
Australian travellers have no shortage of insurance providers to choose from: but how does Allianz compare with the rest?
By Chris C., July 23 2020
Notes
The Good
- Annual Multi-Trip Plan offers cover for business travellers
The Bad
- No cover for any claims relating to COVID-19, or other pandemics and epidemics
X-Factor
- Optional packs for snow sports, cruise and adventure sports cover
Introduction
Allianz travel insurance comes in a variety of plans suited to different types of travellers: from basic overseas medical cover without the other frills, through to fully comprehensive annual multi-trip policies.
Although Allianz has temporarily halted the sale of new travel insurance policies in light of COVID-19 and the effect of various travel restrictions, here's a look at how Allianz normally stacks up.
Allianz travel insurance plans
With Allianz, you can choose from four different types of insurance plans, depending on your needs and where you'll be travelling to.
At the higher end of the scale are the company's Multi-Trip Plan and Comprehensive policies, while at a more affordable price, there's also Basic Travel Insurance and domestic-only cover.
Annual Multi-Trip Plan
Tailored to tourists and business travellers alike, Allianz's Multi-Trip Plan policy covers you for multiple trips every year both within Australia and overseas.
When purchasing this policy, you can choose to be covered for trips of up to 15, 30 or 45 days. This affects the policy price, but may lower your premium if each trip is rather short, rather than month-long voyages.
Comprehensive Travel Insurance
Offering a range of coverage inclusions, Allianz's Comprehensive Travel Insurance provides a similar level of cover as the Multi-Trip Plan, but for a single journey only.
Such policies are usually best-suited to less-frequent travellers, as for those who travel several times a year, it may be more cost-effective to purchase a single annual policy.
Basic Travel Insurance
With overseas medical and hospital cover paired with personal liability insurance, Allianz's Basic Travel Insurance comes at a more affordable price than other policy types.
However, it does exclude most other types of claims: there's no cover for things such as delayed flights, or lost and damaged luggage, nor can you purchase an add-on for snow sports.
Domestic Travel Insurance
Taking a single domestic trip and want cover against things such as travel delays, rental vehicle excess and lost luggage?
This is where Allianz's Domestic Travel Insurance comes into play. Of course, there's no medical cover, as within Australia, that remains the responsibility of either Medicare or your own (separate) private health insurance policy.
What does Allianz travel insurance cover?
Exactly what – and how much – you're covered for under Allianz travel insurance depends on the type of cover purchased by the traveller, and the type of claim.
On some policies, some items may only be covered after purchasing an additional add-on, such as snow sports, while coverage levels may also vary if you opt to increase the insured limits on specific high-value items, above the usual policy limits.
Allianz medical cover
Should you suffer an injury or covered illness on your journey, here's what Allianz can pay out for a medical claim, depending on your policy type. All figures in this review are based on a single traveller.
|
Medical claims |
Annual Multi-Trip & Comprehensive |
Basic |
Domestic |
|
Medical expenses overseas, including hospital admission |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
Not applicable |
|
Hospital cash allowance (after 48 continuous hours) |
$50 per day, up to $5,000 total |
No cover |
Not applicable |
|
Permanent disability (e.g. loss of sight or limb) or accidental death |
$25,000 |
No cover |
$25,000 (accidental death only) |
As with any insurer, restrictions may apply on claims relating to pre-existing conditions, or treatments undertaken overseas that could have waited until you returned home.
For clarify and full information regarding this cover, including important restrictions, exemptions and other conditions, refer to the policy documents or speak with the insurer.
It's also worth remembering that medical cover is not provided within Australia, or after returning to Australia: this is where your private health insurance (a separate policy to travel insurance), or Medicare, are in play.
Allianz delay, cancellation and inconvenience cover
If your journey is disrupted, your Allianz travel insurance may cover eligible expenses up to the policy limits below:
|
Inconvenience and cancellation |
Annual Multi-Trip & Comprehensive |
Basic |
Domestic |
|
Travel delay expenses |
Up to $200 per day, up to $2,000 maximum |
No cover |
Up to $200 per day, up to $2,000 maximum |
|
Trip cancelled due to unforeseen events outside your control |
Subject to options chosen when purchasing policy |
No cover |
Subject to options chosen when purchasing policy |
|
Alternative transport expenses to get to an eligible pre-arranged event |
$5,000 |
No cover |
No cover |
As Allianz allows clients to customise their policy in certain ways, including some limits such as for cancellation fees, it is difficult to compare Allianz with other insurers on such claims, as policy prices always vary depending on the journey being insured.
Still, Allianz's cover for cancellations and delays isn't as wide-ranging as offered by some other insurers.
Budget Direct, for example, covers additional kennel or cattery fees when a traveller's return home is delayed by a set period of time, and covers alternative transport expenses on domestic-only policies, which Allianz does not.
Read: Budget Direct travel insurance review
Allianz luggage and property cover
Should your baggage go missing or become lost or stolen, Allianz applies the following limits on these claims:
|
Property |
Annual Multi-Trip & Comprehensive |
Basic |
Domestic |
|
Loss, theft, accidental damage to luggage and personal effects |
$10,000 |
No cover |
$10,000 |
|
Essential expenses when your luggage is delayed by more than 12 hours |
$500 |
No cover |
$500 |
|
Theft of cash |
$250 |
No cover |
$250 |
Individual limits may apply per item. In the case of theft, a police report may also be required.
Certain items such as bicycles and business samples are generally excluded from cover, but check the policy documents for full information.
Allianz liability cover
If you accidentally cause injury to another person or damage to another person's property, Allianz's limits on personal liability claims are as follows:
|
Legal |
Annual Multi-Trip & Comprehensive |
Basic |
Domestic |
|
Personal liability, such as for injuries or property damage you may cause |
$5 million |
$2.5 million |
$5 million |
|
Rental vehicle insurance excess, if your hire car is damaged or stolen |
$6,000 |
No cover |
$6,000 |
Keep in mind that cover for rental vehicle insurance excess is exactly that: cover for an excess you may have to pay under a separate insurance policy after an insured event, not blanket insurance coverage when you rent a hire car.
Make sure your hire car provider has included such an insurance policy with your rental, as it's that policy that any excess amount would pay towards.
In some countries, the concept of an "excess" may not exist – you'd either have insurance, or you wouldn't – and in these circumstances, cover for such a rental vehicle insurance 'excess' is unlikely to apply.
Allianz cover for unexpected travel
Need to get back home earlier than planned? If eligible, Allianz may cover these expenses up to the limits below:
|
Additional travel |
Annual Multi-Trip & Comprehensive |
Basic |
Domestic |
|
Cutting your trip short, such as if you're too unwell to finish your journey |
$50,000 |
No cover |
$25,000 |
|
Resuming your trip after returning home, within 12 months, subject to approval |
Up to $3,000 (Multi-Trip only) |
No cover |
Up to $3,000 |
Claims related to resuming your travels may only be accepted if there are more than 14 days remaining on your period of cover, amid other conditions.
Allianz cover for snow sports
Planning to go skiing, snowboarding or participating in other types of snow sports on your journey? These activities are usually not covered by default, and instead require the traveller to purchase snow sports cover as an add-on to their regular policy.
|
Snow sports, via add-on |
Annual Multi-Trip & Comprehensive |
Basic |
Domestic |
|
Piste closure |
$100 per 24 hours, up to $1,000 total |
Cannot purchase add-on |
$100 per 24 hours, up to $1,000 total |
|
Skiing pre-paid costs, if unable to ski as planned illness or injury |
$1,000 |
Cannot purchase add-on |
$1,000 |
|
Hire costs for ski gear after accidental damage, theft, loss or delay |
$2,000 |
Cannot purchase add-on |
$2,000 |
|
Loss, theft or accidental damage to ski gear |
$2,000 |
Cannot purchase add-on |
$2,000 |
|
Avalanche delays arrival or departure by 12+ hours |
$1,000 |
Cannot purchase add-on |
$1,000 |
|
Emergency rescue |
$100,000 |
Cannot purchase add-on |
No cover |
Interestingly, Allianz's snow sports pack is tailored towards those who ski or snowboard. The insurer confirms that a wide range of other activities, including dog sledding, are covered by default under Comprehensive policies.
That said, when you are skiing or snowboarding, be aware that without having purchased the snow sports add-on, you may not be covered for claims that arise from these activities, such as for medical expenses, but do refer to the policy documents for the full details.
Allianz claim excess
On most types of claims, expect to pay an excess amount as determined by your choice when purchasing your policy.
In most cases, this excess amount will simply be deducted from your insurance payout, rather than collected as an additional charge.
For some claims such as for overseas emergency medical expenses arising from snow sports activities, you may also be subject to an additional excess of $500, over and above the base excess chosen with your policy.
Some claim types may have no excess applied, while some claims may also be subject to caps, limits and exclusions, as outlined in the policy documents.
Allianz key exclusions
Like all insurers, Allianz maintains a list of exclusions and exemptions that are in place when lodging a claim.
You should refer to the policy documents for full details, as these are just some of the exemptions and exclusions that apply.
For example, Allianz does not cover claims relating to insolvency – so if you made plans with a company that goes bankrupt after taking your money but before providing a good or service, you won't be able to claim this amount back.
"Being under the influence of any intoxicating liquor" is another reason Allianz may decline your claim: such as medical expenses if you were out drinking, and were injured by falling over.
Allianz coronavirus cover
Allianz confirms outright that "our travel insurance policies do not cover claims related to COVID-19."
"If you travel to a country where the Australian Government has issued an advice or warning of "reconsider your need to travel" or "do not travel", then your claim may not be covered, even if it arises from an event unrelated to COVID-19."
As the Australian Government has classified every overseas country as "do not travel", this currently makes any existing Allianz travel insurance policy worthless for continuing travel.
Allianz travel insurance: the verdict
All things considered, Allianz travel insurance normally covers a range of situations with the ability to purchase additional cover for snow sports: plus cruising and adventure sports as additional packs, which aren't examined here.
However, even at the best of times, restricting cover for countries marked "reconsider your need to travel" is much more restrictive than most insurers, which usually only block claims for travel to "do not travel" destinations.
As Allianz doesn't clearly advertise how much you'd be covered for in the event of a cancellation, or what your excess options are without compiling a full quote, it does make it difficult to compare Allianz on these factors, as policy prices are never set in stone, and will vary based on a number of factors.
In any case, be sure to read the policy documents thoroughly for full details of Allianz's coverage options and features, to check whether Allianz is the right insurer for you – when travel as we knew it eventually resumes, of course.
Also read: Travel Insurance Direct (TID) travel insurance review
The above is intended as a general guide only, drawn from information published by the insurer as available at the time of writing. Insurance policies can change over time. Executive Traveller makes no guarantee to the validity of any claim, or that the information published here remains up-to-date.
Conditions, exclusions, limits and policy terms and conditions apply to all travel insurance products, and may differ between policy types, plans and add-ons. Refer to the relevant policy documents for more specific information about the coverage available, and to determine whether a product adequately meets your needs. All questions regarding insurance policies and products must be directed to the insurer, and cannot be answered here or elsewhere by Executive Traveller staff.
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 773
Good reporting Chris, thank-you. Sadly, this insurer's offering leaves me underwhelmed. Just checked 'Choice' reviews, good to see my 'Go to' insurer (a roadside care provider, but no-names until they advertise here on ET) ranks #2.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Aug 2017
Total posts 84
I offer the following experience of Allianz travel insurance in good faith, with no hidden agenda.
I took out Allianz travel insurance before a planned month-long trip to Europe in March-April. After the government changed its advice to "Reconsider your need to travel" I cancelled the trip before it began. I immediately called Allianz, who told me that they'd consider my request for a full refund, given the circumstances.
Four follow-up phone calls later, I finally received an email in mid-July stating that they would give me a full refund. However the refund has still not been received.
It might be unfair of me to criticise Allianz for taking four months (and counting) to provide a refund, given the unprecedented circumstances. However, the fact is that I've been issued refunds by well over a dozen airlines, hotels, tour operators etc, large and small, and Allianz is the only one I'm still waiting on. In fact all the other refunds came through many weeks ago.
It makes me seriously question their standard of customer service: if they take over four months to provide a refund, how long would they take to process a claim?
I will not use Allianz again.
21 Jun 2020
Total posts 3
I cancelled a policy with a different insurer in March about 4 days before the my travel date, after the warning was upgraded.
I initiated the cancellation online, refund back to me within 3 days - didn't have to speak to anyone. I think I lost about $11 to processing of cancellation.
So really Sibelius - I think you're well within your rights to not be happy with what you've put up with and the criticism is very fair.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 773
Hi Sibelius, I may be looking up the wrong tree here, but your post makes several references to telephone calls and nothing about emails. If you haven't already, I would do the following;
1) check the part in the policy document that deals with refund claims due to cancellations in the circumstances you've described, as often it has a discrete email address to be used in those circumstances;
2) review the policy document for any other email address to be used for communications with Allianz (if more than one such address, get them all);
3) send an email (using at least 2 email addresses) citing the insurance policy number, airfare reservation reference, date of intended travel, date of cancellation, the date you notified Allianz and date (and name) of Allianz staffer who confirmed your refund.
You should ask if they need any other information or documentation from you. Your OBJECTIVE should be to ensure they have ALL of the documents and evidence before them to approve payment of the refund. It will always be the insured travellers obligation to assists them that far, do not rely upon Allianz (Chubb, CoverMore, etc.) to do any legwork in that respect.
Your email should close by asking them to confirm when the refund will be paid.
I found that my email to Cover.More was bounced around between 3-4 different 'Departments' (no doubt code for 'desks' in an open plan office somewhere in Sydney), but it eventually did get refunded. An unrequited email sitting in a few email addresses will get better follow-up attention than an unrequited phone call.
Good luck and keep persisting.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Aug 2017
Total posts 84
Hi Boeing-Tragic,
I really appreciate you taking the time to write such a comprehensive reply and to give such helpful advice. This is an example of what the ET forums can do at their best!
As I wrote, they've emailed me an undertaking to give the refund. If one doesn't come through within the next couple of business days I'll do what you suggest.
Thanks again.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Jul 2011
Total posts 187
I used Allianz to claim when a family member was diagnosed with an illness cutting short a holiday, didn't have any issues. Claims were paid, within 3 weeks.
With the onset of travel restrictions a trip to SIN was cancelled, using a different issuer this time (one sold via a supermarket chain that has a tie in with QF) emailed to say the trip was off, and the policy wouldn't be needed. Flights were refunded by SQ. TI cancelled policy and refunded the cost of said policy in full.
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