Review: Travel insurance by Tick Insurance

Introduction

Tick Insurance probably isn't the first name that comes to mind for travel insurance, but with up to seven plan types to choose from, Tick may be a value choice for those balancing premium price against inclusions.

Although Tick has paused the sale of new travel insurance policies for the time being – the same being true of many other insurers – here's how Tick's policies normally stack up. 

Tick Insurance's travel insurance plans

Tick Insurance offers four levels of international travel insurance from budget to comprehensive, plus three levels of cover for domestic travel within Australia.

On the overseas front, the options provided are Basic, Budget, Standard and Top. On domestic trips, the 'Budget' option disappears, with Basic, Standard and Top on offer.

Tick's Top travel insurance

The highest level of cover for both domestic and international travellers, Tick Insurance's Top plans include cover for the broadest range of events.

In the event of a claim, the maximum payout figures for Top policyholders are typically higher than for those with other plans.

Tick's Standard travel insurance

Tick Insurance's mid-range Standard insurance policies balance cost with cover – still insuring against many of the same things as Top plans, but with reduced limits.

For example, while Top policyholders may be able to claim up to $7,500 in relation to personal belongings and baggage, those on Standard plans are capped at $4,000 for international policies or $3,000 on domestic policies.

Tick's Budget travel insurance

Available only for international travellers, Tick Insurance's Budget travel insurance is typically priced below the Standard policy, and in return, some coverage is reduced or eliminated.

For example, while Standard travel insurance covers eligible scenarios when your trip must be cut short, and a cash allowance when in hospital, the Budget covers neither: but still comes with unlimited emergency medical cover outside Australia.

Tick's Basic travel insurance

Tick Insurance's Basic travel insurance policy does what it says on the tin: providing a basic level of cover, at the insurer's lowest price.

At this level, scenarios like travel delays aren't covered, and while there's still $2,000 of protection against personal belongings and baggage, items like laptops, tablets, mobile phones, cameras and video cameras are specifically excluded from cover. For these, you'll need to purchase a higher-tier policy. 

What does Tick travel insurance cover?

As above, the level of cover available depends on whether your policy covers only domestic travel or also international journeys, and the level of cover selected.

Some activities, such as snow sports, may also be coverable subject to payment of additional fees.

Tick travel insurance medical cover

When it comes to medical claims overseas, basic coverage is the same regardless of the policy type chosen – but you'll find better cover in related areas via the higher-tiered plans.

Note, different levels of cover also apply between domestic-only and international travel insurance policies, and as is standard across insurers, medical cover is not provided within Australia.

On all policies, there may be restrictions surrounding pre-existing conditions, or treatments undertaken overseas that could have waited until you returned home.

As with all types of cover, you should refer to Tick Insurance's domestic travel insurance and international travel insurance policy documents for the full details. 

Tick travel insurance delay, cancellation and inconvenience cover

While you can't do much to escape a travel delay, if you are inconvenienced and out-of-pocket, you may be able to claim your expenses back via Tick Insurance, up to the limits below. 

As with medical cover, note the different caps, limits and inclusions between Tick Insurance's domestic and international travel insurance policies.

Also, be aware that Tick Insurance does not appear to cover additional costs incurred due to certain inconveniences, such as if a flight is delayed or cancelled and you need to purchase a new one to arrive in time for a key event such as a wedding.

Many other travel insurers provide this cover – and also don't require a 12-hour wait before being able to claim for travel delay expenses, as with Tick.

Tick's caps on travel delay claims could also see you out of pocket in the event of a delay, once you consider the total cost of additional meals, hotels and transport costs. 

Tick travel insurance luggage and property cover

Should your luggage or other items go astray, you may be able to claim up to the following limits: 

Individual limits may apply per item, and as previously flagged, some items like mobile phones and laptops are not covered under the low-tier policies. Refer to the domestic travel insurance and international travel insurance policy documents for the full details.

Notably, Tick Insurance only covers delayed baggage expenses after the delay stretches beyond 24 hours, so if you fly in one evening for activities the next day and your bag doesn't arrive in time, you'll be on your own to purchase replacement items for the first 24 hours.

Delayed baggage cover doesn't apply on the final leg of your journey when returning home, so even if you had essential items in your luggage and needed to buy replacements to tide you over until the bag returns, your policy wouldn't cover you.

Tick travel insurance liability cover

Whether you've caused damage or injury to somebody on the road, or through other actions, here's what you may be covered for under Tick travel insurance: 

As we regularly remind, rental car excess waiver is exactly that: cover against an excess you may have to pay under a separate insurance policy after an insured event. This is substantially different from blanket motor vehicle insurance coverage.

Because of this, if you don't have any insurance at all, there'd be no 'excess' to pay, and thus no valid claim. Some countries don't use the concept of an 'excess', either – meaning if you're not insured by another policy, you're not insured at all.

Tick travel insurance cover for unexpected travel

If your journey comes to an end earlier than planned, Tick Insurance may cover certain costs, up to the limits below: 

As always, refer to the domestic travel insurance and international travel insurance policy documents for further details.

Tick travel insurance cover for snow sports

Snow sports like skiing and snowboarding aren't usually covered in travel insurance policies by default, and Tick Insurance is no exception.

When Tick Insurance customers add Winter Sports Cover to their policy, they may be covered up to the following limits for the following events:

Keep in mind that if you haven't purchased the Winter Sports Cover add-on, you may not be covered for other expenses relating to winter sports either, such as for medical expenses overseas in the event of an injury – but refer to the relevant policy documents for full details.

Tick Insurance claim excess

On travel insurance claims with Tick Insurance, an excess of $200 typically applies, unless the excess amount has been reduced on the policy in return for an up-front fee paid at the time of application.

Some claims may not have an excess apply – full details can be found in the domestic travel insurance and international travel insurance policy documents.

Tick Insurance coronavirus cover

Whether travellers are covered for coronavirus-related claims depends on the type of claim, and when the cover was taken out.

For policies purchased after 4pm AEDT on January 31 2020, there is no cover for any claims relating to COVID-19: however, policies purchased prior to this date and time may offer some cover for certain expenses.

Tick Insurance has a thorough FAQ on its website, which outlines what types of claims may and may not be covered in relation to the coronavirus.

Tick travel insurance: the verdict

On the whole, with four tiers of international cover and three tiers of domestic protection, Tick Insurance's travel coverage is significantly more complex than policies offered by many other insurers.

That's made even more complicated by having different coverage levels and payout limits for policy types of the same name, depending on whether a domestic or international policy has been purchased.

In many ways, Tick Insurance also makes it harder to submit a valid claim – such as by restricting claims relating to travel delays to those where the delay is 12 hours or more, whereas other insurers typically offer cover after 4-6 hours, instead.

Depending on the policy price, Tick Insurance may provide value-driven coverage for some travellers who don't need as much as other insurers offer, but depending on your travel habits, a more comprehensive policy may be a better fit, and may be more likely to pay for itself.

Also read: Allianz 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 C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.