Buying on a Budget Is Not Just About Price



When you’re buying anything on a budget, you don’t simply buy the cheapest because you want a product that will perform. When buying cheap travel insurance Australia consumer watchdog, Choice, advise:




  1. Buy insurance online if you can find a discounted policy that suits your needs – this is highly recommended as it can save a further 10% over face-to-face and up to 50-60% over travel agents.
  2. If booking and paying in advance for accommodation, fares and tours consider purchasing cover for cancellation, additional expenses and delays – take out trip cancellation cover as soon as you start paying for your trip.
  3. Consider family and health needs when travelling overseas including the possibility of family back home becoming ill requiring a quick return – Australian travel insurance for trip resumption covers this possible outcome.
  4. Choice also advise travellers to be particularly careful when choosing backpacker travel insurance and cover to suit extreme sports.




In addition, exercise care when purchasing extremely low discount travel insurance, particularly for international travel. If you purchase travel insurance cheap as chips, it may lack the infrastructure to support you in time of emergency, and may have too many exclusions or hefty excesses on claims.



When you’re buying travel insurance on a budget, first work out what your needs are.



When buying a car you think about what your needs are, right? Is it solely for city driving or do you want to cruise out to the Simpson Desert? How many will you be transporting? What’s your budget? Who’s the dealer, what’s their price tag, do they have added extras that make it a better deal, what’s their track record with customers or after sales?



The same is true with travel insurance. Where are you going and for how long? What activities? Special considerations such as pre-existing medical conditions or special circumstances at home that might mean you need to return home during your trip?



What’s your travel budget? What are you taking – just your backpack, Lonely Planet Guide and change of undies or do you have a top of the range camera and a pocket sized laptop. Which company offers the sort of cover you need? What’s the price range of their plans? What do the plans cover, and are they capped? Do claims carry an excess and can you purchase a waiver? What is the company’s track record with customer service, claims, response in an emergency, contact availability?


Customer Reviews

I have used TID before and found there webste easy to use and they covered everything that I needed for a my trip at a reasonable price. I just want good cover for a fare price. TID offer this. Very fortunately I have not yet had to claim.

Brendan | 29/01/2012 <p>Travel Insurance Direct</p>

I have always used the same travel insurance company. I was planning to travel to Thailand for 8days so I contacted them for a quote. I advised them that I would be 19weeks pregnant at the time of travel. They provided me with a quote which was more than I had previously paid for 6weeks in Sth America so I set about looking for a comparison quote. A friend recommended TID. Even with my "pre-existing medical condition" the quote came in at 50% less. I was impressed and will use TID for future travel

Sandra | 27/01/2012 <p>Travel Insurance Direct</p>

I dont get insurance anywhere else. I have used them the past 5 times I have travelled. Well priced. Good coverage. Such and easy process

Noeleen Lechner | 20/01/2012 <p>Travel Insurance Direct</p>

have used CTI for the last 3 years, last trip had to claim on overnight medical & hospital expenses while in Bangkok,paid once we got back home & sorted out paperwork,also had to claim stolen wallet{pickpocket]in Kuala lumpur.Claimed online, sent police report & claim was promptly paid.We are using them again this year & highly recommend them but they don't cover pre existing conditions which is clearly stated on the policy.

sandra mccartney | 16/01/2012 <p>Cheap Travel Insurance</p>

I have used TID three times for my children and have found the prices very reasonable, the policies easy to chose and the support excellent. When my 16 year old daughter was on exchange and got sick TID were fantastic with their advice and support.

Halina | 12/01/2012 <p>Travel Insurance Direct</p>

I have used TID on several occacions, three times as a normal policy and I am now onto my secdond year using the twelve month policy. Their rates are better than any I have researched and the prompt service I received when making a claim was excellent.I have recommended them to many of my friends as well as people I have met on my travels.

Janice Sullivan | 11/12/2011 <p>Travel Insurance Direct</p>

I found the price from TID with comparable coverage, cheaper than any other company and I will definitely use them again.

John | 3/12/2011 <p>Travel Insurance Direct</p>

After researching several insurance policies TID had everything i needed in a policy and it was quick and simple to organise. The best part was the price....

Linda | 30/11/2011 <p>Travel Insurance Direct</p>

TID is our first choice in Travel Insurance. We have used them at least 3 times now and would recommend them to anyone as the service is great and their rates are extremely comparable.

Robyn Gill | 19/11/2011 <p>Travel Insurance Direct</p>

QBE Travel insurance sucks

Don't do it.

My infant daughter had an asthma attack while travelling overseas and needed hospital treatment overnight.

QBE refuse to pay a single cent because they consider that a "pre-existing condition" - even though she's not even 2 years old yet!

Choose a different insurer.

David | 12/11/2011   QBE Australia

I agree with Chris, it doesn't cover much. They should call it medical expenses travel insurance to avoid confusing travellers!

Stephen | 9/11/2011 <p>Cheap Travel Insurance</p>

i have never found buying travel insurance to be so cheap and easy. great work TID

brad | 9/11/2011 <p>Travel Insurance Direct</p>

I keep coming back to TID as they are great value and easy to work with.

SJC | 8/11/2011 <p>Travel Insurance Direct</p>

I've been using TID for many years now, and have always been happy with the website, the booking system, the service, the communication and the price!
When I made a claim a few years back after my laptop was damaged and some of my money was stolen, they came through with the goods, and were very communicative and cooperative.
TID is the best : )
Tawfik

tawfik | 3/11/2011 <p>Travel Insurance Direct</p>


Great post… you’ve posted very informative article. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing with us

Alameda Taxi | 2/11/2011 <p>Cheap Travel Insurance</p>

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