What Is a PDS?
Every Australian travel insurance policy comes with a Product Disclosure Statement, a legal document that explains exactly what is and isn’t covered. Insurers are required by ASIC to provide one before you buy. It’s also the document you’ll need if you ever make a claim.
The Five Sections That Matter Most
1. Medical & Emergency: Check the limit (look for “unlimited”) and whether emergency evacuation back to Australia is included as standard or as an add-on.
2. Cancellation & Amendment: Look at both the dollar limit and the list of covered reasons. “Any reason” cancellation is expensive but comprehensive; standard plans only cover specific events (illness, death of a relative, natural disaster).
3. Activities & Exclusions: This is where most claims get denied. Check whether your planned activities, surfing, diving, hiring a motorbike, are covered under the standard policy or require an add-on.
4. Excess: The amount you pay before the insurer pays out on a claim. A $0 excess plan costs more upfront; a $250 excess plan is cheaper but means you absorb more of any claim.
5. Pre-existing Conditions: Almost all policies exclude conditions unless you declare them and pay an additional premium. Non-disclosure can void your entire policy, not just the related claim.
