Travel Insurance Direct Review

Learn more about TID’s travel insurance policies to find out about their coverage and fees and compare them with other insurers today.

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, updated on June 26th, 2023       

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Over a million Australians have been protected by Travel Insurance Direct since the company's launch in 2002. Underwritten by Lloyd's, the insurer provides coverage that extends to more than 100 countries.

If you want to learn more about Travel Insurance Direct and the policies they offer, you can find out more about them and compare your options with Savvy. Taking into consideration criteria like claim limits and inclusions, we’ll show you how Travel Insurance Direct's products stack up against the competition.

To discover more about the insurance offered by Travel Insurance Direct and how they compare, get a quote and do a quick comparison with us today.

*Please note that Savvy does not represent Travel Insurance Direct for its insurance products.

More about Travel Insurance Direct's policy offers

What policies does Travel Insurance Direct offer?

Travel Insurance Direct (TID) gives you the following options when you are looking to purchase travel insurance:

  • The Works: this is TID’s comprehensive policy, which covers you for a range of incidentals anywhere in the world, such as medical expenses, cancellation, lost or damaged luggage and personal liability. You’re also covered for some COVID-19-related expenses, such as medical expenses and rescheduling your travel plans if you test positive, and natural disasters that occur at your destination, such as a volcano eruption in Bali.
  • The Basics: if you’re travelling on a budget, TID offers a cheaper overseas policy which affords you unlimited coverage for medical expenses, evacuation and personal liability, among some other benefits. The claim limits on this policy are lower than those of comprehensive insurance.
  • Domestic: seeing relatives on the east coast or taking a road trip through Australia? The domestic policy TID offers gives you cover for cancellations, personal liability, luggage and personal items and the excess on a rental car. You also get some coverage for Coronavirus-related disruptions.
  • Annual Multi-Trip: designed for the more frequent flyer, this annual travel insurance policy covers you for an unlimited number of trips anywhere in the world over 12 months. There are some conditions, however, namely that your holiday begins and ends in Australia and is at least 200km from your home. You also can’t be away from home for longer than 35 days on any given trip, although you can take as many as you like.
The Works The Basics Domestic
Overseas medical
Unlimited
Unlimited
N/A
Cancellation
$2,000
$1,500
$2,000
Additional expenses
Unlimited
$250,000
$50,000
Personal liability
$2.5 million
$1 million
$300,000
Rental car excess
$6,000
$6,000
$6,000
Luggage and personal items
$12,000
$2,000
$4,000
Coronavirus
$2,500
N/A
$2,500

Before you go out on that long-awaited holiday, though, comparing travel insurance quotes with Savvy will help you ensure that you receive the best deal possible.

What optional extras are available through Travel Insurance Direct?

TID offers a range of extra options to give you the coverage you need, including:

  1. Skiing and snowboarding: some winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, and even dog sledding, require you to take out extra cover. If an unexpected sickness or accident prevents you from skiing for more than 24 hours, this add-on will reimburse you for your pre-paid expenses, including lift ticket fees, snow sports equipment rentals, and lessons.
  2. Sports and activities: this adventure coverage policy provides you with protection if you’re taking part in a range of high-risk activities, including fencing, bungee jumping, lawn bowls, hot air ballooning and scuba diving.
  3. Valuables: this coverage extends your policy's coverage for valuables like jewellery, mobile phones, and musical instruments above the baseline claimable amounts.

What exclusions should I be aware of when buying a policy through Travel Insurance Direct?

While travel insurance is essential for safeguarding your most prized possessions while you're away from home, there are still risks that may not be covered. In general, the following situations aren’t covered by TID:

  1. Accidents caused by alcohol or drug use
  2. Reckless or wilfully dangerous behaviour
  3. Ignoring the Australian government’s travel warnings (such as travelling to Bali while a volcano is erupting)
  4. Leaving personal items unattended
  5. Activities such as hunting, racing, BASE jumping and paragliding
  6. Unapproved pre-existing medical conditions, such as mental illness

If you've researched and found a policy you're interested in, you should read the provider's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). This will state in depth what is and isn’t covered by your policy.

What we think of Travel Insurance Direct

What we like

Substantial COVID-19 coverage

TID is one of the few providers on the market who offer broad COVID-19-related coverage, ranging from quarantine to trip cancellation costs.

Automatic cruise coverage

Some of the big-name travel insurance providers require you to pay a higher excess if you want coverage for a cruise holiday. TID automatically includes cover in their policies.

Cover for a raft of pre-existing conditions

TID offers cover for roughly 40 pre-existing ailments automatically, including bunions, asthma and glaucoma. That means no matter whether you’re on holiday in Australia or on a trip to Georgia, there’s a good chance you won't have to pay extra for cover.

What we don't like

Limited personal liability coverage

Compared to most other travel insurance companies, TID’s personal liability cover of up to $300,000 for domestic trips is incredibly low. Some insurers on the market offer up to $5 million or even $10 million.

Age limits

While a handful of companies essentially allow people of any age to take out certain policies, TID caps the age of customers at 80 years old.

No domestic travel delay cover

TID’s domestic policy doesn’t cover you for delays to your travel plans, and the international policy only covers costs up to $2,000, which is quite scant compared to some competitors.

Types of travel insurance

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Frequently asked questions about Travel Insurance Direct

How do I make a claim through Travel Insurance Direct?

Making a travel insurance claim online with TID is relatively easy. Essentially, you’ll need to follow these steps:

  • Use your email and password to log in and make a new claim
  • Select the type of claim you’re making
  • Provide a summary of the claimable incident with ample detail
  • Make a list of the expenses you’re claiming
  • Gather your supporting documents, such as medical or police reports and receipts
  • Upload documents to the portal
  • Review your claim and await a response from Travel Insurance Direct

 
After you’ve submitted the above information, you’ll get an email from TID confirming receipt of your claim and providing an expected processing time. If your claim is valid, you’ll receive an email that your money has been refunded.

Does Travel Insurance Direct cover pregnancy?

Yes – TID’s policies automatically include cover for pregnancies up to the end of the 26th week. You’ll also receive 24/7 emergency assistance and cancellation costs if you’re struck down with severe morning sickness or gestational diabetes. However, you won’t be covered for routine hospital check-ups or if you’re past 26 weeks pregnant.

How much will my travel insurance cost?

Many factors affect how much you'll spend on travel insurance, including:

  • Your age
  • How long you’re planning to travel
  • The destinations you’re visiting
  • Whether you suffer from any pre-existing conditions
  • If you need any optional extras, such as cruise or adventure sports cover
  • The travel insurance company you choose and the level of coverage you’re prepared to pay for
What are the differences between single, annual and one-way trip travel insurance?

While single-trip policies only cover one trip, annual multi-trip policies protect you on an unlimited number of trips to as many different locations as you choose (usually between 45 and 90). As such, if you are a backpacker with a one-way trip to Bhutan, for instance, you should get one-way travel insurance coverage.

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