Beware of Credit Card Travel Insurance

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  robbyjones on 25/08/2021 - 21:55

  +4

  Amex have since changed underwriters and their insurance is even worse now. Even so, any insurance company will use whatever they can to get out of paying, make sure you read the PDS and cover yourself for what you may need. Different credit card companies use different underwriters and even different cards offer different coverage you just need to read the fine print regardless if it's included in your credit card or you buy it separately.

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  contrafibularities on 25/08/2021 - 21:57

  Junk insurance.

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  Platinumtelecom on 25/08/2021 - 22:50

  Scums, so glad I no longer hold credit cards to give these lowlife my money.

  • 

    FareEvader on 25/08/2021 - 23:43

    +4

    Not all credit cards are evil lol

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  bobbified on 25/08/2021 - 23:08

  +9

  Beware of Credit Card Travel Insurance

  Fixed it.

  Don't assume anything - always read and understand the fine print.

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  JimmyF on 25/08/2021 - 23:22

  ”Chubb Insurance, which underwrites insurance for American Express, recently wrote to lawyers representing Mr Griffiths's family rejecting the claim because he was "touring" the island and not being transported to or from the cruise ship.“

  I read this article earlier and was confused at what the insurance was MEANT to be covering. As I've read the amex travel insurance policy and don't remember seeing any clauses like that. So the article seems to say they are covered only while on the cruise ship and getting to/from the ship.

  So if this was a plane trip to say NZ instead, are they saying the insurance only covers you on the plane as once you arrive in NZ you would be 'touring'?

  If so what are the T&Cs in the policy they are using so we all can check our policies don't have wording like that (who ever the provider is).

  • 

    Ughhh on 26/08/2021 - 06:23

    +4

    If you read a little further more in the article

    Mr Griffiths' estate made a claim under a transport accident benefit in the policy.

    "Unfortunately, Mr Griffiths' death was not caused by a transport accident but rather a volcanic eruption, and therefore his death was not covered by this benefit.
    …
    …
    "We are also exploring if there are other expenses which we can assist with, given that Mr Griffiths was eligible for a range of emergency medical and related expenses."

    • 

      JimmyF on 26/08/2021 - 08:39

      Mr Griffiths' estate made a claim under a transport accident benefit in the policy.

      Thanks… Missed that bit they are claiming under travel.

      Odd, as I thought the credit card 'travel insurance' would have a general catch all that cover them for death. But it has been a few years since I've read a travel PDS now. Thanks covid!

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  bcarp on 25/08/2021 - 23:37

  +17

  This was, unfortunately, a rubbish article. While the deaths & injuries to the tourists was awful, in this case, the PDS for Amex travel insurance goes into very specific detail about what's covered & what's not covered. The article states the claim was made on Transport Accident Cover & they quite rightly rejected the claim. It's right there in the PDS what's covered & what's not, and walking to the transport is not covered. There's another insurance within the Amex card cover that they could claim on & I suspect the olive branch that Chubb will offer the family is just what's covered under the Medical Emergency Expenses Cover, which pays less in this instance than what the family was hoping.

  This is similar to buying fire (only) insurance for your house, then having the house destroyed by a tornado. The end result is tragic & the same as the insurance you bought (a destroyed house), but the mechanism was different, so it wouldn't be covered.

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  Trying2SaveABuck on 25/08/2021 - 23:49

  -3

  Isnt this all insurances? I mean when your signing up they will take your money but when you're claiming they dont wanna know you?

  Hearing this story makes me sick but i dare say the mother would have a strong case to fight this but it is the last thing you want to do when you have just lost your son - battle in court with lawyers!

  The issue is the pentalities for insurance companies acting badly are NO WHERE NEAR HARSH ENOUGH - honestly in a case like this if Chubb is fined 100m they wouldnt even try BS there way out of it - insurance companies have acted badly for a long time now sadly

  Same thing with CBA junk insurance and not paying out due to 'changes in definitions' etc got a slap on the wrist.

  ASIC and the government are useless if anything the major parties are funded by banks and insurance providers which is why out country is f**ked - same with the US and gun companies funding parties

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  Hardlyworkin on 26/08/2021 - 08:39

  Would many insurances cover you for visiting an active volcano? Seems to be one of those rather risky things that is excluded from a lot of travel insurance.

  • 

    Ughhh on 26/08/2021 - 18:05

    Yup. Lots of (basic) insurances don't cover high risk activities and sports, including skiing from what I remember.
    People really need to read the PDS and/or clarify with the insurer before beginning the trip.

    • 

      CMH on 12/09/2021 - 23:21

      When I plan a ski trip I always check that my insurance will specifically cover any related incidents.

      Another common reason for claims to get rejected is riding a motorbike in Bali. There's lots of clauses around that…

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  gromit on 30/08/2021 - 19:27

  Nothing wrong or rubbish about this. Most insurance whether through your credit card or directly don't cover high risk activities unless you have specifically taken out extra cover for it. read your PDS before undertaking risky activities, this includes everything from visiting volcanos, skiing, diving, sky diving or simply hiring a motorised scooter above 50cc (which is practically all of them).