The fact is, even the best made plans go awry. Things happen that are out of your control. And when they do, it’s reassuring to know that you have travel insurance in place, to help cover things like lost luggage, cancelled flights, or illnesses while on holiday. If you’re planning some time away, here are 3 top reasons to get travel insurance for your next trip.

1. Lost luggage can ruin a trip

Arriving at your destination without your luggage is understandably stressful. Having to replace the contents of your luggage – including clothing, electronics or medication – is an added expense on top of the cost of your holiday. With travel insurance, whether your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged, much of the cost of repairing or replacing the contents is covered.

What’s more, with some travel insurance, you can specify high value items – like cameras or mobile phones – so if any of these items are lost, stolen or damaged while on holiday, your travel insurance will cover the cost of replacement or repair up to a specified amount.

It’s worth talking to an Insurance Adviser – like those at Max Insurances – about your travel insurance needs to help find the right travel insurance.

2. Accidents and illness can happen on holiday

Getting sick or injured on holiday could put an end to your travel plans. Having to cancel your trip because of an illness means potentially losing all of the prepaid trip costs. An accident or injury while on holiday could leave you with expensive medical bills or hospital expenses, even the added cost of emergency evacuation.

If you need to cancel your trip because of an illness, travel insurance could reimburse your non-refundable travel expenses. And travel insurance also helps pay your medical expenses, hospital bills or emergency evacuation, which could easily run into thousands of dollars. And if you have to return home and cut short your trip because of your health, travel insurance may reimburse you for the portion of the trip that you missed.

Either way, it’s reassuring to know that when accidents or illnesses occur, your travel insurance helps you out.

However, if the unexpected does happen and you don’t have the travel insurance or the savings to cover the medical and health expenses, help is still available – our Personal Lending team at Max Loans may be able to assist with an emergency loan to help take care of those costs, helping you get the medical care and treatment you need quickly at a difficult time. To find out more about what we can offer, give us a call on 0800 ASK MAX (0800 275 629) today!

3. Flights don’t always arrive on time

Flight cancellation or delays are not that uncommon these days. Be it the airline’s fault or a natural hazard, when flights are delayed or even cancelled, it can impact your travel plans. These unexpected events could mean you miss onward connections or lose out on other travel arrangements. You may even need to change or rebook parts of your trip, all of which mean added inconvenience and usually some cost.

With travel insurance, many of these situations are covered, which means you get to focus on enjoying your holiday without having to worry about losing money on missed arrangements or paying to rebook your cancelled flights. In most instances, your travel insurance could even reimburse you for unused parts of your holiday. That’s one less thing to think about while you’re travelling!

Not all travel insurance is created equally

Travel insurance policies can differ quite significantly. The amount of cover, terms and conditions, exclusions and inclusions are quite different depending on which travel insurance you choose. At Max Insurances, we believe that to find the best travel insurance cover, there are three simple rules to follow:

1. Shop around and compare policies – As an Insurance Adviser, Max Insurances specialises in helping Kiwis get the best insurance NZ wide and can help you with this.
2. Buy before you fly – Buy your travel insurance at the same time you book and pay for your flights.
3. Read your policy wording carefully – Make sure you understand what you are and aren’t covered for. And if you have questions, get in touch with an Insurance Adviser– like those at Max Insurances.

Planning a holiday is one of the most exciting things to do, but going on holiday without travel insurance is a risk not worth taking. To find out more about the right travel insurance cover for your needs, get in touch with an Insurance Adviser at Max Insurances.

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1. Not declaring pre-existing conditions

Having a pre-existing medical condition doesn’t mean you can’t apply for travel insurance, or that your application will necessarily be denied. But without a full picture of your health before you travel, any claim you make because of your pre-existing medical condition could mean your travel insurance contract is cancelled and you’re left without cover.

By being honest up front when purchasing your travel insurance, and declaring any pre-existing medical conditions at the time of your application, your travel insurance company will advise you whether:

1. You can get travel insurance but have to pay extra so your pre-existing medical condition is covered.
2. Your pre-existing medical condition won’t be covered, but you can still get travel insurance cover for events not related to your condition.
3. They are unable to offer you travel insurance.

Working with an Insurance Adviser – like Max Insurances – means we can match you up with travel insurance that best meets your needs, and save you time having to shop around for travel insurance that may not cover you for any pre-existing medical conditions.

2. Not having the right cover

Most travel insurance companies provide insurance cover for some adventure activities, but there are some activities that are just too risky to insure. When buying travel insurance, it’s vital you check what is and isn’t included in your travel insurance cover. Particularly if your holiday includes high-risk activities like parachuting, hang gliding, BASE jumping, or rock climbing.

If something goes wrong when you participate in these types of activities – or you travel to a destination that isn’t covered in your travel insurance policy – you won’t be able to claim unless your travel insurance cover specifically covers these types of activities. If you’re unsure what cover is included in your travel insurance policy, talk to your Insurance Adviser and they can help you find the coverage you need.

3. Not reading the terms, conditions and exclusions

Hand in hand with not having the right cover, is not reading the policy documents and assuming you’re covered for something you’re not. Typically this happens when travellers assume that their holiday bookings can be cancelled for whatever reason, while the travel insurance policy specifies only certain events are covered for cancellations.

Before buying travel insurance, it’s important you read the policy wording to ensure the cover is right for you. If you have any questions, contact your Insurance Adviser or the travel insurance company so you’re clear on what you’re covered for.

Not having a good holiday – because the accommodation was sub-standard, the food was inedible, or your fellow passengers were annoying – is not a basis for a travel insurance claim, so ensure you do your research, read reviews and check travel advisories!

4. Not providing the right documentation when submitting a claim

One of the most common reasons why travel insurance claims are rejected is simply because the claim forms are incomplete or are missing important information. Before sending off a travel insurance claim, make sure you’ve included all of the necessary documentation – and keep a copy of any original receipts before sending these to the insurance company.

Supporting documents you’ll need to include with your travel insurance claim are:

1. Invoices, receipts and itemised bills for all travel-related expenses.
2. Any refunds or expense allowances from your travel agent, flight operator, or accommodation provider.
3. Appropriate documents explaining the cause of your trip cancellation or interruption.
4. Proof of your medical diagnosis or a letter from your doctor advising you cancel your travel arrangements.
5. Original unused tickets, proof of payments, and other documents substantiating any costs you’ve outlaid.
6. The supplier’s cancellation terms and penalty conditions.

5. Consuming drugs or alcohol

Drugs and alcohol impair our responses and ability to make good decisions. If you’re intoxicated or under the influence of drugs – or you’re driving a vehicle you’re not licenced for – your travel insurance company likely won’t pay for any claims you make resulting from any of these actions.

The right cover for your insurance needs

At Max Insurances, we know that travel insurance can seem complicated, which is why we do our best to make it as simple and as easy to understand as we can. If you’re unsure about which travel insurance cover is right for you, just get in touch with us. As experts in travel insurance, we specialise in helping Kiwis arrange insurance NZ wide and are confident we can find the right insurance cover for you.

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The post Top 5 Reasons Travel Insurance Claims Are Declined appeared first on Max Insurances.

1. Car Insurance

Depending on the level of cover you choose, car insurance can protect you against financial loss should you cause or be involved in an accident, cause damage to someone else’s property, or if your car is stolen or damaged by fire.

Although car insurance isn’t mandatory in New Zealand, most car owners choose some form of insurance cover for their vehicle. After all, losing a car through theft or an accident is not only a significant financial loss, it could also impact your earning ability if you’re unable to get to work.

When it comes to car insurance, there are generally three types of insurance cover:

1. Third party car insurance is usually the most affordable car insurance, covering your legal liability should you cause an accident and damage someone else’s car or property. Any damage to your own car or property is not covered though. This type of car insurance is ideal if you have a low-value car and you’re willing to replace or repair the car at minimal cost.
2. Third party, fire and theft is similar to third party car insurance, but it also covers your car for loss or damage by fire or theft.
3. Comprehensive car insurance offers full protection with cover for accidental damage to your car and other cars and any property in an accident that you cause.

Working with an Insurance Adviser like those at Max Insurances, we can help you determine which type of cover would fit your needs best. And we can also offer advice around insurance cover for other types of vehicle, including boat insurance, caravan insurance, motorhome insurance, motorcycle insurance and classic car insurance.

2. House Insurance

As probably your most valuable asset, it makes sense to protect your home with house insurance, to cover events that are out of your control. Like an earthquake, fire, or a burst pipe that could cause extensive damage to your home. Also, most lenders require you to have house insurance in place when you apply for a home loan.

Whether it’s a repair or a rebuild, house insurance protects you from significant financial loss should something happen to your home. It can also cover things like:

1. Temporary accommodation if you’re unable to live in your home while it’s being repaired or rebuilt.
2. Clothes, furniture, electronics and personal items lost because of theft or damage.
3. Your legal liability should you or a family member cause damage to someone else’s property, or if someone is injured in your home.

Insuring your home for the right amount is vital. An experienced Insurance Adviser like those at Max Insurances can help you compare house insurance policies to find the right cover for your needs.

3. Contents Insurance

No matter how careful you are, things can happen that are out of your control, sometimes damaging or destroying your personal possessions. With contents insurance, anything from clothing and jewellery to electronics and furniture can be repaired or replaced if they’re damaged or destroyed by insured events, which may include natural disasters, theft or fire, and accidental damage.

The cost of replacing the things you own can easily run into thousands of dollars. Contents insurance brings peace of mind, knowing that your things can be repaired or replaced without you having to foot the bill.

When it comes to choosing the right contents insurance, it’s a good idea to compare both price and level of insurance cover. An experienced Insurance Adviser like those at Max Insurances can help make this process easier, and ensure you have a thorough understanding of what’s covered and what’s not.

4. Renters or Landlord Insurance

Whether you’re a renter or a landlord, damage to rental property can end up costing you thousands of dollars. Having to pay for the cost of repairs or replacement can leave a significant hole in your budget.

Most landlords have insurance that covers the physical structure of their rental property, along with their own possessions inside the property. However, if you are a tenant, it’s worth bearing in mind that landlord insurance usually covers damage caused by tenants, loss of rental income and landlord liability, but these policies typically don’t cover tenants for any loss or damage to their own personal possessions inside the rental property-which is why renters insurance is useful for renters.

Renters insurance, also called tenants insurance, covers items inside the rental home, including things like mobile phone, electronics, furniture and clothing. It could also extend to personal belongings in the driveway, garage or a car. What’s more, renters insurance can also protect legal liability when it comes to loss, fire or any water damage you may accidentally cause to the property you’re renting.

Finding insurance cover that provides flexibility and good value – to suit renters or landlords-can be a challenge. With expert knowledge in a range of insurance products and access to a wide variety of insurers, Max Insurances can help you find the right insurance cover at the best price.

5. Travel Insurance

Whether you’re travelling near to home or far from home, changes to your travel plans, cancellations or illness can end up costing you in both time and money. When you need to change your holiday plans– or if your plans change because of events that are out of your control– travel insurance lets you get on with enjoying your holiday without worrying about the extra expense and unbudgeted costs that could result because of illness, loss or damage, cancellations or emergencies.

Travel insurance can also be used to pay for:

1. Medical costs due to illness or accident: however, most standard policies may not cover pre-existing conditions and you may need to pay extra to get cover for that condition.
2. Rebooking flights or accommodation when flights are disrupted.
3. Returning home in an emergency situation.
4. Luggage, credit cards or passports that may be lost or stolen while on holiday.
5. Injuries to someone else or damage to someone’s property.

All your insurance needs under one umbrella

When it comes to insurance, there’s a lot to understand. Many insurance policies are written using complicated language and hard to understand terms and conditions. It can be challenging trying to compare insurance cover, pricing and exclusions. That’s why it makes sense to work with an experienced Insurance Adviser. At Max Insurances, we specialise in helping Kiwis arrange insurance NZ wide, and we are also there for you at claim time if need be.

Our team are experts at understanding insurance jargon, and we can help you understand it too. What’s more, we know that your needs are unique, so we work hard to find the right cover to fit your lifestyle and budget. For all your insurance needs, talk to us to get the right advice! Find out more about the types of insurance cover we can help you with, by getting in touch with our team today.

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Why do I need travel insurance?

Sometimes things happen that are out of your control and you’re no longer able to travel. If you’ve already paid for flights, accommodation or other services, you could end up losing your deposits or being charged a cancellation fee.

Travel insurance may cover you for any financial loss you incur if your travel plans have to change because of circumstances that are out of your control.

Some policies cover emergency medical treatment while you’re on holiday, and most will cover the cost of your luggage and items inside – such as cameras, tablets and laptops to a maximum limit – in the event of theft, loss or damage.

When it comes to hiring a car, you may be able to use your travel insurance to reduce the amount of excess that rental companies charge.

Remember to check the exclusions carefully, as many travel insurance policies do not cover cancellations in the event of a pandemic.

What does it cover?

At Max Insurances, we work with a panel of insurance providers offering both standard and comprehensive travel insurance options. Typically, the travel insurance policies we recommend cover:

• Trip cancellation – if you’re unable to travel due to unforeseen events.
• Hospital visits and medical emergencies – unexpected hospital or emergency treatment.
• Lost, stolen or damaged personal belongings – covering items like your luggage.

Besides these, travel insurance may also cover travel delays, rental car excess, personal liability and more.

What is excluded?

Before buying travel insurance, it’s important you read the policy document carefully, as there are some instances where travel insurance will not cover you. Missed flights that are due to your own fault, mechanical issues, overbooking or aircraft maintenance are generally not covered by travel insurance.

Your luggage and personal items may be covered for theft, damage and loss, but you do need to keep them as safe as you can. Your travel insurance claim could be rejected if you left your luggage unattended or visible in the back seat of the rental car.

And while generally high-value items – like laptops and cameras – are covered by travel insurance, there is usually a maximum value limit set on each of these so you may only be able to claim a certain amount per item.

Lastly, some activities are deemed too risky to insure and won’t be covered by travel insurance. Things like sky-diving, rock climbing, or skiing off-piste are usually excluded by insurance companies.

Does travel insurance cover my motorhome or caravan?

If you’re going on holiday with your caravan or motorhome, it’s important you have the right cover should the unexpected happen. Caravan insurance or motorhome insurance is designed to cover caravans or motorhomes against accidental damage, theft, fire and even weather damage. This type of insurance differs from travel insurance in that it covers a wider range of events and items.

It’s also a little more complex than simply having comprehensive car insurance. Caravan insurance and motorhome insurance cover not just the vehicle itself, but also the contents inside – like the carpets, entertainment systems, appliances, furniture and more. Because your caravan or motorhome doubles as your vehicle and your accommodation, you need insurance cover that protects both. That includes while you’re on the road and when you’re parked up somewhere.

What about pre-existing conditions

Most travel insurance policies won’t cover pre-existing medical conditions, but you do need to disclose these in your application. You may have the option to pay a slightly higher premium in order to cover any pre-existing conditions, but otherwise you won’t be able to claim against anything that happens as a result of a pre-existing condition.

The right insurance cover

Even the most carefully planned trips can go wrong. That’s why it’s so important to have the right travel insurance cover in place. So you can get back on track again, without any financial worries.

At Max Insurances, we specialise in helping Kiwis get the best insurance NZ wide and can help you find the right travel insurance to fit your specific needs. What’s more, if something does go wrong, we can help you get your claim underway.

Talk to our team today about getting travel insurance for your next holiday in New Zealand.

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The post Travelling Within NZ: Things You Should Know About Insurance appeared first on Max Insurances.