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- If You Don't Have Travel Insurance, Australia Won't Give You a Free Ride
- By: PAUL STANLEY
This may be a free country but when it comes to travel insurance, Australia expects visitors to cover their own costs.
Australia is one of the world’s favourite destinations, particularly if you’re a backpacker. Australia is such a top destination and this is partly due to its sub-tropical climate and temporary employment opportunities.
WWOOFing (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) can be an interesting way to get to know Australia between cities. WWOOFing can range anywhere from hobby farms to outback stations.
Backpacker accommodation is located centrally in all major and regional cities plus locations such as Byron Bay, rugged Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, the pearling township of Broome in far Western Australia and hundreds more. YHA (Youth Hostel Australia) cards will help you purchase cheaper rates on accommodation and travel related matters. These cards are also valid beyond Australia.
Travel Insurance Is Still Necessary
While it’s easy to focus solely on the bush and the beach, visitors will be surprised to realise there’s a whole heap of travel time in between. Glorious locations like Cape Tribulation at the base of Cape York or the Olgas or Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Central Australia come with an element of risk. Anyone can come down sick at any time, any where. Travellers need to be aware the Australian Medicare system does not cover all international visitors.
iTrek travel insurers say they provide tailored policies for Australian citizens and those with permanent resident status but also for visitors to Australia. iTtrek just stipulate that the policy be bought here in Australia.
Given the number of travellers who still take off without travel insurance of any kind, knowing they can purchase a range of domestic travel insurance when they arrive in Oz, from ‘medical only’ to ‘comprehensive’ is a great safeguard.
iTrek is an online company so potentially, cover can be taken out from a laptop at the airport on arrival. Policies are tailored to the 18 to 24 age group – or those who like to travel young and for family travel insurance, but are capped at age 66.
Naturally, taking out insurance before departure is a must do – but that doesn’t always get done. Travellers can go online to compare Australian insurance companies and get an annual, single trip or holiday insurance quote.
When purchasing travel insurance, keep an eye out for companies that provide unlimited emergency, medical, hospital and evacuation cover back to your home country. These factors should be standard, with a range of options to choose from.
Author Bio: Paul Stanley is Marketing Manager for iTrek Travel Insurance Australia, providers of international and domestic travel insurance online.
