Travel insurance glossary

Here's some phrases you might come across in your research into travel insurance policies. The phrases and definitions are illustrative only and do not indicate actual wording in Australia Post products. Please carefully consult the Product Disclosure Statement of the individual polices of any product you decide to take up.

Accident or accidental

An unexpected, unforeseeable event causing loss that can happen while you're on a trip covered by your policy.

Accommodation

Any type of lodging in which you stay overnight and pay a fee to do so.

Additional expenses

Additional accommodation and transportation expenses as a result of events such as sickness, natural disasters, loss of travel documents and strikes.

Amendment or cancellation costs

Cost of rearranging or cancelling your journey because of unforeseen circumstances outside your control such as illness, accidents and extreme weather conditions.

Beneficiary

The person who receives compensation from your insurance policy in the event of your death.

Benefits

Benefits are what your insurance provider gives you according to the terms of your policy.

Claim

A request for payment in accordance with your insurance policy.

Cover or coverage

This is the extent of protection afforded by your policy.

Current Market Value

The amount of money an item would bring if sold in the current local market. This is based on what it could be sold for in its present state, the original cost, and its current condition and age.

Damage

Harm or injury to property or a person, resulting in loss of value or the impairment of usefulness.

Disability

A physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses or activities. A disadvantage or handicap, especially one imposed or recognised recognised by the law.

Emergency Medical Care

This includes anything that constitutes an emergency. It does not include any type of regular, foreseeable medical care or needs.

Endorsement

An endorsement is any special condition listed on your policy.

Excess

If you have an excess on your policy, this is an amount you have to first pay towards a claim.

Existing Medical Condition

Any disease, illness, medical or dental condition or physical defect that you have, may be classified as an Existing Medical Condition. For the full definition of Existing Medical Conditions please read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

Home

'Home' means your usual place of residence in Australia.

Incidental

Costs associated with an event, such as an injury or accident, which are not directly related to the event.

Injury

An injury is anything which harms you that occurs by accidental or violent means that is covered by your policy.

Journey

'Journey' means the period you're covered for commencing at the time you leave your home and ceasing at the time you return to your home.

Luggage and personal affects

Any personal item owned by you and carried with you on a trip during your period of cover including, but not limited to,: clothing, personal jewellery, personal computer, electrical devices or portable equipment.

Medically necessary

Any medical treatment that is needed, is consistent with the symptoms you display, and can safely be provided. It does not include any procedure that's done simply for convenience.

Natural disaster

This is any event caused by nature and not by any human activity. This can typically include earthquakes, storms, bushfires and floods.

Overseas medical expenses

Overseas hospital, surgical nursing, ambulance and emergency dental expenses.

Period of cover

The time period during which your policy covers your travel.

Personal Liability

Personal Liability meaning the party or parties involved are solely responsible for any debts accumulated.

Refund

This is cash or credit that can be given to you as reimbursement according to the terms of your policy.

Rental car insurance excess

Excess charges for damage to or theft of a rental car while in your control.

Resumption of journey benefit

Cost to resume your travels if you had to return to Australia due to a sudden serious injury, sickness, disease or death of a relative or business partner in Australia.

Sudden illness or serious injury

An illness or injury that occurs during your period of cover which necessitates treatment by a health professional.

Travel delay

Scheduled transport that is delayed by over six hours.

Reasonable

The term reasonable when associated with an expense or cost refers to what is usual, needed and lives up to the standards of the travel you reserved.

Unforeseen

An unforeseen circumstance is one that was out of your control and can include an illness, an accident, cancelled flights, or a natural disaster.