Should I extend my cover just in case?

If you are not sure how long you will be on your trip:

If you are unsure as to when you will return to Australia, your return date should be the date that you know you will definitely be away for. You can then extend your policy (and pay the additional premium) if you do decide to stay longer than the date specified on your policy certificate.
If you extend your policy, but you return earlier than your extended date, there would be no refund for the unused portion of your policy.

If you are sick or injured:

If you are unable to return to Australia on the date specified on your policy, you should contact the Emergency Assistance team for assistance. Your policy will be automatically extended free of charge until you are able to return, provided it is for a reason that you can claim under your policy.
If you are unsure if your sickness or injury is for something that you can claim for, you should extend your policy (and pay the additional premium) for the required duration and submit a claim for the cost of the extension. The Claims team will assess your claim and if your sickness or injury is for something that you can claim for, you may be reimbursed for the cost of the extension.

Note:

Unless approved by us, cover will not be extended: 

  • For any new medical condition you suffered during the term of your existing policy or change to any medical condition which is listed on your certificate of insurance as a covered medical condition, or pregnancy condition, if we reasonably determine that you should return to Australia for treatment (based on the information that is available to us at the time) and you do not agree to do so, or; 
  • For any new medical condition you suffered during the term of your existing policy or change to any medical condition which is listed on your certificate of insurance as a covered medical condition, or pregnancy condition, unless:  
    • you agree to take a further screening process, we agree to provide cover and you pay the additional premium (if applicable), and; 
    • you agree that any ongoing medical treatment/advice, medication, test, investigation and or related expense beyond the original return date that you or a reasonable person is aware of, will not be covered as listed in General Exclusion 22 (e), 
  • Where you have not advised us of any circumstances that have given (or may give) rise to a claim under your original policy; or 
  • Where at the time of extension you are aged 90 years or over. 
  • Where we have agreed to extend cover, we will issue you with a new certificate of insurance. The period of insurance on your original certificate of insurance and your new certificate of insurance cannot exceed a maximum combined period of 24 months. 

Cover is subject to the policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

Please note: any advice is general advice only and has not taken into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the PDS prior to deciding whether this policy is right for you.

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