What are the things I should be aware of if I am thinking of buying a policy from Fast Cover?

The following information applies to policies purchased from 30th October 2023 onwards. For policies purchased prior to 30th October 2023: you can find the PDS relevant to you in your policy confirmation email, by logging into MyPolicy, or you can contact us for assistance.

Before you buy a policy with us 

Travel insurance is there to protect you against unexpected circumstances like medical emergencies, trip cancellation and lost baggage. 

Each travel insurance policy is different, and we want to ensure you understand how our travel insurance policies work so that you can choose the right cover for your circumstances. 

  1. Important note on COVID-19: 

This policy provides cover for some claims that arise from COVID-19. Not all circumstances related to COVID-19 are covered. The cover we provide specific to COVID-19 is found under Benefit 27 and Benefit 28 on pages 82 to 86 of the PDS. Please carefully read these benefit sections to ensure the cover we offer is right for you.   

Here is a summary of key circumstances related to COVID-19 that you are covered for under this policy:  

  • Medical expenses: You are covered for your overseas emergency medical, hospital and medical evacuation expenses related to COVID-19.  
  • Trip cancellation or rearrangement: You are covered if you have to cancel or rearrange your trip because you or someone else named on the certificate of insurance is diagnosed with COVID-19.   
  • Additional travel expenses: You are covered for your additional travel expenses if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 during your trip.  This includes your additional accommodation costs where you are directed by a government authority to isolate or quarantine.  
  • Family emergency: You are covered for your cancellation or rescheduling expenses if a close relative residing in Australia is unexpectedly hospitalised or dies from COVID-19 during your trip.   
  • Emergency childcare: You are covered for your reasonable additional costs of caring for your dependants travelling with you if you are unable to care for them because you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 during your trip.   

Cover is subject to and can be affected by otherpolicy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of cover described in this PDS. Cover specific to COVID-19 is found on pages 82 to 86 of the PDS.  

Here are some examples of claims that are excluded under this policy:  

  • There is no cover if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 or develop symptoms of COVID-19 within 72-hours of purchasing your policy.  
  • There is no cover for claims related to border closures, lockdowns, lockoutsor other travel restrictions imposed within Australia or overseas.However, under this circumstance we may provide you with a partial or full refund of your premium.  
  • There is no cover if you cannot go on your trip or your trip is disrupted because someone else is diagnosed with COVID-19 or becomes unwell because of COVID-19 unless that person is named on the certificate of insurance. For example, there is no cover if you cannot travel or wish to cut your trip short because a family member or business partner tests positive or becomes unwell with COVID-19 if that person is not named on the certificate of insurance. However, under this circumstance we may provide you with a partial or full refund of your premium. 
  • There is no cover if you cannot go on your trip or your trip is disrupted because you are deemed to be a close contact of someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 unless the person who tested positive is named on the certificate of insurance. For example, if you are a close contact of a family member who is not named on the certificate of insurance, there is no cover. However, under this circumstance we may provide you with a partial or full refund of your premium. 
  • There is no cover for claims related to cruisesunless the optional Cruise cover has been purchased by you and is listed on your certificate of insurance. In some circumstances the optional Cruise cover may not be available.   
  • There is no cover for the cost of COVID-19 testing other than during your hospitalisation.  

Please carefully read the exclusions to Benefits 27 and 28 on pages 82 to 86 and the General Exclusions that apply to all benefits on pages 87 to 91 of the PDS to ensure the cover we offer is right for you. 

  1. This policy is only available: 

For Australian citizens and permanent residents of Australia cover is available,if: 

  • You currently reside in Australia; and 
  • You hold a valid Australian Medicare card beyond the period of your policy; and 
  • You purchase your policy before you commence your trip or you satisfy all of the requirements for purchasing a policy while you are already overseas; and 
  • Your trip starts and ends in Australia; and 
  • You meet any other eligibility criteria we apply in the application process. 

For temporary residents of Australia, cover is available if: 

  • You are a non-permanent resident who holds a valid Medicare card or are covered by an Australian Private Health Insurance policy that satisfies the government health insurance requirements for your visa type and remains valid beyond the period of your policy; and 
  • Your visa remains valid beyond the period of your return; and you have a home in Australia to which you intend to return; and 
  • Your trip starts and ends in Australia; and  
  • You hold a return ticket to Australia; and 
  • You meet any other eligibility criteria we apply in the application process. 

For all travellers on this policy:

  • In the event of a medical repatriation from overseas, we will return you to Australia. 
  • Medical expenses incurred once you have returned to Australia are not covered on this policy. 
  • It is therefore important that you ensure you have access to long term medical care in Australia. 

  1. If you are already overseas 

If you left Australia without travel insurance or if your travel insurance policy has expired (even if it was issued by another insurer), we may be able to help.   

You may be able to purchase a Standard Saver, Comprehensive or a Snow Sport Plus policy if you are already overseas at the time you purchase the policy, provided you meet all of the following requirements: 

  • You have been overseas for less than 14 days, or have been insured under a travel insurance policy since you left Australia that is current or has been expired for no more than 14 days; and 
  • You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident normally residing in Australia. Individuals on an Australian temporary resident visa including those on a working holiday visa or temporary visitors including those on a tourist visa, are not eligible to purchase this policy after departing Australia; and 
  • You hold a valid Australian Medicare card; and 
  • You have a home to which you intend to return; and 
  • Your trip ends in Australia; and 
  • You are aged 65 years and under at time of purchase; and 
  • You declare to us at the time of purchase that you are already overseas; and 
  • We agree to issue you a policy and specify your status as already overseas in the certificate of insurance.  

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic there may be circumstances where we are not able to offer you a policy if you are already overseas. You will be covered if you meet each the above criteria and your certificate of insurance specifies that you were overseas at the time of purchase.  

Our Basics Policy and Frequent Traveller Saver Policy are not eligible for purchase under any circumstance if you are already overseas.  

Policies purchased while you are already overseas are subject to: 

  • A 48-hour no-cover period which applies to all benefits (there is no cover under any section of the policy for any event that arises within the first 48 hours of purchasing your policy).   
  • A $500 excess for all claims. 
  • The other applicable policy terms, conditions, exclusionsand limits of cover described in this PDS. 

  1. It is your responsibility to read this Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and decide whether this insurance suits your needs 

Before you buy this policy you must (and we rely on you to) read this PDS in full to decide if the cover we offer is right for you. You must carefully consider:  

  • When you are covered; 
  • What you are covered for; 
  • Any limits to the cover; and 
  • Whether this insurance is right for you and your circumstances. 

Your policy is made up of this PDS, the certificate of insurance and any other change to the terms of the policy otherwise advised by us and agreed to with you in writing (such as an endorsement or a Supplementary PDS) which may vary or modify the above documents. Together they form our agreement with you. All benefits are subject to the policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of cover described in this PDS. 


  1. Medical conditions, pregnancy, changes to health and medical screening 

Overview 

By way of basic overview, we do not cover any claims under the policy benefits arising from any medical condition or pregnancy condition that existed during: 

  • the period of 3 years prior to your policy issue date; or 
  • the period between the time of your policy issue date and the date of departure for your trip (other than for a claim under Benefit 5: Trip Cancellation Expenses, relating to the cancellation or rescheduling of your trip between the time of your policy issue date and the date of departure for your trip), 

unless we agree to list the relevant medical condition or pregnancy condition as covered on your certificate of insurance. If any changes to health occur after we have listed any medical condition or pregnancy condition as covered and before the date of departure for your trip, the cover for those listed conditions is automatically excluded from the time the change in health occurred, unless you undertake an additional medical screening and we agree to list them as covered. 

Any cover is subject to the other terms and conditions (including exclusions and limits) of the policy which may otherwise affect cover. Any rights we have will only be exercised to the extent permitted by applicable law. See General Exclusions that apply to all benefits in the PDS.

After the date of departure for your trip, we will not agree to list a medical condition as covered on your certificate of insurance.  

No cover is provided under this policy for any claims arising from, related to, or associated with the medical condition or pregnancy condition of any person who is not named on your certificate of insurance, except as provided under Benefit 5: Trip Cancellation Expenses, Benefit 6: Trip Disruption Expenses and Benefit 7: Trip Resumption Expenses. 

What is a medical condition

A medical condition means any bodily or physical injury, physical defect, illness, disease or other medical or dental condition or sign or symptom of these things, the applicable person: 

  • required prescription medication for or has been prescribed medication from a medical practitioner in writing for,  
  • soughtor received medical advice from a medical practitioner or other health care professional for,  
  • had tests, investigations, care, treatmentor medical attention including surgery for,  
  • been admitted to hospital for (including emergency department or day surgery procedure), or 
  • became aware of or which a reasonable person in the circumstances would have been aware of. 

It includes but is not limited to: 

  • the suffering or treatment of mental illness, 
  • a brain, heart (such as any cardiovascular or coronary heart disease or any condition related to a heart or blood vessels), kidney, liver, respiratory, circulatory (such as high blood pressure, stroke, or transient ischaemic attack), cancer or cancerous condition,  
  • reduced or deficient immune system, 
  • a sign or symptom of the above matters,  
  • a persistent and lasting health conditionsuch as constant pain or long-suffering pain or pain with a pattern of relapse and remission,or 
  • any conditions related to previous and current pregnancy as detailed in “What is a Pregnancy Condition” and “Pregnancy Cover” in the PDS.

What is a pregnancy condition? 

A pregnancy condition means you are pregnant and any of the following circumstances apply to you:  

  • You are experiencing complications with the pregnancy that fall within the definition of Complications of pregnancy and childbirth in Table 1.1 of the PDS,  
  • You experienced complications with any previous pregnancy that fall within the definition of Complications of pregnancy and childbirth in Table 1.1 of the PDS, or  
  • You are having multiple children (e.g. twins, triplets or more), or  
  • Your conception was medically assisted (e.g. hormone therapy or IVF).   

Our screening process 

To apply for cover in relation to any medical condition and/or pregnancy condition you need to do the following: 

Step 1 - When you apply for cover  

If you have or have had any such conditions during the period of 3 years prior to your policy issue date you need to complete our online or over the phone medical screening process as part of your application for cover. The medical screening may also include questions about your general health.  

If we are able to provide cover in relation to the conditions you disclose, we will tell you, and if you want the cover you will need to pay the additional premium we apply for the cover by the time required, and we will list the conditions as covered on your certificate of insurance.  

If we do not list such conditions as covered (or you do not disclose any such condition to us), there is no cover provided in relation to it (to the extent permitted by applicable law). 

Step 2 – After purchase and anychange in health occurs 

If anychange in health occurs (see explanation below) after your policy issue date and before the date of departure for your trip, you need to contact us and undertake a further screening process to determine what premium adjustment may be required.  

This is because we automatically exclude cover for: 

  • any new medical conditions or pregnancy conditions that occur after your policy issue date and before the date of departure for your trip, and  
  • all conditions we have listed as covered on the certificate of insurance where a change in health occurs after this and before the date of departure for your trip (other than for a claim under Benefit 5: Trip Cancellation Expenses, relating to the cancellation or rescheduling of your trip between the time of your policy issue date and the date of departure for your trip). 

See General Exclusions that apply to all benefits, in particular General Exclusion 20 of the PDS. 

Based on the rescreening we may (to the extent permitted by applicable law): 

  • Agree to provide cover for some or all ofthe existing listed conditions and/or add some or all ofthe new listed conditions as covered. You may choose to accept this cover or not. If you do not you will not be covered in relation to the conditions not listed, or 
  • Not agree to provide cover, where based on the changes, our underwriting rules require us to do so. 

On being advised of the changes we will adjust the premium payable (up or down) to reflect the premium that is payable by reason of the changes in accordance with our underwriting rules. 

Remember, if further changes in health occur before the date of departure for your trip you may need to undertake this screening process more than once as the above change in health exclusion would automatically apply again from the time any further changes in health occur. 

In all ofthe above cases, if you are not happy with our decision you may exercise your cooling off rights where applicable or cancel the policy before the date of departure for your trip and obtain a refund in accordance with the policy terms. 

What is a change in health? 

See change in health definition in the PDS for details, but by way of limited example a change in health includes: 

  • advice from a medical practitioner that you or a relevant person are not fit to travel, including on your trip, 
  • the stated answers in your certificate of insurance regarding any medical condition or pregnancy condition listed on your certificate of insurance are no longer correct or up to date, 
  • any change in the diagnosis, prognosis, treatmentor medication (including dose) of a medical condition or pregnancy condition listed on your certificate of insurance, or 
  • any change in the diagnosis, prognosis, treatmentor medication (including dose) of a medical condition which you had more than 3 years prior to the policy purchase date, or  
  • any unexpected admissions to hospital or surgery for any medical condition or pregnancy condition listed on your certificate of insurance. 

What we need from you to complete a medical screening 

You will need reasonable knowledge of all your medical conditions, changes to your health or pregnancy condition, which includes but is not limited to, the names of all of your medical conditions or pregnancy conditions.  

Check with your medical practitioner if you are unsure of the name because you will not be able to complete the medical screening if you only know the medication you are taking or the treatment you are receiving. 

You must declare all of your medical conditions, changes to your health or pregnancy conditions, regardless of whether or not you: 

  • Want cover for them, or 
  • Consider them treated, dormant or under control, or 
  • Do not consider them important or related to any of your other conditions.

  1. You must take all care to protect your possessions 

There are times when we will not pay if you have not reasonably looked after your luggage and personal effects. For example, we will not pay if you transport your jewellery, computer or certain other items in the cargo hold of the airplane or other modes of transportation. Similarly, we will not pay if your items are left unsupervised in a public place such as a beach or café or in a motor vehicle overnight. This is not a complete list of circumstances when we will not pay if you do not reasonably protect your possessions. See Benefit 14: Luggage and Personal Effects (page 58) in the PDS for other ways you must reasonably protect your possessions. 

You must report a theft as soon as practicable, but preferably within 24 hours to the police or an office of the bus line, airline, shipping line or rail authority you were travelling on when the theft occurred. You must prove that you made a report by providing us with a written statement from whomever you reported it to.

  1. Changing dates, cooling off, cancellation & refund policy  

We are flexible when it comes to you changing or cancelling your policy. However, you cannot change or cancel your policy if: 

  • you have made a claim or intend to make a claim, or 
  • you have started the trip, even within the 25 day cooling off period, or  
  • you have exercised any of your rights or powers under the policy such as using your travel insurance policy to obtain a visa or entry into a country. 

Change of travel dates 

You can change your travel dates before you depart or whilst on your trip. We do not charge a ‘change fee’ for changing travel dates. Additional costs may apply for additional days of cover (including pre-departure days). 

25-day money back guarantee 

We offer a money back guarantee up to 25 days if you have not started your trip and have not used any of your rights under the policy (e.g. you have not made a claim or used your policy to obtain a visa). We have extended this money back guarantee to circumstances where you cannot go on your trip for a reason related to COVID-19 that is not covered under this policy.  

You have a full 25 days from the purchase date of the policy (as set out in the certificate of insurance) to make sure you are happy with every aspect of your Fast Cover Travel Insurance policy and in accordance with our regulatory obligations. This is known as the “cooling off” period. During this time, you may cancel the policy simply by contacting us and we will give you a full refund. If you decide to cancel your policy outside of this cooling off period, you may be eligible for a partial refund as described below.   

Cancellation and refunds 

How much you are refunded if you cancel your policy depends on when you cancel and what type of policy you have. 

If you cancel:  Basics policy Domestic, Standard Saver, Comprehensive, Snow Sports Plus & Frequent Traveller Saver policies 
Within 0 to 25 days provided your trip has not started 100% refund 100% refund 
Within 26 to 366 days provided your trip has not started* 70% refund * 60% refund * 
After your trip has started*  No refund * No refund * 

* Special cancellation rules apply if your trip is affected by COVID-19: 

COVID-19 cancellations 

If you are unable to start your trip due to a reason related to COVID-19 that is not covered by this policy, you can change your travel dates or cancel your policy at any time for a full refund provided you have not made a claim for some other reason.  

Case by case considerations 

Should your circumstances not fit neatly into the scenarios we have outlined, you are welcome to email info@fastcover.com.au or call us on 1300 409 322 to discuss what we may be able to do assist you.

  1. Your policy is issued by Fast Cover 

Fast Cover Pty Ltd (ABN 98143 196 098)is an Australian Financial Services Licensee (AFS license 538708) and is authorised by Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”)to issue, deal in and provide general advice on general insurance products. Fast Cover issues insurance certificates under a binding authority with Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s. 

Fast Cover has a binding authority which means it can enter into, cancel or vary these products without reference to the Underwriters provided it acts within the binding authority. Fast Cover acts for the Underwriters and not You. 

  1. Your Duty to take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation 

Before you enter into this contract of insurance, you have a duty to take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation. You have a similar duty when you ask us to vary, extend or reinstate the insurance. What that means is that you need to take reasonable care to provide honest, accurate and complete answers to any questions that we ask. 

Specifically, when you ask us to vary, extend or reinstate your insurance, you need to take reasonable care to review any information that we provide to you for your confirmation and to inform us of any changes, where the information is no longer honest, accurate and complete. 

If you are not sure of the answers to any of our questions, or whether the information you previously provided remains honest, accurate and complete, you should take the time to check and find out. It is also important to understand that, in answering the questions and checking the information, you are answering for yourself and anyone else to whom the questions apply. 

As we use your answers to decide what insurance we will offer, to calculate your premium, and to assess any claim you make, it is essential that you contact us if you have any doubts. 

If you do not take reasonable care in answering our questions, or to inform us of any changes, you may breach your duty. If that happens, to the extent permissible by law, your policy may be cancelled, or treated as if never existed, and any claim may be denied or not paid in full.  

If your circumstances make it difficult for you to work out how to answer any of our questions, or you are not clear how to explain your situation to us, you should contact us. 

  1. Important notice regarding your obligations and our rights 

If you do not meet your obligations under your policy terms or an exclusion or limitation applies, we may refuse or reduce what we pay in relation to a claim and/or cancel your policy, subject to applicable law which may restrict our rights in certain circumstances. The result can depend on the circumstances as the law can be complex. 

Of note, our policy terms (including exclusions and limits) and rights in relation to them are subject to and will be applied in accordance with the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth). Other laws can also apply such as the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and the Australian Securities and Investment Commissions Act 2001 (Cth) and you need to seek your own advice regarding all relevant legal rights you may have. A term (or part of a term) of your policy will be applied to the extent it is not unenforceable under applicable law. 

  1. General advice 

Any advice provided in this PDS is general only and does not take into account your individual needs, objectives or financial situation. You should carefully read this document before buying to decide if the product is right for you.