What is an Excess?

Excess is the initial amount that you are required to pay when you make a claim under your policy. The excess on claims depends on the standard excess level you chose at the time that you purchased your policy and will be shown on your Certificate of insurance.

For example, if you selected the $200 Excess for your policy, and you made a claim for medical expenses for $1000, you would get back $800. If you had a NIL excess on your policy, you would get back the full $1000.

What is the excess amount?

For policies purchased BEFORE you have departed Australia: the excess amount is the level of excess that you choose when you purchase your policy. When you recieve your quote, a standard excess will be displayed, however, you can change the level of excess to an amount that suits you (an additional premium will apply).

For policies purchased AFTER you have already left Australia: the excess for already overseas policies is $500, and it is NOT possible to reduce or remove this excess.

When do you have to pay the excess?

The standard excess level that you choose for your policy will apply to any claim that you make. If you are claiming for more than one event, this will be treated as a separate claim and the excess is payable for each event claimed.

For example, if you submit a claim for overseas medical expenses and also stolen luggage, an excess is payable for each of those claims. So if you chose to have a $200 excess on your policy, you would need to pay $400 in excess in total, if both claims were approved.

However, there are benefits which automatically have a $0 excess. This means that regardless of the excess amount that you choose for your policy, an excess is not payable if you submit a claim for the particular benefit. Refer to the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for details on the benefits which do and do not require payment of an excess.

Is there a special excess for Add-On Packs?

No. The standard excess that you chose when you purchased your policy will apply for any claims that you make under your policy.

When don’t you need to pay an excess?

You do not have to pay an excess if:

  • you do not make a claim, or
  • your claim is not successful, or
  • the benefit that you are claiming under has a $0 excess.

How do you reduce or change your excess?

You can reduce the excess for domestic and international policies (excluding Already Overseas policies) before you depart for your trip by:

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.

Read more about travel insurance excess: