Travel Insurance

34 Days and Counting…

Travel insurance, it’s a must have.  Nothing too tricky there.  So just search around for the cheapest right?  Nope.  Helps to be a bit pedantic.  Read the fine print. Why?  Well, as I was paging through a particularly mind numbing insurance policy document I came across a clause excluding theft of baggage from a vehicle if left unattended overnight.  Eek!  Since I’m travelling around in a leased car, it’s key that stuff I leave locked in the car is covered.  I expect I may be walking some distance from the car not only to views and activities but possibly also to overnight accommodation.  One great advantage of having the car is having somewhere to leave heavier items so I don’t have to carry them with me on every excursion.  So if I’m taking a collection of overnight stuff and leaving the excess in the car overnight and I’m not covered…  Not, not assceptable (yes, “assceptable”).  So now I’m on the lookout for exactly how each policy document handles theft from a vehicle.

Here’s some examples:

AON (Policy Document)

Exclusions under section 7

In repsect of Electronic Equipment

- Where theft or attempted theft occurs whilst such equipment is unattended, unless securely locked inside a building or securely locked out of sight inside a motor vehicle.

I quote that clause since it’s the only exclusion that mentions vehicles, but interestingly AON specifically defines “Electronic Equipment” to not include cameras.  Cameras fall under “baggage“,  and there’s no vehicle related exclusions listed for “baggage“,  so camera gear locked out of sight in a vehicle appears to be ok here.

National Bank (Tower) (Policy Info)

Exclusion:

theft or deliberate damage of your personal baggage left
unattended in a public place or left in any unlocked vehicle,
room or other location;

Ok, fine there too.

Southern Cross TravelCare (Policy Document)

We will not pay for any claims arising directly or indirectly from:
(a) The loss, theft or damage of jewellery, money or travel documents:
1. left Unattended in a vehicle; or
2. not carried on Your person when using transport providers; or
3. left in Your accommodation where a safe has been provided
and You fail to use it.

Ok so far, but here comes the kicker:
(b) The loss, theft or damage of personal effects, money or documents:
1. due to Your failure to take due care and precautions to
safeguard them; or
2. left Unattended in a Public Place; or
3. left in a vehicle overnight; or
4. from unlocked premises or an unlocked vehicle.

That’s a fail for Southern Cross TravelCare.

Once I get a few more agents with acceptable polices I’ll post up a price comparison for insuring me for the 30 days with camera gear…