Sales
Mon-Fri 9:00AM-5:30PM AEST
P.O.Box 1350
Upwey
Australia
Phone: 1300 880 231
Fax: (03) 9757 8191
Email: service@ouchtravelinsurance.com.au
Web: www.ouchtravelinsurance.com.au
Pre-Existing Medical Enquiries
8.00am to 8.00pm AEST Monday to Friday
Phone: 1300 880 231
Contact nib Claims:
8:00AM-8:00PM AEST Monday - Friday
Phone 1300 353 176 (within Australia)
Phone +61 2 7202 0508 (outside of Australia)
Fax: 1300 657 157
Email travelclaims@nib.com.au
nib International Assist – 24 hour emergency assistance
Phone 1300 555 019 (within Australia)
Phone 61 3 8523 2800 (outside of Australia – reverse charge from anywhere in the world)
Fax (03) 8523 2815
Email travelassist@nib.com.au
Travel Resolutions You Should Keep In 2017!
/0 Comments/in Travel Tips /by tco-login-001Have you always wanted to travel the world? Do you find yourself dreaming about exploring new places? If you answered yes – ask yourself, what’s stopping you? It is time to leave those excuses behind and make travel the priority in your life. It is time to let that inner travel bug loose and let your desire to travel take control. It is time to make 2017 your year of travel.
1. Step outside of your comfort zone
It’s time to step outside of the security of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself and do something that you wouldn’t normally do in the comfort of your own home or routine. Whether it’s by travelling solo for the first time, participating in an adventure activity, tasting an unusual foreign food, approaching and making conversation with someone in your hostel – going outside of your comfort zone can mean different things for everyone. Say yes to the unknown, after all, these experience may just turn out to be the most memorable and valuable moments of your life.
2.Explore more of your own country
You don’t have to leave your home country in order to travel. Make the most of what surrounds you. What is in your own backyard? You may be surprised by the beauty and adventures that lie ahead of you.
3. Be open to new experiences and people
Stop letting your assumptions get in the way of experiencing new things. Keep an open mind about everything – people, places, food, culture, religion, and so on. Embrace diversity, appreciate differences and develop a better understanding of the world around you. Live each day in the moment and welcome everything and everyone with open arms.
4. Visit a new place and an old favourite
Tick off a place that you have always dreamed of visiting. You know, that one city that’s sitting on the top of your bucket list? The time is now. Do you have a place that you just absolutely love and can’t get enough of? Don’t forget that you can always revisit your favourite places again, and again. So why not visit both if you get the chance?
5. Learn something new in every place you go
Learn how to speak some phrases in a new language. Learn some facts about the history of the place you are visiting. Learn about the traditions and customs of the local people. Learn how to cook a delicious dish from that particular place. Learn about the hidden hotspots around a city. Never stop learning and expanding your horizons!
“Adventure awaits, start packing!”
All content provided on this blog is based on personal views and opinions and for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information. This policy is subject to change at anytime.
Travel Essentials Not to Forget
/0 Comments/in Travel Tips /by tco-login-001Flights and accommodation are booked. You’ve dusted off the suitcase and it’s packed and ready to go. The countdown is on. The excitement is taking over but have you double-checked that you’ve got all of the necessary travel essentials before you leave? Be prepared before you start your holiday with this checklist of travel essentials you can’t leave your home (and country) without.
Important Documents
You’re not going to get very far without all of those important travel documents – passport, transport/accommodation itinerary, e-tickets, physical tickets, and more. Don’t forget to keep a spare copy of them tucked away in your suitcase for emergencies.
Visas
Have you checked your visa situation and the travel periods associated with visas? Every country has different visa requirements so it’s important to check each and every country rather than make assumptions. Check with your travel agent or through your embassy.
Adapters
Your PowerPoint adapters are one of those things that are so little yet so essential. It’s going to be a real pain to charge your phone, cameras and electronics without them. It can be difficult to find adapters that will fit the Australian plug when you’re overseas, so be sure to get one before you leave. Worst case scenario: you can always grab some from the airport. I suggest a universal plug and power board with USB ports.
Money
When it comes to dealing with money overseas, there’s a lot more to think about than just swapping some cash. Make sure that you contact the bank to let them know that you are going overseas, this will prevent them from freezing your card for ‘suspicious activity’. It might be worth considering getting a travel money card, whether through your bank branch or one like the Cash Passport. They can make life a lot easier and be more cost effective when withdrawing cash and using EFTPOS overseas.
Travel Insurance
Never forget your travel insurance – it can be a lifesaver. Lost baggage, cancelled flights, delays, emergency medical…it can happen to anyone. Wouldn’t you prefer that extra sense of security knowing that your travel insurance company has got your back for any of those little travel mishaps? We’ve got a range of travel insurance plans for trips of all sizes to all ends of the earth, take a look here.
Now go and enjoy your holiday!
All content provided on this blog is based on personal views and opinions and for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information. This policy is subject to change at anytime.
Useful tips for a first-time traveller – Japan
/0 Comments/in Travel Tips /by tco-login-001Travel around Japan is very easy, travelling in a group, escorted tour, or on your own. Some useful tips if you are a first-time traveller to Japan.
No surprised, paying surcharge on service fee on your holiday
/0 Comments/in Travel Tips /by tco-login-001Preparing yourself to pay a 15% surcharge on public holidays when you are on holiday in New Zealand. I was in Queenstown, last summer. Without realising, one morning we woke up for breakfast at the hotel and presented our Accord card for special membership rate as usual. Everything went fine till we got our bill for sign off. There was a full price for breakfast. ‘It’s public holiday today, use membership card cannot be used,’ said the waitress. We was not informed when we presented our card when we walked in, I replied to her. How can you expect hotel guest to know about this when there was no sign or no know informed us. At the end, the hotel had to accept our membership card.
How do you feel as a tourist if there a 15% surcharge on your restaurant bill or no membership discount applied on public holidays? I personally has no issue about it, however, it would be nice to put up a sign on the window as a tourist in town. Later, when we walked to town to get some dinners, I noticed restaurants everywhere have a sign up on the window – 15% surcharge on public holidays. There was one said NO 15% surcharged on the window. So we decided to walk in.
Public holidays in Queenstown
New Year’s Day: 1 January
Day after New Year’s Day: 2 January
Waitangi Day: 6 February
Otago Anniversary: 23 March 2015, 21 March 2016
Good Friday: 3 April 2015, 25 March 2016
Easter Monday: 6 April 2015, 28 March 2016
Anzac Day: 27 April 2015, 25 April 2016
Queen’s Birthday: 1 June 2015, 6 June 2016
Labour Day: 4th Monday in October
Christmas Day: 25 December
Boxing Day: 26 December
Source: http://www.queenstownnz.co.nz/information/visitorinformation
6 Steps to starting your holiday plan
/0 Comments/in Travel Tips /by tco-login-001Going for a holiday is exciting! Planning for one is a bit of the work.
Allow time to plan ahead because doing your research will take time. If you don’t have time and have a little patient to do your research, find yourself a good travel agent. After all, planning yourself a holiday, getting to know a little bit of the history, culture and people of where you are going will make your holiday more enjoyable.
Simple steps to follows:
Step 1. Research
OFFICIAL WEBSITE – Start with an official website for the destination country. There are many good official tourism websites cover many aspects of the information necessary for your visit. TRAVEL GUIDE websites, Travel Blog such as Lonely Planet, Expedia, and Trip Adviser will give you a good review. Travel brochures, which you can download from travel agents online can give you a rough idea of how many days you should spend. Reading weekend papers on Sat- Sun morning while having your coffee in the Café – supplements like the Traveller, Escape give you travel inspiration. Lastly, friends Facebook, Instagram will help build up your expectation and imagination while you are working on the plan
Before you go
Step 2. Book your flight
Things you should know when booking a flight.
Step 3. Take Out travel insurance
According to Smartraveller, the Australian government will not pay for your medical treatment cost overseas or the medical evacuation cost to Australia. You need travel insurance for this.
There are many good reasons why you should take out travel insurance as soon as you book a flight.
Step 4. Accommodation
Things you should know when booking for accommodation
Step 5. Local Tour
Hop on Hop off tour is a great idea to explore the city for the first time. Some tours offer a special discount if you book online in advance. Check with your travel agent or go online.
Step 6. Transportation
Advance booking, especially car hire will guarantee you a car on your arrival. Read terms and conditions carefully; minimum age, international driver license needed? Most of the travel insurance policies give you cover for the excess on the rental, therefore, check your Travel Insurance policy before you buy any additional cover. Lastly, check the road rule of your destination country. Driving on left or right-hand side. And don’t forget to download a road map on your Phone or a copy one.
Why Smart Traveller recommend Travel Insurance
/0 Comments/in Travel Tips /by tco-login-001Why Smart Traveller recommend Travel Insurance
If you incur medical expenses while overseas and you don’t have travel insurance, you are personally liable for covering these costs. The Government cannot pay for medical expenses overseas. Nor will your domestic private health insurance.
Travel insurance is as essential as your passport, regardless of your travel destination. If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel!
The basics
Travel insurance can cover you for insurable events that may occur before or during travel, such as trip cancellation/interruption, medical expenses for injury or illness, theft of valuables, baggage delay or damage and more.
The cost of travel insurance is based on a number of factors such as the type of cover requested, the age of the insured, the destination of travel, length of stay and any pre-existing medical conditions.
The fine print
Medical coverage and pre-existing conditions
Limits and exclusions
Why do we recommend travel insurance?
While most Australians travel safely overseas, some find themselves in trouble. Each year we handle many thousands of cases involving Australians in difficulty overseas. This includes cases of hospitalisations, deaths, and evacuations to another location for medical purposes. Medical treatment overseas can be expensive whether it is for injury from an accident or for illness such as food poisoning, appendicitis, or heart attack.
In cases where the individuals are not covered by travel insurance, such personal tragedies can be further compounded by a long-term financial burden. Hospitalisation, medical treatment, medical evacuations, or even the return of the deceased’s remains to Australia, can be very expensive.
Daily hospitalisation costs in Southeast Asia regularly exceed $800; return of remains from Europe in excess of $10,000. The cost of medical evacuations from the United States regularly range from $75,000 to $95,000 and sometimes up to $300,000. The Department has handled medical evacuations from Bali in which costs have exceeded $60,000.
Unfortunately, not all of these cases involved travellers covered by travel insurance. Travellers who are not covered by insurance are personally liable for covering incurred medical and associated costs. As a result, families have been forced to sell off assets, including their superannuation or family homes, to afford to bring loved ones back to Australia.
Where Australians cannot obtain travel insurance to cover their personal circumstances, they should consider the potential financial risks before deciding whether to proceed with planned travel overseas.
More information
The Insurance Council of Australia has good information on travel insurance and lists companies that provide travel insurance products. The Australian Government does not endorse any particular travel insurance provider.
The National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) is the national trade association for insurance brokers in Australia. Insurance brokers are able to provide advice to consumers on insurance matters, including travel insurance. The Australian Government does not endorse any particular broker or insurance provider.
The Australian Securities and Investment Commission also provides a number of useful tips on choosing a travel insurance policy, making claims, or how to complain about an insurer.
If you have concerns about your travel provider or your insurance policy, contact your travel or insurance provider, Financial Ombudsman Service, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, or your state or territory consumer affairs agency.
Original Article here on Smart Traveller
Smart Travellers Top 10 Travel Tips
/0 Comments/in Travel Tips /by tco-login-001