What Travel Insurance Doesn’t Cover
- Riding risky: It’s a tried and true tourist tradition to hire mopeds or scooters in Bali, despite most having never attempted to do so! Balinese roads are hairy, to say the least. The stats say it all; each day at least three people die in crashes in Bali and 150 accident victims require medical treatment. Be warned that your insurer will not cover you if you are found riding without a current Australian licence (valid in the country you are in) or a helmet.
- Unattended items: Keep a strong hold over all your belongings as leaving your stuff unsupervised will not be covered.
- Being intoxicated: Whether your drink of choice is a Bintang or Bali Breeze, all claims related directly to alcohol and drugs will not be paid. Have fun in moderation…Schoolies beware!
- Terrorism and travel warnings: Since the Kuta bombings of 2002, government bodies have warned tourists to ‘exercise a high degree of caution’ in Bali. While the chances of getting caught up in an act of terrorism are small, it’s still a good idea to keep up to date with travel advisories on sites like smarttraveller.gov.au. Generally travelling against DO NOT TRAVEL warnings from the Australian Government will jeopardize your cover.
- High-risk activities: Adventure activities are plentiful in Bali. From rock climbing to scuba diving, adrenaline junkies are spoilt for choice. But watch out, as participating in particularly risky activities such as climbing (where ropes are needed), cliff jumping or sky diving may not be covered by your policy. Be sure to scan your policy’s small print to check out which of your preferred heart pounding activities are covered.
- Pre-existing conditions: Medical conditions that exist before you travel are generally not covered, but it pays to check. You can sometimes pay a bit extra to get some conditions covered. Check your policy wording to see what conditions are covered automatically, and which ones require a medical assessment first.
- Unreported items: You need to report theft or loss to the relevant authority ASAP (and your travel insurance provider) within 24 hours.
Natural Disasters in Indonesia
Indonesia has been thwarted by a series of natural disasters; volcanoes, ash clouds, earthquakes and tsunamis have all caused significant issues for travellers in recent years.
In the majority of cases Australian travel insurance policies do cover you for unforeseen natural disasters that affect your holiday, however, it’s still a good idea to wise up on your cover.
If you already have a policy and have started your journey and your transport is delayed or cancelled or your accommodation is directly affected by a natural disaster there may be provision to claim for reasonable additional travel, accommodation and meal expenses.
If you have a policy but have not started your holiday and your pre-booked travel arrangements are cancelled, delayed or rescheduled as a direct result of a natural disaster, you may be able to claim for cancellation or rearrangement of your journey.
If your flights have been cancelled or your destination deemed unsafe, we recommend you contact your travel agent or travel provider regarding the best option in altering your trip. Some travel providers may provide penalty free options to amend travel arrangements and we suggest you contact them for further details.
It’s good to remember that while flight delays can be frustrating, groundings due to natural hazards are always in the interest of passenger safety.
Not all insurers cover natural disasters
Like every type of insurance, there are conditions you need to pay attention to. We’ve highlighted some conditions around natural disasters for a few insurers you may need to pay extra attention to.
Insure4 less: Cover for hurricane, storm or other natural disasters only when it threatens your safety such that official evacuation orders are issued or that your pre-booked accommodation is rendered uninhabitable.
Insure and Go: Medical cover due to any natural disaster is automatically covered however for cancellation you must purchase this option as an additional extra.
No Worries: Only covers for natural disasters in Australia.
Tick Travel Insurance: To include an unexpected Natural Disaster as a claimable event, you must have purchased this option and the option must be shown on your Policy Schedule.
Riding a Scooter in Bali
If you’re planning on riding a motorbike or scooter in Bali, make sure you’re clued up on cover before you get behind the wheel.
- Some insurers do not require you to have a motorcycle licence if you ride a low capacity engine and cover you for a bike 50cc - 125cc.
- Others may have maximum engine size limits which you’re limited to ride irrespective of what your licence says.
- And some insurers cover you for whatever engine size you ride as long as you’re licensed to do so in Australia and your licence is valid in the country you are riding in.
Make sure you read our guide on which travel insurers cover mopeds and motorbikes.
How to Save on Bali travel insurance
- Choose your destination wisely – You might be able to save yourself a few buckaroos by finding an insurer that classes Bali in its own price bracket, rather than grouped under Asia. Eugene’s (The King of Insurance) Top Tip! Picking ‘Bali’ as your destination, rather than ‘Indonesia’ if you’re only heading to Bali might save you a few buckeroos!
- Consider how often you travel - If you travel a few times per year, you could save by purchasing an annual multi-trip policy rather than purchasing a policy each time you take off.
- Combine policies - If travelling with your family or a companion, a joint policy is often cheaper than purchasing separately.
- Increase your excess - Most insurers allow you to lower your premium by opting to pay a higher excess in the instance that you need to make a claim.
- Shop around - You’ll be amazed at how much travel insurance quotes can vary. Offers by travel agents or airlines usually have commissions added on. In fact, you can save up to 50% by shopping around, so it pays to buy your travel insurance direct. Doing your comparison online will allow you to compare loads of quotes in seconds. Yippee
Bali fun facts
- Capital: Depesar
- Currency: Indonesian Rupiah
- Language: There are 580 different dialects spoken in Indonesia!!
- Culture: Bali is home to religious sites such as the cliffside Uluwatu Temple
- Nightlife: Kuta is a tourist favourite known for its lively bars, while resort towns like Seminyak, Sanur and Nusa Dua offer a more laid back, family-friendly alternatives
- Nature: The Volcano Agung is considered the most sacred site on the island
- Food & drink: Bali is home to the world’s most expensive coffee –a unique blend named ‘Kopi Luwak’ made from the civet cat’s droppings! Would you pay $50 a cup?
- Beaches: The wild waves of Uluwatu, Pandang Pandang and Impossible beaches attract the surf-mad crowd, while tourists who favour the beaten track take to Bali’s unique black sand volcano beaches
- Visa: Aussies can buy a 30-day visa on arrival
Safety Speed Dial
Found yourself in a pickle? Should you encounter a Bali blunder the following emergency contacts are good to have on hand.
-
Government Tourist Information Centre
Jl.Bana Sari No.7
Legian Kuta
Denpasar
Bali
Phone: 754 092
-
Australian Embassy Jakarta
Jalan H R Rasuna Said Kav C 15-16
Jakarta Selatan
12940 INDONESIA
Phone: +62 21 2550 5555
consular.jakarta@dfat.gov.au
-
Bali Police Headquarters
Jalan WR Supratman
Denpasar
Bali
Phone: 0361 227 711
-
Australian Consulate General Bali
Jalan Tantular 32
Renon
Denpasar
Bali 80234
Phone: +62 361 241 118
Ready to find your perfect Bali travel insurance policy?
Stuff going wrong on holiday shouldn’t be your foremost concern when planning your trip. After all you’ve got an exciting itinerary to navigate! But like it or lump it, without safeguarding your travels, all the fun stuff could be nullified in the flash of an eye.
Save time, worry and loads of money. You’ll be on your way to a relaxed, worry-free holiday quicker than you can say “terima kasih” (thank you)!
