Budget Direct offers cover for high-risk activities that many other brands don’t, including trekking to Everest Base Camp and trekking the Kokoda Trail.
There are a broad range of customisations available so you can tailor cover to suit your specific needs.
Cons
Even if you choose to add COVID-19 cover to your policy, it doesn’t offer the most comprehensive protection.
Budget Direct Travel Insurance is not currently available via Finder. You can head to the Budget Direct website or compare alternative options available below.
How does Budget Direct Travel Insurance cover COVID-19?
Budget Direct is one of the few travel insurers that lets you customise your cover for COVID-19.
As standard, you will receive cover for overseas medical expenses, including emergency evacuation or repatriation if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19. You’ll also be able to claim up to $2,500 for additional expense if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 while overseas.
However, if you want cover for amendment or cancellation costs, you’ll have to add that to your policy. If you add the benefit to your policy, you’ll be covered for amendment or cancellation costs if you or your travelling companion are diagnosed with COVID-19.
There are many scenarios that are not covered by Budget Direct, even if you add on the policy. For example, you won’t be covered if your tour or accommodation cancels due to COVID-19.
There is also no cover if you were diagnosed with COVID-19 before heading on your trip but you went anyway.
What policies does Budget Direct offer?
Budget Direct offers four insurance policies to travellers. Comprehensive, Essential, Basic and Domestic. All of these policies can be taken out as a single or multi-trip policy, with the exception of basic which is only available as a single-trip policy.
Comprehensive
Essential
Basic
Domestic
The insurer of this product is Zurich Australian Insurance Limited. It comes with a cooling-off period of 21 days and choice of $200 standard excess for international plans.
Here's a breakdown of Budget Direct Travel Insurance features
These are some of the main insured events that Budget Direct will cover. Some of these benefits may only apply on the comprehensive international policy.
Overseas medical treatment
Emergency dental costs
Trip cancellation or amendment costs
Lost, damaged or stolen property
Luggage and travel delay
Additional accommodation and transport
Theft of money
Rental car excess
Permanent disability
Kidnap and hijack
Personal liability
Accidental death
Optional add-ons
Budget Direct also offers six add-on options that provide cover for a wider range of risks or activities while you’re on holiday.
Cruise Cover Extends your insurance policy to cover cruises and a range of cruise-specific risks such as missed ports, sea sickness, and cabin confinement.
Adventure Covers you for participation in a range of activities such as risky activities such as quad biking, rock climbing, and horse trekking.
Adventure+ Extends your cover to even higher risk activities, such as trekking to Everest Base Camp or the Kokoda Track.
Snow sports Covers you for on-piste snow skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
Snow sports+ Extends your snow sports cover to include skiing and snowboarding off-piste as well as heli-skiing and heli-boarding.
COVID-19 cover. Protection for cancellations and amendment costs if you or a travelling companion are diagnosed with COVID-19.
Increase item limits. Boost your coverage for valuable items to ensure you're fully protected during your travels.
Motorcycle cover. Stay secure on your rides with optional coverage specifically designed for motorcycles.
Exclusions
Unfortunately, travel insurance doesn’t cover everything. Generally, Budget Direct will not pay your claim if it relates to:
Unlawful, wreckless or unreasonably unsafe behaviour by you
Behaviour while you were drunk or under the influence of drugs
Expenses related to a pre-existing medical condition
Self-inflicted injury or illness, suicide or attempted suicide
Make sure you review the Budget Direct PDS for a detailed breakdown of what won't be covered, found under its list of general exclusions.
How to make a Budget Direct Travel Insurance claim
To lodge your claim online, visit claims.travelinsurancepartners.com.au/budgetdirect and follow the prompts.
Alternatively, you can download, print and complete a claim form from budgetdirect.com.au/travel-insurance/claims.html and then send it to the following address.
Budget Direct Travel Insurance C/o-Travel Insurance Partners Claims Department PO Box 168, North Sydney NSW 2060
Here's the bottom line about Budget Direct Travel Insurance
Budget Direct could be a good option for high-adrenaline travellers as it was one of the few brands we found to offer cover for risky activities such as trekking the Kokoda Trail or heli-skiing.
Don’t forget to add the optional adventure or snow sports packs if you want cover for these activities though.
You will hear back within 10 working days from the time Budget Direct receives your claim.
For uncomplicated pregnancies, cover is only provided up until the 24th week of pregnancy. You will need to apply for cover if there have been complications with this pregnancy or a previous pregnancy, if you have a multiple pregnancy, or if the contraception was medically assisted.
Request travel insurance quotes and compare policies
Nicola Middlemiss is a contributing writer at Finder, with a special interest in personal finance and insurance. Formerly a business and finance journalist, Nicola has written thousands of articles helping Australians better understand insurance and grow their personal wealth. She has contributed to a wide range of publications, including Domain, the Educator, Financy, Fundraising and Philanthropy, Insurance Business, MoneyMag, Mortgage Professional, Yahoo Finance, Your Investment Property, and Wealth Professional. Nicola has a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Leeds. See full bio
Nicola's expertise
Nicola has written 232 Finder guides across topics including:
Personal finance
Personal insurance, including car, health, home, life, pet and travel insurance
From last minute cover for those on the go to unlimited hospital and medical for complete peace of mind, Budget Direct Travel Insurance offers cover for all types of travellers and all kinds of travel scenarios.
Hi
I’m looking to take out Budget Direct Platinum Travel Insurance.
1. I’m travelling to Canada and Bali – please confirm that I select Worldwide travel
2. Am I covered in Bali if i have an accident whilst riding a bicycle?
with thanks, Carol Crowe
Finder
WilliamJune 20, 2014Finder
Hi Carol,
Thank you for your enquiry regarding the Budget Direct Platinum Travel Insurance policy.
1. As Bali and Canada are both listed under separate regions, yes you would select Worldwide.
2. I have not been able to find any exclusions for claims related to riding a bicycle in the Budget Direct PDS. No claim will be paid if “Your claim Arises from being in control of a Moped or Scooter without a current Australian motorcycle or drivers licence, or you are a passenger travelling on a Moped or Scooter that is in the control of a person who does not hold a current motorcycle or drivers licence valid for the country you are travelling in. You may wish to clarify by contacting Budget Direct directly on 1800 062 750
All the best.
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Hi
I’m looking to take out Budget Direct Platinum Travel Insurance.
1. I’m travelling to Canada and Bali – please confirm that I select Worldwide travel
2. Am I covered in Bali if i have an accident whilst riding a bicycle?
with thanks, Carol Crowe
Hi Carol,
Thank you for your enquiry regarding the Budget Direct Platinum Travel Insurance policy.
1. As Bali and Canada are both listed under separate regions, yes you would select Worldwide.
2. I have not been able to find any exclusions for claims related to riding a bicycle in the Budget Direct PDS. No claim will be paid if “Your claim Arises from being in control of a Moped or Scooter without a current Australian motorcycle or drivers licence, or you are a passenger travelling on a Moped or Scooter that is in the control of a person who does not hold a current motorcycle or drivers licence valid for the country you are travelling in. You may wish to clarify by contacting Budget Direct directly on 1800 062 750
All the best.