Our verdict: Although CGU has a good range of benefits and customisation options, it was one of the only brands we found with absolutely no cover for COVID-19.
Financial default is covered up to $2,500, so you'll be protected if a provider goes bust. Many travel insurance brands don't provide any cover at all.
Riding a motorbike or moped is covered as standard, as long as you have the appropriate licence and are behaving in a safe way.
Cons
There's no cover for any claims related to COVID-19, including overseas medical care. This is extremely rare. Most travel insurance brands offer at least some cover.
There's no option to add an adventure pack so some higher-risk activities can't be covered, such as quad biking, parachuting or trekking the Kokoda Trail.
CGU Travel Insurance is not currently available via Finder. You can head to the CGU website or compare alternative options available below.
CGU offers no cover for any claims related to COVID-19. This is extremely rare.
Most Australian travel insurance brands offer some cover for COVID-19. Often, brands will cover overseas medical expenses incurred as a result of COVID-19 and some brands even cover the cost of delays, cancellations, emergency transport or accommodation costs, and other related incidents.
What policies does CGU offer?
CGU offers six insurance policies to travellers. The Platinum Plan, Premium Plan, Essentials Plan, Domestic Plan and Cancellation Only Plan.
Platinum
Premium
Essentials
Domestic
Cancellation-Only
Annual Multi-Trip
The insurer of this product is Insurance Australia 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 CGU Travel Insurance features
Be aware, some of these benefits only apply on the Premium International Plan and exclusions apply. Always read the PDS.
Overseas medical treatment
Lost, damaged or stolen property
Trip cancellation or amendment
Additional accommodation and transport
Rental vehicle excess
Financial default
Theft of money
Luggage and travel delay
Kidnap and hijack
Personal liability
Accidental disability
Accidental death
Optional add-ons
CGU also offers two add-ons that provide cover for a wider range of risks.
Ski and Winter Sports Option. Extend your policy to cover you while on the slopes, plus a range of specific risks such as piste closure, life passes, and avalanche.
Cruise Cover Extends your insurance policy to cover you while on a cruise as well as a range of cruise-related risks such as marine rescue, shore excursion cancellation, and formal attire. li>
Exclusions
Unfortunately, travel insurance doesn't cover everything. Generally, CGU will not pay your claim if it relates to:
COVID-19 or any other pandemic or epidemic
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 not listed on your policy
An act of war, invasion or revolution
Mandatory quarantines or isolations
You being unfit to travel or travelling against medical advice
Self-inflicted injury or illness, suicide or attempted suicide
Make sure you review the CGU PDS for a detailed breakdown of what won't be covered, found under its list of general exclusions.
How to make a CGU Travel Insurance claim
To start your claim, call CGU on 13 24 80. You'll need any relevant evidence or supporting documentation on hand, including medical reports, police reports, receipts, photos, tickets, etc.
Once your claim is lodged with CGU, a case manager will be allocated and you'll be contacted regarding the next steps.
Here's the bottom line about CGU Travel Insurance
While CGU has some good travel insurance benefits that other brands are missing, such as cover for financial default and loss of income, it lags in some major areas.
Namely, COVID-19. CGU offers no protection whatsoever for claims related to COVID-19, including overseas medical expenses. Many other brands cover this as standard, and some even cover any COVID-19 related incident outside of your control.
While motorcycle riding is covered as standard, there is also limited protection for adventure activities and cover for pregnancy ends at the end of the 24th week.
If you're based in SA, WA or the NT you'll need to contact one of CGU's insurance partners or associated insurance brokers to buy a policy.
Generally speaking, there is no age limit for CGU travel insurance. However, age limits may come into force depending on your location or length of trip..
Yes, you can call CGU's emergency assistance line on 0288 950 698, 24/7.
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 241 Finder guides across topics including:
Personal finance
Personal insurance, including car, health, home, life, pet and travel insurance
Find out how to get travel insurance for children/under 18s travelling without the supervision of their parents and learn the terms and conditions for getting free child cover for your dependent child.
Medibank is a leading travel insurance provider in Australia offering cover for international comprehensive, international medical only cover and more. Read the finder.com.au review for a breakdown of the policy and more.
Travel Insurance – Can you let me know if I can get 12months cover as I plan to do maybe three trips in this period. Japan, Europe, USA.
Can you give me contact details so I can obtain quote.
JoelMarch 8, 2018
Hi Susie,
Thanks for leaving a question on finder.
Unfortunately, finder.com.au does not currently have access to this travel insurance brand. If you are looking for an Annual Multi trip insurance, you can compare and weigh your options here:
You will have to choose worldwide when filling out the form.
Cheers,
Joel
amySeptember 19, 2015
Travel Insurance query – I am 24 years of age, flying Perth to Paris depart 21 Sept arrive 22 Sept and then taking the train Paris to London on 24 Sept to study for several years in England. I would like one way cover for the trip, ‘super’ cover. Can you do this? What is the premium? How do I get this cover – note there is no ‘return’ date.
Regards
Amy
Finder
RichardSeptember 21, 2015Finder
Hi Amy,
Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is a comparison service and not an insurer. You’ll need to contact CGU directly as they are not part of the panel of insurers that we have access to.
All the best,
Richard
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Travel Insurance – Can you let me know if I can get 12months cover as I plan to do maybe three trips in this period. Japan, Europe, USA.
Can you give me contact details so I can obtain quote.
Hi Susie,
Thanks for leaving a question on finder.
Unfortunately, finder.com.au does not currently have access to this travel insurance brand. If you are looking for an Annual Multi trip insurance, you can compare and weigh your options here:
https://www.finder.com.au/travel-insurance/annual-multi-trip-travel-insurance
You will have to choose worldwide when filling out the form.
Cheers,
Joel
Travel Insurance query – I am 24 years of age, flying Perth to Paris depart 21 Sept arrive 22 Sept and then taking the train Paris to London on 24 Sept to study for several years in England. I would like one way cover for the trip, ‘super’ cover. Can you do this? What is the premium? How do I get this cover – note there is no ‘return’ date.
Regards
Amy
Hi Amy,
Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is a comparison service and not an insurer. You’ll need to contact CGU directly as they are not part of the panel of insurers that we have access to.
All the best,
Richard