Our verdict: HCF has a wide range of customisable options so travellers can tailor their cover to suit their specific needs. However, cover COVID-19 isn’t the strongest.
HCF's Comprehensive, Domestic and Non-Medical Plans are available to travellers of all ages, whereas some brands wont cover anyone over 79.
You can set your own limit for cancellation costs, which means budget holidays will see cheaper premiums but more luxe trips can be fully covered.
Cons
HCF doesn't cover any pre-existing medical conditions as standard, whereas many insurers cover a limited number for not extra cost.
Cover for claims related to COVID-19 are limited. In most cases, you or your travelling companion would need to be diagnosed with COVID-19 to claim anything.
HCF Travel Insurance is not currently available via Finder. You can head to the HCFs website or compare alternative options available below.
HCF offers some cover if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 before you head on holiday or while you're away. Here's what you can expect:
Overseas emergency assistance, medical care and hospital expenses if you're diagnosed with COVID-19.
Cancellation or amendment costs if you or your travelling companion are diagnosed with COVID-19.
Additional expenses if you or a travelling companion are diagnosed with COVID-19.
Costs to return home if you are given medical advice that you should do so.
Costs to return home if a relative or business partner is hospitalised or dies due to COVID-19.
There are some scenarios that are not covered by HCF including costs incurred as a result of mandatory quarantine or isolation, border closures or government travel bans.
Also, if you were diagnosed with COVID-19 before heading on your trip but you went anyway, you won't be covered for any COVID-related overseas medical expenses.
What do Australians think of HCF travel insurance?
4.08/5 overall for Customer Satisfaction - lower than the average of 4.26
4.66/5 for Trust - higher than the average of 4.57
3.94/5 for Customer Service - lower than the average of 4.2
HCF offers five insurance policies to travellers. Comprehensive, Essentials, Domestic, Multi-Trip, and Non-Medical.
Comprehensive
Essentials
Domestic
Multi-Trip
Non-Medical
The insurer of this product is Allianz Australia Insurance Limited. It comes with a cooling-off period of 14 days and choice of $200 standard excess for international plans.
Here's a breakdown of HCF Travel Insurance features
These are some of the main insured events that HCF will cover. Some of these benefits may only apply on the Comprehensive international plan.
Overseas medical treatment
Overseas emergency assistance
Lost, damaged or stolen property
Trip cancellation or amendment
Additional accommodation and transport
Theft of money and travel documents
Luggage and travel delay
Emergency dental costs
Kidnap and hijack
Personal liability
Permanent disability
Accidental death
Optional add-ons
HCF also offers four add-ons that provide cover for a wider range of risks.
Adventure Pack.Cover for a wider range of activities that are considered high-risk, including deep sea fishing, outdoor rock climbing, or riding a motorbike with an appropriate licence.
Cruise Pack. Extends your insurance policy to cover cruises and a range of cruise-specific risks including ship to shore evacuation, marine rescue, and cabin confinement.
Snow Pack.Extends your insurance policy to cover accidents on the slopes, plus specific risks such as piste closure, avalanches, and equipment hire. .
Increased Item Limits Cover. Increase or specify the limit of particular items if your base policy doesn't offer enough protection.
You can also vary your excess, paying an additional premium to drop the excess or enjoying cheaper premiums if you increase the excess.
Exclusions
Unfortunately, travel insurance doesn't cover everything. Generally, HCF 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 if it is not listed on your policy
Self-inflicted injury or illness, suicide or attempted suicide
Make sure you review the HCF PDS for a detailed breakdown of what won't be covered, found under its list of general exclusions.
How to make an HCF Travel Insurance claim
You can submit your claim online, through the Allianz travel insurance claim portal.
Before lodging a claim, you should have your policy number, personal details, any supporting documentation or evidence, and bank account details for the payment of your claim.
Here's the bottom line about HCF Travel Insurance
HCF Travel Insurance offers a broad range of optional add-ons, making it easy for travellers to customise their policies to suit their specific needs.
However, cover for expenses related to COVID-19 are limited and, in most cases, you or your travelling partner would need to be diagnosed with COVID-19 to make any claims.
You can email HCFat HCF@allianz-assistance.com.au or call the helpline on 1800 689 410 (Weekdays 8am-7pm AEST, Saturday 8am-5pm AEST).
HCF's Comprehensive, Domestic and Non-Medical plans have no age limit. The Cruise Pack also has no age limit.
However, HCF's Essentials and Multi-Trip plans are only available to travellers under the age of 75. The Snow Pack and Adventure Pack are also only available to travellers aged under 75.
No, you do not have to be an existing HCF customer to take out a travel insurance policy.
Request travel insurance quotes and compare policies
All user-submitted reviews must meet our review guidelines. These set out our standards and expectations, including that the review is from by a genuine user of the relevant product or service and that it is honest, authentic and respectful. We explicitly prohibit fake or otherwise misleading reviews and we check all submissions, but we make no guarantee as to the authenticity of any published review or reviewer. Some reviews may be submitted (regardless of sentiment) in exchange for entry into any competition(s) for which we are the promoter.
10 of 33 reviews
★★★★★none (VIC) 11 months ago
Via customer survey commissioned by Finder
best travel insurance. never had a problem and i always feel safe when travelling now
★★★★★C (NSW) 11 months ago
Via customer survey commissioned by Finder
Easy online application, certificate of currency provided right away.
★★★★★ (NSW) 11 months ago
Via customer survey commissioned by Finder
★★★★★Mellisa (WA) 11 months ago
Via customer survey commissioned by Finder
HCF has really good service in travel insurance for customers are guided to the process and they are there in regards of a problem.
★★★★★Crazy (NSW) 11 months ago
Via customer survey commissioned by Finder
Easy to deal with
★★★★★Exc3ll3nt (WA) 11 months ago
Via customer survey commissioned by Finder
Good insurance coverage for travel
★★★★★ (ACT) 11 months ago
Via customer survey commissioned by Finder
★★★★★Matt (NSW) 11 months ago
Via customer survey commissioned by Finder
It has good coverage
★★★★★Bek-84 (NSW) 11 months ago
Via customer survey commissioned by Finder
Great coverage- but more expensive than other brands for the same policies/benefits.
Nicola Middlemiss is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience in personal finance and insurance. She has contributed to Domain, Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine and Insurance Business Australia, offering in-depth insights into commercial insurance in the Australian market. Nicola holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Leeds and a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification, which complies with ASIC standards. See full bio
Nicola's expertise
Nicola has written 245 Finder guides across topics including:
Personal finance
Personal insurance, including car, health, home, life, pet and travel insurance
Where do I find cheap basic insurance for over 80s overseas (Thailand) from Sydney?
Finder
MaiApril 15, 2019Finder
Hi Merv,
Thanks for reaching out.
I’m afraid HCF travel insurance only provides coverage for those below 75 years old. You can check our comparison page on travel insurance for over 80s. There’s a table on the page where you can compare the conditions for travellers over 80 years of age so you’ll have an overview of who might be the right insurer for you. You can fill out the online form from the page and put in your personal details and some information relevant to the travel to receive some quotes that will be suitable for you.
Hope this helped.
Kind Regards,
Mai
pamelaMarch 15, 2016
How do I actually get an HCF quote?
Finder
RichardMarch 15, 2016Finder
Hi Pamela,
Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is a does not currently have access to HCF Travel Insurance policies. You will need to visit the HCF website for a quote.
InsureandGo Travel Insurance can save you time with a comprehensive range of policies that are easy to digest and understand. Its policies include winter sports coverage plus both single and multiple trip policies.
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.
A guide to understanding cruise insurance - why you need it, what's covered, and what's not.
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Where do I find cheap basic insurance for over 80s overseas (Thailand) from Sydney?
Hi Merv,
Thanks for reaching out.
I’m afraid HCF travel insurance only provides coverage for those below 75 years old. You can check our comparison page on travel insurance for over 80s. There’s a table on the page where you can compare the conditions for travellers over 80 years of age so you’ll have an overview of who might be the right insurer for you. You can fill out the online form from the page and put in your personal details and some information relevant to the travel to receive some quotes that will be suitable for you.
Hope this helped.
Kind Regards,
Mai
How do I actually get an HCF quote?
Hi Pamela,
Thanks for your question. finder.com.au is a does not currently have access to HCF Travel Insurance policies. You will need to visit the HCF website for a quote.
All the best,
Richard