cota travel insurance pdf

COTA Travel Insurance

Our verdict: with comprehensive cover for covid-19 and no age limit, cota travel insurance is a good option all-round, but particularly so for older travellers..

In this guide

Summary of COTA Comprehensive policy

How does cota travel insurance cover covid-19, what policies does cota travel insurance offer, here's a breakdown of cota travel insurance features, standard features, optional add-ons, how to make a cota travel insurance claim, here's the bottom line about cota travel insurance, frequently asked questions, compare your travel insurance quotes.

Destinations

• COTA Travel Insurance has comprehensive COVID-19 benefits and may cover cancellation costs, quarantine costs, transport costs, medical fees, childcare costs, and pet boarding fees.
• With no age limit and the option to take part in medical screening for some existing conditions, COTA Travel Insurance is a good option for older travellers.
• Although COTA Travel Insurance covers cruises as standard, the PDS doesn't include information about cruise-specific risks so it's not clear exactly what's covered.

Compare other options

Table updated September 2023

COTA Travel Insurance offers strong COVID-19 protection. Travellers will be covered in a variety of situations including:

• Overseas medical costs related to COVID-19
• -you or a travelling partner is diagnosed with COVID-19
• -a close relative or business partner is hospitalised or dies due to COVID-19
• -you're permanently employed as a healthcare worker, residential care worker or law enforcement officer, and your pre-approved leave is cancelled due to COVID-19.
• Travel and accommodation costs if a tour is cancelled due to your tour guide contracting COVID-19 or if your accommodation can't operate due to staff contracting COVID-19.
• Travel, meals and accommodation if you're not permitted to board your scheduled public transport due to being suspected of having COVID-19.
• Travel, meal and accommodation costs if you're required to enter compulsory quarantine due to COVID-19.
• Childcare costs if COVID-19 renders you unable to care for your dependent children while on holiday.
• Pet care costs if you can't travel back to Australia at your scheduled time due to COVID-19.

There are some scenarios that are not covered by COTA Travel Insurance including if you buy a policy knowing you already have COVID-19 or if you are not vaccinated against COVID-19.

COTA gives you the choice of four plans: Comprehensive, Essentials, Annual Multi-Trip, and Australian Travel.

Comprehensive

Annual Multi-Trip

The insurer of this product is Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd. It comes with a cooling-off period of 21 days and choice of $250 standard excess for international plans.

These are some of the main insured events that COTA Travel Insurance will cover.

Some of these inclusions are only available on the Comprehensive plan.

• Overseas medical expenses
• Travel delay
• Emergency travel and accommodation
• Lost, stolen or damaged belongings
• Stolen cash or credit cards
• Loss of income
• Personal liability
• Total permanent disability
• Accidental death

As well as the benefits above, COTA also lets you add Snow Sports Cover to your policy. It comes with a range of benefits including:

• Ski lift passes
• Ski run closure
• Hire costs for replacement snow equipment

Unfortunately, travel insurance doesn't cover everything. Generally, COTA 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
• An act of war, invasion or revolution
• Insolvency of a travel agent , tour operator or accommodation provider
• Mandatory quarantines or isolations
• You being unfit to travel or travelling against medical advic
• Childbirth or pregnancy complications after the 24th week of gestation or if you have had previous pregnancy complications
• A multiple pregnancy or one where the conception was medically assisted
• An elective medical or dental treatment , cosmetic procedure or body modification (including tattoos or piercing)
• Self-inflicted injury or illness, suicide or attempted suicide

Make sure you review COTA's PDS for a detailed breakdown of what won't be covered, found under its list of general exclusions .

You can download a claim form from COTA's website and follow the instructions.

If you need help, you can phone 1300 625 229 within Australia or +61 2 8263 0487 outside Australia. Alternatively you can email [email protected].

COTA offers strong travel insurance, particularly in relation to COVID-19 related expenses. It also extends cover for pregnancy up to 26 weeks, longer than some other providers, and will consider offering cover for existing medical conditions, if you complete an online health assessment.

With no age limit, it's a good option for a wide range of travellers. However, with limited information about how exactly cruising is covered, anyone setting sail might want to clarify the PDS with a CODA representative or consider a specific cruise travel insurance.

Do I have to be a senior citizen to get a policy with COTA?

No. One of COTA's aims is to help older Australians but younger Australians are not excempt from its travel insurance policies.

What if I change my mind about COTA travel insurance?

If you cancel your policy within the first 21 days of buying it, you'll receive a full refund, as long as you haven't started your trip and you're not making any claims.

When would me COTA travel insurance start?

If you pay for your COTA travel insurance policy online or over the phone by credit card, you'll be covered as soon as you receive your certificate of insurance (which should be straight away).

Add kids under the age of 1 by typing a “0” 0 traveller(s)

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Nicola Middlemiss

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

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12 Responses

We are travelling to Kenya for 2 weeks on 3 October until 17 October 2024, and looking for travel insurance for that time. Can we please have a quote. Thank you

Hi Inga & Ron,

We currently don’t have COTA on our panel. You can obtain a quote from them directly, or you can get a range of quotes from other travel insurance providers here .

I have diverticular disease, is this condition covered under your policy

Thank you for your question.

Pre-existing conditions are assessed on a case-by-case basis. You may find our article about travel insurance for pre-existing condition helpful.

Cota Travel Insurance is not currently one of the brands in our panel of travel insurers so you will need to contact them directly. If you would like to receive a quote from the brands in our panel, please head to our travel insurance home page.

Cheers, Zubair

I only need to cover 2 airfares to Sydney 800 dollars

Thanks for getting in touch with Finder.

If you wish to get covered by Cota, please visit their website where you can get a quote or purchase their policy.

If you would like to compare the brands in our panel, please head over to our travel insurance home page . You may also find our travel insurance for flights only article helpful.

While looking for insurers, please make sure you read the terms and conditions of the policy to learn more and know if it is the right policy for you or not.

I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.

Have a wonderful day!

All the best, Richard

I am interested in taking out a travel cover. Is it necessary to join COTA membership to be eligible?

Thanks for contacting Finder!

I’m afraid we currerntly don’t have a partnership with COTA. If you would like to get cover from COTA, you will need to head to their site directly.

If you would like to compare your cover options from brands in our panel, you can do so by entering your travel details into the comparison tool on the travel insurance home page .

Hi there, I’m over 70, travel a lot overseas and am trying to find out if you have a yearly multi trip insurance. I have never had a claim, but finding it difficult to get yearly insurance at this age. For the next 12months I expect Asia and maybe Europe. Many thanks Eva

Thanks for your question. I’m afraid Cota is not currently one of the travel insurance brands in our panel.

However, many of the travel insurance brands in our panel do provide annual policies for people over 70 years of age. If you would like to compare these policies, you can do so on our annual travel insurance page . The comparison table does not only show the age cut-off but the maximum single trip length as well.

I hope this was helpful, Richard

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When to Book your Travel Insurance

By Taryn Topperwien

When to book your travel insurance

You have just booked a holiday and are considering travel insurance to cover yourself, but when is the best time to book it?

Many people leave it to the last minute, says research done by Finder in 2019¹. The research found that 39% of Australian travellers book their travel insurance at the last minute. Of those that book their travel insurance last minute, 18% were found to book less than three days out, while a further 10% book less than a week out, with only 8% of Australian travellers booking six months in advance.

It’s important to remember that travel insurance covers you for some events from the day it is purchased. By leaving it until the last minute, you could be putting yourself at risk. There are many things that can go wrong between booking your holiday and actually departing on your holiday. Travel insurance may cover these events such as a sudden death in the family that means you need to stay home, delays or cancellations that can affect your booked holiday, or cancellation cover for an unexpected illness, injury or even death.

Finder also reveals that Generation Y were found to be the riskiest travellers (the population currently aged between 25-40 years old) when it comes to travel insurance, with 53% only booking their insurance a few days before their trip departure. In comparison, 31% of Baby Boomers (the population currently aged between 57-75 years old) leave it to the last minute.

Travel insurance may also include cover for injuries sustained while doing certain activities, like skiing or snowboarding. Check whether or not your travel insurance covers you for the activities you intend to do, because if you need to go to hospital due to an accident from participating in an activity, you can be looking at large financial costs.

Once bookings are made and deposits are paid, customers can potentially be at risk of being out of pocket if plans change.  ​Some book days before, others a year ahead. It’s mostly about considering personal circumstances.

Tom, COTA Insurance

Remember, the Australian government website Smartraveller recommends “If you can’t afford cover (travel insurance), you can’t afford to travel.” So when booking your next holiday, remember to consider booking your travel insurance as soon as you can.

Contact COTA Insurance for more information or get a quote on your travel insurance at 1300 1300 50 or via our website here.

¹ www.finder.com.au/press-release-june-2019-jetset-roulette-aussies-book-travel-insurance-at-the-last-minute

www.insurancebusinessmag.com/au/news/breaking-news/australian-travellers-book-cover-at-the-last-minute-study-finds-169910.aspx#.XQQ8hOpI-S0.email

www.finder.com.au/travellers-at-risk-by-delaying-travel-insurance

www.smartraveller.gov.au/consular-services/resources/choice-travel-insurance-guide

Insurance and Membership Services Limited ABN 59 057 159 743, AR 246235 trading as COTA Travel Insurance is an authorised representative of nib Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd, ABN 81 115 932 173, AFS Licence No 308461 and act as nib’s agent and not as your agent. This is general advice only. Before you buy, you should consider your needs, the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Financial Services Guide (FSG) and Target Market Determination (TMD) available from us. This insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, ABN 83 169 311 193.

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Its Time to Travel

By Taryn Topperwien

Its time to travel

If you are looking to book a cruise trip, see what our plans can cover before you set sail., cota travel insurance can cover cruise related events such as:.

You get sick with gastro on your cruise

Your flight is delayed and you need to get to your cruise on time

Your luggage items such as your cruise formal wear is accidentally lost, stolen or damaged

You’re retrenched from your permanent employment in Australia before you embark on your cruise

You’re out-of-pocket when you miss a shore excursion because your cruise is delayed due to severe weather

You need medical evacuation from your ship.

CLICK HERE TO GET A QUOTE

Cover offered for some coronavirus-related events on cruises.

Cover for some coronavirus related events is available on all plans (excluding the Cancellation and Additional expenses plan), but the types of benefits and benefit limits vary.

As much as we’d love the plans to cover every coronavirus-related scenario that a traveller can think of, that’s not what travel insurance is designed to do, so read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully to know what is, and isn’t, covered.

COTA Insurance policies include plans which offer cover for:

This is a brief summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions.

Please read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before buying.

Domestic or International?

Even when cruising just off the coast of Australia, one of our international plans will need to be chosen in order to have cover on board for medical treatment. Our domestic plans can offer cover for inland river cruises within Australia.

Or call one of our friendly staff today on  1300 1300 50 and get cruising!

Insurance and Membership Services Limited ABN 59 057 159 743, AR 246235 trading as COTA Travel Insurance is an authorised representative of nib Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd, ABN 81 115 932 173, AFS Licence No 308461 and act as nib’s agent and not as your agent. This is general advice only. Before you buy, you should consider your needs,  the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Financial Services Guide (FSG) and  Target Market Determination (TMD)  available from us. This insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, ABN 83 169 311 193.

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COTA Insurance Travel Packing List

By Taryn Topperwien

Off travelling soon? Download our travel packing list to help you remember everything, including all the extra things we need to pack nowadays, like masks and sanitiser! Download here:

Click here to download your free copy today.

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Travel insurance for some coronavirus-related events

By Taryn Topperwien

Have a holiday booked? Then it’s more important than ever to know exactly what you are and aren’t covered for before you go.

Coronavirus has changed travel for everyone and even though you might have a holiday booked, it’s more important than ever to know exactly what you are and aren’t covered for before you go.

Cover offered for coronavirus-related events

Cover for some coronavirus-related events is available on COTA travel insurance plans (except the Cancellation and Additional Expenses Plan), but the types of benefits and benefit limits vary.

We have policies that include plans which offer cover for:

Overseas medical benefit.

If you get sick with coronavirus while on your trip, all COTA travel insurance plans include cover for overseas medical expenses. As always, these are subject to our terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions around existing medical conditions.

Medical evacuation and repatriation

COTA travel insurance plans (except Cancellation and Additional Expenses plan) include cover for medical evacuation and repatriation if we agree it’s medically necessary, up to the relevant benefit limit.

Coronavirus Travel Costs

The Coronavirus Travel Costs benefit is available on the International Comprehensive, Australian Travel and Annual Multi Trip plans. Plans including Coronavirus Travel Costs can provide cover for several coronavirus related events, including cover for quarantine expenses and trip cancellation if you are diagnosed with coronavirus, up to the relevant benefit limit.

The Coronavirus Travel Costs benefit includes cover for the following events

• Non-refundable travel costs incurred if the traveller or a member of the travelling party is certified as medically unfit to travel due to being diagnosed with coronavirus.
• Non-refundable trip costs if a close relative in Australia is hospitalised or dies due to being diagnosed with coronavirus.
• Non-refundable travel costs if the insured is permanently employed as a healthcare worker, residential care worker or law enforcement officer and their pre-approved leave is cancelled due to coronavirus.
• When the insured’s accommodation is closed for cleaning due to a confirmed case of coronavirus at the accommodation.
• If boarding scheduled public transport is denied because the insured is suspected of being infected with coronavirus.
• Costs for compulsory quarantine if during the trip the insured is diagnosed with coronavirus or is a confirmed ‘close contact’.
• Childcare costs if the insured gets coronavirus during the trip and is unable to take care of their dependent children as a result.
• Care for pets back home if the insured is diagnosed with coronavirus during their trip and as a result is unable to return home as scheduled.
• Your tour is cancelled due to your tour guide being diagnosed with coronavirus.

As much as we’d love to cover every coronavirus-related scenario that a traveller can think of, that’s not what travel insurance is designed to do, so read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully to know what is, and isn’t, covered.

Insurance and Membership Services Limited ABN 59 057 159 743, AR 246235 trading as COTA Travel Insurance is an authorised representative of nib Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd, ABN 81 115 932 173, AFS Licence No 308461 and act as nib’s agent and not as your agent. This is general advice only. Before you buy, you should consider your needs, the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Financial Services Guide (FSG) and Target Market Determination (TMD) available from us. This insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, ABN 83 169 311 193.

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Conscious Travelling

By Taryn Topperwien

Conscious travel is making sure that when travelling, you are mindful and take into consideration the impact of your trip on the environment and the local surroundings. Read onto learn how you can be more conscious while travelling.

Conscious travel is making sure that when travelling, you are mindful and take into consideration the impact of your trip on the environment and the local surroundings.

Choosing a more conscious travel experience can mean taking a local’s perspective, integrating with the local community and seeking meaningful experiences, all of which will provide a more authentic experience as well as being more environmentally friendly.

Being a conscious traveller doesn’t mean giving up all of your travel luxuries, instead it means making small and conscious steps towards reducing your carbon footprint when travelling. The aim is to create a sustainable travel economy that positively gives back to the local community and its environment.

We have compiled a list of easy changes to assist you in becoming a more conscious traveller:

Destination

Choose a destination that is committed to sustainability, promotes human rights, preserves the environment, supporting social welfare or has a community-based tourism industry. Alternatively, you can choose a destination that doesn’t get much tourism.

Air travel leaves a large carbon footprint so when possible its best practice to use train or bus travel. If this isn’t possible, then try and opt for eco-friendly airlines or airlines with strong sustainability policies or one with a with carbon offset programs and direct flights.

While on holiday choose train, local buses, pushbikes or go on foot as a travel method.

Accommodation

Select eco-friendly accommodation where possible or accommodation with a cause, such as donating to a local charity or sustainability project.

Do your research and see what eco-friendly habits the accommodation participates in, such as using refillable toiletry bottles, having recyclable waste facilities, using solar power and LED light bulbs and source fresh produce locally and ethically.

You can also stay in smaller locally-owned accommodation such as guest houses or B&Bs instead of large global chains.

Sustainable Visitor

Make environmentally friendly decisions while travelling.  Remember everything do can help, including the following:

• To avoid waste while travelling, pack a refillable water bottle, your own cutlery set and a reusable shopping bag. You could also pack your own towels that can be reused during your stay
• Still recycle while on holidays, (see here for our article on reducing plastic)
• Choose reef friendly sunscreen to conserve the local sea life
• Be water conscious in your accommodation by taking short showers and re-using linen rather than getting it clean every day
• Support the local economy, by shopping in local shops, restaurants and tour companies.
• Don’t take advantage of locals by bartering too much, a few dollars to us may be a week’s food to them
• When in your accommodation turn air conditioning and lights off when out or not needed.

Local Wildlife

Do your research and prioritise animal welfare by only participating in ethical animal experiences. Some tourist experiences do not have good standards in the way they treat their animals.

Make sure you don’t disturb local wildlife, meaning that you shouldn’t touch, feed or disrupt wild animals as this may alter their natural behaviour.

Do not buy souvenirs or products made from animals or eat exotic cuisine that includes endangered species or involves animal cruelty.

Before visiting a new place research local culture to ensure you respect the locals and know what is and isn’t appropriate. For example, certain cultures require the covering of shoulders and/or legs in public or specific touristic attractions. Remember to enjoy the differences by respecting and making the most of the different cultural experience.

Volunteering

While volunteering at schools and orphanages is often viewed positively, there are cases where it can produce more harm than good.  Look for ethical volunteer or charity organisations, where volunteering does not replace the good work of  local people. Care is required around children forming attachment issues with so many volunteers or in the worst case scenario where children are placed in orphanages solely for the benefit of western tourists. Also avoid giving money to street children.

Everyone can make a difference and have a positive impact by making some of these small changes when travelling. let’s all work together to make a more sustainable travel economy!

www.travelguideline.net/what-is-conscious-travel.html

www.girlabouttheglobe.com/conscious-travel/

theincidentaltourist.com/the-art-of-conscious-travel/

www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/how-to-be-a-socially-conscious-traveler/2017/09/07/d4d76ac8-89c1-11e7-961d-2f373b3977ee_story.html

good-travel.org/blog/7-things-to-ask-about-a-destination-if-you-are-looking-to-travel-sustainably

good-travel.org/blog/6-ways-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint-while-travelling

good-travel.org/blog/how-to-make-your-travel-good-for-the-environment

good-travel.org/blog/what-is-a-good-traveller

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Tim’s Travel Tips

COTA Insurances’ Insurance Manager, Tim, offers his travel tips on travelling Australia’s coastline by car.

For those who like their travel a bit closer to home and perhaps a bit more adventurous, this instalment I’ve got some Australian Beach 4WD tips.

With over 25,000 km’s of coastline it’s no surprise that there are a wide range of amazing beaches that you can drive on in Australia. There are also a wide range of types of beach drives so there is something for everyone; from getting to remote locations for the amazing views, cruising through sand dunes for the adventure to beach driving to a fantastic spot well away from the crowds.

It’s important to keep in mind that road rules, including speed limits, do apply on beaches and most beach drives are for 4WD vehicles only.

You may need permits to access some beach drives so make sure you plan ahead. Speaking of planning ahead, remember to check tide charts before you travel and avoid the hours either side of high tide. And as with all 4WDing, it’s always best to travel with at least one other vehicle.

Don’t get bogged down

Beach driving of any kind will involve driving on sand, often soft sand, which is very different from driving on the road. Getting bogged is also a real risk, so here are some tips to help you make the most of your time at the beach:

• The two key elements for diving on sand are tyre pressure and momentum
• Set your tyre pressure for the conditions
• As a rule of thumb, lower your tyre pressure to 20 psi – you may need to go lower depending on the conditions such as very soft sand or becoming bogged
• When you’re finished on the beach make sure you re-inflate your tyres to the normal pressure – so make sure to carry a tyre pressure gauge and portable air compressor
• Use momentum to help you get through soft sand, avoid making sharp turns and don’t stop until you get back to hard sand
• If (when) you get bogged – immediately stop spinning your wheels because you will just sink further making recovery more difficult
• Essential recovery gear for beach driving includes vehicle recovery tracks, snatch straps and a long-handled shovel
• Fit a safety sand flag (a tall fluorescent flag that you mount on the front of your car) if travelling over dunes in order to help alert other vehicles of your presence
• Once you are back home after your day at the beach, remember to give your 4WD (including the underbody) a good wash to prevent rust from the salt and sand.
• Make sure you check your insurer before you go off road.

Trips to give you inspiration

Queensland’s Great Beach Drive www.queensland.com/en-au/journey/great-beach-drive

Beachport to Robe, SA www.robe.com.au and www.limestone-coast-4wd-explorers-guide.pdf

Stockton Beach, NSW www.portstephens.org.au

Ocean Beach, TAS www.parks.tas.gov.au

Lancelin, WA www.lancelin.com.au

Have a question or your own travel tips to share?

Email Tim at [email protected] or post to Tim’s Travel Tips, 16 Hutt Street, Adelaide SA 5000.

Insurance and Membership Services Limited ABN 59 057 159 743, AR No 246235 trading as COTA Insurance, is an authorised representative of nib Travel Services Pty Limited ABN 81 115 932 173, AFS Licence No. 308461 and only provides general advice which means you should consider if it is suitable for your needs.  Before deciding to purchase the product, please read the Product Disclosure Statement available at  https://cota.we.com.au/ .  This insurance is underwritten by XL Insurance company SE, Australia branch (ABN 36 083 570 441).

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Save up to 10% on your first year’s premium when you quote and buy a new home insurance policy online  1,4

Combine your building and contents cover to receive up to 10% discount on your premium 2,4

Pay by the month at no extra cost  6

24/7 online claims lodgement

Excess options available on some plans

No age limit on the Annual Multi Trip, Comprehensive, Australian Travel, or Cancellation and Additional Expenses Plans

Easy and friendly phone or online application

Simple, over the phone, medical assessment

Up to 10% discount on your first year's premium when you quote and buy a new comprehensive car insurance policy online 1,2

You may be able to increase your excess to reduce your premium 1

Choose your own repairer 6

You can make a claim online or call 1300 651 777 for claims service 24 hours, 7 days a week

Accidental damage cover for your boat, motor, and trailer, all in one policy.

Australia-wide cover, up to 250 nautical miles off the coast.

Up to $30,000 for fishing gear, water skiing or diving equipment and tools on board (up to $3,000 per item)

Up to $10,000 in Club Care Benefits to help you out in an emergency.

Cover for accidental loss of (including theft) or damage to your caravan or trailer Australia wide

Option to pay by the month at no extra cost 1

Up to $1000 cover for accidental loss of or damage to the contents in your caravan (but not your trailer)

Cover for reasonable towing costs after a covered accident

Cover for your investment property from insured events

Pay by the month at no extra cost 6

Save up to 10% on your first year's premium when you quote and buy a new landlord insurance policy online 1, 4

Save up to 10% on your first year’s premium when you quote and buy a new contents for renters insurance policy online 1,4

You may qualify for up to 30% No Claim Bonus 3, 4

Option to increase your excess which may reduce your premium 5

Testimonials

Miss hodges , redcliffe.

Customer service is alive and well!

Karen arranged with me to phone back at a specific time and kept to it. She made it easy to understand the cover to be provided and took the time assisting me.

Ms Jones , Unley

I have a severe hearing disability and Paul handled this very well by being patient, articulate and unhurried. It was a positive experience for me.

Ms Jones , Adelaide

I had already researched online and got several quotes but still had some questions which is why I rang. I was really impressed with the service and the product on offer, especially after talking through the options.