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Budget Direct Travel Insurance
Comprehensive, Domestic, Annual Multi-Trip, etc... (See All)Reviewer Photos & Videos
They did not help at all when our holiday was cancelled due to the pandemic. They also did not refund us our premium like some other insurance companies did. I will never use them again
- 2 reviews
My Daughter purchased travel insurance before COVID.She was planning to go to Malaysia for 9 Months .Not only did she lose all her airfare but she also lost the whole amount of her travel insurance.Budget did not even refund part of it,which I thought was the honourable thing to do.She missed out on a refund by 3 days.Very unfair.Shame on you Budget. Customers don’t forget!
Thank you for taking the time to write this review. We are sorry to hear your daughter trip was affected by Covid-19. In order for us to look into this further, could you daughter send her details...
Read more, information and reference to this review to travelhelp@budgetdirect.com.au- 4 reviews
Like many other people I had a trip planned before the pandemic struck. I worked with various tour companies to limit and recover costs where possible, however some losses were experienced. I worked with the Budget Direct to document and submit the claim - the consultants were helpful, however were not able provide specific direction about one matter.
In the end, I submitted the claim and received a reimbursement less deductions - couldn't be happier with the advice and the choice of insurer.
Thank you for taking the time to write this review Damo. Sorry to hear that your trip was impacted as a result of Covid-19. We are pleased to hear your feedback about your claims experience.
- 3 reviews
I am an Army member who was serving in Africa. I spoke to them before I left (Jan 2020) for a multi trip cover while deployed on operations in South Sudan. I explained I would be deployed for 12 months and all travel would start and end in South Sudan - “all good Sir, we will cover that” they said. When COVID-19 hit I was unable to travel and had already spent 10’s of thousands on a family holiday. When I submitted my claim they refused to pay, not due to a pandemic (that was covered), but they said I did not meet the criteria as I had been out...
Read more of Australia for more than 30 days. They said they could not find the recording of them agreeing to cover me and they would never agree to that anyway; and if they did, that person was not authorised to agree to that anyway. I appealed multiple times and got the usual stock standard email reply of “initial decision stands”. Just hopeless and misleading. If you do go with them, record date and time of conversation and get the persons name. I am now out of pockets for well over $10000 and the over $400 for the insurance itself. Head this warning and I hope this helps.Hi Mark, thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback on your experience. We are sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction. We have forwarded your review onto the Internal Dispute Resolutio...
Read moren team at : IDRcommittee@claims-travel.com.au for them to review this matter and contact you relating this in due course.Find out how Budget Direct Travel Insurance compares to other Travel Insurance
Know better, choose better.
- 2 reviews
I purchased a comprehensive travel policy long before CIOVID was a known event. Unhappily, our dream extended holiday to Iceland & Norway was cancelled. The airlines and most of our hotel bookings were happily refunded but I had used hotels.com and bookings.com for over $3,600 worth of bookings (it was to be a long vacation!). Both of these companies refused to refund the money and offered vouchers instead. I did not seek the vouchers, nor did I want them. The original vouchers were due to expire in May 2021 but were then automatically extended...
Read more - not at my request. I decided that enough is enough as we are not prepared to undertake this trip any longer, as the virus is continually evolving and it is not worth risking our health or being stuck overseas due to unforeseen border closures. Budget Direct have refused to honour my claim because "You have been offered credits for the bookings you are claiming and accepting these is considered as recovering the costs from the source and a step which you could take to reduce your loss. Therefore, the costs you have claimed are outside the scope of the policy." It must be noted that the vouchers (credits) are site specific. I can't use them anywhere else but only in 6 hotel in Norway and Iceland. Last year I called them and told them I did not want the vouchers and I was told that if I declined them I was not making sufficient efforts to recover the costs. So with Budget Direct you are damned whichever way you go!! They have set it up that you cannot win! It is not possible to get a fair and reasonable judgement from them.Hi Robert, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are aware that you have raised a dispute regarding the decision of your claim and it is currently being review. The appropriate t...
Read moreeam will contact you in due course regarding this matter.hello. So I shall be contacted "in due course..." I trust the AFCA compels Budget Direct to review this claim more fairly than it has. Your company has avoided answering my simple questions and failed...
Read more to address its contradictory advice. I look forward to updating this website with the outcome of that contact "in due course."- 3 reviews
Don't Fall For The Cheap Price! Better Off With No Insurance! Least I Would Have Saved Time And Money
It's was easy to purchase and a good price and gave peace of mind for the trip... Until something went wrong and I had to claim.
It's been over 1 year and they still haven't paid me for my claim. My bag was lost for 3 days from the airline I flew with (lost/stolen luggage was meant to be covered for up to $600) and I had to purchase clothes, toiletries etc.. Which were meant to be covered but no...
The process they make you go through to get the cover is ridiculous. I sent them papers of proof from the airline that the bag was lost, I sent the...
Hi Gabriel, thank you for taking the time to write this review and provide your feedback. We are sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction. Our process is to review and assess claims in a timely manne...
Read morer in line with the full terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the policy and providing we have sufficient documents/receipts to support your loss. Could you please send your details, information and reference to this review to IDRcommittee@claims-travel.com.au so they can review and contact you in due course regarding this matter.It’s the first time we used Budget Direct for our travel cover. Our holiday was booked last March. We flew to the UK, then we were due to have 10 days in Dubai. Whilst we were in the UK, the Australian government issued a statement for all residents of Oz to return home. We contacted Flight Centre, whom we our booking with, and they wanted $8,500 to get us back. We then contacted Budget Direct who asked if we could go to the airline direct and get it cheaper and they would cover it. We managed to get it sorted for about $2,500. We have since be...
Read moreen refused a refund. After me complaining they said I had to get a letter off the airline declaring they hadn’t already given us a refund?? The airline won’t respond either, so we are left out of pocket. We will never use them again.Hi Sandra, thank you for taking the time to write this review. We are sorry to hear about your experience. Our aim is to assess the claim within the full terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of...
Read more the policy. In order for us to look into this matter further, can you please send your details, information and reference to this review to IDRcommittee@claims-travel.com.auRelated Articles
- 8 reviews
- 1 like
Will not cover my travel losses and will not return my policy premium ,no help if you phone them.I feel this company is in the business taking money and then relinquishing all responsibility and service.please save your money and go elsewhere.
Hi Phil, Thank you for taking the time to write this review and provide your feedback. In order for us to look into your situation further, please send your details, information and reference to this review to travelhelp.@budgetdirect.com.au
- 2 reviews
My partner and I had booked a trip to the UK so that I could go home to visit my family and decided to align this with a much needed holiday. UK to Portugal and Italy, then back to Australia.
COVID-19 hit and understandably flight providers, hotels, insurers were all over the place and noone knew what to do / to expect. But the assumption was that if your insurance policy covered epidemics you were covered...and that ultimately all good businesses would "do the right thing'
Our trip consisted of 5 flights and 5 hotels.
Before cancelling an...
Read moreything or making a claim I called budget direct and queried whether I should accept vouchers when offered and was told I should as that was me "taking reasonable steps to reduce the loss" ...even though I didn't want any vouchers. I provided as much detail as possible to Budget Direct. Then they wanted more detail, and more, and more.Hi Catherine, thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback and experience. Any claims arising from or relating to the Coronavirus are assessed in accordance with the applicable terms & co...
Read morenditions, limits and exclusions of cover outlined in your PDS, also considering the individual circumstances of each claim. If you are unsatisfied with the decision, you can escalate this to IDRcommittee@claims-travel.com.au who will be able to discuss this further with you.Find out how Budget Direct Travel Insurance compares to other Travel Insurance
Know better, choose better.
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance
- Verified
I have no faith that this company would pay any claim
Canstar rating suggested this was a good value policy and it seemed so on purchase. In December 2020 and January 2021 I arranged our annual Europe trip to see our family. I took out travel insurance in early February. In May it became clear we would not be able to leave Australia as planned in September. I set about the task of claiming refunds for the various airline and accommodation providers and obtained many refunds and flight credits. However one accommodation provider and Ryanair would not issue any refund so I made a claim. Budget dire...
Read morect advised me to keep requesting refunds from both organisations as they would not pay anything until this was done and I was informed by Budget Direct that this would probably take a lot of time. I did this and eventually received a refund from the accommodation provider. The only option to me to communicate with Ryanair was via their website where I could only apply for a refund of the tax on the airfare. To date I have received no reply from Ryanair (which I told Budget Direct last week) and today I received an email from Budget Direct stating they had closed my case. They have paid nothing.Hi Jeff, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction around your claims experience, as we strive to deliver a good customer experience. In ...
Read moreorder for us to look into this matter further, can you please email your details, information and reference to this review to IDRcommittee@claims-travel.com.au- 2 reviews
- 2 likes
We regularly take multiple overseas trips and selected Budget Direct for our insurance. When COVID struck, we had several trips cancelled. Would BD pay out - would they heck. They expected us to take credits for things that who knew if we could even use a year in the future. Abysmal service and the length of time it took to respond was atrocious. I would NEVER EVER EVER use them again. Stay away from this dodgy company. They'll happily take your money, but when you actually have the right to a refund, they'll try everything in the book they can to stop it from happening!
Hi Andrea, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We do appreciate any feedback received and are sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction. When assessing the claim, it is done in lin...
Read moree with the full terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the policy. In order for us to have this matter reviewed further, please send your details, information and reference to this review to : IDRcommittee@claims-travel.com.auI don't ever want to deal with your company again. You wouldn't know what terms and conditions are if they slapped you in the face. Go to hell
Like most others here my experience with Budget Direct has been lamentable Legitimate claim (pre-covid) and 12 months later still waiting for them to finalise. I guess this will be one ore for the Ombudsman.
Sickening.
Hi John, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and feedback. We are sorry to hear about the delay in claims experience. During the claims process, we will keep you updated or let y...
Read moreou know should we require further documents/information in order to finalise the assessment of the claim in line with the terms and conditions of the policy. In order for us to review this further for you, please send your details, information and reference to this review to IDRcommittee@claims-travel.com.auFind out how Budget Direct Travel Insurance compares to other Travel Insurance
Know better, choose better.
- 2 reviews
- 1 like
Really poor experience with this company. I was unable to fly due to COVID19 and they refused the claim, stating I should have known at the time of booking that it would be a world event. Even though at the time it was only in china. Also no refund given on premium even though i never left the country! They are crooks!!! Don't bother with this insurance company
Hi Nicole, Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. We are sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction. Please be aware, the purchase date of your policy, travel departure date, destina...
Read moretion(s), as well as relevant public warnings and travel advices, may directly impact your ability to claim under your policy. So that we can further review this matter, can you please send your details, information and reference to this review to : IDRcommittee@claims-travel.com.auI purchased a travel insurance policy just before budget direct changed their PDS not to cover pandemics. They initially refused to pay my claim. After numerous emails and some help from a member on this page, they agreed to partially pay some of the claim. They were deliberately obstructive and made the process unnecessarily complex to put people off. Eventually we were to AFCA and they finally came around.
They agreed to pay some of the claim “in good faith” as long as we agreed to waive rights to rebookings/credits.
If you got in before the PDS change I’d encourage you to keep at them and go to AFCA. Despite wasting hours of precious time on this, I’m glad we were paid out based on principle. Thanks to the member who helped me out!
Hello and thank you for taking the time to write this review and provide you feedback on your experience. We appreciate and value feedback received. Any claims arising from or relating to the Coro...
Read morenavirus (e.g. flight delays, cancellation and amendment fees, overseas medical and hospital expenses) will be assessed in accordance with the applicable terms & conditions, limits and exclusions of cover outlined in your PDS, also considering the individual circumstances of each claim. Refer to your Product Disclosure Statement for full details. Please be aware, the purchase date of your policy, travel departure date, destination(s), as well as relevant public warnings and travel advices, may directly impact your ability to claim under your policy.Good copy and paste - another example of poor customer service and failure to address concerns
After lodging a claim for a policy bought before COVID started, I sought to claim back part of the cancelled domestic trip. Budget Direct said I should have anticipated the problem! Unless you have a personal crystal ball, don't trust this insurer.
Thank you for taking the time to write this review B Thomas. We are sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction with the claim outcome. Our travel claims team will assess the claim in line with the t...
Read moreerms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the policy and also take into account your personal circumstances. Please be aware, the purchase date of your policy, travel departure date, destination(s), as well as relevant public warnings and travel advices, may directly impact your ability to claim under your policy. In order for us to review your matter further, can you please send your details, information and reference to this review to IDRcommittee@claims-travel.com.auI have spent hours going through the Budget Direct claims process - LU035397-01. Despite acceptance of my policy and nothing on the Budget Direct website about Covid at the time, you refused to honou...
Read morer your claim of providing insurance for cancelled travel. I bought my travel policy in good faith and Budget Direct failed to respond to a basic claim.Hi B Thomas, as you have provided me with the claim number, I have forwarded this onto : IDRcommittee@claims-travel.com.au on your behalf, so that the appropriate department can look into this further. They will be in contact with you in due course.
Questions & Answers
I was about to purchase two policy of travel insurance through budget direct, which is one for my son, and the other one for us. After reading these reviews, espescially about Margaret's review, I wouldn't recommend to anyone, let alone to make the purchase. I've travelled to lots of place, never claim on travel insurance, and have used cover more and 1cover.
Go with another company!!
Hi Antonia, thank you for considering us for Travel insurance and taking the time to share your feedback. We do appreciate and take seriously any feedback we receive regarding our customer's experience and insurance coverage we offer.
I have examined the reviews on Budget Direct and it appears that it is wonderful Travel Insurance until you have to make a claim and that of course is the crux of the matter. Why should I choose Budget Direct or Allianz, when the reviews on 'CoverMore' travel insurance regarding the claims is far superior, and yes they are more expensive but at least they are honorable. I think a Royal Commission into Insurance providers is overdue.
Hi Taldree, thank you for taking the time to write to us. We do take on all feedback received, as it is valuable in providing a positive customer experience. When considering Travel insurance we...
Read more do recommend that your read through/compare the Product Disclosure statement to see what is covered and the conditions, limits and exclusion that apply, in order to select which Travel insurance is suitable for your needs.underwriter
Get an answer from our members and Budget Direct representatives
Details
Category | Travel Insurance | Travel Insurance | Travel Insurance | Travel Insurance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Other Insurance Types Offered | Car and Home and Contents | Car and Home and Contents | Car and Home and Contents | Car and Home and Contents |
Underwriter | Auto & General Insurance | Auto & General Insurance | Auto & General Insurance | Auto & General Insurance |
Maximum Age Covered | 100 years old | 74 years old | 74 years old | 100 years old |
Medical Coverage | ||||
Overseas Emergency Assistance | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Not Covered |
Accidental Death | $20,000 | Not Included | Not Included | $15,000 |
Emergency Dental | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Not Included |
Pregnancy (max weeks) | Not Included | Not Included | Not Included | Not Included |
Resumption of Journey | $3,000 | Not Included | Not Included | Not Included |
Hospital Cash Allowance | $75 per day, up to $2,500 | $75 per day, up to $1,000 | Not Included | Not Included |
Overseas Emergency Medical & Hospital Expenses | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Not Covered |
Loss of Income | $10,400 | Not Included | Not Included | Not Included |
Permanent Disability | $40,000 | $30,000 | Not Included | $15,000 |
Luggage & Personal Effects | ||||
Theft of Cash | $400 | $250 | Not Included | $250 |
Delayed Luggage | $600 | $400 | Not Included | $250 |
Credit Card Fraud | $5,000 as part of Travel Documents cover | $2,500 as part of Travel Documents cover | Not Included | Not Included |
Travel Documents / Passport | $5,000 | $2,500 | Not Included | Not Included |
Maximum Single Item Limit | $3,000 (Laptops or Cameras) | $2,000 (Laptops or Cameras) | $500 (Any Items) | $2,000 (Laptops or Cameras) |
Luggage & Personal Effects | $7,500 | $5,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
Ancillary | ||||
Personal Liability | $5,000,000.00 | $2,000,000.00 | $1,000,000.00 | $1,500,000.00 |
Rental Vehicle Excess | $6,000 | $4,000 | Not Included | $4,000 |
Motorbike / Moped Coverage | Included for any size | Included for any size | Included for any size | Included for any size |
Domestic Pet Care | $500 | Not Included | Not Included | Not Included |
Special Activities Packages | ||||
Golf | Included | Included | Included | Included |
Cruise | Included | Included | Included | Included |
Adventure | Included | Included | Included | Included |
Snow / Ski | Optional Extra | Optional Extra | Optional Extra | Optional Extra |
Other Travel Insurance
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Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback Helen. We are sorry to hear your disappointment. You can email travelhelp@budgetdirect.com.au so they can look into this matter further for you.