Travel Insurance
After speaking with a number of different insurance companies I have found out that one of their favourite answers to any question is please refer to the PDF to see if your question/concern is covered. I’m not sure about you but 90 pages of different exemptions or indeed a combination of non-exemptions that become exemptions if they all happen is ridiculously confusing.
They have to answer your specific questions. This is why it is absolutely important to make sure you leave plenty of time to get your travel insurance Make sure that your travel insurance covers you for the things that you are concerned about.
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I grew up in far north Queensland on a sugarcane farm. Insurance back in those days was wearing a beating up old motorcycle helmet when riding the peewee 50. The first time I got a new motorcycle helmet I was so excited… It was bright yellow (what were they thinking)? The first time I wore it on my beloved peewee 50, one of the horses jumped in front of me and I hit my head badly bruising my cheek.
That old beaten up motorcycle helmet I was wearing the weekend before would have been of no help at all. My new motorcycle helmet didn’t stop me from having the accident but it most certainly helped me.
Even though it was more than 40 years ago I can still remember that I wanted to get the cool black open face helmet. That’s what one of the workers on the farm had and to me he was the Marlboro man. My mum didn’t have much time for the Marlboro man nor did she have any time for the black open face helmet.
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That’s what travel insurance means to me. It is not going to stop things from happening but it is going to help you after the event.
We recommend you take out a travel insurance policy for domestic and international travel.
Please take time to find the travel insurance policy that suits your needs. If possible ask your questions via email so there is a record. Below are the things that are important:
- Does my cover include my current medical condition?
- If there is a cyclone and they have to cancel the charter am I covered?
- If we are stuck somewhere due to a cyclonic event is our extra accommodation and expenses covered?
- If the operator cancels the charter with at giving a reason am I covered?
- If bad weather interrupts the charter can I claimed for the portion that we were not able to complete?
- If we are more than 10 nautical miles from the nearest land point/landmass is the policy still active?
Booze, drinking or a casual beer
Many of the policies make mention to alcohol and not drinking. It is my recommendation that whilst out on the boat on your Fishing Charter not to drink any alcohol. Many locations it is prohibited because of traditional ownership and or liquor bans. Having a beer at the end of the day back at the lodge or on the mothership is most definitely worth the wait.
It is important to make sure that your guide adheres to no drinking whilst operating your guided boat. All the policies that we have looked at have an alcohol exemption. It is critically important that your guide does not drink any alcohol during the day whilst operating your vessel/Boat/car etc etc.
Travel insurance can include cover for:
- COVID-19
- Lost documents
- Lost luggage and travel delays
- 24/7 medical assistance
- Rental car excess
- And more hey is the most important part of your travel insurance policy. What is the more?
It is important to know that different insurance policies often have different requirements when it comes to COVID-19 cover. For example, if you purchase a policy within 21 days of your departure date, and you have already booked other parts of your travel (like flights, tours or accommodation), you may not be covered for those pre-booked components already paid for if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 before you leave and are unable to travel.
Make sure you check and understand the insurance policy conditions before purchasing.
Below are some hints and tips from one of the insurance companies that offer domestic fishing travel insurance.
Stay Safe: Fishing Top Tips
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Weather Conditions
Check tides, swell and weather conditions before setting out, and avoiding fishing in exposed areas during rough or large seas.
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Take A Friend
While fishing can be a fun solitary activity, if you’re starting out, it might pay to learn the ropes from a more experienced friend.
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Life Jackets Are A Must
On many boats, life jackets are compulsory, but as a precaution, they should be worn on land too. And if you’re taking children fishing, they’re even more important.
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Handle Fishing Gear With Care
Fishing equipment can be dangerous, so it’s important to seek guidance when you first start. When casting a line, look behind you, be very careful when unhooking fish, and store hooks so that they aren’t exposed.
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Avoid Alcohol
Like all activities near the water, alcohol should probably be avoided. After all, studies show that the chances of being involved in a boating accident doubles when there is alcohol involved. And since fishing and boating go together, it’s best to abstain – and the same goes for fishing on land.
There is much ambiguity when it comes to the wording of any insurance policy on the surface. In a policy there maybe a recommendation for example; that you do not drink alcohol. In the product disclosure there may be a reference to alcohol voiding any policy claim. These are things to look out for.
This is a bit of a conversation in one of the chat programs of a major travel insurance company that is actually underwritten by Lloyd’s of London.
Me: There are a number of exemptions regarding alcohol. Are these exemptions for any alcohol or are the exemptions if you are over the legal limit?
Insurance company: Any alcohol is exempted
Me: So for example if we are having dinner on our Fishing Charter having a glass of wine and something happens. Does that mean that glass of wine exempts any thing that happens? Or is it only to do with personal injury? To use another more ridiculous scenario we are sharing a bottle of wine with our fishing group and there is a cyclone. Will we be covered for the loss of the charter and loss of our equipment/gear. How do you determine if alcohol is involved? Do you require a blood test or is it simply hearsay?
Insurance company: Unfortunately, I can provide general advice only, claims will assess based on a variety of factors against our PDS wording. The claims team will advise at any point in a claim if further evidence or documentation is needed to assess the best outcome for your claim.
Me: You actually do need to be able to answer my questions. I have asked specific questions to do with your exemptions
Insurance company: Yes, Sure
Insurance company: If you provide me with your best contact number I can arrange a call back for you
Insurance company: Your request for a call back has been forwarded to Sales. I’m afraid I can’t predict when they’ll call because they have a large backlog of call back requests. I can tell you that they’re online Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., and I’ve prioritised your request so that they try to contact you within the 24 to 48 business hours. If they are unable to contact you, they will leave a voicemail (if one is available) or send you an email to let you know of their attempt.
Insurance company: The information provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account any particular personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal objectives, needs and circumstances
I am still waiting for the call.