Commbank complimentary credit card travel insurance. How does it work?

If you’ve got a Commbank credit card you may be planning on using the complimentary travel insurance service for your next trip abroad. Recent research from the Insurance Council of Australia showed that 1 in 6 Australians didn’t have insurance cover for their last trip¹ – a risky choice if you run into medical emergencies, travel delays, theft or losses.

Don’t take the chance – particularly if you’re lucky enough to be able to get complimentary travel insurance by taking a few simple steps. This guide to Commbank credit card travel insurance covers what you need to do.

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Not all credit cards offered by Commbank have a complimentary travel insurance service – and even where insurance is available, eligibility criteria apply. You’ll have to check your own card’s information thoroughly before you travel.

What is complimentary travel insurance with Commonwealth Bank credit cards?

As it sounds, Commbank credit card complimentary travel insurance is travel insurance which is offered as part of your card package².

Certain cardholders can get benefits which may cover medical expenses, changes to travel plans or lost luggage for example. However, insurance terms and conditions do apply – and you’ll need to check your card is eligible given your unique spending patterns. Read on to learn more.

Commbank credit cards with complimentary travel insurance

If you’re eligible for Commbank credit card complimentary travel insurance, you, your spouse and up to 10 children who are travelling with you could be covered.

The following Commbank credit cards may offer complimentary travel insurance, subject to meeting eligibility requirements:

• Low Fee Gold credit card
• Low Rate Gold credit card
• Smart Awards credit card
• Ultimate Awards credit card

You might also get complimentary travel insurance if you have one of these cards, which are no longer offered for new customers:

• Gold Awards credit card
• Platinum Awards credit card
• Diamond Awards credit card

It’s handy to know that you could also benefit from some cover with a World Debit Mastercard if you activate your insurance.

Who administers credit card travel insurance on behalf of Commbank?

The named insurance provider for Commbank complimentary credit card travel insurance is Zurich Australian Insurance Limited, working through its agent Cover-More Insurance Service. Both of these named providers hold Australian Financial Services Licences.

What are the main benefits of complimentary credit card insurance with Commbank?

Depending on the specific card you have you may benefit from:

• Emergency medical cover
• Accidental death cover
• Repatriation in the event of death
• Travel cancellation costs
• Cover for loss of income in the event of an accident
• Reimbursement for loss of valuables and personal items
• Baggage delay cover
• Alternative transport expenses
• Hijack and kidnapping cover

You can also pay to include extras like cruise cover, or adventure activities cover.

Types of coverage offered by Commbank credit card insurance

Here’s a quick look at some key areas of cover, and payment limits for Low Fee Gold, Low Rate Gold, Gold Awards and Platinum Awards customers.

Cover type	Payment limit
Overseas medical benefits	Available with $500 AUD excess
Cancellation	$5,000 AUD with $500 AUD excess
Accidental death	$25,000 AUD
Loss of valuables including passport	$500 AUD
Loss of baggage	$10,000 AUD with $500 AUD excess
Baggage delay	$500 AUD

As seen on 19 September 2024

Different Commbank cards have their own limits and cover types. Learn more on the Commbank website.

What’s not covered under this complimentary travel insurance

Things which are unlikely to be covered with the Commbank credit card complimentary travel insurance include:

• Pre-existing medical conditions
• Cruises
• Snow sports and adventure activities
• Motorcycle and moped use

Cover may not be offered to customers aged over a set age – often 80 years. It's also important to note that benefit limits, sub-limits, conditions and exclusions will apply – so you have to read your policy carefully to make sure you understand it.

You can also keep an eye on the Cover-More travel alerts page to see if there are any events in your destination which may impact your cover. World events – such as wars or security threats – and other issues such as epidemics, may impact your trip and limit or even invalidate your cover.

Eligibility for Commbank credit card insurance

To be eligible for insurance you need a card which includes the benefit – and before you leave Australia you must³:​

• Spend at least 500 AUD in a single transaction on travel costs using your credit card
• Activate your travel insurance​

If you do not take these steps before you travel – and retain proof of eligible travel spending – you can not make a claim on the insurance, even if your card does offer this benefit.

How to access this insurance – is it automatic for Commbank credit card holders?

Travel insurance is not automatically included in most cases. Activate your credit card’s insurance in NetBank or through the CommBank app.

You can then get your policy number and Certificate of Insurance.

Making a claim with Commbank complimentary travel insurance

Make a claim on your Commbank travel insurance online or call Cover-More:

• From Australia on 1300 467 951
• From overseas on +612 8907 5060

You’ll need to upload or mail in supporting documents to prove you’re eligible for the insurance, including:

• Your policy number and contact details
• Evidence of at least 500 AUD spent on your trip-related transaction made before leaving Australia, on your credit card statement

Additional documents will be needed, depending on the type of claim you’re making. For example, you may need a police report if you’re claiming for stolen items, or medical bills if you’re claiming for emergency health cover. A member of the Cover-More team can help you navigate what’s needed if you’re unsure.

Additional things to keep in mind

Travel insurance is very important – but which policy suits you may depend on the details of your trip, and your attitude to risk. Different policies offer more or less cover, depending on which you pick – so checking you’re comfortable with the Commbank policy limits, excesses and exclusions is essential.

Here are a few other important things to remember:

• To get Commbank credit card complimentary travel insurance you must meet the spending requirements, and activate your insurance in your online or mobile banking service
• Some cover offered includes excesses of 500 AUD – which means you’ll need to pay the first 500 AUD of any claim
• Not all activities are covered, and exclusions apply for some pre-existing conditions – read the terms and conditions carefully before you travel
• Before you travel check the the Cover-More travel alerts page to ensure there are no live warnings which would impact your trip or cover
• If you experience an emergency abroad, contact Commbank immediately, and retain all documents and paperwork associated so you can make a later claim

Contacting Commonwealth Bank

Contact Commbank or Cover-More on the following numbers:

To report lost or stolen CommBank cards, use the Commbank app or call+61 2 9999 3283.

For emergency travel assistance, call Cover-More from:

• Australia on 2 8907 5641
• Canada on 1844 345 1662
• New Zealand on 0800 632 031
• UK on 0808 234 3737
• USA on 1844 345 1662

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Sources:

1. Insurance Council of Australia
2. Commbank credit card travel insurance
3. Commbank travel insurance details

Sources checked on: 19 September 2024