RAC Travel Insurance. What’s on offer and how does it work?

When travelling, you might face some unforeseen events or unexpected expenses. Travel insurance can help you cover these events and some might also provide you with medical assistance in case of injury or illness.

RAC offers travel insurance for both international and domestic.

This article will give you an overview of the insurance packages available with RAC, its main benefits and exclusions, the types of coverage offered, how you can buy a policy and file a claim, and other important information.

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What is travel insurance with RAC

RAC travel insurance offers a number of policies for both international and domestic travel with varying benefits and limits. It also offers annual multi-trip travel insurance that covers an unlimited number of trips over a year.

RAC travel insurance package(s)

RAC has a range of travel insurance plans depending on your needs and the nature and duration of the trips. Along with annual multi-trip insurance, there are three international and three domestic plan types on offer.¹

The international single trip plan options are:

• Comprehensive
• Essentials
• Medical only

The domestic single trip options are:

• Comprehensive
• Domestic cancellation
• Rental vehicle excess

Who administers travel insurance on behalf of RAC

RAC travel insurance is issued and underwritten by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co.¹

What are the main benefits of travel insurance with RAC

The main benefits of RAC travel insurance are:

• 24/7 emergency assistance: You’ll get access to a global network of medical and logistical staff available 24/7.
• Cancellation fees and lost deposits: Cover for cancellation fees, lost deposits, travel and accommodation arrangements, and other activities that have already been paid for and are non-refundable.
• Medical cover: Unlimited medical cover for medical and hospital expenses overseas.
• Rental vehicle excess: Domestic cover for rental vehicle excess in case your rental vehicle is stolen or damaged.
• Ski and winter sports cover: Options to cover recreational winter sports such as snowboarding, skiing, ice skating, and ice hockey, among others, in case of costs arising from loss, theft or damage of equipment, medical expenses, bad weather, and more.
• 21-day cooling off period: You can cancel your policy within 21 days if you’ve changed your mind and haven’t made a claim.

Types of coverage offered by RAC travel insurance

Here is an overview of the coverage offered by RAC travel insurance.¹

Policy benefits	International Comprehensive	International Essentials	Medical only	Annual multi-trip	Domestic Comprehensive
Unforeseen circumstances	Unlimited	AUD$25,000	NA	Unlimited	Unlimited
Death, injury or illness	AUD$1,000	AUD$1,000	NA	AUD$1,000	NA
Overseas medical and hospital	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	NA
Overseas dental	Unlimited	AUD$2,000	AUD$500	Unlimited	NA
Luggage	AUD$15,000	AUD$7,500	AUD$2,000	AUD$15,000	AUD$7,500
Travel documents	AUD$5,000	AUD$1,500	NA	AUD$5,000	NA
Luggage delay	AUD$750	AUD$500	NA	AUD$750	AUD$500
Emergency expenses	Unlimited	AUD$25,000	AUD$5,000	Unlimited	AUD$25,000
Rental vehicle excess	AUD$8,000	AUD$4,000	NA	AUD$8,000	AUD$5,000
Travel delay	AUD$3,000	AUD$1,500	NA	AUD$3,000	AUD$1,500

As seen on 17 April 2024

RAC travel insurance main fees

The fees for RAC travel insurance differ based on factors such as whether you’re opting for a single trip or an annual multi-trip option, the insurance plan selection, your travel destinations, the departure and return dates, the number of adults and children going on the trip and their ages, medical conditions, and more.

Additionally, the fees will change depending on the excess amount you choose and if you need additional coverage to go on a cruise or for ski/winter sports.

You can enjoy a discount on travel insurance if you’re an RAC member.²

What’s not covered under this travel insurance

Some general exclusions under this travel insurance are¹:

• Lack of reasonable care leading to loss, theft, damage, illness or injury
• Travel to destinations with a ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory before your departure
• Errors in your booking arrangements, including failure to get the necessary travel documents, visa or passport
• Illegal behaviours
• Claims for travel booked against your doctor’s advice

Eligibility for RAC travel insurance

Australian citizens and permanent and temporary residents of up to 110 years of age are eligible for Single-trip RAC travel insurance policies, and those of up to 75 years of age are eligible for annual multi-trip policies. Additional requirements are detailed below.¹

Australian citizens and permanent Australian residents

• The policy should be purchased before your trip begins
• International cover requires you to start and end your trip in Australia
• Domestic cover requires you to travel only within Australia

Australian temporary residents

Along with the requirements stated above for Australian citizens and permanent residents, temporary residents also have to have the following:

• A current Australian visa, not a tourist, study or working holiday visa, that will remain valid beyond your return date
• A return ticket
• A primary place of residence where you’ll return to

How to get travel insurance with RAC

You can purchase RAC travel insurance policy online. The process is as follows²:

1. Choose between single-trip and annual multi-trip coverage options.
2. Provide details of your travel destinations, departure and return dates, ages of adults and children to be covered, state of residence, and if you’re an RAC member.
3. Select the type of insurance that suits your needs the best.
4. Choose your excess, and if you need additional cruise or ski/winter sports coverage.
5. Follow the prompts to fill out your personal details, complete the medical declarations, and proceed to the payment.
6. You’ll receive a copy of your insurance via email.

Making a claim with RAC travel insurance

You can lodge a claim with RAC travel insurance online, via email, post or phone. You’ll need to submit relevant documentation to support your claims.

The claim can be lodged either during your trip or once you return but all the details should be submitted within 30 days of your return. You can find different claim forms on the RAC travel insurance website.³

Online

To lodge a claim online⁴:

1. Register with the email you used to purchase the policy and set up your password by following the guide you receive via email. Or log in if you’re already registered.
2. Fill in the claim details in all the sections.
3. Your claim will be assessed within 10 working days.

By phone

You can call the RAC travel insurance claim team on 1300209352 and go through the claim process.⁴

A word on RAC travel insurance and COVID-19

If you purchase the Comprehensive international or domestic policy, you’ll receive some COVID-19 benefits⁵:

• If there is a Do Not Travel advisory for your travel destinations before your departure, the insurance won’t cover you. However, if the advisory is put in place while you’re travelling, you’ll have coverage.
• Your overseas medical and hospital expenses are covered, but domestic ones are not.
• If you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 on the trip, the additional emergency expenses, cancellation fees, and lost deposits, might be covered under international and domestic policies with a combined limit of AUD$3,500 per adult.

Additional things to keep in mind

A travel insurance policy's inclusions and exclusions must be considered carefully before purchase. You can do so by going through RAC travel insurance’s Product Disclosure Statement.

Contacting RAC

You can get in touch with RAC travel insurance in the following ways:

• Call them at 131703 for general enquiries and insurance claims, from 7am to 8.30pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8.30am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
• You can also call them on their international number +61894364444 from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and 8.30am to 5pm on weekends.
• Submit your enquiry via the form available on the website.

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Sources:

1. RAC travel insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDF) pg. 4, 5, 7-9
2. RAC travel insurance Sign up
3. RAC travel insurance How to make a claim
4. RAC travel insurance How to claim
5. RAC travel insurance COVID-19 FAQs

Sources checked on: 17 April 2024