Many Australians travelling within the country tend to overlook domestic travel insurance or give it no more than a passing thought and dismiss it out of hand. They (incorrectly) assume it to be unnecessary but there is some logic to this, as anyone with Medicare is already fairly well covered in terms of their health. Emergency hospitalisations, procedures, and medications are all covered and will not cost extra. But that does not tell the whole story, far from it. There are more issues to face when travelling domestically and we plan to discuss them in detail here. 

Ambulances

The first misnomer to address regarding the all-encompassing coverage of Medicare is that of ambulances. They are not included in any Medicare coverage, meaning the user will be liable for the cost. Australia is a huge place, to say the least, and those ambulance fees might be exceptionally high. Especially if you have to be air-lifted to safety by helicopter or other rescue services are involved. 

• Domestic travel insurance takes this issue out of the equation, with most policies providing full cover for ambulance services.

Dentistry

Another area where Medicare falls short is in dentistry. It does not cover dental issues at all; if the dreaded toothache strikes, there is a good chance your trip will be ruined. Check your intended domestic travel insurance policy carefully for mention of dental coverage; you may find it offers some provision for treatment on the road.

Last minute cancellations 

Choosing not to purchase domestic travel insurance exposes you to the risk of paying the full cost of your trip, even if events dictate that you need to cancel. Although some tour companies will kindly allow you to re-schedule pre-booked events for later dates, some will not. Nor are they required to do so by law. Larger hotel chains will be unlikely to sympathise and flight companies are notoriously strict on cancellations unless you pay for flexible tickets. 

• If you booked any of the elements of your trip using a credit card, you may have some protection provided by default. 

Lost luggage  

Internal flights are just as capable of losing your luggage as international ones and nothing could be more frustrating than making your way to Sydney for a business meeting only to find your suit is lost along with all your other luggage. 

• Here again, domestic travel insurance will assist you when this happens and provide compensation. 

Natural disasters

Although not stricken by too many earthquakes or volcanoes, Australia has more than its share of natural disasters, primarily in the form of bushfires. These are no joke and can cause not just disruption and inconvenience but immense destruction of property and even death. When wildfires rage out of control, making your way to safe areas can be very challenging, often incurring high costs. 

• You will find those covered by most domestic travel insurance policies.

Do I need domestic travel insurance within Australia?

There are several good reasons to consider taking out domestic travel insurance for any trip in Australia. At the end of the day, it remains a personal decision, contingent on individual plans and requirements but it is safe to say it bears closer inspection and consideration. It is also a good idea to check any coverage provided by your credit cards. They might offer adequate protection for the trip you have in mind, especially regarding potential cancellations.