Insurance for 6+ Months in Australia

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What is the best sort of insurance for extended periods abroad? I've seen backpackers insurance but we won't be backpacking really. We plan to base ourselves in Sydney and find work. Then we'll do weekend breaks away.

Ideally we need £1500 each for cancellation, £1000 for luggage (with up to £400 on a single item to cover laptop) and then the standard stuff for medical etc.

Searching on moneysupermarket I'm getting policies starting at about £150 for us as a couple although the single item limit is only £300. None of the policies (even ones costing £600!) offer more than £300 for a single item. I'd have my valuables in carry on luggage so there is less of a risk but I'd still like them to be insured.

Or is there some sort of insurance I can take out when we get to Australia? I could take out a normal annual policy to cover our flights for cancellation (last year we paid £40 as a couple) and baggage on the journey?

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Does anyone have any info?

loveabargain13

I found columbus travel the best when I was in Australia for 6 months up to £5000 cancellation, baggage £2500, however single item was only £250, I only had my netbook with me and camera.

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Yes Columbus was one of the ones that returned a quote. £250-£300 seems to be about the max single item limit though for all of these policies.

loveabargain13

Have you tried STA travel aswell? if you are off for 6 months, you can insure eletrical items up to the value of £500 each for an extra premium.

dzug1

If the £1500 cancellation cover is for trips booked whilst you are living in Sydney, then I doubt if any UK policy would cover them - you'd need an Australian policy.

Which could have its problems if they class you a non-resident.....

STA and Columbus are the ones to research further though.

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No the £1500 is to cover our flights not any trips while we are there.

I'll check out STA, thanks.

[Deleted User]

You do know you're covered by medicare as a visitor for all essential medical care http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/migrants/visitors/uk.jsp

It'd be useful if you posted who you went with as I'm looking for the same for my clan. Migrating in Sept but traveling first.

blued

Yes we'll register for medicare when we arrive. I'm really looking for something to cover our belongings. I think most policies will cover everything excluding the full value of the laptop. Saying that it would probably cover enough to buy a second hand one so we might just have to go with something that covers up to £250 per item.

[Deleted User]

What about your home contents? That may cover you for a period, ours will cover 90 days outside of the home, not 6 months I know but yours may be different.

spottydog

If you are coming over on a Working Holiday Visa then backpacker insurance may well be the best you can find, if you are coming as a Permanent resident or citizen and spouse then probably standard holiday insurance to cover the journey over then Australian insurance after arrival is best (you can get renters insurance or standard contents insurance at that point).

I'm assuming you are on one of these visa's as all other visa's either don't allow work or require you to have a job offer before applying for the visa