QBE Travel Insurance; Family Member Coverage

[Cocitus23]

I have a QBE "Annual Multi-Trip" policy. It cost me $650, and I paid an extra $100 to have accompanying family members covered. Simple enough; I guess many of you have the same cover.
I am about to take a 4-week RTW trip, MEL - HKG - CDG - ATL - LAX - MEL. My wife is coming with me, but she is going to stay on in USA for another 4 weeks after I return to MEL. My issue is to ensure that she is covered for the latter 4 weeks.
I asked at the Qantas office (where I had bought my initial policy) and was told initially that it can't be done, that she would have to take out her own policy for the entire 8 weeks. I disputed this, saying (truthfully) that I had taken out such 'add-on' insurance for similar trips in previous years. The Qantas staff member then phoned QBE who said that, yes, it could be done and the cost would be $808. I refused to accept this as I had never previously paid more than $500 for similar coverage.
I then got on to QBE's web site, from where I received a quote of $693. Well, that was better than $808, but still more than $650, the cost at which an annual policy was still on offer. So I phoned QBE for an expalnation of these anomolies. I was shunted to four different people (or "insurance experts", as they introduced themselves), to handle this "quite complex" issue. The first expert said that it couldn't be done. The second and third passed the buck and the fourth, after consultation with his supervisor, quoted me $372 for the four weeks. I said "I'll take it."
I suspect that these experts have a random number generator as their tool for generating quotes.
What experiences have others had when wanting to insure a family member for an add-on period like this? Are other insurers better or worse?

[Dave Noble]

Columbus Direct charges $250 for individual, $389 for couples and $489 for families and states on their website

There's a policy to suit everyone. We offer individual, couples and family policies and as we consider each person to be separately insured, unlike other insurers you are still covered even if you’re not travelling together.

so would seem to be no issue with the 2 travelling independantly

I would never pay $650 for annual travel insurance. I have used Columbus on several years and when I did make a claim had no hassles and was paid in 4 days

If you have a Gold AFF membership ( or you decide to become one ) , you can get the policies for $200, $311.20 and $391.20 respectively

Dave

[serfty]

The wisdom on this website is not to buy QBE insurance through Qantas.

Columbus Direct will insure an Adult for an 8 week USA trip for $212.00.

Travel Insurance Direct provides a somewhat superior cover at $309 for those 8 weeks in the USA.

A annual Multi trip may be better value. TID costs $354, Columbus $275.

[alect]

The wisdom on this website is not to buy QBE insurance through Qantas.

Columbus Direct will insure an Adult for an 8 week USA trip for $212.00.

Travel Insurance Direct provides a somewhat superior cover at $309 for those 8 weeks in the USA.

A annual Multi trip may be better value. TID costs $354, Columbus $275.

I took out the TID policy - my reading was that it covered family automatically without an extra charge - is that not correct?

[Cocitus23]

Dave Noble and Serfty, that is great advice you have given. Many thanks. I am sorry that I did not avail myself of your wisdom and experience earlier. It will be stored away for next year.

[serfty]

I took out the TID policy - my reading was that it covered family automatically without an extra charge - is that not correct?

Travel Insurance Direct Policy Wording

Plan C – Annual Frequent Traveller

A 12 month policy for the frequent traveller.

All Trips under 38 days for a leisure Trip & 90 days for a business Trip are
automatically covered and accompanying partner and children as well.

Plan C covers all international and Australian domestic travel.

[JohnK]

A annual Multi trip may be better value. TID costs $354, Columbus $275.

And don't forget the 10% discount that is still available with TID....

[wandering_fred]

I have used QBE, TID and Medibank

The annual policies for TID and Medibank are not a lot different.

Mrs WF is on a 9 week USA trip with TID. A one night stay in hospital was covered with essentially no issues.

5 years ago I had a 5-night hospital stay in BKK while on a RTW. I returned to PER. Reading the fine print details I requested to restart the journey, QBE allowed this but now will not cover me under any circumstances.

Most policies now have different wording on RTW trips.

YMMV

Fred

[lovetravellingoz]

And don't forget the 10% discount that is still available with TID....

What 10% dicount?

[serfty]

What 10% dicount?

Try Here: http://www.retailmenot.com/view/trav...edirect.com.au