Travel insurance for Hawaii
Do I need travel insurance for Hawaii?
Whether you’re travelling to Hawaiian islands like Maui, Oahu, Kauai or other destinations in the United States, travel insurance could be an essential item for your trip. Smartraveller recommends Australians purchase comprehensive travel insurance due to America’s expensive medical costs, which can often be in the thousands.1
Travel insurance could provide peace of mind knowing that you’re covered for medical emergencies overseas. It can also cover other disruptions to your holiday, including tour cancellations, lost luggage, theft of cash and lost passports.
What should my travel insurance policy for Hawaii cover?
If you’re travelling to Hawaii, it’s worth purchasing a policy with the following travel insurance benefits.
Medical coverage
Australia doesn’t have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with America, meaning Medicare won’t cover you while you’re in Hawaii. So, it’s worth considering a travel insurance plan that could provide financial protection for expensive medical bills.
The following are some medical costs and benefits that may be included in your travel insurance cover:
- Medical treatment for injuries and illnesses that happen overseas (including COVID-19)
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Doctor and hospital expenses
- 24/7 emergency assistance.
Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for more information on your level of cover, as well as inclusions, exclusions and policy limits. The Target Market Determination (TMD) could also help you determine if the travel insurance product suits your circumstances.
Baggage loss and delay
If your luggage is lost, stolen or delayed while it’s being transported by an airline, it could be covered by your travel insurance. However, you can only claim the amount that is not reimbursed by your carrier.
Natural disasters
Hawaii is susceptible to storms and cyclones, especially between May and November.1 Some Hawaiian islands like Maui also have active volcanos.
When you buy travel insurance, you may benefit from selecting a policy that offers some kind of natural disaster cover. Some policies could cover travel delays and trip cancellations that may occur due to a natural disaster, as well as medical costs, damage to luggage and emergency accommodation.
Rental vehicle excess
If you plan to drive around the Hawaiian Islands with a hire car, consider purchasing a policy with rental vehicle excess cover. If you’re in a car accident in Hawaii, having rental vehicle excess cover could help reduce the excess your hire car company will ask you to pay.
What’s usually excluded from travel insurance?
Travel insurance cover typically has the following exclusions:
- Pre-existing medical conditions. Unless you inform the insurance company of your condition and they agree to cover it, medical expenses claims related to this pre-existing condition generally aren’t covered.
- Unattended baggage. Insurers typically reject claims for lost or stolen baggage that was left unattended.
- Claims due to intoxication. Your insurer will likely deny your claim if you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs when you suffered the loss.
- Reckless and illegal activities. If you suffered a loss while acting illegally or recklessly, your claim will be rejected in most cases.
Meet our travel insurance expert, Adrian Taylor
As the Executive General Manager of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor believes in educating customers about the importance of travel insurance so that anyone can kick back and make the most of their time away from home. While no one wants a disrupted holiday, a suitable travel insurance policy can provide a financial safety net for yourself, your belongings and your trip in case things go wrong.