Fast Cover offers unlimited cover for both medical expenses and trip cancellations, which is a generous product feature not matched by all competitors.
The comprehensive policy covers travellers aged up to 89 for lost luggage up to $15,000 (sub limits apply), includes automatic coverage for a wide range of sports and activities, and features a $50,000 cover limit for trip disruption expenses.
Read on below to find out more about Fast Cover’s comprehensive cover insurance for international travel, its features, and pros and cons.
Pros
- Discounts available for more than one person
- Medical screening for pre-existing conditions
- Large number of positive reviews
Cons
- Dental tops out at $1,000
- Select add-on packs not available for older travellers
Table of Contents
Featured Partners
2
Cover-More Travel Insurance
Medical cover
Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental
Cancellations
Yes, amount chosen by customer
About Fast Cover Travel Insurance
Fast Cover Travel Insurance is a comprehensive travel insurance provider based in Sydney. It is underwritten by certain underwriters at Lloyd’s, and prides itself in being an Australian-owned and operated company.
The travel insurance provider has received many awards and accolades over the years, including winning the Travel Insurance Award 2023 by Australia’s independent product review site, ProductReview. From more than 2,000 reviews, Fast Cover Travel Insurance received 4.6 stars–a higher ranking than other competitors on ProductReview.
From domestic and international trips, skiing or motorbiking holidays, to frequent travellers, Fast Cover aims to suit all kinds of Australians and their preferred trips. Note that for the purposes of this review, we are only analysing Fast Cover’s comprehensive cover, which received a star ranking of 3.9 and made our editors’ picks of the best comprehensive insurance providers. The insurer also offers policies for domestic cover, too.
Related: Best Comprehensive Travel Insurance Providers for Australians
What Is Covered?
Fast Cover’s Comprehensive Travel Insurance policy is available to those aged up to 89 years, with those between 60-89 automatically falling into Fast Cover’s Seniors Traveller policy, whereby different coverage applies in terms of sports and activities. The coverage options as discussed in this review are for the general travel insurance policy.
Fast Cover offers 24/7 emergency assistance, up to $5,000 in credit card fraud protection, including lost passport and documents, and personal liability coverage up to $5 million.
If you need to cancel your trip for an unforeseen reason, Fast Cover offers unlimited cancellation coverage. If you booked via a travel agent, the agent’s cancellation fees are covered up to $1,500, while there is a $50,000 cover limit for claimable trip disruption expenses. In the more common scenario where your pre-booked travel is delayed for more than six hours then you may be entitled to $200 for every 24-hour period of delay, up to a total of $2,000.
If you’re thinking of driving instead of flying, then there is an option to add car hire excess cover of either $5,000 or $8,000.
Is Lost Luggage Covered?
Yes, lost luggage is covered with Fast Cover Travel Insurance up to $15,000. Sub limits apply to high value items, which can be specified within the policy for individual, higher coverage.
Medical Coverage
Fast Cover offers its travel insurance customers unlimited emergency overseas medical expenses.
Rather than including pre-existing medical conditions, Fast Cover offers medical screenings to all customers aged up to 89 in order to see if their medical conditions can or cannot be covered. If it can be covered by Fast Cover, this will be included in your policy and may incur an additional cost.
Check the PDS to see what is and isn’t covered medically by Fast Cover.
Is Dental Cover Included?
Yes, dental cover is included in Fast Cover’s coverage. However, the limit is capped at $1,000 and coverage depends on the type of policy you choose. As dental is a high-cost medical requirement, $1,000 may not be much help if you need urgent dental care overseas, although unlimited medical cover may apply to injuries to teeth while overseas.
Does it Cover Me for Covid?
Yes, Fast Cover notes that if you contract Covid-19 and you have to see a doctor or you’re hospitalised overseas, you can submit a claim under the Covid-19 Overseas Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses benefit, which has a 72-waiting period before the benefit starts.
For non-medical Covid coverage, such as cancellations due to contracting Covid, these may also covered by Fast Cover up to $5,000–but the level of coverage varies depending on the policy and only applies to those named on the insurance certificate. This means if dependent children who are travelling with you aren’t listed, the cancellation costs of their trip would not be covered. Therefore, it is best to include all names on the insurance certificate for peace of mind.
As the Australian Government notes, while two jabs are no longer a legal requirement for travel outside of Australia, some countries, cruise vessels and airlines may have their own Covid-19 travel requirements in place, so check the Smart Traveller website before you leave.
What about Pregnancy?
Yes, pregnancy is covered by Fast Cover Travel Insurance. For single pregnancies, this cover lasts until week 23, and for multiple pregnancies, it is until week 19–provided, for either single or multiple pregnancies, there are no complications.
Childbirth is not covered at all, nor are certain conditions such as gestational diabetes or miscarriage. You can read more in our guide to pregnancy and travel insurance.
What About Sports and Activities?
There are 37 activities automatically covered for all individuals taking out the Fast Cover Travel Insurance Comprehensive Policy. These are considered ‘sports and leisure’ activities by Fast Cover, and range from aqua zorbing to horse riding, archery and indoor rock climbing.
Most of the pre-included activities still come with conditions to keep in mind in order to make sure you don’t void your policy. For example, while jet boating is an included activity, it is no longer included if you’re not with a licensed operator, you’re in a competition or racing, or you are practising stunts and jumping off ramps.
For more activities–some of which may incur higher risk–policyholders can choose to take out Fast Cover’s adventure pack, snow pack, or cruise cover as an add-on, all of which will incur an additional cost to the policy premium. Snow and adventure packs also have age limits. You can read more on Fast Cover’s site.
Customer Service
Fast Cover offers its travel insurance customers 24/7 emergency assistance, no matter where they are in the world. In addition to the emergency phone line, there is a separate line available for general enquiries and to submit claims.
The Fast Cover website also offers interpreter services, should that be required by either the traveller or to ensure efficient communication between medical care overseas and in Australia. The company’s call centre is Australia-based.
Bottom Line
As Fast Cover offers discounts for more than one traveller, this insurance policy may be best suited towards couples or families travelling together.
The unlimited medical coverage and the large number of positive reviews make this insurance a solid choice for international travellers.
About Star Rankings: You will note that we have included a star rating next to the product or provider reviewed. This rating was determined by the editorial team once all of the data points were considered, and the pros and cons of each product attribute was reviewed. The star rating is solely the view of Forbes Advisor editorial staff. Commercial partners or advertisers have no bearing on the star rating or their inclusion on this list. Star ratings are only one factor to be considered, and Forbes Advisor encourages you to seek independent advice from an authorised financial adviser in relation to your own financial circumstances and investments before you decide to choose a particular financial product or service.
Featured Partners
2
Cover-More Travel Insurance
Medical cover
Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental
Cancellations
Yes, amount chosen by customer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Fast Cover Travel Insurance reliable?
Fast Cover Travel Insurance is a well ranked travel insurance provider, making the list for the top 10 best comprehensive travel insurance providers in Australia according to Forbes Advisor.
It is also ranked an average of 4.6 stars on ProductReview from a total of more than 2,000 reviews, with many consumers noting that it accepted claims and paid them out promptly.
Who is Fast Cover underwritten by?
Fast Cover is underwritten by Lloyd’s Australia Limited.
Does Fast Cover offer domestic travel insurance?
Yes, Fast Cover Travel Insurance has policies for both domestic and international travel.
Where can I find the Fast Cover pds?
You can read the full terms and conditions of Fast Cover’s insurance policies by heading to Fast Cover’s website.
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