Permanent Disability and Travel Insurance
No one wants to think about experiencing potential harm to themselves while they travel. Having a travel insurance policy that provides cover in the event that you are permanently disabled during your travels can save you and your family thousands of dollars.
Defining Permanent Disability
Permanent Disability can happen to anyone while they are travelling. There is no demographic exclusively more susceptible to becoming permanently disabled. If you are not exercising caution then you may be more likely to have an accident where permanent disability is a possibility.
Permanent disability and permanently disabled means:
a) total and irrecoverable loss of all Your sight in one or both eyes; or total and irrecoverable loss of use and functionality of one or more of Your limbs (In respect of this definition, limbs mean an entire hand, an entire foot, the entire limb between the elbow and hand for an arm, or the entire limb between the knee and foot for a leg); and
b) in the opinion of an appropriate Medical practitioner specialising in the relevant field, with medical evidence, that the loss will last for at least 12 consecutive months from the Injury date, and that the loss will continue indefinitely without any hope of improvement.
What is covered with Permanent Disability Travel Insurance?
Fast Cover policies which include the Permanent Disability benefit provides a lump sum payment as detailed below, if you become injured during your trip, and the cause of that injury results in you becoming permanently disabled within 12 months of the injury date.
| Policy Type | Age group | Permanent Disability payment |
| Comprehensive | 0 - 79 | $50,000* |
| Comprehensive | 80 - 89 | $20,000* |
| Snow Sports Plus | 0 - 69 | $50,000* |
| Frequent Traveller Saver | 0 - 75 | $25,000* |
*Accompanying dependants who become permanently disabled receive a lump sum payment of $5 000.
The Permanent Disability benefit is only available with select policies and age groups as indicated above.
What is not covered with Permanent Disability Travel Insurance?
- Injuries caused by self-harm,
- Permanent disability caused by anything other than an injury,
- For any claims related to COVID-19,
- For more than the amount set in the PDS.
Not sure if you have cover for Permanent Disability Travel Insurance?
As policies differ between companies, it is always a good idea to check with your travel insurance provider if the level of cover you have purchased provides cover for permanent disablement.
*All benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the PDS. Always refer to the PDS to decide if this product is right for you.
