Travel Insurance For Bali
06 Oct 2017
Bali is a popular holiday destination for Australians. Find out more about the travel insurance you need at Canstar, such as how much it costs and how to get it.
There are not many places in the world quite like Bali, which is why Australians holiday there in droves. They come for different reasons – the cheap beer, stunning scenery, beach-front restaurants, unique Hindu culture, the surf, kaleidoscope of colours and of course the welcoming, happy locals. Bali offers great holiday value but, along with your beach gear, make sure you pack your Bali travel insurance.
Source: Indonesia.Travel
Bali is part of Indonesia, so here are a few quick Indonesian facts:
- Capital: Jakarta
- Population: 1 million
- Currency: Indonesian Rupiah
- Official Language: Bahasa Indonesia
- Land area: 905 million km²
- Fun fact: Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world with more than 18,000 islands
Travel insurance for Bali
Accidents, illness or theft are always on the cards anywhere you go, even in paradise. And when you’re away from home, stress and expenses can escalate quickly if you haven’t got the right support behind you.
Hopefully, you won’t need to make a claim on your travel insurance policy, but if you do, the policy will be worth every cent. Some reasons why you might need travel insurance in Bali include:
Cancellation costs for flights, accommodation and tours
It’s not just a volcanic ash cloud that could disrupt your Bali travel plans. An unexpected illness before you leave, or an illness in the family – even your employer denying your application for annual leave – can all be reasons why you might need to cancel your Bali holiday.
Travel insurance for Bali can help reimburse you for any out of pocket expenses as a result of cancellation.
Overseas emergency medical expenses
An accident or illness while you’re in Bali could end up meaning a visit to the doctor or even the hospital. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 93 Australians died and 144 suffered serious injury/hospitalisation in Indonesia in the 12 months to June 2016. Additionally, the cost of medical evacuations from Bali back to Australia have exceeded $60,000 in the past, so it’s best to be covered just in case!
Travel insurance for Bali can cover emergency overseas medical costs, as well as medical repatriation to Australia.
Cover for theft or lost luggage and personal items
The Balinese culture is beautiful; however, that doesn’t mean you are safe from theft, losing personal items or having luggage go astray. Heavy tourist areas in Bali are commonly targeted by pickpockets and thieves, so it’s best to play it safe and exercise caution over your possessions.
Cover for use of a motorcycle
Riding a moped or motorcycle in Bali is very popular – particularly given the traffic congestion there. There are always dangers associated with driving a motorbike, which are magnified in this part of the world due to the lack of road regulations, so motorcycle insurance is a good idea.
Be aware, though, that many travel insurance policies will only cover you for a 250cc or less motorcycle, and only if you have an Australian motorcycle licence. There are currently nine providers on the Canstar database that don’t require you to have a motorcycle licence to qualify for overseas cover, but regardless of whether you have a licence, always wear a helmet!
Travel delay/changed travel plans
Not to keep on about volcanic ash cloud, but it is among many reasons why your best-laid travel plans could become derailed. Travel insurance can cover you for any last-minute and unavoidable changes in your travel plans.
Watersports
Bali has beautiful beaches and if you’re planning on hitting them, then ensure that your Bali travel insurance covers you for any water sports you’re planning on trying. Things such as snorkelling, among other Bali activities, are generally covered under a standard policy, but more extreme activities such as scuba diving often are not. Check that you have the cover you need before you go.
Remember to be aware of the usual exclusions that apply to travel insurance policies.
Case Study: Jenny
Jenny (18) was nightclubbing with friends in Bali when she became ill after drinking a cocktail. Her friends recognised the symptoms of methanol poisoning and rushed her to hospital.
Fortunately, Jenny recovered after two weeks of care, but because she had been drinking alcohol and was under the legal age to drink cocktails in Bali (21), her insurer refused to pay her claim. Her cash-strapped family had to sell their car to pay the $25,000 in medical expenses.
Source: SmartTraveller.gov.au
What does Bali Travel Insurance cost?
The old saying goes: “if you can’t afford travel insurance, then you can’t afford to travel”. Travel insurance is a necessity wherever you go on the globe, and thankfully it isn’t particularly expensive.
To give you an idea of what you’ll need to cough up in order to buy a travel insurance policy, Canstar Research has crunched the numbers on policies from 79 providers to calculate the minimum, maximum and average travel insurance premiums you’ll pay for a 10-day and 21-day trip to Bali.
All premiums below are based on the premium data collected for Canstar’s 2017 Travel Insurance Star Ratings. Premiums have been rounded to the nearest dollar.
What does Bali travel insurance cover?
Cheapest is not always best and in the case of travel insurance, it’s important to buy the cover that suits your particular situation. With a typical policy, you will want, at a minimum:
| Medical or dental emergency – hospital admission, emergency care and medical evacuation. |
| Repatriation – if tragedy strikes while you are away, repatriation covers the cost of flying your body and belongings back home to Australia. Some travel funds also include a separate sum for funeral expenses. |
| Lost or stolen luggage, passport or other items – replacing luggage and travel documents is the most common claim for travel insurance. |
| Cancelling your trip unexpectedly – due to illness, accident, holiday leave being revoked or a natural disaster at home or at your intended destination. |
| Legal liability – if you break a local law and need a lawyer/interpreter e.g if you injure someone or are held accountable for damaged property. |
| Optional extras – some policies offer a variety of useful extras depending on which one you get, such as rental vehicle excesses, cover for kennels and catteries for your pets at home, and even cover if you suffer a loss of income or a permanent disability while overseas. |
To find a policy that can give you the right cover, check out your options with the Canstar website:
What does Bali travel insurance not cover?
Your travel insurance policy won’t cover everything that happens to you while travelling in Bali, as there are a number of common exclusions as well as exclusions specific to Bali, such as:
| Riding without a helmet – we touched on how dangerous it can be to ride a scooter or motorbike in Indonesia, and most providers won’t touch you if you don’t wear a helmet. |
| Being under the influence – in many cases, all claims relating directly to drugs or alcohol will not be paid. Bad news for the hordes of schoolies then! |
| Ignoring travel warnings – government bodies have been warning tourists to exercise high amounts of caution since the 2002 bombings. Sites like smartraveller.gov.au give up-to-date warnings on things like terrorism and natural disasters, and ignoring these warnings can easily void your cover. |
| High-risk activities – taking part in particularly risky activities such as free-climbing or cliff jumping may void your insurance policy. |
| Pre-existing conditions – while you can sometimes pay a bit extra to get them covered, an exclusion may apply if, at the time of purchasing the policy, you were aware of something that would give rise to you making a claim under the policy and didn’t inform the insurer. It is worth checking the terms and conditions of your policy to find out if you’re covered for your condition. |
| Unreported and unattended items– you can be covered if your possessions are stolen or lost accidentally, but leaving them unattended will often void your cover. In the event that your possessions are lost or stolen, you need to report the loss within 24 hours to your insurance provider. |
Canstar’s research shows you get what you pay for: 3- to 5-Star Rated policies tend to cover most things, whereas 1- and 2-star policies have various exclusions, even sometimes for accidental death.
The bottom line is to compare travel insurance and check the fine print carefully to make sure you’re covered for the things that matter to you. A policy that falls short will hit you where it hurts most if you make a claim.
Risks in Bali
There are a number of things you need to take into consideration when travelling to Bali and Indonesia in general. According to the Government’s Smart Traveller advice, Indonesia currently carries a high threat of terrorist attacks at any moment, including Bali. The government is continually receiving updates regarding potential terrorist plots there, and they urge you to be vigilant and alert at all times, particularly around places of worship and during holiday periods.
You are also advised to be aware of your personal security; areas heavy with western tourists are consistently targeted by pickpockets, petty theft, scams and even drink spiking in nightclub areas. Also important to know is the fact that dogs have been diagnosed with rabies in Bali, which was previously thought to be rabies-free.
Compare Travel Insurance Policies for Bali
How to get help in Bali
If the matter relates to criminal issues, contact the local police. The national emergency number is 112. In Bali, you can contact the Bali Tourist Police at Jalan Raya Kuta No 141, Kuta, Badung; Tel: (0361) 759 687 and (0361) 224 111. See also contact details of police stations in Bali.
Access to the Australian Embassy in Jakarta is by appointment only. An appointment for consular services can be made by calling +62 21 2550 5500.
Australian Embassy Jakarta
Jalan Patra Kuningan Raya Kav. 1-4
Jakarta Selatan 12940 INDONESIA
Telephone: +62 21 2550 5555
Fax: +62 21 2922 6775
Email: consular.jakarta@dfat.gov.au
See the Embassy website: www.indonesia.embassy.gov.au/jakt/home.html for information about opening hours and temporary closures that may affect service provision.
In Bali, you can obtain consular assistance from:
Australian Consulate General Bali
Jalan Tantular 32
Renon
Denpasar Bali 80234 INDONESIA
Telephone: + 62 361 200 0100
Fax: + 62 361 200 0195 (general enquiries)
Email: bali.congen@dfat.gov.au
See the Consulate-General website: www.bali.indonesia.embassy.gov.au/blli/home.html for information about opening hours and temporary closures that may affect service provision.
Risks aside, Bali is a beautiful place with a friendly culture and amazing scenery and has earnt its spot as one of the most visited destinations by Australians. It’s well worth a look – just make sure you’re protected for whatever might happen.
Compare Travel Insurance Policies
Canstar also rates travel money cards, and you can check out our 2017 Research to help find one to take with you on your Bali holiday.
Try our Travel Insurance comparison tool to instantly compare Canstar expert rated options.
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