I used them fir a few years while full time travelling and they were good.
My advice is don't use any of our insurance groups such as RAC HBF as their travel insurance is way over priced. Go with a group that specialises in travel insurance and make sure the terms and conditions suit you. Moat will ask you provide a list of all your valuables and calculate your rate on the value of the valuables

Another option is check your credit card provider as sometimes they have automatic cover included if you buy the full ticket with them.

Priority should be health cover. 

The critical element is who is the 'carrier' for the agent selling you the policy, and it is quite hard to check as the person behind the desk rarely has a clue.

From experiences while working, living and traveling throughout Asia and Europe, we won't touch any policy that is not covered by International SOS

If the shit hits the fan, the last thing you want to be happening, especially in a third world country, is being advised to go to the nearest general hospital to be treated. 

Came close to loosing my youngest one year when I had a brain fart and let the travel agent organize the insurance.

I will pay an extra $10 or $20 and to go EVAC or Private hospital EVERYTIME. 

I get ours from HBF, but I'm sure there are others who provide the same.

Definately agree with Jody -the most importat thing is your Health.

Each travel policy has different limits and coverage. although they all seem similar its the small details that get you caught out. The policies with the lower premiums might not cover the same benefits and the limits may be smaller. At the end of the day you get what you pay for and an extra $20 or $30 in premium compared to a $15000 medical bill in the US is worth that little extra. Make sure you look into each company and pick the policy that is right for you.

Each policy will also have limits on personal items, so although the brochure states sporting gear is covered to a maximum of $3000 there will more than likely be a item limit of say $700 per item. If you do take expensive items away i would highly recommend taking additional luggage. It increases your premium but you will have adequate cover. Just know that most policies WILL NOT cover your sporting items whilst in use or if they are used in competitions or organised sporting events.

A great little product is Specified Personal valuables. you specify your items you take out of the home and they are covered australia wide. I have my camera's, phone, laptop and fishing gear under this policy. My phone recent broke due to a drop, not covered under warranty, however the insurer replaced the phone.  - Not travel though sorry.

Majority of people never claim but when you do you want to have the adequate cover for yourself and your trip. Each person has different requirements so certain policies that work for some people might not be suitable for others.

If you have other questions feel free to ask. I have been in the industry for 8 years now.

While in Kenya in July my 10 year old son got a bug and had to be addmited to hospital.

We were insured with HBF who were fantastic,they organised International SOS to make contact with us

and to check we were getting the best of care.HBF paid hospital direct and we just paid the excess.

Will use them again.

Yeh I agree, the most important thing is my health. What I should of said is that besides that the most important thing is my gear, it also seems to be hard to find out whether some policies will cover it. I should also say that im only travelling to Broome.

General comment re travel insurance:

Beware of travel insurance where the insurance is underwritten by Allianz, such as Travel Insurance Direct and Medibank Private.  You have to fight to get a claim, they refer you to the underwriter and don't handle claims themselves.  You then have to take them to the Insurance Ombudsman for a ruling, its all too hard.  I would hate to see what would happen if you or your family were injured overseas and have to argue with them. 

On the contrary, HBF travel insurance using international SOS were fantastic for my daughter after an accident, arranged the hospital and the account at the same time, rang her every day until she could fly, changed her flights to business class with wheelchair transfers when she had to change flights, absolutely brilliant, takes a lot of the stress out of it all.  So what if its a hundred bucks dearer for 6 months. NO arguments, nothing too much trouble. Don't take risks with your health.

Hey PattyT,

There is a company in the Eastern States called HCF insurance, they offer a travel insurance policy that is underwritten through HBF(some great feedback from FW members)and as being underwritten by HBF they use International SOS and all claims are actually processed by HBF senior claims officers.

Jump onto the HCF website and have a look if their policy is suitable to your needs. There is also the Insurance Ombudsman Service they can also advise you of different companies and policies that may be the best for you. There number is 1300 780 808.

hope this helps.

we took travel insurance out with as it was in 1998, I remember paying the highest rate for our health, as old fart has asthma,  He went for a swim in the pool at our hotel while in Bali, got infected ears, so put a damper on the holiday, got the witch doctor to look at him and gave him some sulpha anti-biotics , ha they didn't work so come home with him drunk as a skunk on the plane home (didn't feel the pain of his ear ache) went to the doctor and he had to be admitted to hospital scrap the wax that was causing the infection in his ears, so all up $1500 we claimed and got back.  Yes health is the most important insurance when travelling anywhere in the world.

Cant go past Mondial Travel Insurance. Through personal experience i would guarentee them to anyone. Most 'reputal' travel insurance companies use them because they are the best in the world at what they do. Medical evacuations is their specialty & they dont cut corners to save a few bucks.

http://www.onlinetravelinsurance.com.au/mondial-travel-insurance/
I had my father inlaw bought home from china after suffering a bad stroke while there on holidays. They used Singapore airlines & he had a doctor & nurse accompany him all the way through Singapore to Perth. Very happy.
Good luck. cheers Rob