Information for Bendigo eligible cardholders regarding COVID-19
Information on this page is correct as of 16 July 2022.
Stay up to date on Travel Information for COVID-19 from:
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
- Smartraveller website
- World Health Organisation (WHO)
- Department of Home Affairs.
Always consult the www.smartraveller.gov.au website before any travel. In addition to visas, COVID-19 testing, and proof of vaccination requirement, many countries now have compulsory insurance and medical cover proof conditions. Check with the nearest embassy, consulate, or immigration department of your travel destination. Please contact us on 1300 889 828 for any additional documentation regarding the complimentary international travel insurance policy.
Are eligible cardholders covered for COVID-19 with their complimentary credit card travel insurance?
From 16 July 2022 if, during the period of cover available, you (your spouse and/or dependants, if they’re eligible for cover) are diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic/pandemic (such as COVID-19), cover may be available under the following sections in terms and conditions:
- 1.1 Overseas Emergency Assistance
- 1.2 Overseas Emergency Medical
- 1.4 Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- 2.1 Cancellation
- 3.1 Additional Expenses
If, during the period of cover available, your travel companion is positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic/pandemic such as COVID-19, which impacts your journey, cover may be available to you under the following sections in terms and conditions:
- 2.1 Cancellation
- 3.1 Additional Expenses
Note, you won’t be covered if you are positively diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic or pandemic while travelling against advice or warnings issued by the Australian government and you did not take reasonable care to avoid contracting the sickness e.g. by delaying travel to the country listed in a warning.
The above is a summary only. Please refer to the Bendigo Credit Card Insurance7 terms and conditions for eligibility criteria, full terms, conditions, exclusions limits, and sub-limits.
For travellers to receive a formal outcome, eligible cardholders must submit a claim.
Travellers who meet the eligibility requirements should be aware that other general exclusions have the potential to apply.
What is a General Exclusion?
A General Exclusion is an exclusion which will be applied across all sections of your terms and conditions booklet. This applies regardless of when eligibility for cover was gained. Should a General Exclusion apply, this means that your complimentary card travel insurance excludes cover for the event, activities or circumstances (specified in the exclusions) that causes your claim.
To understand what is excluded from the insurance covers, please refer to:
- Part D – Excesses & General Exclusions section; and
- the section specific exclusions of the Bendigo Credit Card Insurance7 terms and conditions.
Other exclusions may apply depending upon the circumstances of an individual claim. When filing a claim, General Exclusions include but are not limited to:
- your claim arising because you did not follow an advice or warning that a reasonable person would have been aware of:
- by the Australian government (when a ‘Reconsider your need to travel’ or ‘Do not travel’ alert is in place). This can be found on www.smartraveller.gov.au; or
- which was published in a reliable mass media source.
- when your travel plans are interfered with by any government, government regulation, prohibition or intervention or official authority.
What if an eligible cardholder has booked travel and needs to cancel due to contracting COVID-19?
Cancellation may be available for eligible travellers if you are unable to travel as a result of contracting COVID-19. You can be eligible if:
- you or your travel companion are diagnosed as suffering a sickness recognised as an epidemic/pandemic such as COVID-19; and
- cover is included under the Cancellation section of the Bendigo Credit Card Insurance7 terms and conditions.
Other epidemic or pandemic events impacting your travel may not be covered. For example, if you are unable to travel due to a border closure. In this circumstance there may be no provision to claim because it falls under general exclusion for epidemic and pandemic situations.
A General Exclusion for epidemic/pandemic applies for all claims relating to any epidemic/pandemic outside of the cancellation benefits in the applicable policy information booklet. Please note, terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits apply.
You will need to consider your own personal circumstances. We are not able to provide you with a cover decision before submitting a claim. To receive a formal outcome, eligible cardholders must submit a claim.
You should also contact your travel agent or travel service provider (airline, cruise line or tour company, etc). They may be able to support you in obtaining refunds, credits or travel re-scheduling.
Can eligible cardholders make a claim for consideration?
Every eligible cardholder can submit a claim. Their individual circumstances will be considered under the eligibility criteria. Refer to the Bendigo Credit Card Insurance7 terms and conditions.
Lodge a claim online
Lodge a claim by email
Call our claims team
Monday to Friday: 8am to 7pm AEST
Saturday: 8am to 5pm AEST
