Job Discussion Forums

[kimandrhys]

Hey,
I might sound a bit dramatic but I'm just so confused about which Travel Insurance to go with.
I've done a lot of research on the internet and it's really doing my head in. Has anyone got any suggestions for me?

2 x Australians travelling from Australia to Phuket to do 4 week TESL course then find work in Thailand to begin with and then we are open to working anywhere from China to Europe to Indonesia. (We dont really mind which country we work).
We plan to travel & work around the world probably for 2 years or so including the UK, Europe, USA.....

Thanks,
Kim

[FarangFarang]

Can`t help on the travel insurance as it sounds as though you are just back-packing. Would not have thought obtaining insurance would be a problem.

As far as teaching goes.........sounds like you just want to visit somewhere for a bit and then move on after a few months? Fair enough I suppose.

Problem being quite a few SE Asian countries now require you to sign contracts, usually 1 year minimum. Then there is the issue of working legally and with Work Permits.

Thailand is one such country and the penalties of working illegally can be severe, including imprisonment and deportation. I don`t know of any educational institution that will apply for a WP knowing that you are only going to be around for a few months.

[lensman]

I was talking to the nice girl at my local Commonwealth Bank recently and she told me that if I upgrade to a platinum Master Card (at a cost of $200 a year), I will receive free twelve months travel insurance. The main condition is that I must use my MC to book the flights. I could keep repeating this year after year. I think I would have to return to AU at least once a year.
I checked out the policy and it has all the standard benefits including medical evacuation back to AU if necessary, and loss of cameras/laptops etc.
I�ve never bothered with insurance before. In China they would treat minor things in the clinic, and in Japan I had National Health Insurance which is quite good.
In a few months I�ll be heading to the Cambodia/Laos area so I am going to get the Platinum card. I don�t mind using the card to book flights as I get as I get Frequent Flier points on it.
I would say most banks would offer the same thing. Check it out.
Cheers, James.
Disclaimer: Other than harbouring lascivious thoughts for the cute girl behind the counter, I have no connection whatever with the Commonwealth Bank.