Duinsure Reviews 2

Before purchasing the DownUnder insurance from UK I asked all the information about making a claim, contacts etc and whether I would be able to contact them from New Zealand without having to spend a fortune on calls towards UK, the consultant reassured that the number she would then give me would be free and I would be able to solve anything through that number. The purchasing process was then extremely easy and was done very quickly.
I then had some unfortunate events happening right in my first month in New Zealand and when I called the number they said that it was a number that had nothing to do with the UK sector and my policy didn't even come up in their systems. I ended up having to do everything through email, bounced from one address to another, having to constantly recontact them as they wouldn't follow up on my claim, receiving answers every 20 days or so. I finally managed to get some answers from a third party site that apparently deals with DU claims aswell, that says they are dealing with it. 3 months later, after another 4 emails asking for the same forms and info that I have submitted multiple times already, I am still waiting for any compensation at all. I now have another medical issue and I'll probably not bother even trying to contact them to preserve my own sanity. This seems to be their actual goal: get money from customers then making it so hard for them that they will give up on receiving any help/support from the insurance (financial or psychological). Travel insurances are supposed to allow their customers to have some peace of mind while travelling, this insurance simply does the complete opposite and you have to pay them for it. Buying this was one of the biggest mistakes I have ever made.

I'm a UK resident and have a working holiday visa. I've got a one way ticket to Australia and hope to work and travel there for a year. If things go well, I will want to stay another year. Most insurance companies only offer up to 18 months cover, so I would have to return to the UK (I guess I could see the folks) and then buy a new 1 year policy before I head back to Oz.
For Duinsure, I've not seen any feedback on the web about this insurance company. It feels like nobody knows about them or have bothered to give any feedback. Only one blog had a very unhappy customer on it; however that's just one customer and not entirely representative. I'm going on the fact that good feedback is not usually voiced and negative is.
I am willing to give Duinsure a go as I'm sure many of you are considering doing something similar to me and pondering which insurance to take out. I contacted Duinsure on their facebook page and they seemed friendly and helpful. It was between World Nomads or Duinsure but there's plenty of feedback about WN around. Obviously, you have to be careful because you don't know if they're genuine people or just rivalry trying to mess up a reputation. If I could afford it, I would choose WN but I'm on a budget and they are incredibly expensive for backpackers (just under £400 for 12 months worldwide exc USA, Canada, Carribean, SE Asia and Far East as standard) however, it is one of the most comprehensive single trip policies out there that even covers sky diving as standard!). I'm going to buy my first half with Duinsure and the remaining with WN to compare the difference. Duinsure allows you to have a stop off point before reaching Australasia (as part of their 25% worldwide allowance, so great if you want a stopover) but WN does not.
However, WN allows you to take out insurance whilst already abroad which you won't find anywhere else. Handy if you've forgotten about travel insurance! Duinsure currently doesn't allow this as you have to be in your residing country to purchase but they do offer extensions whilst away.
so far, it's been very easy to purchase through their website (although they could do with a bit of a redesign as it looks a bit out-of-date but it does have a backpacker charm to it!). I will be back to report my experiences...I'm hoping I won't need to make a claim though!
After a year, I will decide and choose just one insurance provider for my 2nd year out in Australasia. I will write in my blog comparing the differences at the end to prove that I am not working or in any way connected with either of these two providers. I am a traveller and I love travel writing about my experiences. I am a languages teacher and I meet students who are also travellers everyday. Often I am invited to go and visit my students and this is the first time I will be in Australasia. My opinion is my own and is not a comprehensive reflection of other people's experiences, but it's a start as there's nothing out on the web atm.
If you're only going for 1 year, from the UK and have booked a return ticket, I highly recommend the Explorer or Long Trip Policy by the Post Office. It is more comprehensive than any provider out there for a very decent price. They also have received generally positive feedback on claims handling from friends/students who have been unfortunate enough to make a claim. But as always, read the policy carefully to ensure it covers what you need. You will need to purchase extra sports cover for PO as it does not cover as many as WN does (such as Sky diving).
Happy travelling and stay safe!