Insurance company reveals top 10 claims made by Australian travellers in 2023

An unlucky slip getting out of a hot tub tops a list of international travel insurance claims made by Australians this year. See full list.

Hospital emergency rooms aren’t usually on people’s “must visit” destinations while on holidays.

But for those unlucky enough to get hurt while on holidays, it can be a costly experience.

Southern Cross Travel Insurance has revealed its 10 most expensive international travel claims made by Aussies in 2023, with a $187,604 claim by a 14-year-old boy who fractured his shoulder while getting out of a hot tub in the US topping the list.

The second most expensive claim was $155,000 forked out to cover the medical costs of a 71-year-old Aussie who suffered a heart condition while holidaying in Germany, only to later injure his leg while recovering and needing emergency surgery.

More Aussies are travelling but less are opting to take out insurance because of cost of living.

Southern Cross Travel Insurance chief executive Jo McCauley said while there has been a demand for Aussies to travel, it’s been worrying that some have needed to reduce travel costs due to the cost-of-living crisis.

“The types of claims we’re seeing aren’t dramatic events or far fetched situations, they’re just the usual mishaps that can happen to any of us, which is why it’s so important to make sure you’re covered for the unexpected by taking out travel insurance,” Ms McCauley said.

“Travel insurance doesn’t just protect people from a financial burden, which is likely to be incurred if injured while overseas, especially in countries where medical care is expensive, such as the USA.

“It also provides high level support for patients and families by ensuring people access the right level of medical care and in some instances family members are flown out to support patients who are receiving medical care on their own.”

A 94 year-old had to return early from Fiji via air ambulance after fracturing a hip when falling which cost $147,148.

Other claims on the list included a 94-year-old fracturing her hip while holidaying in Fiji and a 36- year- old who suffered a broken sacrum, located near to the pelvis, after a surfing accident in Mexico.

Top 10 most expensive international travel insurance claims paid:

1. A 14 year-old fractured his shoulder after falling out of an outdoor hot tub while on holiday with his family in USA — $187,604
2. A 71 year-old had to claim after suffering a heart condition and complications while on holiday in Germany — $155,00
3. A 94 year-old had to return early from Fiji via air ambulance after fracturing a hip when falling — $147,148
4. A 69 year-old had to cut their holiday short and return early from Indonesia when they suffered complications related to brain cancer — $140,148
5. A 62 year-old suffered fluid on the lungs related to a pneumonia and had to return from Indonesia via air ambulance — $102,060
6. A 60 year-old had sustained a serious wrist fracture and had to undergo surgery while on holiday in USA —$87,000
7. A 48 year-old had to seek emergency treatment for gastroenteritis and septicaemia while on holiday in Vietnam — $86,500
8. An 86 year old suffered a blocked bile duct while on holiday in Greece — $84,000
9. An 91 year old suffered a broken hip while on holiday in Vietnam — $81,000
10. A 36 year old suffered a broken sacrum after a surfing accident in Mexico. He needed an internal air ambulance to a better facility in Mexico and once he was fit enough to come back to Australia, he had to travel back on a business class flight – $79,500
    

Originally published as Insurance company reveals top 10 claims made by Australian travellers in 2023