Travellers are being urged to check the fine print on their travel insurance policies and have a Plan B in the wake of growing numbers of Aussies accidentally getting injured overseas.
Carter Capner Law Director Peter Carter’s warning follows a series of incidents where Aussies have had travel insurance claims denied due to policy wording.
Recent claim rejections include a Perth man who crashed on a motorbike in Romania, a NSW woman who sustained serious injuries sustained while holidaying in Greece, and a Sydney teenager injured while snorkelling around coral reefs in Thailand.
Carter said there are inaccurate presumptions that travellers are guaranteed protection, and it is actually common for insurers to deny claims for various reasons.
“Keep in mind that insurers are in the business of claim denial, it’s part of their business model,” Carter explained.
“Insurers often conceal ambiguous policy exclusions in the fine print and in many cases the fine print is not made obvious to customers.”
Activities such as motorcycle riding and jet skiing are ways insurers can deny claims, Carter added, along with any alcohol consumption near the incident.
Travellers are also being warned insurance may not be enough to cover a claim in the event of their way of life being disrupted, or if their employment and lifestyle are affected as a result.
“To receive the compensation needed to cover serious injury and the ongoing expenses, you may have to seek legal compensation upon your return, and you will have better prospects if this involves an Australian company,: Carter said.
“It is more difficult if you booked through a small, local outlet in a far-away country,” he added.
