As Australians travel domestically and internationally again, insurance giant Allianz has warned travellers of the rise in flight cancellations, lost or delayed luggage, and the ongoing travel chaos in airports.
According to Allianz’s latest data, claims related to domestic travel cancellations increased by 279% between April and June 2022 compared to the same period in 2019, with the latest spike considered the steepest since April this year when domestic airline sales began to soar. Domestic lost luggage claims have seen steady growth in 2022, with claims peaking in April and May, including around the Easter family holiday period.
With Australian airports preparing for another busy September school holiday period, Allianz noted a 156% increase in domestic travel sales and a 45% increase in international travel sales in July 2022 compared to the same period in 2019.
Damien Arthur, executive head of travel at Allianz Partners, said the increased reports of pandemic-related sickness, travel interruptions, and lost luggage emphasised the significance of identifying travel-related risks before going on a holiday.
“The increased awareness is also making travellers more aware of the importance of insurance as they take more time to understand their policies ahead of their holiday,” Arthur said, aligning with Allianz’s August 2022 data that found travel insurance sales had doubled each month since January 2022.
“COVID and its impact on travel [have] given Australian travellers a sharper awareness for what can go wrong on their holiday and an increased appetite to understand the minute detail of their insurance policy. The new travel landscape has made travel insurance a must have – even for a domestic trip,” Arthur added.
