Bali travel soars, pushing up Australian insurance claims

Most common travel risks revealed

Bali travel soars, pushing up Australian insurance claims

Claims

By Roxanne Libatique

The popularity of Indonesia, particularly Bali, as a holiday destination for Australians continues to grow, and with it, travel insurers are seeing a sharp rise in claims. Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) and 1Cover Travel Insurance have each reported significant increases in both policy uptake and claims volumes related to the region over the past year.

Data from SCTI showed that since the 2022/23 summer season, the number of policies purchased by Australians for travel to Bali has increased by 43%. That growth in demand has been accompanied by a 50% year-over-year increase in claims linked to the Indonesian island, accounting for 16% of all claims submitted to the insurer in 2024.

Most common travel insurance claims in Bali

Among the most frequent issues cited in the Bali claims were gastrointestinal illness, reef-related injuries, and incidents involving wildlife, such as monkey bites.

Medical incidents tied to foodborne illnesses in particular saw a spike, with gastroenteritis-related claims rising by 79% in January 2025 compared to the same month the year prior. More than half of all gastro claims received by SCTI since November 2024 originated from Indonesia.

Costs for these claims in Bali varied widely, from as little as $21 to upwards of $30,000, averaging slightly over $1,000.

Jess Strange, SCTI’s chief customer officer, said the insurer supported 91 emergency medical events involving Australians in Bali last year.

“The most complex involved a young person experiencing seizures, who required an air ambulance home at a cost of around $232,000,” she said.

Accidents involving mopeds and scooters also remain prevalent. SCTI processed 21 such claims in 2024, two of which led to hospital stays. In one incident, a traveller had their bag stolen while stopped on a scooter to check directions, highlighting non-medical risks also faced by tourists.

Travel insurance claims in Indonesia

1Cover Travel Insurance noted a similar trend, reporting a 40% year-on-year increase in claims connected to Indonesian travel. Most cases involved injuries or illness, often tied to scooter crashes, gastrointestinal issues, or mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue fever.

Natalie Ball, chief operating officer at 1Cover, observed that travellers are increasingly exploring lesser-known islands across Indonesia.

“Indonesia, and Bali, specifically, remains a top Aussie favourite, thanks to its affordability. But despite the low cost of travel, the cost of a medical incident in Indonesia can be staggeringly high. Common issues like Bali belly and the high frequency of traffic accidents on Bali’s roads mean that Aussies are often likely to require medical help while enjoying their getaway,” she said.

Official figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that Indonesia was the most visited destination for Australians in November 2024, attracting nearly 135,000 travellers. Volcanic activity in the region, including the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, also disrupted air travel and led to flight cancellations.

Ball emphasised that travellers should confirm their insurance covers both medical treatment and travel disruption – which some Australians already do, according to latest research from Allianz Partners.

The report found that while 71% of Australians plan to travel in the coming year, affordability remains a concern, with 80% of those not travelling citing cost as the primary barrier. The Allianz Travel Index found that many of those planning trips prioritise financial protection and peace of mind, with insurance playing a key role in travel planning.

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