SCTI reveals the top 10 most expensive travel claims for 2023

Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) has unveiled a roster of the 10 most expensive claims made by Australian globetrotters in 2023.

SCTI’s list encompasses a spectrum of incidents, ranging from unforeseen illnesses to holiday exploration mishaps, including a nasty slip in a hot tub.

Topping the list is a claim amounting to $187,604, disbursed to the family of a 14-year-old boy who sustained a shoulder fracture while exiting an outdoor hot tub in the USA, necessitating emergency surgery during the vacation.

Following closely is a claim of $155,000, paid to a 71-year-old man who grappled with complications related to a heart condition while holidaying in Germany. Amid his recovery, an unfortunate leg injury, subsequently infected, led to surgery, with SCTI covering $155,000 in medical expenses.

Several other noteworthy claims on the roster revolved around fractures and injuries incurred during travel mishaps.

Top 10 most expensive travel insurance claims paid in Australia

• 14-year-old: fractured shoulder in the USA after falling from an outdoor hot tub during family holiday (claim paid: $187,604).
• 71-year-old: claimed $155,000 for heart condition complications while holidaying in Germany.
• 94-year-old: air-ambulance return from Fiji due to a fractured hip from a fall (claim paid: $147,148).
• 69-year-old: holiday cut short in Indonesia due to brain cancer complications (claim paid: $140,148).
• 62-year-old: fluid on lungs related to pneumonia during Indonesia trip, air-ambulance return (claim paid: $102,060).
• 60-year-old: serious wrist fracture requiring surgery while on holiday in the USA (claim paid: $87,000).
• 48-year-old: emergency treatment for gastroenteritis and septicaemia in Vietnam (claim paid: $86,500).
• 86-year-old: blocked bile duct during holiday in Greece (claim paid: $84,000).
• 91-year-old: broken hip during holiday in Vietnam (claim paid: $81,000).
• 36-year-old: broken sacrum after surfing accident in Mexico, internal air ambulance, and business-class flight back to Australia (claim paid: $79,500).

Importance of travel insurance

Commenting on the top 10 most expensive travel claims, SCTI CEO Jo McCauley emphasised the significance of not forsaking fundamental precautions amid the robust travel resurgence post-pandemic.

“Our research shows a strong appetite for travel showing 87% of Aussies were planning to travel this year. However, we also found that 83% of Aussies planning to travel this year claimed they needed to reduce travel costs due to the cost-of-living crisis, with one in 10 Australians indicating they will not take out travel insurance,” McCauley said. “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.”

Highlighting the nature of the claims as commonplace mishaps, McCauley stressed the importance of safeguarding against the unexpected. Beyond alleviating financial burdens, travel insurance plays a pivotal role in ensuring access to appropriate medical care, even facilitating family members’ presence during a patient’s overseas medical treatment.

“If you have an accident or fall sick overseas, the last thing you want to worry about is mounting medical bills or impending travel costs to get back home. It’s not worth taking the risk and the consequences can be severe, especially when you look at the cost of some of the larger claims on this list,” McCauley said.

SCTI also recently released a report outlining key factors older travellers must consider when going on an overseas trip or buying travel insurance.