Travel insurance can be expensive, and according to Southern Cross Travel Insurance, some countries can be more costly than others.
In 2024, one traveller claimed A$627,630 on travel insurance after suffering a stroke in Albania and spending 10 weeks in the hospital, making it the largest claim of 2024.
This was followed by a $362,034 claim from a woman who suffered a collapsed lung in Thailand.
The most costly countries for Australians to travel to based on medical claims are the U.S., Canada, Peru, Greece, Indonesia, New Zealand, Thailand, Japan, Cyrus and Spain.
According to Mozo Indonesia, New Zealand, Thailand, Japan, and the U.S were also some of the most popular destinations for Australians in 2024.
Southern Cross Travel Insurance chief executive Chris White said that anyone could need medical treatment regardless of how healthy they are.
“Medical incidents occurring on holidays are extremely stressful due to the compounding factors of being away from a familiar home environment, not speaking the language, and not knowing the local healthcare system,” White said.
“We know that when we take away the worry of managing hospital arrangements, medical costs and payment uncertainty, it can really help to reduce stress for travellers and their families.”
White also said that most of the costs in medical claims overseas are rarely isolated with being ill and receiving treatment.
“Some of the highest claims we receive are for tourists requiring extended accommodation for recovery or medically assisted travel back home,” he said.
“The knowledge that these extra costs can be covered by travel insurance is a huge relief to travellers suffering away from home.”
Mozo also found that the cost of travel insurance had increased by nearly 25% since 2022, with the average cost of comprehensive travel insurance for 14 days being A$515.
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