A leading Australian compensation lawyer has sounded the alarm over what he calls a dangerous complacency among travellers, warning that thousands of Australians are putting both their safety and finances at risk by heading overseas without insurance.
Carter Capner Law director Peter Carter said the findings point to a dangerous lack of preparation among travellers, especially younger ones who tend to engage in higher-risk activities.
“This is high risk, particularly given they’re more likely to embark on activities with elevated threats to safety. All overseas travellers, regardless of their destination, should travel with insurance, and we’ve seen multiple examples of Australians injured overseas over the past few years, with some not able to immediately return,” Carter said.
The warning follows a survey commissioned by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs, which found that 14% of Australians travelled uninsured on their most recent trip, rising to 23% among those under 30. The same research Quantum Market Research also found that many younger travellers are more inclined to take risks for memorable experiences, such as exploring challenging environments or trying unfamiliar foods.
Carter warned that going without coverage could soon carry more than just financial consequences. The European Union (EU) is currently trialling a new Entry Exit System (EES) that, in some cases, requests proof of travel insurance from visitors.
“Some countries are close to demanding proof of insurance as a condition of entry,” Carter said, adding that uninsured travellers face serious risks, from being denied entry at the border to being stranded with massive hospital bills.
“In the worst-case scenario, some uninsured travellers could be put on a plane back home at their own expense. The risk of exorbitant medical fees is ever-present for uninsured travellers but they also need to factor in financial losses associated with having to cancel reservations and re-route air travel.”
The EES trial has also raised privacy concerns, as it requires the collection of biometric data – including fingerprints and facial images – from travellers entering the EU. Carter said that while safeguards are expected, individuals must remain aware of potential risks.
“Travellers are entitled to expect that robust measures are in place to protect their biometric data, however they need to be vigilant. Any unauthorised data leakage would expose the responsible body to a wave of compensation claims and any traveller affected should seek legal advice,” Carter said.
