Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) has reported a significant increase in Australians taking out policies for trips to Thailand, with sales up 31.9% in the 12 months to May 2025.
The insurer also noted a 19.8% rise in sales between February and May 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, coinciding with renewed tourism interest following the release of the television series The White Lotus.
Chief customer officer Jess Strange said Australians are continuing to travel despite financial pressures at home, with Thailand remaining one of the most popular destinations.
“Thailand is clearly a favourite destination, and we expect demand to continue rising as we carry on through the year,” she said.
Alongside rising sales, SCTI recorded a 43% increase in Australians requesting emergency assistance while in Thailand, with 307 incidents logged in the year to May 2025.
The average cost of claims during this period was $2,808. Medical and evacuation expenses accounted for around two-thirds of claims, followed by baggage and personal item losses at 17%.
Gastroenteritis represented more than a quarter of all medical cases, with other frequent issues including falls and ear infections.
A major incident involved the evacuation of an 80-year-old traveller from Phuket to Perth for chest complications, which resulted in a $260,132 claim.
SCTI also pointed to less common claims, such as bites from animals, slips in hotel rooms, and a traveller missing a flight after being stuck in traffic for six hours.
Strange said the diversity of incidents reflects the range of risks travellers may face and underscores the role of travel insurance in covering unplanned costs abroad.
“The variety of these claims underscores the very real need to consider travel insurance ahead of any trip abroad to ensure you’re covered for those unexpected events. Whether it’s a slip, trip, lost or stolen property, or even a monkey bite, travel insurance offers peace of mind, ensuring that you’re covered for the unexpected and can truly relax during your holiday,” she said.
At the same time, legal practitioners are warning Australians to pay closer attention to policy exclusions before travelling.
Peter Carter of Carter Capner Law said restrictions often apply to activities such as motorbike riding, jet skiing, or consuming alcohol.
He noted that because these clauses are frequently embedded in detailed terms, policyholders may not be fully aware until a claim is rejected.
Carter added that in cases of severe injury, travellers might need to seek legal compensation upon returning to Australia – with claims generally easier to pursue if the booking was made through an Australian-based company.
“To receive the compensation needed to cover serious injury and the ongoing expenses, you may have to seek legal compensation upon your return, and you will have better prospects if this involves an Australian company,” he said, as reported by 9News.
Other insurers have also reported growth in cover across Southeast Asia.
1Cover Travel Insurance said sales of its policies for Indonesia rose 25% in 2024 compared with 2023, now exceeding pre-pandemic levels by about half.
SCTI reported a 43% increase in policies for Bali since the 2022/23 summer period. Claims linked to Bali were up 50% in 2024, making up 16% of the insurer’s total that year.
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