Australian travellers are being advised to scrutinise their travel insurance cover before leaving the country, as certain exclusions may prevent payouts.
Legal practitioner Peter Carter of Carter Capner Law said some policies classify activities such as riding motorbikes or jet skis, or consuming alcohol, as high-risk.
If an incident occurs during these activities, claims may be rejected.
Carter said such restrictions are often embedded in detailed policy wording that is not always clear to policyholders.
He added that in serious injury cases, travellers may need to pursue legal compensation after returning home.
This can be more straightforward if bookings were made through an Australian business rather than a small overseas provider.
“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.
The overseas travel warning comes as Zoom Travel Insurance recorded more claims for rabies-related treatment from Australians returning from Bali.
The insurer said most incidents involve bites from dogs in regions designated as rabies red zones, including parts of south Kuta and Mengwi District.
In response, local authorities have expanded vaccination programs targeting stray dogs in tourist areas.
Zoom’s marketing manager, Natasha Sullivan, said some travellers are unaware of the time-sensitive nature of rabies treatment.
For those not vaccinated against rabies, the first injection should be given within seven days of a bite, followed by a schedule of four additional doses.
Sullivan noted that treatment costs can range from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on location, and that access in rural areas may be limited, sometimes requiring relocation to another city or country.
Claims are also emerging from monkey bites at tourist attractions in Bali and other parts of Southeast Asia.
A 2023 NSW Health report recorded 145 Australians hospitalised due to animal-related injuries, with many linked to monkey parks.
While no rabies infections have been confirmed from regulated attractions, bites can still transmit diseases such as tetanus or bacterial infections.
Sullivan said that timely medical intervention is critical in these cases and that comprehensive cover can assist with emergency evacuations and medical expenses.
She also pointed to the value of 24-hour assistance services for coordinating urgent care abroad.
Zoom links the increase in animal-related claims to a sharp rebound in travel to Indonesia.
1Cover Travel Insurance reported a 25% rise in policy sales for Indonesia in 2024 compared with the previous year, now exceeding pre-pandemic levels by half.
Southern Cross Travel Insurance recorded a 43% increase in Bali policies since summer 2022/23 and a 50% year-on-year rise in related claims in 2024, representing 16% of all claims lodged.
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