Aussie travellers' biggest travel insurance claims of 2024
Soaring healthcare costs overseas meant Australian travellers took out huge travel insurance claims in 2024, according to one leading insurer.
Southern Cross Travel Insurance has revealed its top 10 most expensive claims for 2024, and the top one is 259 per cent more expensive than its equivalent from 2023, according to SCTI chief customer officer Jess Strange.
"Ongoing global medical cost inflation means we're seeing claim costs increase, with our top five claims from 2024 costing more than the leading claim from 2023," Strange said.
"It just goes to show why it is so important to make sure you're covered for the unexpected, otherwise you could be left with a hefty medical bill."
Here are the insurer's top 10 most expensive claims for last year.
10. $119,000
A 74-year-old man presented to a local hospital with stomach pains while on holiday in Fiji.
His condition quickly deteriorated due to an acute infection and he had to spend some time in intensive care before being air ambulanced back to Australia.
9. $157,935
A 49-year-old woman suffered a seizure and went to the local hospital while on holiday in the US.
Doctors discovered she had a brain tumour and she underwent surgery.
8. $161,194
A 53-year-old woman suffered a heart attack in Indonesia and had to be air ambulanced back to Australia.
7. $166,858
An 84-year-old woman slipped while out at brunch in Indonesia and suffered a broken neck.
She required spinal surgery and was air ambulanced back home
6. $182,286
A 57-year-old woman suffered a brain aneurysm and underwent surgery while on holiday in Austria.
She flew back home with a nurse escort.
5. $187,868
A 44-year-old man slipped on the ledge of the pool while on holiday in Indonesia.
He landed on his right-hand side causing injuries to his head and ribs.
He required multiple surgeries and was air ambulanced back home.
4. $198,349
An 18-year-old woman suffered a seizure following a severe gastro illness while on holiday in Indonesia and had to be air ambulanced back to Australia.
3. $282,754
A 78-year-old male slipped getting out of the pool while on holiday in Thailand.
He required brain surgery and spent time in intensive care before being air ambulanced back home.
2. $362,034
An 80-year-old woman suffered a collapsed lung which triggered a number of other medical complications while on holiday in Thailand.
She spent almost two months in hospital and had to be air ambulanced home.
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