The insurance policy small print catching out Aussie travellers
It’s the dreaded part of travelling that can derail a trip in just seconds – an unexpected injury, illness or even robbery.
Enter travel insurance – the emergency parachute that gives you and your family peace of mind knowing you’re covered should something go wrong.
But tucked away in that seemingly never-ending terms and conditions page, that you’re more than likely guilty of ticking without reading, is a clause that could render your travel insurance policy worthless – alcohol.
Insurance expert Bessie Hassan told News Corp Aussie travellers who like to indulge in a beer or two could be making an "expensive mistake if you don’t check the fine print".
“Most insurance policies will include a blanket exclusion for any claims that are the result directly or indirectly of a traveller being under the influence of alcohol or unprescribed drugs," Ms Hassan said.
Unfortunately for young Sydney journalist Brooke McNeil, she was unaware just how at risk she was when she enjoyed a few drinks as a group night out in Las Vegas.
The 22-year-old doesn't recall much of the night that led to her waking up in a Nevada hospital the next morning.
A toxicology report found no traces of drugs in her system but it did find alcohol.
Ms McNeil was soon hit with $4500 in medical costs but when she tried to seek reimbursement from her insurer, they weren’t having a bar of it.
“Eventually, they came back with quite a short message about how they had decided they would not cover the hospital bills because I had been intoxicated at the time of admittance.
“I had both my tour managers write formal letters into the insurer to vouch for me not being a drinker and not putting myself in such a situation voluntarily but unfortunately, they then closed the case, having made up their minds.”
Aussie travellers can compare every policy and where they stand on alcohol consumption using this comprehensive list.
