Horror accident reveals hidden traps of travel insurance
Sue Darney is facing the toughest battle, but at least her boy is alive.
Her 21-year-old son Jordan will need a lot of money after falling three storeys from his backpacker hostel in Prague.
"It could have been so much different and we'll find the money to pay for whatever he needs,” she said.
Jordan broke his pelvis and both elbows, ruptured his spleen and suffered a collapsed lung after his horror accident.
"[I] went to go out on the outside balcony and I fell out the fourth window,” Jordan said.
Jordan’s parents made sure he had travel insurance but because he had been drinking, the fine print in the policy stated he wasn't covered, leaving his parents struggling to pay a bill of more than $100,000.
"The issue is the insurance and that people are aware that it can happen to anyone,” Sue said.
It is a standard exemption few holidaymakers know about, that just a few drinks might make your policy worthless.
Now 7News has joined Choice and the Daily Telegraph in a summer campaign to raise awareness of possible pitfalls for travellers.
"A lot of people would be shocked to know if they drink on holiday and get into trouble that their travel insurer will not cover them,” Tom Godfrey from Choice said.
Choice advises studying the fine print before opting into insurance online.
Some of Jordan's bills have been paid for after his community rallied around to support him.
If you've had a problem with a travel company, get in touch by emailing investigations@seven.com.au or via the link below:
