No Travel Insurance in Bali - $45,000+ cost

You may have recently read about the Australian Nurse who, while holidaying in Lombok (Bali), drank a poisoned cocktail. She become very sick and had to be flown back to Australia at a cost of over $45,000. She has terrible injuries and may be permanently affected. This is a terrible incident that also highlights the need for travel insurance.

The travellers took all reasonable precautions and certainly weren't expecting to need medical assistance. They went to a reputable restaurant and ordered a local cocktail. Disaster can strike when you least expect and it is best to always be prepared. Travel Insurance doesn't have to be expensive and many companies offer a budget or medial only travel insurance plan that would have been great in this circumstance for paying the medical bills in Bali and medical evacuation back to Australia.

Make sure you take out travel insurance on your next international holiday. An Australian going to Bali for a week can pay as little as $23.54 for Bronze cover with iTrek Travel Insurance which covers unlimited Medical costs. With iTrek Platinum cover costs $46.01 and also has coverage for luggage, cancellations, theft of document or cash. An alternate travel insurance company is Worldcare Travel Insurance whom offer a Budget plan for $28 and comprehensive travel insurance for $47.


*Note - prices correct at time of publishing for 1 adult under 60 travelling to Bali from Australia for 1 week and is an Australian citizen.

Travel Insurance and Civil Unrest in Egypt

The recent troubles in Egypt highlight the need for taking out travel insurance. Thankfully it was rare for tourists to actually be injured and require medical attention as the protests were largely non-violent. However, it was still a potentially unsafe area and not a place you would want to go for holidays. Luckily there were several benefits of travel insurance that would help.

Cancellation - If you were yet to go to Egypt your Travel Insurance provider was more than likely happy to pay your cancellation costs so you weren't out of pocket. Alternately they could pay for the costs associated with moving your travel plans to another date. It is cheaper for them to do this than potentially have to spend a lot more if you get hurt over there or the situation gets even worse. If you were already in Egypt and wanted to fly out you could be reimbursed for cancellation charges of accommodation, flights, tours etc that you hadn't used.

Additional Costs - If you were in Egypt and wanted to get out then your travel insurance should pay for any additional costs that arise from this such as flights, accommodation, and transport.

Medical Costs - And of course if you are injured during an event like this you will be covered for your medical and hospital costs.

Always check with your travel insurance company if you are heading into an area that is potentially dangerous like the Egyptian crisis or it may involve volcano's, cyclones, or other natural disasters. You can also review your travel insurance policy to check what you will be covered for.

Updated Travel Advice for Bangkok, Thailand

Due to the increase in civil unrest in Bangkok, DFAT has issued a series of new warning for travellers to Thailand. The current overall threat level is "Reconsider your need to travel".

We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Thailand due to the deterioration in the security environment caused by widening political unrest and civil disorder occurring in Bangkok and other parts of the country.
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand

The Thai army has declared a number of protest areas as "Live Fire Zones" so they are extremely dangerous and all tourists should stay well away from these areas.

Please consult your travel inusurance company if you are travelling to Thailand in the near future to see what level of protection it will offer you as far as travel or accomodation disruptions, medical treatment or evacuation.