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Cases from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT)
The following four story outlines, were real cases handled by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT):
USA - Hit by Car $80,000
A young man worked in a US ski resort for four months, then took time off to travel around the US. He permitted his 12-month travel insurance policy to expire just a few days before his departure for home. He was hit by a car while crossing a road and suffered serious head injuries. He was admitted unconscious to intensive care and required highly intensive sophisticated care until he was able to be flown back to Australia. He was still unconscious and returned on a stretcher. The cost to the family for the medical evacuation alone was $80,000. They have taken out a second mortgage on their house to raise the funds.
USA – Surfing Accident $290,000
A young Australian surfer went to the United States for a surfing competition. Although an experienced surfer, he unfortunately chose the wrong wave during a practice session. The wave dumped him on a reef and he sustained serious injuries. He was flown to a local hospital and immediately underwent two major operations. The hospital bill was AUD290, 000. Fortunately the young man's parents had insisted he take out travel insurance before he left Australia. The insurance company covered the bill, and the young man and his family were able to focus on his recovery.
BANGKOK - Car Accident
In Bangkok a man was hit by a car while riding a motorcycle. He sustained a badly fractured leg and was admitted to the nearest local hospital. His wife was with him. He did not have any travel insurance, and so had no choice as to hospital or treatment. The hospital did not have the expertise to do anything for him except clean the wound. After 3 weeks his wife asked the Embassy for assistance as parts of the shin bone had died and the fractured ends were not healing. The Embassy assisted in having the man medically evacuated to Australia for admission to hospital, at very considerable expense to his family.
BALI – Min-van Accident
In Bali, 5 Australians were injured in a mini-van accident. Consular assistance was limited to support and routine contact with next-of-kin (NOK), as all the Australians involved had travel insurance. The travel insurance company paid their hospital bills and arranged their medical evacuation to Australia.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT)
Each Year DFAT handles 20,000 cases involving Australians in difficulty overseas, which includes:
700 Hospitalisations
600 Deaths
100 Medical Evacuations
In cases where victims are not covered by travel insurance, such personal tragedies are further compounded by a long-term financial burden.
Daily hospitalisation costs in Southeast Asia regularly exceed $800; return of remains from Europe in excess of $10,000. The cost of medical evacuations from the United States regularly range from $75,000 to $95,000 and sometimes up to $300,000, Bali in which costs have exceeded $60,000.
Travellers who are not covered by insurance are personally liable for covering incurred medical and associated costs. Families have been forced to sell off assets, including their superannuation or family homes, to bring loved ones back to Australia for treatment.
Each year DFAT also handles over 16,000 cases involving the welfare of Australians who have suffered from the following:
Illness
Theft
Robbery
Assault
Read the complete story at: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au//travel_insurance.html...
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