Medical claims make up almost half of nib Travel claims

More than 40% of all insurance claims processed by nib Travel in 2024 were medical-related, underscoring the critical need for travel insurance when booking your next getaway.

Last year, the highest amount processed for a single claim exceeded $3 million¹, with nib Travel also covering several substantial six-figure claims for travellers visiting popular destinations such as the United States, Japan and Australia.

The data, sourced from one of Australia’s leading travel insurance providers, emphasises the importance of having the right travel insurance before your next domestic or international trip. Travel within Australia alone accounted for 2,294 claims caused by medical events, totalling over $10 million in incurred costs.

Visitors to the United States made fewer claims in 2024 (674) but recorded the highest total medical claim costs - approximately $10 million - driven largely by the higher cost of medical care and fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

nib Travel, part of the nib insurance group, offers travel insurance for a range of international medical events including dental emergencies, medical evacuation and repatriation as well as some pre-existing medical conditions.

Dylan Wilkinson, General Manager International & Partnerships at nib Travel, said: “Travelling is often an exciting time for people. For many, their trips go well without interruptions and no need to use their travel insurance at all. But the reality is that medical emergencies can happen unexpectedly, no matter where you are.

“While only a small number of travellers typically need to make a claim, the financial burden of a medical emergency away from home can be overwhelming. This is why securing adequate travel insurance, preferably at the time you book your travel, is essential.”

The most expensive claim² ($3 million) covered an Australian travelling in the United States. The traveller fell ill, his symptoms gradually worsened and he was admitted to hospital for several weeks. The traveller received ICU treatment where his care was overseen by specialist clinical teams, including on-call doctors and nurses, to ensure repatriation was appropriate and the traveller’s condition was stable before he was repatriated to Australia via air ambulance.

"Travel insurance helps cover medical expenses overseas and provides important support when an unexpected illness or injury requires significant medical care or prolonged hospital stays,” Mr Wilkinson said.

In another case, a man hit his head on a reef while diving in Indonesia. He sustained serious injuries, including a mild head injury, a spinal cord fracture, and a clavicle fracture. Due to the severity of his injuries, his family needed to extend their stay, before he was repatriated back to Australia.

“Without insurance, these types of unexpected incidents could result in significant out of pocket costs, which can be tough to recover from,” Mr Wilkinson said. “The cost of a single major claim, like the ones we’ve seen, far exceeds the cost of travel insurance which is why it’s so important to ensure you’re covered from the outset.

“nib Travel insurance offers travellers access to around-the-clock, emergency medical guidance. We work with a specialised medical team who liaise with local hospitals overseas to ensure care is adequate and provides crucial support when travellers need to be moved from a small local hospital to a bigger facility. That’s a crucial part of the coverage we provide in an emergency.”

For more information on nib Travel insurance and to get a quote, visit www.nibtravelinsurance.com.au, opens in a new tab.

¹ nib manages claims and distributes policies in Australia on behalf of Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd.