Data from claims shows that uninsured travellers face extreme medical costs if things go wrong while they are abroad. nib Travel, a global insurance provider that is part of the nib health insurance group, paid out around $26.4 million in medical-related claims during the last six months.
During this time nib Travel has paid claims for travellers who needed emergency medical care for serious conditions, including cardiac issues in the United States; respiratory illness in Qatar, and complications from a fracture in Vietnam. The largest single claim paid in this period was for $1.7 million.
Dylan Wilkinson, Head of APAC & nib Travel Marketing at nib Travel, said that while most trips proceed without any need to claim, medical emergencies can strike unexpectedly and carry significant financial consequences. “Nobody plans to have a medical emergency while overseas, but it can happen anywhere, at any time,” Mr Wilkinson said. “While only a small proportion of travellers need to make a claim, the financial burden when something goes wrong can be overwhelming.”
From emergency surgeries in the United States and Europe to urgent medical evacuations from Southeast Asia and the Middle East, nib Travel’s recent claims data highlights the importance of ensuring you have the right level cover when travelling*.
nib Travel offers insurance that may cover a range of medical events such as hospital admissions, medical evacuation and repatriation, dental emergencies, and some pre-existing conditions**.
Significant claims paid in the past six months include***:
- $1.7 million – United States: A man in his 70s was hospitalised with a life-threatening aortic dissection requiring surgery and ICU care. nib Travel covered medical treatment, family accommodation, and repatriation home to Australia.
- $500,000 – Qatar: A woman in her 70s became critically ill mid-flight and was hospitalised in Doha with pneumonia. She was repatriated via air ambulance with high-flow oxygen support.
- $195,000 – Vietnam: A man in his 80s suffered a hip fracture and developed complications including pneumonia and an embolism. His recovery involved extended ICU care and multiple repatriation attempts.
- $187,000 – France: A cruise passenger in her 80s sustained multiple injuries and underwent surgery in France. She was later flown home with medical escorts.
- $170,000 – Indonesia: A woman in her 40s with a history of breast cancer developed sepsis and was urgently evacuated by air ambulance to Melbourne.
- $120,000 – South Africa: A woman in her 60s fractured her femur while on a cruise. Following surgery in Cape Town, she was repatriated with a nurse escort.
Mr Wilkinson said the scale and complexity of these incidents underscores the importance of travel insurance. “It’s easy to underestimate how quickly costs can escalate, especially in countries like the United States where healthcare costs are significantly higher. Without insurance, these types of unexpected events could leave travellers with significant out-of-pocket costs. The reality is that the cost of a single serious claim can far exceed the cost of the insurance itself.”
nib Travel provides 24/7 emergency medical assistance, including access to a specialised medical team who liaise directly with hospitals overseas. This ensures members receive appropriate care and can be safely moved between facilities when required.
“That hands-on support during an emergency, from managing local medical care to coordinating complex repatriations, is a critical part of the service our members receive,” Mr Wilkinson said.
