Lady Gaga is bringing her MAYHEM Ball tour to select Aussie cities this December and with tickets going live this week, Compare the Market is warning concertgoers travelling from interstate who secure a ticket to the concerts to safeguard their once-in-a-lifetime experience in case something unexpected happens.
With presales already underway for Lady Gaga’s Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne shows, Compare the Market’s Executive General Manager of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor, said domestic travel insurance was worth considering as soon as you secure your tickets.
“There’s no doubt that Lady Gaga’s concerts are going to be some of the biggest shows of the year and fans will be prepared to fork out hundreds or even thousands of dollars on flights, accommodation, tickets and merchandise to see Mother Monster in the flesh,” Mr Taylor said. “While the scheduled shows are more than eight months away, a lot can happen between now and then that could prevent you from getting to the concerts.
“So if you are lucky enough to snag yourself a ticket to a show, be sure also to add travel insurance to your cart if the show is in a different location to where you reside.
“For one, the shows will be held in outdoor stadiums during Australia’s storm season and wild weather can cause chaos across the country. We know that thousands of fans were caught up in interstate travel delays due to storms when Taylor Swift brought her Eras Tour to Sydney and Melbourne last year and we don’t want to see Lady Gaga’s fans caught out or feeling the mayhem of travel chaos.
“The reality is that securing one of these tickets is like winning the lottery, but you do have to be prepared for potential flight delays, lost luggage or facing other obstacles that prevent you from getting to the shows on time.”
Mr Taylor said that considering domestic travel insurance was paramount for anyone heading to the concerts who doesn’t already reside in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne.
“Domestic travel insurance can come at a relatively low cost and gives you that peace of mind that you’ll have some form of assistance if you incur additional travel expenses,” Mr Taylor said. “For example, it can come in handy if something outside of your control prevents you from using your pre-booked flight and you need to fork out even more money for an alternative flight to make sure you get to your show on time. It can also help if your luggage goes missing or is stolen or if you’re not able to use your pre-paid accommodation.”
However, Mr Taylor said it was important to do your research, as not all travel insurance policies are the same.
“We understand that you need to be quick to get your Gaga tickets, but do some research before purchasing a travel insurance policy,” Mr Taylor said. “Different travel insurance policies have different benefits and you may find policies with minimal cover or others that are more comprehensive. Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand your policy’s limits, sub-limits and exclusions.
“Taking out cover from the moment you get your tickets means you’ll have protection in case anything unexpected happens, and you’re unable to make it to the concert – subject to your policy’s inclusions.”
However, Mr Taylor warned that delayed or cancelled concerts will likely be an issue you have to take up with your concert ticket provider.
“Some fans are worried about what will happen if the shows don’t go ahead as planned – given we’re months away from Lady Gaga touching Down Under. If a concert is cancelled or delayed, you’ll need to discuss your options with the concert ticket provider.
“In most cases, ticket providers will contact you directly with the relevant information to claim a refund or to attend a rescheduled show. In cases where you can’t attend a rescheduled show, the ticket provider will typically offer you a refund for the price of the ticket.
“However, always read the terms and conditions from your ticket provider carefully, as they usually won’t cover losses relating to travel or accommodation if a concert is cancelled or postponed. Thankfully, that’s where your domestic travel insurance policy can be beneficial.”
Mr Taylor’s advice to Australians heading to Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM Ball concerts in 2025.
- Purchase domestic travel insurance as soon as you pay for your tickets or pay any deposits for accommodation.
- Domestic travel insurance doesn’t cover any medical expenses. Medicare or your private health insurance will still offer cover in these cases. But keep an eye out if purchasing tickets for an older member of the community, as there can be age limits on some travel insurance policies.
- Understand exactly which benefits are included in your policy or if you’ll need to purchase any as add-ons. There may also be exclusions, sub-limits and conditions that you need to take note of. Compare the Market allows you to compare a variety of travel insurance policies.
