STORY BY VI HUGHES 2017 TORNADOES DON'T DISCRIMINATE - IMAGE BY MICK HAUPT
Every day around the world there are more than 400,000 reported cases of theft by pickpockets.
People should take out travel insurance before they head overseas, in particular Australians, as we tend to have an "it will all be okay" attitude.
Governments around the world have spent hundreds of millions of dollars warning travelers of the health and financial risks of traveling overseas while uninsured.
More than 14,000 Australians find themselves in trouble overseas every year, including being admitted to hospital, having an accident or getting ill on the road.
In addition, government research shows that every day, three Australians are robbed overseas, mostly in Europe and mainly through pickpockets, although there are some serious assaults and robberies.
Young Australians especially, who might be inclined to go for the more adventurous holiday, can minimise risk and make a lot of difference.
People should take out travel insurance before they head overseas, in particular Australians, as we tend to have an "it will all be okay" attitude.
Governments around the world have spent hundreds of millions of dollars warning travelers of the health and financial risks of traveling overseas while uninsured.
More than 14,000 Australians find themselves in trouble overseas every year, including being admitted to hospital, having an accident or getting ill on the road.
In addition, government research shows that every day, three Australians are robbed overseas, mostly in Europe and mainly through pickpockets, although there are some serious assaults and robberies.
Young Australians especially, who might be inclined to go for the more adventurous holiday, can minimise risk and make a lot of difference.
In Bali alone, one Australia tourist dies every nine days and that doesn't include those killed and injured in the Bali bombings, with the Aussie tourist pictured above facing a $100,000 medical bill after a scooter accident in Bali (image from Facebook).
Erin Langworthy, a young Australian who fell 110 metres into a river in Zambia in 2011 after her bungee cord broke, was featured in a major government campaign as her insurance guaranteed treatment in a high-quality hospital and saved about $50,000 in medical bills.
Comparitively speaking, travel insurance is cheap, it's easy to obtain, and it can save your life when overseas.
Australians without travel insurance risk poor local hospital care and high medical bills. In fact, many overseas countries will even refuse to provide medical treatment unless you have medical/travel insurance!
Erin Langworthy, a young Australian who fell 110 metres into a river in Zambia in 2011 after her bungee cord broke, was featured in a major government campaign as her insurance guaranteed treatment in a high-quality hospital and saved about $50,000 in medical bills.
Comparitively speaking, travel insurance is cheap, it's easy to obtain, and it can save your life when overseas.
Australians without travel insurance risk poor local hospital care and high medical bills. In fact, many overseas countries will even refuse to provide medical treatment unless you have medical/travel insurance!
Know What Cover You Have!
Whether your insurance cover is with a specific insurance company policy or through a credit card used to book the holiday, make sure you read your the product disclosure statement carefully and that you understand exactly what it covers and, most importantly, what it doesn't cover.
Identify whether you are covered for activities you are planning or might consider on the spur of the moment, including some that may be classed as risky.
Ensure the policy is valid for the whole length of your trip - and what options you have if you want to extend your trip or are unavoidably detained.
Policies may become invalid if injuries are sustained as a result of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or breaking the law.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel!