Topic: Travel Insurance

Matthew had to return early from an overseas trip and his travel insurance claim was declined. Four years later Matthew complained the insurer’s policy breached his human rights and contained unfair contract terms.

Ata was returning home from China following a business trip. Unfortunately for Ata, Chinese Customs agents confiscated two lithium ion batteries from his checked in bag because they were classified as hazardous goods. Ata claimed on his travel insurance for the two removed lithium ion batteries. Is the insurer liable to pay Ata’s claim?

Accidental death in a car crash excluded from cover because the insured was not wearing a seatbelt.

Brendon had travel insurance for a trip of a lifetime to Curaçao. Brendon was on a bus when he saw his suitcase being unloaded and given to another passenger. Brendon jumped off the bus and retrieved his suitcase, but by the time he had done so, the bus had driven off. To his horror, Brendon realised he had left a smaller bag and his wallet on his seat on the bus. Will Brendon’s travel insurance cover his loss?

Julie suffered from a heart condition while she was overseas which resulted in her needing expensive medical attention. Julie believed she had declared the condition during the medical assessment and paid a higher premium as a result, she would have cover. Did Julie disclose enough to obtain cover?

Will your insurer cover the cost of treatment for an injury that occurs while you are on your journey after you return home?

Andrea has to cancel a trip to Hawaii when she suffers an unforeseen adverse reaction to a medication change.

Rabindra placed valuable items in his checked-in luggage because he thought that this was the safest way to transport them. When he arrived back in New Zealand his valuable items were missing. Rabindra’s travel insurance company declined his claim because it considered he had not taken “reasonable care” by placing valuable items in checked-in luggage. Was the insurance company entitled to decline his claim?

An insurer declines the travel expenses associated with a son’s return home for his father’s funeral because the father’s death was indirectly caused by a pre-existing medical condition

Is it reasonable for your travel insurer to cover costs you incur in changing your travel plans after you relinquish your New Zealand passport to the UK authorities, and do not receive it back before your scheduled return flight to New Zealand?