Topic: Travel Insurance

Miguel and Selina were living it up at a Las Vegas casino pool party in a beach cabana. During the party, Miguel’s wallet was stolen from a bag on a sunbed in the cabana which Miguel and Selina frequently returned to. The loss was reported to police, but Miguel’s travel insurer declined to pay his claim saying the loss was due to the wallet being unattended in a public place.

The Andersons cancel travel plans after their son and daughter-in-law cannot legally remain in Belgium. Did they have cover for their cancellation costs?

Brian and Kate had to cancel their overseas trips due to Brian suffering an eye stroke which later led to delirium. Were they entitled to cover, or did the insurance company’s general exclusion for claims arising out of any psychological or mental condition mean their claim for cancellation costs could not be paid?

Rahul and his family missed their flights after misreading their departure time. Does Rahul’s insurance company cover the cost of his new flights?

Rewi and Anne had been in an ongoing dispute with their neighbour for many years, and cancelled a trip to Australia when their neighbour blocked access to their property. Did travel insurance cover cancellation costs?

Claire developed a UTI while on a cruise in Europe, having suffered several UTIs in the past. Claire’s travel insurer declined her travel claim and we looked at the medical evidence to decide whether the insurer made the correct decision.

When Ashish accidentally left his laptop bag on the backseat of a taxi. Ashish made a claim for his lost bag. However, his insurance policy specifically excluded cover for items left behind in a taxi. Ashish thought the policy was fraudulent and he had been misled.

After disclosing his medical history to his travel insurance company, Charles is told that he needs to pay an additional premium for pre-existing medical conditions cover. Charles believes that he does not have a pre-existing medical condition and does not want to pay the premium. He asks FSCL to determine whether he does have a pre-existing medical condition as defined under the policy.

Mike and Margaret were travelling to Hawaii for a holiday. Unfortunately Margaret had a recurrence of leg ulcers and could not fly. Mike and Margaret changed their flights and accommodation to later in the year. Mike and Margaret’s separate travel insurance claims were declined because Margaret’s leg ulcers were deemed a pre-existing medical condition. Was this fair?

Renee and Raymond book a trip to the islands. Before purchasing travel insurance, Renee had been suffering chest pain and was awaiting a specialist appointment. When the specialist suspects Renee has blocked arteries he advises them to cancel their trip. Renee and Raymond’s travel insurer declines their claim for cancellation costs on the basis of a pre-existing medical condition exclusion clause.