Topic: Travel Insurance

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.

Mei needed hospital treatment while she was in Hawaii. Her insurance company declined to cover the hospital bill as it considered Mei went to hospital for a pre-existing medical condition. Did the insurance company correctly decline Mei’s claim?

Period of Insurance ended when traveller returned to New Zealand, meaning bags left overseas were disposed of outside the period of insurance.

Kevin and his wife travel with their daughter, Elisa, to Bali. When Elisa’s departure is delayed, she returns home later than expected. However, because Elisa’s return flights are to Australia, Kevin’s claim is declined.

Laura travelled to Canada to attend her nephew’s wedding. En route to the wedding, Laura stayed a night at a B&B. She left one of her suitcases in her rental car parked in the B&B’s carpark. The suitcase was stolen overnight. Laura’s insurer declined her claim for her stolen property.

The insured cancels her travel because she expected to receive a hospital appointment during the period of her travel.