Topic: Travel Insurance

Pauline, an international student from the United States, needed surgery to remove abdominal adhesions while she was in New Zealand. Pauline had received surgery for the same issue prior to coming to New Zealand. Does her travel insurance policy cover the cost of her treatment?

While on a ski trip in Japan, Justin’s friend and travel companion sadly committed suicide. Justin took his friend’s ashes back to New Zealand and attended the funeral. Justin’s travel insurer denied his claim for his extra travel costs because an exclusion clause in the policy excluded cover for losses resulting from suicide. Justin thought the exclusion clause should only exclude cover for losses arising from an insured’s suicide.

Michael waited until after he had booked his trip to Europe to organise travel insurance. Michael did not disclose a recent skin infection to his insurer. A short time later Michael’s skin infection flared up requiring serious treatment. Michael had to cancel his trip but his insurer refused to cover his cancellation costs saying the condition was pre-existing. Michael complains this is unfair.

Did the insured take reasonable care to avoid the theft of jewellery from a locked suitcase in an unlocked room in a private guest house?

Amy was in Thailand celebrating New Year when she was admitted to hospital. Although Amy had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol medical opinion was divided about the cause of her hospital admission with pesticide poisoning or gastroenteritis also possible causes. Was the insurer right to exclude Amy’s medical expenses claim?

A totally and temporarily disabled pilot queried the compensation offered by his insurer.

Anthony planned a trip to Europe. Unfortunately before Anthony was due to depart, he became ill and had to cancel. His insurance company declined his claim because it considered that Anthony had not disclosed his pre-existing medical condition.

Caroline and John booked an overseas trip. Before they were due to depart, John suffered a stroke and they had to cancel their trip. Their insurance company declined their claim for cancellation costs under the policy’s pre-existing medical condition exclusion clause.

Insured goods left unattended in a public place.

Misleading information led the insured to believe the scope of cover was wider than the insurer intended to offer.