When travel insurance is VITALStephen ScourfieldThe West AustralianSat, 14 February 2026 8:28AMEmail Stephen Scourfield
A traveller in their early 50s holidaying in the USA who suffered a stroke and had to be hospitalised ended up with a bill of more than $496,000 — which they successfully claimed on travel insurance.
We so regularly write about the need for good travel insurance, and Southern Cross Travel Insurance has just completed its 2025 round-up of claims, which gives us real-life insights into the sort of bills travellers can be faced with.
The top five claims totalled almost $1 million.
The 2025 SCTI statistics relating to Australian travellers show that the number of medical and evacuation claims has increased by 17 per cent since 2023.
Twenty nine per cent of medical and evacuation claims were for Australian travellers to Indonesia.
SCTI chief customer officer Jess Strange says: “Many people don’t realise how quickly costs can add up when you fall ill or get injured overseas.
“Insurance isn’t just about covering bills — it’s about making sure you get the right care and support when you need it most.
“In some situations, getting home safely isn’t as simple as booking a standard flight.
“Customers may need to travel with a medical team, which often means an air ambulance or chartered flight — costs that can quickly climb into six figures. Even something as simple as upgrading a stricken traveller to premium economy or business class can add thousands of dollars to the bill.”
INFLUENZA INCREASE
There has been a significant increase in the number of travellers being treated for influenza in the past two years.
Cases have grown by 85 per cent, with the average cost for influenza-related claims increasing from an average of $1299 in 2023 to $2146 in 2025.
There has also been an 81 per cent increase in the number of travellers contracting and needing treatment for pneumonia. The average cost of these claims has increased from $3736 in 2023 to $4641 in 2025.
Jess says: “We have seen a concerning growth in the number of influenza-related claims in the past two years, with several cases requiring hospitalisation while abroad.
“Some of these cases develop into more serious cases of pneumonia.”
GHASTLY GASTRO
But the most common medical-related claims were for gastro-related illnesses. Most are for travellers visiting Indonesia and Thailand. The average claim cost for gastroenteritis was $1565.
“While many travellers are familiar with a bout of diarrhoea or gastro-related illness while travelling, we’re seeing that in some cases these can be quite serious and may require hospitalisation and further treatment,” Jess says.
“In one case a traveller fainted as a result of ‘Bali belly’ and subsequently required treatment for a concussion, leading to over $5000 in unexpected medical expenses.”
SLIPS & TRIPS
SCTI has also seen a 26 per cent increase in the number of claims related to slips, trips and falls.
And the costs associated with these claims has increased by 150 per cent since 2023.
In one case, a traveller visiting Kyrgyzstan fractured their hip in a fall at a spa and required surgery and hospitalisation, for a total claim of $70,171.
BIG FIVE CLAIMS
+ First was that traveller in their early 50s who suffered a stroke and ended up with a claim of $496,202.
+ A traveller in their 70s in Indonesia fractured a femur, which required surgery. They then had to be brought back to Australia in an air ambulance, which cost $157,088. The total claim paid was $220,071.
+ An 80-year-old traveller tripped and fell while doing the washing in Spain. They fractured a kneecap, requiring surgery and treatment, and amassing a claim of $108,829.
+ A 82-year-old traveller to Greece with an injury and related illness needed to have registered nurses with them on the journey back home to Australia. The claim paid was $132,840.
+ A traveller in their late 30s to Thailand fell ill, needing surgery and cover for interruption to their journey. A spokesperson says: “SCTI also supported the customer’s family to enable their support and covered extended pet care due to a delay in returning home.” The claim paid was $99,224.
fact file
+ Southern Cross Travel Insurance provides International Comprehensive and International Medical Only travel insurance policies for those travelling overseas. A Working Overseas policy is also available. scti.com.au
+ Southern Cross Travel Insurance has over 40 years of experience supporting more than six million travellers worldwide.
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