Almost half of Australian families don’t buy travel insurance
Don't get stuck with expensive hospital bills and doctors fees, especially when kids are usually covered for free.
A new study has discovered almost half (45%) of all Australian families that travel overseas aren't covered by insurance, exposing them to potentially exorbitant financial risks.
Research undertaken by 1Cover Travel Insurance has listed the average cost of doctors visits, hospital stays and air ambulance usage fees in a range of popular travel destinations in order to show just how costly uninsured travel accidents can be.
For example, a doctor's visit in Fiji or Bali will set you back around $150, while the same visit in the United States will cost about $500. That’s more than the cost of a one-day family ticket to Disneyland.
Should you or your family member break a leg while visiting New Zealand, be prepared to pay around $5,000 for a week-long hospital stay. These costs rise to $8,000 in Japan and around $10,000 in Germany.
The USA is the most expensive, with patients facing a whopping $30,000 bill for one week's care.
And if you're caught out, James Franco 127 Hours-style, in one of America's breathtaking canyons and need to be airlifted to safety, you'll be stuck with a $180,000 invoice for your troubles.
| Country | Doctor's Visit | Seven-night hospital stay | Air ambulance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiji | $150 | $4,000 | $60,000 |
| Thailand | $170 | $6,000 | $65,000 |
| Bali | $150 | $5,000 | $50,000 |
| USA | $500 | $30,000 | $180,000 |
| New Zealand | $250 | $8,000 | $40,000 |
| Japan | $200 | $10,000 | $80,000 |
| Germany | $250 | $10,000 | $120,000 |
While these situations are hopefully rare, travel insurance covers a wide range of incidents, including more likely scenarios such as lost luggage, theft, flight cancellations and rental car accidents.
Travel insurance policies for families can offer premium discounts and most insurers will cover dependant children free of charge.
Not travelling overseas? Explore these best 10 family holiday destinations in Australia for the perfect escape.
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