Insurers want travellers to rate insurance as highly as a passport when heading overseas. Picture: Thinkstock
AUSSIE travellers believe packing a toothbrush is more important than taking out insurance when heading overseas, according to new research that has stunned insurers.
The Galaxy poll of over 1000 people found just ten per cent considered insurance a travel essential, ranking it well behind other “must-haves” like money, clothing, toiletries and credit cards.
Even more disturbing was the admission by more than half of respondents (51 per cent), they did not bother to take out any insurance on their last overseas jaunt.
Allianz Global Assistance Chief Market Manager Damien Arthur said the findings were alarming.
Toiletries are considered a more important travel accessory than insurance. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied
“When you compare the cost of replacing a $2 toothbrush to the cost of having to cover an $85,000 medical repatriation from the US, it’s not in the same ballpark,” said Mr Arthur.
“I think there needs to be a bit more prioritisation in people’s minds.”
He said taking out insurance did tend to be more of a priority for people the further they travelled from home.
While places like New Zealand and Indonesia had relatively low rates of travel insurance cover, visitors to the US were a bit more risk conscious, Mr Arthur said.
“Going to the US is a big trip for people so they are more inclined to take out insurance,” he said.
“On the other hand New Zealand is considered a “low-risk” destination because of the reciprocal health agreement with Australia but people forget about things like cancellations and lost luggage.”
Travellers heading overseas are advised to make insurance a priority. Picture: Getty Images/Source:ThinkStock
Of all the claims lodged by visitors to the US last year, 62 per cent were for medical expenses which quickly escalated if hospital treatment was involved.
Figures compiled by AGA showed the average cost of treatment for a broken leg in the US, was $18,000 to $35,000 and a medical repatriation back to Australia could cost $85,000.
In Indonesia the billings were lower, averaging $7000 to $14,000 for a broken leg but still considerably higher than the cost of a Bali holiday.
“In 2015, the average price of a travel insurance policy was $114.75,” said Mr Arthur.
“This is an extremely small price to pay when you consider the consequences of being caught in
an unfortunate situation without cover.”
Aussies heading to the US are more likely to get insurance than those heading to NZ or Bali. Pic: Supplied.Source:Supplied
Further education was the key to increasing the proportion of Australian travellers taking out cover at the time of booking a trip, he said.
The Federal Government’s Smart Traveller site carries regularly updated advisories for every country as well as potential threats to travellers like Zika virus.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is also a fan of the saying “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel”.
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