Which travel insurance not paying out?

[PLANT]

Just heard about this guy:

Appeal to get Melbourne business consultant home after brain bleed in Bali

www.9news.com.au

So which Travel insurance not paying out?
Major or credit card?
Seriously needing go fund me to get home?

Comments?

 

[tdimdad]

As unfortunate as this case is, it may come down to the policy wording instead of the company itself. Off the top of my head, at least the policies I've used expect the insurance provider to organise the transport for it to be covered.

While the family - understandably - was in a rush to get the man back home for continued care, perhaps a pertinent question is how long is it reasonable to spend in organising an evacuation flight?

 

[Pushka]

This gentleman is a work colleague of my son. Son was told by their Boss on Sunday night what had happened. I'll try get more info. He may have had an undeclared medical issue but it seems too quick for the insurance company to simply deny the claim. Perhaps the family wanted him to return faster than the insurance company would agree to. He has a 10 year old son.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Perhaps the family wanted him to return faster than the insurance company would agree to. He has a 10 year old son.

Am following this very sad situation @Pushka.
I can understand the family's concern in having him come back to Australia as soon as possible.
I had similar situation with my best friend 7 years ago.
She became unwell on a cruise, was offloaded at Ho Chi Minh, then after pleading with insurance company, was eventually transferred to Bangkok ( not Melbourne as requested) after 10 days where her condition deteriorated significantly ie intubated.
She was there for nearly 3 weeks.
Her son, our GP and I had to really battle TI to get her back to Australia.
It took 5 weeks, we even got a quote for a mediflight evacuation to pay ourselves.

TI eventually arranged for her to come home - she never regained consciousness and passed away a few days in ICU here.
At least we could all be there to say our goodbyes.
Our children have the name and contact of the Medi Vac team, and if we get crook, get us home no matter the cost.
My heart goes out to them.

 

[BAM1748]

I have twice been dispatched to 'rescue' and repatriate fellow employees, one in Peru and the other Laos. Lets say sometimes it's best not to wait although obviously cost can play a big part if self funding. Make sure family members, doctors and work mates are squeaky wheels with a travel insurer as sometimes the insurer is not even aware of the severity of what might be happening.

 

[tgh]

Many travellers ex the US pay for world wide fast medivac over and above their normal travel insurance.
It seems that most AU travel insurance provides only basic cover, the equivalent of public hospital in the needed location , not a pleasant prospect at all.

 

[Pushka]

I understand the Insurance Company is now paying for the cost of flight to Australia and medical costs.

 

[jb747]

I’ll bet they are. Whilst I haven’t heard their name yet, it’s a good way to pretty well kill your business dead. Why would anyone consider them in the future.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just heard about this guy:

Appeal to get Melbourne business consultant home after brain bleed in Bali

www.9news.com.au

So which Travel insurance not paying out?
Major or credit card?
Seriously needing go fund me to get home?

Comments?

I think there’s a bit to unpack in the story.

As pushka updated, the TI is paying.

In the couple of days after the emergency surgery they probably had lots of things to consider… like whether the patient was ok to travel, etc. The article doesn’t say the claim was refused at any time.

 

[bPeteb]

My two up manager was recently in Bali with her partner. They were on an ATV tour and the partner came off the ATV and injured his back. He was initially in a medical facility somewhere near Nusa Dua and then was told he needed to go to a hospital in Denpasar. They went by taxi!!

Eventually there were five doctors here and in Bali saying how perilous his condition was. Denpasar doctor advising he needed to operate. Doctor here, and insurance, advising not to.

Insurance initially wouldn't commit to cover and recommended they come back business class so he could lay (lie?) flat!! They paid $5k for two seats then airline refused them once they understood his condition. No idea if airline refunded. I can't imagine trying to organise this and where your head would be.

They then started investigating medivac and were quoted $150k, $150k they didn't have. On day five the insurer advised they would accept the claim and he was medivacced home last Wednesday.

He actually went home from hospital on the weekend. Full back brace, bed rest, etc. Apparenly he was millimetres from permanent incapacity. I have no idea why it would take five days for them to make the decision to accept the claim. Knowing them well, also no idea why they'd go on an ATV tour, but that's a different conversation.

 

[Lynda2475]

also no idea why they'd go on an ATV tour, but that's a different conversation.

Quite a lot of TI policies require you to take out extra cover if you plan to ride an ATV, as there are so many accidents.

I imagine some people get caught out, as haven't declared intent to ride an ATV at the time of taking the policy and haven't paid for the extra cover.

 

[Pushka]

My two up manager was recently in Bali with her partner. They were on an ATV tour and the partner came off the ATV and injured his back. He was initially in a medical facility somewhere near Nusa Dua and then was told he needed to go to a hospital in Denpasar. They went by taxi!!

Eventually there were five doctors here and in Bali saying how perilous his condition was. Denpasar doctor advising he needed to operate. Doctor here, and insurance, advising not to.

Insurance initially wouldn't commit to cover and recommended they come back business class so he could lay (lie?) flat!! They paid $5k for two seats then airline refused them once they understood his condition. No idea if airline refunded. I can't imagine trying to organise this and where your head would be.

They then started investigating medivac and were quoted $150k, $150k they didn't have. On day five the insurer advised they would accept the claim and he was medivacced home last Wednesday.

He actually went home from hospital on the weekend. Full back brace, bed rest, etc. Apparenly he was millimetres from permanent incapacity. I have no idea why it would take five days for them to make the decision to accept the claim. Knowing them well, also no idea why they'd go on an ATV tour, but that's a different conversation.

I can see my superannuation being tapped if that happened to a family member heaven forbid.