Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) has reported a wide range of unusual claims from New Zealanders, both abroad and at home, highlighting the diverse risks faced by travellers.
Wildlife Encounters in Asia-Pacific
Data from the past year shows incidents involving wildlife in popular destinations. In Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, SCTI received:
- 37 claims involving monkeys
- 26 related to coral reef injuries
- 38 connected to dog bites or scratches
- 2 cases involving spiders
The average cost of these claims was around NZ$2,200, with dog-related incidents alone averaging NZ$1,438, and rabies vaccinations costing about NZ$700 per shot. Other unusual cases included a bat bite in the US, which resulted in a claim exceeding NZ$14,000.
Vehicle Collisions with Animals
Deer collisions in the US, UK, and New Zealand led to three rental car claims, while in Australia, SCTI handled five kangaroo-related car collisions averaging NZ$3,558, along with one wallaby collision, two bird strikes, and a spider bite. Reef-related surfing accidents and shark bites—such as a diver in Fiordland requiring helicopter evacuation—also generated claims.
Rising Medical Claims
Medical claims have continued to climb, particularly during winter months. Between May and July:
- Over 130 claims were related to fevers
- 37 for pneumonia
- 35 for influenza
- 4 for RSV
Additionally, SCTI processed 20 dengue fever cases, with one costing more than NZ$6,000 in medical care. Chief Customer Officer Jess Strange noted that these illnesses affected both locals and travellers across destinations including Indonesia, Cook Islands, Nepal, Vanuatu, Philippines, and Samoa, sometimes with tragic outcomes.
Respiratory illnesses have posed particular challenges for older travellers and young children, often linked to cruise ships, resorts, and shared transport, with some cases requiring hospital admission.
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