“When winter sets in, it’s no surprise to see Kiwis chasing the summer sun abroad,” says Natalie Ball, Chief Operating Officer at 1Cover New Zealand. “As always, we’re seeing clear shifts in travel patterns as New Zealanders seek to escape the chill.”
“Europe never goes out of style, but our latest data shows a move away from the traditional tourist hotspots like Italy, Germany, and Spain. Instead, we’re seeing growing interest in less crowded, emerging destinations, particularly across the Balkans and Scandinavian countries.”
Since 1 May, 1Cover New Zealand has paid out over $2.7 Million in travel insurance claims, highlighting the importance of being prepared when heading overseas.
“One of the more unusual claims we've received recently involved a hiker in Norway who had to be airlifted to hospital after suffering a severe anaphylactic reaction to a wasp sting," says Ball. "Wasps in Norway are common and typically harmless, unless of course you’re allergic. When a traveller requires urgent evacuation from a remote location, the emergency assistance that comes with travel insurance can be truly lifesaving. The final costs are still being confirmed, but we expect the claim to be around $21,000 NZD."
Another significant claim involved a couple travelling in Croatia, a popular Euro summer hotspot.
“1Cover New Zealand's most expensive claim during this European summer totalled NZD $96,135. The claim involved a couple holidaying in Croatia when the husband suffered an unexpected stroke. The costs included overseas medical treatment, extended accommodation, and revised travel arrangements for their return to New Zealand.”
1Cover reported a record number of European travel insurance claims this year, and not all were medical-related.
“While we’ve seen the usual baggage-related claims, a large portion of European summer holidays were disrupted by widespread flight delays and cancellations. These were largely driven by severe weather conditions and flight rerouting due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East,” Ball said.
Outside of Europe, 1Cover reports that travel to the United States is on the rise, and with it, a surge in medical costs. Natalie Ball highlights just how crippling overseas medical costs can be.
“The USA continues to top the list for the most expensive medical claims. Our largest single payout to date reached a staggering NZD $2.8 million. In addition, we are currently managing four separate claims from the US, each exceeding $1 million NZD”.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Natali Mansberg, Content Marketing Specialist.
E: natali[email protected] | URL www.1Cover.com.au
About 1Cover Travel Insurance
1Cover Travel Insurance was founded in 2003. Today, it is one of Australia’s largest providers of online travel insurance. At 1Cover, we’re dedicated to providing all customers with exceptional cover and support. We provide cover to millions of customers in both Australia and NZ.
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