Travel Insurance: Three Mishaps, One Broken Toe and a Rather Important Lesson

I’ve been bitten by a dog in Bali, injured my heel on Fraser Island and broken a toe after a pub crawl in Sydney. And people still ask me why I consider travel insurance essential.

Some Travel Souvenirs Are Best Left Behind

When you travel, you expect to bring home souvenirs. Photographs, perhaps. A few interesting objects. Wonderful memories. Maybe even something completely unnecessary that looked irresistible in a little shop somewhere.

What you don’t necessarily plan to bring home is a collection of injuries. Yet, over the years, I’ve managed to accumulate a few.

None of those was on my itinerary.

And although they eventually became stories worth telling, they also taught me something important. Never underestimate how quickly an enjoyable holiday can turn into an expensive medical problem.

Which brings me to one of the least exciting things about travelling. Insurance.

I know. What a thrilling subject.

But believe me, it becomes considerably more interesting when you’re standing in a foreign hospital wondering who is going to pay the bill.

Bali: When a Stray Dog Became a Little Too Friendly

Unfortunately, on one of my visits, a stray dog decided that I might be worth investigating a little more closely. And not in the friendly, tail-wagging sort of way.

The encounter resulted in a trip to hospital.

Now, getting acquainted with the local healthcare system wasn’t exactly what I’d had in mind when planning my holiday.

But animal bites are something you should never take lightly, particularly in countries where rabies is a concern.

Even a seemingly minor wound can require urgent medical attention.

And if a dog ever decides to take a similar interest in me again, I would much prefer to pay for a photograph than a hospital visit.

Fraser Island: A Jump That Wasn’t Quite Worth the Landing

Then there was Fraser Island in Australia.

A magnificent place, with stunning natural scenery and plenty of opportunities for adventure.

And apparently, an excellent location for discovering that gravity has absolutely no sense of humour.

I made a rather enthusiastic jump. The landing, however, wasn’t quite as enthusiastic.

The result was trouble with my heel, which I described at the time as a calcaneal spur.

One moment you’re enjoying yourself. The next, you’re wondering why putting weight on your foot has suddenly become such an unpleasant experience.

And I’d rather know that suitable medical treatment is covered than discover afterwards that my insurer has an entirely different interpretation of the word adventure.

Sydney: A Pub Crawl, a Bunk Bed and a Broken Toe

Of all my little travel mishaps, this one probably deserves a special mention.

Picture Sydney. Kings Cross. A hostel. And a pub crawl.

Now, I won’t pretend that a pub crawl is an essential part of cultural exploration.

Although, depending on whom you ask, it can certainly provide some interesting insights into local society.

Anyway, after an evening out, I returned to the hostel.

And somehow, a bunk bed and my toe became involved in a rather unfortunate encounter.

The bed won. My toe didn’t.

Yes, I managed to break a toe.

Not while climbing a mountain. Not while diving among sharks. Not even while doing something remotely heroic.

No.

A bunk bed.

It’s hardly the sort of injury that earns you admiration at the dinner table.

And no, I didn’t call the Royal Flying Doctor Service. I thought that might be a slight overreaction.

Fortunately, the injury didn’t turn into a major medical emergency.

But it was another reminder that accidents don’t particularly care whether you’re doing something adventurous or simply trying to get into bed.

Sometimes the most dangerous part of a holiday is the furniture.

Why I Never Consider Travel Health Insurance Optional

After experiences like these, I’ve become rather practical about travel insurance. Not because I expect something terrible to happen every time I leave home.

And while a sprained ankle or broken toe might be manageable, a serious illness or accident abroad can become financially devastating.

Medical treatment in some countries is extremely expensive. Hospital stays, emergency surgery and medical evacuation can cost far more than the entire holiday.

And depending on where you are, you may be expected to pay some or all of those expenses before receiving treatment or being discharged.

So, for me, the most important part of travel insurance is adequate medical cover.

Not a free replacement toothbrush if my suitcase goes missing. Although I wouldn’t object to that either.

Not All Travel Insurance Is Created Equal

Having travel insurance doesn’t automatically mean you’re properly insured. Policies vary enormously.

Others offer limits that might look impressive at first glance but become rather less reassuring when you consider the cost of emergency treatment abroad.

For example, an insurance policy sold in the Philippines might be perfectly adequate for certain journeys but offer insufficient medical limits for expensive treatment in countries such as the United States.

The country where you buy your policy isn’t the deciding factor. What matters is what the insurance actually covers.

And that’s why I would always compare the benefits and limits rather than simply choosing the cheapest option.

A bargain policy that doesn’t cover your circumstances isn’t much of a bargain.

It’s just a beautifully formatted document giving you a false sense of security.

The Small Print Nobody Wants to Read

The terms and conditions.

Those magnificent pages of tiny writing that appear to have been designed specifically to discourage human curiosity.

Before buying a policy, I would check several things.

Medical treatment: Are the limits sufficient for the countries I’m visiting?

Medical evacuation: Does the policy cover transportation to an appropriate medical facility, and possibly repatriation if medically necessary?

Existing medical conditions: Have I declared anything that the insurer requires me to disclose?

Activities: Does the policy cover what I’m actually planning to do, whether that’s riding a motorbike, diving or taking part in more adventurous activities?

Trip duration: Does the insurance cover the entire journey, including connections and unexpected extensions?

Exclusions: Are there circumstances where the insurer can refuse a claim?

That last question is particularly important. For example, accidents involving alcohol may be excluded under certain conditions.

Which brings me back to Sydney.

I wouldn’t automatically assume that an insurance company would happily pay for an injury associated with a pub crawl.

The precise circumstances and wording of the policy would matter.

And suddenly, that bunk bed becomes even less amusing.

What About Lost Luggage and Cancelled Flights?

Of course, travel insurance isn’t only about health.

Comprehensive policies can also cover certain trip cancellations, interruptions, delays and lost or damaged belongings.

I say can because nothing should be taken for granted. Not every delayed flight qualifies for compensation. Not every cancellation reason is covered. And not everything that disappears from your suitcase will necessarily be reimbursed. There are limits, deductibles and conditions.

A missing suitcase is annoying. A substantial hospital bill can change your financial situation entirely. And in most cases, replacing a few shirts is considerably easier than replacing your savings.

Living Abroad Adds Another Complication

Travel insurance and international health insurance aren’t necessarily the same thing.

Traditional travel insurance is often intended for temporary journeys away from your country of residence.

If you’re living abroad for an extended period, things can become more complicated.

Some policies have limits on how long you can remain outside your home country.

Others require you to begin and end the trip in a particular country.

And some may not be suitable for expatriates or people who divide their lives between different countries.

For people like Lizz and me, who have connections to both Germany and the Philippines, these questions deserve particular attention.

It’s important to check whether the policy actually suits your residency situation.

Cheap Insurance Can Become Very Expensive

I understand the temptation to save money.

And when you’re calculating the cost of a journey, travel insurance can feel like just another unnecessary expense.

You buy it hoping that you’ll never have to use it.

I’ve certainly never booked a holiday thinking, Wonderful! Perhaps I’ll finally get the opportunity to test my insurance policy.

That doesn’t mean buying the most expensive policy available.

It means choosing suitable coverage at a sensible price.

Three Mishaps and One Rather Simple Conclusion

Looking back at Bali, Fraser Island and Sydney, I can laugh about most of what happened.

Well, perhaps not quite so much about the actual injuries.

Although I’d still prefer those stories to involve fascinating people, beautiful landscapes or excellent food.

Rather than hospitals, painful heels and hostile hostel furniture.

So, before your next journey, take a little time to look at your travel insurance.

Because the last thing you want to bring home from a wonderful journey is a hospital bill that costs more than the holiday itself.

Safe travels!

And if you’re staying in a hostel, do be careful around the bunk beds. Those things are clearly not to be trusted.

Useful reading: the CDC advises seeking medical attention after animal bites or scratches. For comparing policies, Smartraveller’s insurance guide explains questions to ask before buying; eligibility and cover depend on the actual policy and your circumstances.

For more on deciding where to save and where to spend, read our approach to comfort and budget.