Here are some random things you need to know about other countries that you probably weren’t aware of:
- In Abu Dhabi, it’s illegal to kiss in public
- You cannot drive a car with headlights off in Denmark
Our point is, you probably won’t know everything about the country you plan to visit – and ending up in trouble could be as simple as a swimming accident, or as innocent as a peck on the lips.
So how do you protect yourself? Easy – with travel insurance.
Why you need travel insurance
It is imperative that you consider any financial hardship you could conceivably encounter before you leave for a foreign country. If you get injured unexpectedly and need expensive treatment, there’s a good chance you might never be able to afford another holiday ever again. Every year the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs deals with countless cases of Aussie tourists in trouble – including:
- 1,200 hospitalisations
- 900 deaths
- 50 evacuations for medical purposes
Hospitalisation costs in some countries can quickly climb into the tens of thousands of dollars for serious injuries, and your health insurance from Australia doesn’t extend past this country’s borders. Having travel insurance will mean your medical expenses will be taken care of, and your transport home will be easily secured (with a bump up to business class if deemed medically necessary). It is exceptionally important to get covered before you leave for your holiday.
Things to look out for
Look out for restrictions and exclusions on your policy. For example, you can be denied claims if you partook in dangerous activities (which can be classified pretty loosely, like surfing or snowboarding). Your product disclosure agreement explains the ins and outs of your policy, so read it thoroughly and make sure you travel with copies of your insurance information.
So for a little extra money that you might have spent buying cheesy gift shop cards for your mates, protect yourself and travel with the peace of mind that if something does go wrong, you won’t be left with a huge hospital bill.
