SCTI report finds serious injuries and illness driving travel medical claims

Cardiac and other acute medical events – such as heart attacks, syncope, and hypoxia – sat among the most expensive claims, with an average cost of about $28,000. In one case, a customer experienced multiple heart attacks overseas and required emergency care, monitoring, and recovery support, resulting in total expenses of nearly $50,000. Gastroenteritis claim statistics show Indonesia recorded the highest claim volume, with 552 claims and total payments of about $351,000, averaging roughly $636 per claim. Thailand, Australia, China, the Philippines, the US, Fiji, Japan, and India also recorded significant claim volumes. There were 81 gastro claims relating to New Zealand, generally tied to illness occurring before departure that disrupted planned journeys, with an average claim of about $2,366.