Australians are being urged to check their travel insurance policies carefully after new research found many travellers incorrectly assume all holiday activities are automatically covered.
Research from Comparetravelinsurance.com.au found more than half of Australians are unaware that some activities, including snow sports and certain adventure experiences, often require additional cover.
Common activities may require extra protection
According to the research, 52 per cent of Australians did not realise snow sports frequently require an additional policy option, while 45 per cent were unaware that activities such as deeper scuba diving and high-altitude hiking may also need extra cover.
Comparetravelinsurance.com.au spokesperson Natalie Smith said travellers often only discover the limits of their policy after an incident overseas.
She said cruise holidays were among the most commonly overlooked areas, with travellers potentially facing significant medical costs if they require treatment or evacuation at sea without the appropriate cover.
Travellers urged to read the fine print
The comparison site said cover can vary significantly between insurers, particularly for activities including e-bike riding, scooter use, skiing and scuba diving.
It recommends travellers check whether additional cover is required for planned activities, understand any policy exclusions, and review benefit limits and excesses before departing.
The advice comes as overseas medical treatment and emergency evacuations continue to represent some of the largest travel insurance claims, particularly for cruise and snow holiday travellers.
