Travel vaccinations are important to prevent you from getting sick overseas. But they’re also necessary for another reason that many travellers overlook.
Not getting the right vaccinations could void your travel insurance.
All insurance policies contain various clauses that exclude cover if the traveller fails to take sensible precautions to prevent their loss or injury. For many travel insurance providers, this includes excluding cover for illnesses that could have been prevented by getting the correct vaccinations, as recommended by medical professionals.
The rules vary between insurance providers. That’s why it’s important to always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully before purchasing any insurance policy.
As an example, here’s what Travel Insurance Direct says:
“We will not pay a claim that arises… from a lack of due care and responsibility on your part by neglecting to observe appropriate preventative measures for the travel region as outlined by the World Health Organisation, including relevant vaccinations, malaria prophylaxis and hygiene measures. Please see who.int for further information.
Travel insurance is essential for overseas travel as unexpected medical bills can quickly add up. But if you have the misfortune of contracting a common illness that could have been prevented by immunisation, your insurance may not cover you. That’s why it’s important to visit your GP and check the latest health information on websites such as Smart Traveller before heading overseas. Skipping vaccinations could not only be costly, but you could become seriously ill.
Unfortunately, skipping travel vaccinations is by no means the only thing that could void your travel insurance. Many policies exclude cover while you’re under the influence of alcohol. There are also various clauses that could prevent cover being paid out if you need to return home due to the death of a loved one.
Join the discussion on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum: TI Denied if you don’t get your shots?
