Travel Insurance Claims - True Stories

Worth the Pain!

true-claims-stories — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:09:00 GMT

I had been walking the El Camino de Santiago trail in Spain and was trying to finish it in one month. Somehow I made it almost the whole month without an injury! During the last two days my foot started hurting. I was due in Argentina the day after I finished the trek so I couldn’t see a doctor until I got there. The doctor chalked it up to flat feet and shoes with no support. All I needed was $50 USD orthopedic insoles and I was cured!

How World Nomads Helped

It actually wasn’t as bad as I thought, so I didn’t need them to reimburse me since the orthodics were so inexpensive.

Claim Denied becuase it was less than the $100 USD deductible.

Bag Overboard!

true-claims-stories — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:50:00 GMT

I was on a boat trip south of Thailand and the boat almost capsized when it hit some rocks that ruptured the outside. The boat started leaning heavily to one side and my suitcase happened to be on deck because we were leaving that day. All the bags from one of the benches rolled off the side of the boat into the ocean.

How World Nomads Helped

They reimbursed me for the value of the contents in my bag and the bag itself.

Paid £636.00

Ear Woes

true-claims-stories — Wed, 8 Jul 2009 04:53:00 GMT

I was on vacation in Thailand when I developed this nasty outer ear infection. Within 3 days I developed 2 abscesses which had to be removed. I went to the hospital for each abscess removal and was put on 2 different courses of antibiotics.

How World Nomads Helped

They reimbursed me for my hospital bills and my medication.

Paid £87.28

Look both ways, and down...

true-claims-stories — Mon, 6 Jul 2009 04:46:00 GMT

I was on the first day of my ski vacation, walking out to the shuttle that takes you to the mountain. The driveway was snow-covered and icy, so it wasn’t surprising that I fell and twisted my left ankle and couldn’t ski the whole weekend.

How World Nomads Helped

They paid for emergency visit to doctor, x-rays and crutches.

Paid £331.77

Just Messin' Around

true-claims-stories — Sat, 4 Jul 2009 06:16:00 GMT

I hit the terrain park at Whistler Resort and was a little too confident on my snowboard. The first jump I went off landed badly and I hurt my back. I was whisked away in one of those ski patrol sleds and ambulanced to Whistler Health Care Centre.

How World Nomads Helped

They reimbursed me for my ambulance and medical bills and are in the process of reimbursing me for my upgrade to first class on my flight home since I was too hurt to sit in coach.

Paid NZD 482.92 so far, more to come.

Laptops Don't Bounce

true-claims-stories — Thu, 2 Jul 2009 04:43:00 GMT

My partner and I were working as cooks for the outdoor kitchen at the Pari-Dakar bicycle race. I put my laptop (in its bag) inside a tall kitchen locker one evening. Someone opened up the locker and the laptop and bag fell out of the locker and on to the floor. The laptop would not turn on afterwards.

How World Nomads Helped

They couldn’t, this was not covered in policy.

Claim Denied; this policy did not offer coverage of damaged baggage. According to our policy conditions for baggage, we only cover theft and loss of baggage as well as delay of baggage.

Police Car Gone Wild

true-claims-stories — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:31:00 GMT

I was crossing the street in Jerusalem, Israel when a police car moving 80 km/hr flew through the cross-walk and hit me. I flew 10 feet into the air and landed on a metal pole in the middle of the traffic island. The ambulance came right away and took me to the emergency room.

How World Nomads Helped

Covered everything from the ambulance cost, emergency room cost, re-setting my broken nose, dental scans and x-rays.

Paid $2758.95 AUD

Not Just a Stomachache

true-claims-stories — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:40:00 GMT

I was in Beirut for work and for 2 days I had an acute pain in my abdomen. I thought it was a stomachache that would pass, but by the night of the third day the pain was so bad I couldn’t sleep. I went to the emergency room and it turns out I had a ruptured cyst on my ovary.

How World Nomads Helped

World Nomads reimbursed me for my ultrasound and blood tests.

Paid EUR 34.01

Power of Propellers

true-claims-stories — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:37:00 GMT

I was snorkeling in Fiji and I tried to get back on the boat while it was powered on. I dove down to get the fin I dropped and my head nicked the propeller. I was taken to shore straight away and had to get 7 stitches plus a tetanus shot.

How World Nomads Helped

Although the claim was denied because the cost did not exceed my deductible, I knew that if there were anything major wrong with my head that World Nomads would have me covered. I was lucky I only needed 7 stitches!

Claim Denied; amount paid was less than the $100 outpatient deductible.

Wash, Rinse, Don't Repeat

true-claims-stories — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:28:00 GMT

Long story short- I was camping in Los Angeles, California while on a cross country trip of the USA. I had the opportunity to do laundry at the campsite for the first time in quite a while, so I washed everything I had, including my cell phone that was in my jeans pocket. Needless to say, it was absolutely dead when it came out.

How World Nomads Helped

Reimbursed me the full value of my phone (it was an expensive one!)

Paid $700 USD

Broken and Entered

true-claims-stories — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:25:00 GMT

My friend and I were trekking around Italy in this beat-up junker clunker of a van. We were stopped in Casal Borsetti for the evening and sleeping soundly in the back. Around 4 a.m. we were awakened by someone breaking in to the front of the van. Luckily we woke in time to scare them off, but they got away with both of our handbags.

How World Nomads Helped

Reimbursed me for my stolen camera and iPod.

Paid $340.00 USD

Be Prepared

true-claims-stories — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:21:00 GMT

During a Europe excursion I had a sudden Angina attack. I had to be treated and stabilized which included Oxygenotherapy, Nitroglycerine & Cardiac Monitoring.

How World Nomads Helped

Claimant’s medical record indicated previous symptoms relating to Angina attacks. Customer’s policy does not cover pre-existing conditions.

Claim Denied

Mystery Illness

true-claims-stories — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:21:00 GMT

I was rudely interrupted on my vacation to Egypt by a mystery illness the first week I was there. I had a fever and rash at first and was initially diagnosed with Chicken Pox. They sent me to the hospital, where I was then diagnosed with suspected pneumonia. Later they released me with just a chest infection.

How World Nomads Helped

They paid for my cancelled flights, and my new flights.

Paid $1591.84 USD

In and Out

true-claims-stories — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:20:00 GMT

While snowboarding in Whistler, Canada I fell on a groomed run dislocating my shoulder. I boarded down to the base of the mountain and caught a Taxi ride to the local hospital where x-rays were taken and my shoulder was relocated.

How World Nomads Helped

Emergency room admittance and X-Rays.

Paid $743

These Things Happen

true-claims-stories — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 02:17:00 GMT

I was on my honeymoon in Tahiti, and of all things to go wrong I got a vaginal infection! I went to the hospital and thank goodness they were able to nip it in the bud right away with antibiotics so it didn’t completely ruin my trip!

How World Nomads Helped

Reimbursed me for hospital visit and antibiotics.

Paid $67.95

Out of Whack Back

true-claims-stories — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:15:00 GMT

I was on vacation in Ireland and fell down in the super slippery bathtub at my hotel. I twisted my back but didn’t think anything of it at first. A few days passed and the pain became so bad I couldn’t walk. I went to the hospital, which then referred me to a great physiotherapist in the area.

How World Nomads Helped

Paid for my hospital visit, pathology, x-rays, and physical therapy.

Only a Woman Could Understand

true-claims-stories — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:11:00 GMT

I started to feel some lower abdominal pain while on vacation in Madagascar. It got worse over the weekend, so I went to a gynecologist because I suspected it might be Pelvic Inflammatory Disease due to the IUD I use for contraception. I’m a doctor myself, so it turned out my suspicions were correct. I was prescribed 2 courses of antibiotics and had to return one week later. The doctor said I was healthy enough to travel back home to South Africa before I needed another visit.

How World Nomads Helped

They reimbursed me for my 2 doctor visits while abroad, as well as blood tests and antibiotics. Once home I was able to use my own insurance for the follow up visit.

Paid $322.03

Attack of the Chicken Pox

true-claims-stories — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

My daughter and I were on vacation in Switzerland, and on our very last day there my daughter developed a fever and red spots early in the morning. As the number of spots rapidly increased, we had no choice but to take her to the hospital. After medical examination, she was diagnosed with chicken pox.

How World Nomads Helped

Paid for her examination and medications

Paid $153.42

Now, that's what I call beginner's luck...

true-claims-stories — Tue, 9 Jun 2009 03:58:00 GMT

I had just had a lesson on the Bunny Slope and thought I’d be daring and try it without my instructor the next day. Halfway through the day I fell and got all twisted up in my own skis! There was a huge gash in my right leg from my left ski, and I had to be stitched up in the local Emergency Room.

How World Nomads Helped

Paid for my consultation, stitches, and medication afterwards

Paid $198.14

Next time, shin guards

true-claims-stories — Mon, 8 Jun 2009 03:57:00 GMT

I was on a ski holiday practicing my downhill when a snowboarder collided with me out of nowhere. Both my shins caught the sharp edge of his board and cut me right through two layers of pants! I made my way to first aid, and they immediately sent me to the hospital to get 6 stitches.

How World Nomads Helped

Emergency room admittance plus stitches

Paid $643.15

A Walk on the Wild Side

true-claims-stories — Sun, 7 Jun 2009 03:56:00 GMT

While on our trip to Zimbabwe we took a "Walk with the Lions." At one point I stopped to pat a lion cub on the head when it reared its head and caught my wrist slashing it open. I was taking by van to the local clinic and given 8 stitches.

How World Nomads Helped

Our policies never cover putting yourself in needless risk, with the sole exception of attempting to save human life. We reviewed the claim and have found that by patting the cub you have put yourself in needless risk.

Claim Denied

All Washed Out

true-claims-stories — Sat, 6 Jun 2009 04:25:00 GMT

While on my trip through Australia my passport decided to take a trip of its own: through the wash. Soaked, tattered and in multiple pieces the Australian consulate informed me I would need a new passport to continue on my way.

How World Nomads Helped

Claim replaced passport and passport photos. No excess applies in this benefit.

The Buck Stopped Me

true-claims-stories — Thu, 4 Jun 2009 20:23:00 GMT

While horseback riding in New Zealand, we experienced riders had the opportunity to canter along towards the end of our ride. Being an experienced rider I jumped at the opportunity. However, an abrupt stop sent a shooting pain into my lower back leaving me unable to walk when we dismounted. I was taken to the nearest medical center and treated for the pain. After receiving prescription meds I returned the following day for more meds, some physio-therapy and crutches.

How World Nomads Helped

Claim covered services including: medical consultation, xrays, drugs, physio-therapy and crutches.

Paid GBP $95.94

Family Always Comes First

true-claims-stories — Thu, 4 Jun 2009 07:01:00 GMT

I was supposed to go on a two month trip to visit 10 countries throughout Africa. My first stop was Uganda, and on my 4^thday there I got a call from my mother to tell me that my step father had collapsed from a heart attack and doctors predicted he only had 2 weeks to live.

How World Nomads Helped

Not only did WN pay for my plane ticket home, but they also reimbursed me for my Kumuka tour, my Gorilla tour, and lodging for the duration of my trip.

Paid $4969.73

Almost bit my tongue off!

true-claims-stories — Wed, 3 Jun 2009 04:02:00 GMT

I was in the middle of a trip to Bolivia when I got this massive headache and my body felt like it was freezing even though it was hot outside. I began to shiver uncontrollably, and my chattering teeth almost caused me to bite my tongue off. I went to the local hospital where they easily identified that I had Dengue Fever and a temperature of 40-41 Celsius.

How World Nomads Helped

WN paid for my hospital stay and on top of that they paid for my new flight home and bus tickets to get to the airport.

Paid $1859.04 ($859.04 for medical expenses and $1000 for flight and bus expenses)

Intestinal Worms!

true-claims-stories — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:45:00 GMT

Intestinal worms are parasites that love the gastrointestinal tract. God only knows how I got them, maybe from unwashed food or dirty water, but I didn’t really care, I just wanted to get rid of them! I ended up in hospital in Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand.

How World Nomads helped

Hospital care, medical consultation, pathology tests and prescription medication. (Medical expenses totalled $218.54, but policy had a $100 excess.)

PAID AUD $118.54

Ear drum rupture!

true-claims-stories — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:12:00 GMT

What started out as a garden-variety ear infection turned into an emergency dash to Casualty. Intense pain & excessive bleeding from my ear led me to seek urgent medical treatment from a nearby hospital. The doctor told me I had a ruptured ear drum due to inflammation of the ear, which had been caused by my untreated ear infection. My advice: if you have a sore ear, get it checked out as soon as possible and avoid what I went through.

Victoria, Canada

How World Nomads helped

Emergency treatment in hospital followed by a check-up with a specialist and prescription medication. Also needed to cancel a scheduled flight. (Medical costs and cancellation fee totalled $981.62, but policy had a $100 excess.)

PAID AUD $881.62

Ligament Injuries

true-claims-stories — Fri, 9 May 2008 05:50:00 GMT

It’s cliché but true: accidents happen all the time but you never count on one happening to you. I was skiing in Canada when I took a fall and injured my left knee. I was taken from the slopes to a local Emergency Centre, in great pain, where they took X-rays and examined me. The doctors told me I had torn my Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and, more than likely, also had some ligament damage in my other knee.

How World Nomads helped...

Emergency medical care, including X-rays and diagnostic tests, followed by knee surgery to fix ACL rupture and a large tear of lateral meniscus.

CLAIM PAID AUD $30,912

Yacht accident

true-claims-stories — Thu, 8 May 2008 02:19:00 GMT

I was in a small dinghy travelling back to our yacht — which was anchored in a bay in Bora Bora, French Polynesia — when my luck headed south. I had been taking photos of my friends surfing so I was carrying my digital camera inside its waterproof case. Our engine cut out and the wind pushed us onto some rocks by the shore. The dinghy was flipped by a wave and landed on the rocks. I accidentally dropped my camera and case and they hit a rock. The impact caused the case to leak (there must be a small crack, although I am unable to locate it) and seawater seeped inside. The camera no longer works and the case is no longer watertight. I have receipts of the original purchases, however, they are at home in the UK, so, as advised, I posted my instruction booklets to World Nomads to provide proof of ownership.

How World Nomads helped

Reimbursed for camera and waterproof case. (Costs totalled $532.78, but policy had a $100 excess.)

PAID AUD $632.78

Whiplash

true-claims-stories — Thu, 8 May 2008 02:16:00 GMT

I was really looking forward to scuba diving in Bali. Not long after I arrived, I signed up for a dive with a local company, who promised to take me out to a dive location in a new speed boat. They had just renovated the boat but had not yet installed any scuba tank racks or non-slip material on the floor. The tanks were left lying on the floor of the boat, unsecured.

Onboard, I was instructed to put on my equipment; I did so while sitting on a narrow ledge at the back of the boat, with my feet resting on some loose tanks: there was nowhere else to sit. Just as I finished putting on my dive gear, the boat moved and the tanks beneath my feet began to roll. I slipped, falling from the ledge of the boat onto the floor — however, my scuba jacket and tank stayed on the ledge, wrenching my shoulders upwards and jerking my neck before I hit my head against my own tank.

Immediately after the accident, I experienced only moderate pain when moving my neck, but I seemed to have lost significant mobility. I guess I hoped it would heal itself. A month later, I was in Singapore and still in pain, so I visited a doctor. She sent me for an X-ray to confirm there were no broken bones — there weren't — before prescribing pain medication and then referring me to a physiotherapist. The physio discovered I had damaged the discs in my neck and told me the injury was consistent with whiplash. I am about 80-90 per cent better now and hope to enjoy full recovery soon.

"Women's problems"

true-claims-stories — Thu, 8 May 2008 02:14:00 GMT

"Women's problems" are rarely talked about, but they are wide in scope and often happen at inconvenient times — like when you are travelling. In my case, I was diagnosed with a "Bartholin cyst", which is, apparently, a lump filled with fluid located at the vaginal opening. After enduring three days of increasing discomfort and pain "down there", I had to seek medical advice. The GP promptly sent me to a nearby hospital to be examined by a gynaecologist, who diagnosed the cyst. I was prescribed some medication and instructed on how to care for the problem. He also advised that surgery might be needed if the problem didn't clear. Luckily, it did.

How World Nomads helped

Specialist medical care, including two follow up examinations and prescription medication.

PAID AUD $977.25

Never trust French men who flatter you!

true-claims-stories — Thu, 8 May 2008 02:10:00 GMT

Never trust French men who try to flatter you. My friend and I were sitting in a café grabbing a bite to eat. My friend left the table to go to the bathroom and a man came up to me and stroked my face, saying something to the effect of: "Beautiful girl, let me see your eyes." I turned my face away from him and told him to go away — and he did, but not before grabbing my bag, which had been sitting beside me. Inside was my mobile, camera, a bikini and make-up — but there was still more drama to come.

When my friend came back to the table, we left the café in the hope of seeing in which direction the thief had gone. Outside, two other men approached us, claiming they had witnessed my bag being stolen and they offered to call the police. I was grateful for their help until one of them grabbed my brand new Dolce & Gabbana glasses off my face. I snatched them back and told him not to touch my glasses, or me. He said, "Sorry, sorry miss; I just wanted to see your eyes." Can you believe it?

I put my glasses in the pocket of my jeans while one of the men phoned the police. After the call, the men said goodbye and left us. I went to put my glasses back on but they were gone — obviously stolen from my pocket. We suspect all three men had been working together.

How World Nomads helped

Reimbursed for stolen items.

PAID AUD $1221.00

Rabies

true-claims-stories — Thu, 8 May 2008 02:05:00 GMT

Standing on the street in Mysore, India, I was surprised to find a dog licking an open wound on my leg. Soon after, I heard that the same dog was roaming the streets, crazed and rabid, and had bitten several people. The dog was found dead later in the day — from rabies. I immediately went to the local hospital where a doctor advised I needed an immediate shot of rabies immunoglobin followed by a further series of five rabies vaccinations. Watch out for stray dogs in India!

How World Nomads helped

Consultations and vaccinations. (Medical costs totalled US$349.41 but policy included A$100 excess.)

PAID USD $273.61

Parasite

true-claims-stories — Thu, 8 May 2008 01:58:00 GMT

I began experiencing stomach cramps and a constant headache for a number of days whilst in Zanzibar, which is not far from the Tanzanian coast. As soon as I returned to the mainland, I headed straight for the hospital in Dar es Salaam. The doctor who examined me ordered a blood test to rule out malaria (the results were negative) and prescribed some medication to ease the stomach cramps. I slowly improved over two weeks before the cramps returned. I had continued travelling, so visited another doctor in Cape Town, who referred me for a full blood count. The results indicated a parasite was responsible for my stomach grief. A three-day prescribed course of antibiotics led to a full recovery.

How World Nomads helped

Medical treatment including medical consultations and prescription medication and antibiotics.

PAID AUD $139.00

He pulled out a knife...

true-claims-stories — Thu, 8 May 2008 01:54:00 GMT

It was early in the morning and my wife and I were walking around the centre of Nazca. Two men who looked to be in their early twenties approached us; they were trying to tell us something but we couldn't understand them. Suddenly one of the men snatched at my backpack, which I was carrying on my left shoulder. I held on to my bag while he kept pulling: it was a tug-o-war I was determined to win. But then the other man pulled out a knife and grabbed my wife, threatening to stab her if I didn't release my bag. Of course, I let go immediately — and they ran away with my bag. Everything happened so quickly and, thinking philosophically, the outcome could have been far worse, but we were still really distressed to lose our expensive photographic equipment, including a digital camera and two lenses.

How World Nomads helped

Reimbursed for cost of high-value photographic equipment. (Goods totalled $2430.77, but policy had a $100 excess.)

PAID AUD $2330.77

Mountain bike accident

true-claims-stories — Thu, 8 May 2008 01:45:00 GMT

I was out mountain biking in the element... when a tree got in my way. On impact, the handle bars of my bike twisted, bluntly jutting into my ribs before I went flying. I was in a lot of pain but there was no external bruising. I figured that even if I had broken a rib, there was nothing much anyone could do, so I didn't seek medical attention. Two weeks later, though, I was still in just as much pain as when the accident had happened — and my internal organs felt painful, too. When I started having muscle spasms near my ribs I started to worry that something might be wrong, so I went to a nearby hospital. After initial concern that I had damaged my spleen, I was told I had multiple fractures in my ribs.

How World Nomads helped

Hospital medical care including CAT scan and chest X-ray.

PAID USD $5,236

Was that just a mozzie bite?

true-claims-stories — Thu, 8 May 2008 01:41:00 GMT

I have had hundreds of mosquito bites before, but this one was different. I had recently arrived in Fiji when I noticed quite a few mosquito bites on my legs — but one was very red and painful. Throughout the day it turned a deeper red and became swollen, causing me to hobble. That night I woke up and vomited violently. The following day the bite didn't seem as sore, however, in the evening, I bumped my leg against a table, hitting the area where the bite was, and I was in absolute agony. I took painkillers and called a doctor, who I had to wait hours to see. When I finally saw the doctor at his surgery in Nadi, he put me on an IV drip immediately. Why? To prevent blood poisoning — he suspected my bite was really from a poisonous spider and the infection was spreading down my leg!

How World Nomads helped

Emergency care including medical consultation, IV drip, crutches for ten days and a follow-up course of antibiotics.

PAID GBP £155

Here’s a tip: never pat a monkey

true-claims-stories — Thu, 8 May 2008 01:36:00 GMT

Here's a tip: never pat a monkey, even if it's on a leash: they can be vicious. I was out wandering with a friend on Haad Rin Beach, Koh Phangan Island, when we ran into a local walking his pet monkey. My friend bent over and patted the monkey and the local kindly let her hold it. Nestled in her arms, it seemed so sweet. Then I reached out to pat it and it bit me on the thumb, breaking the skin. Little beast. I was advised to have rabies vaccinations and to take antibiotics, which I did.

How World Nomads helped

A trip to a local hospital for treatment, including rabies vaccinations and antibiotics. (Medical expenses totalled $408.23, but policy had a $100 excess.)

PAID AUD $308.23

iPod stolen

true-claims-stories — Thu, 8 May 2008 01:33:00 GMT

Everyone I regale my story to tells me I should be thankful that they didn’t steal my wallet, mobile and camera as well, but I’m still mad I lost my iPod to an invisible thief. I was travelling on a bus from Hong xu Lu to Zhenning Lu and remember checking my backpack was closed, with my iPod inside. I nursed my bag on my lap for the trip. When I got off the bus, I walked home with my backpack on my back, and at no time did I notice or feel anything suspicious. It wasn’t until I reached my front door and opened my bag to get my keys that I realised my iPod had been nicked. It is creepy to think someone had their hand inside my bag while I was either holding or wearing it.

How World Nomads helped

Reimbursed for cost of iPod, taking into consideration the A$250.00 policy limit and $100 excess.

PAID AUD $150.00

My passport was stolen

true-claims-stories — Thu, 8 May 2008 01:01:00 GMT

There is nothing quite like being robbed to sour the end of an otherwise inspiring trip abroad. It was a week before I was due to fly home from Canada and I was out with friends at a nightclub. It was freezing outside, so I had worn my Burton snowboard jacket. I checked my jacket — containing my passport, which I needed to use as ID to gain entry into the club — into the cloakroom. They gave me an identification ticket for my jacket, which I put in the pocket of my jeans and then headed into the club. At the end of the night, I put my hand in my pocket to retrieve my ticket but it was missing. I went to the cloakroom and was horrified to discover someone had used my ticket to steal my jacket and passport. The bouncers helped me search around the club in case it had been dumped — it contained no money — but no luck. I reported the theft to police to investigate.

How World Nomads helped

Reimbursed for jacket (item capped at $250 under policy), new passport and passport photos. (Costs totalled $390.85 but policy had a $100 excess).

PAID AUD $290.85