New data has revealed policy sales for trips to Indonesia increased by 38% compared to pre-pandemic numbers, and the most common claims include for Bali Belly, lost phones, and monkey-related incidents.
According to Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI), Indonesia is a top destination among Australian travellers, with 17% of all their policies sold in 2023 being for trips to Indonesia. Also, Indonesia is the second most claimed-against destination, following the US, among its customers.
The average insurance claims cost for Indonesia has risen by 44% since the pre-pandemic times, from $706 in 2019 to $1,017 in 2023. Over the past five years, SCTI has paid almost $17,000 in claims to Australian travellers who had their belongings stolen by monkeys in Bali. Other claims include requests to cover reef and surfing cuts.
Jo McCauley, CEO of SCTI, said people who have had their belongings stolen must report the incident to the police as soon as they can, noting this could make the claims process easier. He also gave some advice for those who have had their phones lost or stolen.
“You must block the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number by contacting your service provider and provide proof this has been done,” he said. “A mobile IMEI number is a unique 15-digit number which is included on each mobile handset. We always recommend keeping a record of your IMEI number so you can access it easily, should your phone be lost or stolen. However, it can also be accessed from an Apple iCloud account and Google’s Find My Device service, if devices have been linked properly.
“Lastly, you need to take reasonable care with the safety and security of your item, especially when you’re in public places. If you leave your property unattended in your beach bag while you take a dip and someone takes the opportunity to steal your property, you may find yourself unable to claim for your losses. We’d therefore recommend you keep your property close by yourself or people you trust,” McCauley said.
Have thoughts about this story? Let us know in the comments below.
