Emergency assistance provided abroad to insured travellers from Australia.

Background: Emergency assistance provided on behalf of travel insurance companies may include direct services such as medical advice, referral for local medical or dental treatment abroad, or aeromedical evacuation (AME) back to Australia or a third country. Little is known about the nature of these services provided by emergency assistance services on behalf of travel insurance companies. This study is designed to investigate the nature of emergency assistance provided abroad to travellers from Australia.

Emergency assistance provided abroad to insured travellers from Australia following the Bali bombing.

Background. On 12 October 2002, terrorist bombs detonated in the Kuta entertainment district of Bali, Indonesia, a popular tourist destination for Australian travellers. This study was designed to investigate travel insurance claims reported by travellers from Australia requiring emergency assistance and/or aeromedical evacuation, as well as to examine the role of travel insurance and emergency assistance companies, following the Bali bombing.

Reported fatal and non-fatal incidents involving tourists in Thailand, July 1997-June 1999.

Objectives. To examine fatal and non-fatal incidents involving tourists in Thailand. Methods.

Assistance provided abroad to insured travellers from Australia following the 2004 Asian tsunami.

Background: On 26 December 2004, the Asian tsunami hit countries around the Indian Ocean rim, particularly around its earthquake-associated epicentre off Indonesia. A number of popular tourist destinations for Australian travellers are located in this region. This study was designed to investigate travel insurance claims reported by travellers from Australia following the Asian tsunami and to examine the role of travel insurance and emergency assistance companies.

Travel insurance claims made by travelers from Australia.

Background: Little is known about travel insurance claims made by travelers returning from abroad. This study was designed to investigate travel insurance claims made by travelers from Australia, particularly examining demographic factors, type of travel insurance coverage, nature and duration of travel, when treatment was sought during travel or when the problem arose, use of emergency assistance, nature of claim, and claim outcome, including cost.

Methods: A random sample of approximately one in five claims reported during the period 1996 to 1998 to a major Australian travel insurance company were examined.