Unfortunate Travel Tales From Real Aussies: What To Do When Your Holiday Goes Off Script

Travelling overseas is the most amazing thing in the world…until it isn’t. One minute you’re taking a scenic mountain photo, the next you’re dealing with a suitcase that didn’t quite make it or waiting hours for a delayed flight that totally derails your accommodation plans.

Everyone has an unfortunate travel tale, but not all have a superhero-like travel insurance provider like Southern Cross Travel Insurance, ready to swoop in when things go south.

We’re diving headfirst into real Aussies’ SCTI insurance claims while travelling in Japan in 2025, coinciding with our launch into Urban List Osaka—which might just help you avoid the same hiccups on your own adventures.

Wince warning: these stories might make you a little woozy…

The Most Expensive Multiple Surgery Medical Emergency

Most travellers are lucky enough to never go anywhere near a hospital while overseas, let alone a surgery table. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for us all. 

A man from Victoria had travelled to Japan and required multiple unexpected surgeries for a severe skin infection—definitely not an ideal situation while on holiday. 

Thankfully, he had travel insurance, with SCTI paying out a whopping $33,592 to cover medical costs. To date, it's their most expensive individual claim for an Aussie traveller in Japan. 

We wouldn’t wish an insurance claim on our worst enemy, but when something escalates that quickly while travelling, it’s a sign of relief knowing you’ve chosen the right policy to cover those exxy costs.

An Icy Fall

If you’re accident-prone and heading on a snow trip, this one’s for you. A Victorian traveller slipped on an icy footpath and fell, requiring medical assistance, resulting in a $6,894 claim payout. A little whoopsie that turned into an uncomfortable flight home. 

If hitting the slopes is part of your trip, SCTI’s optional skiing and snowboarding cover can save the day, subject to policy terms, including wearing your helmet at all times, not going off-piste and not hiring non-traditional equipment such as snow bikes or crazy stunt gear. 

It’s also important to note that the add-on doesn’t cover backcountry skiing, ski touring and heli-skiing, even if guided. But it’s important to consider if you’re planning on having fun in the snow, as it's not covered in a regular policy—something people often forget. 

Broken Bones Abroad

Have you ever broken any bones while travelling? It’s kind of worse than breaking something at home, especially with unfamiliar hospital systems and potential language barriers. 

In 2025, a traveller from New South Wales was hospitalised in Japan for a fractured shin bone, which resulted in a mega claim payment of $21,331. While another traveller from New South Wales was treated for a fractured arm, with a huge $16,614 in medical coverage provided. 

Fractures are, of course, never a planned part of the itinerary, and a cast is not exactly the souvenir anyone plans on bringing home. But you can never predict these kinds of things, only prepare for them. 

It’s also worth noting that, much like if you were under the influence in Australia, coverage doesn’t apply if you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident, or if you’re acting in a way that’s deemed as “reckless”, like breaking safety rules and regulations, as defined in SCTI’s policy wording. 

Missing Luggage Moments

Hands up if you’ve ever had your bags or belongings lost on holiday. *Raises hand* We certainly have, and it seems loads of others have too…

Between 2023 and 2026, SCTI has paid out a massive $133,296 in claims for lost baggage and personal items. That’s the cost of approximately 22,216 takeaway coffees, in case you were wondering. 

It’s important to keep an eye on your belongings. For example, with ski and snowboard gear, if you leave the equipment in an unattended public place without supervising it or locking it up, like a mountain lodge while you pop in for a hot choccy, you’re not covered for theft. It's the same as if you were in Australia; you must keep an eye on your stuff.

Unexpected Cardiac Condition

Not all travel mishaps are dramatic falls or accidents. Some are simply your body deciding to file an urgent complaint while you’re overseas. Like the traveller from Western Australia who was treated for an unexpected heart condition, resulting in a claim payment of $9,240—probably more than the actual trip cost itself. This is why having support in place really matters, especially when things are completely out of your control.

The Last-Day Food Poisoning Disaster

Picture it: you’ve had the best trip of your life, are looking forward to doing a show-and-tell of all the pics at home, but suddenly, last night’s meal isn’t sitting so right. 

That’s exactly what happened to two friends from Western Australia when they got struck with severe food poisoning on the day of their flight home, a truly unfortunate travel tale that could happen to anyone.

Let’s face it, no one ever wants to board a long-haul flight feeling sick, let alone with full-blown food poisoning. Luckily, they booked last-minute bullet train tickets and new flights home, with a dandy $2,613 expense covered.

Plans can change at any time mid-trip due to unforeseen circumstances outside your control, such as flight delays or sudden illness like food poisoning. Between 2025 and 2026, SCTI paid out $165,461 in claims for changes to journeys once travellers had already set off, showing just how common these situations can be. 

Plus, a range of SCTI customers had falls or became unwell unexpectedly prior to their planned departure, with top claims between 2025-2026 ranging from $20-45k for cancelled travel plans. Having the right cover in place means that if your plans do shift, you can feel reassured knowing you’re not facing unexpected costs alone.

So, now you know that there’s an upside to unfortunate travel tales when you’re covered by SCTI, it’s probably worth getting a travel insurance quote for your next overseas trip here. 

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Southern Cross Travel Insurance and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why, read our editorial policy here.

*The examples in this article are based on SCTI’s past claims and are provided for general information only. Cover is subject to policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions. 

Image credit: Urban List and Cora Pursley