The World's Strangest Travel Insurance Claims

Buying travel insurance is a sound idea. After all, one in six travelers files a claim for something - lost baggage, stolen wallets and passports, dentures and toupees that vanish into the ocean. However, sometimes travelers get much more than they bargain for, as these unusual insurance claims reveal.




Can't Beach This One

The bride looked lovely in her gown at her seaside wedding. That is, until she stepped too close to the barbecue and caught her dress on fire. Fortunately, her adoring groom launched her into the ocean's waves, and her traveler's insurance reimbursed her for the dress.

Hot, Hot, Hot!

One woman heard about the sizzling nightlife at the Fire Bar in Greece, so she went in to check it out. She had no idea that the alarm she heard (or the patrons who scurried away from the bar) were clues that the bar itself would burst with flames. She found herself with third degree burns on her hands. Fortunately, her travel insurance covered the bill, but she never got to try the drink special.

Excuse Me, Do You Have the Time?

Mistaken schedules aren't terribly uncommon, but two travelers found themselves at odds with their insurers. One family gave “late arrival” an entirely new meaning when they showed up for their flight a month after it had departed. Their insurer denied their claim for reimbursement of the ticket costs.
Another man's claim was turned down for a similar reading error. He reported that he'd been denied boarding on the plane leaving for his destination. He later discovered he'd purchased a ticket to travel to a different country altogether!

See the Sights Responsibly

This isn't about the Pyramids of Giza or the breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro. No, this man filed a claim for injuring himself when he walked into a glass-paneled bus shelter because he'd gotten distracted by women in bikinis.

Cuckoo for Coconuts

What better way to enjoy vacation than to relax in the shade reading an intriguing novel? That's how one woman was spending her vacation when a falling coconut struck her in the head, knocking her out cold. It makes for a better story than something like discovering an allergy to coconut milk, anyway! Her medical care was covered by her traveler's insurance, taking a little of the sting away.

Animal Antics

“Don't feed the animals” can take on new meaning when travelers leave doors and windows open. Goats and monkeys have been known to invade tourists' rooms, where they eat or destroy whatever they can get their hands on and make a mess in the process. Wallets, passports, clothing, and money may or may not be reimbursed by their insurance policies, but one thing is certain - dad's advice to keep the door shut was based on sound wisdom!

Author Bio:
Post written by Victoria for Cover More.