A 78-year-old NSW man on a holiday of a lifetime with his wife in Europe has been stranded with a $40,000 hospital bill despite having travel insurance - because he had been drinking alcohol with his dinner.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Grandparents Robert Morphett and wife Robyn, 76, from Moama, set off last month on a four-week long holiday which included a Danube river cruise in Austria, trip to Scotland and a dream visit to Wimbledon.
Aside from a cruise to New Zealand, it was the first time they had been overseas.
But ex-farmer Mr Morphett fell down some stairs on the ship five days in and fractured his skull.
Travel insurance firm Cover-More initially told the couple they would pay the hospital bills and get them home after the accident four weeks ago, but last week they declined the claim after receiving the medical and toxicology reports.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Their son, Stewart, 51, is now flying to Austria and has launched an appeal to help pay the bill.
He said his parents, who were fit and well, had paid for the highest level of insurance cover.
"It was after dinner and they were sitting in the lounge aboard the ship listening to music," he told nine.com.au
"He'd had a few drinks during dinner and afterwards,
"He's certainly a beer drinker. I don't know what he was drinking.
"Mum said 'I'll see you in a few minutes.'
"A few minutes later someone came and said 'your husband's had a fall, you better come."
A Cover-More spokesperson said they made their decision after consulting medical information.
"Cover-More's medical assistance team has offered all possible non-financial medical assistance we can to Robert and his family," said the spokesperson.
"Cover-More is fair and reasonable in our claims processes and we make our decisions after thoroughly assessing all available details and medical information. We have given Robert and his family a detailed explanation for declining his claim."
"In general, being under the influence of alcohol is a standard exclusion across all travel insurance policies."
Mr Morphett was found in a pool of blood at the bottom of some stairs inside the ship.
Nobody saw what happened.
The ship was in port in Linz, Austria, and he was rushed to the town's Kepler University Hospital.
He spent ten days in ICU and also suffered broken ribs plus has lost some hearing and speech.
But calls to Cover-More reassured Mrs Morphett, a retired primary school teacher, that everything would be paid for, according to her son.
However, on Friday, the insurance company told the couple the $40,000 bill, plus the cost of getting home would not be covered.
"They got the medical reports and toxicology reports and sent it to their forensic medical consultant and it was their determination that the alcohol contributed directly or indirectly," said Mr Morphett.
"I don't know anyone who goes on a cruise that doesn't have a drink."
"What do you say - don't have a drink, don't enjoy yourself too much?"
"Mum, she's nearly 77, and worried sick about dad and to have this added stress, she rang me in tears last night.
"Everyone has a drink and tries to enjoy themselves.
"You wouldn't think that would be a problem, especially he's not rock-climbing, doing bungee jumping or extreme sports."
Mr Morphett is now well enough to fly home on a regular flight - but must have a business class seat at the cost of $7500, which his son has paid for.
However, a payment must be made to the hospital before they can leave.
The hospital has agreed to allow the rest of the bill to be paid once the family has raised the cash.
Insurance Council of Australia spokesperson Lisa Kable confirmed that most Australian travel insurance policies listed injury or damage while under the influence of alcohol or drugs as an exclusion.
"Generally, alcohol-related exclusions are applicable if the intoxication was the contributing factor to the loss, injury or damage incurred," Ms Kable said.
"Travel insurers assess each claim on its individual circumstances."
The Insurance Council of Australia's consumer website Understand Insurance reminded travellers that insurance policies were unlikely to cover risky behaviour, alcohol or drug use that led to a claim, she said.
Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here
