The family holiday that ended with a private jet rescue mission
What it's like to be on a medical repatriation flight back to Australia.
Luke Spiezia never thought his mum's 60th birthday trip would end in a medical repatriation flight back to Australia and a $2.7 million travel insurance claim.
Mr Spiezia and his parents were on a holiday in the United States when his mum became ill, leading to one of Cover-More Travel Insurance's largest ever travel insurance claims.
Mr Spiezia, his mum Marisa Perrella, and dad Tony Spiezia, were celebrating Ms Perrella's 60th birthday and taking in once-in-a-lifetime sites including Dollywood and Elvis's Graceland, when the unthinkable happened.
Ms Perrella had a stroke in a Los Angeles hotel, and was taken to a US hospital where she underwent surgery.
She contracted pneumonia after the operation and the entire family had to be air-lifted back to Australia.
Mr Spiezia, from Victoria, said the repatriation flight was a private jet with full emergency medical facilities on board.
They took off from Burbank Airport in LA, stopped in Hawaii to refuel, then stopped again in Fiji, before landing in Essendon Airport in Victoria.
"We were sitting on the right side of that jet, and then ... mum was in ICU conditions on the plane, and that was taken up by the entire left side," Mr Spiezia told Explore.
Once they landed, their care switched right back over to Medicare and Ms Perrella was picked up from the airport by an ambulance and checked into Monash hospital.
Mr Spiezia's message to others is to get the best travel insurance you can with "unlimited everything", even if you're young and healthy - because you never know what could happen.
"Surfing and motorcycle riding injuries are common in Indonesia and Thailand; while skiing and adventure-related injuries are more typical in Japan and the USA," they said.
"Across all countries, medical expenses for illness and injury are the most common claims, followed by claims for lost or stolen luggage and personal belongings."
Record claims
Multi-million-dollar travel insurance claims are increasing as Australians head overseas in record numbers.
1Cover Travel Insurance has revealed a surge of costly claims with payouts exceeding $4.5 million between May and August.
1Cover Travel Insurance COO, Natalie Ball, said European summer has had some costly incidents and trip cancellations.
"All too often travellers underestimate how quickly medical costs can spiral," Ms Ball said.
"A simple fall, for instance can lead to significant expenses. As an example, a recent case involving a woman in Malta, slipping and fracturing her shoulder, led to a $13,000 payout."
Three major claims totalling over $1 million each came from Hawaii, reflecting the "extraordinarily high cost of medical care in the US."
Sarah is Explore's Digital News Editor. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!. My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me. Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life. My top travel tip is … Don’t plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what’s within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.
Travel's Top Picks
Travel's Most Viewed
As our ship reached Alaska's glaciers, the captain did something no one expected
World's best airlines revealed as local carrier surges up global ranks
Lonely Planet dubs this NSW gem 'Byron Bay without the crowds' for 2027
Thailand tightens entry: shorter stays, digital cards and new fees explained
New premium economy seats offer business class privacy for half the price
