Monkey see, monkey eat

An encounter with a bat and a monkey eating sunglasses are among some of the stranger travel insurance claims received in the past year.

Southern Cross Travel Insurance has released a list of unusual claims, with cases involving animals dominating the list. One customer in Asia claimed for a rabies shot after waking to find a bat in their hotel room.

The bat was trapped inside and the customer spent 10 minutes trying to shoo it away with a pillow. Finding marks on their skin, they suspected they had been bitten and sought treatment for which the claim paid was $379.

Another customer travelling in Asia had his glasses stolen by a monkey at a temple, and watched helplessly as the aggressive primate fended him off and ate the spectacles. “I had absolutely no idea monkeys could act like that, but I see the funny side of it now,” he said.

The customer was reimbursed $359 for the stolen spectacles.

Southern Cross Travel Insurance chief executive Chris White said, “After 35 years of operation you might think we’ve heard it all, but we’re still surprised by some of the claims we receive each year”.

While the most claims are for common illnesses or lost personal possessions, the list shows how travellers can end up in all sorts of unexpected situations, he said.

Other strange claims included, a customer who was bitten by a rattlesnake in the US, racking up a large medical bill for anti-venom and a hospital stay that cost $272,000.

While on the road in Europe, another customer hit a deer, severely damaging the rental car and claiming $1500.