Melbourne mum faces $55,000 Bali hospital bill after insurance denies claim on a technicality that every Aussie needs to know about
Julia Kir, originally from Moscow, remains in intensive care after being involved in a serious motorbike crash while holidaying in Indonesia with her family.
She suffered a subdural haematoma, a potentially fatal bleeding on the brain caused by head trauma, and underwent emergency surgery earlier this week.
Her fiancé, Balazs Czako, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover soaring medical bills after the couple's travel insurer refused to pay out, citing 'technicalities' related to the accident.
'Julia is now in a fight for her life after a catastrophic medical emergency overseas,' Mr Czako wrote. 'She has suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and is currently in critical condition in intensive care.'
So far, Ms Kir's life-saving surgery has cost more than $30,000, with overall hospital expenses exceeding $55,000.
Although her condition has since stabilised, she remains too unwell to be cleared as fit to fly home for further treatment.
Ms Kir is a devoted mum to son Alexander, who has special needs.
She has been described as a 'devoted friend, loving daughter and vibrant woman with so much ahead of her.'
Her fiancé added: 'She's generous, passionate, and kind to her core. She's one of those rare souls who lights up every room she walks into. She's the one who shows up for everyone else, and now, she needs us to show up for her.'
Her story has also reignited warnings about the dangers of motorbike travel in Bali and the common insurance pitfalls many travellers overlook.
Many travel insurance policies won't cover injuries from motorbike accidents unless strict conditions are met.
In most cases, travellers must be wearing a helmet, be sober, ride a bike under 250cc, and hold both a valid Australian driver's licence and an International Driver's Permit. Failing to meet any of these conditions can void a claim.
Some insurers do offer optional moped coverage for a small additional fee - even if the traveller doesn't have a motorcycle licence, but only if those conditions are strictly followed.
Smartraveller, the government's official advice platform, also urges caution, warning that Indonesian road users are 'often unpredictable or undisciplined.'
Ms Kir's case is the latest in a string of recent scooter-related tragedies involving Australians in Bali.
Just last week, Keanu Neilson, a young father from Bundaberg, suffered a serious brain injury and multiple fractures after his scooter collided with a ute in Kuta in the early hours of July 31. He also remains in hospital in Bali and is too unwell to return to Australia.
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