Gastro in Spain, thieves in Italy: travel insurer pinpoints European hotspots
By Sarah Falson
Updated July 18 2025 - 3:31pm, first published 3:02pm
A European gastro hotspot has emerged among new travel insurance data that shows the surprising travel binds Aussies have found themselves in across Europe this season. Subscribe now for unlimited access.
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Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) May 2025 data shows the top-five European countries Australians made claims in were the UK, Italy, France, Greece and Spain.
Spain ranked the most likely place for gastro cases, according to data provided by SCTI chief customer officer, Jess Strange.
When it came to pickpocketing, Italy, France and Spain were all hotspots.
In the UK, watch out for your sunnies, as prescription glasses and sunglasses were among the most common lost or stolen items, along with phones and AirPods.
Damaged bags were most likely to be claimed after trips to the UK. The UK was also a hotspot for slips, trips and falls on trains and at train stations.
"In the UK rental vehicle excess claims were the highest compared to other European destinations. The most common claims were for chipped windscreens, which are not usually covered by standard car rental insurance," Ms Strange said.
Italy had a high propensity for medical claims after skiing accidents, as well as respiratory illnesses including pneumonia, that required hospitalisation.
There were also multiple claims for items lost at sea including phones, jewellery or sunglasses lost either while swimming or because they fell into the water, as well as phones and wallets stolen by pickpockets.
While train platform-related injuries weren't as common as they were in the UK, there was one case of a female traveller who fell on a train platform and fractured her kneecap.
"Following x-rays and being fitted with a knee-brace she was unable to continue her tour due to being unable to walk or bend her leg and returned to Australia early. The claim paid out over $39,000," Ms Strange said.
Claims for travel interruptions were common in France, where one male traveller had his wallet and driver's license stolen and was unable to collect his rental car.
"As a result, he had to use taxis and rideshares to get to his accommodation which was a significant distance away from the main tourist areas of the city. The claim paid out over $2400 in travel costs," Ms Strange said.
A wedding ring was lost in the ocean in Greece, and ear infections and dehydration were among the medical claims. One traveller from Queensland was involved in a quadbike accident and was luckily wearing a helmet, so SCTI paid her $9700 to cover her medical expenses.
In Spain, multiple medical claims including fevers and gastro-related illnesses were paid out, as was a broken foot a traveller sustained while climbing down from the top bunk in a hostel.
Two travellers destined for Barcelona were paid $695 in travel-related costs because their destination was flooded and they were unable to travel there.
Tower of Pisa, Italy. Picture: Shutterstock
Ms Strange said before purchasing travel insurance, know what you're covered for.
"Certain extreme sports, such as kite surfing and skydiving wouldn't be covered by your insurance policy due to the high-risk nature of the activity. We also don't cover contact sports or anyone who is being paid to play sport, such as professional sportspeople," she said.
In addition to extreme sports, the insurer doesn't cover mountaineering, hiking, trekking or tramping if you're at an altitude of above 3000 metres or if you're at an altitude of between 1500 and 3000 metres and you're climbing or intending to climb more than 500 metres per day
"This means some adventurous climbs, such as trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, wouldn't be covered under our policy," Ms Strange said.
Words by Sarah Falson Sarah is ACM's travel producer. 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.
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