Latest news with #SCTI
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Gastro in Spain, thieves in Italy: travel insurer pinpoints European hotspots
Corfu, Greece. Picture: Shutterstock 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. or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper All other in your area 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.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Carr's Hill Partners Announces Two Strategic Add-On Acquisitions by Portfolio Company SMART Safety
NEW ORLEANS, April 17, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carr's Hill Capital Partners Management, LP ("Carr's Hill"), a New Orleans-based private equity firm, is pleased to announce that its portfolio company, SMART Safety Gulf Coast (SMART Safety), a premier provider of life safety and compliance services, has completed two strategic add-on acquisitions: Safety Consulting & Training, Inc. (SCTI) and Trinity Safety Management (Trinity). These acquisitions further enhance SMART Safety's geographic reach and service offerings, reinforcing its position as a trusted leader in workplace safety, utilizing its Compliance-as-a-Service (CaaS) model. Founded in 2007 by Larry Leiman and based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, SCTI specializes in site safety audits, safety incident response, and safety training, serving a robust base of recurring customers across South and Central Florida. As part of the acquisition, Larry Leiman has joined SMART Safety full-time during the transition period to ensure a seamless integration and continued delivery of high-quality services to SCTI's clients. Trinity Safety Management, led by founder Robert Bruce, brings additional depth to SMART Safety's capabilities. Based in Georgia, with a strong presence across North and Central Florida, Trinity provides programmatic safety management, site safety staffing and safety training services. The company serves a growing and loyal roster of recurring program customers. Robert Bruce has also joined SMART Safety full-time, bolstering the company's capabilities and commitment to excellence. "We are thrilled to welcome SCTI and Trinity Safety Management into the SMART Safety family," said Blake Beach, CEO of SMART Safety. "These acquisitions align perfectly with our mission to deliver comprehensive, high-impact safety solutions to our clients. The addition of Larry, Robert, and their talented teams expands our footprint and enhances our ability to serve our growing customer base." Carr's Hill Partners has supported SMART Safety's growth strategy since its initial investment, focusing on both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. "SMART Safety's acquisition of SCTI and Trinity Safety Management exemplifies our approach to building value through targeted add-ons that strengthen operational capabilities and market presence," said Michael Gude, Vice President at Carr's Hill. "We are excited about the opportunities these partnerships create and look forward to supporting SMART Safety's continued success." Both SCTI and Trinity Safety Management bring established reputations, recurring revenue streams, and complementary service offerings to SMART Safety, positioning the company for sustained growth and leadership in the safety services industry. About Carr's Hill Partners Carr's Hill Partners is a New Orleans-based private equity firm focused on family- and founder-owned businesses in the industrial and infrastructure services sectors along the Gulf Coast. The firm takes a growth-minded approach to investing, combining capital, operational expertise, sector knowledge and regional insights to create lasting value. For more information, visit About SMART Safety SMART Safety is a leading provider of workplace safety, utilizing its Compliance-as-a-Service (CaaS) model, offering a comprehensive suite of services to businesses. With a commitment to protecting people and enhancing safety performance, SMART Safety delivers tailored training, audits and management programs to meet the unique needs of its clients. For more information about SMART Safety, visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact Travis Rachaltravis@ 504-334-8754 Sign in to access your portfolio
