Salmonella and Altitude Sickness – Why You Must Buy Travel Insurance

If you’re planning an overseas adventure and you’re still tossing up whether to buy travel insurance – don’t leave Australia without it. Seriously. I’m usually a “better to be safe than sorry” kind of traveller, but my recent trip to Peru made me even more passionate about the importance of comprehensive travel insurance. Here’s what happened and why you must buy travel insurance before you go overseas.

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From dreamy food to a sudden nightmare

While soaking up the colour, vibrancy and lifestyle of Lima, I couldn’t resist the local street food – especially these empanadas (pictured). But those golden pockets of deliciousness turned out to be, well… less than ideal. The next morning, I woke with severe stomach cramps, fevers, diarrhoea and zero appetite. Not a great combo for someone travelling overseas.

I spent that entire day in bed – only venturing as far as the bathroom (and barely the kitchen). I was lucky to be travelling with friends who were nearby if I needed help, but honestly, I felt awful.

Then came Cusco (and altitude)

Feeling a little better, I pushed through and boarded my flight to Cusco. I’d been to altitude before and wasn’t too concerned, but I underestimated the combo of illness and thinner air. When we arrived, I was actually surprised by how good I initially felt… until we had to climb to our third-floor hotel room. I was breathless, light-headed and struggling. Big time.

Still determined not to let it beat me, I kept pushing on. But by the next morning, I knew something wasn’t right. I felt flat, weak and still couldn’t breathe properly. Our tour was starting that afternoon, with a multi-day trek just days away.

Cue: A rush to the Doctor

Thankfully, our local guide got me in to see a doctor quickly. By the time I arrived, I could barely speak. I was also questioning myself – was I overreacting? Was it just anxiety?

The answer came quickly: I had salmonella poisoning and my oxygen levels were dangerously low.

Hospital admission & the power of good travel insurance

I was admitted to hospital on the spot. I spent eight hours receiving oxygen therapy, IV antibiotics, and fluids, and honestly… I was so relieved. I needed help, and I got it.

Now, here’s where Covermore Travel Insurance comes in.

Almost as soon as I was admitted, I was contacted by World Travel Protection, who work with Covermore. They checked in on me via WhatsApp, gathered the information they needed for my claim and coordinated with the hospital’s internal contact. Everything was streamlined. They were supportive, responsive and made sure the process was underway from the get-go.

When it came time to check out, I felt a hundred times better – and while I had to pay the bill up front, I was provided with all the documentation I needed to make a claim through Covermore Travel Insurance. Knowing I was with a reputable provider made the whole situation so much less stressful.

Two days later, I was hiking the Andes…

Why I will always have confidence in Covermore Travel Insurance

I took out annual comprehensive travel insurance with Covermore before this trip, with the added cover for high-altitude trekking in Peru. And thank goodness I did.

When you compare travel insurance in Australia, Covermore always stands out because:

• They’re well-known and trusted.
• Their customer service and claims assistance is top-notch.
• They offer specific options for adventurous travel, like altitude hiking.
• You can reach them easily, even while overseas.

In short: they have your back when things go wrong – and trust me, things can and do go wrong.

Don’t leave Australia without Travel Insurance

If you’re heading overseas, especially to places where adventure and altitude are part of the plan, travel insurance for Australians is not optional – it’s essential. Whether you’re road tripping through Europe, relaxing in Bali, or trekking through the Andes, the peace of mind that comes with having the best travel insurance in Australia is worth every dollar.

Take the time to compare travel insurance in Australia, and choose a provider that offers comprehensive travel insurance with options that suit your style of travel. For me, I have full confidence in Covermore Travel Insurance every time.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or planning your first big trip, don’t make the mistake of thinking, “It won’t happen to me.” I’m adventurous, experienced, and I still found myself sick, weak, and in hospital in a foreign country.

I’ll never travel internationally without Travel Insurance, and after this experience, I hope you won’t either.