Insurance providers issuing travel and medical coverage for tourists heading to Bali have shared new and alarming data with the media.
Insurance providers in Australia are seeing a staggering rise in the number of claims for travelers’ diarrhea coming from tourists who have been vacationing in Bali.
Traveler diarrhea, known clinically as gastroenteritis, is a sickness caused by either a virus or bacteria. Typically ,in the cases of gastroenteritis in travelers, the bacteria in question is e-coli.
In most cases in Bali and around Southeast Asia, cases of gastroenteritis are linked to bacteria in the water. Unfortunately, even those who do not directly ingest unfiltered water in these areas can still get sick. Water containing e-coli and other gastroenteritis-triggering bacteria can be found everywhere from washes salads, to droplets on cutlery and glasses.
It has to be said, that over the years food health and hygiene in Bali’s top tourism resorts have improved. However, data from Southern Cross Travel Insurance and anecdotal reports from tourists returning from Bali makes for concerning reading.
Southern Cross Travel Insurance saw a whopping 79% increase in gastroenteritis claims in January 2025, in comparison to the same period in 2024. Of this increase, 54% of cases have come from tourists vacationing in Indonesia since November.
The Chief Customer Support Officer for Southern Cross Travel Insurance, Jess Strange, told the media that this ‘steep climb’ in claims has been coming from Indonesia, as well as Thailand. She noted that the cases have been increasing extremely.
While in many cases gastroenteritis can be a simple but unpleasant 24-48 hours to intestinal flu, in these more recent cases, travelers are requiring admission to hospital.
Strange revealed that tourists have been in need of serious medical care, from IV drips for vital rehydration to antibiotics and, in some frightening cases, even requiring surgery.
Strange told the media that the average travel insurance claim for gastro-related illnesses in Bali over the last 12 months sits at AUD 2000, though she noted that some claims have been far higher.
So what is the cause of this sudden, shocking spike in gastroenteritis cases in Bali? Well, Strange suggests that travelers need to better remember the basics of travel health and hygiene.
She told reporters, “Aside from people experimenting with street food or drinking a cocktail with ‘dirty’ ice, many travelers are also forgetting the lessons we learned during the Covid pandemic to wash and sanitize our hands more regularly to prevent the spread of germs and viruses.”
It is not only Southern Cross Travel Insurance who are seeing such a rise in claims, but 1Cover Travel Insurance too.
Data from 1Cover shows a 40% increase in claims in 2024 compared to 2023, with gastroenteritis cases coming out as the number one medical issue on vacation.
The insurance providers paid out close to AUD 200,000 in one incredibly serious case in Bali last year. A tourist developed sepsis and major medical complications after contracting gastroenteritis while on vacation.
Natalie Ball from 1Cover Travel Insurance told the media that medical costs in Bali are incredibly high compared to the overall cost of travel on the island.
Ball shared “While the majority of cases are mild, some can lead to hospitalization, cancellations, and additional travel expenses, which can quickly add up.”
She added, “We remind travelers that hospitals in Bali and Indonesia may refuse to treat you unless you prove you have a cover or the means to fit the bill, so double check you have sufficient travel insurance before you go.”
It is absolutely vital for tourists to take out a fully comprehensive travel and medical insurance policy before traveling to Bali, or anywhere in Indonesia.
Travelers should read their policy documents in full prior to travel to understand what is and is not covered, and be aware of how the claims process works with their insurance provider as every provider operates a slightly different claims system.
Remove All Ads & Unlock All Articles… Sign up for The Bali Sun Premium
Plan Your Bali Holiday:
Book The Best English Speaking Drivers For Airport Transfers & Tours
Choose From Thousands of Bali Hotels, Resorts, and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties
Book Cheap Flights To Bali
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance That Covers Medical Expenses In Bali
For the latest Bali News & Debate Join our Facebook Community
SUBSCRIBE TO NEW POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to The Bali Sun’s latest breaking news, straight to your inbox.