One family’s holiday ended with a £1.3million insurance claim and a private jet rescue.
Luke Spiezia, his mother Marisa Perrella and father Tony Spiezia went away together to mark Marisa’s 60th birthday.
The trio, from Australia, went to America to celebrate the occasion and visited popular attractions including Elvis’s Graceland and Dollywood, Explore reports.
However, things took a turn when Marisa had a stroke at a hotel in Los Angeles.
She was rushed into hospital and had an operation, but afterwards became ill with pneumonia.
The medical emergency meant she had to be flown back home to Australia, and her whole family joined her for the journey on the medical repatriation flight.
In a private jet, they made their way to Essendon Airport in Victoria. The plane was packed with important medical equipment and provisions.
Luke and Tony sat on one side while Marisa was secured on the other.
Luke Spiezia, his mother Marisa Perrella and father Tony Spiezia went away together to mark Marisa’s 60th birthday. Pictured: Los Angeles
He explained to Explore: ‘We were sitting on the right side of that jet, and then … mum was in ICU conditions on the plane, and that was taken up by the entire left side.’
The family had taken out travel insurance with Cover-More and reportedly ended up with a $2.7million (£1.3million) claim.
When they landed in Australia, Marisa’s care was then covered by Medicare, which is Australia’s universal health insurance scheme.
She was taken to Monash hospital by ambulance.
A spokesperson for Cover-More revealed to Explore that their most common claims over the last 12 months have been from travellers in Indonesia, America, Japan, Thailand and Italy.
But not everyone is as fortunate as Marisa to be covered by their travel insurance.
Last month, it was revealed the most common reasons Brits get their travel insurance claim rejected.
Compliance expert Chris Payne, who works for Total Travel Protection, explained the number one reason in 2024, and so far this year, for unsuccessful claims is the ‘excess trap’.
However, things took a turn when Marisa had a stroke at a hotel in LA. She was rushed into hospital and had an operation, but afterwards became ill with pneumonia (stock)
This occurs when travellers try to claim for amounts below their policy excess and therefore won’t receive a pay out.
Chris explains: ‘Travel excess refers to the amount of money you agree to pay towards any claim you make.
‘For example, a traveller lost their passport and travel documents and they made a £50 claim.
‘The excess for this claim is £75, therefore, the claim is not payable.’
