Kerre Woodham: Safety is priceless

Thank heavens for the generosity of Palmerston North locals.

When 22-year-old Sean Headifen was killed in a bar fight in Bali last Sunday, his family was in despair.

Not only had they lost their son, but they were told they'd need to find $8000 to bring his body back to New Zealand and that was money they simply didn't have.

But after an appeal was launched by More FM, the $8000 needed to bring Sean home was raised in just two hours and the family will be able to bury their boy in this country.

It is a desperately sad situation and I felt for the family but I have two words for anyone travelling overseas - travel insurance.

After the fight, Sean and his girlfriend left the bar and returned to their apartment and it was there that Sean began to drift in and out of consciousness.

His frightened young girlfriend tried to call an ambulance but she didn't have the $400 demanded of her before an ambulance would be dispatched.

And so for want of a policy, a young man died and his family was put through the stress of wondering how the hell they'd get him home.

It's not the Government's responsibility to look after Kiwis who get sick or injured overseas. And it's not the Government's responsibility to bring bodies home either.

I did a quick search on Southern Cross' website. For just over $200, you would have a six-month insurance policy that covered absolutely everything while you were travelling in Bali.

Two hundred dollars on top of airfares, hotels and spending money is nothing. And by all accounts, those who've needed medical help while travelling have been very well served indeed. It beggars belief that anyone would leave home without it.

It's easy to be wise after the fact but to anyone who's travelling, make sure you get yourself sorted to save you and your family a whole lot of grief in the unlikely event anything happens.

And if you have someone you love heading off on their big OE, perhaps the best farewell gift you can give them is one you hope they will never use.