KEY POINTS:
A Northland couple faces a bill of more than $150,000 after insurers refused to cover the cost of repatriating and treating their son, who sustained severe brain damage during a private research trip in Africa.
Last week Ngaire and Brian Dent from Maungaturoto were contemplating selling their home.
They had to borrow to pay a bill of more than $60,000 to fly their son James Greenwood back from South Africa after he suffered a seizure in Madagascar three months ago.
Now the Dents have received a bill for $90,000 for a month of treatment their son received in South Africa - and fear they could be hit for another $30,000 for transporting him from Madagascar to Johannesburg.
There is confusion over whether Greenwood had insurance. He has been unable to explain because he cannot speak. The Dents understand the travel booking was made online by one of his researcher friends but they have been unable to ascertain for sure whether he was insured as a result.
"It seems it was pretty airy-fairy," said Ngaire Dent.
Greenwood, 26, who had been studying for an environmental science degree at Edinburgh University, was finishing a research trip to Madagascar when he suffered the seizure and his heart stopped. A colleague revived him and he was rushed to a hospital, which initially refused to accept him because they thought he was drunk.
His stepfather, Brian Dent, said the group contacted STA, the company they had booked the trip with in Edinburgh, and a medical team was sent to the island from South Africa. Dent said he was rung in Maungaturoto at 2am by the emergency medical company organising the rescue, asking him to agree to pick up the costs of the mission "if there was any problem". He said the medical team refused to take off from South Africa unless he agreed.
The Dents were later told their son was uninsured as he failed to disclose a pre-existing condition - epilepsy.
They received a letter in August, addressed to their son, from First Assist Services, the company involved in the rescue, stating: "Having referred this matter to the underwriters, we regret to advise liability for your claim has been declined. This decision is based on information received which indicates your claim is related to a pre-existing medical condition which has not been declared to your insurer prior to departure."
Brian Dent told the Herald on Sunday: "Unless you declare everything - from having your tonsils out to a broken toe - they perceive it to be an undeclared event."
The couple said it was still unclear whether the seizure which felled their son was directly linked to his epilepsy.
Greenwood was in a coma in South Africa when his mother Ngaire flew over to be with him. She spent a traumatic fortnight in Johannesburg.
"There were armed guards in the hallway of the hospital," she said. "It was really uncomfortable. But the care was tremendous."
Her son was flown back to Auckland with a paramedic and a nurse. His bed took up six seats on the plane and the Dents took out a loan to cover the bill of more than $60,000.
Brian Dent said he had since been told they paid too much for the flight and they were now querying the bill. At the time, all they wanted was to get their son home.
Their son is now in a rehabilitation centre in West Auckland. Ngaire said despite still being in a wheelchair and receiving some food by tube, James had spoken for the first time last week. "It was a croaking 'hello' on a cellphone. Everyone at work was jumping up and down and crying," she said.
The couple have been "overwhelmed" by the support of the community in Maungaturoto and from their son's friends.
About $40,000 has been raised through events, including a concert last night. But the Dents are still daunted by the size of the bill they face.
"We're not in a position to pay the bill," said Brian Dent. "If the worst comes to the worst, we will have to sell the house."
Blair Catton, STA's general manager in New Zealand, could not comment directly on the case but said it was vital to declare pre-existing medical issues. He said all customers booking trips were made aware of the need for travel insurance.
"We highly recommend it. In fact we go overboard a bit and make people sign a disclaimer if they haven't bought insurance with us."
He said with a group booking, all members would have to complete the insurance application.
"Every individual person would have to sign it. We send it to the insurance company and they assess it. It's a pretty thorough process."
Catton said medical problems did not necessarily exclude people from insurance cover, but they might have to pay extra premiums.
Insure yourself before you leave
The Consumers' Institute and the Insurance Council of New Zealand advise all travellers to take out travel insurance before leaving the country.
"You want as much medical cover as possible," said deputy chief executive of the Consumers' Institute, David Naulls.
"Most insurance policies give you varying types of medical cover.
"If you are going to the United States, even for a stopover, and get sick, you can end up with absolutely massive medical bills."
He said New Zealanders brought up with free health care often didn't think about it.
Naulls said it was vital to inform insurers of any pre-existing conditions.
"If you don't tell them about something major, they don't have to pay out."
The ICNZ website says insurance will normally provide protection for:
* Cancellation and the loss of deposits.
* Medical treatment costs.
* Costs for returning home in certain emergencies.
* The loss of luggage and personal items.
* Personal liability, excluding deliberate acts and the use of motor vehicles.
But Insurance Council CEO Chris Ryan said the problem of New Zealanders going overseas without insurance was "serious and common".
"People assume it [accidents] won't happen to them," said Ryan. "They don't have insurance that's adequate for the sorts of catastrophes they can meet.
"Medical cover is key. The cost of medical treatment overseas is beyond the comprehension of most New Zealanders."
Ryan said many New Zealanders, particularly young travellers, neglected insurance because they were healthy.
Also, tickets booked online often did not include insurance.
He advised travellers to get the most comprehensive cover they could afford, with a New Zealand company.
"And you must disclose any pre-existing conditions," said Ryan. "It doesn't mean insurers won't insure you."
