The $7 Bali mistake that cost an Aussie guy $370,000 as an urgent warning is issued to anyone traveling abroad
The $7 Bali mistake that cost an Aussie guy $370,000 as an urgent warning is issued to anyone traveling abroad
- Blake Gibbs crashed his scooter in Bali
- He has a huge medical bill
- His travel insurance did not cover motorcycles
An Australian man who crashed his scooter in Bali has been billed $370,000 for failing to tick the $7 motorcycle cover box on his travel insurance policy.
Blake Gibbs from Adelaide traveled with two friends to the Indonesian island of Lombongan earlier this year, where his scooter crashed into a concrete wall after going over a bend.
He suffered multiple skull fractures and was transported to Bali’s International Medical Center where he fell into a coma as he fought for his life before being taken to a hospital in Adelaide in serious condition.
His mother, Rosslyn Gibbs, said travel insurer Freely, backed by Cover-More, agreed to pay for Blake’s hospital treatment and medivac provided she signed a form saying she would be responsible for the bills if they denied the claim.
“They (Bali doctors) decided to call the medivac team to get him back to Australia because they were afraid he wouldn’t make it,” Ms Gibbs told Nine News.
The travel insurer ultimately rejected Gibbs’ claim because Blake had not added motorcycle coverage to the policy he had with them – a perk that costs $7.
“He could have easily afforded it since it was only a few dollars,” said Mrs. Gibbs.
The family has now turned to GoFundMe in their desperate attempt to raise money to cover the $370,000 in medical bills.
Blake remains in intensive care at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and should be transferred to another unit in a matter of weeks before spending months on convalescence.
His mother remains convinced that he will make a full recovery.
“He does little things every day, like squeeze your hand or give you a thumbs up,” she said.
He was airlifted back to Australia, where he remains in hospital and has months of rehabilitation
Blake and his mates were on holiday to Bali, but the Adelaide resident crashed his scooter
She speaks out to urge others to make sure they check they have travel insurance and check it carefully to make sure it covers everything they need.
“Please, check your insurance papers thoroughly before you leave the country,” she said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Freely for comment.
Blake was not covered by his motorcycle travel insurance and his mother urged travelers to check their policies
Blake Gibbs crashed his motorcycle in Bali and was left with a $370,000 medical bill