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Travel can be unpredicable, and a sudden accident can lead to catastrophic injuries and even more frightening medical bills.
1Cover customer Elizabeth Rump knows this all too well. Read on to find out how 1Cover came through after Elizabeth's frightening fall.
In September 2023, a long-awaited Hawaiian holiday for Sydney couple Elizabeth and Andrew Rump turned into a nightmare after an escalator accident in Honolulu left Elizabeth with severe injuries and an extensive recovery period.
Without travel insurance, Elizabeth and her husband Andrew, would have had to deal with an escalating crisis and even more frightening medical bills.
Their story highlights just unpredictable travel can be, and why you can’t travel without travel insurance.
A much-anticipated trip to Hawaii, planned as a restorative getaway for NSW couple Elizabeth and Andrew Rump, took a devastating turn after Elizabeth suffered a freak fall. Upon checking into their hotel in Honolulu, the pair stepped onto an escalator when Andrew lost his balance and toppled backwards onto Elizabeth, knocking her over and severely fracturing her leg in three places.
Elizabeth and Andrew Rump, prior to her accident
Elizabeth's injury was so severe that she blacked out and was rushed to the hospital. What she thought was just a dislocation turned out to be a catastrophic injury, with multiple fractures to her tibia. Elizabeth then developed compartment syndrome—a dangerous condition causing swelling which required her to have immediate surgery to save her leg.
Elizabeth's injuries after her accident.
Over the course of her 26-day stay in Hawaii, Elizabeth would undergo two more surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, including hours of daily therapy at a specialized rehab center. Despite her physical and emotional ordeal, Elizabeth thanks 1Cover for alleviating her financial burden, and covering her medical expenses, rehabilitation, flight upgrades and more- all of which came to just under $400,000.
Elizabeth's husband Andrew, who liaised with 1Cover while Elizabeth recovered, says that without insurance, “We would have had to take a mortgage on the house or sell it,” adding, “if you are thinking of going overseas without insurance you need your head read. It’s a no brainer."
Elizabeth recovering from her ordeal
A year later, Elizabeth continues to recover, though she has required further surgery for a postoperative infection and still faces physical challenges.
Reflecting on the incident, she has become a passionate advocate for comprehensive travel insurance, urging others never to travel without it. She also advises travellers to avoid escalators when carrying heavy luggage, suggesting elevators as a safer option.
While the incident hasn’t dampened Elizabeth’s love of travel, it has left her more cautious about navigating risks. “Unfortunately, things do happen,” she warns, “if you’re planning to travel, make sure you have total insurance.”
Natalie wrote this article, as Head of Marketing at 1Cover she's got over 10 years of insurance experience under her belt and can answer your trickiest travel insurance questions. Natalie has written about all types of travel insurance from tips and tricks, money saving ideas, pre-existing illnesses and more. Learn more about Natalie.
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