A cruise passenger who was hospitalised with a respiratory tract infection will not be covered for his losses because the illness was found to be exacerbated by coronavirus.  

The claimant had to leave his cruise last October. He was discharged from hospital a week later with a diagnosis of Covid-19 and a flare-up of pre-existing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

He said his travel policy covered the pre-existing condition and should pay out for costs such as medical care, travel and accommodation.  

But IAG declined the claim, saying the covid infection caused his symptoms or exacerbated his COPD. The policy excluded claims related to the coronavirus pandemic.  

The insurer referred to notes by paramedics taking the man to hospital stating the covid infection “effected his COPD”.  

Reports from the treating hospital said the “exacerbation of COPD [was] secondary to covid”.  

And a medical referral letter from the cruise ship detailed a treatment plan for “severe COPD exacerbation due to covid pneumonia”.  

The claimant’s GP said the man’s diagnosis was related to his medical history because he had pre-existing COPD.  

In a dispute decision, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority says it is possible the traveller could have been infected with covid after his condition worsened, but the evidence suggests the virus was the reason for his poor health.  

“On the balance of probabilities, I do not accept the COPD condition flared up or was exacerbated by an undiagnosed condition or that the complainant had a respiratory tract infection and was subsequently infected with Covid-19,” AFCA’s ombudsman said.  

“Instead, the medical information suggests the complainant was infected with Covid-19, which exacerbated his underlying COPD.”  

See the ruling here.