Key facts
- Bahoz Ali of Oshawa, Ontario, travelled to Cancun, Mexico, in April 2024.
An Ontario man is facing a $147,502 medical bill after his travel insurance claim was denied by Manulife. Bahoz Ali fell into a coma during a trip to Mexico, requiring extensive medical care and air ambulance transport back to Canada. Manulife cited a policy clause requiring medical stability for 90 days prior to travel.
This case underscores the critical importance of thoroughly understanding travel insurance policy terms, especially regarding pre-existing conditions and stability periods, as denied claims can result in substantial out-of-pocket expenses for travellers facing medical emergencies abroad.
A planned vacation to Cancun, Mexico, turned into a significant financial burden for Bahoz Ali of Oshawa, Ontario, after his travel insurance claim was denied, leaving him with a medical bill of $147,502.
Ali travelled to Mexico in April 2024 with a Global Youth All-Inclusive policy from Manulife. Prior to his trip, he had experienced a minor illness but was cleared to travel. However, shortly after arriving, he suffered multiple seizures and fell into a coma, requiring eight days of hospitalisation in Mexico.
Following his stabilisation, Ali was transported back to Canada via air ambulance. More than a year later, his family received notification that his insurance claim had been denied. Manulife cited a policy clause requiring travellers to be medically stable for 90 days prior to departure, stating that medical records indicated Ali had sought care for symptoms related to a pre-existing condition before his trip.
Ali and his family appealed the decision twice without success. They dispute the connection between his pre-travel symptoms and the severe medical emergency. Travel insurance expert Martin Firestone noted the case highlights the complexities and potential difficulties in travel insurance claims, particularly when there is disagreement over the link between pre-existing conditions and subsequent medical events.