I slipped by the pool in Bali and cracked my head open. The hospital ran blood work. My BAC was 0.10. Six weeks later, my insurance claim for $4,000 was denied. The reason: “General Exclusion: Injury arising from being under the influence of alcohol.”
Key Takeaways
- The Alcohol Exclusion: Almost every travel insurance policy excludes claims where alcohol was a “contributing factor.”
- Burden of Proof: In 2026, hospitals in tourist hubs (Bali, Phuket, Cabo) routinely run BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) tests on foreigner trauma cases because insurers require it.
- The “Proximate Cause” Argument: Even if you just had two beers, if the insurer can argue the alcohol made you clumsy, they deny. You have to prove the accident would have happened anyway (e.g., a ceiling tile fell on you).
- Zero Tolerance Policies: Some policies (especially motor vehicle related) have 0.00 tolerance. Others use the local legal limit.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Correlation = Causation.”
To an insurer, if you are drunk and you get hurt, you got hurt because you were drunk. It is the easiest way for them to deny expensive trauma claims (falls, fights, crashes).
- The Reality: You might have just slipped on water, but the 0.10 BAC gives them the loophole.
The Investigation: I Called Them
- SafetyWing: “We exclude injury caused by alcohol intoxication.”
- World Nomads: “Claims denied if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”
- Legal Precedent: I looked up cases. If you are a passenger in a taxi and you are drunk, you are usually covered (because you weren’t driving). If you are walking and fall, you are likely denied.
Comparison Table: Intoxication Limits
| Feature | Travel Insurance | Global Health (Cigna/Bupa) |
| Alcohol Exclusion | Strict | Lenient |
| BAC Testing | Requested by insurer | Medical necessity only |
| Addiction Treatment | Excluded | Covered (after wait) |
| Drunk Passenger | Covered | Covered |
[IMAGE: Photo of a medical report with ‘Ethanol Level: High’ highlighted in red, next to a ‘Claim Denied’ stamp]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Do Not Consent to Blood Tests (If optional): If you are conscious and it’s not a crime scene, ask why they are drawing blood. If it’s for “insurance purposes,” you can sometimes decline (check local laws).
- Check Your Policy Wording: Does it say “Legal Limit” or “Under the Influence”? “Under the Influence” is subjective and dangerous.
- The “Passenger” Defense: If you go out drinking, take a Grab/Uber. If the car crashes, your intoxication is irrelevant to the accident.
- Appeal with Evidence: If you were drunk but the accident was totally unrelated (e.g., you were poisoned, or hit by a car while sitting on a bench), appeal the denial. Argue “Proximate Cause.”
FAQ
What is the limit?
Usually the legal driving limit of the country you are in (often 0.05 or 0.08).
Does this apply to drugs?
Yes. If weed is legal in Thailand/California/Germany, insurance still excludes injuries caused by being high.
What if I’m Roofied?
That is a crime (Assault). It should be covered, but you need a police report and tox screen proving involuntary drugging.