THERE'S A SCENE in the Tom Hanks movie The Terminal in which an impish cleaner mops an airport floor, leaving it treacherously wet. He then stands back to amuse himself, watching as hasty passengers, ignoring or failing to see the warning signs, slip, slide and crash their way to embarrassment and personal injury.
Hilarious - in a puerile kind of way - until it happens to you. The scene, it turns out, could have been written for me. Not long ago, in an airport not far from here, I turned similar cartwheels in an airline lounge, bouncing on landing and cracking two ribs. I knew my aerobatics had looked impressive when two gruff Aussie blokes, obviously not used to such solicitous behaviour, approached and grunted inquiries as to my wellbeing.
I'm awaiting confirmation from the company concerned that my travel insurance covered me for my mishap, and that it agrees that, because I'd already left home, my journey had officially begun.
Hong Kong travellers are indulging in record numbers in a new habit: buying cover for their travels. Manlo Cheung, managing director of Blue Cross, one of Hong Kong's biggest travel insurance companies, reports phenomenal growth in sales. Policy purchases have risen more than 90 per cent in the financial year to 2004. 'We're talking tens of thousands of people, and there's still room to grow,' she says. 'Travel insurance is becoming a common product. Banks are pushing it, and it doesn't need much explanation.'
Travel agents agree. A spokesman for Westminster Travel says most travellers now take out insurance when they book flights and accommodation, although policies are purchased from a variety of sources.
Why the explosion in interest? 'Awareness has grown and people realise they need protection,' says Cheung. 'September 11 had a strong impact, and the fact that more people are going to China to work makes a big difference. They read about the road accidents and buy policies to cover repatriation. People travelling to Europe and North America want protection from high medical expenses. It's all about different needs.'
Although travellers are wising up to the idea of covering themselves for serious misfortune, Cheung says most claims are still for small sums, of perhaps a few thousand dollars. Forty per cent of Blue Cross payouts relate to minor medical claims. Lost baggage accounts for 15 per cent, then come settlements for flight delays or cancellations and loss of passports or other documents.