Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) figures show 289 Otago people made an overseas injury claim last year — almost six times as many as 2021.
There have already been 225 claims from Otago people injured while holidaying overseas this year.
ACC injury prevention leader Kirsten Malpas said it was not just Otago residents.
Last year, ACC accepted 5560 claims for New Zealanders injured while overseas, costing $32 million.
This was a 570% increase from 2021 when the border was closed because of Covid-19.
Everyone deserved a "hard-earned break", but people needed to use common sense to stay safe.
"The last thing you want on your holiday is to end up in hospital with a serious injury.
"It’s good to give new experiences a go when we’re on holiday, but we need to stop and think about the risk of injury before we get stuck in."
When people were in a foreign environment, they might not be aware of risk factors such as weather, traffic or other local conditions that might affect the activity they were doing.
"It may be tempting to let your guard down because you are relaxed and in holiday mode.
"But you are not invincible just because you are on holiday."
The two leading activities which led to accident last year were recreation/sporting activity (1288) and walking/running (1080). Women made up 57% of overseas injuries.
The most common areas injured were the knee (652), lower back (532), ankle (519) and concussion (120).
She urged New Zealanders to confirm their travel insurance when they booked trips abroad.
"If you get injured overseas, the medical bills for a stay at hospital and your treatment can be significant, and they are not covered by ACC, so having travel insurance is so important."
Generally, ACC would cover a person’s injury if they were out of the country for less than six months.
"If you get injured overseas and need help with your recovery once back in New Zealand, ACC will be here to help you.
"We advise people to get in touch with their local GP as soon as they are home, and they will make a claim on your behalf to have the costs relating to your injury covered.
"But it’s better if you don’t get hurt in the first place, and the best way to avoid that is to take some time to think through risks, then do things the safest way."
