Coronavirus Pandemic Information

 

COVER SNAPSHOT

 

Zoom policies cover you for unlimited overseas medical claims related to Coronavirus if you test positive and require emergency medical treatment. This cover includes costs resulting from any overseas hospital medical treatment, ambulance transportation or repatriation back to New Zealand.

This meets the requirement for governments that have mandated travel insurance with Covid cover for entry.  Upon purchase, you will receive an additional page attached to your certificate of insurance outlining the COVID cover which can be used as evidence of the cover.

Zoom polices do not cover for cancellation costs incurred if you catch Coronavirus before you depart for your holiday and need to cancel, this includes additional costs such as quarantine costs and standard PCR tests.

Please scroll to our handy FAQS to learn more about our Covid Cover and refer to the policy wording. 

UNDERSTANDING CORONAVIRUS 
& TRAVEL INSURANCE

 

 

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

If you are a Zoom customer and you're experiencing an emergency overseas, please get in touch with our contact our Emergency Assistance team. 

These contact details are for customers experiencing a genuine emergency only.

For general queries, including making a claim or extending your policy, please visit our contact us page.

EXTENDING MY POLICY

If you are overseas and have to stay longer, you can extend your policy yourself online or email our customer service team on [email protected].nz

People who have pre-existing conditions may be blocked by the system from extending their policy, so please get in touch with the customer service team.

When extending your journey, we encourage you to check the smartraveller website for updates on your intended destinations, including travel advice level, entry and quarantine requirements as well as any government recommendations.

• What is the novel coronavirus COVID-19?

• The COVID-19 Coronavirus is a respiratory illness caused by a novel, or new strain of coronavirus previously not identified in human beings. Symptoms range from a mild cough to severe pneumonia. Some people recover easily, while others get very sick very quickly and may become critically ill. It appears to be less severe in children and healthy people; more severe in older people, people who smoke, and people who are immunocompromised. There is clear evidence that the virus spreads from person to person. The illness originated in China, but there are now occurrences of the novel coronavirus in over 100 countries. 

• What if I want to cancel or amend my travel plans because of Coronavirus?

• If you want to change your travel plans, we highly recommend contacting your travel providers, such as airlines, tour and accommodation companies, to check what options you have. Many providers are offering penalty-free options to reschedule, credit notes or refunds for those that cannot travel. Visit here to learn more about amending your travel plans.
  
  You can also make changes to your travel insurance policy.  You can change your travel dates and destinations up to 12 months from the date your policy was issued. You can also extend your policy online. People who have pre-existing conditions may be blocked by the system from extending their policy.
  
  Please email our customer service team on [email protected] if you have any questions.

• Does my Zoom travel insurance policy have an exclusion regarding epidemics and pandemics?

• Yes, all Zoom policies have a general exclusion for the likely threat of, or actual epidemics and pandemics. This means that regardless of when you purchased your policy, you are unlikely to be covered under the policy for any claim relating to COVID-19. This includes (but is not limited to) situations where you decide you want to cancel your plans; your travel provider cancels your plans; the government has imposed travel restrictions, or you are quarantined or suffer travel delays due to the Coronavirus. This applies to all countries you travel to or are planning to travel to, even those which do not currently have an MFAT travel warning advisory issued. 

• Why is there a general exclusion for pandemics and epidemics?

• It is extremely difficult for our team to assess and predict the scope and severity of wide-reaching catastrophic global events like pandemics, epidemics, or the outbreak of war. We continue to assess all claims on a case-by-case basis, even with the general exclusion in place.

• Can I still make a claim if you have an exclusion in your policy?

• If you suffer a loss, you are still entitled to lodge a claim through our online claims system. Every claim is assessed individually on a case-by-case basis by our claims team taking into account the facts, the policy wording and personal circumstances. During the claims process, you can ask your Claim Manager questions regarding your claim if you are unsure of what documents you need.
  
  If, after your claim has been assessed, you are unhappy with the outcome, you can make a complaint, and we will reconsider your claim in accordance with our Complaints Policy.

• What if I contract the Coronavirus?

• If you think you may have the coronavirus, please contact our emergency assistance provider, First Assistance. They can provide guidance as to the next steps you can take. There is a General Exclusion for a loss arising from an epidemic or pandemic. This exclusion applies to all policy sections regardless of when you purchase your policy. If you are out of pocket for medical costs, you are welcome to submit a claim and all supporting documentation for consideration.

• What if I am quarantined because of Coronavirus?

• If you are quarantined because of the Coronavirus in New Zealand and need to cancel your trip or make alternative travel arrangements, we are unlikely to be able to cover your costs due to the exclusion regarding pandemics and epidemics. You are however still entitled to lodge a claim, as all claims are assessed on a case-by-case basis. 

• What if I get Coronavirus while travelling in New Zealand?

• While you are in New Zealand, we are unable to cover any domestic medical expenses. If you are a New Zealand permanent resident or citizen, you will likely have access to the public healthcare system or your private health insurance.

• Will I be covered by Reciprocal Health Agreements?

• New Zealand has agreements with a limited number of countries that covers the cost of medically necessary care when New Zealanders visit certain countries and visitors from these countries visit New Zealand.
  
  Reciprocal health care agreements can cover or subsidise some emergency medical costs. This is usually for urgent treatment that can't wait until you get home.
  
  Some reciprocal health care agreements can cover other costs. This can include local medical transport, medication and specialist services.
  Unfortunately, a reciprocal health care agreement is not a substitute for insurance, and it’s likely you’ll still have some out of pocket expenses. Our policy does not cover medical care that is covered under a reciprocal health care agreement.

• If the countries we are travelling to close their borders and do not let us in, are we covered?

• If the countries you are travelling to close their borders because of the Coronavirus, you will not be covered for the cancellation or additional costs of your holiday. This is because we have a general exclusion for claims related to pandemics and epidemics in our policy.

• I took the policy out before Coronavirus was known so why would you not cover me?

• The epidemic exclusion in our policy for pandemics and epidemics applies to all sections of the policy, regardless of when a policy was purchased or where you are travelling to. There is no reference in the exclusion to when the policy was purchased.

• What if there is a government-issued travel alert for the country I wish to travel to?
  For example “Do not travel in relation to coronavirus.”

• The policy exclusion regarding epidemics and pandemics means that no matter when you purchased your policy, you are unlikely to be covered for cancelling your trip to any destination. This applies to all countries, even those that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAT) has not raised a travel-warning about.

• Can I cancel my travel insurance policy if I’m not covered for Coronavirus-related claims?

• If you don’t want your Zoom policy anymore, you can cancel your travel insurance and receive a refund provided that your policy hasn't started and you are within the cooling-off period. The cooling-off period is typically 14 days or the number of days between when you bought your policy and the first travel date shown on your certificate of insurance if you purchased less than 14 days before travel.
  
  You can amend your policy online, including changing dates, destinations or extending your policy. Customers who have pre-existing medical conditions may be blocked by the system from extending their policy. Please email our customer service team on [email protected].
  
  It is important to note that you will not be able to lodge a claim once a policy has been cancelled.
   

 

STEPS YOU CAN CONSIDER

​Get in touch with your booking agent
We recommend you contact your travel agent or travel provider regarding the best option in cancelling or altering your trip. Some booking agents are waiving cancellation or amendment fees. Certain agents are offering travel credits to be used within 12 months.

Contact your airline directly
When you purchase a flight, an airline is responsible for getting you to your destination. All your usual consumer rights apply when you purchase domestic flights and international flights departing Australia or New Zealand.

Speak with your cruise company
With known cases of Coronavirus onboard a cruise ship, cruise lines have swiftly reacted to the outbreak and started implementing their own precautions and policies. 

Check your details
Make sure your details are up-to-date in the “online account” or “manage booking” area of your travel suppliers websites so they can get in touch with you if they need.

Enquire with your credit card company 
You should try to resolve any dispute with your travel service provider directly in the first instance. If that fails and you booked your travel with your credit card, you may be able to lodge a dispute for cancelled or unfulfilled services. Log into your internet banking or call your institution for instructions on how to do this.