Travel Alerts

MEASLES OUTBREAK, PACIFIC

 

Issued: 6 December 2019
 

We are aware of the current measles outbreak affecting a number of  Pacific countries including Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and New Zealand.

We advise all customers who are travelling to, or are already in the affected areas, to take care and please do not hesitate to contact our emergency service if you require assistance on (+) 64 9884 0229. We urge all travellers to remain up-to-date with the latest travel advice from MFAT and Safetravel.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Our travel insurance policies do not cover claims for losses caused by an event that you were aware of at the time of purchasing your policy.  If you purchased a policy after the below-listed dates, we would expect you would have done so with an awareness of the measles outbreak. For these policies, we will not, to the extent permitted by law, pay any claim caused by or arising from or in any way connected with the epidemic and outbreaks.

- The Government of Samoa declared a one month state of emergency on 15 November
- The Tonga Ministry of Health declared a measles outbreak on 22 October
- The Fiji Ministry of Health declared a measles outbreak on 7 November
- The New Zealand outbreak is largely concentrated around Auckland

COVER FOR EPIDEMICS
Please note our policies do not cover for claims arising from, related to, or associated with an actual or likely epidemic or pandemic or the threat of an epidemic or pandemic.
We will assess all claims in accordance with your Product Disclosure Statement and your Certificate of Insurance. Your cover will depend on the type of plan you purchased and your particular circumstances.
This advice should be read in conjunction with your Product Disclosure Statement.  If you have any further questions, or wish to make a claim, please contact us at [email protected]

IF YOU'RE TRAVELLING SOON

- If you're considering altering your trip dates, we recommend you contact your travel agent travel provider regarding the best option in altering your trip. Some travel providers may provide penalty free options to amend travel arrangements and we recommend you contact them for further details.
- Check your vaccinations are up to date, and talk to your doctor about getting a blood test to check your immunity, especially if you’re over 50. 
- Talk to your doctor before travelling to Pacific destinations with children, or if you are pregnant or immunocompromised.
- Keep abreast of travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
- For travel to American Samoa, you must show proof that you've had a measles vaccination at least 2 weeks before you arrive. 

AIR NEW ZEALAND STRIKE​

 

Issued: 12 December 2018

We are aware Air New Zealand aircraft maintenance engineers, aircraft logistics and related staff have scheduled a strike four days out from Christmas on 21st December 2018. 

Air New Zealand has said that close to 42,000 customers booked to travel domestically and internationally on that date may face potential flight cancellations if the strikes take effect.

The Aviation and Marine Engineers Association (AMEA) and the New Zealand trade union, E tū have notified Air New Zealand of a total strike by almost a thousand unionised employees on December 21st 2018. 

We recommend signing up to Air New Zealand Travel Alerts to receive the most up-to-date status information about your flight. 

If you're a Zoom customer who is travelling on the affected date, please click for more information on the Air New Zealand planned strike. 

TSUMAMI & EARTHQ UAKE, IN DONESIA​

Issued: 02 October 2018

On 28 September 2018, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake and subsequent 18-foot tsunami hit Central Sulawesi leaving Palu and the surrounding area devasted.  The media are advising that well above 800 people have died in this tragic event.  Our heart-felt thoughts go out to all those individuals and families that have been affected.

Communications and transport infrastructure in the Palu area have been paralysed. New Zealanders wishing to depart the area should check with their local travel provider, monitor media and follow the instructions of local authorities. The level of advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) remains; Avoid non-essential travel to Lombok and the Gili islands, Papua and West Papua. Exercise increased caution in Indonesia, including in Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali. Please visit the Safe Travel website to stay up to date with the latest advice issued by MFAT.

If you are in Indonesia and need emergency assistance, please call us on +64 9884 0229.
 

MT KILAUEA VOLCANIC ERUPTION, HAWAII

Issued: 18 May 2018

We wish update customers that following the eruption and elevated seismic actitivy on 3 May (local time), Hawaii's Kilauea volcano has had an explosive eruption. The surrounding areas have been impacted by eruptions of lava flow from volcanic fissures and plumes of ash.  Please refer to your travel providers following service interruptions as they can best assist with making alternative arrangements.

​If you need assistance or advice, contact our 24 hour Emergency Global Assistance team on the numbers listed on our website or on your certificate of insurance.

News of this ongoing event has been widely publicised. If you enter into a policy after an event has occurred, cover may not be available for that event.

For policies issued prior to 6:30pm NZST 4 May 2018 there is provision for cover.  For policies issued after 6:30pm NZST 4 May 2018 there is no cover for any claims arising from this event.

If you entered into a policy after 6:30pm NZST 4 May 2018, we would expect you would have done so with an awareness of the heightened volcanic activity. For these policies, we will not, to the extent permitted by law, pay any claim caused by or arising from or in any way connected with the Mt Kilauea volcanic ash cloud. Read more on cover for Mt Kilauea Hawaii, USA.

VOLCANIC ERUPTION OVERVIEW

Issued: 23 February 2018

Mt. Sinabung, Sumatra, Indonesia – Erupted on 13 January
Mt. Agung, Bali, Indonesia – Erupted on 16 January
Mt. Mayon, Philippines – Impending Eruption

As Mt. Sinabung has already erupted, and Mt. Mayon is experiencing an impending eruption, they are now known events. This means that we will treat any claims related to volcanic activity from policies purchased after 16 January 2018 as ‘foreseen’ and therefore not covered under a relevant insurance policy. Even so, if you would still like us to consider whether your loss is covered then please submit a claim.

For details on cover for Mt. Agung please refer the travel alerts below.

MOUNT AGUNG VOLCANO, BALI, VOLCANIC ERUPTION

Updated Alert: 22 November 2017
Original Alert Issued: 18 September 2017

Mount Agung, Bali, Indonesia has begun erupting. There is still an exclusion zone in place with public activity prohibited within a proximity of 7.5 kilometres and 6 kilometres in some areas. No flights to or from Bali have been affected at this stage and Bali's international airport remains open.  We are now issuing a cut-off time for new policies purchased for this known event.

IF YOU PURCHASED A POLICY AFTER MIDDAY (AEST) 22ND NOVEMBER 2017: MOUNT AGUNG IS EXCLUDED

For Zoom policies purchased after midday (AEST) on 22 November 2017 cover is not available for claims arising from any volcanic activity, including travel service disruptions due to ash cloud, as such events were not considered unforeseen at the time of purchase.

We are monitoring the situation and will advise if and when this position changes.

Safetravel.govt.nz is urging travellers to monitor local media, follow instructions from local authorities and contact airlines if the volcano does erupt.

IF YOU PURCHASED A POLICY BETWEEN 9AM (AEST) 6TH NOVEMBER 2017 AND MIDDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2017: COVER IS AVAILABLE

For Zoom policies purchased between 9:00AM (AEST) on 6 November 2017 and midday (AEST) on 22 November 2017 cover is available for claims arising from any volcanic activity, including travel service disruptions due to ash cloud, as such events were not considered unforeseen at the time of purchase.

For further information please refer to Zoom's original travel alert issued on 18th September 2017.

MOUNT AGUNG VOLCANO, BALI EXPECTED ERUPTION

Issued: 25 September 2017
Original Alert Issued: 18 September 2017

The number of tremors recorded at Bali’s Mt Agung volcano has increased with warnings it could erupt at any time.

Indonesian authorities raised the volcano’s alert status to level four on Friday 22 September following a dramatic increase in seismic activity. Local authorities have temporarily suspended all outdoor activities such as hiking and camping activities in proximity to the crater, with an exclusion zone of 12 kilometres declared around the mountain.

Plumes of volcanic ash are an aviation safety hazard and an eruption of Mount Agung could impact air travel in the region. Airlines and airspace regulators are closely monitoring the situation.

Safetravel.govt.nz is urging travellers to monitor local media, follow instructions from local authorities and contact airlines if the volcano does erupt.

Here are some popular airline links to  travel alerts and flight schedules.

Airline News Link	Contact Number
AirAsia	+62 804 1333 333 (Bali)
Garuda Indonesia	+62 21 2351 9999 (Bali)
Jetstar	13 15 38;  ++64 9975 94269 (NZ)
Malaysia Airlines	+603 7843 3000 (outside Malaysia)
Qantas	13 13 13;   +62 21 2555 6300 (Bali)
Singapore Airlines	13 10 11;  +65 6223 8888 (Singapore)
Virgin Australia	13 67 89;  0800 67 0000 (NZ)

 



 

For Zoom policies purchased up to 1:00PM (NZST) on 18 September 2017, cover for travel service disruptions due to an eruption of Mount Agung is available.

For Zoom policies purchased after 1:00PM (NZST) on 18 September 2017, cover is not available for claims arising from any volcanic activity, including travel service disruptions due to ash cloud, as such events are no longer considered unforeseen.

Please see more information that will apply to your travel insurance policy with Zoom.