BALI volcano ash and cancellation of flights discussion

[Pushka]

Its not clear when the Insurers are declaring it a 'known event', because two media comments by the same guy contradict. initially he said its not an event until it erupts, but now he said its an event before its erupted.

on our about the 18th
No Cookies | The Advertiser


but then a couple of days later. maybe the 20th, this is after it was escalated to Level 3 (its now level 4)
Bali volcano: Should I cancel my trip?

On every site I’ve checked today it’s clear that it’s already too late. And Virgins announcement was made today.

 

[dajop]

Singapore Airlines have issued alert and policy on travel to Bali over the next week:

Singapore Airlines is closely monitoring the situation in Bali, Indonesia with regards to the potential eruption of Mount Agung. As of now, all Singapore Airlines flights to and from Denpasar (Bali) are continuing to operate as scheduled.

Customers travelling to Denpasar (Bali) between September 23, 2017 to October 2, 2017 with their tickets issued on or before September 22, 2017 may contact their nearest SIA ticket office if they would like to rebook or request for a refund of their tickets.

 

[Pushka]

The thing that worries me most are the reports of wild animals seeking cover. They would know.

 

[theblank]

On every site I’ve checked today it’s clear that it’s already too late. And Virgins announcement was made today.

I see QBE travel insurance declared this

As a result of the increased likelihood of eruption, an embargo has been put in place. There is no cover for claims arising from any volcanic activity for policies purchased after 14:00 AEST on Thursday 21 September.

Travel Insurance Direct declared it at 4pm on 20th.

Thats good news for me, i have triggered the free ANZ travel cover (QBE) by meeting the qualifying requirement on the 20th which is $250 of travel bookings.

 

[Pushka]

I see QBE travel insurance declared this


Travel Insurance Direct declared it at 4pm on 20th.

Thats good news for me, i have triggered the free ANZ travel cover (QBE) by meeting the qualifying requirement on the 20th which is $250 of travel bookings.

Ah. Great memory jog. I can do that too. Thank you !

 

[robtemt]

Sorry, but reading back through this, there are comments about Volcano's etc. not being covered by "free" travel insurance, specifically Amex Platinum and CBA. I don't see anything in the entire PDS that mentions these events, and the only thing I find in CBA is this, under the "We will not pay" section of cancellation and rescheduling, which basically says they do include it (CBA Platinum card holder policy):


With a trip in Nov and not sure how long this event (non-event???) is going to drag out, I am under the assumption I'm covered?

 

[Pushka]

Sorry, but reading back through this, there are comments about Volcano's etc. not being covered by "free" travel insurance, specifically Amex Platinum and CBA. I don't see anything in the entire PDS that mentions these events, and the only thing I find in CBA is this, under the "We will not pay" section of cancellation and rescheduling, which basically says they do include it (CBA Platinum card holder policy):


With a trip in Nov and not sure how long this event (non-event???) is going to drag out, I am under the assumption I'm covered?View attachment 106613

I just checked Westpac and volcanoes are covered. QBE from memory.
https://www.westpac.com.au/content/...onsumercards_complimentaryinsurancepolicy.pdf

 

[robtemt]

Has anyone had any experience re-booking on the day of or close to departure for something like this? I'm looking at what our contingency plan could be... I imagine the most important thing is try to do everything by email (get airline to give a verification, get our accomodation to send us email saying no refund if they wont issue on etc.) then book the new details and hope we get the others refunded by insurance?

 

[Pushka]

Has anyone had any experience re-booking on the day of or close to departure for something like this? I'm looking at what our contingency plan could be... I imagine the most important thing is try to do everything by email (get airline to give a verification, get our accomodation to send us email saying no refund if they wont issue on etc.) then book the new details and hope we get the others refunded by insurance?

Isn’t all the cancellation stuff in the original booking? Unfortunately we won’t be able to do much until something changes. Currently there are no grounds for enacting insurance cancellation.

 

[robtemt]

Isn’t all the cancellation stuff in the original booking?

It is, which is why I said I'm looking at a contingency plan, and asked if anyone had experience in last minute total holiday rescheduling...... This way, if our flight is cancelled the day before we are supposed to leave, I'm not sitting at this desk saying, hmmmmm what should we do now.

Best case scenario, our return flight gets cancelled for a week forcing me to stay longer. 6 of us all with trip insurance policies means around $4k-5K in accommodation and incidentals.

 

[amaroo]

Sorry, but reading back through this, there are comments about Volcano's etc. not being covered by "free" travel insurance, specifically Amex Platinum and CBA. I don't see anything in the entire PDS that mentions these events, and the only thing I find in CBA is this, under the "We will not pay" section of cancellation and rescheduling, which basically says they do include it (CBA Platinum card holder policy):


With a trip in Nov and not sure how long this event (non-event???) is going to drag out, I am under the assumption I'm covered?View attachment 106613

Having just read the CBA policy back to front (for other reasons) ... that's how I read it. FWIW, don't forget for CBA you need to activate the policy for every trip otherwise all you've got is medical and PL.

 

[Pushka]

It is, which is why I said I'm looking at a contingency plan, and asked if anyone had experience in last minute total holiday rescheduling...... This way, if our flight is cancelled the day before we are supposed to leave, I'm not sitting at this desk saying, hmmmmm what should we do now.

Best case scenario, our return flight gets cancelled for a week forcing me to stay longer. 6 of us all with trip insurance policies means around $4k-5K in accommodation and incidentals.

It’s tricky. We rebooked a few years ago with the great Aussie pilot strike. Went from a Qld holiday to Fiji three days before. We have our own business and can not afford to get stuck in Bali for a week.

 

[robtemt]

FWIW, don't forget for CBA you need to activate the policy for every trip otherwise all you've got is medical and PL.

Good point. I activated it months ago as soon as we booked, not knowing what policy would be best for what. Now fingers crossed I just have all the bases covered. But really, Im counting on the trip just going as planned as we've been looking forward to this trip for nearly a year, partly on our own and part with another couple and our God children in a private villa.

 

[amaroo]

Good point. I activated it months ago as soon as we booked, not knowing what policy would be best for what. Now fingers crossed I just have all the bases covered. But really, Im counting on the trip just going as planned as we've been looking forward to this trip for nearly a year, partly on our own and part with another couple and our God children in a private villa.

I've never been all that comfortable relying on CC insurance, driven mainly by the need to activate every time - very easy to forget. For that reason I've always taken out additional cover via multi annual policy .... that use to be TID however, their 30 day purchase restriction is the absolute pits. So after extensive research I've gone with QF / QBE. CBA gives me (when activated) cover via Allianz and QF via QBE .... that must cover all the bases!

 

[Pushka]

Agree re the free insurance. We always have several in play. The CC insurance might come into play here; MrP and I have an annual policy for other general issues and I have a special medical clearance one each trip.

 

[robtemt]

I like how CBA issues you a certificate of insurance now when you activate so you know you have it, instead of counting on the others that you met the terms...... I like the coverage in the Amex Plat Charge policy, as long as it pays when you need it. But, I would rather not need it.

 

[Pushka]

I like how CBA issues you a certificate of insurance now when you activate so you know you have it, instead of counting on the others that you met the terms...... I like the coverage in the Amex Plat Charge policy, as long as it pays when you need it. But, I would rather not need it.

I’ve never needed to activate the cc insurance to successfully claim on it. Have used it twice now.

 

[amaroo]

I’ve never needed to activate the cc insurance to successfully claim on it. Have used it twice now.

Things are different with CBA. Without single trip activation - you're only covered for medical and PL.

 

[theblank]

Sorry, but reading back through this, there are comments about Volcano's etc. not being covered by "free" travel insurance

There is a common myth that 'free' travel insurance is inadequate - however that's plainly not true.
What I do know, becuase i checked;
AMEX -doesnt offer any cover for alternative travel arrangements to get to an event on time (note the definition of event is limited, like a wedding)
ANZ, NAB, Citi, does.
Paid for Travel Insurance, does not provide this cover on basic policies. So for this specific cover - Free Insurance trumps Paid!

Travel Delay Cover does not cover for losses arising from missing connected flights if you have to purchase alternative flights. This will affect LCC's as they dont let you travel on the next flight for free - hard luck, unless you buy the LCC;s own cover. It seems The insurers pass responsibility onto the airlines for getting passengers onto the next flight, which all normal airlines will do, and tha'ts fair enough.

 

[theblank]

It is, which is why I said I'm looking at a contingency plan, and asked if anyone had experience in last minute total holiday rescheduling...... This way, if our flight is cancelled the day before we are supposed to leave, I'm not sitting at this desk saying, hmmmmm what should we do now.

AMEX (QBE) will cover trip cancellation if outbound flight is delayed by 24 hours and you no longer want to go.
ANZ covers alternative travel arrangements to get to an 'event' if flights delayed by 24 hours.

I would say that if your flight was cancelled the day before you leave, then there isnt anything you can do as far as an insurance claim until at least the day after.

Bear in mind also, that its unlikely you are covered for making alternative arrangements to get to Bali, unless you are going to an 'event' Your best bet would be to ask your airline to cancel your flights with full refund and then book on Singapore airlines - which will be costly.

* event - ticketed event, wedding etc.