Coronavirus (COVID-19) Respiratory illness - Effect on Travel

[Anna]

@Pushka now having given this the time-honoured lawyers' technique of 'thinking about it in the shower - 3 units' I'm pretty sure that before paying any cancellation costs the insurer will first expect you to claw back what you can from the service providers. If they hand out vouchers or credits, then I doubt the insurer would pay a refund as well because from the insurer's perspective that would be double dipping by the insured person.

 

[Anna]

As long as you travelled before the announcement then you are covered for anything that might occur. If your plans had to change - ie you'd left Australia but not entered the country prior to the announcement then I expect you'd have to cancel and you would be covered. I'm not sure if you'd have to leave immediately on announcement? That would be an issue if on a cruise in the affected area. If you'd already entered the country at the time of the announcement then you would be covered. In fact if you'd cancelled prior to any announcement then cancellation Insurance wouldn't kick in as that would be a case of changing your mind.

Can you ask them and stitch them up in writing like their other response? Insurers love weasel words like 'before departure'. They might count anything that happens after first take-off as 'after departure'.

 

[Pushka]

@Pushka now having given this the time-honoured lawyers' technique of 'thinking about it in the shower - 3 units' I'm pretty sure that before paying any cancellation costs the insurer will first expect you to claw back what you can from the service providers. If they hand out vouchers or credits, then I doubt the insurer would pay a refund as well because from the insurer's perspective that would be double dipping by the insured person.

Absolutely. It's why if Bali becomes a no go then well, we'd state we wanted to cancel. And receive confirmation about that in writing. I'm pretty sure the provider wouldn't mind. They've got their money for no service. And which is the exact reason why we'd not accept the voucher method. I had to cancel our Alaska trip a couple of years ago through health and that was a very complex itinerary but had to get refunds first before engaging the insurance clause. But currently we'd have to use the voucher method because Bali hasn't been declared a Do Not Travel. So in effect we are changing our mind.

Post automatically merged: Mar 11, 2020

Can you ask them and stitch them up in writing like their other response? Insurers love weasel words like 'before departure'. They might count anything that happens after first take-off as 'after departure'.

I'll have a go!

 

[Pushka]

Can you ask them and stitch them up in writing like their other response? Insurers love weasel words like 'before departure'. They might count anything that happens after first take-off as 'after departure'.

Does this cover all contingencies? I've replied to their last email so they know all the policy details etc.


Could you also now please answer the following questions?

First, I'm assuming that before I depart Australia there are no DFAT Do Not Travel (DNT) warnings for any of the countries I am visiting. If there was a DNT warning prior to departure from Australia then your statement is that I am covered for any non refundable expenses that will be incurred in ensuring we don't go there prior to departure from Australia.

1. What happens if I am in a country and suddenly DFAT issue one of their Do Not Travel warnings for the country I am in? Am I covered for everything normally covered in my policy until I can get out and would these expenses to get out immediately be covered?

2. What if a DNT warning was issued whilst I was in that country and I was either unaware that it had been issued, could not make immediate travel arrangements to get out, or had fallen ill or was in quarantine. What is my cover then?

2. Do I have to get out once DNT order is made in order to retain all coverage? What if I can't get out - eg I'm on a cruise. Or I don't even know that an DNT order has been made as I don't have internet access? Am I covered?

3. I am on a cruise and I cannot disembark because of quarantine What expenses are covered in serving that quarantine and will my travel costs be covered to get back to Australia?

Sign off.

 

[Denali]

For those plannng on going to Tassie Dark mof_ or LA Conchella (there might be a influencer rager or 2 among us), both have been cancelled

 

[Must...Fly!]

UK junior health minister tested positive. Attended many government meetings, also with PM Boris in attendance, allegedly.

I guess it just goes to show restrictions on travel are required and this will probably be further evidence to further lock down travel in general, even if private companies are doing a lot of decision making for the government.

 

[get me outta here]

Apparently, those coming from Italy will be banned from 1600 today if I heard that right. So, presumably that will come up on Smart Traveller(?)

Indonesia hardly has any infections, until they go to SIN and get tested!

 

[Must...Fly!]

Apparently, those coming from Italy will be banned from 1600 today if I heard that right. So, presumably that will come up on Smart Traveller(?)

Indonesia hardly has any infections, until they go to SIN and get tested!

I believe 18:00.

Hopefully no F1 staff are due in on the late afternoon arrivals in bound from the Middle East...EY and QR both have scheduled 18:15 arrivals.

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks 1800. Hopefully, they told the ME carriers to fly faster. We don't want the debacle of last time of a bunch of people in the air not aware of the sudden ban.

I believe 18:00.

Hopefully no F1 staff are due in on the late afternoon arrivals in bound from the Middle East...EY and QR both have scheduled 18:15 arrivals.

 

[Pushka]

Apparently, those coming from Italy will be banned from 1600 today if I heard that right. So, presumably that will come up on Smart Traveller(?)

Indonesia hardly has any infections, until they go to SIN and get tested!

Is it Northern Italy or Italy in general. Just caught the last bit on the news and DFAT just saying northern right now.

 

[Anna]

@Pushka it looks comprehensive Bit jumbled maybe as to whether you're asking them about medical expense cover, rerouting cover, repatriation cover or whatever. Also you'll probably find that the insurer sees 'no internet access' as a different thing from 'only ridiculously expensive internet access which I choose not to pay for' eg on a cruise ship.

Insurers don't think in the same terms as your questions though. They think in terms of 'here's a medical expense claim for x,y z. Does it fit within the policy so I can allow the claim?' (Yes I know most people would say insurers think 'how can I find a way to deny the claim' but that's not actually true in most cases).

 

[get me outta here]

Suggest the 1200 news on yr local ABC radio, or the 1300 radio news/info for 30 mins on RN ABC will enlighten us.

Is it Northern Italy or Italy in general. Just caught the last bit on the news and DFAT just saying northern right now.

 

[Pushka]

I believe 18:00.

Hopefully no F1 staff are due in on the late afternoon arrivals in bound from the Middle East...EY and QR both have scheduled 18:15 arrivals.

If Italy is such an issue, and it is, how can the F1 team be allowed to come in.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

If Italy is such an issue, and it is, how can the F1 team be allowed to come in.

I think you will find that they would have all been tested, as they, and any F1 team, are well funded and organised.. So lets not jump at shadows.

 

[Pushka]

I think you will find that they would have all been tested, as they, and any F1 team, are well funded and organised.. So lets not jump at shadows.

Then that information would be important to know. How is it a shadow?

 

[woodborer]

If Italy is such an issue, and it is, how can the F1 team be allowed to come in.

The cars are here. The team members that have already arrived went through the screening process.\

Now whether some of the should have left Italy to begin with is an interesting question....

 

[Denali]

Is it a possiblity that Australia is put on other countries banned list? Thinking what if Singapore adds us to no arrivals/no transits or is that when politics come into play?

 

[PineappleSkip]

It already is for a couple of places. Because we have cases

 

[PineappleSkip]

9 March 2020: Many countries are now reporting cases. Many are introducing new entry restrictions. These are changing often and quickly. Disruptions to cruise ship itineraries due to COVID-19 can have significant consequences for Australian travellers. We advise you to reconsider taking an overseas cruise at this time - particularly if you have underlying health concerns

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So strictly it's not a 'do not travel': it's the previous 'step.'

Agree, the key word for me is "reconsider". So I would take that as a "reconsider your need to travel" advice

 

[OATEK]

We had a cruise booked that included Egypt, Israel & Turkey. Owing to bans by Israel and Turkey, we would only be able to visit Egypt which has more downside risk than we would wish to accept as both 65+.

The cruise line has carefully reconstructed the cruise to avoid cancellation and refunds, and will spend more time in Egypt, and this increases the risk to us.

So we have reconsidered our need to travel, and have sent a tersely written advice to the cruise line. Best case scenario seems to be that they will transfer our booking to a future cruise in 2021. Its a waiting game, but would like to know where we are before flying to the UK next week.

We felt we could continue the booked flights to the UK, because of the reciprocal medical agreement and we have children, grandchildren and other relatives to call upon if in need.