Earthquakes prompt updated insurance advice from Southern Cross
Health & Leisure
Tuesday, 19 April 2016
Travellers unsure of whether to continue their holiday plans to Japan following the earthquakes in Kumamoto Prefecture should contact their service providers in the first instance to see whether they need to change or alter travel arrangements.
This includes airlines, accommodation owners and tour operators, says Southern Cross Travel Insurance.
In the event of damage or delays, service providers may provide refunds, credit notes or alter bookings without charging additional fees.
The majority of Australian travellers head to the main island of Honshu (Tokyo), and there currently are no travel alerts affecting that area. As such, Australians should continue their planned holiday whilst still keeping informed of local conditions.
In the event that travel plans are disrupted as a result of the earthquakes and service providers cannot help, the next step is to contact the travel insurance provider. Travellers should keep all supporting documentation relating to any claimable event, such as receipts, as well as any letters or emails from service providers.
Customers who took out travel insurance with Southern Cross before Friday 15th April 2016 are covered for up to A$30,000 per journey, or the qualifying expenses incurred within the first 30 days for travel interruption, whichever is lower.
Anyone currently overseas whose return to Australia is affected by the earthquakes, the policy will automatically extend until they are able to return on the next available flight.
All travel insurance policies are different so travellers need to check if they are covered for delays and cancellations (and to what level) to determine how much they can claim.
Earthquakes prompt updated insurance advice from Southern Cross
Health & Leisure
Tuesday, 19 April 2016
Travellers unsure of whether to continue their holiday plans to Japan following the earthquakes in Kumamoto Prefecture should contact their service providers in the first instance to see whether they need to change or alter travel arrangements.
This includes airlines, accommodation owners and tour operators, says Southern Cross Travel Insurance.
In the event of damage or delays, service providers may provide refunds, credit notes or alter bookings without charging additional fees.
The majority of Australian travellers head to the main island of Honshu (Tokyo), and there currently are no travel alerts affecting that area. As such, Australians should continue their planned holiday whilst still keeping informed of local conditions.
In the event that travel plans are disrupted as a result of the earthquakes and service providers cannot help, the next step is to contact the travel insurance provider. Travellers should keep all supporting documentation relating to any claimable event, such as receipts, as well as any letters or emails from service providers.
Customers who took out travel insurance with Southern Cross before Friday 15th April 2016 are covered for up to A$30,000 per journey, or the qualifying expenses incurred within the first 30 days for travel interruption, whichever is lower.
Anyone currently overseas whose return to Australia is affected by the earthquakes, the policy will automatically extend until they are able to return on the next available flight.
All travel insurance policies are different so travellers need to check if they are covered for delays and cancellations (and to what level) to determine how much they can claim.
