According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Because Zika infection during pregnancy can cause severe birth defects, pregnant women should not travel to an area with risk of Zika (as Zika virus can be spread to unborn children and has been linked to a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly). Partners of pregnant women and couples considering pregnancy should know the risks to pregnancy and take prevention steps. All travelers should strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and prevent sexual transmission during and after the trip."
Advice as at 08/06/16; updating last advice of 07/04/16
Reports on the Zika virus have been extensively publicised in the mass media since late-January 2016, including reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZMFAT). We consider cancellation/rearrangement arising from the Zika virus to now be foreseen and, therefore, no longer covered.
Cover continues under Section 3 - Cancellation & Trip Interruption for those travellers who are pregnant in any trimester (and their accompanying partners/dependent children) who have to cancel or rearrange their travel plans to avoid travelling to the following Zika-affected countries/territories. No cover is provided for cancellation or rearrangement to the following locations if a policy was not issued by the cut-off dates noted below and/or if you are not pregnant at the time of travel. If you wish to change your travel plans, please contact your travel services providers directly for assistance.
Locations identified by the CDC as having locally-acquired Zika virus transmissions (cover cut-off dates):
|
25 January 2016 3 February 2016 |
18 February 2016 23 February 2016 29 February 2016 2 March 2016 |
For those travellers issued with a policy prior to suffering a sudden illness from the Zika virus, medical expenses and medical evacuation (where medically necessary) cover are available. If you suddenly fall ill, contact our Emergency Assistance team on +61 2 8263 0470 or +61 2 8292 1470 for assistance.
If you have questions about coverage, please contact our Customer Service Centre - Write to us or call our team in Sydney:
+61 2 8263 0400 (from overseas)
1300 787 375 (local call within Australia)
We're here to help:
8am - 8pm Monday to Friday AEST/AEDT
9am - 5pm Saturday AEST/AEDT
Closed on Sundays and Australian Public Holidays
In an emergency, New Zealand residents must contact our Emergency Assistance Team as soon as possible on +61 2 82630470 or +61 2 82921470 or email the Emergency Assistance Team. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In the event of a claim covered by your policy, you must do everything you can to minimise and reduce the cost of the claim (including seeking compensation from any travel service providers), and provide all supporting documentation of the event and expenses incurred. To lodge a claim, complete the online claim form available via your World Nomads membership which can be accessed via the website at claimsNZ@worldnomads.com.
For updated list of affected countries and information on Zika virus:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZMFAT)
World Health Organisation
This insurance is arranged and promoted by worldnomads.com Pty Limited which is an Authorised Representative of nib Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd (ABN 81 115 932 173 AFSL 308461), and is underwritten in Australia and New Zealand by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, ABN 83 169 311 193, NZBN 9429041356500.
The policy isn’t designed to cover everything, so take the time to read the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions in the Policy Document for full details so that there are no surprises if you need to use it. If you’re not sure if something is covered, get in touch.
We’re here to help if you have a question about travel insurance. We’re available:
Within New Zealand:
0800 666 237
From anywhere in the world:
+61 2 8256 1542
Within Australia:
1300 787 375
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.