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Read the FAQSNovel Coronavirus – Update
(Update to advice posted 6:00am UTC on Thursday 23 January 2020)
How may the Coronavirus impact your travel plans?
At the time of writing, new cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to be diagnosed worldwide and it is a continuously evolving situation. If you are planning on traveling overseas you should be aware many countries are restricting or banning travel to many parts of Asia including China, Japan and South Korea along with Italy.
If you are planning on traveling to Asia or transiting through or near it, please check any travel advices issued by the country in which you live and monitor the situation through local and international media as it may affect your travel insurance policy.
Am I covered?
On 30 January 2020, the Emergency Committee convened by the WHO Director-General agreed that the coronavirus outbreak "now meets the criteria for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)". A PHEIC has only been declared six times since it was introduced in 2005 following the outbreak of SARS.
Our previous advice stated that where cover applied, we would no longer cover claims arising from any event related to coronavirus for travel to and/or from China from 23 January 2020.
This cut-off of cover now also extends to travel to and/or from all other destinations for policies purchased after 7:00pm UTC/GMT on Thursday, 30 January 2020.
Note: World Nomads’ policies issued and managed by nib Travel Services Limited include a General Exclusion for epidemics which have been placed under the direction of public authorities, which this event would be classed as being. This means any expenses you may have in relation to the Coronavirus outbreak may not be covered under the policy.
Please read your policy wording for the full policy terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions.
If your travel plans are affected:- Contact your airline, cruise or tour operator to check if tourist services are affected.
- If you need to change your travel arrangements, contact your airline, cruise company or travel agent for assistance in the first instance. Refer to your policy wording for more detail or contact our Customer Service Centre to discuss your plans before making any changes.
- Injured or ill? Contact the emergency assistance team as soon as possible. Their details are listed on your Certificate of Insurance.
- 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 and provide all supporting documentation of the event and expenses incurred. If you intend to submit a claim, please complete the claim form and if you need help doing this, contact us.
Alert posted 23 January 2020 6:00 am GMT
Over 400 patients hospitalized for pneumonia China have tested positive for a novel (new) coronavirus (2019-nCoV). In response, Chinese authorities have shut down Wuhan’s entire transport network, including bus, rail, ferry and airport. Isolated cases have also occurred in neighbouring countries and the USA.
With the Chinese New Year travel season already underway, disruption to travel is expected to increase.
This outbreak is now widely reported in the media and by authorities such as the World Health Organisation (WHO). Any policies that may offer cover for risks associated with contagious disease will no longer cover claims arising from any event related to coronavirus (2019-nCoV) for travel to and/or from China on policies purchased after 6:00am UTC/GMT on Thursday, 23 January 2020.
Note: Cover offered by travel insurance policies issued and managed by nib Travel Services (Australia) Pty may vary and policies purchased before the time above may also contain exclusions relating to a contagious disease, epidemic or pandemic. Please read your policy wording for the full policy terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions.
If your travel plans are affected:
-
Contact your airline, cruise or tour operator to check if tourist services are affected.
-
If you need to change your travel arrangements, contact your airline, cruise company or travel agent for assistance in the first instance. Refer to your policy wording for more detail or contact our Customer Service Centre to discuss your plans before making any changes.
-
Injured or ill? Contact the emergency assistance team as soon as possible. Their details are listed on your Certificate of Insurance.
-
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 and provide all supporting documentation of the event and expenses incurred. If you intend to submit a claim, please complete the claim form and if you need help doing this, contact us.
If you’re caught up in this event, please read here for some general safety information.
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