Information about Hurricane Florence in Eastern United States

Local media has reported Hurricane Florence in Eastern United States. We are closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Florence as it approaches the East coast of the United States. Hurricane Florence is expected to make landfall at the end of this week as a Category 4 hurricane.

Australian government advice

DFAT have not issued a travel warning. There has been no change to the advice level and the Australian government is not recommending travellers amend their travel at this time.

Local media are providing updates as the hurricane progresses. There have been no reports of flight cancellations from and to the East United States. However, please view your flight provider’s website for their updates.

Avoid the area and follow the instructions of local authorities (government, police, military, etc.) and keep an eye on local media (TV, radio, newspapers, etc.) for updates.

Please visit the Smart Traveller website to stay up to date with the latest advice issued by DFAT.

Do you need emergency help?

If you need emergency help, contact our Worldwide Emergency Assistance team.

The Australian Government also offers 24-Hour Consular Assistance for travellers overseas:

• Phone: +61 2 6261 3305

• SMS: +61 421 269 080

IF your Policy was purchased BEFORE the 21st May 2017,

IF your Policy Number starts with FST,

THEN your Policy is Underwritten by Allianz (see below).

Important travel insurance information for Fast Cover policies underwritten by Allianz.

The below information was issued on 9:33am AEST 10 September 2018 and applies to Fast Cover travel insurance policies underwritten by Allianz.

If you need assistance or advice, contact our 24 hour Emergency Global Assistance team on the numbers listed on our website or on your certificate of insurance.

Select from the options below to find the information for your current situation:

I’m already overseas, what do I do?

If you purchased your travel insurance policy before the above time and date and your travel plans are affected by the event, follow these steps.

Steps to follow if you are already overseas:

1. Your wellbeing should be your first priority.
   - Stay safe.
   - Follow the direction of local authorities and media.
   - Contact us immediately if you need medical assistance or advice.

2. Contact your travel agent or travel provider (airline, cruise line, hotel, tour company, etc.) and ask about amending your trip route, transport or dates. Some travel providers may amend your trip free of charge under these circumstances.

3. Keep receipts and any other supporting documentation (boarding passes, booking confirmations, itineraries, etc.) that may be required for your claim.

4. Visit our Claims page for more information about submitting your claim.

I’ve already purchased travel insurance but haven’t left home yet.

If you purchased your policy before the above time and date and your prepaid travel arrangements (flights, cruise, accommodation or tours) are affected by the event, you may be able to claim for the expenses involved in cancelling or rearranging your travel plans.

Steps to follow if you have not left home:

1. Contact your travel agent or travel provider (airline, cruise line, hotel, tour guide, etc.) and ask if you can reschedule your trip dates, destination, accommodation, route or transport.

2. Gather your receipts and any other supporting documentation (booking confirmations, tickets, itineraries, etc.) that may be required for your claim.

3. Visit the Claims page on our website to submit a claim online or contact the claims team on 1300 409 322 if you need help or advice.

I purchased travel insurance after the above time & date.

After this time and date, we would expect that any policy was purchased with an awareness of the event.

Insurance does not cover losses caused by something you were aware of when you purchased your policy. For example, this would be like trying to purchase car insurance after being involved in an accident.

Therefore, we will NOT pay any claim caused by or in any way related to this event if your policy was purchased after this time and date.

Steps to follow:

1. If you have not yet departed and wish to postpone your trip, contact us to discuss changing your travel insurance policy dates.

2. If you want to change or reschedule your trip, we suggest contacting your travel agent or travel provider (hotel, airline, cruise company, tour company etc) directly for assistance. They may offer to change your trip free of charge or for a small fee.

I haven’t purchased travel insurance yet.

After the time and date above, we would expect that any policy was purchased with an awareness of the event.

Insurance does not cover losses caused by something you were aware of when you purchased your policy. For example, this would be like trying to purchase car insurance after being involved in an accident.

Therefore, we will NOT pay any claim caused by or in any way related to this event if your policy was purchased after this time and date.

Steps to follow:

1. If you have not yet departed and wish to postpone your trip, contact us to discuss changing your travel insurance policy dates.

2. If you want to change or reschedule your trip, we suggest contacting your travel agent or travel provider (hotel, airline, cruise company, tour company etc) directly for assistance. They may offer to change your trip free of charge or for a small fee.

IF your Policy was purchased ON OR AFTER the 21st May 2017,

IF your Policy Number starts with FCH,

THEN your Policy is Underwritten by Hollard (see below).

Important travel insurance information for Fast Cover policies underwritten by Hollard.

The below information was issued on 10 September 2018 and applies to Fast Cover travel insurance policies underwritten by Hollard.

If you need assistance or advice, contact our 24 hour Emergency Assistance team on the numbers listed on our website or on your certificate of insurance.

DFAT are advising travellers to avoid the area and follow local instructions. Please stay up to date with the advice issued on the Smart Traveller website.

Select from the options below to find the information for your current situation:

Policy coverage

The below information was issued on 10 September 2018 and applies to your travel insurance policy with Fast Cover, underwritten by Hollard.

For policies issued prior to 9:33am AEST 10 September 2018 there is provision for cover as set out below under ‘How does this affect me?’

For policies issued after 9:33am AEST 10 September 2018 there is no cover for any claims arising from this event.

How does this affect me?

There is provision for cover under the following benefits of the policy subject to the policy terms and conditions, limits, Benefit exclusions and General Exclusions:

• Benefit 5 – Trip Cancellation Expenses.

• Benefit 6 – Trip Disruption Expenses

• Benefit 16 – Travel Delay Expenses

• Benefit 17 – Alternative Transport Expenses

Note there is no cover for the above benefits unless your travel has been directly affected by the hurricane.

I’m already overseas, what do I do?

If you purchased your travel insurance policy before the above time and date and your travel plans are affected by the event, follow these steps.

Steps to follow if you are already overseas:

1. Your wellbeing should be your first priority.
   - Stay safe.
   - Follow the direction of local authorities and media.
   - Contact us immediately if you need medical assistance or advice.

2. Contact your travel agent or travel provider (airline, cruise line, hotel, tour company, etc.) and ask about amending your trip route, transport or dates. Some travel providers may amend your trip free of charge under these circumstances.

3. Keep receipts and any other supporting documentation (boarding passes, booking confirmations, itineraries, etc.) that may be required for your claim.

4. Visit our Claims page for more information about submitting your claim.

I’ve already purchased travel insurance but haven’t left home yet.

If you purchased your policy before the above time and date and your prepaid travel arrangements (flights, cruise, accommodation or tours) are affected by the event, you may be able to claim for the expenses involved in cancelling or rearranging your travel plans.

Steps to follow if you have not left home:

1. Contact your travel agent or travel provider (airline, cruise line, hotel, tour guide, etc.) and ask if you can reschedule your trip dates, destination, accommodation, route or transport.

2. Gather your receipts and any other supporting documentation (booking confirmations, tickets, itineraries, etc.) that may be required for your claim.

3. Visit the Claims page on our website to submit a claim online or contact the claims team on 1300 409 322 if you need help or advice.

I purchased travel insurance after the above time & date.

After this time and date, we would expect that any policy was purchased with an awareness of the event.

Insurance does not cover losses caused by something you were aware of when you purchased your policy. For example, this would be like trying to purchase car insurance after being involved in an accident.

Therefore, we will NOT pay any claim caused by or in any way related to this event if your policy was purchased after this time and date.

Steps to follow:

1. If you have not yet departed and wish to postpone your trip, contact us to discuss changing your travel insurance policy dates.

2. If you want to change or reschedule your trip, we suggest contacting your travel agent or travel provider (hotel, airline, cruise company, tour company etc) directly for assistance. They may offer to change your trip free of charge or for a small fee.

I haven’t purchased travel insurance yet.

After the time and date above, we would expect that any policy was purchased with an awareness of the event.

Insurance does not cover losses caused by something you were aware of when you purchased your policy. For example, this would be like trying to purchase car insurance after being involved in an accident.

Therefore, we will NOT pay any claim caused by or in any way related to this event if your policy was purchased after this time and date.

Steps to follow:

1. If you have not yet departed and wish to postpone your trip, contact us to discuss changing your travel insurance policy dates.

2. If you want to change or reschedule your trip, we suggest contacting your travel agent or travel provider (hotel, airline, cruise company, tour company etc) directly for assistance. They may offer to change your trip free of charge or for a small fee.

How do I make a claim?

If you need to make a claim, you can submit your claim in one of several ways:

• Online: Visit our Claims page for information.

• Phone: 1300 409 322 and select the option to speak to the claims team.

• Email: claims-fch@fastcover.com.au

We assess all claims in accordance with the Product Disclosure Statement and your Certificate of Insurance. Each claim is assessed individually and cover will depend on the type of policy you purchased and your particular circumstances.

Remember:

• Take reasonable steps to minimise your claim. Contact your airline or Travel provider for assistance if you need to rearrange your travel plans.

• Keep your receipts and any other supporting documentation e.g. travel provider cancellation letters. If you are claiming for additional meal, accommodation, and travel costs, please ensure you retain copies of all of your expense receipts.

Policy benefits and exclusions for terrorism-related events

Please note that there are there are some General Exclusions for claims that arise from or are related to a threat or act of terrorism.

See the table below for further details:

* Limits, conditions and exclusions may apply under your policy. Please refer to your Certificate of Insurance and the Product Disclosure Statement for more information about each benefit and any conditions which may apply.

General advice

For details about what your policy covers, please refer to your Product Disclosure Statement. Limits, conditions and exclusions may apply under your policy.

We will assess all claims in accordance with your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and your Certificate of Insurance. Your cover will depend on the type of plan you purchased and your particular circumstances.

Questions?

If you have any questions or need help with your travel insurance, please:

• Visit: Frequently Asked Questions

• Phone: 1300 409 302

• Email: info@fastcover.com.au

Useful links for travellers

• Australian Government 24 Hour Consular Assistance

• Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

• World Health Organisation

• BBC World News

For regular updates, download the Smartraveller app and register your travel itinerary with Smart Traveller.

For new or existing claim or policy enquiries, please contact us on 1300 409 322 or info@fastcover.com.au between 9am and 5pm (AEST) Monday to Saturday.