Hurricane Irma, September 2017

Important travel insurance information for Fast Cover travellers about the Hurricane Irma in Florida and the Caribbean, issued at 4:26pm (AEST) 5 September 2017.

Hurricane Irma, September 2017

Hurricane Irma, Florida and the Caribbean

We are closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Irma as it approaches the Caribbean and southern Florida. Hurricane Irma is expected to make landfall across the Caribbean on Wednesday 6 September 2017, and may reach Florida on Saturday 9 September 2017. The path and intensity of the hurricane isn’t yet known while it remains over the Atlantic Ocean.

Australian Government Advice

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is advising travellers to Exercise normal safety precautions in the United States of America, including Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands.

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 www.smartraveller.gov.au 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

See below
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

See below

Important travel insurance information for Fast Cover travellers

The below information was issued on Hurricane Irma, Florida and the Caribbean and applies to Fast Cover travel insurance policies underwritten by Allianz.

It has been reported that a category 5 storm is currently heading towards the Caribbean islands and Florida, USA. While the exact path is still unclear we are urging customers to take care during their travels.

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.

Safety is your first priority so if you are in any vulnerable areas please follow advice from local authorities and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

If you require emergency assistance, including emergency medical assistance, please contact us as soon as you can on 1866 844 4085 or speak to your local operator and ask to be put through reverse charge to +61 7 3305 7499.

If your transport is delayed or cancelled or your accommodation is affected due to the adverse weather please contact your travel agent or travel provider directly regarding your options.

If you have any queries about your policy benefits please contact our Allianz Global Assistance Information Hotline on 1300 725 154.

Under your policy coverage you may be able to claim for additional travel, accommodation and meal expenses under the following policy conditions:

  • Pre-paid accommodation is no longer inhabitable or available.
  • Scheduled Transport is no longer operating.

However, all claims are reviewed based on the circumstances of your claim in conjunction with your policy terms and conditions, limits, benefit exclusions and general exclusions. If you have any queries about your policy benefits please contact our Allianz Global Assistance Information Hotline on 1300 725 154.

I have not yet departed.

If your travel arrangements have been affected, please contact your travel agent or travel provider regarding the best option in altering your trip. Some travel providers may offer penalty free options to amend travel arrangements and we recommend you contact them first for further details.

  • Depending on your policy terms and conditions, you may be able to claim for cancellation or rearrangement of your journey if your pre-booked travel arrangements are cancelled, delayed or rescheduled as a result of Hurricane Irma.

How do I make a claim?

Keep all receipts for any additional transport, food or accommodation expenses. If you are claiming cancellation or additional expenses you will need to submit documents showing what your original planned pre-paid arrangements were, along with any receipts and documents showing your new arrangements, and advice from the travel provider indicating the non-refundable portion of the journey.

Where possible, ensure any replacement accommodation and additional expenses are of a similar standard to that of the rest of your journey.

Please note that any compensation and/or refunds you receive from a third party (e.g. airline) for transport, food or accommodation will be deducted if your claim is accepted.

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

  • Online: Make your claim online at www.travelclaims.com.au
  • Phone: 1300 725 154
  • Email: travelclaims@allianz-assistance.com.au

All claims are assessed individually in accordance with the Product Disclosure Statement and your Certificate of Insurance.

We will publish this and any updated travel insurance advisories on our website: www.allianzworldwidepartners.com.au

Questions?

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

Useful Links for Travellers

For regular updates 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 6pm (AEST) Monday to Friday.

Important travel insurance information for Fast Cover travellers

The below information was issued on 6 September 2017 and applies to Fast Cover travel insurance policies underwritten by Hollard.

If you are in the Southern United States and need emergency assistance call us on +61 2 8320 7999 or email us at emergency@fastcover-assist.com.au

Local media are providing updates as the storm progresses. There have been no reports of flight cancellations, but this may change in the coming days. Please view your flight provider’s website for their updates.

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:

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 purchased travel insurance before 4:26pm AEST 5 September 2017, but haven’t left home yet.

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

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.

Tips:

  • If you are claiming additional expenses, make sure you keep a copy of all your receipts.
  • If your travel was cancelled or delayed by a transport provider, you may be able to claim some of your meal and accommodation costs through them. Please check the terms and conditions of your transport provider’s ticket, and keep a copy of all their communication with you.
  • The Fast Cover PDS gives you all the information you need to make a travel claim.

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 4:26pm AEST 5 September 2017

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 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.

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:

Useful Links for Travellers

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 6pm (AEST) Monday to Friday.

 

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