Information about Sri Lanka terrorist attack – Easter bombings

Sunday 21 April 2019

Our thoughts go out to all those affected by the terrorist event that has occurred in Sri Lanka.

If you are in Sri Lanka and need emergency assistance, call us on +61 2 8320 7999 or email us at emergency@fastcover.com.au

Media are advising that many people have been killed and injured in the Easter Bombing terrorist attack.

DFAT are advising travellers to avoid all affected areas and follow local instructions. Please stay up to date with the advice issued by DFAT at https://smartraveller.gov.au/Countries/asia/south/Pages/sri_lanka.aspx

Australian government advice

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is advising travellers to Reconsider your need to travel to Sri Lanka.

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 of 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 24/4/2019 and applies to Fast Cover travel insurance policies underwritten by Allianz.

If you require emergency assistance, including emergency medical assistance, please contact us as soon as you can on 1300 725 154, or speak to the local operator and ask to be put through reverse charge to +61 7 3305 7499.

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.

If you are looking to change your travel arrangements, please contact your travel agent or travel provider directly regarding the best option in altering your trip. Some travel providers may provide penalty free options to amend travel arrangements. Generally, travel insurance coverage does not extend to claims that arise due to an act of terrorism for the following benefits: Cancellation of travel plans, expenses as related to travel delays, alternative transportation expenses.

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’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.

Policy coverage and benefits vary based on individual circumstances and therefore we would like to take the opportunity to remind and encourage travellers who purchase travel insurance to always read their travel insurance Product Disclosure Statement, so that you know which risks you are covered for. We will assess all claims in accordance with your Product Disclosure Statement and your Certificate of Insurance.

IF your Policy was purchased ON OR AFTER the 21st of 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 Tuesday 23rd April 2019 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 Tuesday 23 April 2019 and applies to your travel insurance policy with Fast Cover, underwritten by Hollard.

For policies issued prior to 1:15pm AEST on 21 April 2019 there is provision for cover as set out below under ‘How does this affect me?’

For policies issued after 1:15 AEST 21 April 2019, 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:

There is no cover under for any claims that arise due to an act of terrorism for:

• Benefit 5: Trip Cancellation Expenses

• Benefit 16: Travel Delay Expenses

• Benefit 17: Alternate Transport Expenses

If your policy was issued prior to 1:15 pm 21st April 2019 AEST there is provision for cover under all other benefits of the policy subject to the policy terms and conditions, limits, Benefit exclusions and General Exclusions.

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 don’t need emergency assistance, you can make a claim online at fastcover.com.au/claims or when you get back home. Contact us at claims@fastcover.com.au or on 1300 409 322.

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. medical reports, hospital admission and discharge paperwork.

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.

TIPS:

• The Australian Government provides up-to-date travel warnings for countries around the world. You can find this information by visiting DFAT website, www.smartraveller.gov.au

• The Fast Cover PDS gives you all the information you need to make a travel claim. You can find a copy of the PDS at www.fastcover.com.au/pds

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