Typhoon Hagibis

Important travel insurance information for Fast Cover travellers about Typhoon Hagibis, issued at 10.00am on the 10th of October 2019

Typhoon Hagibis

Information about the Typhoon Hagibis

Thursday 10th October 2019

Super Typhoon Hagibis formed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Japan and is forecasted to reach Japan, near Tokyo and Yokohama, on Saturday 12th October 2019. Some matches of the Rugby World Cup have been cancelled due to severe weather conditions. 

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

The typhoon may cause travel disruptions to customers in the area.

DFAT have not issued an event advice at this time. Please keep up to date by visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au

Australian Government Advice

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is advising travellers to 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

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

The below information was issued on Thursday the 10th of October 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 Thursday 10 October 2019 and applies to your travel insurance policy with Fast Cover, underwritten by Hollard.

For policies issued prior to 10:00am AEST on 10 October 2019 there is provision for cover as set out below under ‘How does this affect me?’

For policies issued after 10:00am AEST on 10 October 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:

  • Benefit 5 – Trip Cancellation Expenses.
  • Benefit 6 – Trip Disruption Expenses
  • Benefit 16 – Travel Delay Expenses
  • Benefit 17 –Special Event Transport Expenses

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

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 10th October 2019.

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.

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.

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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