Travel Insurance Advisory

Issued 1 March 2026

Military strikes and reprisal attacks have occurred in Iran and other locations across the Middle East. The security environment remains volatile, with a risk of further escalation and retaliatory attacks. This may affect safety and security both within the region and globally.

Widespread airspace closures and military activity across the Middle East are causing significant disruption to commercial aviation.

On 1 March 2026, SmarTraveller has changed its advice for a number of destinations in the region. It currently advises Level 4 “Do Not Travel” level for Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon and Iran and has issued heightened warnings for the broader region due to ongoing armed confrontations, missile exchanges, and regional instability.

If this event has directly impacted you and you require medical attention seek assistance locally, please contact our 24-hour Global Assistance team at +61 1800 490 478 (global reverse charge phone number), WhatsApp or Webchat (Click red circle in bottom, right of screen). We also strongly recommend staying updated through local media and heeding advice from emergency services.

Smartraveller advice as at 1 March 2026:

• SmarTraveller advises “Do not travel to” for all regions in Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon and Iran due to the volatile security situation, armed conflict, civil unrest and terrorism.
• If you’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident in any of these destinations, you should register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Crisis Registration Portal to receive updates and assistance information.
• Australians needing emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 (within Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas).
• Official SmarTraveller advice, including current advice levels for each destination, is available at: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/middle-east-conflict

Your Policy Coverage

If you entered into a policy before 11:00pm AEDT 28 February 2026 and are already overseas:

• Your policy will operate as usual for all regions in the Middle East, but PassportCard policies exclude or generally do not provide coverage for any costs related to Nuclear or War.
• Our priority remains to support our customers to the best of our capacity. We strongly urge you to prioritise your safety and heed advice from local authorities. Contact us immediately if you need our assistance on our global reverse charge number +61 1800 490 478 (global reverse charge phone number), WhatsApp or Webchat (Click red circle in bottom, right of screen to start).
• If you choose to exit the country, PassportCard policies exclude or generally do not provide coverage for any non-refundable forfeited accommodation/tour costs.
• Travelers may experience delays, cancellations and extended transit times, and should contact their airline directly to review or amend travel plans.
• Keep in mind, we have a general exclusion relating to reckless behaviour, and coverage may not apply if you intentionally or recklessly place yourself in situations posing a risk to your safety.

If you entered into a policy before 11:00pm AEDT 28 February 2026 and are yet to travel:

• There is no cancellation coverage if you choose not to travel following the change in advice from DFAT, even if it was issued after you purchased your policy.
• Your policy will operate as usual for your listed destinations, however, PassportCard policies exclude or generally do not provide coverage for any costs related to Nuclear or War.
• Travellers may experience delays, cancellations and extended transit times, and should contact their airline directly to review or amend travel plans.
• If your specific travel plans have been directly affected by flight cancellation or delays, please call our 24-hour Global Assistance team at +61 1800 490 478 (global reverse charge phone number), WhatsApp or Webchat (Click red circle in bottom, right of screen to start).

If you entered into a policy, or amended your policy after 11:00pm AEDT 28 February 2026:

• We expect that you would be aware of the current situation in the Middle East, and of the SmarTraveller advice at the time you purchased your policy.
• Your PassportCard policy doesn’t cover Known Circumstances occurring when you purchased your policy. As such, policies will not cover claims caused by delays, cancellations and extended transit times due to airspace closures and military activity across the Middle East.
• If you choose to travel to and enter any region in the Middle East, your policy will operate as usual, however, be aware of the General Exclusions for Nuclear, War and Known Circumstances such as the increase from DFAT Level 3 to Level 4, even if it was issued after you purchased your policy.
• If you choose to change your travel plans due to the increase from DFAT Level 3 to Level 4, your policy excludes any cancellation or travel disruption claims.

Extension of Insurance at no extra charge:

Should this event disrupt your return plans and your policy was active before this notice, your insurance will extend at no charge until you can feasibly return home.  The maximum period that we will extend the policy will be up to twelve (12) months from the date was issued as shown on your schedule.

Important general advice:

This information complements the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). Ensure you understand the terms, conditions, limits, sub-limits, and exclusions specified in the PDS, especially the ‘Benefits’, ‘Policy Conditions’, and ‘General Exclusions’ sections.

Contact us:

• For emergency travel or medical assistance during your journey, contact our 24-hour Global Assistance team at +61 1800 490 478 (global reverse charge phone number), WhatsApp or Webchat (Click red circle in bottom, right of screen to start)
• For general inquiries about the event, call our Customer Service at 1300 123 413 during our business hours.