Travel Insurance Advisory

Destination: Indonesia January 2024

Travel Alert – Indonesia
Mount Lewotobi in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara and Mount Merapi in Central Java – Volcano Warning

 

 

Issued 16th January 2024

 

Indonesia has raised the alert level of Mount Lewotobi, an active volcano in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, to the highest level (level 4) due to volcanic activity. There has also been increased activity and eruptions of Mount Marapi in recent days.  Volcanic activity may escalate with little or no notice, leading to flight disruptions and airport closures, including in surrounding provinces.

 

The eruption may cause significant impacts to travel where this would now be considered a Known Circumstance.

 

If this event has directly impacted you and you require medical attention, please contact our 24-hour Global Assistance team at +61 1800 490 478 (global reverse charge phone number). We also strongly recommend staying updated through local media and heeding advice from emergency services.

 

SmarTraveller advice as at 11 January 2024:

 

Your Policy Coverage

 

If you entered into a policy before 10:45 am AEDT on 16th January 2024 and are already overseas:

  • Your policy will operate as usual for regions in Indonesia not specified.
  • Our priority remains to support our customers to the best of our capacity. We strongly urge you to prioritize your safety and heed advice from local authorities.
  • 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 10:45 am AEDT on 16th January 2024 and are yet to travel:

  • There is no cancellation coverage, due to this volcanic activity, while commercial flights continue to operate in the South East Asia area.
  • 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.

 

If you entered into a policy after 10:45 am AEDT on 16th January 2024:

  • We expect that you would be aware of the current situation in Indonesia, and of the SmarTraveller advice at the time.
  • Your PassportCard policy does not cover Known Circumstance occurring at the policy’s inception. Volcanic eruption in Indonesia can also affect travel plans outside of Indonesia, given it’s proximity to Singapore and Malaysia. All flight cancellations or delays affected by these ash clouds are seen as a Known Circumstances. These can include (but not exclusively) flights between:
    • Australia – Indonesia
    • Australia – Singapore
    • Australia – Malaysia
    • Australia – Other South East Asian Regions
    • South East Asian Regions to Europe
    • South East Asian Regions to Middle East
    • South East Asian Regions to Wider Asia
  • If there is a change in the SmarTraveller advice to “Do Not Travel”, our policy excludes any claims if you chose to enter and travel in any region contrary to this warning, even if it was issued after you purchase your policy.

 

Free Extension of Insurance:

Should this event disturb 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 Your Policy first commenced 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).
  • For general inquiries about the event, call our Customer Service at 1300 123 413 during our business hours.

 

Travel Alerts: World events and “Do Not Travel” advice may affect your policy. Please read our Travel Alerts. If you need emergency assistance, contact the 24/7 Global Assistance team on our reverse charge number: +61 1800 490 478