Information about the Hurricane Ian
Wednesday 28th September 2022
Hurricane Ian formed in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the Caribbean and is predicted to progress to a Category 4 storm as it approaches the South-eastern USA. The state of Florida has declared a state of emergency and some airlines are reviewing their flight paths in and around the area. Some cruise paths have been amended to avoid the storm.
If you are in the affected areas and need emergency assistance call us on +61 2 8320 7999 or email us at emergency@fastcover.com.au
The hurricane may cause travel disruptions to travellers in the area.
DFAT have not issued an event advice at this time. Please keep up to date by visiting 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.
Are you overseas and need emergency help?
If you need emergency help, contact our Worldwide Emergency Assistance team.
- Phone: +61 2 8320 7999
- E-mail: emergency@fastcover.com.au
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 and Certain Underwriters at Lloyds.
The below information was issued on Wednesday the 28th of September 2022 and applies to Fast Cover travel insurance policies underwritten by Hollard (policies starting with FCH) and Certain Underwriters at Lloyds (policies starting with FCL).
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 Wednesday the 28th of September 2022 and applies to your travel insurance policy with Fast Cover, underwritten by Hollard and Certain Underwriters at Lloyds.
For policies issued prior to 6:00pm AEST on 28 September 2022 there is provision for cover as set out below under ‘How does this affect me?’
For policies issued after 6:00pm AEST on 28 September 2022, 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, conditions, limits, sub 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 Hurricane Ian.
Please note the below specific General Exclusions which may impact your policy:
15. Your claim arises from you not following advice in the mass media or any government or other official body’s warning:
a. of a strike, riot, bad weather, civil protest or contagious disease (including an epidemic or pandemic); or
b. against travel to a particular country or parts of a country or against remaining in a particular country or parts of a country; or
c. where a travel advisory risk rating of ‘Do Not Travel’ (or equivalent if this term is replaced) was issued by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade before the start date of your trip; and
d. you did not reasonably take appropriate action to avoid or minimise any potential claim under your policy (including delay of travel to the country or part of the country referred to in the warning).
Refer to who.int and smartraveller.gov.au for further information.
39. Your claim arises from an event where a Travel Alert for that event was issued by us prior to the issue of your Certificate of Insurance. Events include (but is not limited to): strike, riot, hijack, civil protest, severe weather, natural disaster or contagious disease.
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:
- 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. - 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.
- Keep receipts and any other supporting documentation (boarding passes, booking confirmations, itineraries, etc.) that may be required for your claim.
- Visit our Claims page for more information about submitting your claim.
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:
- 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.
- Gather your receipts and any other supporting documentation (booking confirmations, tickets, itineraries, etc.) that may be required for your claim.
- 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.
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:
- If you have not yet departed and wish to postpone your trip, contact us to discuss changing your travel insurance policy dates.
- 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.
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:
- If you have not purchased travel yet, you are still able to, but you need to be aware the policy does not provide cover for any claims related to the event.
- 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.
If you have a policy and are already overseas:
Up to the limits as specified in your Certificate of Insurance, for the reimbursement of the reasonable additional travel and accommodation expenses if a disruption to your trip arises because your scheduled or connecting transport is cancelled, delayed, shortened or diverted because of Hurrican Ian. The event must have begun after we issued the Certificate of Insurance.
There is no cover for any evacuation expenses from the affected areas.
If you have a policy but haven't left home yet:
Up to the limits as specified in your Certificate of Insurance, for the unexpected cancellation of your prebooked and pre-paid trip bookings which are cancelled due to Hurricane Ian. The event must have begun after we issued the Certificate of Insurance.
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.
- Email: claims@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. Policy terms, conditions, limits, sub limits 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:
- 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
- World Meteorological Organisation
- CBS News
For regular updates, download the Smartraveller app.
For new or existing claim or policy enquiries, please contact us on 1300 409 322 or info@fastcover.com.au between 9am and 5pm (AEST) Monday to Friday.
