Flight suspension between UAE and Qatar
We’re aware major UAE-based airlines have announced that flights between the UAE and Qatar will be suspended from today, 6 June 2017 until further notice.
The following carriers Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways have all confirmed refund or re-arrangement of affected flights. Additionally Qatar Airways have organised some charter flights to carry its passengers from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) via Muscat to Doha.
If you have a booking with any of these carriers, or are currently in transit, please contact them directly to manage your flight and travel re-arrangement.
Etihad Airways: +61 1300 532 215
Emirates: +61 1300 303 777
Qatar Airways: + 1300 340 600
Keep up to date
We will publish this and any updated travel advisories on our website, fastcover.com.au/alerts/ , so please check back regularly.
You can also stay up to date with current travel advice issued by DFAT via its website smartraveller.gov.au.
Finally, all airlines provide up to date information on their websites, so please check back regularly to your carriers website for further information.
Emirates:
https://www.emirates.com/au/english/about/operational_updates/operational_updates.aspx#/#4258319
Etihad Airways:
http://www.etihad.com/en-au/announcements/update-suspension-of-flights-to-and-from-doha/
Qatar Airways
http://support.qatarairways.com/hc/en-us/sections/201161488-Travel-Alerts
To lodge a claim for consideration, simply head online to fastcover.com.au/claims.
All claims will be reviewed in line with the policy you purchased for your trip. Your Product Disclosure Statement outlines the benefits and exclusions that apply.
Remember, if you need immediately help contact our Emergency Assistance line on 1300 725 154 where our assistance team is ready to help.
We are aware of the current government restrictions imposed by the governments of several Middle Eastern, North African, East African and South Asian Countries on Qatar. These include the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Egypt, The Maldives, Mauritius, Yemen and Libya.
These government restrictions are affecting travel by land, sea and air.
If you need emergency assistance call us on +61 2 8320 7999 or email us at emergency@fastcover-assist.com.au
Please stay up to date with the advice issued by DFAT at www.smartraveller.gov.au
1. Policy Coverage
The below information was issued on Tuesday 6 June 2017 at 2pm and applies to your travel insurance policy with Fast Cover, underwritten by Hollard.
News reports of this crisis were widely reported as at 1pm AEST, 5 July 2017.
For policies issued prior to 1pm AEST, 5 July 2017 there is provision for cover as set out below under ‘How does this affect me?’
For policies issued after 5 July at 1pm AEST, there is no cover for any claims arising from this event.
2. How does this affect me?
There is provision for cover under the benefits of the policy listed below subject to the policy terms and conditions, limits, Benefit exclusions and General Exclusions.
- Benefit 5 – Trip Cancellation
- Benefit 16 – Travel Delay Expenses
- Benefit 17 – Alternative Transport Expenses
If you have not yet departed:
If your pre-booked and pre-paid travel arrangements are cancelled, disrupted or need to be rearranged as a result of the Qatar diplomatic crisis and you have not yet departed on your Trip, there is provision for cover for the lesser of either:
- the reasonable alternative transport expenses, or
- your cancellation costs.
Please contact your Travel Provider as they may be able to offer refunds, credit notes or make alterations to your bookings without any additional charges.
Qatar Airlines, Emirates and Etihad Airlines have issued statements on their websites offering alternative options, full refunds or rebooking to the nearest alternate destination.
If you are currently travelling:
There is provision for cover for reasonable additional travel, accommodation and meal costs under Benefit 16 – Travel Delay Expenses subject to the policy terms and conditions, limits, Benefit exclusions and General Exclusions.
3. Making 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-fch@fastcover.com.au or on 1300 409 322.
- Keep your receipts and any other supporting documentation e.g. medical reports, hospital admission and discharge paperwork.
4. 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
- Take reasonable steps to minimise your claim. Contact your airline or Travel provider for assistance if you need to rearrange your travel plans.
- If you are claiming additional expenses, make sure you keep a copy of all your receipts. Keep your receipts and any other supporting documentation.
- Keep a copy of your original Trip itinerary and a copy of the details of your altered Trip itinerary
- If your Trip was cancelled or delayed by a transport provider, you may be able to claim some of your meal and accommodation costs through them. Please check the terms and conditions of your transport provider’s ticket, and keep a copy of all their communication with you.
Cover is subject to policy terms and conditions, limits, Benefit exclusions and General Exclusions.
Remember that we do not cover you if your claim is caused by something you were aware of at the time you purchased your policy. Cancellation costs are not covered if you or your Travelling Companion change your plans or decide not to continue with your planned Trip.
As the Qatar diplomatic crisis was widely known and reported in the media at 5 June 2017 at 1pm AEST, we will not, to the extent permitted by law, pay any claim arising from this crisis if your policy was purchased after 5 June 2017 at 1pm AEST.
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
