Winter Storm Grayson, eastern United States | Travel Alert
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Weather Warning - Winter Storm Grayson in eastern United States , January 2018

Important travel insurance information for Fast Cover travellers about the Winter Storm Grayson in eastern United States

Weather Warning - Winter Storm Grayson in eastern United States , January 2018

Information about Winter Storm Grayson in eastern United States

Local media has reported Winter Storm Grayson is clobbering the Northeast Seaboard with blizzard conditions, damaging coastal flooding and destructive winds that are leading to increasing power outages in New England as fresh bitterly cold Arctic air settles in through the weekend.

 

Australian Government Advice

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

 

 


IF your Policy was purchased
BEFORE the 21st May 2017
IF your Policy Number starts with
FST
THEN your Policy is Underwritten by
See below
IF your Policy was purchased
ON OR AFTER the 21st May 2017
IF your Policy Number starts with
FCH
THEN your Policy is Underwritten by
See below

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

If you need assistance or advice, contact our 24 hour Emergency Global Assistance team on the numbers listed on our website or on your certificate of insurance.

Select from the options below to find the information for your current situation:

I’m already overseas, what do I do?

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If you are already overseas 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.

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If you purchased your policy 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.

How do I make a claim?

If you need to make a claim, you can submit your claim in one of several ways:

  • Online: Submit your claim online at www.travelclaims.com.au
  • Phone: 1300 725 154
  • Email: travelclaims@allianz-assistance.com.au

All claims are assessed individually in accordance with the Product Disclosure Statement and your Certificate of Insurance.

Any updated travel insurance advisories will be published on the Allianz website: www.allianzworldwidepartners.com.au

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.

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

We are closely monitoring the progress of the severe winter storm affecting the eastern United States. The United States National Weather Service advises it may take until 2:00am AEDT 6 January 2018, for the inclement weather to clear. Further event advices will be available as this information changes.

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

Local media are advising that more than 12 deaths have occurred due to the winter storm. Flights arriving at and departing from several major airports on the East Coast have been cancelled and further delays can be expected. Please view your flight provider’s website for their updates.

Weather conditions are affecting other modes of transport, including trains.

Road closures along the East Coast may affect travellers driving in the area.

Policy Coverage

The below information was issued on 5 January 2018 and applies to your travel insurance policy with Fast Cover, underwritten by Hollard.

For policies issued prior to 11:00pm AEDT 4 January 2018 there is provision for cover as set out below under ‘How does this affect me?’

For policies issued after 11:00pm AEDT 4 January 2018, 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 – Alternative Transport Expenses

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 above time & date.

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▲

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.

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▲

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.

Tips:

  • If you are claiming additional expenses, make sure you keep a copy of all your receipts.
  • If your travel 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.
  • 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

How do I make a claim?

If you need to make a claim, you can submit your claim in one of several ways:

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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