NZ Government Advice
We recommend you check developments and travel advisories on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) website.
Travel and Country Advisories from our insurer QBE Insurance
Severe Flooding Fiji 29th March 2012
What policies are covered by this advice?
The following advice relates to policies issued prior to the 29th March 2012 12:00pm NZST. There is no provision to claim amendment / cancellation fees due to the severe flooding event for policies issued on or after the 29th March 2012 12:00pm NZST.
For policy holders currently in Fiji that have directly been affected
There is provision to cover the following:
- Cancellation costs for unused prepaid arrangements where policyholders have not been able to complete pre-paid travel plans as a result of the severe flooding event.
- Additional costs from changes to travel plans, including accommodation and transport expenses if your travel arrangements have been directly affected by the severe flooding event in Fiji. You must, however, take all reasonable steps to minimise your claim. Airlines and travel agents are able to facilitate this, in most cases.
Policyholders should contact QBE Assist to arrange the above and prior to making any changes to your travel arrangements
For policy holders yet to depart New Zealand
There is provision to cover the following:
- Amendment costs or cancellation fees including accommodation and transport expenses if your pre-paid scheduled public transport services or pre-paid tour have been cancelled or restricted as a direct result of the severe flooding event.
- Additional costs from changes to travel plans including accommodation and transport expenses if your pre-paid scheduled public transport services or pre-paid tour have been cancelled or restricted as a direct result of the severe flooding event.
Subject to insurance cover being confirmed, the policy can provide coverage where the cost of altering/deferring is less than the cost of cancellation charges for the part of the trip which has been affected. If the cost of altering/deferring is greater than the non-refundable value of the part of the trip that has been affected, then the policy can provide coverage for this non-refundable unused proportion.
Policyholders must however take all reasonable steps to minimise their claim. In most cases, airlines and travel agents are able to facilitate this. - Amendment to travel policies. Where the airline is allowing date changes of tickets and no claim is being made under your QBE Travel Insurance policy you will be able to amend the dates on your travel insurance policy up to the duration of your original cover.
There is no provision to cover the following:
If your pre-paid arrangements are operating normally and are fully accessible there is no provision to claim for amendment or cancellation costs.
Making a claim
Claims can be lodged by contacting QBE Claims on 0800 800 608 or email travelclaimsnz@qbe.co.nz. Policyholders must supply documentation as outlined on the claim form to support their claim. QBE Travel claims can be lodged upon the policyholder’s return to New Zealand by contacting their issuing travel agent or QBE Claims. Policyholders must supply documentation as outlined on the claim form to support their claim.
This information must be read in conjunction with the relevant Policy Wording as certain restrictions apply. For any complaints or disputes, policyholders should refer to their Policy Wording.
QBE will update this advice as new information becomes available.