Travel Insurance Advisory

Issued 10 January 2025

At present there are several wildfires in the California area causing widespread damage, interruption to transport and possible delays or disruption to air traffic.

The wildfires may cause significant impacts to travel to and from the region, and this is now considered to be 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 9^th January 2025:

• Wildfires are occurring in California, including parts of Los Angeles. Monitor local media for updates and follow the instructions of local authorities. For information on evacuation orders and warnings, as well as evacuation shelters see the Los Angeles county emergency advice – https://lacounty.gov/emergency/
• Current SmarTraveller Advice Level – Exercise normal safety precautions in the United States of America.
• Further information – https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/united-states-america

Your Policy Coverage

If you entered into a policy before 11:10 am AEDT on the 10th of January 2025 and are already overseas:

• Your policy will operate as usual for regions in the United States of America.
• Our priority remains to support our customers to the best of our capacity. We strongly urge you to prioritise 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 11:10 am AEDT on the 10th of January 2025  and are yet to travel:

• There is no cancellation coverage, due to wildfires, while commercial flights continue to operate to and from Los Angeles International airport (LAX).
• 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 11:10 am AEDT on the 10th of January 2025 :

• We expect that you would be aware of the current situation in California, and of the Smartraveller advice at the time.
• Your PassportCard policy does not cover a Known Circumstance occurring at the policy’s inception.
• 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). Please 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.