Travel Insurance Advisory

Issued 20 December 2023

The Reykjanes peninsula area of Iceland has experienced a Volcanic eruption after an increase in activity where civil defence authorities have declared a state of emergency in the region.

The eruption may cause significant impacts to travel where this would now be considered 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.

SmartTraveller advice as at 20/12/2023

• Avoid areas near volcano eruption sites and areas close to mountains with steep slopes on the Reykjanes peninsula due to the danger of falling rocks
• Current SmarTraveller Advice Level – Exercise normal safety precaution in Iceland.
• Further information – https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/iceland

Your Policy Coverage

If you entered into a policy before 10:15 am AEDT on the 20th December 2023 and are already overseas:

• Your policy will operate as usual for regions in Iceland not specified.
• Our priority remains to support our customers to the best of our capacity. We strongly urge you to prioritize 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 10:15 am AEDT on the 20th December 2023 and are yet to travel:

• There is no cancellation coverage for this event while commercial flights continue to operate to and from Keflavik International Airport.
• 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 10:15 am AEDT on the 20th December 2023 :

• We expect that you would be aware of the current situation in Iceland, and of the SmarTraveller advice at the time.
• Your PassportCard policy does not cover Known Circumstance occurring at the policy’s inception. A potential eruption in Iceland can also affect travel plans outside of Iceland, such as losses caused by flight cancellations or delays affected by an ash cloud where the flight path is over or near Iceland. These can include (but not exclusively) flights between:
  • United Kingdom – Japan
  • USA/Canada – India
  • USA/Canada – Middle East
  • USA/Canada – Northen Europe or Scandinavia
• 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). 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 number).
• For general inquiries about the event, call our Customer Service at 1300 123 413 during our business hours.