Travel Alerts

Issued 27 October 2023

In light of the evolving situation in Israel, on 21 October, Smartraveller updated its recent advisories suggesting reconsideration of travel to Israel and specific “Do not travel” designations within Israel.

If this event has directly impacted you and you require medical attention, please contact our 24-hour Global Assistance team on our reverse charge number +61 1800 490 478. We also strongly recommend staying updated through local media and heeding advice from emergency services.

Smartraveller advice as at 27/10/2023:

• Smartraveller strongly advises individuals to reconsider their need to travel to Israel due to the volatile security situation, including threats of terrorism, armed conflict, and civil unrest.
• Smartraveller have advised “Do not Travel” to Gaza, border areas with Gaza, border areas with Lebanon that are closed by Israeli authorities, and the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem) due to heightened security concerns.
• Australians in Israel wanting to depart are urged to take the earliest available flight option, with Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv remaining operational. However, flight operations may halt intermittently due to security concerns leading to potential delays or cancellations. Land border crossings to Jordan remain open but can close without prior warning.

Your Policy Coverage if you entered into a policy before 27/10/2023

If you are already overseas:

• Your policy will operate as usual for regions in Israel not specified as “Do not travel” by Smartraveller.
• 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 behavior, and coverage may not apply if you intentionally or recklessly place yourself in situations posing a risk to your safety.

If you are yet to travel:

• There is no cancellation coverage while Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv remains operational with commercial flights.
• Many major airlines have asked customers to amend travel plans after temporarily suspending flights to and from Tel Aviv.
• If your specific travel plans have been directly affected by flight cancellation or delays, please call our 24-hour Global Assistance team on our reverse charge number + 61 1800 490 478.

If you entered into a policy after 9:10am 24 October 2023:

• We expect that you would be aware of the current situation in Israel, and of the Smartraveller advice at the time.
• Your PassportCard policy doesn’t cover events known or occurring at the policy’s inception. As such policies will not cover claims losses caused flight cancellations or delays into Ben Gurion International Airport.
• 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.

Your Policy Coverage if you entered into a policy on or after 27/10/2023

If you are already overseas:

• Your policy will operate as usual for medical claims not directly or indirectly arising from War (Please see exclusion below).

Costs that are not covered by your policy:

Your PassportCard policy doesn’t cover events caused directly or indirectly from or in connection with the occurrence of war, invasion, act of a foreign enemy, hostilities, warlike operations (whether war be declared or not) or civil war.

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.
• For general inquiries about the event, call our Customer Service at 1300 123 413 during our business hours.