Destination: Vanuatu – Earthquake
Issued 18 December 2024
On Tuesday, 17th December 2024, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Vanuatu causing damage to infrastructure, roads and buildings in Port Vila and the surrounding areas.
The damage from the earthquake 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 18 December 2024:
- Monitor local media for updates and follow the instructions of local authorities.
- Current SmarTraveller Advice Level – Exercise normal safety precautions in Vanuatu.
- Further information – https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/pacific/vanuatu
Your Policy Coverage
If you entered into a policy before 4:40 pm AEDT on the 18th of December 2024 and are already overseas:
- Your policy will operate as usual for regions in Vanuatu.
- 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 4:40 pm AEDT on the 18th of December 2024 and are yet to travel:
- There is no cancellation coverage, due to this earthquake damage, while commercial flights continue to operate to and from Vanuatu.
- 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 4:40 pm AEDT on the 18th of December 2024:
- We expect that you would be aware of the current situation in Vanuatu, and of the SmarTraveller advice at the time.
- Your PassportCard policy does not cover 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). 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.