Bali Ash Cloud Claim Advice

UPDATE

The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center has downgraded Mount Raung’s status from Level 3 to Level 2.  There has been no eruptive activity noted in the past few days.  As the volcano has ceased eruptive activity, this advice does not apply to policies purchased on or after 28 August 2015.  

 

Flights between Australia and Bali are currently being disrupted due to volcanic ash.

Mount Raung, located approximately 150km from Denpasar Airport, is currently erupting and is expected to continue erupting for several weeks.  It is therefore foreseeable that further flight disruptions will occur over the coming weeks.

Flight cancellations due to the ash cloud commenced on 2 July 2015.  Whilst services resumed on 3 July, many Jetstar and Virgin flights between Bali and Australian cities have been grounded since Wednesday 8 July 2015 and further flight cancellations are likely.  Both airlines are currently advising passengers to check the latest flight information on their websites before travelling to the airport.

Air Asia flights remain operational at present and are being re-routed due to the ash cloud situation.  Ngurah Rai International Airport and Juanda International Airport are operating as normal.

“In principle” advice regarding likely policy response to claims for cancellation, disruption and delay of scheduled travel arrangements is provided below.

 

For Single Trip policies purchased prior to 2 July 2015 and trips booked under Annual Multi Trip policies prior to 2 July 2015:

1. Disruption experienced post-departure

Claims for disruption to scheduled travel arrangements post-departure are considered under Section 1 or Section 10.

To claim under Section 1, your policy must include the Cancellation and Curtailment module.  To claim under Section 10, your policy must include the Disruption module.

Subject to relevant terms and conditions, Section 1 will compensate the Insured Person for additional travel expenses incurred (and a proportionate refund of unused arrangements) if a natural disaster prevents the planned travel from occurring.

Subject to relevant terms and conditions, Section 10 provides financial assistance in the event the departure of public transport on which the Insured Person is booked to travel is delayed by at least 12 hours.  Section 10 does not operate if the Insured Person has claimed under Section 1 or 12 (Special Events) in relation to the same cause.

All Insured Persons must act as a “prudent uninsured” and proceed on the most economical basis to minimise their loss.  We therefore suggest in the first instance they liaise with airlines and associated travel providers to reschedule travel arrangements / obtain refunds as appropriate.  Some airlines will provide accommodation to passengers whose travel is disrupted due to natural disasters and policyholders should avail themselves of this facility if possible.

All claims for additional accommodation and travel expenses must be supported by receipts, evidence of pre-booked travel schedule and actual travel arrangements.

If you are currently in Bali and cannot return home due to the ash cloud situation, your policy has a 21 day automatic extension clause.  This means that if you cannot return home due to circumstances outside your control, your policy will remain in force for up to a further 21 days without payment of additional premium.  You don’t need to contact us to request a policy extension – this is an automatic provision.

 

2. Disruption experienced pre-departure 

If you have not yet departed on the insured trip and your outbound flight arrangements are cancelled due to:

1. Natural disaster preventing the booked travel occurring as planned;
2. Delayed departure of the initial outbound flight beyond 12 hours; or
3. DFAT issuing a travel warning advising against travel to the affected region and which remains in force 7 days prior to scheduled travel;

there is provision within the policy for amendment costs or reimbursement of irrecoverable payments made in the event of total cancellation (Section 1).

In this case, Section 1 provides to cover the cost incurred to amend the policyholder’s travel to a later date / alternate route OR the cost of forfeited pre-booked travel arrangements if the trip is cancelled (whichever is the lesser).  If a policyholder’s travel is affected, we retain the option to decide which of these options will be used as the basis for determining policy response.

Many airlines offer full refunds or rescheduling at no cost in the event of cancellation due to natural disasters and we therefore recommend policyholders liaise with the airline/s, travel agent/s and associated travel providers to minimise any loss / claim.

 

For Single Trip and Multi Trip policies purchased on or after 2 July 2015:

Insurance serves to provide cover for sudden and unforeseen risks.  It is not possible to insure against known risks and the policy specifically excludes claims resulting from circumstances known at the time of policy purchase or trip booking and which could reasonably be expected to give rise to a claim.

Whilst this circular details a preliminary assessment of potential policy response, it is anticipated that no cover will be afforded for any claim which relates to the Mount Ruang eruption under policies purchased on or after 2 July 2015 or trips booked under an Annual Multi Trip policy on or after 2 July 2015.

 

GENERAL NOTE:

Please remember that no two claims are the same and accordingly, claims are assessed on a case-by-case basis.  This advice is of a general nature.  Claims are assessed on their individual merits and are subject to the terms and conditions of the PDS which was in force at the time of policy purchase.

Whilst we recommend affected policyholders liaise with airlines, travel agents, tour operators etc, our claims team is available to advise and assist you.  Please contact us if you require assistance.