Turkey Airport Attack (CLOSED)

Turkey Airport Attack

Important information for policyholders in relation to the Turkey airport attack.

On Tuesday 28 June 2016, suicide bombers opened fire on travellers and then detonated  explosive vests at Ataturk international airport killing at least 28 people and injuring a further 60.  Go Insurance understands that the airport remains closed with all scheduled flights having been cancelled for the foreseeable future.

The Australian government has warned Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Turkey overall and reconsider their need to travel to Ankara and Istanbul due to a high threat of terrorist attack.  Australians in Turkey should follow the instructions of local authorities and also stay up-to-date with media reports.  Travellers in Turkey or those planning to travel to Turkey are also advised to register their travel with Smartraveller.

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

For Single Trip policies purchased prior to 29 June 2016 and trips booked under Annual Multi Trip policies prior to 29 June 2016:


1. Overseas Medical Expenses

There is provision within the policy to cover policyholders if they are injured as a result of terrorism. If you are in Turkey and have been injured in the Turkey terrorist attack, please contact us for assistance.

2. Disruption experienced post-departure

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

Subject to relevant terms and conditions, Section 1 will respond to compensate the policyholder for additional travel expenses incurred to curtail the trip (and a proportionate refund of unused arrangements) if the pre-booked itinerary involves travel to or through Istanbul or Ankara.  This is because the DFAT warning for these cities has been increased to ‘Reconsider your need to travel’.

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

In the event of travel to Ankara or Istanbul and surrounding areas, the policyholder must act as a “prudent uninsured” and proceed on the most economical basis to minimise their loss. We therefore suggest in the first instance you liaise with airlines and associated travel providers to reschedule travel arrangements / obtain refunds as appropriate.

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

3. Disruption experienced pre-departure

If the policyholder has planned to travel to Istanbul, Ankara or surrounding areas; has not yet departed on the insured trip; and their outbound flight arrangements are cancelled due to:

1. Delayed departure of the initial outbound flight beyond 12 hours; or
2. 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) due to the Turkey airport attack.

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.

Some airlines offer full refunds in the event of cancellation due to terrorism 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 after 28 June 2016 :

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.

For queries or assistance please contact Go Insurance on 1300 819 888 or + 61 7 3481 9888. Alternatively please email the Claims Team.