Travel insurance for natural disasters

When a natural disaster derails your trip

Navigating natural disasters when travelling can be daunting. There are many factors to consider; the safety of yourself and your loved ones, the possibility of an interrupted or cancelled trip, what you should do next, and whether your next steps will be covered by your travel insurance.

We're here to help make your travels smoother and safer. Here's what to do if you find yourself in the unfortunate event of a natural disaster while on holiday.

What's covered

Our Comprehensive and Essentials plans both offer coverage for the following natural disasters:

• Earthquakes

• Floods

• Wildfires

• Volcanic eruptions

• Tsunamis

• Landslides

• Avalanches

• Hurricanes

• Cyclones

• Tornados

• Typhoons

Am I covered if a natural disaster derails my trip before it starts?

If a public warning for severe weather or a natural disaster is issued, that is likely to impact your travel arrangements directly, we may cover any reasonable additional travel arrangements you make within 48 hours of the warning. This could include the cost of rearranging your travel plans or necessary additional accommodation and meals. Additionally, we provide cover related to natural disaster events if;

• You’re unable to arrive at your departure point to start your trip due to a natural disaster causing road closures.

• You’re unable to start your trip due to severe weather or natural disaster causing damage to your home in Australia or your place of business within 72 hours of your trip departure date.

Note: a natural disaster does not include outbreak of disease, epidemic, pandemic, or any other event that is not specifically included in the above list. Always check your policy wording when buying nib travel insurance to ensure you are adequately covered.

We also offer cover for overseas medical expenses on our Comprehensive and Essentials plans if you’re injured due to severe weather or a natural disaster while travelling. Always make sure that you are safe and contact the 24-hour worldwide Emergency Assistance team.

Traveller tip: travel plans can change unexpectedly. If you need to extend your travel insurance policy while overseas, contact us to discuss your options.

What's not covered?

As much as we would like to support our travellers in their journeys, some scenarios fall outside the scope of our policies. Here are circumstances where you wouldn't be covered:

• Foreseeable events: if the natural disaster was forecasted or expected, and this information was widely available in the media and through official government channels before you started your journey or purchased your policy, coverage does not apply.

• Government warnings: should you decide to travel to, remain in, or plan a journey to a region that the Australian Government has issued a 'Do Not Travel' warning (see smartraveller.gov.au), we cannot provide cover.

• Non-essential or extravagant costs: coverage excludes unnecessary, unreasonable, or extravagant costs in the circumstances.

• Refusal of alternative arrangements: if your airline or travel provider offers a reasonable alternative option and you refuse, your coverage may be limited.

• Refusal to follow the law: if you fail to follow official laws or warnings from a government authority or organisation, or where you fail to take reasonable precautions to avoid a financial loss after a public warning of a natural disaster.

• Reckless behavior: if you intentionally and recklessly place yourself in circumstances or undertake activities which pose a risk to your personal safety (except in an attempt to save a human life).

As always, our priority at nib is to help you travel confidently, knowing exactly where you stand with your coverage. We recommend reading the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand your policy thoroughly.

The above features and benefits are a summary of cover only. Cover is subject to the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions outlined in the Product Disclosure Statement.

Need more information?

We're here to answer any questions and clarify any doubts you might have. If you need more information, the Emergency Assistance team is just a call or click away.

nib Travel Insurance Distribution Pty Limited, ABN 40 129 262 175, AR 336467 is an authorised representative of nib Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd (nib), ABN 81 115 932 173, AFSL 308461 and act as nib's agent and not as your agent. This is general advice only. Before you buy, you should consider your needs, the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Financial Services Guide (FSG) and Target Market Determination (TMD) available from us. This insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, ABN 83 169 311 193.

We are a signatory to the General Insurance Code of Practice developed by the Insurance Council of Australia and enforced by the Code Governance Committee, an independent body whose purpose is to drive better Code compliance and help the insurance industry improve its service to consumers. The Code is designed to promote good relations and insurance practice between insurers, authorised representatives and consumers. The Code sets out what we must do when dealing with you. You can obtain a copy of the Code from codeofpractice.com.au.

*The discount applies to the total nib travel insurance premium and is for customers that currently hold an Australian health insurance product, or an Overseas Student Health Cover product with nib. The discount is not available to customers who hold an Overseas Visitors Health Cover product. Discounts do not apply to the rate of GST and stamp duty or any changes you make to the policy. nib has the discretion to withdraw or amend this discount offer at any time. This discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offer or discount.