Coronavirus Update
The coronavirus outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China continues to evolve with cases now widely reported in other countries. Many organisations are implementing travel restrictions and governments are issuing travel advisory notices. This is a fluid situation and we recommend you keep informed via the monitoring of media reports and government agencies including www.safetravel.govt.nz
How does the outbreak affect my insurance policies?
Travel Insurance
The most direct impact is on travel insurance with all providers now issuing policy notices that remove or restrict cover for travel to affected regions.
Individual insurer restrictions, are listed below. Remember to always refer to your policy wording and contact your Aon broker if you have any questions.
Chubb
Chubb have deemed the event as known and foreseen from the 22 January 2020. For customers with travel of at least one night in China booked and insured prior to this date, and for the actual days of travel occurring before 28 February 2020, Chubb's cancellation cover may respond.
At this point, for actual travel days occurring after 28 February 2020, Chubb will deem as disinclination to travel and therefore there will be no cover. This is subject to change.
Please see the full notice here.
AIG
AIG have deemed the event known and foreseen from the following dates:
- For travel to the Hubei Province effective from 22 January 2020
- For to mainland China effective from 29 January 2020
Please see the full notice here.
Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway have deemed the event as known and foreseen from 23 January 2020 for the Hubei Province of China only. They have not yet extended this via official announcement to the remainder of China's mainland, although as you will note in the full notice below, they do refer travellers to the DFAT smart travel website which now advises against all travel to China.
Please see the full notice here.
Allianz
If you purchased cover after 12.00pm 30 January 2020, they will not pay any claim caused by or in any way connected with this event. Cover may be available for policies purchased prior to this date and a comprehensive overview of the Allianz position can be located here. We recommend you check with them often as the situation evolves.
All other types of insurance
In many cases policy exclusions for events relating to infectious or contagious disease may apply meaning that cover is not available. Please refer to your Aon broker who can review and advise based on your individual situation.
Talk to your local Aon Insurance Broker