Hong Kong Protests

Issued: 13 August 2019

Anti-extradition and anti-government demonstrations have been occuring in Hong Kong since March, however escalation of these protests began in June, with between 240,000 and one million people participating. Transport around the city has been significantly impacted, and excessive force by police against protestors and journalists has been widely reported. Hong Kong International Airport has been subject to closures.

If you're a Zoom policyholder in Hong Kong and require emergency assistance, please call +61 2 8776 3010

News of this ongoing event has been widely publicised. If you enter into a policy after an event has occurred, cover may not be available for that event.

For policies issued prior to 9:00am AEST 6 August 2019 there is provision for cover.  For policies issued after 9:00am AEST 6 August 2019 there is no cover for any claims arising from this event.

If you entered into a policy after 9:00am AEST 6 August 2019, we would expect you would have done so with an awareness of the protests and closures. For these policies, we will not, to the extent permitted by law, pay any claim caused by or arising from or in any way connected with the Hong Kong protests and closures.

CURRENTLY TRAVELLING:

If you are currently travelling in or out of Hong Kong, we encourage you to follow the advice issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) via its website https://smartraveller.gov.au/Countries/asia/north/Pages/hong_kong.aspx

DFAT is urging Australians thinking of travelling to Hong Kong exercise a high degree of caution. Use common sense. Look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia. Monitor the media and other sources for changes to local travelling conditions and make sure you let your family and friends in Australia know that you are okay.

Australians who require consular assistance are advised to contact the Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong.

YOUR COVER WITH ZOOM:

• If you have been affected by this event and are covered for this event under our policy, there may be provision for you to claim for certain benefits provided by your travel insurance policy.  Limits, conditions and exclusions apply under your policy.

• We will assess all claims in accordance with your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and your Certificate of Insurance. Your cover will depend on the type of plan you purchased and your particular circumstances.

• If you have started your journey and your transport is cancelled, delayed, shortened or diverted because of this event, you may have provision to claim for reasonable alternative travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

• We recommend you contact your travel agent or travel provider regarding the best option in altering your trip. Some travel providers may provide penalty free options to amend travel arrangements and we recommend you contact them for further details.

• If you are claiming for loss of deposits due to pre-paid arrangements being cancelled by a third party service provider, you will need to submit all receipts showing your original out-of-pocket expenses. You will also be required to submit advice from your service provider indicating that the planned arrangements or event has been cancelled.

• Any compensation and/or refunds you receive from a third party for transport, entry submission or food will be deducted from your settlement if your claim is accepted.

• Please note thate there is no provision to claim for fear of travel or loss of enjoyment.

NEXT STEPS YOU SHOULD TAKE:

Take all reasonable steps to mitigate your out of pocket expenses, particularly when altering your trip arrangements. By reasonable we mean appropriate and consistent—for example if you have been using two star or budget accommodation on your trip to date, then we advise that the replacement accommodation you seek should be of a similar standard.

Australians travelling to Hong Kong are encouraged to plan accordingly, follow DFAT's current travel advice for Hong Kong and register their details with http://smartraveller.gov.au/help/me/australia/planning/Pages/register-travel.aspx

MORE INFORMATION...