Japan Typhoon
TYPHOON HAGIBIS, JAPAN
Issued: 11 October 2019
We are aware of the impact of Typhoon Hagibis, which is currently affecting areas of Japan. The Japanese Meteorological Agency has forecast landfall on the Pacific Coast between Saturday and Sunday with torrential rains, high waves and tides, and potential flooding.
Airline and train services have announced suspended services. The expected impacts are such that organisers of the 2019 Rugby World Cup decided to cancel at least two matches scheduled to be played over the weekend.
We advise all customers who are travelling to, or are already in the affected areas, to take care and please do not hesitate to contact our emergency service if you require assistance. We urge all travellers to remain up-to-date with the latest travel advice for Japan from Smartraveller.
We advise all customers who are travelling in and around the affected areas to take care during this weather event, and please do not hesitate to contact our emergency service if you require assistance. We urge all people to remain up to date with the latest flights and media advice.
The following information concerns policyholders whose travel arrangements have been affected by this weather event.
IF YOU PURCHASED A POLICY BEFORE 9AM (AEDT) 10TH OCTOBER 2019:
IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY TRAVELLING:
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If you have started your journey and your transport is delayed or cancelled or your accommodation is affected due to this weather event there may be provision to claim for reasonable additional travel, accommodation and meal expenses.
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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.
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Limits, conditions and exclusions apply under your policy and for full details you should refer to the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Certificate of Insurance you received when you purchased your travel insurance.
IF YOU haven't departed yet:
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If you have not yet departed, your policy includes cover for cancellation of your journey, or the unused portions of your journey, if directly affected as a result of the typhoon.
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If your pre-booked travel arrangements are cancelled, delayed or rescheduled as a direct result of this weather event and you have not yet departed, you may be able to claim for cancellation or rearrangement of your journey (whichever is the lesser).
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We recommend you contact your travel agent 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 PURCHASED A POLICY AFTER 9AM (AEDT) 10TH OCTOBER 2019:
Our policies do not cover claims for losses caused by something that you were aware of at the time of purchasing your policy. If you entered into a policy after 9AM on the 10th October 2019 we would expect that this was done with an awareness of this weather event. 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 Japan Typhoon.
NEXT STEPS YOU SHOULD TAKE:
Stay safe, follow instructions from authorities and monitor the media closely.
In the event of a claim covered by your policy, you must take all reasonable steps to mitigate your out of pocket expenses, particularly when altering your trip arrangements (including seeking compensation from any travel service providers), and provide all supporting documentation of the event and expenses incurred. 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.
We encourage you to follow the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) current travel advice for Japan and register your details with Smarttraveller.
