Australian travel insurers are responding to recent natural disaster alerts in the North Pacific, following an earthquake near Russia’s east coast that triggered tsunami warnings for several regions, including Japan and Hawaii.
Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) has announced that it is closely observing the situation and has prepared its customer service teams to address policyholder concerns as events develop.
Jess Strange, chief customer officer at SCTI, said the company is maintaining communication with customers in affected areas.
“We’re monitoring the evolving situation in Japan, Hawaii, and other locations potentially affected by tsunami following the Earthquake off Russia’s East Coast. Our teams have been alerted to respond to questions from customers, and if the situation develops into a serious event, we will reach out to customers to offer our support,” she said.
Travellers currently in impacted regions are advised to prioritise their safety by following official instructions and seeking medical care if necessary.
SCTI recommends that customers first contact their airline or tour operator to discuss changes to travel arrangements.
Policyholders are also encouraged to consult with their travel insurer before making any adjustments, particularly regarding costs that may not be covered by airlines.
SCTI has advised travellers to retain documentation such as cancellation notices and receipts for additional expenses, including accommodation and meals, to support any insurance claims.
“To make things easier, we recommend keeping any cancellation notifications from your airline, including emails, along with receipts for any expenses incurred by the event, such as accommodation and meals. You’ll need to submit these with any claim,” Strange said.
The insurer has confirmed that claims are likely to be considered for those already travelling in the affected areas, those who have already departed, or those who purchased policies before the event.
In a separate development, travel insurance providers are adjusting their coverage in response to updated government advisories for New Caledonia.
The territory, which recently gained increased autonomy through an agreement with France, has seen its travel warning level reduced by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
As of June 27, DFAT lowered its advice from “Reconsider your need to travel” to “Exercise a high degree of caution” for all regions of New Caledonia, including the Loyalty Islands, Isle of Pines, and Grand Terre. New Zealand made a similar change in May.
The previous higher-level warning was issued in response to civil unrest in May 2024.
While conditions have improved, insurance industry data shows that demand for New Caledonia travel policies remains below typical levels.
According to Zoom Travel Insurance, policy sales for the region dropped by 60% during the December-January peak travel period.
Natasha Sullivan, marketing manager at Zoom Travel Insurance, said the updated DFAT advisory allows insurers to offer cover for travel to New Caledonia, subject to policy terms.
“With DFAT lowering its travel warning to Level 2 to the entirety of New Caledonia, travel insurers will now cover New Caledonia, subject to the terms and conditions of your policy,” she said.
Sullivan recommended that travellers check Smartraveller for updates, avoid large gatherings, and review their insurance policies before departure.
These industry responses come as new research highlights the importance of insurance in Australian travel planning.
The Allianz Partners Travel Index, which surveyed 1,000 Australian adults, found that 71% intend to travel in the next year.
Among those not planning trips, 80% cited affordability as the main factor. For those who are travelling, financial security and insurance are key considerations.
The survey found that 82% of respondents plan to purchase travel insurance, with primary concerns including medical emergencies (49%), financial shortfalls (45%), and disruptions such as flight cancellations (43%).
