With the exciting reopening of our borders, now’s a good time to remind our members we have a travel insurance policy available!

When you book your travel arrangements, don’t forget our insurers Allianz Partners New Zealand are here to support members in your travel insurance needs. 

It is recommended that all travellers check to ensure that any government advisory is in place before making travel arrangements, Generally with travel polices in New Zealand, and Allianz being no different, there is no selected cover for epidemic and pandemic diseases for specific countries/regions if there is a Level 4 warning “Do not travel” travel advisory listed on SafeTravel. (Allianz still offer cover for other events, subject to all other policy wordings) so its important to check SafeTravel website before travelling)

Covid-19 aside, every day customers encounter unforeseen weather events, health issues, lost luggage, and delays.  Travel insurance remains as relevant today as ever.  Do ensure you remind yourself of all the benefits of our policies make sure you read the policy wording so you can travel with confidence!

Below are some key questions and answers Allianz are finding at the moment:

If a customer chooses to depart and travel against the advice of the New Zealand Government ie a Level 4 warning  “Do not travel” and the alert level drops while they are on their journey, would selected cover* for epidemic and pandemic diseases kick in at this point?

Allianz will assess whether or not the claim arose from the decision to travel despite the travel warning.  If after their assessment Allianz find that it did not arise from the decision to travel despite the warning, they would consider the claim. 

If I contract Covid-19 in transit to my destination country do I have selected cover* for epidemic and pandemic diseases?

Yes, providing that the country you are travelling to does not have a Level 4 warning “Do not travel”

Does selected cover for epidemic and pandemic diseases including Covid-19 apply for my cruise holiday?

Yes, however, this is dependent on the countries you plan on travelling to.  If there is Level 4 “Do not travel” then epidemic and pandemic cover is excluded and is not available in Allianz’s policies.

Does selected cover* for epidemic and pandemic diseases still apply if I am unvaccinated?

Yes, there is no requirement to be vaccinated/boosted under our policy.  However, if the destination country requires an inbound traveller to be vaccinated then the traveller must be able to meet these entry requirements. This also applies to the condition of carriage for example of the airline they are travelling. There is no cover if denied boarding or entry to a country due to being unvaccinated.

Are there any mandatory epidemic and pandemic insurance requirements pertaining to entering certain countries?

Many countries even before the pandemic had compulsory health and travel insurance requirements but many more have since added rules, typically around Covid-19 medical expenses and the associated costs.   The coverage type and amount necessary varies per vaccination status and country.  Prior to travelling, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination.

I have been identified as a close contact and need to isolate immediately.  This has affected my travel arrangements.  Does my selected cover* for epidemic and pandemic diseases apply?

Cover is in place providing that you are specifically, and individually designated by name in an order or directive to be placed in mandatory quarantine or isolation, by the New Zealand Government or any other government or local authority, based on their suspicion that you have been exposed to an epidemic or pandemic disease.  If you have not received official notification to enter mandatory quarantine or isolation then this aspect of the cover does not apply. 

My travelling companion has been diagnosed with Covid-19 and we cannot commence and/or complete our travel.  Do I have coverage under selected cover* for epidemic and pandemic diseases?

Cover is in place providing that your travelling companion is a person with whom you as the insured have made arrangements with before your policy was issued, and is travelling with you for at least 75% of your journey.

When does my policy commence?  Is there a stand-down period?

Cover under Loss of Deposits and Cancellation commences once a Certificate of Insurance has been issued to you and the required premium is paid. Cover for all other sections begins when you leave your normal place of residence in your country of origin to start your journey. The period of insurance continues until the expiry date shown on your Certificate of Insurance or until you return to your normal place of residence, whichever is the earlier date. There is no cover for any claims for Loss of Deposit or Cancellation for any unforeseeable circumstances occurring before or within seven days of purchasing your policy unless the policy was purchased at the same time as your travel arrangements.

I am unvaccinated, does my selected cover* for epidemic and pandemic diseases still apply?

Cover is in place as there is no requirement to be vaccinated/boosted under our policy.  However, if the destination country requires an inbound traveller to be vaccinated then the traveller must be able to meet these entry requirements. This also applies to the condition of carriage for example of the airline they are travelling. There is no cover if denied boarding or entry to a country due to not meeting the carrier or country vaccination requirements.  It is important to note that, if you are not fully vaccinated under Step 1 you cannot self-isolate in New Zealand.  Even if you have a medical certificate verifying you cannot get vaccinated or a vaccine exemption, you cannot self-isolate on arrival and you would need to have a pre-booked MIQ voucher to enter MIQ.

Does selected cover* for epidemic and pandemic diseases including Covid-19 apply for my cruise holiday?

Cover is in place, however, this is dependent on the countries you plan on travelling to.  If there is a MFAT/ SafeTravel, New Zealand Government, Level 4 warning “Do not travel” then selected cover* for epidemic and pandemic diseases cover is excluded and is not covered under our policies.

If a customer chooses to depart and travel against the advice of the New Zealand Government ie a Level 4 warning  “Do not travel” and the alert level drops while they are on their journey, would selected cover* for epidemic and pandemic diseases kick in at this point?

We will assess whether or not the claim arose from the decision to travel despite the travel warning.  If after our assessment we find that it did not arise from the decision to travel despite the warning, we would consider the claim.

If I contract Covid-19 in transit to my destination country do I have selected cover* for epidemic and pandemic diseases?

Cover is in place, providing that the countries you are travelling to do not have a MFAT/ SafeTravel, New Zealand Government, Level 4 warning “Do not travel” in place.

Does selected cover* for epidemic and pandemic diseases include domestic travel around New Zealand?

Cover is in place for domestic travel.

Please note, Terms, conditions, limits, sub-limits and exclusions apply and these are stated in the Policy Wording. Members considering the purchase of a travel insurance policy should read the Policy Wording to check what is and isn’t covered.

Allianz’s advisory is subject to change as per the Ministry of Health’s lead and direction.  We recommend reviewing on a regular basis.