IMPORTANT UPDATE

Israel effective 7.30pm,14th October 2024

DFAT has upgraded its travel advisory to ‘Do Not Travel’ for Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, due to the volatile security situation, armed conflict, civil unrest and terrorism risk, effective 7.30pm on 14th October 2024.

Please refer to www.smartraveller.gov.au for further information.

Travel policy coverage to Israel

Travel to a destination where there is an Australian Government ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory in place is generally not covered by our travel insurance policies. Refer to your policy documentation to review the specific terms and exclusions they contain.

Customers due to travel to Israel

Travel to a destination where there is an Australian Government ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory in place is generally not covered by our travel insurance policies. Refer to your policy documentation to review the specific terms and exclusions they contain.

If your trip is affected and you wish to make a claim for our consideration, you can do so.

Customers already in Israel

We advise you to contact our 24-hour Emergency Assistance Team for any queries or assistance in departing Israel as soon as possible, given the change in the travel advisory to Do Not Travel. Refer to your policy document for contact details.

If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) encourages travellers to register with its crisis registration portal. See the 'Safety' section if their website, for details on how to register on www.smartraveller.gov.au

Australians needing emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Government's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 (within Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas).

Limits, conditions and exclusions apply under your travel insurance policy. Please refer to the Product Disclosure Statement and your Certificate of Insurance for full details.

IMPORTANT UPDATE

ISRAEL EFFECTIVE 9TH OCTOBER 2024

Effective from 09 October 2024, we have applied an embargo on the sales of all new travel insurance coverage to Israel, due to the deteriorating security and escalation of the conflict in the region.

Whilst the Australian Government’s travel advice is to reconsider your need to travel to Israel, we have assessed this against our insurance risk appetite and whether our travel insurance would provide adequate coverage under the circumstances, noting the specific terms and exclusions relevant to the current conflict. We have made the decision to cease offering cover.

As a result, no new travel insurance cover for travel to Israel can be purchased and Israel cannot be added as a destination to existing policies until further notice from 09 October 2024.

Travel policy coverage to Israel

Acts of war as well as a traveller’s choice to travel to a destination where there is an Australian Government ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory in place are generally not covered by our travel insurance policies. Refer to your policy documentation to review the specific terms and exclusions they contain.

Customers due to travel to Israel

If you have a travel insurance policy and are traveling to Israel in the near future, you will continue to be covered to the extent of the terms of your policy, unless the Australian Government changes its Smart Traveller advice for Israel to ‘Do Not Travel’, in which case further policy coverage limitations and exclusions would apply.

If your trip is affected and you wish to make a claim for our consideration, you can do so.

Customers already in Israel

If you are already in Israel you will continue to be covered to the extent of the terms of your policy but in the event of a change in travel advice to ‘Do Not Travel’ we advise you to contact our 24 hour Emergency Assistance Team for any queries and assistance in departing Israel as soon as possible – refer to your policy document for contact details.

Limits, conditions and exclusions apply under your policy. Please refer to the Product Disclosure Statement and your Certificate of Insurance for full details.

Important Update

Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories – what you need to know

On 7 October, Israel declared a state of war in response to a reported attack by Hamas. Thousands have been killed or injured, and hostages have been taken. At the date of publication of this advice, the military conflict remains ongoing. The situation is highly challenging and rapidly changing and Australians in the zone are strongly encouraged to leave.

We understand that customers have many questions and concerns about their travel insurance coverage whether they are currently in Israel or planning to travel.

The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) have been developed to assist in providing clarity on situations you may find yourself in, and how those situations relate to your travel insurance coverage.

All coverage is assessed on the standard terms and conditions of your policy.

Please be aware that there are general exclusions within your policy with respect to any claims arising out of “Acts of War” and regarding travel to areas subject to Do Not Travel status.

What is the current status?

As of 21 October 2023, the DFAT advice is:

• Do Not Travel to the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem) and to the border areas with Lebanon due to the volatile security situation; and
• Reconsider your need to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories overall.

I have started my trip

What coverage do I have if I am in a conflict affected area?

For more information on coverage see the table below.

If I choose to remain in Israel will I continue to be covered?

If you purchased a policy prior to 7 October and have chosen to remain in Israel, you should understand that any coverage you have does not extend to any claims arising from or relating to any act of war. If you are injured you may not be covered. In addition, as the situation is evolving there may be further extensions of the DNT warnings to wider areas of Israel. For any questions you have in relation to your existing cover please contact +61 2 8055 1627.

I have decided to stay in Israel but my policy is about to expire. Can I extend my cover?

If you are requiring an extension of existing cover and you are situated in Israel please contact +61 2 8055 1627 to discuss your circumstances.

Currently I am in another Middle Eastern country and would like to interrupt my trip due to events in Israel. Would I be able to claim?

At first instance we recommend that customers who wish to interrupt or reschedule travel arrangements contact their airline or tour operator as they may have available options relating to cancellation of trips. Many travel suppliers are waiving change fees and/or offering refunds or credits for future travel when traveling to Israel.

If your trip is affected and you wish to submit a claim for consideration you can do so via:

Web: travelinsurance.ract.com.au/Assets/content-data/how-to-claim

Phone: 1300 406 352

Email: [email protected]

I have not started my trip

Can I purchase a new policy for travel to Israel?

We are at this time continuing to issue policies to travel to Israel, however, your ability to recover under any such policies may be limited. Please contact 1300 406 352 to discuss your circumstance further.

Can I claim for cancellation of flights and accommodation?

At first instance we recommend that customers who are due to travel to Israel in the coming days or weeks contact their airline or tour operator as they may have available options relating to cancellation of trips. Many travel suppliers are waiving change fees and/or offering refunds or credits for future travel when traveling to Israel.

If you are seeking to claim for cancellation of travel we will be requesting information from you regarding any refunds or credits received from your airline or tour operator. Please ensure you are ready to provide this information to us before you commence your claim.

For more information please contact 1300 406 352.

If I decide to reschedule my trip, can I transfer my insurance to a later date?

Most policies will allow a change of travel dates. Please contact 1300 406 352 to discuss rescheduling.

Can I get a refund?

Depending on your circumstances you may be entitled to a full or partial refund. Please call 1300 406 352 to discuss.

Will I be covered by my policy if I travel to Israel despite the current situation?

If you purchased a policy prior to 7 October and chose to travel to Israel, you should understand that any coverage you have does not extend to any claims arising from or relating to any act of war.  In addition, as the situation is evolving there may be further extensions of the DNT warnings to wider areas of Israel. For any questions you have in relation to your existing cover please contact 1300 406 352.

Where can I find other updates and information?

Stay up to date on travel information from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Smartraveller website.