HURRICANE MATTHEW

HURRICANE MATTHEW - EAST COAST USA

Issued: 07 October 2016

We are aware that Hurricane Matthew is having an impact on some TINZ policyholders travelling to the USA.

The following information concerns policyholders whose travel arrangements have been affected by this event.

POLICIES PURCHASED BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON 6TH OCTOBER:

• If you have been affected by this event, there may be provision for you to claim for benefits provided by your Travel Insurance Policy.  Claims will be assessed in accordance with your Policy Wording and may vary depending on the type of policy you purchased.
   

• IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY TRAVELLING:

• If you have started your journey and your transport is cancelled, delayed, shortened or diverted because of Hurricane Matthew, there is provision to claim for any reasonable additional travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

IF YOU HAVEN'T DEPARTED:

• There is provision to claim for cancellation & trip disruption for any pre-booked travel arrangements that are cancelled due to this weather event, including accommodation, flights, tours, and other travel arrangements.

  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.

POLICIES PURCHASED AFTER MIDNIGHT ON 6TH OCTOBER:

• Our policies do not cover claims for losses caused by an event you were aware of at the time of purchasing your policy. If you entered into a policy after midnight Thursday 6th October we would expect you have done so with an awareness of Hurricane Matthew. For these policies, we will not pay any claim caused by or in any way arising from Hurricane Matthew.

  Please keep up to date with the Government's Safe Travel advice.

• 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.

You will need to submit all receipts for any additional transport, food or accommodation expenses. If you are claiming cancellation or additional expenses you will need to submit all documents showing your original planned pre-paid arrangements, along with any receipts and documents proving your new arrangements. You will also be required to submit advice from your travel provider indicating which portions of your journey were deemed non-refundable.

• Any compensation and/or refunds you receive from a third party (e.g. airline) for transport, food or accommodation will be deducted from your settlement if your claim is accepted.
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• To help avoid difficulties overseas, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) maintains travel advisories for more than 160 destinations overseas. Please visit https://www.safetravel.govt.nz which provides accurate, up-to-date information about the risks New Zealanders might face overseas, assisting you to make well-informed decisions about your travel plans.