Flying to Australia tomorrow, can't get through to insurance, can anyone help?!

[duckduckdog]

My parents are due to fly to Australia this week.

No FCO ban on travel but they will have to self isolate for two weeks on arrival.

Holiday has cost an eye watering amount of money.

Does anyone know what the insurance position might be? Insurance company can't be reached and parents absolutely beside themselves.

No advice but I am in the same position so watching!

No insurance company is going to cover that trip at this point, it would be like writing a blank cheque. I imagine if they do find insurance it will exclude coronavirus.

Unless they've got travel disruption on their insurance policy I think they are unlikely to get their money back.

We've just discovered having booked a package holiday to Europe even if the FCO advice is all but essential travel we would not get our money back unless the flight was actually cancelled.

I think your insurance policy would need to have travel disruption in it or a clause in it to say they would pay out if the FCO said all but essential travel.

My understanding is that the FCO aren't saying don't go there, but when you get to Australia you are expected to self-isolate.

Your parents have my sympathy. I feel sick at the amount of money we are losing and ours isn't a once in a life time holiday.

Fingers crossed they can get through to the insurance company and they are covered 🤞

The trip is already covered by insurance - but it's not clear if travel insurance will deem quarantine an event in which to pay out. They can still go but will be forced to isolate for 2 of their 5 weeks there.

They would rather cancel but this is a life savings kind of trip and can't cancel if they're not going to be reimbursed.

@userwhatevernumber I'm so sorry you're in the same position. It's devastating.

Sorry, I completely misread it thinking they were trying to take out insurance. Do either of them have conditions which may make them high risk? That might help in a claim. We need Boris to close our boarders then insurance would have to pay out.

Here are the guidelines for NSW, they have been extended to include any arrivals but the guidance hasn't been updated yet. www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/hubei-contacts-and-travellers.aspx
I'd assume insurance companies will look for any reason not to pay. As the FCO haven't said do not travel it would be astounding if insurance pays out for a cancelled trip. If they o go at least they will be over their jetlag by the time they venture out.

There should be a statement on the insurance company website that goes through most scenarios.

At this Stage their focus needs to be on risk management not financial management

As right now nooner can get to either an airline or a travel insurance firm

So gently fuck the money , but think about ...
What happens if we have to quarantine for weeks On end
What happens if we fall sick and can’t get through to travel insurance
What happens is borders shut , flights are cancelled and as have to pay for a hotel
For weeks in end

Don’t assume that either travel insurance , FCO or the website can make a decision for them

And bear in mind getting stuck could be a nightmare far worse than losing a holiday

Sorry to be so blunt , my mums stuck there now so handling this very situation