1 August 2025
On 30 July 2025, a significant earthquake has struck the east coast of Russia. The earthquake, with a reported magnitude of 8.8, has impacted regions including Vladivostok and surrounding areas. Local authorities are assessing the damage, which includes disruptions to infrastructure and potential risks to public safety. Travelers are advised to exercise caution, avoid affected areas, and stay updated on local advisories and news reports. Relief efforts are underway, and travellers should anticipate possible delays in transportation and communication services. It is recommended to check with airlines and local contacts for the latest information on travel conditions.
As a result, there has been have been Tsunami warnings issued for the below affected areas. It is important to note that, due to the magnitude of this event, aftershocks may occur. We recommend that you remain prepared.
Affected areas include:
Russia (Kamchatka and Kuril Islands), Japan, the United States (Hawaii, Alaska, and the West Coast), Canada (British Columbia), Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, the Philippines, and several Pacific island nations including French Polynesia, Samoa, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Micronesia, and the Galápagos Islands.
As a general guide, we suggest that impacted travellers review their relevant travel insurance Product Disclosure Statement or Credit Card Complimentary Insurance Policy Information Booklet regarding cancellation, travel delay, and additional travel expenses, as these will provide information around the cover under the policy.
Our products provide a number of benefits, terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, and applicable sub-limits that may be relevant to your travel plans. Your cover will depend on the type of plan you purchased or the type of cover you are eligible for and your circumstances. We will assess all claims in accordance with the cover that you hold and in accordance with the applicable Product Disclosure Statement or Credit Card Complimentary Insurance Policy Information Booklet. The policy will only respond to this event if you are directly impacted. There is no cover as a result of deciding not to travel where you are not directly impacted.
If you entered into a policy or became eligible for cover before (9:30AM AEST) 30 July 2025.
If you are currently travelling:
· As a provider of assistance services, it is always our priority to assist our customers where possible and within our ability to do so.
· Please consider your safety first and follow advice from local authorities.
· If your travel arrangements have been affected by this event, we firstly recommend contacting 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.
· If your pre-booked travel arrangements are cancelled, delayed or rescheduled as a result of the volcanic eruption and you have a travel insurance policy that provides coverage for delays or cancellation of travel arrangements, you may be able to claim for additional travel, accommodation and meal expenses. Please ensure you keep all receipts and proof of purchases to submit with your claim.
· Please refer to your Product Disclosure Statement or Credit Card Complimentary Insurance Policy Information Booklet for the terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits that apply.
· If you have any queries about your policy benefits, please contact our Allianz Global Assistance Information Hotline on 1300 725 154.
· Keep up to date on advice from travel providers by visiting their websites directly.
· Please keep yourself up to date with the advice issued by DFAT via its website smartraveller.gov.au
If you have not yet departed:
· If your pre-booked travel arrangements are cancelled, delayed or rescheduled as a result of the volcanic eruption and you have a travel insurance policy that provides coverage for delays or cancellation of travel arrangements you may be able to make a claim for cancellation or rearrangement of your journey (whichever is the lesser).
· Please refer to your Product Disclosure Statement or Credit Card Complimentary Insurance Policy Information Booklet for the terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and applicable sub-limits that apply.
· 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.
· Contact our Allianz Global Assistance Information Hotline on 1300 725 154 if you would like to clarify your policy entitlements.
If you entered into a policy or became eligible for cover on or after (9.30AM AEST) Wednesday 30 July 2025
Your policy does not provide cover for events occurring prior to the date the policy is issued. As the Earthquake took place at 9.30am AEST on Wednesday 30 July 2025, it follows there is no cover for any policies issued after that time. Further our policies do not cover claims for losses caused by something that you or a reasonable person in your circumstances would have been aware of at the time of purchasing your policy in responding to our questions.
We will assess all claims in accordance with the cover that you hold and in accordance with your Product Disclosure Statement or Credit Card Complimentary Insurance Policy Information Booklet.
Making a Claim
Keep all receipts for any additional transport, food or accommodation expenses you incur. If you are claiming cancellation or additional expenses you will need to submit documents showing what your original planned pre-paid arrangements were, along with any receipts and documents showing your new arrangements, and advice from the travel provider indicating the non-refundable portion of the journey.
Where possible, ensure any alternative accommodation and additional expenses are of a reasonable standard compared to the standard that which you had planned and pre-paid.
Please note that any compensation and/or refunds you receive from a third party (e.g. airline) for transport, food or accommodation will be deducted if your claim is accepted.
Make your claim online at travelclaims.com.au
How to contact us: If you have any general queries, please contact our Allianz Global Assistance Information Hotline on 1300 725 154. To make a claim visit our website travelclaims.com.au We will publish this and any updated travel insurance advisories on our website.