Travel alerts
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
An outbreak of the Coronavirus has occurred in China and has spread to other parts of the world. There are now restrictions to entering and exiting a number of countries. On 26 March 2020, the New Zealand government upgraded the alert status of all other countries to ‘Do Not Travel’. This means you should not travel overseas to any other country at this time.
For current news and information, see safetravel.govt.nz
There is no cover for claims related to the Novel-Coronavirus (COVID-19).
There is a general exclusion in your policy which excludes cover for any loss, damage, liability or claims related to a pandemic or epidemic.
There is also a general exclusion in your policy which excludes cover for travel booked after the New Zealand government has upgraded the advisory status of a country to ‘Do Not Travel’.
Emergency assistance
If you have an emergency, please contact our Emergency Assistance Team as soon as possible on +64 9 985 5000.
Call our Emergency Assistance Team on +64 9 985 5000 as soon as possible. They'll talk you through options that might be available.
Please note that any costs incurred relating to the Coronavirus are not covered by your policy.
No. There is no cover for claims related to the Coronavirus.
We recommend you contact your travel agent, airline, hotel and tour providers to discuss potential options to change, delay or cancel your trip.
Some travel service providers may offer penalty-free options to change travel arrangements.
No. There is no cover for claims related to the Coronavirus regardless of when the travel was booked.
There is a general exclusion in your policy which excludes cover for any loss, damage, liability or claims related to a pandemic or epidemic.
We recommend that you contact your travel agent, airline, hotel and tour providers to discuss potential options to change, delay or cancel your trip.
Some travel service providers may offer penalty-free options to change travel arrangements.
Your policy still provides cover within the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy under the Medical Benefits section for the usual range of circumstances.
However, if your medical expenses are directly or indirectly caused from, related to, or associated with the Coronavirus, there is no cover.
We can't advise you about whether or not it's safe or appropriate to travel.
You should review the travel information on safetravel.govt.nz and make your own decision.
No. The New Zealand government advises against overseas travel at this time.
Your policy still provides cover within the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy for the usual range of circumstances, however we advise against any overseas travel at this time.
Be aware that Tower products exclude any cover for Coronavirus related claims and travel that is booked when the government advisory is ‘Do Not Travel’.
If you can no longer travel due to COVID-19 and you have not lodged a claim we will refund you the money you paid for travel insurance. Please complete the contact us form and we will refund you as soon as possible.
If your trip is postponed due to COVID-19 and you have not lodged a claim we recommend cancelling your original cover and purchasing new insurance. Travel insurance provides a broad level of cover for a range of scenarios.
Please note that COVID-19 claims will still not be covered.
Further questions?
Please contact us on 0800 800 477. This advice should be read together with your policy wording.
The Philippines: Taal Volcano
Taal Volcano has erupted with concern that this could be the prelude to another more serious eruption.
Hong Kong protests
Hong Kong is experiencing wide-scale disruption as a result of the ongoing protests. This affects the airport and flights a could be cancelled or suspended.
Indonesia: Mount Sinabung volcano
Indonesia has raised flight warnings around the Mount Sinabung volcano. This could result in flight delays or cancellations.
Indonesia: Anak Krakatau volcano and tsunami
A series of tsunami waves have struct Sunda Strait. Some transport links may have been impacted. Airlines will make their own decisions as to when to cease and resume flights. We recommend you contact your airline directly for up-to-date information.
United States: Hurricane Michael
Hurricane Michael has made landfall west of Florida and is causing damage as a category 5 hurricane. The National Hurricane Center has said that storm surge and heavy rain are expected.
United States: Hurricane Michael - travel alert (PDF, 337KB)
United States: Hurricane Florence
Hurricane Florence has now weakened to a tropical depression, and forecasters are warning of continued heavy rainfall and flooding still to come
United States: Hurricane Florence - travel alert (PDF, 332KB)
The Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong: Typhoon Mangkhut
Typhoon Mangkhut is currently making its way into China after passing through the Philippines and Hong Kong.
Indonesia: Lombok Earthquake
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.0 struck eastern Lombok (Nusa Tenggara province) on 5 August 2018.
Mount Agung volcano: Indonesia
The Mount Agung volcano on Bali, Indonesia has erupted sending ash clouds into the atmosphere.
Air New Zealand flight disruptions
Air New Zealand has rescheduled and cancelled a few of its international flights.
Air New Zealand flight disruptions - travel alert (PDF, 360KB)
