Tropical Storm Pabuk, Thailand: How Does It Affect You?

Are you currently affected by tropical storm Pabuk? If so, read the below to learn more about how this natural disaster can affect your travels and coverage. 

Will I be covered for claims relating to tropical storm Pabuk?

The short answer is: it depends on when you purchased your policy.

  • If your policy was purchased after 12:00am (AEST) on 5th January 2019, you will not be covered for any claim relating to tropical storm Pabuk, even if you purchased the natural disaster add on as part of your policy.
  • If your policy was purchased before 12:00am (AEST) on 5th January 2019, you will be covered for any claim relating to tropical storm Pabuk, provided that you purchased the natural disaster add on as part of your policy.

Important note about medical coverage

Medical expenses that are incurred in relation to tropical storm Pabuk, or any other natural disaster, are automatically covered on all of our international policies, regardless of whether you purchased the natural disaster add on with your cover.

My airline has cancelled my flights: will I be covered for new flights?

If your airline has cancelled flights, they are obliged to re-book you onto a new flight as soon as possible, and you need to follow their instructions. Please contact your airline as soon as you can. 

Keep in mind there are hundreds of travellers in this situation, so you may not be on the first flight out.

We have just found out our flights have been cancelled by the airline: what shall we do?

Contact your airline, and ask them when they expect flights to resume. Also, make sure you ask them if they are making any provisions for accommodation due to the delayed flight and ask when you can expect to leave on the next available flight. 

If they don’t offer to provide accommodation, then you should try to extend the dates of your existing accommodation, or failing this, book accommodation of a reasonable and equivalent value.

I’m travelling to Thailand in the near future, but I have not bought a travel insurance policy yet. Will the natural disaster exclusion be lifted soon?

The short answer is: it’s impossible to tell right now. It depends on how the situation with tropical storm Pabuk progresses. The exclusion may be lifted within a few days, or last for another few months. 

We recommend you check back regularly between now and your departure if you want to travel to an area affected by tropical storm Pabuk and still be covered. If you purchase your policy whilst the exclusion is in place, unfortunately, you won’t be covered.