Australians warned to think twice about where they book holidays following coronavirus outbreak
Jetsetters heading overseas in the coming months need to rethink their plans before heading off or making new bookings. Some also won’t be covered by travel insurance if the coronavirus continues.
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JETSETTERS travelling abroad in the coming months need to think carefully about where they book holidays to avoid possible disruptions and hits to their hip pocket.
The coronavirus epidemic continues to spread, claiming lives, infecting thousands of people and throwing travel plans into disarray.
Travellers should not be given a false sense of security with travel insurance either – some
policies don’t cover claims made as a result of epidemics or pandemics.
Comparetravelinsurance.com.au’s director, Natalie Ball, said anyone considering travelling to China should hold off booking.
“With the coronavirus evolving, the further out you book your travel the better,” she said.
“If you’re travelling within the next few weeks there’s bound to be disruptions. I wouldn’t recommend booking any trips to China for at least the next three months.”
Australians should sign up to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller website to keep up-to-date with overseas travel information.
For now, Australians are recommended to not travel to China due to the increased risks from the coronavirus.
While travel insurance is important to take out before heading overseas, Ms Ball said it did not guarantee coverage.
“Anyone who purchased a policy before the Government updated any warnings for travel into these regions may have provisions to claim on their travel insurance,” she said.
“But anyone who purchased insurance after the event is unlikely to be covered.”
Ms Ball also warned people planning to travel anywhere to book their insurance “sooner rather than later”.
“If there isn’t any restrictions to a country you are travelling to, it could potentially be covered if something goes wrong by buying a policy sooner rather than later,” she said.
Flight Centre spokesman Haydn Long said the coronavirus “is not yet impacting travel to other locations or longer-term bookings but it is certainly something that we and others are monitoring”.
“The best advice at the moment is to take note of the warnings and avoid China in the near term,” he said.
Mr Long said Flight Centre had many inquiries from travellers who had planned trips within the next few weeks.
“People who are directly impacted tend to phone up and find out what their options are but people travelling further out (in the year) tend to wait and see,” he said.
For those who have had flights or tours cancelled, normally the tour operator or airline would offer a refund.
“In this instance, airlines and tour operators have typically implemented policies that allow travellers with bookings in the next few weeks to amend or cancel their plans without penalty,” Mr Long said.