Important Information Regarding: Kokoda Track Protests – September 2024

Issued: 19 September 2024 

Background

On 16th September 2024, local landowners created a barricade blocking sections of the Kokoda Track as part  of a protest.

Trekkers affected by the blockage are being advised to turn back and discontinue their trek with reports of  multiple organised groups already being interrupted and planned treks being cancelled.

The protest could last for months whilst discussions and negotiations between local police and the landowners are underway. Trekking the Kokoda Trail won't be possible until the track is reopened.

If you have been directly affected by this event and need medical assistance, please call our 24 hour emergency assistance team immediately on +61 2 8907 5619. We further urge you to pay close attention to the local media and emergency services.

Policy coverage:

For policies/trips with a Relevant Time before 19th September 2024

Subject to the benefits, terms, conditions, limits, sub-limits and exclusions contained in your Product Disclosure Statement (the “PDS”) and our assessment of your claim, there may be provision to claim for the following expenses if you or your travel plans are directly affected:

• Additional Expenses
  If you are already on your trip: 
  o Reasonable additional accommodation (room rate only) and transportation expenses if your trek is impacted by this event, up to the nominated limits, as outlined in the Product Disclosure Statement 
  o There is no cover if your existing travel plans are not directly affected 

• Amendment or Cancellation Costs
  If you have this cover on your policy and your trip only involved a Kokoda Trek: 
  o The non-refundable portion of pre-paid, unused travel arrangements 
  o Amendments made prior to departing on the Journey if the cost to rearrange does not exceed the amount it would have cost to cancel the trip outright 
  o There is no cover available for any portions of your Journey that have been utilised

  If you have this cover on your policy and a Kokoda trek was only part of your travel arrangements: 
  o There is an expectation under your policy to continue with your travels and amend the impacted component of your trip if it is more cost effective than to cancel your trip outright 
  o Amendments made prior to departing on the Journey if the cost to rearrange does not exceed the amount it would have cost to cancel the trip outright 
  o There is no cover available for any portions of your Journey that have been utilised

To submit your claim, please remember:

• To keep all itemised receipts for additional purchases or costs incurred 
• Obtain a letter from the travel provider confirming you were impacted by this event 
• The easiest way to lodge a claim is online via: https://claims.covermore.com.au/

Costs that are not covered by your policy

• Costs that are incurred where your travel is not directly affected 
• Where alternate travel is at a higher fare class than originally booked 
• Travel arrangements that have already been used 
• Costs excluded or above the limits outlined in your PDS

For policies/trips with a Relevant Time after 19th September 2024

There is no cover for claims arising from this event under your policy as this is no longer deemed an unforeseeable event.

If you decide to change your travel plans, we encourage you to speak with your travel agent or transport provider as soon as possible to minimise your out of pocket expenses.

Important points regarding cover

• Your insurance policy does not cover you for events that had already occurred at the relevant time of your policy/trip 
• Your insurance policy does not cover you for events that you knew were going to impact your travel at the relevant time of your policy/trip

Free Extension of Insurance

If the relevant time of your current trip pre-dates this travel advice and your travel is disrupted due to this event, impacting your ability to return home on your policy end date, your policy will freely extend until you are physically able to return home as soon as it becomes possible.

Important general advice

This information must be read in conjunction with the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) as certain terms, conditions, limits, sub-limits and exclusions apply. These are detailed in the PDS and in particular we draw your attention to ‘The Benefits’, ‘Policy Conditions’ and ‘General Exclusions’ sections of the PDS.

Contact us

If you are travelling and require travel or medical assistance, please contact our 24 hour emergency assistance team on +61 2 8907 5619.

For any general enquiries regarding the event please contact our Customer Service team on 1300 72 88 22 between 8am and 7pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm Saturday and 10am to 3pm Sunday.