Latest news with #Smartraveller
West Australian
4 days ago
- West Australian
Warning about border violence & insurance
Though a ceasefire has been declared between Thailand and Cambodia, ostensibly halting the conflict on their border which has caused the deaths of at least 35 people and displaced more than 200,000, travellers are still warned to be very cautious. Since July 24, the Federal Government's official travel advice website, Smartraveller, has advised 'do not travel' to areas within 50km of the Thailand-Cambodia border due to the conflict, despite the ceasefire. Natalie Ball, managing director for says: 'While a ceasefire is now in place, those travelling to troubled regions should always reach out to their airlines or travel agents first to explore their options. In situations like these, many travel providers offer flexible and penalty-free changes to bookings, allowing holidaymakers to postpone or reroute their plans with minimal disruption.' While travel insurers do not typically cover cancellation of travel because of a change of mind due to civil unrest, there are some instances in which travellers would be covered. For example, if the travel service provider cancels the trip and refuses to refund to reimburse the traveller, there could be scope to claim. For instance, insurers like 1Cover, Allianz and Cover-More provide cover for cancellation fees and lost deposits if riots or cases of civil unrest cause the cancellation of a flight or scheduled transport. Additional accommodation and travel expenses would be covered if civil unrest impacted flight or transport plans mid-journey. Ms Ball explains: 'If your scheduled transport was cancelled due to civil unrest at your destination and your travel providers were unable to reimburse your prepaid costs, you may be eligible to claim. To ensure adequate cover, opt for comprehensive policies as basic policies are unlikely to provide cover for cancellation and on-trip disruptions.' But she notes that while some cases of civil unrest may be covered, war-like situations are usually restricted from cover: 'Acts of war, involving military or armed force interventions are generally excluded from cover. These are unpredictable, high-risk scenarios at which the Australian Government is usually obliged to step in and assist its citizens.' She warns that travellers who purchase cover after a case of civil unrest is widely reported are unlikely to be covered. 'Travelling to or planning to stay in a region that the government has advised against is generally not recommended, and resulting claims would likely not be covered.'
Perth Now
7 days ago
- General
- Perth Now
Aussies caught up in Bali boat horror
A boat carrying 80 people – including five Australians – has capsized in Bali, killing two and leaving scores of others injured. The fast boat was carrying 75 passengers – including at least five Australians – and five crew members when it got caught in a large surf off Sanur in southeast Bali at about 5pm AEST Tuesday. The boat, named Fast Boat Dolphin II, had crossed from Nusa Penida and was about 100m from its destination port in Sanur when the boat flipped. Two have died and scores of others are injured after a boat capsized in Bali. Credit: Supplied There were 80 people on board when the boat flipped. Credit: Supplied The passengers were thrown into the water, with locals scrambling to pull them out of the ocean. Horrifying footage showed the distressed passengers loaded into inflatable rescue boats and scrambling to leave the water, with one woman carried to the shore seemingly unconscious. Head of the Denpasar Search and Rescue team I Nyoman Sidakarya confirmed two Chinese nationals had died in the incident, and one crew member was still missing. The rescue team said 14 people had been transported to hospital. 'We received the initial report to the Bali Province Disaster Management Operations Center (Pusdalops PB) at 4.25pm,' he said. 'We are continuing to gather information regarding the number of passengers and their current condition.' Dozens of people have been injured in trhe incident. Credit: Supplied Maritime accidents are common in Indonesia due to poorly regulated safety rules, overcrowding and rough sea conditions. Smartraveller warns Australians travelling to Indonesia to be cautious of rough seas and strong rips at tourist beaches. In March, a 39-year-old Australian woman was killed and two others were injured after a snorkelling boat capsized off the coats of Bali.
News.com.au
30-07-2025
- News.com.au
Warning for Australian tourists in Japan, Hawaii amid tsunami threat
Australian tourists in beloved overseas destinations, including Japan and Hawaii, have been warned as widespread tsunami alerts are issued. It comes after the world's biggest earthquake in 14 years, a massive magnitude 8.8 shock, struck east-southeast of Kamchatska, off the coast of Russia, about 9.24pm (AEST). The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has also added Australia to its advisory, reporting that waves reaching 0.3 to one metre are possible along the coast. However, the Bureau of Meteorology says there is no tsunami threat to the country. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, through its Smartraveller advice website, has warned Aussies of a 'Pacific wide tsunami warning' extending to Japan, Hawaii, parts of the west coast of North and South America, Alaska, parts of South East Asia, Guam and all Pacific islands. 'If you're in the affected area, move to higher ground immediately. If there's an official evacuation warning, immediately follow the advice of local authorities,' it urged. Changing travel plans Angus Kidman, travel expert at insurance comparison website Finder, told thankfully many travel insurance policies will provide cover for natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis. 'However, any travel insurance policy purchased after a known event starts won't provide cover for that event,' he warned. 'If your travel is disrupted because of a natural disaster, you'll need to have already had your travel insurance policy in place to make a claim. 'That's why it's so important to get travel insurance as soon as you book your flights or accommodation. That way anything that disrupts your travel between booking and starting your trip can still be covered. 'Keep receipts for any expenses incurred and contact your insurer as soon as possible.' Jess Strange, chief customer officer at Southern Cross Travel Insurance, told travellers should speak to their insurance provider where possible to ensure they are covered for changes made to their trip. 'If you're on holiday and a disaster strikes, the most important thing to keep in mind is your safety,' she said. 'Follow the instructions of any officials or emergency personnel and seek medical attention if you need it. 'If you need to change your travel plans to get home, contact your airline or tour operator in the first instance. 'If you're concerned about what costs you're covered for, it's important where possible to speak to your travel insurance provider before making any changes. That way, you can be confident if there are costs that your airline can't reimburse you for, get in touch with your travel insurer to find out what they can cover.' Ms Strange also recommends keeping any cancellation notifications from your airline, including emails, along with receipts for any expenses incurred by the event, such as accommodation and meals. 'You'll need to submit these with any claim,' she said. She added Southern Cross Travel Insurance is monitoring this particular situation and is 'likely to cover any claims for travellers already in the affected areas, who have departed on their journey or who have already purchased a policy for travel to this region'.
West Australian
30-07-2025
- West Australian
Swathe of travel warnings for Aussies in multiple countries after huge Russia earthquake, tsunami warning
A swathe of urgent warnings have been issued for Aussie travellers with fears multiple countries across the Pacific could be hit by a tsunami following an 8.6 magnitude earthquake. Smartraveller is advising tourists in coastal areas to 'move to higher ground immediately' after the quake hit — triggering a tsunami warning at around 9.30am AEST — about 60km offshore from the southern tip of the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia. Authorities say waves up to 3m high are possible in some areas. Countries included in the current Pacific-wide tsunami warning areas are Japan, the United States, Canada, Guam, Marshall Islands French Polynesia and near neighbours Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, New Caledonia, Micronesia and Palau. 'If there's an official evacuation warning, follow the advice of local authorities. Monitor media for updates,' the Smartraveller advice reads. The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre says there is no tsunami threat to Australia. The earthquake was the sixth strongest ever recorded. In Japan an evacuation order has been issued for 1.9 million people across 21 prefectures as tsunami waves measuring 30-50cms hit the coast. In Hokkaido people have been seen taking shelter on a roof as tsunami sirens blare. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said there were no injuries or damage reported so far, and no irregularities at any nuclear plants. In Hawaii evacuations are underway and commercial flights at Hilo Airport have been suspended. Hotel guests are being told to move out of lower floors, according to CNN . The first tsunami waves are forecast to reach Hawaii just after 7.15pm local time (3.15pm AEST). For more information go to Smartraveller .
Perth Now
30-07-2025
- Perth Now
Urgent warning for Aussie travellers after monster quake
Buildings are inundated by waves in the aftermath of a tsunami in the Kuril Islands, Russia. A swathe of urgent warnings have been issued for Aussie travellers with fears multiple countries across the Pacific could be hit by a tsunami following an 8.6 magnitude earthquake. Smartraveller is advising tourists in coastal areas to 'move to higher ground immediately' after the quake hit — triggering a tsunami warning at around 9.30am AEST — about 60km offshore from the southern tip of the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia. Authorities say waves up to 3m high are possible in some areas. Countries included in the current Pacific-wide tsunami warning areas are Japan, the United States, Canada, Guam, Marshall Islands French Polynesia and near neighbours Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, New Caledonia, Micronesia and Palau. 'If there's an official evacuation warning, follow the advice of local authorities. Monitor media for updates,' the Smartraveller advice reads. The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre says there is no tsunami threat to Australia. The earthquake was the sixth strongest ever recorded. In Japan an evacuation order has been issued for 1.9 million people across 21 prefectures as tsunami waves measuring 30-50cms hit the coast. In Hokkaido people have been seen taking shelter on a roof as tsunami sirens blare. People gathered on the rooftops of buildings near the coast in Oamishirasato City, Chiba Prefecture. Credit: TOSHIYUKI KON / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AFP Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said there were no injuries or damage reported so far, and no irregularities at any nuclear plants. In Hawaii evacuations are underway and commercial flights at Hilo Airport have been suspended. Hotel guests are being told to move out of lower floors, according to CNN. The first tsunami waves are forecast to reach Hawaii just after 7.15pm local time (3.15pm AEST). For more information go to Smartraveller.
