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Coping with earthquakes: the pivotal role of travel insurance during natural disasters
Japan and Taiwan both recently faced back-to-back earthquakes, with Hualien in Taiwan suffering a significant blow from a 7.2 magnitude quake in April. This calamity led to a number of deaths and left close to a thousand people injured. The event also devastated infrastructure, such as buildings and roads, and significantly disrupted transportation. Many tourists found themselves stranded in hotels, awaiting evacuation for days.
Such natural disasters pose a crucial question: what steps should you take when earthquakes or similar emergencies disrupt travel your plans? Aside from staying calm, following safety instructions and waiting for the emergency services, how does travel insurance come into play? Moreover, when is the optimal time to purchase travel insurance for maximum protection?
Timing: almost everything
Given the unpredictable nature of natural disasters, securing travel insurance right after making your travel arrangements is wise because it provides a buffer against potential risks. For instance, earthquakes – a which are a natural phenomenon that may be unfamiliar to most Hong Kong people – can severely disrupt travel plans. They can even affect operations at your departure airport, not just at the destination.
Single-trip travel insurance can typically be purchased up to 90 days in advance. For frequent travellers, an annual travel insurance policy might be more suitable, with most insurers covering each trip for durations of between 90 and 180 days, ensuring year-round protection. It’s imperative to note, however, that travel insurance must be acquired before departure and is only valid if the journey starts from Hong Kong.
Understanding the scope of coverage before departure
A prevalent misunderstanding is that travel insurance only kicks in during the trip. Yet, many policies offer coverage for incidents occurring up to 30 days before departure. For instance, if an earthquake impacts your destination airport 2 days prior to your departure date, leading to flight cancellations, your policy would cover the non-refundable travel and accommodation expenses incurred due to the cancellation or delay.
Understanding the extent of your travel insurance coverage is essential. Most insurers cover cancellations, delays and modifications caused by natural disasters, including earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, covering flight costs, additional transportation and hotel expenses, and unused event tickets. Coverage typically extends to medical expenses, personal accident claims, hospital allowances, follow-up treatment upon return to Hong Kong and 24/7 global assistance, providing vital support during emergencies.
Notes for when home seems very far away
Travellers heading to areas prone to earthquakes or natural disasters should take extra safety measures. Familiarise yourself with local risks, emergency procedures and essential contact numbers, and keep basic emergency and first aid supplies on hand. In the event of a disaster, prioritising your personal safety helps maintain calm and avoid panic. Utilising earthquake early warning systems on mobile devices can also give you time to seek emergency shelter.
Being far from home during a disaster can be daunting. That’s why preparing in advance, securing comprehensive travel insurance and understanding its coverage are key steps to ensuring your safety and finding the right support during potentially life-or-death situations.
This Chinese version of this article was published in the Hong Kong Economics Journal
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