What do I do if I have to be evacuated during my holiday?
If an emergency situation means you need to be evacuated during your holiday – don’t worry, we're here to care for you.
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Experiencing an emergency evacuation during a holiday probably isn’t at the top of your travel bucket list. Hopefully, you’ll never go through one – and you’ll only come back from your next trip with incredible memories.
But – just like life – travel can be unpredictable. You could be involved in a natural disaster like an earthquake or volcano eruption. You could be nearby when a protest turns sour or a riot erupts. No matter the emergency, some situations call for quick action.
If you’re told to evacuate during your holiday, it’s super important you follow that instruction.
'Make sure you act fast if you’re given emergency evacuation orders. Please prioritise your safety and always follow the instructions of the local authorities.
'If you need our help, get in touch with our emergency assistance team. We’re here 24/7.
'You can also check Smartraveller and the alerts on our Cover-More app – instructions may be available on what to do next there to help you.'
Rodger Cook, Cover-More's General Manager of Global Security.
Do you need emergency assistance right now?
Our 24/7 emergency assistance team is standing by. If you’re under emergency evacuation orders right now, here are two ways you can reach us:
- Tap the assistance button in our Cover-More app.
- Call +61 2 8907 5619 from anywhere in the world.
4 steps to take if you need to be evacuated during your holiday
- Contact our 24/7 emergency assistance team as soon as possible
- Follow local authorities' instructions
- Lean on us to plan your evacuation
- Keep track of receipts and invoices.
What to do if you need to be evacuated during your holiday
Step 1: Contact our 24/7 emergency assistance team as soon as possible
If you need help getting evacuated during a holiday emergency, get in touch with our 24/7 emergency assistance team. This is extra important if you’re caught up in a natural disaster, extreme weather event or something unexpected like a protest or riot.
When you contact our team, tell us where you are, what’s happening around you, and anything else we should know to help you out.
The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can help with your evacuation. Don’t worry – we’ve got your back.
Step 2: Follow local authorities' instructions
Involved in a natural disaster, extreme weather or terrorism event? Stay tuned to social media and local news sources for updates and instructions from local authorities. This may help you with your emergency evacuation.
Also, make sure you’ve switched on notifications and enabled tracking in our Cover-More app. That way, we may be able to send you live alerts about your situation or contact you if a situation nearby gets worse.
Step 3: Lean on us to plan your evacuation
Our 24/7 emergency assistance team is here to help. We’ll be able to assess the situation, and may be able to work with local resources and tap into our local network of support providers at your location to help you.
Using all this information, our team can guide you through the emergency evacuation process. That’s right, we can help you arrange transport, accommodation and other essentials to get you back to safety.
Step 4: Keep track of your receipts and invoices
If your travels go sideways and you need to evacuate during your holiday, chances are you’ll have a few unexpected expenses crop up. Here’s a little bit of good news – you may have cover for some of these things.
Make sure to keep hold of all receipts and invoices from the evacuation. Once you’re safely back home, you can submit a claim for consideration for the costs you may have incurred.
Wondering what your travel insurance may or may not cover? Check out our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the full picture.
Here are some other ways we can help while you’re away
What do I do if I’m near a bushfire on holiday?
A bushfire during your dream getaway can be unnerving. Here’s what to do if your travel plans go up in smoke.
What do I do if I’m in a vehicle accident on holiday?
If this happens to you during your trip, you can lean on us for support, and submit a claim for consideration for unexpected costs too.
What to do if you need to go to the hospital on holiday
It’s possible you might need unexpected hospital treatment on your trip. Don’t worry – here's what to expect.
Download our Cover-More app now for help in the palm of your hand
Need our support in a hurry? Just download our app and tap the Assistance button in our app to get 24/7 support, live travel alerts and safety tips.
Luggage and Travel Documents
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Overseas Medical and Dental Emergency
All our plans offer cover for unexpected medical emergencies while you’re overseas.
Additional Expenses
If something unplanned causes extra expenses, our cover may kick in to help you out.
Travel Delays
For when you need to fork out for extra accommodation, because your pre-booked transport is delayed.
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