The University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia’s travel insurance policy current position in relation to the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus outbreaks.

1. Summary of the situation and official alerts
2. UWA's travel insurance policy current position

This page summarises The University of Western Australia’s travel insurance policy current position in relation to the A (H1N1) virus outbreaks.

This position is based on current information as at 29 April 2009 and is subject to change without notice. It is issued as a general guide only, as the circumstances surrounding each potential claim are different and each claim will be assessed individually on its merits.

We encourage you to contact UWA Risk Management for the full terms, conditions and exclusions applicable to our cover.

If you feel you have a valid claim, please submit a completed claim form for consideration.

Summary of the situation and official alerts

On 24 April 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) advised of an outbreak of influenza illness in the United States and Mexico. Cases have now also been identified in other countries, including Austria, Canada, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, Spain and the United Kingdom.

On 27 April, 2009, the WHO raised the level of the influenza outbreak from phase 3 to phase 4 (of 6), and on 29 April increased the level further to phase 5. The change to the higher phase of pandemic alert indicates human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region, although most countries will not be affected at this stage. The declaration of phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organisation, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.

On Tuesday, 28 April 2009, at 13:31 (EST), the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) changed the level of its travel advice in respect of Mexico from "High degree of caution" to "Reconsider your need to travel", as a result of the outbreak. DFAT is not currently advising against non-essential travel to Canada or to the United States of America.

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UWA's travel insurance policy current position

If you bought and paid for your travel arrangements to Mexico prior to DFAT increasing the level of the travel advisory to “Reconsider your need to travel”, and your planned departure date is within 14 days, our insurers will consider any cancellation claim arising out of swine influenza and you should submit a claim form if you cancel your travel.

If your planned departure date is further in the future, we recommend that you await further developments and re-evaluate your plans nearer to the departure date.

If you are already in Mexico, any claims arising out of trip curtailment and emergency expenses will generally be considered subject to the terms and conditions of the policy, again provided the cover was in place prior to 28 April 2009. Please keep your receipts and any other documentary evidence for submission with your claim form.

If you bought your insurance policy and/or paid for your travel arrangements to Mexico after DFAT increased the level of the travel advisory to “Reconsider your need to travel”, then any claim related to swine influenza would generally not be covered.

As always, any actual loss situations will be assessed based on the circumstances which prevail at the time as these may be influenced by other terms, conditions and exclusions particular to your policy. Without being exhaustive, this may include instances where the policy excludes:

• travelling against medical advice
• failure to adhere to warnings in the mass media
• intervention with travel plans by government or official authority
• disinclination to travel.

For further information please refer to:

• The Flu and You - Help stop the spread at home, work and school
• World Health Organisation
• Federal Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT
• DFAT's Smartraveller alert
• WA Health Department – Public Health

DFAT information - telephone 1300 555 135
Consular assistance - telephone (+61 2) 6261 3305
Advice within the University - telephone Safety and Health on 6488 3938 or internal Ext 3938

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