Travel insurance: Bali volcano

If you're looking to buy a policy today, you probably won't be able to get travel insurance to cover the Bali volcano. This is because travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseen issues, and the Mt Agung eruption is a known event. While you may not be covered for events related to Mt Agung, travel insurance can still cover you for unexpected medical expenses, prepaid expenses and lost luggage.

To help you find out if you're covered, we've put together a handy table outlining what date and time insurers stopped providing cover for Mount Agung as well as other volcano-related issues including the Bali ash cloud.

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Find out if you're covered for Mt Agung

Last updated: 3 July, 2019

Brand	Covered for Mount Agung	Not covered
1Cover	Policies issued 10am 16th September 2017 (AEST) or between 9am 6th November and midday 22nd November 2017	Policies issued after 12pm Wednesday 22 November 2017.
American Express	Policies issued before 5pm Thursday 30 May 2019.	Policies issued after 5pm Thursday 30 May 2019.
AIG	Policies issued before 22 September 2017.	Policies issued after 22 September 2017.
Allianz	Policies issued before 7am Tuesday 19 September 2017.	Policies issued after 7am Tuesday 19 September 2017.
Australia Post	Policies issued before 9am (AEST) 30 December 2018.	Policies issued after 9am (AEST) 30 December 2018.
Budget Direct	Policies issued before 9am (AEST) 30 December 2018.	Policies issued after 9am (AEST) 30 December 2018.
Columbus Direct	Policies issued from 21 June to 21 September 2017.	Policies issued after 21 September 2017.
Cover-More	Policies issued before 2pm Monday 18 September 2017.	Policies issued after 2pm Monday 18 September 2017.
DU insure	Policies issued before 10am 16th September 2017 (AEST) or between 9am 6th November and midday 22nd November 2017	Policies issued after 12pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017.
Easy Travel Insurance	Policies issued before 2pm Thursday 21 September 2017.	Policies purchased after 2pm Thursday 21 September 2017.
Fast Cover	Policies issued before 4pm 20 September 2017.	Policies issued after 4pm 20 September 2017.
Go Insurance	Policies issued prior to 08:30 on 31 December 2018 AEST and trips booked under Annual Multi Trip policies prior to 08:30 on 31 December 2018 AEST.	Policies issued on or after 12:01PM on 22 November 2017 or trips booked under an Annual Multi Trip policy on or after 12:01PM AEST on 22 November 2017.
InsureandGo	Policies issued between 7:30pm (AEST) on 6th June 2018, and 8:00pm (AEST) on 8th June 2018	Policies issued between 8:20pm (AEST) on 20th September 2017 and 7:30pm (AEST) on 31st October 2017, or between 7:30am (AEST) on 22nd November 2017 and 7:30pm (AEST) on 6th June 2018
Insure4Less	Policies issued before 2pm Monday 18 September 2017.	Policies issued after 2pm Monday 18 September 2017.
iTrek	Policies issued before 10am 16th September 2017 (AEST) or between 9am 6th November and 12pm 22nd November 2017.	Policies issued after 12pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017.
NoWorries	Policies issued after 5pm Thursday 30 May 2019.
Online Travel Insurance	Policies issued before 9am (AEST) 30 December 2018.	Policies issued after 9am (AEST) 30 December 2018.
Simply	Policies issued before 10am 16th September 2017 (AEST) or between 9am 6th November and midday 22nd November 2017	Policies issued after 12pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017.
Ski-insurance.com.au	Policies issued before 10am 16th September 2017 (AEST) or between 9am 6th November and midday 22nd November 2017	Policies issued after 12pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017.
Southern Cross	Policies issued before 10am Friday 22 September 2017.	Policies issued after 10am Friday 22 September 2017.
Tick Travel Insurance	Policies issued between 7:30pm (AEST) on 6th June 2018, and 8:00pm (AEST) on 8th June 2018	Policies issued between 8:20pm (AEST) on 20th September 2017 and 7:30pm (AEST) on 31st October 2017, between 7:30am (AEST) on 22nd November 2017 and 7:30pm (AEST) on 6th June 2018, or after 8pm (AEST) on 8th June 2018.
Travel Insurance Direct	Policies issued before 8:05pm (AEDT) on Tuesday 21 November 2017.	Policies issued after 8:05pm (AEDT) on Tuesday 21 November 2017.
Travel Insurance Saver	Policies issued before 2pm Thursday 21 September 2017.	Policies issued after 2pm Thursday 21 September 2017.
Travel Insuranz	Policies issued before 2pm Monday 18 September 2017.	Policies issued after 2pm Monday 18 September 2017.
Woolworths	Policies issued before 4pm Wednesday 20 September 2017.	Policies issued after 4pm Wednesday 20 September 2017.
Worldcare	Policies issued before 9am (AEST) 30 December 2018.	Policies issued after 9am (AEST) 30 December 2018.
Virgin	Policies issued before 7am Friday 29th June 2018.	Policies issued after 7am Friday 29th June 2018.
Zoom Travel Insurance	Policies issued before midday 22nd November 2017.	Policies issued after 12pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017.

• Mt Rinjani Updates

  Mt Rinjani October, 2016 Ash Cloud Update

  Cover restrictions relating to travel disruptions caused by the Bali ash cloud have begun to be lifted. Please see the table below for more information*.

  Underwriter	Covered	Brands
  QBE	Covered from 9am 4 October, 2016. QBE have lifted its embargo on claims associated with the Mount Rinjani eruption and ash cloud in Bali and no longer consider it an active event.If you purchased your policy after 9am 4 October, 2016, there is no longer any embargo on claims arising from this event.	Easy Travel Insurance and Travel Insurance Saver
  Lloyd’s	Covered from 6 October, 2016. As of 6 October 2016, the Mt Rinjani Volcanic Ash Cloud is no longer considered an active threat as eruptions have now ceased.This means that any future eruptions will be considered a new event and cover will be available.	1Cover, Cheap Travel Insurance, Columbus Direct, GoInsurance, insure4less, iTrek, NoWorries, Skinsurance.com.au, and Travel Insuranz.
  Great Lakes Australia	Covered from 9am (AEST) 6 October, 2016. As there hasn't been any further disruptions caused by Mt Rinjani, it is no longer considered an active event.As of 9am EST 6th October, 2016 any new eruptions and ash clouds will be considered a new event and cover may be available on your policy, subject to the limits of your policy.	Cover-More, RACV and youGo.
  Allianz	Covered from 9:30am (AEST) Friday 7 October, 2016. Mt Rinjani erupted this year on 28 September 2016 and caused significant delays for travellers. As this eruption has ceased, this event is now deemed to have concluded as of 9:30am (AEST) Friday 7 October, 2016. Any new eruptions and ash cloud from Mount Rinjani will be considered a new event.	Boomers, Fast Cover, Online Travel Insurance, OverSixty, STA, Virgin, Webjet and Worldcare.

  Disclaimer:
  The conditions listed here were sourced from various locations and may not have come directly from the insurance brand or its underwriter. Not all brands have updated their sites yet. For the brands where we were unable to find a release from its underwriter but were able to find mention of the embargo on another brands site with the same underwriter, we worked on the assumption that this would be true across all brands with that underwriter.

  Mt Rinjani September, 2016 Ash Cloud Update

  Some flights leaving to and from Bali have been affected by another eruption from the Mount Rinjani on the island of Lombok. Below are updates from some Australian travel insurance brands in relation to when you will and won't have cover for travel disruptions caused by the Bali ash cloud.

  Brand	Covered	Not covered
  	Before 6pm (AEDT) Tuesday 27 September, 2016. If you entered into your policy before 6pm (AEDT) Tuesday 27th September 2016 you will be covered up to the policy limits.	After 6pm (AEDT) Tuesday 27 September, 2016. If you entered into a policy after 6pm (AEDT) Tuesday 27th September 2016you will not have cover as the eruption was a known event.
  	Before 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. You will be covered up to the limits of your policy for cancellation, travel delays, etc, if you purchased the policy before 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016.	After 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. If you entered into a policy after 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016, you will not have cover as the eruption was a known event.
  	Before 6pm (AEST) Tuesday 27 September, 2016. If you entered into your policy before 6pm (AEDT) Tuesday 27th September 2016 you will be covered up to the policy limits.	After 6pm (AEDT) Tuesday 27 September, 2016. If you entered into a policy after 6pm (AEDT) Tuesday 27th September 2016you will not have cover as the eruption was a known event.
  	Before Wednesday 28 September, 2016. You will be covered up to the limits of your policy if you purchased the policy before Wednesday 28 September, 2016.	On or after 28 September, 2016. If you entered into a policy on or after Wednesday 28 September, 2016, you will not have cover as the eruption was a known event.
  	Before 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. You will be covered up to the limits of your policy for cancellation, travel delays, etc, if you purchased the policy before 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016.	After 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. If you entered into a policy after 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016, you will not have cover as the eruption was a known event.
  	Before 6pm (AEDT) Tuesday 27 September, 2016. If you entered into your policy before 6pm (AEDT) Tuesday 27th September 2016 you will be covered up to the policy limits.	After 6pm (AEDT) Tuesday 27 September, 2016. If you entered into a policy after 6pm (AEDT) Tuesday 27th September 2016you will not have cover as the eruption was a known event.
  	Before 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. You will be covered up to the limits of your policy for cancellation, travel delays, etc, if you purchased the policy before 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016.	After 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. If you entered into a policy after 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016, you will not have cover as the eruption was a known event.
  	Before 6pm (AEDT) Tuesday 27 September, 2016. If you entered into your policy before 6pm (AEDT) Tuesday 27th September 2016 you will be covered up to the policy limits.	After 6pm (AEDT) Tuesday 27 September, 2016. If you entered into a policy after 6pm (AEDT) Tuesday 27th September 2016you will not have cover as the eruption was a known event.
  	Before 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. You will be covered up to the limits of your policy for cancellation, travel delays, etc, if you purchased the policy before 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016.	After 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. If you entered into a policy after 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016, you will not have cover as the eruption was a known event.
  	Before 11am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. You will be covered up to the limits of your policy if you purchased the policy before 11am Wednesday 28 September, 2016.	After 11am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. Any policies purchased after 11:00am AEST on Wednesday 28th September, 2016 will not be covered under Natural Disaster for the Ash Cloud in Mt Rinjani, as this is a foreseen event.

  While not every travel insurance brand has updated their site in relation to the ash cloud, below are the conditions from the major underwriters in Australia for the brands in the finder.com.au panel.

  Underwriter	Covered	Not covered	Brands
  Lloyd’s	Before 6pm (AEST) Tuesday 27 September, 2016. If you entered into your policy before 6pm (AEDT) Tuesday 27th September 2016 you will be covered up to the policy limits.	After 6pm (AEST) Tuesday 27 September, 2016. If you entered into a policy after 6pm (AEDT) Tuesday 27th September 2016you will not have cover as the eruption was a known event.	1Cover, Cheap Travel Insurance, Columbus Direct, GoInsurance, insure4less, iTrek, NoWorries, Skinsurance.com.au, and Travel Insuranz.
  Auto & General Insurance Company Ltd	Before 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. You will be covered up to the limits of your policy for cancellation, travel delays, etc, if you purchased the policy before 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016.	After 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. If you entered into a policy after 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016, you will not have cover as the eruption was a known event.	Budget Direct and Dodo.
  Great Lakes Australia	Before Wednesday 28 September, 2016. You will be covered up to the limits of your policy if you purchased the policy before Wednesday 28 September, 2016.	On or after 28 September, 2016. If you entered into a policy on or after Wednesday 28 September, 2016, you will not have cover as the eruption was a known event.	Cover-More, RACV and youGo.
  Allianz	Before 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. You will be covered up to the limits of your policy for cancellation, travel delays, etc, if you purchased the policy before 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016.	After 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. If you entered into a policy after 7am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016, you will not have cover as the eruption was a known event.	Boomers, Duinsure, Fast Cover, Online Travel Insurance, OverSixty, STA, Virgin, Webjet and Worldcare.
  QBE	Before 10:30am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. You will be covered up to the limits of your policy if you purchased the policy before 10.30am Wednesday 28 September, 2016.	After 10:30am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. If you purchased your policy after 10.30am Wednesday 28 September, 2016, there is no cover for any claims arising from this event.	Easy Travel Insurance and Travel Insurance Saver.
  Hollard	Before 11am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. You will be covered up to the limits of your policy if you purchased the policy before 11am Wednesday 28 September, 2016.	After 11am (AEST) Wednesday 28 September, 2016. Any policies purchased after 11:00am AEST on Wednesday 28th September, 2016 will not be covered under Natural Disaster for the Ash Cloud in Mt Rinjani, as this is a foreseen event.	Woolworths

  Claims information for those who already have policies: Before and after the Mount Rinjani ash cloud

  I bought my policy before the cut off date, now what?

  Well, that depends on whether or not you're already overseas. Fast Cover had these helpful tips:

  If you haven't departed:

  • If your trip is going to be impacted by the ash cloud and you already have cover, speak with your insurer to see if your covered for cancellation
  • For those without cover, while most policies won’t cover you for cancellations relating to the current ash cloud, travel insurance can still provide cover for unexpected medical expenses, your luggage and other benefits

  If you’re already in Bali:

  • Speak with your airline and see if they will arrange accommodation until such time that flights resume
  • If your airline is unable to arrange your accommodation, speak with your travel insurer
  • Speak with your insurer prior to going out of pocket for any accommodation or additional travel expenses
  • Get any and all documentation from your airline relating to the cancellation
  • Keep receipts and invoices

  Fast Cover CEO, Dean Van Es, said that any expenses you incur while delayed must be reasonable if you expect your insurer to pay:

  Be aware that travel insurance brands aren’t going to entirely cover your accommodation costs if you decide to spend your extra days in five star accommodation, when you spent the majority of your holiday in a two star motel.

  Ash cloud Q&A with Dean Van Es

  Following the events of the Mt Rinjani ash cloud, we asked Fast Cover CEO, Dean Van EsFast Cover, if he had any advice for travellers:

  • Q. What should travellers do if they are caught out by a natural disaster overseas?
    • A. First and foremost, get safe, follow the directions of local authorities and advice in the mass media. Once you’re safe get in contact with our emergency assistance hotline and we’ll help with next steps.

  • Q. What advice can you give for travellers that have a trip booked for Bali in the coming months? Is it still worth getting travel insurance?
    • A. Get your travel insurance early. We find many travellers will book their flights and accommodation several weeks or months out but wait till the last minute to buy their travel insurance. The recent Bali ash clouds in Bali are a great example, anyone who’d taken out travel insurance before the ash cloud would – depending on the policy purchased – have cover for claims caused by the ash cloud. Once an event has happened it can’t be covered by travel insurance.

  • Q. Is there any reimbursement available from airlines?
    • A. Many airlines are offering reimbursement, travel vouchers and alternative flights. It varies depending on the airline but definitely check with them.

  • Q. Under what circumstances will cover for cancellation be available once more for trips to Bali?
    • A. Once the ash cloud has stopped it will be declared over and Cancellation cover for Bali will be resumed. This will be decided based on information provided by the scientists monitoring the volcano.

  • Q. What advice can you give to travellers that are eligible to make a claim for cancellation?
    • A. How can they best prepare for their claim? If they’ve incurred costs make sure they have all the their receipts. Once we receive all receipts paying claims happens very quickly.

  • Q. Would someone who has taken out an Annual policy before it became a known event still be covered for trip cancellation?
    • A. Yes.

  • Q. Would any cover be provided if your travel companion was meeting you from a different location and was unable to travel due to the Ash Cloud?
    • A. Generally no, travel insurance only covers the person named on the policy.

  • Q. What types of expenses can cancellation insurance generally cover?
    • A. Accommodation, flights, tours and activities.

  • Q. What advice can you give to travellers that are going away and need to book travel insurance?
    • A. Buy your insurance as soon as you have paid for any part of your trip, this will protect you from future events like the Bali ash cloud.

  • Q. When is the ideal time to buy cover?
    • A. As you have paid for any part of your trip.

  • Q. What are the benefits of paying extra for a comprehensive policy? How much difference is there really?
    • A. It depends on which policy you’re talking about as there is a lot of variance. Generally Comprehensive policies have higher limits and provide more benefits. At minimum good comprehensive policy should have unlimited medical, unlimited cancellation, luggage cover, alternative transport cover, travel delays cover plus personal liability cover.

  Find out what you need to know for Bali travel insurance

How do I contact my airline?

If you're currently in Bali or are planning on heading to Bali but are unsure of whether or not your flights have been affected, you should contact your airline. Affected travellers should contact their airline for more information on flight schedules. See below for contact details of main airlines with routes to Bali:

• Air Asia: +62 21 2927 0999 (Jakarta) or +62 804 1333 333 (Bali)
• Air New Zealand: +64 9-357 3000 (New Zealand) 13 24 76 (Australia)
• China Eastern: +61 2 9290 1148 (Australia)
• China Southern: 0011 86 400 869 5539 (Overseas hotline)
• Emirates: +61 1300 303 777 (Australia)
• Garuda: +62 804 180 7807, +62 21 2351 9999 (Jakarta), +62 361 936 8258 or +62 361 225 047 (Bali)
• Jetstar: +62 803 852 9779 (Jakarta) or +61 3 9645 5999 (Australia)
• Malaysia Airlines: 0011 60 3-7843 3000 (Outside Malaysia) 1 300 88 3000 (Malaysia)
• Silkair: +61 7 4034 9100 (Australia)
• Singapore Airlines: +61 13 10 11 (Australia)
• Thai Airways: +61 2 9844 0999
• Tiger: +61 2 8073 3421
• Virgin Australia: +61 7 3295 2296 (Australia)

Looking for a travel alternative to Bali? Check out destinations like Bali

Picture: GettyImages

Richard Laycock

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Richard Laycock is Finder's insurance editor, and has spent the last five years wrangling insurance product disclosure statements. His musings about insurance have appeared on Money Mag, Yahoo Finance, and Travel Weekly. When he’s not helping people make sense of insurance fine print, he is testing the quality of cocktails in his newfound home of New York. Richard studied Media at Macquarie University and The Missouri School of Journalism and has a Tier 1 Certification in General Advice for Life Insurance.