Bali’s Mount Agung volcano is finally erupting
The alert is back on for a possible Bali ash cloud.
Following a rise and decline in seismic activity over the past two months, Bali's Mount Agung volcano is finally erupting, emitting a grey plume from its peak at 5pm last night, local time.
Despite this activity, the volcano, which was downgraded from a level four (Awus) to a level three (Siaga) on 29 October 2017 has not yet been upgraded. Authorities have advised people to remain calm and to continue to respect the 6.5-7 kilometre exclusion zone surrounding the volcano as they continue to monitor tremors.
Ngurah Rai International Airport continues to operate as normal with National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho stating that the airport is still "safe and normal" and that "tourism in Bali is also safe, other than the dangerous radius around Mount Agung."
All scheduled flights with Jetstar and Virgin Australia are continuing to operate as normal.
The plume has been described as "phreatic". According to Sutopo, these eruptions aren't as dangerous as magmatic eruptions, with their impact typically involving rain, sand or gravel surrounding the mountain.
Those travelling to or from Bali in the near future are encouraged to remain in contact with their airline for any changes or cancellations.
A number of travel insurance providers had offered cover for Mount Agung from select dates, provided you had purchased a natural disaster add-on.
If in doubt, please contact your travel insurance provider to ensure they are covered in the event they are impacted by the eruption.
How will the Mount Agung eruption impact your travel insurance?
Cover restrictions regarding the elevated threat posed by Mount Agung are starting to trickle in. For most brands, if you bought cover before 8.05 pm AEST on 21 November 2017 (with a natural disaster add-on for some brands), you should be covered.
This table will be updated once advice on cover is posted to a travel insurance brand's website. All times in the table are in AEST. 22 November 2017 update: The Mount Agung volcano has begun erupting, and cover restrictions regarding the elevated threat posed by the eruption are starting to trickle in. This table will be updated once advice on cover is posted to a travel insurance brand's website. All times in the table are in AEST. Please check with individual brands to see if they are offering cover before buying a policy. Information last verified at 4pm 27 November 2017.Mount Agung Update
| Brand | Covered for Mount Agung | Not covered |
|---|---|---|
| AIG | Policies issued before 22 September 2017. | Policies issued after 22 September 2017. |
| Columbus Direct | Policies issued from 21 June to 21 September 2017. | Policies issued after 21 September 2017. |
| 1Cover | Policies issued between 9am on 6th November 2017 and midday 22 November 2017. | Policies issued after 12pm Wednesday 22 November 2017. |
| DU insure | Policies issued between 9am on 6th November 2017 and midday 22 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 | Single-trip policies and trips booked under Annual Multi Trip before 12pm on 22 November 2017. | Policies issued after 12:01 pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017. |
| Insure4Less | Policies issued before 2pm Monday 18 September 2017. | Policies issued after 2pm Monday 18 September 2017. |
| iTrek | Policies issued between 9am on 6th November 2017 and midday 22 November 2017. | Policies issued after 12pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017. |
| NoWorries | Policies issued before 16 September 2017. | Policies issued after 16 September 2017. |
| Online Travel Insurance | Policies issued before 7am Tuesday 19 September 2017. | Policies issued after 7am Tuesday 19 September 2017. |
| Simply Travel Insurance | Policies issued between 9am on 6th November 2017 and midday 22 November 2017. | Policies issued after 12pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017. |
| Ski-insurance.com.au | Policies issued between 9am on 6th November 2017 and midday 22 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. |
| Travel Insurance Saver | Policies issued before 2pm Thursday 21 September 2017. | Policies issued after 2pm Thursday 21 September 2017. |
| Travel Insurance Direct | Policies issued before 8.05 pm Tuesday 21 November 2017. | Policies issued after 8.05 pm Tuesday 21 November 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 7am Tuesday 19 September 2017. | Policies issued after 7am Tuesday 19 September 2017. |
| Kango Cover | Policies issued between 9am on 6th November 2017 and midday 22 November 2017. | Policies issued after 12pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017. |
| Under 30s Travel Insurance | Policies issued between 9am on 6th November 2017 and midday 22 November 2017. | Policies issued after 12pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017. |
| Zoom Travel Insurance | Policies issued between 9am on 6th November 2017 and midday 22 November 2017. | Policies issued after 12pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017. |
Picture: Shutterstock
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Hi, I have a trip to Bali planned from the 29/12 until the 8/1/18. I have not purchased my insurance yet. Am I best to wait or buy cover now despite the fact it doesn’t cover any delays or cancellations as a result of the Volcano? Who would be the best choice to go with?
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your inquiry and sorry for the delay.
Well, it’s always practical to get insurance ahead of your trip because for any unexpected circumstance that may arise, you can easily contact your insurer and check your eligibility for cancellation cover. With regard to travel insurance for Bali, insurance companies have cover restrictions regarding the elevated threat posed by the eruption of the volcano so it is important to contact the insurer first to confirm what level of cover can you get before buying a policy. You may refer to our guide about getting travel insurance for Bali which you may find useful.
Cheers,
May