December 2024 Earthquake: Port Vila, Vanuatu

Date published: 18/12/2024

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake occurred in Port Vila - Vanuatu on 17th December 2024, causing widespread infrastructure damage to roads and buildings. Some essential services have been impacted including flights.

If you’re travelling, or are about to travel

If you have been directly affected by this event and need medical assistance, please call our 24-hour emergency assistance team immediately on +61 2 9333 3999. We further urge you to pay close attention to the local media and emergency services, including the DFAT Smart Traveller website.

Policies Purchased prior to 17th December 2024 2.00pm AEDT, Customers are covered for claims arising from this event, provided they purchased the natural disaster cover add-on.

Policies Purchased After 2:00pm (AEDT) on 17th November 2024: Customers are not covered for claims arising from this event, even if they purchased the natural disaster cover add-on. However, we will assess each situation on a case-by-case basis.

You can make a claim at any time once your policy has commenced and we will assess it as per the PDS’s terms and conditions. Please read carefully the full terms and conditions of any travel insurance policy before purchasing.

If your travel plans are affected

If you need to change your travel arrangements, contact your airline, cruise company or travel agent for assistance in the first instance. Please retain all supporting documentation evidencing expenses incurred. Please remember as a term of your policy you must do everything you can to minimise losses.  

If you need to submit a claim, please complete a claim on our claims portal and if you need help doing this, contact us.

If you have any other queries, please get in touch.