Travel Expert Advice After Taiwan Earthquake

Some thoughts from Jonathan Frankham, General Manager, UK and Europe, World Nomads;

“Taiwan is a remarkably beautiful destination, from the vibrant capital of Taipei to its breathtaking mountain scenery and long white beaches. Hualien, the gateway to the exquisite Taroko National Park and the area most impacted by the recent earthquake, continues to be a beloved destination for backpackers and hikers alike. Our latest sales data confirms that Southeast Asia, consistently ranks as a top choice among our policyholders.

“For those already in Taiwan and planning to travel around the island, it’s important to monitor Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) guidance and follow the advice of the local authorities and emergency services on the ground. At present the FCDO advice remains cautionary, but you should be prepared to adjust your plans. Travel with care and expect delays to the high-speed rail that circumnavigates the island, and blockages on many roads caused by landslides, particularly in the mountainous region centre of the island.

“It’s understandable that some Brits may want to know what this means for their holiday plans – some may not want to or fear they’ll be unable to travel if the situation escalates. When it comes to insurance, cover may apply if the earthquake impacts your travel plans and/or injures you, but you need to have purchased your policy before the earthquake or travel disruption becomes what we call a “known event”. If you’ve done that, we’d suggest getting In touch with your provider to check coverage.

WHAT IF YOU NEED TO CLAIM?

“Unfortunately, coverage is uncommon if your trip is cancelled before you get to travel, and the advice remains precautionary. At World Nomads, on our Explorer Plan, if the FCDO or a similar body issues a warning advising against all travel or all but essential travel, then cover is available as long as the policy and the affected travel arrangements were bought before the event occurred. 

“If your trip is curtailed and you have to return home early, you are also welcome to make a claim for any additional travelling expenses you incur. All cover is subject to the benefit limits, sub limits, conditions and exclusions set out in the policy wording. Alternatively, we can consider a premium refund for the unused period of travel insurance, provided we receive supporting documentation where necessary and you are not making any claims on the policy .

“In any case, the first point of call should be your airline or travel provider to see what support they may provide. The same goes if your accommodation is impacted.  

In any instance, we’d recommend checking your insurance policy wording carefully to understand full terms and conditions. When it doubt, get in touch with our Customer Service team – at World Nomads we also offer a 24/7 emergency helpline where urgent medical attention is required”.