Hong Kong strikes: travel insurance

f1119

Hi there

I'm stopping over in Hong Kong in a month's time

I'm looking for some quality travel insurance that will protect me from potential airport strikes and civil unrest.

I know that most policies don't cover civil unrest. Do you know where I can find one that does?

Also, one that covers for natural events would be great too (i.e. typhoons, volcanic eruptions)

Thanks!

CardinalWolsey

When you say you are stopping over, does that mean staying in HK, or just in transit? If actually staying in HK, you might find that no insurance will cover you for HK, as the unrest has already started and you are now choosing to travel. It might well be classed as a "pre-existing" issue. Even transit might have difficulties - all HK (new) arrivals and departures were cancelled earlier.

Voyager2002

Take a look at the benefits of the Diners' Card: at one point it included travel insurance with cover for risks such as these.

Penelopa.Pitstop

The only Diners card available to individual customers is Lufthansa and it doesn't have travel insurance included. Did you mean Amex by any chance?

Any way, it's too late to buy travel insurance cover for that, as disruption already started.Of course, still buy travel insurance to cover other parts of your travel and medical emergency costs.

stevie11

I am in a similar position to the OP , although not currently concerned about travel insurance like the OP. We
have a 3 day stop in HK in about a month, flight and hotels sorted months ago.

Unless the foreign office or airline advise not to travel then we will continue with our plans and use common sense when there.

The foreign office are not advising to avoid HK yet. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/hong-kong

f1119

CardinalWolsey wrote: »

When you say you are stopping over, does that mean staying in HK, or just in transit? If actually staying in HK, you might find that no insurance will cover you for HK, as the unrest has already started and you are now choosing to travel. It might well be classed as a "pre-existing" issue. Even transit might have difficulties - all HK (new) arrivals and departures were cancelled earlier.

I'll just be in transit. The stopover is just 80 minutes before we head on.

A couple of things I'm wondering about:
If flights are cancelled, would the airline be liable to refund the cost of the ticket?
Could they redirect the flight to a different airport if there are still disruptions?

stevie11

I wouldn't worry too much at this point you are a month away. The 80 minute transit time would be more of a concern to me especially if you have to clear customs in HKG before your onward flight.

Are you flights on the same ticket? If so my take would be if the airline had prior notice of disruption they may try to get you on a another flight through another hub or direct. Last resort would be to cancel and refund but too early for that i.m.o.

f1119

Yeah the flights are on the same ticket. It's a connecting flight to Japan, with a stopover in HK

CardinalWolsey

That's quite a tight transfer time for HKG - the queue to pass security for transit passengers isn't known for its speed, and the queue can back up quite significantly, so be prepared to hustle yourselves off the plane...

If you're on a single PNR, its the airline's responsibility anyway - so don't worry unduly. You could be met at your arrival gate if they think its too tight a connection (especially if there's a delay on the first leg arriving in to HKG), and make sure your luggage is tagged for a short connection when checking in.

With regards to insurance and HKG - again, as long as you have comprehensive insurance cover in place already, don't worry too much. The airline has a duty of care, you'll barely be on the ground and the only time you'll be on the ground you will be airside.

Enjoy the rugby...!