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FAQs

COVID-19 Policy Information

 

Am I covered for medical expenses for COVID-19?

You are covered for reasonable and necessary overseas medical and associated expenses, including medical, hospital and ambulance costs and medical evacuation or repatriation up to a maximum of $350,000, if you, your accompanying spouse, or your accompanying dependent children are medically diagnosed with  COVID-19 while travelling overseas.

Age limits apply. Persons 75 years or over are only covered for medical expenses if they have purchased mature traveller cover.

Coverage is subject to the terms and conditions of the insurance policy, including any applicable limitations and exclusions.

 

Am I covered for cancellation expenses if I contract COVID-19?

You are covered for cancellation expenses up to $100,000 if you or your relative are medically diagnosed with COVID-19 and are unable to commence or continue your trip. This includes the non-refundable unused portion of travel or accommodation arrangements paid for in advance if you need to cancel, alter or curtail your trip.

Age limits apply. Cancellation cover for persons 75 years or over is limited to $5,000 unless mature traveller cover has been purchased.

Coverage is subject to the terms and conditions of the insurance policy, including any applicable limitations and exclusions.

Am I covered for cancellation or other expenses due to lockdown or border closures?

No, cancellation is only covered if you or your relative have been medically diagnosed with COVID-19.

 

 

Am I covered for COVID-19 claims other than cancellation or medical expenses?

No, except as described above where you’re claiming for cancellation or overseas medical expenses as a result of being medically diagnosed with COVID-19.

Am I covered for the cost of obtaining a negative COVID-19 test to board my flight?

No. If the reason you need a COVID-19 test is to meet the requirements of an airline, or to enter any location then this is not considered unforeseeable and is not covered. 

What should I do if I think I have COVID-19 while I’m travelling?

If you believe you need a test for COVID-19 whilst travelling because you are aware of having close contact to someone with COVID-19, or you are showing symptoms, then you should follow the health guidelines of local authorities in the area. You can contact AIG Travel if you need help to locate a testing location.


 

Rental Vehicle Excess Cover

 

What is Rental Vehicle Excess cover?

Benefit Section G Overseas rental vehicle hire, does not cover the vehicle itself. It does cover the excess or deductible you become legally liable to pay in the event of damage to, or theft of your rental vehicle.

What is the definition of a rental vehicle for the purposes of this policy?

For overseas travel policies available to BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum cardholders and BNZ Advantage Business cardholders the following is the relevant definition of rental vehicle:

Rental vehicle – means a motor vehicle rented or hired by you during your journey from a recognised motor vehicle rental company for the private carriage of passengers. It does not include any vehicle designed to be used for the carriage of commercial goods.

For definitions and information about domestic rental vehicle cover for BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum cardholders only, please click here


 

Eligibility and Activation

 

I am a BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum Cardholder, what am I eligible for?

If you are a BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum cardholder, you are eligible for overseas leisure travel benefits, and domestic rental vehicle benefits.

These benefits are provided by the 90 Day Platinum International Leisure Travel Insurance policy, and Domestic Rental Vehicle Collision Damage and Theft Excess Cover Policy. Both of these policies are found in the BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum Credit Card Insurances brochure

To check if your particular itinerary is covered, go to the homepage and complete the eligibility questionnaire check your cover. If your trip is covered, we will tell you at the end of the questionnaire and send you confirmation by email.

All overseas travel benefits are available only for trips from and back to New Zealand.

The BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum overseas travel insurance only covers you for leisure travel.

You are not eligible for cover for any work-related activities unless you are also a valid BNZ Advantage Business cardholder. 

I am a BNZ Advantage Business Cardholder, what am I eligible for?

If you are a BNZ Advantage Business Cardholder, you are eligible for overseas travel insurance cover, including for business trips. The cover is detailed in full in the BNZ Advantage 35 day business international travel insurance brochure. Hazardous work activities remain excluded so please review the policy wording to ensure the cover is suitable for your individual requirements.

To check if your itinerary is covered, go to Check Your Cover.  If your trip is covered, we will tell you at the end of the questionnaire and send you confirmation by email.

All overseas travel benefits are available only for trips from and back to New Zealand.

 

 

 

 

I am a dual holder of BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum & Advantage Business cards what am I eligible for?

As BNZ Advantage Business Card holder you are eligible for overseas travel insurance that includes cover for business trips. As an Advantage Visa Platinum Cardholder you can also be covered for trips of up to 90 days. The benefits of holding both cards are described in part 2 of the BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum Credit Card Insurances brochure

You may also be covered under the Domestic Rental Vehicle Collision Damage and Theft Excess policy but renting a vehicle for business use is not covered under this policy, even if you hold a BNZ Advantage Visa Business Card.

All overseas travel benefits are available only for trips from and back to New Zealand. To check if your trip is covered, go to Check your cover.  If your trip is covered, we will tell you at the end of the questionnaire and send you confirmation by email.

 

Can you send me confirmation that I have cover for my trip?

Yes, go to check your cover and complete the questionnaire and you will be able to print a copy of the outcome of your assessment.

If you provide your details at the end of the questionnaire, we will also email you a certificate confirming your cover.

Do I have to let you know when I am travelling to activate my cover?

No. There is no requirement to call us to advise when you are travelling. You will be eligible for cover when you have met the eligibility or activation requirements subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of your applicable policy.

If you want to check that you have met the eligibility or activation requirements and get extra peace of mind once you have your trip planned, or if you need confirmation documents for any reason, go to Check Your Cover and complete the questionnaire.

Does the policy have age limits?

Yes, for details about age limits applying to the policy please click here.

Am I covered if I don't have a return ticket?

No. To be eligible for cover you must hold a return travel ticket for your travel when you depart New Zealand that shows a return date within the maximum duration of cover which is 90 days for BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum Cards, and 35 days for BNZ Advantage Business Cards. If you hold both an Advantage Platinum AND an Advantage Business card, then the 90-day limit applies to you.

The return ticket requirement applies at the time your trip starts. If prior to departing New Zealand, you have paid some expenses for your trip but you do not hold a return ticket, you may still be covered for cancellation expenses if you have to cancel your trip. This is subject to normal policy terms, conditions and exclusions. 

I am travelling on stand-by tickets. Does this count as a return travel ticket for activation purposes?

If you hold a stand-by ticket for your return travel that is dated within the standard duration of cover for your card type at the time you depart New Zealand, then you will be considered by us as having satisfied the return ticket requirement. However, the maximum journey period will still apply and you will have no cover under the policy if your trip exceeds the standard duration of cover as a result of your stand-by ticket status.

This means no claims will be paid even if the loss occurred within the standard duration of cover.

In addition there is no cover for any costs or losses arising from any itinerary changes arising directly or indirectly from your holding a stand-by ticket.

I have registered with the AIG Travel Assistance App or website, does this mean I have confirmed cover for my trip?

No. The AIG Travel Assistance App including the desktop website version are a complimentary service provided to you to help keep you safe and connected whilst you are travelling.

To check if you have cover for each and every trip, go to check your cover and complete the questionnaire.

I am travelling for longer than the standard period of cover afforded under my card, will I be covered?

If you require cover for a period of travel that is longer than the standard duration limit of your applicable card, you will not be covered for any part of your itinerary unless you apply for, and we accept your duration buyout.

To complete a duration buyout use the check your cover questionnaire - if we accept your application a premium will be payable.

The maximum period you can apply to cover by duration buyout is 180 days. For more information on maximum duration limits click here.

I normally live in a country other than New Zealand - can I activate my travel itinerary living outside of New Zealand?

No. This policy only covers trips starting and finishing in New Zealand. In addition, you must be residing in New Zealand and returning to New Zealand to live at the end of your journey.

Am I eligible for domestic travel cover within New Zealand?

Overseas travel benefits are not available for purely domestic travel.

However, for BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum cardholders there is a new benefit available from 1 December 2021 - "Domestic Rental Vehicle Collision Damage and Theft Excess Cover"

Click here for more on domestic rental vehicle excess cover.

What is my policy number?

Your policy number is the first 6 digits of your individual credit card number.

If you have completed the online questionnaire check your cover and we have sent you a confirmation letter this will show a certificate number specific to your questionnaire answers for that specific trip only. 

You can reference either policy number when contacting AIG Travel.

Is there an excess on each claim?

An excess of $200 is applicable to each and every claim arising from the same event under each of the following sections:

Benefit Section A: Travel cancellation before your journey starts

Benefit Section B:Travel cancellation after your journey starts 

Benefit Section C: Overseas medical expenses

Benefit Section D: Unexpected travel expenses

Benefit Section F: Luggage, personal belongings and travel documents

Benefit Section G: Overseas rental vehicle hire

Benefit Section J: Personal liability

Benefit Section L: Epidemics and pandemics

Only one excess applies if you make more than one claim because of a single event. If you claim for two or more separate unrelated claim events two excesses shall apply. If a family claims, only one excess shall apply to each claim event.


 

Cover for family members


 

How do you define dependent children?

Dependent children means your children (including your step children and any legally adopted children) who are:
a) unmarried; and
b) under 19 years of age and living with you; or
c) under 25 years of age and are registered as a full-time student at an accredited tertiary education provider.

How do you define Spouse?

Spouse means your spouse or de facto partner with whom you have continuously cohabited for a period of three (3) consecutive months or more immediately preceding the commencement of your journey.

Can my spouse who also has a card be covered if he/she is traveling on a different itinerary?

The policy only covers accompanying spouses and or dependent children.

Accompanying means departing and returning with and following the same general itinerary as the BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum Cardholder during a journey, however allowing for overnight or day excursions (not exceeding a maximum of five (5) nights or 20% of your journey, whichever is the lesser) during the journey that the BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum Cardholder and their family may not undertake together.

If your spouse is not accompanying you they will not be covered. 

If your spouse is a joint and/or additional cardholder, they can be covered in their own right as long as they meet the normal cardholder eligibility criteria (BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum Cardholders) and activation criteria including minimum pre-paid spend for BNZ Advantage Business Cardholders.

Will my family be covered if I have paid for their trip on my card and I am not travelling with them?

No. Spouse and dependent children are only covered if they are accompanying a cardholder who has met the activation requirements for a cardholder travelling with their family.

Accompanying means departing and returning with and following the same general itinerary as the BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum Cardholder during a journey, however allowing for overnight or day excursions (not exceeding a maximum of five (5) nights or 20% of your journey, whichever is the lesser) during the journey that the BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum Cardholder and their family may not undertake together.

Family members who are joint or additional cardholders may be eligible for cover subject to meeting the activation requirements.

Can I buy additional cover to extend this insurance so other family members accompanying me (who do not fall within the definition of Spouse and/or Dependent Children) will be covered?

No. This insurance is available only to you and your spouse and dependent children as defined in the policy. If members of your travelling party do not meet the definition of spouse and/or dependent children, they cannot be covered under the policy.


 

Medical Cover

 

Does this policy provide cover for medical expenses?

Yes, however there are some limitations on medical cover, including:

There is no automatic cover under this policy for any event that is caused by or arises because of any pre-existing medical condition - including a pre-existing medical condition of yours or someone else on whom your travel relies.

There is no automatic medical cover for mature travellers, 75 years or older as at your departure date from New Zealand, unless you have purchased mature traveler cover.

To apply for cover your pre-existing medical conditions (you cannot apply to cover the pre-existing medical conditions of anyone other than yourself) or mature traveler cover, complete the Check Your Cover questionnaire.

If we accept your application for cover of your pre-existing medical conditions, a premium will be payable.

Are Pre-existing medical conditions covered?

No, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered unless we have assessed and accepted your conditions and you have paid the applicable premium. To apply for cover please complete the Check Your Cover questionnaire. A separate application is required for each and every trip and the results of our assessment and the required premium can change between different assessments.

Is pregnancy covered?

There is no cover for pregnancy or childbirth of yours, your relative, business partner or traveling companion. This exclusion does not apply where costs are incurred because of your unforeseeable medical complications or emergencies which occur before the 26th week of your pregnancy.

Is pregnancy a pre-existing medical condition?

We do not consider uncomplicated pregnancy to be a pre-existing medical condition and you cannot apply to cover pregnancy. Medical complications relating to pregnancy, such as diabetes in pregnancy, are considered pre-existing medical conditions and you can apply to cover such medical complications. If such complications are covered, such cover remains subject to normal policy terms and conditions and is therefore only in force up to the 26th week of your pregnancy.

My medical screening shows a 'Linked Condition' what does this mean?

When you complete our pre-existing medical conditions questionnaire to apply for cover for your pre-existing medical conditions your results may show specific references to 'Linked Conditions' which you included in your declaration. These are conditions that are directly medically linked to those conditions declared by you on your application. Where you have a condition or set of conditions for which we are unable to provide cover, any conditions on your assessment outcome which are noted as 'Linked Conditions' will similarly be excluded from cover.


 

Activities and Work

 

Am I covered if I take part in high-risk or adventure activities?

The policy provides cover for most normal tourist activities that are provided, guided or supervised by a local licensed commercial operator, such as:
• Cruises;
• Snow sports within marked commercial skifield boundaries;
• Treks, hikes and tramps below 3,000 metres altitude;
• Bungy jumping, zip-lining and white water rafting; 

always provided such activities are available to the general public without restriction (other than height or general health and fitness warnings).

Hazardous activities are not covered, this includes

  • Racing (other than on foot),
  • Snow sports conducted outside the marked boundaries of a commercial ski field,
  • Mountaineering ,
  • Treks, hikes and tramps above 3,000 metres,
  • Expeditions to high risk, remote, inaccessible and/or inhospitable locations, 
  • Rock-climbing,
  • Big wave surfing,
  • Cliff-jumping,
  • Horse jumping or horse polo,
  • Bicycle, motor, air or sea craft speed trials or stunts;
  • Sailing outside of territorial waters,
  • Parachuting, BASE jumping, sky diving or travel in any other air supported device (other than as a passenger in a licensed passenger aircraft operated by an airline or charter company),
  • Hunting trips,
  • Competition sports (including training for competition sports) where such sporting activity is for an organized event or a contest that is of a physically demanding, acrobatic and/or combative nature. 

Am I covered for business related travel?

You are only covered for business related travel if you are a current and valid BNZ Advantage Business cardholder, or a dual BNZ Advantage Platinum Visa cardholder / BNZ Advantage Business cardholder. 

If you are a dual cardholder, you are covered for up to 90 days for work related activity. There are cover restrictions including cover exclusions for certain types of work. 

Refer to the either the BNZ Advantage 35 day business international travel insurance brochure or Part 2 of the BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum Credit Card Insurances brochure (if you a dual BNZ Advantage Platinum Visa cardholder / BNZ Advantage Business cardholder)  for details of the types of work that can be covered and the terms attaching to cover. 

If you are still unsure if you are covered for your work-related activities call us on 0800 269 872

On my trip I am going skiing (or snowboarding), does my policy cover me for this?

Snow sports within marked commercial skifield boundaries are covered.

There is no cover for snow sports conducted outside the marked boundaries of a commercial skifield, or any professional sporting activities.

 

I am travelling to take part in an international sporting competition. Will I be covered under the policy?

There is no cover under the policy for professional sporting activities. If you are being paid for your involvement, or there is any prize money involved in the competition, or you have been selected to represent a national sporting body, then we consider the activity to be professional. Racing (other than on foot) is a general exclusion under the policy and other hazardous sports are also excluded.

Please contact us for individual consideration on 0800 269 872 if you are unsure whether the sporting competition you are planning to participate in might be considered professional.

Am I covered if I am going on a trek or hike?

Guided treks or hikes that are arranged by a licensed commercial operator following established trekking routes will be covered, however the policy specifically excludes mountaineering or rock climbing involving the use of climbing equipment, ropes or guides, and any trekking activity above an elevation of 3,000m. If you are unsure whether your trekking activities will be covered call us on 0800 269 872.

Am I covered while riding a motorcycle?

Motorcycling (either as a rider or passenger) is a covered activity as long as the following conditions are met:

It is a a two-wheeled motorcycle of 125cc or less and you or the person in control of the motorcycle holds a current and valid motorcycle license for the country
the motorcycle is being operated in; or


It is a two-wheeled motorcycle that is 126cc or greater and you or the person in control of the motorcycle holds a current and valid license for the motorcycle in their home country and the country the motorcycle is being operated in; and


At all times, local road rules are being adhered to and a motorcycle helmet and appropriate safety gear is being worn. 

Is SCUBA diving covered?

SCUBA diving is a covered activity as long as the following conditions are met:


a) it is diving for recreational purposes (for the purpose of clarity, recreational diving does not include technical diving or diving as a professional diver); and

b) You are diving with a qualified dive instructor or dive master, or you hold a PADI certification or similar recognised certification and are diving within the level of your certification (including maximum dive depths and bottom time) and to the standards and procedures set up by your certifying agency; and


c) Subject to (b) above your planned dive depth does not exceed 40 metres; and


d) You are not diving alone;

I will be sailing ocean waters in a private yacht - is this activity covered?

Sailing outside of territorial waters is excluded.

You will still be covered for coastal sailing (within 12 nautical miles of shore), provided normal precautions are taken, such as ensuring the vessel is well maintained, skippered by a person with suitable experience, and equipped with lifejackets.


 

Other policy benefits

 

I am travelling with high-value items - are these covered under the policy cover for luggage and personal effects?

Luggage, personal belongings andtravel documents are subject to a per item limit of $2,000. You can specify items over that amount (to a maximum of $10,000 for all specified items) for an additional premium.

This specified item extension will only increase the limit any one item, not the policy limit under Benefit Section F. Luggage, personal belongings andtravel documents

If you would like to specify an item(s), go to the Check Your Cover questionnaire and add cover for high value personal items.

In the event of a claim, you will also need to provide proof of the value of the item such as a purchase receipt, or in relation to items of jewellery, a valuation of less than 12 months provided by a registered valuer.

When I specify items does the maximum amount payable under the section increase?

No. The maximum payable under Benefit Section F. Luggage, personal belongings and
travel documents remains the same even if you nominate items for extended cover.

Is sporting equipment covered?

There is no cover for loss or damage to sporting equipment whilst in use. Items are subject to normal terms, conditions and exclusions under Benefit Section F. Luggage, personal belongings and travel documents while they are not being used. 

Can I specify sporting equipment under the policy?

No. Sporting equipment cannot be specified under your policy.

What should I do if I am considering cancelling a trip?

If you are aware that you may have to cancel a planned trip the policy conditions require you to minimise the total cost of cancellation. For instance, you should also cease paying any further pre-paid travel costs that may not be refundable. Once you have decided to cancel you should contact airlines or other providers to request refunds.

If you are not able to obtain a refund but you can obtain a credit to use later, you should accept that option. If it turns out that you are unable to use the credit before it expires you can contact us when the credit expires and we will reopen an existing claim or you can lodge a new claim, regardless of how long it has been since the original trip was cancelled.

 

What is the Accidental Death and Disablement common carrier benefit?

This benefit (included with BNZ NZ Advantage Visa Platinum cards only) provides a lump sum payment if you suffer death or disablement because of an accident while you are travelling on or in a common carrier, including boarding and alighting, during your journey.

This section of the policy has additional activation requirements, over and above the normal policy activation criteria. In addition to the normal policy activation criteria, you must have charged the full cost of your common carrier ticket (and that of any accompanying dependent child or spouse) to your applicable card.

Common Carrier is a commercial aircraft, bus, train or vessel which carries passengers on regular routes at set rates.

If I have not met the requirements for Accidental Death and Disablement (common carrier) cover will this affect the rest of my cover under the policy?

No. While you will not be eligible for Benefit Section H3; the benefit of "Accidental death and disablement common carrier, you can still be covered under your overseas travel insurance policy for all other benefits - including Benefit Section H1: Accidental Death - provided you meet the normal policy eligibility criteria.