Important update – New Caledonia curfew

New Caledonia – Curfew, where to now?

New Caledonia has imposed a curfew and banned public gatherings in the capital, Noumea, after a day of protests around the French territory against planned changes to the constitution turned violent, with reports of widespread looting and businesses set on fire. The international airport in Noumea shut down and cancelled all commercial flights on Tuesday 14th May 2024, and some consulates in the city shut their doors.

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.

Am I still covered for claims related to this event?

· If you bought your policy before 12:00am (AEDT) on 14th May 2024, you are covered for claims arising from this event.

· If you bought your policy after 12:00am (AEDT) on 14th May 2024, you are not covered for claims arising from this event, even if you were not aware of this event at the time of purchasing your policy. However, we will assess your situation considering all aspects of the case.

If you bought your policy before 12:00am (AEDT) on 14th May 2024 and you wish to cancel or amend your pre-booked travel arrangements as a result of this event, we recommend you contact your travel agent or travel provider regarding the best option in altering your trip. We understand some airlines provide penalty-free options to amend travel arrangements, so we also recommend you contact your airline for further details.