Business travel in Australia and around the world slowed down extensively in 2020 due to domestic and international border closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, now that the COVID-19 vaccine rollout has begun in Australia and around the world in 2021, we are seeing domestic travel steadily increasing and international travel bubbles are opening up.
Flight Centre recently surveyed Australian business travellers and found that many frequent business travellers anticipated domestic travel to be back in full swing for 2021., finding that[1]:
- Video conferencing has a place, however in-person contact is always preferred, especially when working with customers; and
- 43% of business travellers said ‘winning new business’ is the most significant driver in returning to the air, closely followed by ‘client relationship management'.
On 13 April 2021, Qantas outlined that it will resume AU – NZ flights from 19 April with the opening up of the trans-Tasman quarantine free bubble. Qantas will track the vaccine rollout in Australia and work with the Australian Government to manage international travel [2].
Virgin Australia said that it will focus on domestic operations, however will remain flexible with short-haul international travel as it monitors the vaccine rollout and Government advice.[3].
KPMG’s domestic travel market review for 2021[4] found that with the drastic reduction in domestic and international travel over 2020, businesses are now looking at strategies to manage a flexible work environment along with safe business travel within Australia and international borders once re-open.
With domestic travel resuming, the trans-Tasman travel bubble opening up from April 2021, and additional international travel bubbles planned to open up as the vaccine rollout continues, businesses should start to consider preparing for business travel.
Chubb has put together a 4 step plan for business travel in 2021 and beyond. To find out more click here.
Having a comprehensive business travel insurance policy in place is one step to reducing businesses travel risks. The Chubb Business Travel Accident Insurance Policy (BTA) provides cover for, but not limited to:
- Medical, evacuation and additional expenses
- Accidental death and disability
- Hijack and detention
- Cancellation and disruption
- Baggage and travel documents
- Personal liability
- Rental and personal vehicle excess
- Political and natural disaster evacuation
- Extra territorial workers’ compensation
- Alternative employee/resumption of assignment
- Kidnap and ransom/Extortion
- Search and rescue expenses
Exclusions to cover apply to:
- Events directly or indirectly relating to a pre-existing medical condition;
- Events when a journey is undertaken against the advice of a doctor or dentist or the covered person is unfit to travel;
- Expenses recoverable from another source, e.g a government sponsored fund or a medical benefit scheme;
- Cancellation, curtailment, or diversion of scheduled public transport if there has been a published warning that such events were likely to occur prior to the booking of a journey;
- Baggage, business property, electronic equipment, money or travel documents due to confiscation by customs or any other lawful authority if possession of such item is unlawful; or
- Items that are left unattended in a public place.
Please read the policy wording for the full details of the benefits which are subject to the terms and conditions, exclusions and various excesses.
Chubb also provides its BTA policyholders with complimentary access to the Chubb Travel Smart and Claims Portals.
Chubb Travel Smart: This technology has been developed to help employers better fulfil their duty of care obligations to their staff. It includes a smartphone app for employees and an online dashboard for risk and HR managers to get an instant summary of travelling employees, including their location and whether they are travelling in high risk areas, to find out more click here.
Chubb Claim Centre: Along with Chubb’s market leading and award-winning claims service, BTA policyholders also have access to Chubb’s claims service portal. The portal allows real time lodgement, tracking and rapid processing of simple claims. You can begin processing your claim online, receive immediate confirmation of submission and reduce steps and time to completion. To find out more click here
Chubb understands that businesses need to take more time to plan and strategise business travel in the current environment, which is why Chubb:
- Continues to review coverages and new benefits in relation to COVID-19 and pandemics locally and internationally for our travel policies. This is to ensure that the coverage offered remains relevant and provides the support policyholders need in the new and evolving travel environment; and
- Updates its business travel declaration form to better understand our insureds’ business travel risks to ensure that we can provide tailored cover to suit their business travel and to better understand their business travel needs.
To find out more and to inquire about a free quote please contact your local Chubb A&H underwriter by clicking here.
Sources:
- https://www.flightcentrebusinesstravel.com.au/resources/business-travel-news/state-market-survey-when-will-we-start-travelling-again
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-13/international-travel-australia-vaccine-delays-qantas-virgin/100064920
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-13/international-travel-australia-vaccine-delays-qantas-virgin/100064920
- https://home.kpmg/au/en/home/insights/2020/12/beyond-covid-19-rise-of-domestic-travel-tourism-australia.html
This content is brought to you by Chubb Insurance Australia Limited (“Chubb”) as a convenience to readers and is not intended to constitute advice (professional or otherwise) or recommendations upon which a reader may rely. Any references to insurance cover are general in nature only and may not suit your particular circumstances. Chubb does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and any insurance cover referred to is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions set out in the relevant policy wording. Please obtain and read carefully the relevant insurance policy before deciding to acquire any insurance product. A policy wording can be obtained at www.chubb.com/au, through your broker or by contacting any of the Chubb offices. Chubb makes no warranty or guarantee about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the content. Readers relying on any content do so at their own risk. It is the responsibility of the reader to evaluate the quality and accuracy of the content. Reference in this content (if any) to any specific commercial product, process, or service, and links from this content to other third party websites, do not constitute or imply an endorsement or recommendation by Chubb and shall not be used for advertising or service/product endorsement purposes. ©2021 Chubb Insurance Australia Limited ABN: 23 001 642 020 AFSL: 239687. Chubb®, its logos, and Chubb.Insured.SM are protected trademarks of Chubb. Published 29/03/2021.
Insights & Resources
We keep you informed – and your business protected – with these helpful articles.
