Issued 26 March 2026
Recent escalations in hostilities across the Middle East, including ongoing conflict in Gaza and the more recent surge in tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel, have resulted in missile activity, drone operations, and increased military action in the region. This has led to infrastructure disruption and widespread airspace closures or disruption to global air traffic networks.
As a result, travellers may be experiencing significant flight cancellations, diversions and delays across the Middle East. The New Zealand Government advises New Zealanders in affected regions to consider returning home while commercial flights remain available and to stay updated through SafeTravel and local authorities.
How this situation affects your insurance cover
There is no cover for travel in, to, from, or through any country or region subject to a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning issued by SafeTravel if your claim is due to the nature of the warning.
Your policy does not provide cover for any claim that arises directly or indirectly from events such as war or war like activities including invasion, acts of foreign enemies, civil war, revolution, insurrection, military action, or the use of military power.
This means the policy excludes not only the immediate impacts of these events (for example, damage caused by military conflict), but also indirect consequences, such as flight cancellations due to airspace closures, fuel shortages caused by conflict, or delays resulting from disrupted transport networks.
These exclusions apply regardless of when your policy was purchased and apply throughout your period of insurance.
This is a summary only. Please refer to your Policy Wording General Exclusions for full details.
