What to do if you encounter an earthquake while travelling? A guide to travel insurance coverage for earthquakes (including earthquake insurance FAQs)!
Lifestyle2026-07-30
5 Mins Read
Japan remains one of the most popular travel destinations among Hong Kong travellers. However, as it sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, concerns about earthquake risks are common among those planning a trip. If an earthquake occurs during your holiday, will your travel insurance cover it? What happens if an earthquake leads to trip cancellation, travel disruption, additional accommodation expenses or medical costs?
The good news is that many travel insurance plans provide protection against certain losses arising from natural disasters. However, the scope of cover, eligibility criteria and compensation limits can vary from one policy to another. Beyond the more familiar benefits for flight delays and lost baggage, travellers should also understand how their policy may respond to earthquake-related events, such as trip cancellation, travel disruption, emergency medical expenses and emergency evacuation.
In this article, we'll answer some of the most common questions about earthquake cover through a practical Q&A format, helping you better understand how travel insurance can protect you when travelling to Japan or other destinations with higher exposure to earthquake risks.
Q1: Does travel insurance cover earthquakes?
Q2: How does travel insurance cover medical expenses caused by natural disasters?
Q3: If I have taken out insurance before an earthquake occurred and then cancelled my trip after a travel advisory was issued, will my travel insurance provide coverage?
Q4: Does travel insurance cover property damage caused by earthquakes?
Q5: What exclusions apply to travel insurance in the event of an earthquake?
Q6: What should I do if an earthquake occurs at my travel destination?
Q7: What proof do I need to provide to file a claim if I encounter a natural disaster during my trip?
Planning your next adventure?
AXA SmartTraveller Plus has you covered every step of the way.
How does AXA SmartTraveller Plus provide protection for you?
- No worries about medical expenses: Our coverage includes medical expenses incurred overseas due to illness or injury, as well as follow-up treatment costs within 3 months of returning to Hong Kong (follow-up treatment costs are subject to separate sub-limits, please refer to the coverage table for details).
- Amateur sports coverage: We provide accident death or injury coverage for you when participating in sports or competitions abroad as a non-professional, including over 40 common activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, skiing, bungee jumping, and hot air balloon or helicopter rides, giving you added peace of mind.
- New remote video consultation service: New virtual medical consultation and medicine delivery services are available for selected overseas locations in Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and the Philippines, offering free virtual medical consultation and covering costs for medicine delivery to your door twice per policy year#.
- Protection for both long and short trips: Whether it's a long-term trip of up to 360 days or multiple short trips within the year, each not exceeding 90 days, we provide comprehensive coverage for you.
- Personal baggage and belongings coverage: If you experience the unfortunate loss of personal belongings, our coverage includes personal luggage and items, ensuring protection for belongings such as clothing, wallets, documents, cameras, mobile phones, watches, and laptops.
- 24/7 digital travel assistant: Simply download the Emma by AXA mobile app to access your policy details anytime, anywhere. In the event of an accident, you can easily file a claim through Emma by AXA. Our Emma chatbot provides 24/7 service, answering queries regarding insurance coverage, claims, hospital lists in Mainland China, overseas emergency hotlines, and more.
Comprehensive protection, safety first
When travelling, especially in the event of a natural disaster like an earthquake, having comprehensive travel insurance is crucial. Choosing the right travel insurance plan not only protects you from injuries, trip changes, and emergency evacuations but also alleviates stress during a disaster. Of course, insurance is just one part of ensuring your journey’s safety. Before departure, make sure to understand the weather, disaster risks, and safety guidelines from local authorities at your destination. Stay vigilant so that every trip you take can be well-prepared, safe, and worry-free!
*Sources: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
#Only applicable to Annual Plan.
Insurance plans vary in coverage and are subject to their respective terms and conditions. For detailed terms and conditions of the plan, please refer to the relevant product brochure and policy contract.
No warranty or responsibility is assumed by AXA Hong Kong and our related or holding companies regarding non-infringement, security, accuracy, completeness, adequacy, reasonableness, fitness for a purpose or free from computer viruses in connection with the information and materials provided. AXA Hong Kong and our related companies and holding companies do not accept any liability for any loss, damage, cost or other expense, whether wholly or partially, directly or indirectly, arising from any error, inaccuracy or omission of the information and materials to the extent that such liability is not excluded by law.
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