What to do if you encounter an earthquake while travelling? A guide to travel insurance coverage for earthquakes (including earthquake insurance Q&As)!

2025-05-09

5 Mins Read

Earthquake insurance Q&As
What to do if an earthquake occurs at my travel destination
How AXA protects your journey | AXA SmartTraveller Plus

Japan, with its distinct four seasons, shopping culture, and food, has become one of the top travel destinations for Hongkongers. However, it lies on an earthquake belt, which causes concern for many. According to Japan’s Meteorological Agency, over 1,500 earthquakes are recorded annually in the country, making the risk of encountering an earthquake during your trip not as remote as it may seem*.

When it comes to travel insurance, many people typically consider coverage for flight delays or lost luggage but overlook the potential risks posed by natural disasters. With the increasing frequency of earthquakes worldwide, there has been growing public interest in whether travel insurance covers natural disasters, such as trip interruptions, accommodation changes, medical expenses, or even emergency evacuations. In this article, we will address your concerns in a Q&A format, so you will be clear about what earthquake coverage in travel insurance can help you with during your next trip.

Q1: Does travel insurance cover earthquakes?

Answer: Most travel insurance policies in Hong Kong provide coverage for earthquakes and other natural disasters, though the specific coverage varies by plan. Insurance policies will compensate according to the terms and conditions, and different insurers may define natural disasters differently. Therefore, when selecting travel insurance, it’s crucial to carefully review the policy’s coverage.

For example, AXA SmartTraveller Plus covers not only medical expenses caused by earthquakes but also trip cancellations, flight delays, accommodation changes, and emergency evacuations. If you suffer injuries or your trip is interrupted due to an earthquake, the insurance will cover reasonable medical expenses and reimburse non-refundable transportation and accommodation costs. Therefore, it is important to take out insurance as soon as you book your tickets.

Q2: How does travel insurance cover medical expenses caused by natural disasters?

Answer: Generally, travel insurance provides both medical and accidental death coverage for the insured. Taking AXA SmartTraveller Plus as an example, it offers comprehensive medical protection. Whether you suffer fractures or minor injuries due to natural disasters like earthquakes, typhoons, or landslides, or require hospitalisation or surgery due to more serious injuries, the coverage typically includes:

1. Outpatient and emergency treatment: This covers doctor consultation fees, X-rays or other imaging tests, necessary medication, and emergency room charges.

2. Hospitalisation and surgical benefits: This includes daily hospital charges, surgical costs, specialist consultation fees, as well as anaesthesia and operating theatre expenses.

3. Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation: If local medical facilities are inadequate, the plan covers transport via ambulance or helicopter to a better-equipped hospital, and may even arrange repatriation to Hong Kong for continued treatment.

4. Follow-up treatment: Should further treatment be required after returning to Hong Kong, AXA will also cover follow-up consultation fees within three months of your return (The follow-up consultation fee has specific limits on sub-items. Please refer to the benefit table for details).

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?

Answer: Generally, if you successfully purchased insurance before an earthquake or travel advisory was issued, and a natural disaster such as an earthquake causes your trip to be cancelled, most travel insurance policies will provide compensation for non-refundable expenses such as accommodation, flights, train tickets, and activity tickets, within the policy’s specified timeframe before departure.

AXA SmartTraveller Plus provides coverage in the event of trip cancellation, early termination, or delays due to natural disasters (such as earthquakes or tsunamis). This includes:

Trip cancellation coverage: If a severe natural disaster occurs at your destination within 7 days before your departure, and the trip cannot proceed, the insurance will reimburse non-refundable expenses (such as flights, hotel stays, and activity fees).
Early termination of trip coverage: If you are already at your destination but need to cut your trip short and return to Hong Kong due to a natural disaster such as an earthquake, the insurance will reimburse non-refundable and unused accommodation, transportation, and activity deposits.
Trip delay coverage: If public transport is delayed by 6 hours or more due to a natural disaster at your destination, you can receive a cash allowance, compensation for additional or non-reimbursable overseas accommodation, and for any activities you missed and could not get a refund for.

[Practical tip]: When filing a claim, be sure to keep your flight booking confirmation, hotel confirmation, cancellation notice email, and any other relevant documentation, as these will help speed up the claims process.

Q4: Does travel insurance cover property damage caused by earthquakes?

Answer: Generally, most travel insurance plans cover property loss due to theft or luggage loss; however, whether they cover property damage caused by earthquakes or other natural disasters depends on the specific terms of the policy.

With AXA SmartTraveller Plus, certain plans may cover property damage caused by natural disasters. However, it is essential to carefully review the policy terms before making a claim to check for coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions, or other additional conditions. If your travel destination is prone to natural disasters, it is advisable to select a plan that explicitly includes coverage for disaster-related losses.

Planning your next adventure?

AXA SmartTraveller Plus has you covered every step of the way.

Q5: What exclusions apply to travel insurance in the event of an earthquake?

Answer: While travel insurance generally provides extensive coverage during an earthquake, there are certain situations that may not be covered. If the policyholder purchases travel insurance after an earthquake has occurred, the insurance company will classify it as a 'known risk' and will not provide compensation for any trip delays, early terminations, deposit losses, or trip cancellations caused by the event. Therefore, when selecting travel insurance, it is crucial to thoroughly review the policy terms to understand which situations are excluded, to avoid potential disputes when making a claim later.

Q6: What should I do if an earthquake occurs at my travel destination?

Answer: In the event of an earthquake, your top priority is to ensure your personal safety, followed by addressing subsequent matters according to your insurance policy’s guidelines. Below is a step-by-step guide:

1. Prioritise safety

Stay calm and immediately assess the safety of your surroundings: When an earthquake occurs, assess whether your current location is safe. For example, stay away from glass windows, large furniture, and exterior walls of buildings. If you are indoors, quickly take cover under sturdy furniture or follow the hotel’s instructions to reach a safe area.
Quickly find a safe shelter: Pay attention to evacuation instructions issued by local authorities and official emergency communications. Head to a temporary shelter or evacuate according to hotel guidelines.
Stay in contact with family and friends: If possible, use your mobile phone or messaging apps to inform loved ones that you are safe.

2. Contact AXA and retain supporting documents

Some insurance companies offer emergency support services, allowing policyholders to receive further assistance after ensuring their safety. For example, AXA SmartTraveller Plus offers a 24-hour global emergency support service for medical emergencies, giving you peace of mind. The steps for accessing support are as follows:

Immediately contact AXA emergency support hotline: No matter where you are, the 24-hour hotline (+852 2861 9285) will provide immediate assistance, including locating local medical facilities and arranging emergency medical transport.
Organise and retain all supporting documents: Keep records such as medical reports, receipts for expenses, flight or transport cancellation/change notices, hotel cancellation notifications, and official announcements from local governments or news agencies. These will help facilitate the claims process.

3. Ongoing monitoring and filing a claim

Carefully record any changes to your itinerary, costs, and modification times caused by the earthquake to facilitate your claim with AXA.
Submit a claim as soon as possible via the AXA “Emma by AXA” mobile app, official platform, or customer service, ensuring all required information is provided to speed up the approval process.

Q7: What proof do I need to provide to file a claim if I encounter a natural disaster during my trip?

Answer: When claiming for a natural disaster, having all necessary supporting documents is crucial to speeding up the claims process. Generally, the required documents include:

Medical report: If you are injured due to a natural disaster, you will need to provide a diagnosis and treatment report from a local hospital or clinic, along with relevant receipts.
Flight or transport changes proof: If your flight or transportation is delayed or cancelled due to a natural disaster, any notification or rebooking confirmation from the airline or transport provider will be necessary for your claim.
Disaster area announcements and alerts: Screenshot or save announcements from local governments or media outlets regarding the disaster area as evidence of the occurrence.
Police reports and other evidence: If you experience property loss or theft, you must provide a police report or other documents that can verify the event.

[Practical tip]: If you are an AXA customer and encounter an emergency, please call AXA 24-hour customer service hotline immediately to inquire about the required documents and make sure to keep all receipts and evidence, ensuring a swift claims process.

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.