Middle East travel disruptions - your queries answered

Please see below for important information from our travel insurers on the situation in the Middle East and links for further detail. This page will be updated as we receive further information.

As always, C&R are here to help. Please call, email or pop in to the office and one of our staff will take care of you.

Cover-More – Important Information regarding the Middle East War

A surge in hostilities between Israel, the United States, and Iran has led to coordinated missile strikes on US military installations throughout the Gulf, with wider impacts extending to civilian areas in Dubai (UAE), including the Fairmont Hotel in Palm Jumeirah.

The attacks triggered immediate responses from US and allied military forces. These incidents have caused significant casualties, disrupted travel and critical infrastructure, and heightened regional uncertainty. The security environment remains volatile with the risk of further escalation and incidental violence across the region.

Policy coverage: Costs that are not covered by your policy.

• There is no cover for claims directly arising from you not following “Do not travel” advice issued by MFAT if the subject of the advice or warning is related to the nature of your claim.

• There is no cover for claims arising as a result of war, invasion, act of foreign enemy, hostilities (whether war be declared or not), civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection or military or usurped power.

As the policy does not provide coverage for this event, if you have been impacted, you may wish to engage your travel agent or travel service providers to minimise your out of pocket costs

We recommend your customers stay across communications from Safetravel at SafeTravel – SafeTravel

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Allianz Partners – Travel Advisory

The United States and Israel carried out coordinated military strikes on Iran on 28 February 2026 triggering Iranian retaliation and a rapid escalation in regional tensions. In response, multiple Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar and the UAE, closed all or parts of their airspace, causing widespread disruption to international travellers.

Given many flights from New Zealand to Europe and the UK transit through Middle Eastern hubs, the closure or restriction of these hubs has or will result in flight cancellations, missed connections, or delays for NZ passengers travelling to or from Europe and the UK.

Allianz Travel insurance policies contain specific exclusions stating that there is no cover under any section of the policy for claims that arise directly or indirectly from any act of war, whether declared or undeclared. In addition, for those customer that are not directly impacted but are reconsidering their travel plans, policies have an exclusion meaning that there is no cover for any claim that results from the policyholder or their travel companions changing their plans. These exclusions mean that travellers and travel agents will need to work with within the flexibility provided by airlines and other suppliers for refunds, rebooking or accommodation if flights are cancelled or there are delays due to the conflict.

Note: This is an initial response and may be subject to change and the situation in region evolved. Claims will be assessed on their individual merits and the specific policy wordings will apply in the case of all claims. Policy terms, conditions, limits, sub-limits and exclusions apply.

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