Cyber Insurance Online :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

Red Sea Unrest: Insurer Denies Cruise Cancellation Claim

Red Sea Unrest: Insurer Denies Cruise Cancellation Claim

Red Sea Unrest: Insurer Denies Cruise Cancellation Claim?w=400
An Australian travel policyholder has been denied a claim payout after his planned cruise in the Red Sea was cancelled due to conflict.
The insurer, Southern Cross, invoked its policy's war and violence exclusion clause, as disturbances in the region were linked to military activities, rendering the claim invalid.

The cruise, initially booked for the previous October, was cancelled due to "ongoing unrest." While the holidaymaker received a credit voucher for the cruise, he had already altered his plans and incurred extra expenses. Southern Cross outlined that their policy excludes coverage for disruptions caused by conflicts, such as "acts of foreseeable violence" and "military operations."

The insurer elaborated that the cruise company's reference to regional unrest was tied to Middle Eastern hostilities, namely Israeli military actions in Gaza and Houthi movements targeting ships. The policyholder was forewarned of the non-coverage should regional hostilities impact the cruise itinerary.

Challenging the insurer's position, the claimant approached the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), arguing that the term "unrest" should not fit the war and violence exclusion, stating that cruise vessels were not explicitly targeted. He noted that any violent incidents were mainly concerning cargo ships, suggesting no direct threat to passenger cruises.

AFCA's investigation clarified the circumstances, highlighting that, at the time of cancellation, American naval forces were actively escorting commercial ships in the area, engaging in combat with Houthi forces on occasion. The authority remarked that numerous shipping operators were side-stepping the region due to these threats, which are linked to hostilities involving the Houthis and Israel's warfare in Gaza.

An AFCA ombudsman aligned with the insurer's stance concluded that the regional situation exceeded mere unrest. The presence of US Navy activities was deemed indicative of military operations or foreseeable violence. Continuous Houthi aggressions were classified under foreseeable violence, justifying the insurer's denial of the claim.

Published:Friday, 20th Jun 2025
Source: Paige Estritori

Share this news item:

Insurance News

AFCA Upholds Insurance Fraud Ruling Over Disputed Possum Accident AFCA Upholds Insurance Fraud Ruling Over Disputed Possum Accident
26 Jun 2025: Paige Estritori

A motorist's claim that he crashed into a tree to avoid a possum has been denied by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), which supported the insurer's fraud decision. The incident involved the driver crashing his Jeep—insured for over $20,000—on a dimly-lit street, purportedly avoiding the rain-soaked motorway en route to the store. - read more
Code Watchdog Criticises Insurer for Misleading Rejection Letters Code Watchdog Criticises Insurer for Misleading Rejection Letters
24 Jun 2025: Paige Estritori

The Life Code Compliance Committee has recently reprimanded a life insurance provider for issuing misleading rejection letters to policy applicants. These letters were deemed 'ambiguous and contradictory' and failed to clearly inform applicants of their review options after being denied coverage. - read more
Insurer Ordered to Pay Full Claim for Confusing Patio Coverage Insurer Ordered to Pay Full Claim for Confusing Patio Coverage
23 Jun 2025: Paige Estritori

A recent ruling mandates that an insurer must fully honor a storm-related claim due to ambiguous policy wording regarding items in open areas. The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) determined that the insurer's restriction on coverage for items in a patio area was unfounded, as the policy's phrasing was not clear. - read more
Australia Sees Dramatic Drop in Catastrophe Losses Australia Sees Dramatic Drop in Catastrophe Losses
23 Jun 2025: Paige Estritori

Last year saw Australia's insured catastrophe losses plummet to just $500 million, marking the lowest level since 2004, according to Aon's latest Climate and Catastrophe Insight report. Notably, the Insurance Council of Australia reported no disasters for the year, a situation not seen since 1982. This comes in stark contrast to 2023, when disaster-related insured losses soared to over $3.6 billion. - read more
Half a Million Australian Homes at Risk of Becoming Uninsurable, Climate Agency Reports Half a Million Australian Homes at Risk of Becoming Uninsurable, Climate Agency Reports
21 Jun 2025: Paige Estritori

The Climate Change Authority has released a concerning report highlighting that, without immediate intervention, extreme natural hazards could cost Australians approximately $8.7 billion annually by 2050. The report urges the federal government to spearhead a comprehensive and well-coordinated national adaptation agenda to mitigate these risks. - read more


Cyber Insurance Articles

Cyber Security Essentials: Steps to Secure Your Online Business in Australia Cyber Security Essentials: Steps to Secure Your Online Business in Australia
As the digital economy flourishes, Australian businesses are enjoying the fruits of their own cyber-infrastructure but are also becoming increasingly susceptible to cyber threats. The era of the internet has ushered in a wave of new opportunities, yet it also demands vigilance in the face of growing cyber risks. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated and frequent, the imperative for robust cyber security measures has never been more pronounced. - read more
How to Safeguard Your Financial Data from Cyber Threats How to Safeguard Your Financial Data from Cyber Threats
Cyber risk management involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks related to digital and online threats. These threats can include unauthorized access to sensitive information, data breaches, and other malicious activities targeting an organization’s digital infrastructure. - read more
Protecting Your Business from Online Threats: The Benefits of Cyber Insurance Protecting Your Business from Online Threats: The Benefits of Cyber Insurance
In today's digital age, businesses are increasingly becoming more vulnerable to online threats. Cyber attacks are not just limited to large corporations. Small businesses are also at risk and can suffer severe financial losses due to cyber threats. It is essential for small businesses to invest in cyber insurance. Cyber insurance offers protection against online threats, providing financial assistance if a company experiences a data breach, cyber attack, or other forms of cybercrime. - read more
Cyber Security Checklists: Keeping Your Small Business Safe Cyber Security Checklists: Keeping Your Small Business Safe
In today's digital age, cyber security has become a critical aspect for small businesses in Australia. As more operations move online, the potential for cyber threats increases. Small businesses are particularly vulnerable, making it essential to understand and address these risks proactively. - read more
Cyber Insurance Claims: What Small Business Owners Need to Know Cyber Insurance Claims: What Small Business Owners Need to Know
Cybersecurity incidents are a growing concern for small businesses. These incidents can have disastrous consequences on the affected businesses and their customers. Cyber insurance policies provide a form of financial protection for small businesses in the event of a cyber-attack. This article will provide an overview of cyber insurance claims and its importance for small business owners. - read more
Cyber Insurance Claims: What Small Business Owners Need to Know Cyber Insurance Claims: What Small Business Owners Need to Know
Cybersecurity incidents are a growing concern for small businesses. These incidents can have disastrous consequences on the affected businesses and their customers. Cyber insurance policies provide a form of financial protection for small businesses in the event of a cyber-attack. This article will provide an overview of cyber insurance claims and its importance for small business owners. - read more
Case Studies: The True Impact of Cyber Attacks on Australian Small Businesses Case Studies: The True Impact of Cyber Attacks on Australian Small Businesses
As we delve into the digital era, the number of cyber threats that challenge Australian small businesses is significantly on the rise. Cyber attacks have become more sophisticated, frequent, and continue to disrupt the operations of small enterprises, often with devastating consequences. The need to fortify defenses against such threats has never been more paramount. - read more
From Phishing to Hacking: Examining the Coverage Options of Cyber Insurance Policies From Phishing to Hacking: Examining the Coverage Options of Cyber Insurance Policies
In today's digital landscape, Australian small businesses face a myriad of cyber risks that can threaten their operations and financial stability. From sophisticated phishing scams to debilitating hacking attacks, the need to safeguard against such digital threats has never been more pressing. This introductory guide serves to illuminate the complexities of the cyber risk environment within Australia, focusing on the small business sector's unique vulnerabilities. - read more
Protecting Your Business from Online Threats: The Benefits of Cyber Insurance Protecting Your Business from Online Threats: The Benefits of Cyber Insurance
In today's digital age, businesses are increasingly becoming more vulnerable to online threats. Cyber attacks are not just limited to large corporations. Small businesses are also at risk and can suffer severe financial losses due to cyber threats. It is essential for small businesses to invest in cyber insurance. Cyber insurance offers protection against online threats, providing financial assistance if a company experiences a data breach, cyber attack, or other forms of cybercrime. - read more
The Essential Guide to Cyber Insurance for Australian Businesses The Essential Guide to Cyber Insurance for Australian Businesses
Cyber insurance is a type of insurance designed to protect businesses from internet-based risks and, more generally, from risks relating to information technology infrastructure and activities. It covers losses related to data breaches, cyber extortion, and other kinds of cyber attacks. - read more


Your free Cyber insurance quote comparison starts here!
First Name:
Postcode:

All quotes are provided free (via our secure server) and without obligation. We respect your privacy.

Knowledgebase
Term Life Insurance:
A life insurance that provides a cover for a specific period of time - usually one to five years or until the insured reaches age 65 or 70.