Hence, in the following paragraphs, Smart Living@Kenneth will talk about travel, home and overseas study protection, and walk you through the coverage of different products, helping you make the right call.

Overseas study protection myth: Am I insured off-campus?

Broadening their horizons, helping their becoming more independent, getting a taste of different cultures, or simply gaining knowledge at our dream education institutions are some key reasons for us to send our children abroad to study. Whatever the reason may be, the world has changed and we have to admit that our society looks beyond outstanding academic results nowadays – our children should also possess a rich spectrum of life experiences.

So how can they be introduced to a broad range of life experiences? The answer lies in their spare time after school. Be it a part-time job, leisure sports or travelling to neighbouring countries, there are a lot of activities which are beneficial to our children’s growth and development, even if setbacks and hardships come along with them.

With overseas study protection, students are covered when exploring the world, from taking a non-manual part-time job or internship, and engaging in adventurous activities such as hot air ballooning, skiing, rafting and windsurfing, to travelling to places outside Hong Kong.

What’s more, in the post-pandemic era, we are adapting our protection products to cater to the needs of our customers. Although the period that overseas students stay in Hong Kong for family reunion is not covered, once the return air tickets and three-day hotel accommodation for compulsory quarantine imposed by the Hong Kong government are booked, and the students subsequently are confirmed to have contracted COVID-19 before their return, the irrecoverable or additional transportation and accommodation expenses can be reimbursed. Further, if students return to Hong Kong on or before 31 December 2022, AXA Free Protection for Inbound Travellers Programme offers them add-on benefits during their compulsory quarantine period - additional personal accident, liability and belongings protection for free up to 14 days from their arrival in Hong Kong^.

Parents, at the same time, should also enjoy sufficient protection, and this is where AXA comes in: if the insured student is hospitalised for more than five consecutive days due to serious illness when overseas, the transportation and accommodation expenses of the parents who pay a visit to the student will be reimbursed up to HKD100,000, and their annual leaves taken will be compensated up to HKD2,500. With such comprehensive protection, parents can let go of their children, allowing them to grow up and eventually fly the coop.

We never know when the next Mangkhut will visit us, but we can always get home protection ready during this typhoon season.

If strong wind breaks the glass windows, causing water leakage and home contents damage, our home protection can offer you valuables protection of up to HKD600,000 or 1/3 of home contents sum insured*. Or, if water/electricity supply or elevator service reaching your home is suspended for over six consecutive hours due to typhoon signal no.8 or above, you will be reimbursed up to HKD7,500 for your temporary accommodation and meal expenses for a maximum of five days.

For break-ins, you can claim for your valuable items such as jewellery, watches, cameras, works of art, antiques, furs, stamps and coins up to HKD600,000 or 1/3 of the home contents sum insured, and up to HKD5,000 for stolen credit cards.

What’s more, do you realise even wagyu beef and fish maw are covered? You will be reimbursed up to HKD6,000 for replacing food which is spoiled due to the failure of your fridge. When everything in your house is virtually protected, home sweet home will not be merely a saying.

If you have contracted COVID-19 during your trip, our travel insurance will offer up to HKD1,000,000 protection for overseas medical expenses, including up to HKD5,000 daily hospital cash or HKD5,600 daily compulsory quarantine cash. If the trip is curtailed due to you or your travel companion being infected, we will offer up to HKD50,000 for the irrecoverable or additional transportation and accommodation expenses derived, including the related fees of your quarantine hotel in Hong Kong if you are unable to check-in as planned. For single journey policies, the insured period will also be extended for 10 days automatically.

When you return from your holiday and are obligated to conduct compulsory quarantine, you can enjoy additional personal accident, liability and belongings protection for free up to 14 days from your arrival in Hong Kong^.

You will also be reimbursed due to travel delay for six hours or more, including trip rerouting travel costs, additional overseas accommodation expenses, irrecoverable accommodation deposits or expenses, and irrecoverable deposits or expenses derived from missed events. For loss of baggage or personal belongings, your claim is up to HKD20,000. However, you will not be reimbursed if you miss your flight due to a traffic jam, so always leave home for the airport earlier.

Travelling in the post-pandemic times could mean more things to take care of. To enjoy overseas travel once again, make sure you do your homework beforehand and have relevant protection in place.