Statement Regarding the Current Situation in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip On October 8, 2023, Israel formally declared war on Hamas. Subsequently, the Government of Canada issued an “Avoid all non-essential travel” advisory for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

With these recent events, we know there may be questions about travel insurance underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (“Manulife”) and by its wholly owned subsidiary, First North American Insurance Company (collectively, “Manulife Financial”). How this impacts Manulife Travel Insurance customers travelling to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip:

If customers booked their trip and purchased Manulife Travel Insurance before October 8, 2023:

• Provisions under Trip Cancellation Insurance will allow them to cancel their trip due to the travel advisory change.

If customers booked their trip and purchased Manulife Travel Insurance on or after October 8, 2023:

• They will not have Trip Cancellation Insurance benefits related to the travel advisory.

If customers departed before October 8, 2023:

• They will have Emergency Medical Insurance benefits for the full duration of their trip.
• They will have Trip Interruption Insurance benefits if the reason for the interruption is related to the travel advisory.

If customers departed on or after October 8, 2023:

• They will not have Emergency Medical Insurance benefits for a reason that is related to the travel advisory.
• Trip Interruption Insurance benefits will only be available if the reason for the interruption is unrelated to the travel advisory.

Removal of “Act of War” exclusion:

• Due to the nature of the situation in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Manulife will waive the “Act of War” exclusion for:
  • Trip Cancellation Insurance for policies that were purchased before October 8, 2023.
  • Trip Interruption Insurance and Emergency Medical Insurance for policies with departure dates before October 8, 2023.

Coverage under the policy is secondary to any other source of compensation, such as offers from the airline or travel supplier, credit card refund, etc. Please see the policy for full conditions, limitations and exclusions.

For additional information regarding travel advisories, please visit the Government of Canada website