'Check if travel insurance covers traffic accidents'

An insurance sector representative has reminded holidaymakers planning a self-drive tour outside of Hong Kong to check carefully if their travel insurance policy covers traffic accidents.

Federation of Insurers chief executive Selina Lau made the remarks on an RTHK radio programme following two accidents within a week that involved SAR tourists travelling on rental vehicles in Hokkaido, Japan.

A two-vehicle collision on Monday saw a 53-year-old Hong Kong woman killed and five others injured. Last Thursday, a train-car collision injured five Chinese tourists, including an off-duty police officer from the SAR.

Lau said most rental car companies in Japan include only basic liability insurance and require travellers to pay a "deductible" for vehicle and property damage in the event of an accident.

“The deductible means that you have to pay out of your own pocket. That’s why you need to check whether the travel insurance you purchased in Hong Kong covers this. In most cases, it is covered and offers protection through something called ‘rental vehicle deductible coverage’,” she said.

“For example, you might be required [by the rental car company] to pay the first HK$7,000 of vehicle damage, and your travel insurance will cover that for you.”

Lau also urged travellers to send a copy of their insurance policy to someone they trust in Hong Kong before their trip, to contact the insurer here if necessary.

She added that they should notify local police of all traffic accidents regardless of severity, and take photos of the scene after ensuring their own safety.

On the same programme, Ringo Lee, honorary life president of the Hong Kong, China Automobile Association, said some Hongkongers may not be accustomed to long-distance driving. They may also rely too much on GPS and not pay enough attention to road conditions.

He urged travellers to familiarise themselves with local traffic rules when planning self-driving tours in Japan.

“I am not saying we need to learn all the traffic rules. But when we rent a car, we should at least take out a map and study their traffic rules and signs. There are a few important traffic signs: ‘no entry’, ‘one-way roads’, and ‘no stopping’. These three rules are the most frequently violated by Hongkongers,” he said.

Lee also urged travellers to prepare ahead, such as having an idea how long the journey will take and where they can take breaks.

Edited by Edmond Fong ...