'Taiwan quake a reminder on timely insurance purchase'

The head of the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers on Thursday reminded holidaymakers to buy insurance soon after planning their trips for better protection. The comment came after yesterday’s powerful earthquake near Hualien in Taiwan. The Immigration Department said as of 8am on Thursday, 34 Hongkongers in Taiwan had sought help after the strongest quake in 25 years on the island left 10 people dead and more than a thousand people injured. On an RTHK programme, Selina Lau said if people buy insurance after the quake and still go on their trip, quake-related effects won't be covered. "Make sure to buy insurance before an earthquake occurs. Travellers who want to proceed with their trips might want to buy insurance now, but it's too late because the earthquake has already happened. Such incidents aren't covered. If travellers, who bought insurance earlier, and also decided to start their trip now, earthquake-related impacts still won't be covered." Steve Huen, executive director of the travel agency EGL Tours, said it had no plans yet to cancel or change the itinerary of tours to Hualien in the middle of this month. He said there were currently 11 tours in different parts of Taiwan and some 300 travellers were unscathed by the quake.