Google AI
The Times Australia

Times Media Advertising

Blue Cross Introduces "Bear Attack Additional Coverage" to Safeguard Travellers Offers HK$50 Coupon for SmartClub Members

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 19 November 2025 - In response to frequent wild bear sightings in Japan and other popular tourist spots, which have brought new risks and unease for travellers, Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited ("Blue Cross") has announced the launch of a limited-time "Bear Attack Additional Coverage"¹ to provide customers with more extensive travel protection.

Additionally, Blue Cross is rewarding SmartClub members with an exclusive offer – a HK$50 electronic premium coupon² – to welcome the travel season.

Blue Cross introduces “Bear Attack Additional Coverage” to safeguard travellers
Blue Cross introduces “Bear Attack Additional Coverage” to safeguard travellers

In recent years, climate change and habitat shifts have led to a notable rise in wild bear encounters, with their activity range no longer confined to remote mountains. High-risk areas include popular tourist destinations such as Hokkaido, Tohoku (e.g. Akita, Iwate, Fukushima), Nagano, and Shirakawa-go in Japan, raising safety concerns for travellers. Anticipating customers' protection needs, Blue Cross is introducing the limited-time "Bear Attack Additional Coverage" across its range of travel insurance products. From now until 31 March 2026, if the insured is attacked by a bear during their trip and requires overseas medical treatment, they will be eligible for an extra HK$3,000 cash allowance upon claim. This coverage applies to any bear-prone travel destinations worldwide and is not limited to Japan.

"Bear Encounter" Self-Rescue Guide to Minimise Injury Risks
Beyond financial protection, Blue Cross also reminds travellers to prioritise safety. In case of a bear encounter during a trip, one should stop immediately, do not run, and retreat slowly. If attacked, adopt a protective posture: use your backpack to shield your back, lie on your stomach to protect your abdomen, and cover your neck and head with your hands. If encountering a bear while driving, stay inside the car with windows closed, refrain from honking to avoid provoking the bear, and wait for it to leave before driving away slowly.

SmartClub Members Enjoy HK$50 Travel Smart ePremium Coupon
To celebrate the travel season, Blue Cross is offering SmartClub members an exclusive surprise. Both existing and newly registered members3 can receive a HK$50 ePremium Coupon, applicable to Travel Smart Single Trip, Multi-Trip, and Annual Cover. The coupon can also be combined with other travel insurance promo codes, allowing members to enjoy even greater savings.

For details about the "Bear Attack Additional Coverage" and the full terms and conditions of the above insurance products, visit the Blue Cross website at www.bluecross.com.hk or download the Blue Cross HK App.

Notes:

  1. The "Bear Attack Additional Coverage" is a limited-time coverage applicable to Single Trip and Annual Travel Plans under the following products: Travel Smart, TravelElite, Travel Protection Insurance, Frequent Traveller Insurance and TravelSafe Plus.
  2. This offer applies to individuals who successfully register as a SmartClub member on or before 31 March 2026. The HK$50 ePremium Coupon is applicable to Travel Smart Single-trip, Multi-trip, and Annual Cover.
  3. Existing members refer to SmartClub members registered on or before 26 November 2025. The ePremium Coupon will be delivered to existing members on 28 November 2025 via Exclusive Reward section on the member portal. New members who successfully register for SmartClub between 27 November 2025 and 31 March 2026 will also receive ePremium Coupon which will be distributed via the Exclusive Reward section on the member portal the day after successful registration. For details about SmartClub HK$50 ePremium Coupon promotion, please visit the Blue Cross website at www.bluecross.com.hk or Blue Cross HK App starting 28 November 2025.
Disclaimers:

  • This press release is for distribution in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region only. The distribution of this press release is not and shall not be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or a provision of any insurance product outside Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
  • Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited is a subsidiary of AIA Group Limited. It is not affiliated with or related in any way to Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association or any of its affiliates or licensees.





Hashtag: #BlueCross #BlueCrossAsiaPacific #TravelInsurance #Insurance #TravelSafety #BearAttackCoverage #SmartClub #TravelSeason #CustomerBenefits #InsuranceUpdates

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited

Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited ("Blue Cross") is a subsidiary of AIA Group Limited. With over 50 years of operational experience in the insurance industry, Blue Cross provides a comprehensive range of products and services including medical, travel and general insurance, which cater to the needs of both individual and corporate customers. Blue Cross distributes its products through various channels, including AIA agency force, online platform, direct sales, BEA network, insurance agents and brokers, as well as travel agencies.

In 2024, Blue Cross is assigned financial strength rating of A+ (stable outlook) and issuer credit rating of A+ (stable outlook) by S&P Global Ratings.


Times Magazine

The Human Supplement Craze Has Officially Gone to the Dogs (Literally)

Australians’ appetite for supplements is no longer limited to their own vitamin cabinets. New reta...

AI Guilt: It’s Real — But it is irrational

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming one of the most powerful tools ever made available to ...

Australians Are Keeping Their Cars Longer — And It’s Changing The Market

Australia’s car market is undergoing a subtle but important transformation. People are keeping th...

Streaming Fatigue: Australians Overwhelmed By Subscriptions

Streaming was once supposed to simplify entertainment. Instead, many Australians now feel overwhe...

Why Shopping Centres No Longer Feel Exciting

There was a time when going to the shopping centre felt like an event. Families spent entire Satu...

Harry And Meghan: Less Powerful As Royals, More Powerful As Content

For all the claims of “Harry and Meghan fatigue”, the world’s media still cannot stop talking abou...

The Times Features

Nationals move Bill to protect women. Sall Grover inter…

Matt Canavan  All good. Look, well, it's great to be here with my friend and colleague, Alison Pe...

The Human Supplement Craze Has Officially Gone to the D…

Australians’ appetite for supplements is no longer limited to their own vitamin cabinets. New reta...

The Teals: Can They Spoil Australia’s New Attraction to…

Australian politics is shifting again. For years, the dominant national contest revolved around L...

Property Paralysis: Buyers Hesitate As Australia’s Hous…

Australia’s property market may still be active, but beneath the auctions, listings and glossy rea...

The Return Of Practical Luxury: Buyers Want Quality Aga…

For years, consumer culture revolved around speed and abundance. Fast fashion.Fast furniture.Fast...

People Are Going Out Less — And Businesses Know It

Restaurants are full on some nights. Concerts still sell tickets. Sporting events attract crowds. ...

Why Shopping Centres No Longer Feel Exciting

There was a time when going to the shopping centre felt like an event. Families spent entire Satu...

The Liberal Party Faces Its Greatest Question Since Men…

When Robert Menzies founded the Liberal Party of Australia in the aftermath of World War II, Austr...

The Noise Around the 2026 Federal Budget Does Not Match…

Every time the government changes the rules around property investment, the same thing happens. Ph...