The FCO has advised against all non-essential travel to certain destinations as the pandemic continues, however some travel insurers are now offering cover for this
Staysure has become the first UK insurer to update its policies to cover those travelling to European countries on the travel quarantine list.
It will extend to cover European destinations which the FCO has advised against “all but essential” travel because of the pandemic.
This means that travellers would be covered for claims such as emergency medical and repatriation not relating to Covid-19, travel delays, and loss of baggage, personal money or passport.
Ryan Howsam, chief executive and founder of Staysure, said: “Against a backdrop of ever-changing travel advice and widespread uncertainty, we have worked hard to bring this new cover to market as quickly as possible.
“We know that, for a multitude of reasons, people are choosing to travel to European destinations even when FCO advice advises otherwise. In doing so, they find themselves exposed to additional risk, as they are no longer insured for other eventualities.”
Travel changes
Until yesterday, any destination that the FCO had put on its watch list for “all but essential travel” such as France did not have a travel insurance policy that would cover them.
Meanwhile Staysure also revealed that if the FCO changes its advice on a destination once a traveller has arrived there, it will pay the policyholder up to £1000 for any additional accommodation, and travel expenses that were incurred should they need to repatriated or return to the UK earlier than they expected.
“Staysure is invested in the future of travel. While we cannot prevent people from choosing to travel, we can support them to make sensible choices and protect themselves and their families to the degree that it is possible in these challenging times,” Howsam added.
There are also nine insurers that will cover for cancellations, but all these differ within policy. These include Abta, AllClear, Allianz Assistance, AXA, Insurerfor, Jet2, Nationwide, and Trailfinders.
Peace of mind?
Speaking about France being added to the FCO’s watch list, a spokesperson for the ABI told Insurance Times: “If you were already in France when the FCO advice changed then your insurance will cover you until you return home.
”Travelling to countries against FCO advice is likely to invalidate your travel insurance and this would apply to those who have booked but are yet to travel.
”Customers looking to change or cancel their travel plans should speak with the airline provider, tour operator or travel agent in the first instance. If you booked your trip or took out your travel insurance after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, you may not be covered for travel disruption or cancellation.
”In either circumstance, we’d advise checking with your insurer.”
Meanwhile a spokesperson for Admiral added: “Customers who can no longer travel can cancel their policy and receive a pro rata refund, as long as they haven’t travelled or made a claim.
“Travellers who were already in France when the government announced the requirement to self-isolate on return to the UK, will be covered under the regular terms and conditions of their policy.
“However, anyone travelling to mainland France after the FCO advised against all but essential travel there, will have invalidated their insurance and won’t be covered.
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