Under my existing Travel Insurance policy, am I covered if I book a new trip to a destination where FCO advice has been lifted but later comes back into place?
If you decide to travel, you’ll usually have the full benefit of your travel policy so long as you follow the advice of the local authorities. This includes cover:
- for medical expenses, for new or disclosed and accepted conditions if you fall ill, including with COVID-19
- if you’re quarantined abroad, for example following a temperature check
If you book a new trip to a destination where FCO advice, government or local authority advice has been fully removed but then later reintroduced, you should be covered for cancelling or coming home early only if:
- you have Travel Disruption cover AND
- there are no restrictions in place at the time of taking out the cover or booking the trip, whichever is later AND
- you are in the 31 days before your departure date
Am I covered if I cancel my trip to a destination where FCO advice is lifted, but I have to quarantine on arrival?
You should be covered for cancellation or coming home early if a quarantine is imposed at your destination if you took out your cover or booked your trip, whichever is later, when there were no restrictions, such as quarantine, local lockdowns and self-isolation periods.
You aren’t covered for cancelling due to COVID-19 if restrictions were in place when you booked the trip – such as FCO advice, quarantine, self-isolation periods or local lockdowns.
Am I covered if I book a trip to a country where FCO advice hasn’t been lifted?
If you book a trip to a place where restrictions – such as FCO advice, quarantine, self-isolation periods or local lockdowns – are in place, you aren’t covered for cancelling or coming home early due to COVID-19.
If you book a trip and travel against the advice, your travel policy should cover you, so long as you follow the advice of the local authorities, for situations such as:
- medical expenses for new conditions or accepted conditions you’ve told us about including with COVID-19
- if you’re quarantined abroad, for example following a temperature check.
Will cover differ for me if the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland take a different approach to travel restriction?
FCO advice applies to all British nationals. However, you also must be aware of any local restrictions that may affect your travel, for example the area that you live in or the destination you’re travelling to.
Cover for booking a new trip to a destination where FCO advice, government or local authority advice has been fully removed is the same for all British nationals travelling from the UK. If no restrictions were in place when you took out your cover or booked your trip – whichever was later – you’re covered for cancelling or coming home early if restrictions are reintroduced if you have Travel Disruption cover.
Am I covered for cancellation if all travel restrictions are lifted but I contract COVID-19 before I travel, or I’m advised to isolate eg. by the NHS Test and Trace service and this coincides with the start of my trip or during my trip?
Yes, you’ll be covered by your travel insurance policy if you need to cancel.
If you get a notification while you’re abroad, you’d be covered under the emergency medical section for quarantine and would be covered if you need to abandon the trip and return home early.
I’ve previously been diagnosed with COVID-19. Do I need to tell my insurer and how will this affect my cover?
Cover will depend on the severity of your symptoms and if you have received any advice, medication or treatment. You should check the Medical Conditions section of your policy booklet to find out what you need to tell your insurer. You must disclose medical conditions as stated in the policy terms and conditions.
What evidence do I need to make a travel insurance claim?
You’ll need:
- confirmation of the original booking and booking terms, and which parts of it are non-refundable
- evidence you’ve tried to get your money back through the travel or accommodation provider
- any evidence your payment provider has declined your request if you’ve requested a refund
- where appropriate, details of any self-isolation advice as well as advice against travel you’ve been given by either your GP, NHS 111 or the NHS Test and Trace service
- For all claims our normal policy terms and conditions, exclusions and claims assessment apply.
How long will it take for my claim to be processed?
Claims are assessed a few days after you first contact us, usually within 28 days by your insurer. Please follow the guidance provided in the information you’ll get after you notify us of your claim.
What should I do if the airline or travel provider cancels my flight?
You should first contact your airline or travel provider to find out what your options are.
If your flight is covered by the EU Passenger Rights Regulations (flights departing from a UK or EU airport and operated by any airline, or arriving at a UK or EU airport and operated by a UK or EU airline), your airline, travel or payment provider must refund you the price paid for the ticket or an alternative flight.
For more information, The Civil Aviation Authority has guidance on passenger rights.
I have an existing policy and can’t go on my UK-based trip due to the UK Government or local lockdown. Am I covered for cancelling my trip?
Yes, providing you have at least two consecutive nights’ pre-booked accommodation and there was no UK Government or local lockdown guidelines in place at the time of taking out your cover or booking the trip, whichever is later.
You should check first whether you can get a refund or make alternative travel arrangements with your airline, travel, accommodation or payment provider.
I’m currently stuck abroad. Can you help?
If you’re stuck abroad and couldn’t get home before your travel insurance cover ended, you must contact us. Please also check with your airline or travel provider and the FCO website for advice about the country that you’re in. If you’re in real need, contact the FCO’s consular assistance helpline on 020 7008 1500.
If I’m quarantined at an airport and can’t continue my trip because of a medical assessment or temperature check, am I covered for a full refund of the cost of my and my family’s trip? Will my policy cover the cost of another flight home?
If you’re quarantined at an airport, you should be covered.
Your insurer should pay for accommodation you haven’t been able to use, and that you can’t recover from elsewhere, if you have to abandon your trip and come home early. Your insurer should also cover additional travel and accommodation costs to let everyone insured under the policy return home.
What cover do I have under my travel insurance policy if my flight is due to leave but FCO advice against travelling abroad is still in place?
If you have the optional Travel Disruption cover then you can claim for travel or accommodation costs, for which you can’t recover from elsewhere. You can only claim for these if you booked your trip before the FCO issued advice against all but essential travel abroad to your destination and are in the 31 days before your departure date.
What cover do I have if UK Government lockdown restrictions have been lifted but I don’t want to risk travelling?
If all travel restrictions have been lifted and you haven’t been told to isolate by the NHS Track and Trace service then this is not covered. However, depending on your circumstances your insurer may be able to consider your claim if you booked your trip before the 17 March so please contact us.
If there is a mandatory quarantine when returning to the UK from my destination, will my travel insurance cover me if I need to cancel my trip?
Under the standard policy there is no cover if you are going to be quarantined after the trip has ended. However, depending on your circumstances your insurer may be able to consider your claim if you booked your trip before the 17 March so please contact us.