To go to Spain?

[tospainornottospain]

Even though FCO advice is not to? DH is Spanish and really wants to go. We'd be going to an area which has very few cases anyway. 2 week quarantine would be no problem as we both wfh. We're both 30s and v healthy but I'll be 14 weeks pregnant. Not worried about catching the corona - we are careful but also the stats for young healthy people speak for themselves. Re health insurance I think (but I'm checking) that we're covered anyway because our existing health insurance is international anyway.

Obviously I would ordinarily abide by FCO advice but usually it would be for a reason like terrorism, political instability etc. And as I mentioned, the region I'm going to has hardly any corona anyway.

So! I'd like a sense check from you lovely people if I may - AIBU to consider going?

I'm reading on a lot of threads that health insurance isn't valid if you're travelling against FCO advice - maybe you should check with the insurance company?

Personally I wouldn’t but I’m sure plenty of people will say the opposite.

You’ll probably be fine health wise (if you’re OK to risk probably) but have you checked your travel insurance? That’s probably invalid, so would you be happy with that?

I feel for you, it’s so frustrating.

We cancelled our Spanish holiday and have had a great time in the UK but as your DH is Spanish I can see the extra pull for the you. Our friends did go and are loving it.

I don't see the issue as long as you isolate on return.

Go if you want 🤷🏻‍♀️

On travel insurance I have to confess I'm the sort of person who books a holiday a few days in advance, books flight and hotel and does not think ah! Travel insurance! I can't imagine how many holidays I've been on without it - not consciously, just because I'm generally a bit useless practically. Lately it has been automatic when I book on a particular card. But if I have health insurance separately (which I'm checking) then the risk of needing to use travel insurance for Spain is really really low - I mean except for luggage loss. I can cancel the hotel for free two days in advance and the flights are so cheap if something happened it would be an acceptable loss.

It's not just being in Spain but the getting there. It seems more likely to pick up something in the airport or on the flight.

@tospainornottospain

On travel insurance I have to confess I'm the sort of person who books a holiday a few days in advance, books flight and hotel and does not think ah! Travel insurance! I can't imagine how many holidays I've been on without it - not consciously, just because I'm generally a bit useless practically. Lately it has been automatic when I book on a particular card. But if I have health insurance separately (which I'm checking) then the risk of needing to use travel insurance for Spain is really really low - I mean except for luggage loss. I can cancel the hotel for free two days in advance and the flights are so cheap if something happened it would be an acceptable loss.

Are you really that daft? Travel insurance is mainly for people, what if you get sick and need repatriation, or have to stay in hospital it then pays for your costs. Or the place you are in gets fully lockdown and all flights are cancelled the insurance then pays your costs. These won't be convered if you go somewhere against FO advice.

Particularly as you are pregnant there's always the risk you'll need medical care. What are the risks to the pregnancy if you catch Covid?

I think you'd be absolutely daft to go when you're a) pregnant and b) completely uninsured. What if you break your leg and can't fly for several weeks? How would you pay for all the associated costs?

Travelling without insurance is utterly stupid at the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic when the risk of disruption is significantly higher.

Do check with your company. Everyone assumes their insurance will be invalid but I have a relative travelling to Spain who has checked and triple checked with their insurance: their company confirms their insurance is still valid because it was bought pre-Covid, and the FCO line is only “advice”.

If you don’t have insurance or yours isn’t valid, look up “battleface” insurance which is pricier, but will be valid.

I’m your shoes I would certainly go, but only with insurance.

I would say "go" but for you being pregnant. Maybe send dh on his own? (Not great for you I know!)

I wouldn’t. And I definitely wouldn’t if pregnant. I know pregnant people who have pretty much locked them self’s away the past few months. But it’s your choice. As long as you SI when you are back home then it really isn’t anyone else’s business!

Check your EHIC card is up to date - despite having left the EU, we ha e the extreme privilege of still enjoying free health care until y/e

In your case I would go IF I wasn't pregnant. Maybe your DP can go alone.

So I can get travel insurance for £45 for both of us. It's an insurer that normally covers dangerous places. So travel insurance sorted!

@BurpingFrog thank you. Battleface May save the trip.

Travelling without insurance at any time is madness. Doing it now is just stupid.

I get wanting to see family - I have family living in France - but sometimes it’s just not worth the risk

Any overseas travel during a global pandemic carries the risk of cancellation, last minute changes and quarantine at short notice. If you think it's worth the hassle and uncertainty then go, personally I don't think it is.

@tospainornottospain I’m so glad! That sounds a reasonable price too.

I would go in your circumstances, given your DH is Spanish. I read in one of the papers that there are a number of insurers who will cover you. Having been in Spain, if you are in a region that has low cases, you will be ok. People are more careful / compliant with masks than here but I'd stay out of indoor public spaces I think (easily avoided)

People never imagine the worse happening until it does happen. We don't like to.

What if you has a pregnancy related steoke but happened to test positive for CV although you have no symptoms. That would be enough for insurance to wash their hands of you. You'd get some care in Spain with your ehic card, but that likely wouldn't cover everything. Worse would indeed be repatriation. The nhs would take over your care from the airport but everything else would be your costs and believe it, cost of repatriation in a private jet with a private doctor or nurse cost an absolute fortune.

Its a risk to take where the likelihood is very low but the consequences very significant.

Our insurance Is valid for everything bar Covid. I would go

@MsTSwift

Our insurance Is valid for everything bar Covid. I would go

So the thing most likely to happen isn't covered????