Government booster policy invalidating travel insurance. AIBU?

[FluffyCushion123]

I was hesitant and worried about getting my Covid vaccinations. I had my second in September and felt lethargic for a whole month afterwards.

I’m now going to have to get a third vaccine earlier than the much of the population as the government have just reduced the recommended time between second vaccine and boosters.

If not, I will be uninsured for travel.

Looking past my own annoyance and looking at the bigger picture for travel in Covid times, AIBU to think that this sudden small changes in government policy should not indirectly invalidate travel insurance.

I think it’s ridiculous that travel uk insurance policies with Covid cover are now effectively only valid for three months after the second vaccine.

This is completely at odds with how even the strictest countries in Europe view people’s vaccination status (eg Austria considers people fully vaccinated until nearly 9months after the second vaccine).

AIBU to think that it’s unfair that a minor change in government policy is going to invalidate many people’s travel insurance and thereby effectively make the UK’s travel restrictions unnecessarily strict (as an unintended consequence of government policy)?

There will be huge numbers of travellers caught out by this, I suspect.

And yes, I do know about the new variant and that no travel is certain during a pandemic. My point is that travel restrictions should be as a result of clear travel related policy and not the unintended consequence of other policies.

AIBU?

[quote FluffyCushion123]@RoomOfRequirement have you not heard about the change in rules…compulsory isolation for all if the new variant is involved??[/quote]
And you could test positive for any variant and miss your trip regardless.

Surely you do what you can to not lose your money - get vaccinated - rather than choose not to be fully vaccinated then be annoyed the insurance won't cover it over a choice you made?

This is from the LV website. I've mostly been using them for travel insurance lately.

I'd be amazed if they get round to doing any as soon as 3 months given the backlog they're needing to work through OP.

@SagittariusDwarf it depends when you booked your travel policy as wording is updated often. I looked at the LV policy document and they do include a catch all ‘ failure to follow government recommendations’ in their exclusions but don’t specifically mention vaccinations.

@RoomOfRequirement I’m not going to repeat myself continuously when I’ve already explained my reluctance, my past reaction to the vaccine and the nature of my trip.

@Bramshott do you mean the nhs won’t get around to summoning people less than 3 months after jab two?( I’ll be four months plus on date of travel)

[quote FluffyCushion123]@SagittariusDwarf it depends when you booked your travel policy as wording is updated often. I looked at the LV policy document and they do include a catch all ‘ failure to follow government recommendations’ in their exclusions but don’t specifically mention vaccinations.

@RoomOfRequirement I’m not going to repeat myself continuously when I’ve already explained my reluctance, my past reaction to the vaccine and the nature of my trip.

@Bramshott do you mean the nhs won’t get around to summoning people less than 3 months after jab two?( I’ll be four months plus on date of travel)[/quote]
Indeed, and they specifically state in the screenshot I posted that you don't need them.

I last bought travel insurance on Saturday. I always check the wording.

Maybe the wording has changed again as I just looked at LV based on your advice 🤷‍♀️
Shame

Op have you checked your iron? As it's used for making antibodies and might be low in peri if heavy periods.

@HSHorror no I haven’t but I’m not having heavy periods. However, you win the prize for most thoughtful post on the thread! Thank you x 💐

@FluffyCushion123They're working through the list but until you've been offered your booster, you're considered fully vaccinated if you've had all the jabs you've been offered. One of the JCVI people was talking on Radio 4 yesterday, and said that by reducing the minimum time to 3 months, they hoped to be vaccinating most people at around 5 months. Of course that might speed up, but if you're travelling in Jan you'll probably be fine. You are offered a selection of dates when you can book, just make sure to book one after your trip if you don't want to have it beforehand.

Travel rules have been changing constantly for over a year and a half now. If you choose to travel abroad knowing this then you take the risk that things may change before or during your trip.

@Bramshott that’s a good point. Thanks. I’m actually going in February but will try to get an appointment when I return.

@MadeOfStarStuff. The whole point of this thread is that the situation is NOT about travel restrictions. It’s a by product/ unintended consequence of rolling out the booster program early for a variant that probably won’t even be prevented by the vaccine. I’m well aware that TRAVEL restrictions can change . This isn’t a government policy aimed at limiting travel. I would be more accepting of it if it were designed for that purpose.

I’m not going abroad anytime soon and have little sympathy with those who think holidays abroad are important in a global pandemic.

@LockdownCheeseToastie, you do know that the government wants to save the travel industry, don’t you?

[quote FluffyCushion123]@Arabelladrinkstea no I don’t think you can get any Covid cover if you’re not vaccinated. You can still have travel insurance but with Covid related exclusions.[/quote]
You too can still get travel insurance....

You’re being unreasonable. You can’t expect to be covered for coronavirus related issues and also expect not to take the booster shot when recommended. Of course the insurance companies can restrict people who choose to take the vaccinations. It’s rubbish you felt unwell after your second shot but that’s not the insurance company’s problem. They can’t make individual exceptions.

@Amelion

You’re being unreasonable. You can’t expect to be covered for coronavirus related issues and also expect not to take the booster shot when recommended. Of course the insurance companies can restrict people who choose to take the vaccinations. It’s rubbish you felt unwell after your second shot but that’s not the insurance company’s problem. They can’t make individual exceptions.

Exactly! It's a bit like being pissed off you're not covered for head injuries if you decide you're not going to wear a helmet. Why should the insurance company take on the risk?

@titchy and @Amelion. Risk? What risk? I’m double jabbed and will be four months post vaccination and yet will bizarrely be treated as not fully vaccinated. My risk level has increased just because Boris made an announcement. The virus doesn’t take things that personally you know. This forum is nuts sometimes. It’s as if you cannot have a reasoned discussion with anyone any more if vaccination is involved.

*not increased. Obviously.

@FluffyCushion123 risk of infection - obviously it increases as the protection from the second jab decreases. The whole point of booster shots.

Your immunity wanes over time, your risk of contracting covid increases, so the insurance company perceives you as a higher risk than someone who has had their booster.

You’re the one acting ‘nuts’ - you came on here to ask if you’re being unreasonable and when people say you are start a rant out about the forum as a whole.

My point is that I haven’t magically lost two months immunity just because Boris has changed his mind. Pointing this out is nuts? Whatever.

@FluffyCushion123 if you're travelling with teens I hope you've considered their vaccine status- and how you'll prove it...

@FluffyCushion123

My point is that I haven’t magically lost two months immunity just because Boris has changed his mind. Pointing this out is nuts? Whatever.

The ought is that the two months immunity you are arguing about doesn't really exist, hence the boosters. As time has passed and they've had a chance to study Immunisation they have realised that it wanes earlier than they thought.

I am but traveling, sadly, but understand your reluctance to have the booster following bad effects from the first jabs. A v unofficial straw poll at work yesterday down that 100% of those surveyed (3!) had much worse effects after their AZ than after their booster (Pfizer), and my mum and dad had the same. Mild symptoms well gone within 24 hours.

Good luck

YABU. You say that most polices cover in line with government recommendations. The gov recommendations have changed, you don't want to comply. For most, they would simply have their vaccine at the new recommended interval. Oh

@poshme they’re 19 and 17 and will have had both vaccines but thanks anyway

@LefttoherownDevizes thanks very much!