Can’t bloody believe insurance won’t cover if FCO restricts flights!

[ChoccyJules]

We have the holiday of a lifetime booked at Easter, costing more than our honeymoon did, no idea why but this year we decided after lots of caravan type hols to push the boat out.

Obviously we got insurance the day we booked everything, used the same place we always do because it covers pre-existing medical conditions.

We are starting to assume that flights may not go in April. We checked the policy and were quite shocked to see FCO advice not to travel is not covered. I‘m reeling, actually, yes we were lucky to have that money to spend but it was a first and last time and we may end up losing it all. Gutted.

Clutching at straws but did you look online and is that a new version of the wording? Have you checked that the version of the policy that was in force when you booked also says that?

I have axa travel insurance and my policy says the same

I could be mistaken but I interpreted that clause as the insurer will not cover anything that may happen on your trip if FCO are advising not to travel (ie medical costs if you got coronavirus in this case together with any other claim).

However, if you booked when it was fine to travel and FCO have now advised not to travel, cancellation is covered

So if the FCO changes the advice that you shouldn’t travel, your travel provider should provide an alternative or provide a refund. Travel insurance will kick in if you had to cancel or when you are already out there. If the FCO advise you not to travel and you travelled it’s likely your insurance wouldn’t be valid.

If your travel provider is ATOL and ABTA protected, you’ll get the refund that way when the FCO says you can’t travel. The issue is the places that the FCO are saying are still safe to travel, if you decide to cancel your insurance and travel provider won’t cover it.

I’m in the same boat. It’s more than we spent on honeymoon, our first holiday for 4 years and probably our last holiday for a number of years. The FCO is still saying we can travel to our destination but we’ll see how that changes over the next few weeks.

I agree with @riddles26
Can you copy and paste the wording here?

I would check your policy again or provide a link to it as I think you will be covered if it is an FCO restricted place.

I've just double checked my policy and it certainly is the case for me that I am covered if FCO advice changes after I book and I need to cancel for this reason.

I've for an Easter holiday booked with TUI and they have made this statement

Insurance doesn't cover it but the atom/abta company you used will.

*atol

Yes read it again. I read that as meaning you aren't insured if you fall ill while in the country that the FCO have advised you against visiting. This does NOT mean they won't cover you if you are unable to travel because of the FCO advice. I claimed successfully on my insurance for my China trip cancelled last week.

Worth calling the insurers to find out, interpreting insurance policies is complex at the best of times. My insurance company has set up an FAQ page which clarifies for me (covered for cancellation if there’s an FCO ban but not otherwise)

I think you are misinterpreting the policy wording. Mine says travel to areas where the FCO has advised against travel is not covered, which means if we decide to then travel, our policy is void. It doesn't mean if you book a holiday and then it becomes a no travel zone after you have taken out the policy, then you will not be covered for cancellation. Ring your insurer.

I have looked at the original documents we got when we bought it:

Cover is only provided if cancellation is not because of the failure of your travel agent, tour operator or due to the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

DH is also bemused.

If they advised against travel you’d get your money back from holiday company? Or are all your bookings done independently?

@ChoccyJules the wording you have just stated implies you are covered for cancellation if FCO are now advising not to travel. I agree you need to ring your insurer.
If they don't cover a change such as this, there really is no point in them offering a policy

We have insurance underwritten by Axa and on the companies website they have an additional policy document covering cancellations due to Coronavirus. Worth double checking.

I would phone and ask for clarification

I’ve just spent £90 to include a travel disruption extra.

Gosh that's really surprised me. Would you be willing to name them so I can make sure I avoid them in future, I've always expected as pp have said, to be covered if all ok at the time of booking,

E-Mail received in answer to my asking for clarification:

We can confirm that we will not provide cover in the event of cancellation of your trip due to the FCO advising against cover to your destination. There is no additional option that can be added on to cover this.

....do they mean advising against travel?

Neither this nor their original statement is clear grammatically.

I’m so confused about mine 😫 Have booked whole trip independently. Booked insurance with Holiday Extra’s. Planned NYC, flights booked with Virgin. Hotel booked independently. Internal flights booked to Florida and then a trip onto Miami. Booked most hotels through a non refundable rate on e-bookers! Lesson learned. Due to fly in 2 weeks.

I‘ll be happy to name them when I have finished talking to them or we have had the holiday. So far I‘m not sure of our status or if they can say this, especially as their wording is so poor.

Our accommodation was refundable 60 days out but no longer.

We’re in the same boat. Just reinsured with a different company.
And taken trip disruption. Decided the extra £180 was worth it for my peace of mind!