Does my travel insurance cover swine flu?

loocey

Hello, just joined the forum! :T

I hope someone might be able to help. My husband and I are taking our 6 year old daughter to Florida in a couple of weeks. We're all v excited until the news of the swine flu spreading over USA. I bought travel insurance with Top Dog after checking out this site. I'm a bit of a panicker so wanted to get confirmation as to whether the travel insuarnce policy would cover our medical bills if any of us became ill with this flu virus while we were on holiday (USA = scary medical costs!:eek:). They said if the FCO website advised not to travel the policy would not cover us. I checked the FCO website and there is no mention of it not being safe to travel. Can I assume that as long as there's no message saying 'not safe to travel to USA' any medical bills will be met by our policy? Also what would happen if the FCO subsequently decided it was not safe to travel to USA after we had already got there?

Sorry for the long post, i hope it all makes sense, any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks Loocey

Rolandtheroadie

I dont think anyone can truly answer this as they dont know the terms and conditions you have accepted.
You will need to phone your insurer and ask them the specific question "If we contract swine flu when we are on holiday, are we covered by our insurance for all costs incurred".

dacouch

What they mean about you not being covered is that if the FCO advise UK citizens against travelling to a country then they will not cover any claims when you are out there. The FCO normally advise against travelling to a country when say there is a war or civil unrest so you can understand why they will not cover medical bills etc when you are out there. (Obviously this is slightly different than normal)

You may be covered by the Travel Insurance for the cancellation costs (Although Top Dogs cover under this section looks quite low at £1250 per person). The nearest I can find as a reason they will cover cancellation in their policy is the following.

When these types of unusual events happen Insurers tend to receive a directive from the ABI and the Government on how to handle the cancellation claims and tend to look favourably on them. If you keep checking the FCO website for their advice on whether travel to the U.S is ok and also the Top Dog website as they will almost certainly post advice to their policyholders on this topic

• A government directive prohibiting all travel to, or recommending evacuation from the country or area You
were planning to visit or were staying in, as a result of natural disasters (such as earthquakes, fires, floods,
hurricanes) or epidemic(s).

pedro123456

read this loocey

Tuesday, 28 April 2009 Ref: 55/09Swine flu - travel insurance advice from the ABI
In response to the outbreak of swine flu, affecting people in a number of countries, Nick Starling, the ABI’s Director of General Insurance and Health, said:

“People who are concerned about travelling overseas should talk to their tour operator or air carrier about whether it is safe to travel, and listen for any Government advice. If people need to make alternative travel arrangements, travel insurance policies will usually cover the new destination.

“Travel insurance will normally cover the cost of cancelling a trip for a number of specified reasons, including illness, and redundancy. If the Government advises against travelling to a particular country or region, check your travel policy, as some may cover cancellation costs in these circumstances, although policies vary.”


- ENDS -


Notes 1. Enquiries to:
Jonathan French 020 7216 7392 (Mobile: 07958 330 480)
Malcolm Tarling 020 7216 7410 (Mobile: 07776 147 667)
Erfan Hussain 020 7216 7411 (Mobile: 07712 841 184)
Kelly Ostler-Coyle 020 7216 7415 (Mobile: 07968 364 302)

2. The ABI is the voice of the insurance and investment industry. Its members constitute over 90 per cent of the insurance market in the UK and 20 per cent across the EU. They control assets equivalent to a quarter of the UK’s capital. They are the risk managers of the UK’s economy and society. Through the ABI their voice is heard in Government and in public debate on insurance, savings and investment matters.

3. An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.

4. More news and information from the ABI is available on our web site

Pete

cogito

It all seems to depend on advice from the FCO and whether they advise against all travel or just non-essential travel. On Personal Travel policies it does seem that Insurers could look sympathetically on cancellation and curtailment as a Holiday trip is seen as non essential and any one choosing to cancel a forthcoming trip potentially could be provided with cover under their policy. But again this will differ from Insurer to Insurer, with some more flexible than others. Disinclination to travel has never been covered by travel policies.

FH_Brit

loocey - As I understand at the moment "advise against travel" is not compulsory, If the FCO changes that to a compulsory decision then ins will normally cover. (pretty much as dacouch states above).

Generally - see my other thread that has some useful Travel Insurance info:
Click Here for must-read information: Medical & Travel Insurance

In anycase I work for a hospital group in Orlando and as yet our press releases (along with Florida State Government) state there is not any confirmed cases in the whole of Florida. (there are three cases waiting test results) see local news story http://www.clickorlando.com/news/19325801/detail.html

tushingham

hi guys,

im travelling abroad in 3 weeks and have booked some annual travel insurance with a start date on the day i fly.

if somthing swine-flu related happens in the next few days which means i shouldnt fly, would my insurance cover me now?
or would it not because the start date is in 3 weeks?

all help appreciated

t

dacouch

The cancellation part of an annual travel policy starts on the date the travel insurance starts so you will not have any cancellation cover if you need to cancel before the policy starts which in your case is the same date as your holiday.

You could try and cancel under the 14 day cooling off period if you are within this and rearrange it but there is no gurantee that cover you take out now will cover cancellation for Swine Flu as a) it is no a "Known Event" so may not be covered b) not all policies will pay out for cancelling for swine fever

tushingham

thanks dacouch.
i was actually about to pre-book my policy right now just in case swine flu causes a prob. i havent actually bought a policy yet.
i guess any swine flu related problem may not be covered even if i take a policy out now, but i guess its worth having just in case. particularly as i'll need insurance either way. i'll only lose a few weeks into next year if i book it now rather than the day of flying.

will a single trip policy provide any extra benefit with regards to swine flu?

ta
t

dacouch

A simgle policy will not offer any benefit.

The Fortis Policy through a broker (Not the Post Office Policy etc) looks like it will cover claims for Swine Fever. If you have cover in place 7 days ago you would have no problems, if you take it out now there is a chance they will still cover claims for this but there is no gurantee.

If you ring or pop into a local broker

Note this is the wording for cancellation on the Fortis Policy (There may be others that also include Swine Flu but I'm not aware of them) that I believe will cover Swine Flu

We will repay you for your expenses you
have paid or legally have to pay for travel
and accommodation which you do not use
if you have no choice but to cancel the trip
because of events beyond your control
which start during the period of insurance

The key to the wording is the say "If you have no choice but to cancel BECAUSE OF EVENTS BEYOND YOUR CONTROL". They then list a few exclusions.

Most Travel Insurers have a wording that basically says you are covered for cancellation under the following circumstances which then detail the reasons they will cover

tushingham

excellent ta. i bought the flights on credit card. would that cover the cost of flights if i had to cancel? seems unlikely

t