Travel insurance & terrorism (ie. if you are actually involved in a terrorist attack)

Tunstallstoven

Hi all

I need to book some travel insurance and am wondering what to expect and look out for in terms of how insurers treat claims when people are involved in a terrorist attack.

I've had a quick look on the net and am only find info on what happens if the holiday is disrupted by an act of terror; not what happens if you are directly involved/injured/suffer losses because of an attack where you are.

I'll keep looking but I wondered in the meantime if anyone here more familiar with travel insurance can offer any advice.

Cheers

bigadaj

Terrorism is normally specifically excluded.

So it depends on how you think you might be impacted and where, though the risk is obviously tiny.

If you are directly affected the other parties will get involved in aid and sorting things out, this might include a tour operator, airline, British government through their local embassy or consulate, as well as the authorities in the country you're visiting.

Tunstallstoven

bigadaj wrote: »

Terrorism is normally specifically excluded.

Hmm, I thought that might be the case. Thanks for confirming....

bigadaj wrote: »

So it depends on how you think you might be impacted and where, though the risk is obviously tiny.

I'm going to a music festival, but I guess there is an (admittedly very small - but that's what insurance is for I guess) chance that it could happen at the airport, the train station or at the festival itself.

Thanks for the reply and help.

hollydays

If you are travelling independently it may be worth specifically getting independant travel insurance.
Look closely at the customer service ratings too.
I find this link quite useful but terrorism
Is excluded as stated

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/technical_notes/travel-insurance.htm

silvercar

A company called 'safe journey' have launched terrorism insurance; I know nothing of the company or how reliable they may prove in the event they are needed, but they are mentioned in 'The Times' today.

peachyprice

Terrorism is excluded for cancellation, curtailment, etc but medical cover for injuries as a result are usually covered.

Tunstallstoven

Thanks for the replies.

@peachyprice. Yeah, the more I read the more I saw that policy wordings had terrorism in the exclusion list but then Said except for medical emergency. So basically, you're covered if you get hurt and need medical attention due to a terrorist attack, but nothing else (as you said).

They do also usually mention nuclear/biological/chemical attacks and from what I can understand you are not even covered for medical care if the attack is any of those types.

bigadaj

Seagull27 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

@peachyprice. Yeah, the more I read the more I saw that policy wordings had terrorism in the exclusion list but then Said except for medical emergency. So basically, you're covered if you get hurt and need medical attention due to a terrorist attack, but nothing else (as you said).

They do also usually mention nuclear/biological/chemical attacks and from what I can understand you are not even covered for medical care if the attack is any of those types.

So better hope you get mixed up in a conventional terrorist attack then, rather than the ncb version.

Tunstallstoven

Yeah. Perhaps I should write to some of the better known terrorist organisations, explain my predicament, and see if they can accommodate my request. I'm sure it would be cheaper for them too... MoneySavingTerrorists!

bigadaj

Seagull27 wrote: »

Yeah. Perhaps I should write to some of the better known terrorist organisations, explain my predicament, and see if they can accommodate my request. I'm sure it would be cheaper for them too... MoneySavingTerrorists!

Think you are fairly safe, apart from the sarin attack in Tokyo years ago I can't think of many ncb attacks that have occurred, very traditional your average terrorist, always guns, knives and bombs normally.