Existing Co-operative Bank AXA Worldwide Annual Travel insurance - cover for new trips

RosieB58

I have a Worldwide Annual Travel Insurance policy through my Co-operative Bank EveryDay Extra current account underwritten by AXA  The policy started on 9 March, before FCO advisories. 

I contacted AXA by phone on 16 March, after FCO advisories,  to ask what my travel policy would cover if we go ahead with a planned trip to USA at end of July.  At that stage our BA fly drive package was reserved, but no payment made.  The trip is to support our son and daughter in law who live in USA, when they have their first baby. I was told that cancellation cover wouldn’t apply, if related to covid 19, but that medical cover would be valid.

We then dithered, the US closed its borders, FCO advisories came into effect, and our reservation lapsed.

We still want to go as soon as we are allowed in, so contacted AXA again on 18 May (by email as they no longer offer help by phone) saying I knew we wouldn't now be covered for cancellation due to Covid 19, and asked these specific questions about cover for such a trip:
Would we be covered for travel disruption?
Would we be covered for all other elements of the insurance policy? If not, which ones would apply?
Would it make any difference if the FCO advisory is still in place when we travel? (I note that FCO does not give a definition of “essential travel”, but says it is an individual’s decision whether travel is essential)

This was their reply on 21 May:
"We must advise that due to government restrictions any trip booked at this present time or for the circumstances detailed below would not be covered under the terms and conditions of your policy." The sender didn't give their name 

Their coronavirus FAQ page says 

"If you already have an annual multi-trip policy and you book a new trip now, you may not be covered to cancel that trip, or for any disruption you experience.

The coronavirus exclusion only applies to cancellation or disruption claims." 

So I emailed again on 22 May restating my original questions, quoting this FAQ and also asking:

• If I book a trip now, and FCO lifts its travel advisory before date of travel, will my policy then be valid?  
• If I book a new trip after FCO travel advisory is lifted, will my policy be valid?

I chased it on 2 June, but still no reply.
We really want answers to these questions, so we can be ready to book as soon as is possible for us to go.  Baby due in 6 weeks!!
Any suggestions on what to do now?

Life__Goes__On

If I book a trip now, and FCO lifts its travel advisory before date of travel, will my policy then be valid? 
Yes, but only heath issues, any disruption or cancellation due to COVID-19 still won't be covered.

 If I book a new trip after FCO travel advisory is lifted, will my policy be valid?
Same answer as above.

But if you book a trip now  and the FCO advice remains the same,  if you travel you won't have any travel insurance.

QueenLizzie

RosieB58 said:

I have a Worldwide Annual Travel Insurance policy through my Co-operative Bank EveryDay Extra current account underwritten by AXA  The policy started on 9 March, before FCO advisories. 

I contacted AXA by phone on 16 March, after FCO advisories,  to ask what my travel policy would cover if we go ahead with a planned trip to USA at end of July.  At that stage our BA fly drive package was reserved, but no payment made.  The trip is to support our son and daughter in law who live in USA, when they have their first baby. I was told that cancellation cover wouldn’t apply, if related to covid 19, but that medical cover would be valid.

We then dithered, the US closed its borders, FCO advisories came into effect, and our reservation lapsed.

We still want to go as soon as we are allowed in, so contacted AXA again on 18 May (by email as they no longer offer help by phone) saying I knew we wouldn't now be covered for cancellation due to Covid 19, and asked these specific questions about cover for such a trip:
Would we be covered for travel disruption?
Would we be covered for all other elements of the insurance policy? If not, which ones would apply?
Would it make any difference if the FCO advisory is still in place when we travel? (I note that FCO does not give a definition of “essential travel”, but says it is an individual’s decision whether travel is essential)

This was their reply on 21 May:
"We must advise that due to government restrictions any trip booked at this present time or for the circumstances detailed below would not be covered under the terms and conditions of your policy." The sender didn't give their name 

Their coronavirus FAQ page says 

"If you already have an annual multi-trip policy and you book a new trip now, you may not be covered to cancel that trip, or for any disruption you experience.

The coronavirus exclusion only applies to cancellation or disruption claims." 

So I emailed again on 22 May restating my original questions, quoting this FAQ and also asking:

• If I book a trip now, and FCO lifts its travel advisory before date of travel, will my policy then be valid?  
• If I book a new trip after FCO travel advisory is lifted, will my policy be valid?

I chased it on 2 June, but still no reply.
We really want answers to these questions, so we can be ready to book as soon as is possible for us to go.  Baby due in 6 weeks!!
Any suggestions on what to do now?

We’re also insured with AXA through AMEX and they have actually just paid out for accommodation in the Outer Hebrides  that we couldn’t go to but we have a chalet booked for ski-ing in France for 2021 so I asked them if that was covered.  I’m still trying to clarify as I received a terrible email back that was so badly written that it was nonsensical!