Confused about Nationwide travel insurance & timing of FCO advice

KnightRide

We booked a trip to Greece for August 2020 back in October last year. Our annual Nationwide travel insurance would have covered problems due to Covid. We renewed this policy back in May. We would still have been covered. We then had to change the dates of our flights (both ways) recently and did so on 27 June while the FCO were still advising against all but essential travel. There was a lot of stuff in the media about demand for flights and accommodation rising and we got worried about flights selling out. I really wish we hadn’t jumped the gun as Nationwide now seem to be saying that travel claims (including medical expenses) booked while the FCO advises against it (even if that travel ban is lifted before you actually travel) aren’tcovered. Can anyone provide me with their understanding of the situation please?

Sooler

My guess ... but check with Nationwide to be sure

Coronavirus and travel

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/support/travel/important-travel-information#xtab:twistyitem-fco-advice-put-back

If I book a trip will I be covered for coronavirus (COVID-19)?

"Your travel insurance will provide cover for events relating to COVID-19, such as emergency medical expenses abroad, cancelling or cutting short a trip, as long as you are not travelling against doctor’s advice and the FCO were not advising against travel both when you booked your trip and when you depart on that trip."

It says 'both' 'and'  not   'both' 'or' ...so both conditions need to be true to be applicable.

1) FCO were advising against travel when you booked your trip and when you depart on that trip = not covered for coronavirus

2) FCO were advising against travel when you booked your trip but are not advising against travel when you depart on that trip = covered for coronavirus

If I have to cancel my trip because the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) are advising against travel to my destination; am I covered for cancellation?

Yes, as long as when you booked your trip or purchased your insurance, whichever is later the FCO were not advising against travel to your destination. Where the advice is all but essential travel, cover is only available when that advice is in place within 28 days of your departure. You must first speak to your trip provider to see if they can provide a refund or offer you an alternative.

3) Clear as mud! FCO were not 'advising against travel' when you booked your trip but were advising against all but essential travel, which has been lifted from July 4th so will not be in place within 28 of departure.

Within 28 days of daparture there is no advise to not travel, so would assume it would be covered for cancellation, NW info may be out of date.

Am I covered for medical expenses if I catch coronavirus (COVID-19) while on holiday?

As long as you are not travelling against doctor’s advice and are not travelling to an area where the FCO has advised against all travel, then you will be covered for medical including reasonable and necessary additional travel expenses that you may incur as a result of becoming ill.

If the FCO advice changes while you are on your trip, you will still be covered if you need to claim under the Emergency medical and travel costs section of cover.

4) FCO has not advised against all travel while you will be on holiday = covered for medical expenses

missile

You made a mistake, however you have not lost anything of great value. In my recent experience, NW have refused to consider Covid - 19 cancellation until you have exhausted all other options including accepting a voucher!
You might want to take out separate insurance for this holiday?