Travel Insurance Cover for non-COVID 19 related claims

Michal53

We are seeing rapid and occasionally unexpected reintroduction of travel restrictions/advisories and the reintroduction of quarantine on return to the UK from the FCO - the most recent being Spain - including its Islands. The advisories advise against all but essential travel. Understood. 
What is the situation with Travel Insurance cover for accidents and non-COVID related health claims in the event that something was to happen to someone who does elect to travel to a country that the FCO has "advised against all but essential travel"? Is the insurance still valid for all "covered claims" in the policy provided that these are not COVID related? 

sheramber

Check the policY wording but usually if you travel against FCO advice the policy is invalidated so no cover at all.

Streaky_Bacon

It would likely depend upon the wording of the policy.

If the policy states that all cover is invalidated by travelling against FCO, that is fairly clear.

If the policy is silent on that point, then you should be OK for anything which is not related to COVID19.

The only other problem that I could foresee is the insurance company saying that COVID19 increased the loss, and that they wouldn't cover the increase (say, for example, that repatriation after injury cost a lot more due to the current restrictions).

PD1964

I travelled back from Bulgaria on 18th March and tried to claim for having to book a new flight as easyJet cancelled mine. I was told by my insurance (Avanti) that because I followed FCO advice i wasn't covered by my insurance. I just don't understand how following their advice can be wrong!!!

sheramber

PD1964 said:

I travelled back from Bulgaria on 18th March and tried to claim for having to book a new flight as easyJet cancelled mine. I was told by my insurance (Avanti) that because I followed FCO advice i wasn't covered by my insurance. I just don't understand how following their advice can be wrong!!!

You need to check your policy wording.Does it say under what is not covered
16. prohibitive regulations by the Government of any country, or delay or amendment of the booked trip due to Government action;

Michal53

Since my original post I have discovered the following article by Oliver Smith in the Daily Telegraph (28th July 2020). It opens (quote):
"Contrary to popular belief, you can visit a country to which the Foreign Office (FCO) advises against travel without invalidating your insurance – you just need to contact one of the few providers willing to offer cover. What’s more, it shouldn’t cost much more than an ordinary policy." More can be found on the following link:  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/advice/travel-insurance-against-foreign-office-advice
I have also reviewed my Travel Insurance policy and indeed there is a clause in the General Exclusions Section addressing FCO Advisories. I have contacted my insurer to obtain clarification regarding applicability of this Exclusion Clause where the FCO travel advisory is specific to COVID 19 and not other world events. I await their reply.
In the meantime it looks like you can get Travel Insurance cover if you do elect to travel and chose to ignore FCO advice.