When to purchase travel insurance for 2021 booking

AD13

Hi there, apologies if this has already been answered but I've searched and cannot find any advice. 
We are in the process of booking our honeymoon for March 2021 to the Maldives, which is currently on the FCO list of countries where you need to quarantine. And obviously FCO advising against all but essential travel. We are due to pay the deposit on the honeymoon in 2 weeks time. Usually we purchase travel insurance as soon as we book (in this case, as soon as money is exchanged in 2 weeks time), however should we be waiting to buy the travel insurance until the FCO guidance has changed - and not putting any money down until this happens? Or can we buy travel insurance now, and as long as the FCO advice is lifted by March 2021, our policy will be valid? 

I am basically wondering what scenario invalidates the insurance - purchasing it whilst FCO advice is essential travel only, or travelling whilst FCO advice is essential travel only?

Hope this makes sense, thank you!

[Deleted User]

Buy it now.
 

ginger_chocolate

If you are going to put down the deposit then get the insurance on the same day. Worst comes to worst you end up with travel insurance that doesn't cover you for COVID related situations - but at least you'll still be covered if something else goes wrong, and you could always buy a second policy later if you really wanted. If you don't buy it straight away you're not covered for anything, COVID or not - I don't see any advantage in that. I'd be tempted to hold off on putting down the deposit as long as you possibly can though - hopefully things will be a bit closer to normal for travel in March next year, but I thought that when I rebooked a holiday for October this year - and things are looking dicey with that, so...

AD13

Great thank you, good advice. I am comfortable putting deposit down - we are friends with the travel agent so I know they will do their best to move our booking if they need to, and we will take that risk. I just wanted to make sure that buying the policy now doesn't invalidate the insurance, seeing as the FCO is advising against non-essential travel. But I guess as long as it's lifted before we travel, it will still be valid. Now to hunt for a good cover!

silvercar

Book now, But choose your insurance with care. my travel insurance says it won’t cover you if the FCO advised against travel when you booked, so that would be no use to you.

Thrugelmir

Spend some time reading the small print of what's on offer.

Personally I wouldn't bank on anything changing until there's definitive hard news. As until there is this is the new norm for the foreseeable future. Covid isn't going away anytime soon. 

roseview

Having just spoken to my insurance company they confirmed that if you book under 'bad terms' ie whilst destination is not permitted by FCO the policy will not pay out for anything at all, regardless of whether the location is deemed safe to travel to when you actually go!!

epm-84

Staysure offer the option (for a supplement) of insuring you to travel even if it's against FCO advice but if you choose that option they won't pay out if you decide against travelling due to FCO advice against travel.

If you are definitely going to travel but think there's a risk the dates may change then you could consider buying an annual policy even if you only intend to make one trip, as that may be cheaper than buying the insurance again for a second date.