Travel Insurance - Covid cover confusion

Freddie

I have rescheduled this year's holiday to next year and am trying to buy insurance for the trip, but even those policies I have found that say they cover covid have the exception that they will not cover if you can't fly due to Government guidelines, or have I misunderstood? They say not covered : "Any claim where you cannot travel or choose not to travel because the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (or any other equivalent government body in another country) advises against travel due to a pandemic."

Could someone please explain? TIA.

victor2

Freddie said:

I have rescheduled this year's holiday to next year and am trying to buy insurance for the trip, but even those policies I have found that say they cover covid have the exception that they will not cover if you can't fly due to Government guidelines, or have I misunderstood? They say not covered : "Any claim where you cannot travel or choose not to travel because the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (or any other equivalent government body in another country) advises against travel due to a pandemic."

Could someone please explain? TIA.

Sounds like the insurers are trying to cover their a***s by saying they'll cover you if you catch Covid-19, but not if the FCO, or any other foreign equivalent, advises against travel. Previously, on all policies I've had, you were covered so long as you didn't travel against FCO advice (no mention of foreign government restrictions). If the FCO advice came out after you made the booking, you could claim, as they wouldn't cover you if you travelled.

I'm sure the word pandemic will appear in a lot of policy T&Cs from now on.

[Deleted User]

It means they won't cover you if you cannot or choose not to fly on FCO advice re a pandemic.

You either need to find one that does, or take the risk.

Nick212010

That’s very sly from insurers. All my previous policies have covered me in the event of FCO advising against all but essential travel, including my current 12-month policy bought in January. Insurers have obviously realised they lose to stand a fortune if they keep the old policies in, however I’m prepared to bet that they’d void any and all policies should anyone travel against FCO advice and be required to make a claim whether Covid-19 related or not. There’s less incentive to travel abroad in the future, so they’re only shooting themselves in the foot, surely?

Thrugelmir

Nick212010 said:

That’s very sly from insurers. All my previous policies have covered me in the event of FCO advising against all but essential travel, including my current 12-month policy bought in January. Insurers have obviously realised they lose to stand a fortune if they keep the old policies in, however I’m prepared to bet that they’d void any and all policies should anyone travel against FCO advice and be required to make a claim whether Covid-19 related or not. There’s less incentive to travel abroad in the future, so they’re only shooting themselves in the foot, surely?

The devil is in the detail. Nothing sly. You receive the cover you pay for. Like any form of insurance cover. 

sheramber

Insurance cover is for unexpected events. Since Covid 19/ FCO advice is current then it is not an unexpected / unforeseen event as it already exists.

SevenOfNine

See if the MSE guide helps at all, we have a Nationwide FlexPlus policy mentioned there a few times, though running the a/c cost £13 pm in order to qualify (& we have age & medical issues loaded on top, but for us it's still cheaper with them). Their policies are available on-line for you to see.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/cheap-travel-insurance/#annual

jackieblack

SevenOfNine said:

See if the MSE guide helps at all, we have a Nationwide FlexPlus policy mentioned there a few times, though running the a/c cost £13 pm in order to qualify (& we have age & medical issues loaded on top, but for us it's still cheaper with them). Their policies are available on-line for you to see.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/cheap-travel-insurance/#annual

But note (from the linked page):
For coronavirus-related issues, it covers you:

• For cancellation if there is an FCO warning in place regarding the country you're going to (provided there was no warning in place when you booked your trip or purchased your insurance, whichever is later).

Freddie

Thank you all for your responses. So if I understand correctly, you are not covered either way - if you travel when advised not to, you aren't covered, understandably, but you are also not covered if you decide not to fly because of the Govt. advice, if the flight is not cancelled by the airline. So what's the point of the cover?

victor2

Freddie said:

Thank you all for your responses. So if I understand correctly, you are not covered either way - if you travel when advised not to, you aren't covered, understandably, but you are also not covered if you decide not to fly because of the Govt. advice, if the flight is not cancelled by the airline. So what's the point of the cover?

You would have to enquire with the insurers if FCO advice is lifted before you go, will the policy still cover other incidents, such as lost luggage or personal injury? If they say the policy will be invalid for that particular destination because of the FCO advice at the time of booking or buying insurance, then it is indeed pointless.

Either way, they can refuse to cover any pandemic related claim.