Travel insurance

Keep_It_Simple_please

Clearly, no one can travel abroad at the moment, however, looking at scheduled air fares for later on this year / early 2022, fares are very competitive, I'm tempted to book, question is, if I book and pay now, in the event the Country remains / becomes no travel due to ongoing Covid (UK advice) yet the flight is not cancelled, would I be covered for a refund under a travel insurance policy?

If I booked flights now, do I take out a travel insurance policy now?

If I booked now, can I delay and take out a travel insurance policy once it's deemed safe to travel?

,

eskbanker

There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to whether travel insurance would cover you so you need to check the terms of any policies you're looking at, although articles like https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/cheap-travel-insurance/#annual should help.  The relevant clauses will usually reimburse cancellation in the event of FCO advice against non-essential travel to the destination, but some policies do have blanket exclusions for pandemic-related issues.

It's always prudent to take out insurance as soon as you've booked, as this should protect you against cancellation for a variety of reasons, e.g. bereavement, health problems, etc, before travelling.

Keep_It_Simple_please

Hello,

I clicked on "staysure" I'm confused, it says they don't cover Covid, yet, it goes onto to say, they do cover Covide

If you are booking a policy to cover you for travel during a Government or regional imposed lockdown then this policy will not cover you.

If you have told us that you are resident in an affected area we will contact you post- purchase to discuss your options, but we must remind you that you will not be covered for travel during a regional or national lockdown. The end date may change if there are further extensions to the lockdowns imposed by the Government.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Cover Update: Our policies cover Trip Cancellation, Emergency Medical and Repatriation Expenses, if you are affected by COVID-19 (coronavirus).

eskbanker

Keep_It_Simple_please said:

Hello,

I clicked on "staysure" I'm confused, it says they don't cover Covid, yet, it goes onto to say, they do cover Covide

If you are booking a policy to cover you for travel during a Government or regional imposed lockdown then this policy will not cover you.

If you have told us that you are resident in an affected area we will contact you post- purchase to discuss your options, but we must remind you that you will not be covered for travel during a regional or national lockdown. The end date may change if there are further extensions to the lockdowns imposed by the Government.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Cover Update: Our policies cover Trip Cancellation, Emergency Medical and Repatriation Expenses, if you are affected by COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Covid cover isn't a simple binary matter, and there are a variety of different risks, some of which may be covered and others not.  The way I read your extract is that if you choose to travel against lockdown recommendations or laws then they won't cover you, but the last bit is saying that you're covered for costs incurred if you catch Covid (when travelling within the terms of the policy).  So, despite your chosen username, it's not as simple as you'd like and you need to read these things carefully and spend time understanding the detail of what is and isn't covered....

epm-84

From Staysure's website it says all their policies cover the following:

• Cancelling your trip if you have COVID-19 within 14 days of travelling*
• Emergency medical expenses abroad**
• Repatriation to help you get back home**
• Cancellation and repatriation cover if you’re denied boarding with a positive test for COVID-19
• Additional accommodation and transport if deemed necessary by our medical officer
• Daily benefit if you are ordered to self-isolate in your holiday accommodation if you have COVID-19
• Cancelling or cutting your trip short after death in the family from COVID-19
• Your travelling companion(s), people you live with, or people you’re staying with on holiday being diagnosed with COVID-19 within 14 days of travel***

It does not cover either the UK government or a foreign government imposing a COVID related policy preventing you from travelling.

Their enhanced COVID relates to if you want to travel for 'non-essential' reasons when the FCDO advise against all but essential travel to the country or region you are travelling to for reasons relating to COVID.

There is nothing to stop you buying two or more policies to cover you if one policy doesn't cover everything you need.  However, note if you do that and if you need to claim for something which both policies cover, it will mean the insurers are jointly liable so you may have to claim off both insurers.

Thrugelmir

Keep_It_Simple_please said:

 if I book and pay now, in the event the Country remains / becomes no travel due to ongoing Covid (UK advice) yet the flight is not cancelled, would I be covered for a refund under a travel insurance policy?

,

May not be UK advice. Lockdown could potentially be imposed locally.  When booking check the airlines terms and conditions, or alternatively book a refundable/transferable ticket.  Insurance companies aren't in the position to quantify and price unknown risks.