UK holiday and travel insurance covid cover

battenburg88

I usually wouldn't worry about travel insurance for a short break within the UK, but was considering buying cover due to the risk of plans changing due to anything covid-related. I've previously had a travel insurance policy with the Post Office; in respect to cancellation, their website says that you will be covered if: 

• You test positive for Covid-19 within 14 days of your trip and are required to self-isolate by a medical practitioner, the NHS or any UK government body.

• You, a travelling companion, or the person you are staying with are required by a medical practitioner, a government body or health authority to self-isolate due to COVID-19.

As it is no longer a legal requirement to self-isolate, I'm wondering whether you could ever make a claim for cancellation with this wording? If I started to feel unwell and did a LFT before travelling which was positive, the government would not require me to isolate (I'd probably feel that I should though). Does anyone know where things stand with this or have any experience with other insurers and how they deal with it? I'll probably give the Post Office a call to ask direct anyway.

user1977

Sorry, don't know for certain, but I expect if you ask any medical practitioner they'll say "of course you should be self-isolating" - which I would hope counts as "required". I wouldn't interpret it as only meaning "under threat of criminal sanctions if you fail to do so".

whichman2

Just checked out insurance for a holiday cottage in May 2022. Booking agent notes - IMPORTANT: We have been informed by the insurance providers that this policy will NOT cover claims relating to coronavirus, however, standard features of the product remain as described.  TOWERGATE TRAVEL INSURER states - Covid-19 cover - Curtailment or Cancellation Not covered.

General Policy Exclusions -  Any coronavirus including but not limited to COVID-19, or any related/mutated form of the virus. Any epidemic or pandemic as declared by the World Health Organization.  I will see if I can find any insurer prepared to cover for cancellation/curtailment in respect of Covid-19 if my GP advises against travel due to the extent of the illness.

whichman2

SAGA - Coronavirus (COVID-19) cover

We will pay you up to the amount shown in your policy Schedule for 

your share of any irrecoverable unused travel and accommodation 

(including excursions) and other pre-paid charges you have paid or 

are contracted to pay if:

– You, or anyone you are planning to travel with or stay with receives, 

in writing, a positive test result for coronavirus within 14 days of 

your trip commencing, or

– You are certified as too ill to travel due to you still suffering from 

COVID-19, by a medical practitioner.

You may claim for an event under either the ‘Cancellation’ or the 

‘Abandonment’ section, not both.

whichman2

TOWERGATE £40  SAGA £92  -  For a weeks self catering in England value £800