Swine Flu impact On Travel Insurance
With the recent outbreak of swine flu in Mexico we at Columbus Direct Travel Insurance have received a number of calls from customers who want to know how this affects their travel plans in relation to their insurance.
As part of our policy wording we state as a general exclusion that we will not cover travellers who go to places against the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth office (www.fco.gov.uk), As of the 27th of April 2009 the FCO is currently advising against all but essential travel. This means that if you deem your travel to be essential and can prove it you will be covered – including cover for medical treatment and emergency assistance.
A common concern raised by customers is that even without an FCO preclusion on travel they don’t feel comfortable travelling to a particular destination, in this case Mexico. Because travel is still permitted, and indeed holidays are still going ahead for some people, this means that if a customer chooses to cancel their holiday they are not covered under our Travel Insurance policy – as this is their own personal disinclination to travel. When the FCO issue do not travel advice tour operators normally cancel people’s holidays and issue refunds or offer alternatives. General ‘disinclination’ isn’t covered under any UK travel insurance policy, as the number of causes for this could be huge – it would basically just mean that people changing their mind for any reason would enable them to claim, which clearly wouldn’t provide any protection at all. If a traveller does change their mind about their travel plans then they should first see what their airline or travel agent can do for them about cancelling their plans and getting a refund – their travel insurance will not cover the costs of them choosing not to go and will not provide cover when there is prohibition on travel applied by the government. It is understandable but, as this not a valid reason, as outlined in the policy wording this is not a permitable reason for cancellation..
Columbus Travel Insurance customers who are already in Mexico prior to FCO advising against travel should be aware that their travel insurance remains valid and that they can rely on all the terms outlined in the policy including the medical expenses and emergency assistance services provided and stated throughout the policy. Equally travellers should be mindful of the advice given locally to prevent the spread and further infection as a result of the Swine flu, and to periodically review the situation and the advice given by both tour operators in the region and the Foreign and Commonwealth office, as this is a dynamic situation and travel advice may change frequently. It is essential that you take all precautions to look after yourself during your time on holiday and notify the assistance company if you require any help or advice over your health whilst you are away and want to know what to do and who to talk to. The assistance company is there to help.
