As the COVID-19 spreads, it raises questions about what your travel insurance policy will and won’t cover you for. This bulletin is designed to give you guidance if you have a trip booked which has been affected by COVID-19.
Please refer to your travel insurance policy wording and terms & conditions for specific details of what your policy does & doesn’t provide cover for.
What cover do I have for COVID-19?
General Advice
What cover do I have for non-COVID-19 claims?
We do not offer any insurance products directly that will provide this cover but we may be able to point you in the direction of a provider who can. Please contact us to discuss your options.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
When can I submit a claim for Cancellation?
What do you mean by “non-refundable costs” – can’t I just claim?
My holiday has been cancelled and I’ve been chasing my Travel provider for weeks and they haven’t replied. Does this mean I can claim?
Can I still buy Travel Insurance?
I’ve been offered a Credit Note/Flight Voucher/Extension by my provider, but not a cash refund. Can I claim?
Can I claim if the FCO are advising against travel to my destination?
The Policy Wording will give you an outline of the situations for which a claim can be considered. However, all claims are considered on their individual merits and subject to the full terms of your Policy Wording. This means that we cannot confirm if you would be covered for any particular loss prior to its occurrence, as there can be so many different variables involved in any claim.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
The Policy Wording says that I am covered, does this mean you will pay my claim?
When on holiday the local bars, restaurants, beaches and theme parks were closed or had restricted hours. Can I claim?
What should I do before I travel?
Can you tell me if I’m going to be covered should something happen to me either before departure or once I leave?
All claims are considered on their individual merits and subject to the full terms of your Policy Wording. This means that we cannot confirm if you would be covered for any particular loss prior to its occurrence.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
What happens if I’m denied entry at the border?
What happens if FCO advice changes whilst I’m abroad?
The FCO are advising against travel to my destination, but I want to travel anyway. Will I be covered for non-COVID19 related losses, such as breaking my leg?
Can I book to go on a Cruise? The destinations my cruise is going to are not against FCO advice.
Should I book a holiday right now?
What happens if I fall ill whilst I’m abroad?
I don’t feel comfortable taking my trip, can I claim?
I need to travel – my trip is essential. Can you cover me?
Unfortunately this not a situation that would be covered. It’s likely that the availability of facilities at your destination will be affected by local government regulations, so the impact of this won’t be covered as this is an exclusion across the travel insurance market.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
If your trip is otherwise able to go ahead, this would be considered disinclination to travel which is not something travel insurance policies cover.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
Most policies will have an Emergency Medical Assistance helpline included within them. Please call this number if you require Medical attention, as they can advise of the best course of action for your specific circumstances.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
We cannot advise you if you should book a holiday. The situation is incredibly fluid and is subject to change at a moment’s notice. The reality is that travelling at a time where COVID-19 is still likely to have a significant impact on travel disruption is a risk.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
Currently, the FCO are advising against travel via Cruise ship. To travel on a cruise ship would be the same as travelling to a destination against FCO advice and would mean you wouldn’t be covered.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
Your policy will not cover you at all if you travel whilst the FCO are advising against travel.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
This is dependent on the type of policy you have and when the trip was booked. Should this happen, please consult the Emergency Assistance helpline in your policy who will be able to assist.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
In most cases, if your travel or tour operator has cancelled the trip they will be obligated to provide you with a refund. If you are not able to recover your losses we require written evidence of this in the form of a cancellation invoice, statement or letter from the provider. If you also booked with a Credit Card you’d need to speak with your Card provider to discuss making a claim under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, provided your purchase was over £100.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
This is dependent on the type of policy you have and when the trip was booked. In most cases, if you booked at such a time that the FCO were advising against travel to your destination, you won’t be covered if you subsequently needed to make a claim for cancellation or curtailment of your holiday.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
You need to make sure you’re checking the status of your destination on the Foreign Commonwealth Office’s website. If at the point of departure the FCO are advising against either “all travel” or “all but essential travel” to your destination, your policy won’t cover you at all.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
Unfortunately, being offered any of the above would be considered a recovery of your losses, so insurers wouldn’t be able to consider a claim in this circumstances. If you really do want or need a cash refund, we’d recommend you press the issue with the provider. In most cases they’re required to offer you one.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
We appreciate that it can be frustrating chasing your travel provider for a reply, but a claim won’t be able to be considered without evidence that your losses are actually non-refundable.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
In most cases, if your travel or tour operator has cancelled the trip they will be obligated to provide you with a refund. If you are not able to recover your losses we require written evidence of this in the form of a cancellation invoice, statement or letter from the provider. If you also booked with a Credit Card you’d need to speak with your Card provider to discuss making a claim under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, provided your purchase was over £100.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
Provided you’re travelling in line with other terms specific to your policy, yes.
Some common examples will be that you aren’t travelling against medical advice or to get treatment when you’re abroad. If you’re not sure, just ask us and we can highlight the requirements in your policy for you.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
Yes, you can. Please contact us to discuss your options. We’d be happy to help!
Call the team on 0800 980 2701
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
Generally policies will give you cover for Personal Belongings, Emergency Medical Expenses, Travel Delay among other benefits specific to your policy. If you’re in any doubt or would like clarification, please do get in touch. We’d be happy to talk you through your cover.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
If you want to make a claim for cancellation of your trip these can mostly be submitted within 30 days of the planned departure date. Due to the rapidly changing nature of FCO advice, claims can’t be considered outside this.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
This depends on what policy you have, when you bought the policy, when you booked your trip, what action you have taken to recover your losses, FCO advice at the time of the loss. Most policy wordings are different and certainly all claims are different. This is why insurers consider all claims on their individual merits and subject to the full terms of the policy. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
If you have any specific questions about your insurances, please speak with your usual Sutton Winson team.
If you have any specific questions about your insurances, please speak with your usual Sutton Winson team.
Firstly, you should always follow the advice given by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), local (overseas)/UK health authorities and, if abroad, the local British Embassy.
FCO advice can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
Secondly, contact your travel provider (airline/hotel/tour operator/etc) to discuss options such as refunds, amendments or postponements.
Information last updated: 28/07/2020
Generally, Travel Insurance policies will only cover non-refundable costs for transport and accommodation. This means they won’t cover excursions, tickets to attractions, day-trips or activities.
Information last updated: 12/08/2020
Firstly, you should always follow the advice given by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), local (overseas)/UK health authorities and, if abroad, the local British Embassy.
FCO advice can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
Secondly, contact your travel provider (airline/hotel/tour operator/etc) to discuss options such as refunds, amendments or postponements.
Information last updated: 28/07/2020
General advice
If you are currently at home but have booked a trip
FAQs
If you have any specific questions about your insurances, please speak with your usual Sutton Winson team.
Cancellation
Now that the FCO has issued advice against all non-essential travel for the next 30 days (which is likely to be extended) you may have to cancel or re-organise a booked trip.
Your first port of call should be your travel provider(s) (airline, hotel, train company, etc) to see if you can obtain a refund or amend your travel plans.
Next speak with your credit card provider (if the trip was booked using a credit card, and the amount paid was over £100) as you should be able to claim under Article 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
Finally, speak with your travel insurance claims team (you’ll find their details in your policy wording). Any claim made would be subject to the policy terms and conditions, when the policy was purchased and when the trip was booked.