Many travellers are concerned about problems that might arise due to terrorist activities. Although the chances of anything happening are unlikely that’s what insurance is all about, so it’s nice to know that the insurance industry is responding to these concerns.
The British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) is encouraging all insurers to cover travellers who may be caught up in terrorist activities. While many travel insurance companies still refuse to cover these risks, Travel Insurance Direct says it now provides insurance in a number of areas related to terrorism at no extra charge.
You still need to be sensible about the whole thing. If the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against travel to a particular area or country there wouldn’t be any cover.
The following advice always stands: Before planning a holiday in any country that might be considered unsafe for any reason, check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website first. If you go ahead and travel despite listed warnings you may find your travel insurance will not compensate you if you encounter a problem because you will have put yourself at ‘unnecessary risk’. It’s wise to call your travel insurance company before setting off to ask whether you will be covered for your destination. Most travel insurance policies have exclusions for events like terrorist acts, revolution, war and civil unrest.
For more information about posted warnings visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at
www.fco.gov.uk.
Travel insurance: News update: May 2007
