Unfortunately there are no simple blanket rules for travel insurance cover where travel warnings are in force since these warnings vary in severity and by government.
However there are three general rules of thumb that illustrate insurers positions in regard to Government Travel Warnings.
- If it's generally known that an area is experiencing a period of instability and things get worse before you travel you probably wont be covered for any costs/booking charges or expenses that you've incurred in cancelling. IF you are determined to visit a region where it is generally known that the political situation may deteriorate, act as if you don't have insurance - pay as low a deposit on your airfare and bookings as you can and don't pay the balance until you need to.
- If you go somewhere which has experienced minor problems and things get much worse while you are in the area and you get hurt, your insurer will probably provide assistance as long as the deterioration in conditions was not generally expected.
- If your Government is advising against all travel or all but essential travel there probably isn't any coverage at all - simply don't go there.
And a little gem of our own: remember, it's much better to be somewhere safe wishing you were somewhere exotic than being somewhere exotic wishing that you were somewhere safe!
IMPORTANT NOTE: the cover provided by your insurer may differ to these general rules of thumb so please read your policy wording before you travel, especially if you are worried about the security of a country to which you intend to travel. If you are in any doubt please, please ask us before you go.
So am I covered if ...
example:
Sri Lanka: I was planning to go to the south of Sri Lanka when terrorists launch a surprise grenade attack in the South. The north has recently been off-limits but this was the first time they attacked in the south. My Government increase the level of their security warnings and I decide to cancel.
Answer: Sorry, Sri Lanka is generally known to be experiencing problems. The cost and expense of cancelling probably won't be covered (see rule 1). However, if you are caught in a deteriorating security situation then the insurer will probably pay your medical bills and offer assistance if you are injured because your government had not issued a travel warning to that area (see rule 2).
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example:
Thailand: I am planning to travel through South East Asia from Vietnam to Singapore overland. The government advises against travel to the southern provinces of Thailand but we will just be passing through on the way to Singapore. Am I covered if something happens?
Answer: The Government advises against travel to or through this province and therefore you probably won't be covered if you get hurt. So, don't go overland by bus or train but bypass it; fly from Bangkok or find another way.
example:
Iran: There isn't a war in Iran at the moment and neither is there a government travel warning against travel to that country (except the border region with Pakistan) but there are concerns about security in the media. Am I covered if the situation escalates into conflict of some sort?
Answer: If you are in Iran and you get caught in a rapidly deteriorating political situation then the insurer will probably pay your medical bills and offer assistance if you are injured because your government has not issued a travel warning. However because the political relationship between Iran and most of the world's countries is strained and this is regularly reported on the news, a cancellation claim will probably not be paid.
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