As peak summer holiday season begins, you should make sure you’re covered for any disruption to your holiday. following the power outages in Spain, Portugal and France in late April and local unrest in some Mediterranean tourist hotspots, where anti-tourism sentiment is present.
When you’re travelling overseas this summer it’s important to be aware of any conditions and restrictions to your travel cover. In the event that a protest or power outage disrupts or delays your holiday plans you want to know that you’re covered. In the wake of a recent escalation in foreign conflicts, we also urge people to understand any restrictions in their cover on the off-chance their holiday is disrupted by war or armed conflicts.
Recent years have seen an increase in anti-tourist sentiment in some European tourist hotspots, with locals in some popular resorts protesting mass tourism. With anti-tourist protests expected in parts of the Mediterranean this summer it’s possible you could face travel disruption and delays. The Department of Foreign Affairs recently advised those travelling to Spain to be prepared to adjust their travel plans at short notice if necessary as a result of protests and public gatherings. If you have holiday plans for such destinations should ensure you have adequate cover before travelling. This may involve getting a travel disruption add-on as not all standard policies cover loss or damage which arises on foot of civil protests. When in doubt check your policy.
Similarly, the recent power blackouts in Spain, Portugal and France led to widespread travel delays and flight cancellations, with some tourist hotspots experiencing further, albeit localised, power outages since. If this continues, power outages could be become the next big headache for holidaymakers.
Furthermore, recent foreign conflicts, including the military activity in India and Pakistan, led to flight cancellations and diversions. In circumstances such as these, it’s worth being aware of your air passenger rights as well as where you stand with your travel insurance policy. Most travel insurance policies offer delayed departure cover which may offer some protection in this regard but it’s important to check the small print on your policy.
Strikes & Extreme Weather
Peopl. is also urging holidaymakers to ensure they are adequately covered for strikes and extreme weather events.
Strikes – including air traffic control – already caused travel disruption across Europe in April. As strikes are most likely to occur throughout the peak holiday months, this is a risk which you always need to be mindful of. Some travel insurance policies will cover you if you have to abandon your holiday, you miss your flight or if your holiday is delayed as a result of an unexpected work stoppage or strike. But other travel insurers don’t cover strikes and with some policies, the cover is more restricted than others. So, it is very important to check the small print of a travel insurance policy before you buy.
The increased frequency of extreme weather events – such as wildfires and floods, as well the risk of natural disasters – such as earthquakes or volcanoes could Could cause delays and disruptions to flights and travel. Losses arising directly or indirectly from adverse weather conditions or natural disasters may be covered by your travel insurance but it’s important to make sure.
Ten Things To Bear In Mind When You’re Booking Travel Insurance
- Take Travel Insurance Out in Good Time- A high volume of travel insurance claims are made well in advance of travel – such as holiday cancellations following bereavement or illness. So don’t wait until the last minute, the earlier you book the better.
- Check Your Travel Documents- Make sure passports and required documentation , are in date. An out-of-date passport could lead you to miss your flight or first night’s accommodation (or more) and your travel insurance won’t cover you if you failed to obtain the required passport ahead of travel.
- Make sure you have delayed departure cover- This cover could prove invaluable in the event your flight is delayed due to a power outage, protest in your holiday destination or in certain other circumstances.
- Changing Your Mind Isn’t Covered- It is important not to book holidays to a destination that you might have any reservations around travelling to. While travel insurance often covers you for cancelling a flight there needs to be a valid reason for this.
- Beware the Prior Knowledge Rule– With most travel insurance policies, you will usually not be covered for any cancellation claim which arises as a result of a risk which you already knew existed prior to the date of booking your trip and/or travel insurance.
- Always Check the Exclusions- Your policy may not cover things you would expect. Know the exceptions to any exclusions on your policy too, this will help you make informed decisions.
- Consider Any Pre-Existing Medical Conditions- You may not be covered for any pre-existing conditions which you knowingly had up to two years before your trip or before you bought the policy. This would include any medical condition you were aware of but had not yet had a diagnosis for.
- Natural Disasters- Your travel insurance may not cover you should you have to cancel or cut short your holiday as a result of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or volcano. Check the small print in your policy in this regard.
- Observe Government Warnings- Your travel insurance will not cover you for losses or damage that arise on holiday after you ignore any government directive prohibiting travel to, or recommending evacuation from the, country or area you were planning to visit or are holidaying in.
- Long Haul Trips & Connections– If you need to get a connecting flight or are flying a long way be sure you have good cover for missed connecting flights as well as for any medical expenses incurred if you become sick or injured abroad. The bill for medical expenses in some international countries could run into the tens of thousands and ensuring your protected is important.
