10th April 2019
Holidaymakers Unlikely To Be Covered For Any Travel Disruption Following A No Deal Brexit By Their Travel Insurance Policy
The UK is due to leave the EU by the end of the week, unless Theresa May's request to delay until June 30 is granted. With parts of the UK schools already being on Easter holidays, many people are using the time to take a holiday abroad.
With this in mind, travel insurance policy holders need to be aware that they are unlikely to be covered for any travel disruption, such as cancelled flights or travel delay, that might occur in the event of a no deal Brexit, by their travel insurance policy.
This is due to your travel insurance policy only covering specific perils.
For example, for cancellation cover you would be covered against things like:
- You suffering an accidental bodily injury or unexpected illness
- Being called for jury service or as a witness
- Being made redundant
- Fire, flood or burglary at your home or business
- Closure of airspace due to a volcanic eruption
NB: Please read your travel insurance policy wording for full terms and conditions to check your cover.
Travel delay normally covers you for events such as:
- Industrial action / strike
- Adverse weather conditions
- Public transport failure (mechanical breakdown or technical fault)
- Closure of air space due to a volcanic eruption
What should you do if you suffer travel delay or disruption due to Brexit?
You should contact your airline or travel provider. For customers who have purchased an ABTA protected trip or have used a credit card will have additional consumer protection. It may also be worth checking the cancellation conditions for your hotel or accommodation.
Michael Masterson at Cover4Insurance says our travel insurance policies won't provide cover in the event of any Brexit-related travel disruption, but the policies will remain valid for key areas such as medical assistance.
The Emergency medical assistance cover will still be in place irrespective of any change that might be made to our current EHIC status .
Holidaymakers shouldn’t worry as travel insurance policies will remain valid subject to its existing terms and conditions so, you will still have cover for the key areas people purchase travel insurance:
- Medical assistance
- Repatriation
- Cancellation/Curtailment
- Personal belongings
It just won’t cover any travel disruption related to Brexit.
Please note that if you already have a policy with us and are a member of the services (armed forces, police, fire, nursing or ambulance services) you would be still covered for travel cancellation or curtailment by our polices if you have an emergency recall to duty as a result of Brexit.
Useful links:
- ABTA: Is my holiday protected?
- GOV: Visit Europe after Brexit
- The Money Advice Service: Credit card and debit card protection explained
- Cover4Insurance: Travel Insurance