Swine Flu and Travel Insurance

Here's a brokers opinion on swine flu and travel insurance

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Everyone has heard that Swine Flu has potential to be a worldwide pandemic with huge economic effects. But on a much more simple level it does have an effect on travel insurance.

Anyone on holiday in Mexico when news broke, would have no problem with a medical expenses claim if they had become ill. But things aren’t so clear for those with up coming trips. Generally speaking travel insurance wouldn’t cover known circumstances or likely problems. So if despite the warnings to avoid travel to Mexico or other affected areas you booked a trip, you probably wouldn’t be covered. If you had already booked and there was no “avoid travel” advice from the foreign office but you decided not to go “just in case” then you wouldn’t be paid for cancelling, that’s because it would be considered as your choice. And if the tour operator decides not to take you they’re obliged to either refund you or offer you an alternative.

All of that seems as if there wouldn’t be any cover, but that’s just not the case. If you had been affected when on holiday before news broke, there would have been no problem. The importance of decent travel insurance can’t be overlooked - as American Express said “don’t leave home without it”

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