Travel Insurance When Governments Advise Against All But Essential

[theoldgit]

Many countries are advising against all but essential travel to Bangkok because of the floods, food shortages and the possibility of disease.

If people decide to continue with their travels, having decided that many of the tourist areas remain dry and safe, then how do they stand with their travel insurance.

I have received various views, does anybody have a definitive answer? I wonder at what stage are you considered to have travelled against your governments advice?

[ludditeman]

The insurance will not be valid for flood related claims.

As people are now saying BKK will be totally flooded in the next 2-4 weeks, you might have to buy another ticket to return home.

If you already have a ticket, why not phone up your insurance company and let them decide.

Let them refund yout ticket or approve your travel plans.

Edited November 6, 2011 by ludditeman

[Semper]

I wonder at what stage are you considered to have travelled against your governments advice?

When you make a claim against the insurance company.

[theoldgit]

The insurance will not be valid for flood related claims.As people are now saying BKK will be totally flooded in the next 2-4 weeks, you might have to buy another ticket to return home. If you already have a ticket, why not phone up your insurance company and let them decide. Let them refund yout ticket or approve your travel plans

It's not for me I live here. My brother and his wife are in Australia and stopping off on their flight back to the UK at the end of month, they are calling me for advice nearer their the date of their flight, 28th. As well as the flood position, we are dry, I was going to mention the question of insurance, they started their trip before the advice was given by the FCO.

[impulse]

Whatever you find, please post back so we all know. Thanks!

[Berek]

It's the insurers risk if they sell cover for your holiday. Any claims will be paid in line with their policy. You will get a copy when you sign up for it. Otherwise it's available on the insurers website.

I had a trip during the week of the crackdown last year. They still sold me insurance but if you read the policy, acts of war, military action etc aren't covered. I could get hit by a car no worries just not a bullet

[asanee]

The insurance will not be valid for flood related claims.

As people are now saying BKK will be totally flooded in the next 2-4 weeks, you might have to buy another ticket to return home.

DEPENDS on which country-really, though it may be hard to swallow for simple-minded people, rules are different in different countries-and IF it is restricted, it does not mean that ANY real claim will be dismissed. Much more likely is that YOUR country will not send emergency rescue when you get caught up in some mess-so that TV users can again start an enormous complaint about their lazy govmts.

Once again: WHY is it so tremendous hard for TV-posters to look beyond their own narrow perspective?

(same applies to informing your bank about foreign travel-re card use-in most continent EUR they simple say: why did you take that trouble to inform-we do not care and we do not want to know- we have our own system that is for detecting fraud).

[fishhooks]

Quote..............."Once again: WHY is it so tremendous hard for TV-posters to look beyond their own narrow perspective"...........asanee

I hope everyone is taking this in and will email the author in advance, so as to get their posts pre-approved!

[roamer]

The insurance will not be valid for flood related claims.

As people are now saying BKK will be totally flooded in the next 2-4 weeks, you might have to buy another ticket to return home.

If you already have a ticket, why not phone up your insurance company and let them decide.

Let them refund yout ticket or approve your travel plans.

If I was you I would read this instead.

http://www.uk-insurance-index.co.uk/articles/how-does-foreign-office-advice-affect-your-travel-insurance-policy.html

Note that "deciding to continue" with travel plans as you put it has a different meaning depending on whether you are already travelling (acceptable depending...)or starting your travel (almost certainly unacceptable).

Note also that when an "all but essential" travel advisory is in place it has a much wider meaning than the interpretation above, your problems in making a claim don't have to be flood related. as far as compensation is concerned for cancellation I will quote from UK Insurance Index,

"If you choose to cancel a trip that is covered by an advisory, the insurer won't necessarily pay for the cancellation-related costs, even though the policy wouldn't have been valid for travel. In these circumstances what matters is the specific reason for the advisory, and whether this is covered under the cancellation cover section."

Whenever you contact an insurance company with this sort of query there is a golden rule.

GET IT IN WRITING.

( Via Email acceptable)

Edited November 7, 2011 by roamer

[Chutney]

My insurance will not cover me for flight/trip cancellation as the insurance was bought after the UK gov put up an official warning.

It covers me for any medical problems and the usual baggage /money etc out of the named flood areas . It does not cover for Bangkok but does include cover for transit through SVB Airport.

So if I break my leg down south or in Chiang Mai I get cover. If I enter any designated flood area and suffer any injury /illness it won't. If the situation changes and floods affect an area not mentioned in Gov warning at the time I purchased insurance I am supposed to be covered.

My experience of Insurance cover in the past however is that they always find a way to avoid pay out. This being only my personal experience and opinion of insurance companies you understand.

Anyway hope this helps. Check your own country Government stance on travel alert and then clarify with your insurance company before handing over any money.