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Travel Insurance for Coronavirus or when travelling against FCO advice
We explain which travel policies which offer protection when taking a trip against FCO advice or claims relating to Coronavirus
Travel Insurance which covers trips to areas where the FCO advise against travel
- battleface policies cover countries that include those under FCDO and government essential and non-essential travel advisories. battleface policies are operative irrespective of the traffic light colour and/or changes in FCDO travel advice
- Travellers up to the age of 79 can purchase this product. battleface provide cover for emergency medical expenses caused by or resulting from COVID-19 for travellers up to the age of 59 or under, subject to the policy benefits, limits and wording. Cover for illness is not available for those aged 75 years or over
- There is no cover for cancellation or additional expenses in relation to Covid-19 or any governmental travel restriction for any type of trip cancellations, curtailment of a holiday or lockdowns.
- Read Full Covid Cover Details
- Ski and Snowboarding Upgrade Available
- No cover for any pre-existing medical conditions (within the last 12 months).
- Every country you visit must be added to the policy unless you only in transit through that country (i.e. do not leave airside at the airport)
- European Single Trip Policies provide cover (except cancellation and curtailment) where the FCO advise against all but essential travel as a result of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Winter Sports Cover Available
- Full Covid Cover Details - please click on the Coronavirus information link
- European FCDO Travel Advice Extension will cover European trips taken against FCDO advice.
- No cover for claims relating to Covid-19 (see below if fully vaccinated)
- Emergency medical expenses if you test positive and fall ill with COVID-19 on holiday (if you’ve had the recommended COVID-19 vaccinations)
- Up to £1,000 for additional accommodation and travel expenses if the FCDO advise travellers to return to the UK when abroad
- Good reputation for pre-existing medical condition cover.
- Single trip and annual European policies offered
- Winter Sports Upgrade Available on Comprehensive Policies
- Special offer - 15 months for the price of 12 on Annual policies
- Full Travel Against FCDO Cover Details
Travel Insurance providing some Cancellation Cover relating to Coronavirus
- Cancellation and Curtailment cover only provided if you are travelling to countries permitted by FCO.
- Cover for cancellation claims if you or a travelling companion test positive or are hospitalised just prior to trip
- Cover if you are denied boarding
- Medical Expenses Cover included for COVID19 while travelling as long as FCO are not issuing advice against travel or on European single trip policies.
- No cover if you have to self isolate
- Winter Sports Upgrade Available
- Annual Multi Trip Policies include 15 months cover for the price of 12
- Full Covid Cover Details - please click on the Coronavirus information link
- No cover for travelling against FCO advice or any Government restrictions (including UK lockdowns) or for changes to FCO or local Government travel advice while you’re away.
- Covers Cancellation within 14 days of your trip should you test positive
- Cancellation (or Curtailment costs if your trip has already started) if a close relative passes away after testing positive for coronavirus.
- Emergency medical and additional expenses, including getting you home
- Winter Sport Upgrade Available
- Read Full Covid Cover Details
- Preexisting medical conditions can be covered.
- Policy will also offer cover for non Covid situations.
- Extensions for Cruise, Golf and Ski
- No cover under new policies for any cancellation or curtailment claims if travelling when FCO Office are advising against travel to your destination.
- Covers cancellation if you fall ill with COVID-19 and are unable to travel or have to self-isolate.
- Cover for any medical claims due to COVID-19 whilst away. where the FCO are not issuing advice against travel.
- Cover if you need to come home early due to the illness of a close relative due to COVID-19
- Read Full Covid Cover Details
- Ski and Snowboarding Upgrade Available
- Preexisting medical conditions can be covered.
- Policy will also offer cover for non Covid situations.
- Extensions for Business and Ski
- Covers cancelling your trip if you have COVID-19 within 14 days of travelling
- Cancellation and repatriation cover if you’re denied boarding with a positive test for COVID-19
- Cancelling or cutting your trip short after death in the family from COVID-19
- Your travelling companion(s), people you live with or people you’re staying with on holiday being diagnosed with COVID-19 within 14 days of travel
- Also covers coronavirus (COVID-19) claims for emergency medical expenses and repatriation if you catch the virus during your trip.
- No cover if new restrictions on travelling are imposed due to Coronavirus.
- Good reputation for pre-existing medical condition cover.
- FCO recommendation against travel cannot be in place
- Full Covid Cover Details
Travel Insurance offering cover during the Coronavirus pandemic
We buy travel insurance to cover a wide range of risks including the theft of our baggage, through medical costs should we fall ill, to cancellation costs because we cannot go on our well earned break.
And undoubtedly our advice is always to make sure you have travel insurance in place to ensure that if you need to fall back on that cancellation cover that you can do so from the day you start paying for your holiday. Normally this is months before your break when you pay the deposit on your holiday or buy the flights for your trip abroad.
And just because of coronavirus our advice has not changed - because if you need to cancel that holiday because you are unfortunate enough to break a leg which stops you from flying, or a relative falls badly ill with a illness that is not connected to Covid-19 you still want to be able to claim in that instance.
However now there is more to consider.
Are there Travel Insurance policies which cover trips against FCDO advice?
Yes - there are both specialist insurers whose business to to cover those who need to travel to destinations despite FCDO (formally known as the FCO) advice being against essential travel, and now general travel insurers who will, subject to limitations, offer cover to some places when the advise relates to Covid-19. See our table below for more details.
FCDO issue advice against travelling to destinations for a reason so do take this into consideration when making your decision to travel.
Please be aware that FCDO advice is independent of Government restrictions - so it may be that the FCDO are not advising against to a country when the Government are saying its illegal to do so. FCDO advice on each country can be found here: Country by Country FCDO Travel Advice.
Can Travel Insurance cover me for a trip to an Amber country?
In short the answer is yes there are policies that will cover you irrespective of the traffic light classification placed on the country by the government. You might, however, find that some benefits will not be provided - say for cancellation. Therefore you are able to find travel insurance for amber or orange rated countries.
Can Travel Insurance cover me for a trip to an Red country?
Again there are policies which will cover trips to a Red country. For more information read the details in the table below.
What Covid-19 risks can I cover with Travel insurance
Policies are starting to appear that will provide cover in a range of circumstances. However it is not possible currently to get a policy that covers everything - so it is a question of deciding which policy is going to cover you best - depending on the holiday you are taking. In some circumstances it can even be worth taking two policies.
Is Travel Insurance cover tips outside FCO advise available for Ski and Snowboarding Holidays?
Yes - many, but not all policies have upgrades to cover Winter Sports Trips - we detail below those that offer such cover.
Some of the risks that can be covered include
- Travelling to destinations against FCDO advice.
- You or a travelling companion fall ill with Covid-19 and you cannot travel
- You or a household member have to self isolate at home and cannot travel
- You are denied boarding at the airport due to Covid-19 being detected.
- You not be able to travel because Foreign Office advice (or a Government imposed lockdown) is imposed or reimposed due to Coronavirus
- Another country prevent you from entering or impose a quarantine period making travel impossible.
A selection of policies covering a varying levels of cover include:
| Company | Product | Travel Against FCO Advice Permitted In Europe | Travel Against FCO Advice Permitted Worldwide | Covid Cancel Costs Covered | Cancellation Costs if Required to Self Isolate | Pre Existing Medical Conditions Can Be Covered | Excess | Single Trip 7 day One Traveller | Annual Family Policy | More Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Insurance |  | |  | |  | £125 | £25.72 | £N/A |  |
For full details of Coronavirus cover inclusions and exclusions please visit: battleface Coronavirus Policy Inclusions. battleface policies cover countries that include those that are under FCDO and government essential and non-essential travel advisories. battleface policies are operative irrespective of the traffic light colour and/or changes in FCDO travel advice. Travellers up to the age of 79 can buy this product. battleface provide cover for emergency medical expenses caused by or resulting from COVID-19 for travellers up to the age of 59 or under subject to the policy benefits, limits and wording. Cover for illness is not available for those 75 years or older. There is no cover for cancellation or additional expenses in relation to COVID-19 or any governmental travel restriction for any type of trip cancellations, curtailment of a holiday or lockdowns. Upgrade is available for Business Trips and Ski / Snowboarding Holidays. battleface do not currently provide annual or zonal policies as they assess each country to be visited individually at the time they are to be visited. | ||||||||||
| Standard Policy | | | | | | £195 | £12 | £66.40 | |
PLEASE NOTE: TRAVEL AGAINST FCO ADVICE IS ONLY PERMITTED IN EUROPE AND WHERE A SINGLE TRIP POLICY IS PURCHASED. The traffic light categorization red / amber / green does not affect cover on European Single trip policies. For full details of Coronavirus cover inclusions and exclusions please visit: Insurefor Coronavirus Policy Inclusions and click the Coronavirus information link. Winter Sports Upgrade available | ||||||||||
| Basic Policy with European Travel Extension Cover | | | | | | £100 | £14.82 | £51.38 | |
This policy will cover you for European Trips against FCO advice - but will not cover any claims for Covid-19 unless you are fully vaccinated. Up to £1,000 for additional accommodation and travel expenses if the FCDO advise travellers to return to the UK when abroad No cover you if you are breaking any lockdown rules in your area of the country (if a stay at home rule ins in place for instance). For full details of Coronavirus cover inclusions and exclusions please visit: Staysure Coronavirus Policy Inclusions. No winter sports upgrades on the basic policy, although can be covered on a comprehensive policy. Special Offer: 15 Months cover for the price of 12 on Annual Policies Staysure are strong in providing cover to those with a wide range of medical conditions | ||||||||||
| Standard Policy | | | | | | £125 | £7.89 | £29.91 | |
For full details of Coronavirus cover inclusions and exclusions please visit: Coverwise Coronavirus Policy Inclusions. Will not cover Covid related claims if you are travelling to a country if you are travelling to a destination where FCDO advise against travel due to Covid-19. If you are travelling to a Amber rated country please read the FCDO website to view the latest advice regarding your destination. Will not provide Covid related cover to Red countries as this rating relates to Covid related risks | ||||||||||
| Standard Policy | | | | | | £100 | £27.08 | £112.40 | |
Protect your future travel plans & travel with confidence from a brand that you can trust. Sking holiday cover available For full details of Coronavirus cover inclusions and exclusions please visit: Post Office Coronavirus Policy Inclusions | ||||||||||
| Comprehensive Cover | | | | | | £65 | £11.78 | £61.66 | |
For full details of Coronavirus cover inclusions and exclusions please visit: Staysure Coronavirus Policy Inclusions Winter Sports options available on Comprehensive policies Special Offer: 15 Months cover for the price of 12 on Annual Policies Staysure are strong in providing cover to those with a wide range of medical conditions | ||||||||||
The price examples above assume:
Single traveller aged 40 on a holiday to Spain Family of two adults aged 40 and two children aged 10 and 8 travelling to Spain No pre-existing medical conditions Battleface do not offer an annual policy.
If you have an existing travel insurance bought before mid March for travel arranged before that time it may also cover for cancellation (depending on the particular policy you purchased). Policies bought later, or trips arranged after are unlikely to be covered unless the policy specifically includes such cover as Coronavirus is a 'known event' and insurers declared that they would not cover it in future.
This content was last reviewed on 12/05/2021