Strike action has become a regular irritant for travellers. So what protection will your travel insurance policy offer for strike cover?

The first rule is that any strike cannot have already been called at the time you bought your insurance policy. If you have an annual policy this also normally means that you cannot buy your ticket after a strike has been announced - although most carriers suspend booking in such circumstances in any case.

Secondly, you will need to have bought a travel insurance policy that includes cancellation and curtailment for strikes, if that's the section you are expecting to claim under - many travel insurers offer the opportunity to save a few pounds on the cost of your travel insurance premium by declining cover for cancellation and curtailment, and a few go even further and do not cover strikes under this protection at all! We suggest that, if you want to have the best cover, check your trip is covered for strike action in the cancellation element.

Insurers who offer additional cover

Columbus Direct Insurance

Columbus include cover for travel delay, missed connection and abandonment in their standard insurance policy. This covers situations such as unforeseen strikes by airline/air traffic staff or other major weather disasters which might close an airport, and mechanical breakdown. Remember though - cover would not be extended to events already known about, such as declared strikes.

Columbus Direct travel insurance provides cancellation cover worth up to £5,000 per policy, and insures policyholders and their families for the extra costs involved of alternative accommodation and / or getting home by alternative means (such as using trains or a series of hire cars if flights are cancelled, or to take a flight if a ferry is cancelled).

Avanti Travel Insurance

Avanti include cover for missed departures, connections and delays caused as a result of Industrial Action and Strikes - and are particularly good if you are are planning acruise where missing your ships departure is an added risk.

They are also renowned for their cover of pre-existing medical conditions.

InsureandGo Travel Insurance

Good value travel insurance offering a range of policies offering cover for curtailment and missed departures as a result of strikes and industrial action. They provide cover for delays, abandoning your trip due to a long delay and missed connections.

Post Office Travel Insurance

Another solid travel insurance policy covering delays, abandonment and missed connections as a result of strike action. The insurer has an added upgrade which also covers a wider range of Covid related risks than many other companies.