Compare Policies Which Cover Strike Action

Strike action has recently become a regular irritant for travellers. So what protection will your travel insurance policy offer for strike cover? - and do you need to add optional 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 or natural 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).

Aviva

Aviva's upgrade policy, Travel Disruption Cover covers areas such as strikes and industrial action, and natural disasters up to a maximum of £5000. More information can be found in our feature on Aviva Travel. Aviva cover those up to 79 years old.

Aviva sell the upgrade online - click to say that you want their travel disruption cover option - which means you also get an up to 10% online discount.

The Extended Cancellation cover within the Travel Disruption option will cover you for:

• Deposits you have paid for your Trip and cannot get back
• Your unused travel and accommodation costs (including excursions up to your policy limit), which you have paid or legally have to pay and cannot get back
• Unused kennel, cattery or professional pet sitter fees, which you have paid or legally have to pay and cannot get back up to your policy limit.

Extended Abandonment cover is also included within the Travel Disruption option. For further cover there is the separate Airspace Closure option.

This content was last reviewed on 12/10/2021