Swine Flu And Your Travel Insurance Policy

If you're off travelling soon, you may be wondering how the spread of swine flu might affect your travel plans, and whether or not your insurance will cover you for medical treatment or cancellations resulting from illness. Well you've come to the right place, because we have the answers!

Will I be covered by my travel insurance?

The good news is that virtually all travel insurance providers will cover you for swine flu, so you can buy with confidence.

However, it's important to remember that your policy is only likely to cover you and your family if you haven't developed symptoms before the policy start date. So for example if you take out single trip insurance just before taking a holiday, and yet a member of your family is poorly at the time you buy your insurance, it is unlikely that you'll be able to claim compensation for any resultant cancellation or treatment.

As a rule of thumb, it's not a bad idea to take out insurance starting at least a fortnight before you're due to go away. The virus typically lasts less than a week, so if you're unlucky enough to catch swine flu just before you're due to travel, this will at least provide a ‘buffer zone' of cover.

Also, as with all instances of taking out insurance, it's a smart move to read your terms and conditions, and the exclusions on your policy. You should be able to download a PDF of a provider's policy wording from their website, and can therefore have a quick read before you commit to buy. If you look at the ‘General Exclusions' section of your chosen policy, then swine flu is classed as a ‘Pandemic'. Plus, it's important to check if your policy will cover you for cancellation and curtailment, in case your holiday is cut short or you can't travel at all in the first place.

So is it worth taking out a policy?

Without a travel insurance policy, it's very likely you'd have to shoulder the cost of any swine flu-related treatment, cancellation or curtailment yourself. So it's really worth taking out comprehensive cover, and not simply relying on your EHIC if you have one. That said, we think taking out travel insurance is absolutely essential anyway - swine flu concerns or otherwise.

A few common questions:

Q: What happens if I become ill with swine flu whilst I'm abroad?
A: It's best to get in touch with your travel insurance provider straight away and seek medical advice. They should be able to explain all the necessary steps you need to take. For this reason, it's a good idea to keep their hotline number handy in your wallet or purse.

Q: What if a member of my family contracts swine flu before we travel?
A: If you've taken out a policy for your family then most (but not all) providers will allow you to cancel your trip if your policy includes cancellation cover. If you are unsure then please contact your provider, who will be able to explain.

Q: Which countries are affected by swine flu?
A: Swine flu is now classed as a pandemic, so in theory it could spread anywhere. The countries with the highest number of cases at the time of writing are Mexico, the USA, and the UK.

Q: Can I claim on my policy if I don't want to travel anymore, on account of swine flu concerns?
A: If you're not suffering from swine flu and simply decide you don't want to travel, then this won't be covered by any travel insurance policy. There has to be a genuine medical reason why you can't travel.

Q: Will I get all my holiday costs back in the event of a claim?
A: You will be expected the pay the insurance excess, which can range from £35 up to £200. This is the first part of any insurance claim, and will be deducted from your final payout. Otherwise you should in theory be able to recover your costs, but not exceeding an agreed upper limit if you have one.

Q: My insurance provider is refusing to pay out on my claim… What can I do?
A: Each insurance provider should have a complaints procedure. This will normally be outlined in any documentation they send you, or available on their website. Follow this process and wait for a response. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you have the right to refer your case to the Financial Ombudsman Service. They will arbitrate the situation and make a decision. Your insurance provider should then accept their decision - however you do also have the right to take this to a judicial court.

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