With the British Government now advising against all but essential travel to Spain, including the Canary and Balearic Islands, whilst implementing a 14-day quarantine, many Brits’ travel plans have been thrown in to chaos.
What about my travel insurance?
Provided you left the UK before the change in FCO advice, travel insurance will remain valid and provide you with full cover whilst you are in Spain.
To be covered, you must have left the UK before midnight on Saturday 25th July (or midnight Tuesday 27thJuly to Canary and Balearic Islands)
Cancellation cover?
Travel insurance providers don’t normally provide cover in the event of the FCO advising against ‘all but essential travel’, or ‘against all travel’. For example, cover would also not be provided in the event of FCO advice change due to war or terrorism.
Therefore, you’ll need to contact your holiday provider to see what your options are. Most package holiday companies are cancelling booked holidays from 27th July for at least the following two weeks. You are entitled to a credit-note or refund.
Most airlines are allowing passengers to move flights to a different date, free of charge. However, provided the flight goes ahead, you will not be entitled to compensation.
If you purchased car hire and accommodation, you’ll need to talk to them separately and seek out options. Although they are under no obligation to offer you a cancellation or rebooking, most are likely to offer you something.
Can I still travel?
There’s nothing stopping you travelling to Spain, or any other country which the FCO is advising against travelling to. However, you will be doing so uninsured. So, if you get sunstroke, and require hospital treatment you will be required to pay all medical bills yourself.
What about the EHIC card?
Good point – the EHIC card will provide you with medical cover if you develop coronavirus, or any medical condition, at the same level as a Spanish citizen. You will not be eligible for private medical care and may still face some costs for certain procedures.
The EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. It will not cover you for certain things, such as mountain rescue and repatriation.
To find out more about the EHIC scheme, see our blog ‘What Exactly is the EHIC?’.
Will other countries be affected too?
Unfortunately, a precedent has been set and Brits can expect similar moves against France and Germany, amongst others, if cases continue to rise. Be very careful about booking any accommodation in 2020 which can’t be re-booked or cancelled.
Flights are likely to have free changes for the foreseeable future.
My holiday has been cancelled; can I cancel my travel insurance?
Travel insurance is affective from the day you purchase the policy, providing you with cover against cancellation due to illness. Therefore, a risk is being insured from day one. If your holiday has been cancelled, unfortunately travel insurance companies are unable to offer a refund/cancellation.
The only exception to this is all travel insurance products have a 14-day cooling off period. So, if you purchased within the last 14- days, you are eligible for a full refund.
If you have any questions, call our team on 01243 784000
