Swine Influenza - what are the effects on my travel insurance? |
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The recent outbreak of Swine Influenza which has been widely reported in the press has implications for both personal and business travel insurance policyholders. Q) What happens if an insured person falls ill on an insured journey outside their country of residence with suspected flu? A) Medical expenses and repatriation coverage would be in place as per the policy. Q) If an insured person is due to travel imminently (i.e. in the next two weeks) to Mexico/ an infected area and the FCO has advised against all but essential travel? A) Insurers would consider a cancellation claim on its own merits – there is no guarantee that the claim would be paid but it is probable. Q) If an insured person decides to travel to Mexico/ an infected area and their travel is not essential and swine flu is contracted? A) It is very unlikely that their medical expenses and repatriation claim will be paid. Q) If an insured person is due to travel a good while into the future (i.e. two or more weeks away) to an infected area and/or the FCO is still stating that it is OK to travel to an area? A) A cancellation claim is unlikely to be paid as this may be considered disinclination to travel. The attached document from the World Health Organisations provides some background on the problem. The link to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office may also be useful.
Commercial Manager |
