Q&A: Will my insurance cover me against swine flu?
Travel insurers have promised to be “flexible” when dealing with claims related to Swine Flu. As thousands of families prepare to take their annual summer holiday, airlines revealed they will stop holiday makers suspected of having swine flu from boarding flights. However, insurers have promised to be “flexible” when dealing with claims.
Here we answer your questions:
Does travel insurance cover swine flu?
Travellers who contract swine flu should be covered by travel insurance policies, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). Policyholders have to take out the cover before catching the disease to qualify for a payout. However, you do need to show symptoms. A “general disinclination to travel because you think you might be ill wouldn’t normally be enough”, according to the ABI.
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How do I make a claim?
If you think you or your family may have developed Swine flu a week or less before you travel check with the NHS or your GP. If you or someone in your family contracts the disease, contact your tour operator, airline and insurance company to cancel your trip. You should get a letter from your doctor, and tell your insurer before making the cancellation. It is essential that you take out travel insurance at the time of booking.
What will insurance cover?
Insurance should refund the cost of the trip should it be necessary to cancel. Most policies will cover the cost of medical bills if you begin suffering from swine flu while abroad.
Is it possible to claim a refund for the entire family if just one member contracts the disease?
Insurers should cover the cost of cancelling a trip for the whole family if the trip is cancelled because one family member contracts swine flu, according to the ABI.
Are there any exceptions?
Your policy could be invalidated if you travel to a particular country against advice from the Foreign Office or the World Health Organization (WHO). However, if the Foreign Office advises against travel to any particular country or destination after you have booked, the policy should pay out. If you travel with clear symptoms of swine flu your claims for medical expenses abroad may be rejected, the travel association ABTA has warned.
What should I do if my trip is cancelled by the tour operator?
First, travellers should contact the tour operator or airline for possible alternative arrangements. Travel insurance will usually cover any changes to the trip. If there is no alternative, your insurer should usually pay out.
Is there a different procedure if I am held in quarantine?
If you are held in quarantine and then turn out not to have been ill, your insurer may decline to pay the costs of a new flight home. If you are diagnosed with an illness while in quarantine, then you are likely to be covered. Contact your insurer for information about its individual procedure. AXA, for example, will consider claims from customers who are quarantined on their trip if they are placed in compulsory quarantine for more than 48 hours.
Where can I get more advice?
Medical advice, including information on symptoms, is available at the Department for Health website
Information about travel restrictions can be found at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website
The ABI website also has more infomation on insurance claims for swine flu
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