Insurance considerations for Brits travelling to Mexico

Commenting on Brits travelling to Mexico, Maxine Baker, travel insurance manager at moneysupermarket.com, the price comparison website, said: "With the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) now advising against all but essential travel to Mexico, Brits who have their holidays, flights and travel arrangements cancelled can now claim compensation for any money lost. I would advise those affected to contact their tour operator, airline and travel insurance provider to clarify exactly where they stand and identify who is liable to pay out their compensation. A word of caution; should holidaymakers continue with their travel plans to Mexico against official advice and fall ill, their insurance policy is unlikely to cover them and they would have to foot the bill for any treatment or repatriation costs.

"The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase from level three to level four which shows increased evidence of human to human transmission and mild cases have now been confirmed in the UK. With over 315,000 Brits holidaying in Mexico a year, some people may have cancelled their trip before the official advice from the FCO. While insurers and travel companies are not obliged to pay out in this circumstance it is worth contacting the individual travel insurer as well as the tour operator to find out exactly where they stand. It is worth noting that some airlines and package holiday providers may be flexible with waiving fees and penalties, I would advise holidaymakers to check to see if your flight or holiday can be rearranged at no additional cost.

"While cases have also been found in the US, Canada and Spain, any cautious Brits cancelling their holidays to these areas for this reason are unlikely to be covered by their insurer or compensated by the airline or travel firm they have booked with.

"For those paying for their holiday, or flight with a credit card, provided it is over £100, they get the added benefit of cover from the credit card company who becomes equally liable for providing a refund if the holiday cannot be fulfilled due to being cancelled by the holiday operator or airline."