Swine flu pandemic sparks travel insurance panic buying

As one country becomes off limits for holidaymakers, the site urges all travellers to ensure that they have adequate cover for any planned trips.

Confused.com warns travel to Mexico may not be insured if policies were purchased after the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) advised against non essential travel to the area. However, cover for all other destinations is still crucial.

Steve Williams, head of travel insurance at Confused.com, comments: "Travellers should not be prompted to buy cover by major events such as swine flu. Every holidaymaker should ensure that they are adequately covered as soon as the holiday is booked. Travel insurance will not only cover you for unforeseen incidences such as illness or accidents, but it will also insure your holiday if you need to cancel it unexpectedly. All policies differ so shopping around is advised to ensure a suitable policy is bought by consumers.

"In the case of swine flu, as the cancellation of travel arrangements is down to the FCO advising against non essential travel to an area, travel costs will be refunded by the tour operator. For those who have booked flights and holidays through independent companies, customers need to contact the provider first.

"For people who risk travelling with no cover, this serious situation should demonstrate how important insurance is should you be taken ill when away, or are prevented from going at all. Travel insurance can cost as little as £1.79 per day, which makes chancing it a silly risk to take for such a minimal expense."