Advice to travellers on Swine flu

The British Insurance Brokers' Association has offered advice to travellers who are concerned about Swine flu.

The majority of travel insurance policies contain a medical section. For those travellers who have already purchased a policy, it should respond under this section if someone contracts Swine flu abroad and should pay for their treatment.

Where the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have advised against all but essential travel, most policyholders will be able to claim a refund or an alternative trip from their tour operator or travel agent. This would be the correct procedure for travellers to follow before submitting an insurance claim.

If tour operators or travel agents arrange an alternative destination, the existing travel insurance policy should normally cover the new destination instead, but travellers should check this with their insurance broker.

BIBA's travel insurance scheme provider Tokio Marine have agreed to offer cancellation cover for trips planned to Mexico for all irrecoverable costs but every effort should be made to make alternative arrangements or to recover costs with the travel supplier. However, not all travel insurance policies will cover cancellation due to a pandemic or FCO advice against travel. Travellers are advised to contact their insurance broker or travel insurance provider for clarification.

Insurance policies do not normally cover disinclination to travel to any destination.

Travellers to countries were there is no FCO travel advice regarding Swine flu should buy travel insurance seeking advice from a broker to ensure appropriate cover. You can find travel insurance on biba.org.uk/travel or call the consumer line on 0870 950 1790.