The coronavirus pandemic severely impacted global travel in unprecedented ways. We understand many of our customers will have been affected by these changes and will be keen for information on what they can and cannot claim for under their insurance policies.
We have highlighted the key points in our travel policy below and included some Frequently Asked Questions to help answer your queries.
If you have any further specific questions about your policy, please contact your local agency or Mutual Direct for clarification.
When booking a trip, you must not be aware of:
- Any reason why it might have to be cancelled or re-arranged; or
- Any condition which is likely to need medical treatment while you are on your trip.
Is my trip covered under cancellation cover?
In July 2020, notice was given that an exclusion would be applied under our cancellation section. The exclusion applied to any cancellation claims caused by a pandemic, epidemic or coronavirus. As global travel has opened back up to our policyholders, we have reviewed our Annual Travel cover.
We have now removed the general coronavirus exclusion under the cancellation section of our Annual Travel policy, meaning that costs and expenses for cancellations will now be considered in the event that a trip can’t be fulfilled by an insured person, as a result of either:
- a positive diagnosis of coronavirus, or;
- the requirement to self-isolate, by acting in accordance with the guidelines or being instructed to do so.
However, we must specify that there continues to be no cover for cancellation expenses or costs for any of the following scenarios:
- you are awaiting the result of a coronavirus test;
- a failure to comply with any entry or re-entry requirements in place as a result of any epidemic, pandemic or coronavirus;
- travel restrictions are imposed in response to any epidemic, pandemic or coronavirus, or;
- if there are any circumstances in which you are aware of that would prevent your ability to travel.
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I've booked a trip and at the time of booking the FCDO was advising against non-essential travel to my planned destination. This guidance then changed, permitting all travel to my destination. Can I claim if my trip is cancelled due to the FCDO guidance changing back?
In line with the special condition within the policy, when booking a trip, you must not be aware of any reason why it might have to be cancelled or rearranged as this may affect the cover under the policy. As the FCDO was advising against travel and a global pandemic was a known event when the booking was made, costs will not be considered under the policy.
However, costs can be considered if the FCDO advice changed to advise against non-essential travel within one month of your departure date, providing it wasn’t doing so at the time of the booking, and the changes to guidance wasn’t in response to coronavirus, or any epidemic or pandemic.
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What if I’ve booked a trip, and at the time of booking, the FCDO was not advising against non-essential travel to my planned destination. Can I claim if my trip is cancelled due to testing positive for coronavirus?
As the FCDO was not advising against travel to the planned destination, cancellation costs can be considered for cancellation as a result of an insured person receiving a positive diagnosis for coronavirus, or are required to self-isolate in accordance with any guidance.
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I’ve booked a trip, and at the time of booking, the FCDO was not advising against non-essential travel to my planned destination, however the advice has changed since I made the booking. Can I claim if my trip is cancelled?
Yes. Cancellation costs may be considered in circumstances where the FCDO advise against non-essential travel changes within one month of your planned departure date, provided that the trip was booked prior to the changes taking effect. There would be no cover if the FCDO guidance had changed in response to coronavirus, or any epidemic or pandemic.
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I have booked alternative travel dates following my original booking not proceeding due to coronavirus, however the travel provider has since entered administration prior to the rearranged travel dates. Can I claim if my trip is cancelled?
As the policy does not require a specific reason for a travel provider entering administration, where costs cannot be recovered from any other source (travel/credit card provider, ABTA/ATOL schemes etc.), reasonable costs can be considered.
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I have received a voucher/credit note from my travel provider following the original booking not proceeding, however the company has subsequently entered administration prior to using the vouchers/credit note. Can I claim under my travel policy?
As the policy does not require a specific reason for a travel provider entering administration, where costs cannot be recovered from any other source (travel/credit card provider, ABTA/ATOL schemes etc.), reasonable costs can be considered.
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The country that I am due to be visiting is allowing entry however the FCDO is still advising against all but essential travel; should I still travel and if so, will my insurance be valid?
No, you should not travel against FCDO advice as any loss abroad will not be covered. You should regularly check the FCDO advice before travelling.
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Do I need to renew my travel policy in order to have cover?
Yes, continuous cover is required for a claim to be considered, subject to terms and conditions of the policy.
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When will I be able to purchase a single trip travel policy?
We no longer offer a single trip policy at NFU Mutual. The decision was taken to offer only Annual Travel policies going forward.
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I’ve been offered a voucher by my travel provider/agent/airline but would rather have the cash value. Can I make a travel claim?
No. NFU Mutual will only pay for cancellation expenses that cannot be recovered from elsewhere. We would recommend that customers discuss their refund options with their travel provider.
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