Travel Insurance Advice – Mexico and Swine Flu
The World First Travel Insurance team has had a number of calls relating to travel cover and Swine Flu, and to complement the travel insurance check list we issued earlier this week, we have put together the following statement specifically regarding Swine Flu.The vast majority of travel insurance policies do not cover people who travel to areas against the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Since the 27th of April 2009 the FCO have advised against all but essential travel to Mexico. This means that travellers and holidaymakers can still travel there, but should seriously consider the importance of their trip. Anyone who is already travelling (since 27th April) should be covered by their insurance for medical treatment and emergency assistance.
Martin Rothwell of World First Travel Insurance says “If a traveller chooses to cancel their holiday they are likely not to be covered under the most travel Insurance policies – as this is their own personal disinclination to travel. When the FCO issue advice against travel, tour operators normally cancel people’s holidays and issue refunds or offer alternatives. General ‘disinclination’ isn’t covered under any UK travel insurance policy.”
Those who do travel to Mexico, or who are already there prior to FCO advising against travel should be aware that their travel insurance remains valid, and that they can rely on the medical expenses and emergency assistance services provided through the policy. Equally travellers should be mindful of the advice given locally to prevent the spread and further infection as a result of the Swine flu, and to periodically review the situation and the advice given by both tour operators in the region and the Foreign and Commonwealth office, as this is a dynamic situation and travel advice may change frequently.
World First Travel Insurance is a dedicated travel insurance expert with a track record in excellent travel cover (backed by leading industry underwriters Professional Travel Insurance Company Ltd (PTI)) direct to the consumer. It is a west country based business with a 25 year history in travel insurance, and its website provides a comprehensive one-stop-shop for a range of insurance solutions from single trip to gap year to ski to medical.
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