The conflict in the Middle East has caused havoc for British holidaymakers in unexpected ways.
One couple, Lauren Higgins and Adam Wilson, headed to the Maldives for a ‘once in a lifetime luxury holiday’.
However, the war has meant their flight home via Bahrain was cancelled.
The pair are now stranded on the tropical island – as their travel insurance doesn’t cover their situation.
Instead of the plush Siyam World Resort they were meant to be staying in, they are now in a £500-a-night Holiday Inn.
They have already been forced to shell out £2,500 and are concerned they may have to pay out for up to three weeks before they can fly back home, the Daily Star reports.
Similarly, Rosie Murray-West recently revealed how she was stuck with her husband in Doha, just as the war broke out.
She found her travel insurance doesn’t cover many of her extra costs as a result of the conflict, but the Qatar government paid for their additional hotel nights whilst they waited for a new flight.
Rosie Murray-West and husband Paul shelter in a conference centre in Doha, as the war with Iran breaks out
The conflict in the Middle East has impacted British holidaymakers – already overseas or planning to go away – in many ways. Pictured: Smoke from Dubai International Airport
The couple had to fork out for ‘cat sitting at home, mobile data for work and about £30 a day on food,’ and she explained how her airline may cover some of the ‘mounting expenses’ – though it isn’t clear exactly what.
Nearly all standard travel insurance policies do not cover acts of war, meaning if your travels end up disrupted by the current situation, you may not be covered.
This will affect many holidaymakers planning to travel to places like the Maldives or Australia, with stopovers in Dubai or Abu Dhabi – due to the fact the UK Foreign Office currently advises against travel to the UAE and countries affected by the conflict in the Middle East.
Travelling to the destinations against FCDO advice can invalidate your insurance, meaning you may not be covered if you run into any issues whilst there.
If you do have a holiday booked to anywhere that’s on the no-fly list, you may very well need to take out specialist cover that applies to war and conflict if you want to ensure you’re covered.
Tim Riley, managing director of travel insurer True Traveller and chairman of the UK Travel Industry Association tells the Daily Mail: ‘In situations where the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against travel to a destination – as it currently does for parts of the region including Abu Dhabi – standard travel insurance will not cover claims that arise directly from the circumstances behind that advice.
‘If a traveller knowingly chooses to transit through or travel to a destination against FCDO guidance, claims relating to that advisory – such as disruption caused by the conflict, cancellations or delays – would typically not be covered by travel insurance.’
Hotspot Cover quoted the Daily Mail a range of high-risk insurance options for one person travelling to the UAE for a week of ‘business/leisure’, beginning tomorrow, March 11
A limited number of travel insurance companies offer war cover, and High Risk Voyager is one that provides ‘War Zone Travel Insurance’.
It describes the cover as ‘specialist medical and travel insurance for individuals or groups travelling to war zones’.
The company is assessing travel insurance policies on a ‘case-by-case basis’ for several countries including Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Sudan and the United Arab Emirates, as well as others.
Another insurance provider, Hotspot Cover, quoted the Daily Mail a range of options – from £297 to £527 – when we filled in the online form for a week away for one person to the UAE beginning tomorrow, March 11, for ‘business/leisure’ purposes.
The website states, ‘All plans include Passive War & Terrorism coverage’.
It goes on to elaborate, ‘Hotspot Cover provides cover for claims as a result of acts of war, civil war and terrorism under the policy provided you are not actively participating in such events’.
For travellers yet to book a trip or depart on their next holiday, Tim advises, ‘The situation is evolving rapidly and airlines are already adjusting routes and flight schedules accordingly to get travellers to their destinations safely.
‘So, travellers should check both airline guidance and the latest FCDO advice before travelling.’
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