Thinking of cancelling your holiday over safety fears?

Brits are being told what their rights are if they choose to cancel their summer holiday amid concerns over safety.

With some of the most popular European holiday destinations being impacted by natural disasters, blackouts and civil unrest recently, many tourists may be considering cancelling their upcoming trips.

It comes after the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued a warning to travellers about visiting Turkey, following a 6.2-magnitude earthquake that rocked Istanbul recently.

The FCDO cautioned that “many parts of Turkey regularly experience earthquakes and ‎tremors”, adding that these can be “high magnitude, cause damage to infrastructure, and pose ‎a risk to life.”*

Meanwhile, Spain and Portugal were hit by an unprecedented blackout, causing chaos for millions of people, including UK tourists.

Visitors to Spanish tourist hotspots such as the Balearic and Canary Islands have also been warned to expect potential disruptions this summer, as activist groups plan to ramp up anti-tourism protests in the region.

And it is not just European destinations that pose a risk to travelling Brits, as experts warned this week that a massive Alaskan volcano could be on the brink of erupting, unleashing travel chaos on a global scale.**

With so much uncertainty when it comes to travelling abroad, the travel insurance experts at Tiger.co.uk warn Brits to check with their providers should they wish to cancel their trip and seek a refund.

Unfortunately, most standard insurance policies will not provide cover for holidaymakers who have changed their mind and no longer wish to travel – this is known as ‘disinclination to travel’ in insurance terms and providers will not normally pay out.

There is an exception, when the FCDO issues advice against travel to a destination, as is currently the case in areas of Turkey within 10km of the border with Syria due to “fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism”.  In this situation, travel providers have a duty to offer a full refund or alternative holiday arrangements. It is crucial to remember that anyone choosing to visit an area against FCDO advice will likely invalidate their travel insurance.

Ian Wilson, travel insurance expert and Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk said: “While the chances of being caught up in a natural disaster or civil unrest while abroad are relatively small, it is understandable that some travellers will have concerns about safety and potential disruption to their holidays this summer and may be thinking of cancelling their trip.

“However – unless the UK Foreign Office has issued official advice against travel to your chosen destination – you will most likely be left out of pocket if you choose to cancel, as tour operators or insurance providers are not obligated to refund you for having a change of heart.

“Most standard travel insurance policies contain cancellation cover which provides cover if your holiday can’t go ahead, but this will only apply in circumstances beyond your control, such as a sudden illness or the death of a close relative.

“In short, if you decide you no longer want to travel but the provider says the trip can still go ahead, you will have limited grounds to seek reimbursement.

“However, if you have a trip booked and are still worried about travelling, you may want to consider looking into travel disruption insurance, which offers protection for a wider range of risks, should the unexpected happen.

“This means that if your holiday is impacted by a natural disaster, an outbreak of civil unrest or sudden airline strike, you are likely to be protected financially.

“When planning your holiday abroad, it is important to do some research to ensure your intended destination is safe for tourists. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has a red list of over 70 countries that have no-go zones for UK travellers, and visiting these areas could invalidate your travel insurance.

“Always make sure you check the destination on the FCDO website and look out for any warnings against travel before you book a trip.”

Tiger.co.uk can help holidaymakers compare travel insurance and find savings on annual travel insurance, travel insurance for families and even those who need travel insurance for pre-existing conditions. 

This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.

References:

*https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey

**https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/volcanos/huge-steam-plume-rises-from-alaskas-mount-spurr-as-volcano-edges-closer-to-eruption

***https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice