This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51615412

The article has changed 24 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Coronavirus: What are your travel rights? Coronavirus: What are your travel rights?
(2 days later)
Thousands of flights have been cancelled by airlines as fewer people choose, or are able, to travel abroad following the coronavirus outbreak.Thousands of flights have been cancelled by airlines as fewer people choose, or are able, to travel abroad following the coronavirus outbreak.
With new cases being diagnosed around the world every day, how could the outbreak affect your travel plans?With new cases being diagnosed around the world every day, how could the outbreak affect your travel plans?
What are my travel rights?What are my travel rights?
In general, insurers and airlines take their cue from official UK foreign travel advice.In general, insurers and airlines take their cue from official UK foreign travel advice.
If you go against it, you risk invalidating your insurance policy.If you go against it, you risk invalidating your insurance policy.
For example, if you intend to travel to China the situation is very clear-cut. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is advising against all but essential travel to mainland China and all travel to Hubei Province. So, if you visit China or Italy, for example, or any other country the FCO is warning against visiting, you risk invalidating your insurance.
If you are already in China, travel cover may not be valid in Hubei, but should continue elsewhere in the country (as long as your stay is essential). If the advice is against "all but essential travel" and your trip is essential, some insurers will still maintain cover. If the advice is against "all but essential travel" and your trip is essential, some insurers will still maintain cover.
Your rights can also depend on your choice of airline and the small print of your insurance policy - so do read it carefully.Your rights can also depend on your choice of airline and the small print of your insurance policy - so do read it carefully.
What about Italy? Which countries should be avoided?
The FCO has updated its advice to rule out all but essential travel to Italy too, owing to the heavy restrictions in place in the country. The FCO has updated its advice to rule out all but essential travel to mainland China, and also Italy and four parts of Spain.
This has resulted in many hundreds of flights being cancelled. If you visit Italy, or any other country the FCO is warning against visiting, you risk invalidating your insurance. This has resulted in many hundreds of flights being cancelled.
As well as UK government advice, you may not be able to travel to some countries because of their own restrictions. For example, Argentina, Peru, Paraguay and Venezuela are currently suspending all flights from European countries.
The Czech government has banned entry to all foreign citizens unless they have residence.
And many airlines, including Emirates and Oman Airlines, have suspended all flights to and from Iran. The UK government was already advising against all non-essential travel to Iran, unrelated to coronavirus.
What happens if I decide to cancel my trip?What happens if I decide to cancel my trip?
If the government has not issued a warning about the country you are booked to visit, you cannot expect financial compensation if you decide to cancel.If the government has not issued a warning about the country you are booked to visit, you cannot expect financial compensation if you decide to cancel.
"In general, cancellation or travel disruption cover will activate when the FCO advises against all travel or all but essential travel to an area," says Su Crown, from the Association of British Insurers (ABI)."In general, cancellation or travel disruption cover will activate when the FCO advises against all travel or all but essential travel to an area," says Su Crown, from the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
"Travel insurance is not designed to cover 'disinclination to travel' where the FCO advice has not changed to advise against travel.""Travel insurance is not designed to cover 'disinclination to travel' where the FCO advice has not changed to advise against travel."
Can I rebook instead?Can I rebook instead?
While insurers may not cover cancellations, some airlines are now letting passengers rebook flights instead. While insurers may not cover cancellations, many airlines, including British Airways, EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic, are currently letting passengers rebook flights for free.
For example, British Airways has waived their normal rebooking fee on any new bookings made between 3-31 March.
Delta and Air Canada have also announced changes to rebooking policies - so check with your individual airline.
Many hotels in areas under lockdown are offering refunds or the option to rebook. But if the hotel and its location are open, and the booking is non-refundable, travellers may lose out.Many hotels in areas under lockdown are offering refunds or the option to rebook. But if the hotel and its location are open, and the booking is non-refundable, travellers may lose out.
Insurers are telling customers they should ask their holiday provider or airline for refunds or rebookings first. Even when travel tickets are refunded, there can be other costs, such as hotel rooms and car hire, which travel insurance might cover.Insurers are telling customers they should ask their holiday provider or airline for refunds or rebookings first. Even when travel tickets are refunded, there can be other costs, such as hotel rooms and car hire, which travel insurance might cover.
"People should keep all their travel invoices and receipts to help the claims process go smoothly," says Laura Dawson, of the ABI."People should keep all their travel invoices and receipts to help the claims process go smoothly," says Laura Dawson, of the ABI.
You might find insurers take a different view on when you can put in a claim. Some will look at it within 28 days of your planned departure. Others ask the traveller to wait until 48 hours before, just in case the FCO advice changes.You might find insurers take a different view on when you can put in a claim. Some will look at it within 28 days of your planned departure. Others ask the traveller to wait until 48 hours before, just in case the FCO advice changes.
What about places that aren't affected?What about places that aren't affected?
Many people will have booked holidays to places that have only had a few cases of coronavirus so far, like Australia.Many people will have booked holidays to places that have only had a few cases of coronavirus so far, like Australia.
However, personal finance expert Martin Lewis advises people to still get insurance as the situation could change rapidly.However, personal finance expert Martin Lewis advises people to still get insurance as the situation could change rapidly.
Mr Lewis says if there was a major outbreak of coronavirus in Australia over the summer and the FCO changed its advice, then you should be covered if you had previously taken out insurance. Mr Lewis says if there was a major outbreak of coronavirus in Australia and the FCO changed its advice, you should be covered if you already had insurance. However, if you tried to take it after the travel advice changed, you would not be successful.
However, if you tried to take out insurance after the travel advice changed then you will not get it, he adds.
"So get your insurance ASAB - As Soon As you Book," he advises.
In all instances, you should check the small print of your insurance company to understand exactly which type of scenarios you are covered for, and be prepared to switch if need be.
Will my insurance cover me if I miss my flight home because of quarantine?Will my insurance cover me if I miss my flight home because of quarantine?
It very much depends on the type of holiday you booked and the type of travel insurance you have, according to the ABI.It very much depends on the type of holiday you booked and the type of travel insurance you have, according to the ABI.
"People should look for a 'disruption to travel' clause in their insurance," says Ms Crown."People should look for a 'disruption to travel' clause in their insurance," says Ms Crown.
"If you have spoken to your airline and they are unable to help, then you should speak to your travel insurance company. Insurers are doing their best to help people in these circumstances," she adds."If you have spoken to your airline and they are unable to help, then you should speak to your travel insurance company. Insurers are doing their best to help people in these circumstances," she adds.
However, this usually only applies to package holidays. For flight-only arrangements, the ABI says it will depend on the type of cover you've got with your travel insurance.However, this usually only applies to package holidays. For flight-only arrangements, the ABI says it will depend on the type of cover you've got with your travel insurance.
As for accommodation, this should also be covered by your travel insurance - but again, do check the small print first.As for accommodation, this should also be covered by your travel insurance - but again, do check the small print first.
What have insurance companies done?
Some insurance companies have started to change their policies in the wake of the outbreak.
Axa, Aviva, the Post Office and InsureAndGo have this week limited or changed cover for claims relating to the disease.
Admiral and LV= have suspended travel insurance sales completely for the moment.
The Association of British Insurers said that travel insurance is for unforeseen circumstances and coronavirus no longer met that criteria.
What questions do you have about coronavirus and its impact?What questions do you have about coronavirus and its impact?
In some cases your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.In some cases your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.
Use this form to ask your question:Use this form to ask your question: