Recent events in parts of the Middle East have caused significant disruption to flights and travel routes, including closures of key regional airspace. We understand this may affect upcoming plans or travel already underway. The information below explains how your travel insurance applies, what is and is not covered, and the steps you can take to recover your costs where possible.
Understanding Your Travel Insurance Cover
War and Conflict Exclusion
Our travel insurance policies do not provide cover for claims arising directly or indirectly from war, hostilities or war‑like events, whether declared or not. This includes situations such as:
- Airspace closures
- Airport closures
- Flight cancellations, delays, or rerouting caused by conflict
Where travel disruption arises from these causes, we are unable to cover the associated costs.
2. What You Should Do if Your Trip Is Disrupted
Although your travel insurance cannot cover war‑related disruption, you still have several ways to potentially recover your costs.
2.1 Contact Your Airline or Transport Provider
Airlines are responsible for providing support during operational disruption and may offer:
- Refunds for unused flights
- Rebooking on the next available service
- Assistance if you are stranded
Your rights under EU261 / UK261
If your flight:
- Departs from the EU/EEA/UK → EU261/UK261 always applies
- Arrives into the EU/EEA/UK on an EU/EEA/UK carrier → EU261/UK261 applies
While conflict‑related cancellations usually count as extraordinary circumstances, meaning airlines do not owe financial compensation, they must still provide:
- A refund or rerouting
- Meals and refreshments during long delays
- Hotel accommodation when necessary
EU261/UK261 only applies if the airline is EU/EEA/UK‑based.
Examples:
- Dubai → London on British Airways → ✅ Covered
- Doha → Frankfurt on Lufthansa → ✅ Covered
- Abu Dhabi → Paris on Air France → ✅ Covered
But:
- Dubai → London on Emirates → ❌ Not covered
- Riyadh → Amsterdam on Saudia → ❌ Not covered
- Tel Aviv → Rome on El Al → ❌ Not covered
2.2 Contact Your Tour Operator or Travel Agent
If you booked a package holiday, you may be entitled to:
- A full refund
- Rebooking or an alternative itinerary
A package holiday is a type of travel booking where two or more travel services are sold together for one inclusive price and form a single contract with a tour operator or travel provider. This gives you additional consumer protections under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. To be considered a package holiday, your booking must:
1. Include at least two different types of travel service, such as:
- Transport (e.g., flights, ferry, rail)
- Accommodation (e.g., hotel, villa, apartment)
- Car hire
- A pre‑planned tourist service (such as guided tours, theme‑park tickets, or excursions)
Under the Package Travel Regulations, tour operators must issue a full refund within 14 days if they cancel your package due to extraordinary circumstances.
2.3 Contact Your Accommodation, Activity Providers, or Car Hire Company
Many suppliers may:
- Allow date changes
- Provide partial refunds
- Offer credit for future use
2.4 Contact Your Payment Card Provider
If the airline or supplier cannot assist, you may be able to recover costs through:
- Chargeback (debit or credit card payments)
- Section 75 (UK credit card purchases over £100)
Your bank can confirm whether these rights apply.
3. If You Are Already Travelling
If you are abroad and unable to return home as planned:
- Your policy will automatically extend at no extra cost up to 30 days.
- You will be able to claim under your policy for reasons unrelated to the war or war-like activities until you can return home, cover is subject to the other policy terms and conditions.
- Medical claims may still be considered if unrelated to the conflict and you did not travel against FCDO advice.
However, your policy does not cover additional costs caused by the disruption, such as extra hotel nights, meals, parking fees, or pet‑care fees.
4. If You Have Not Yet Travelled
4.1 Cancelling Your Trip because You Feel Unsafe
Disinclination to travel (choosing not to travel) is not covered under travel insurance policies.
4.2 If FCDO Changes Its Travel Advice
If the FCDO advises against travel to your destination:
- The policy cannot cover claims relating to the reason for that advice
- Airlines and tour operators should be your first point of contact
Always check current guidance at:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
4.3 If Your Flights Are Cancelled in Advance
Your airline must refund you or offer an alternative flight.
4.4 Changing Your Policy
You may be able to:
- Change travel dates
- Change destination
- Cancel your policy within the cooling‑off period for a refund
Note: Your insurance premium may be affected
5. FAQs
Is travel disruption caused by the Middle East conflict covered?
No. War and war‑like events are excluded under your policy.
My flight was cancelled because it routed via Dubai/Qatar. Can I claim?
No. You must contact your airline for refunds or rebooking.
If my connecting airport is in the Middle East, am I covered?
Transit is covered for unrelated medical emergencies only. War‑related disruption is excluded.
Am I covered for additional hotel/food costs during delays?
No. These costs are not covered.
My tour operator cancelled my holiday. What should I do?
Tour operators must refund customers within 14 days under the Package Travel Regulations.
If I bought my policy after the conflict began, am I covered?
Claims relating to known events are not covered.
6. Staying Informed
Before and during travel, please check:
FCDO travel advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Your airline or travel provider for operational updates
British nationals in affected countries can also register with the FCDO for updates.
7. Need More Help?
If you have had your claim declined but believe important information was not considered, or you have further evidence you would like us to review, please contact our claims team. We are here to help with any questions about your cover.