Christmas Europe travellers warned of travel insurance trap as Middle East risks escalate
Australians booking Christmas trips to Europe via Middle Eastern hubs are being warned to check their travel insurance carefully, after Smartraveller cautioned that the ongoing conflict could cause…
Australians booking Christmas trips to Europe via Middle Eastern hubs are being warned to check their travel insurance carefully, after Smartraveller cautioned that the ongoing conflict could cause further flight cancellations and disruption. In its latest update on 12 August, the government travel advice warned that the conflict continues to create widespread global travel disruption, with airlines able to cancel or limit flights at short notice. Smartraveller is currently advising Australians to avoid non-essential travel to Level 3 destinations, including transit, with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE among those at Level 3. It also warns that airspace can close suddenly and flights can change or stop without notice. Lawyer and LPD at Carter Capner Law Peter Carter said the biggest risk for travellers booking now is what happens if a Level 3 warning escalates to Level 4. “The risk is that a Level 3 warning could quickly escalate to Level 4, and that’s when many people can find themselves in a very different position,” Carter said. Many travel insurance policies exclude losses associated with travelling to a government-designated ‘Do Not Travel’ destination, he said. “Travel insurance cover won’t apply if the loss arises out of a policy exclusion,” Carter said. The warning is particularly relevant for travellers whose Europe holiday includes non-refundable hotels, tours or cruises. While airlines may rebook passengers or refund the affected flight, Carter said they generally won’t cover the additional costs of missed accommodation or other travel arrangements. Smartraveller is also urging Australians to check their insurance for coverage of flight delays, cancellations and changes to travel advice levels before travelling. Carter said travellers should check the advice applying to both their destination and every transit point before booking, and contact their insurer if they are unclear about exclusions. SUBSCRIBE NOW FOR FREESign up to receive a subscription to the Travel Weekly daily email newsletter