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If you’re planning to travel abroad, it’s important to check the government Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice on travel to your destination and any countries you may transit through on your journey there or coming back to the UK.
The FCDO sometimes issues advice against “all but essential travel” or “all travel” to certain countries or parts of countries because of the threats posed by coups d’etat, civil unrest, disease, natural disasters and terrorism.
Where such advice is in place, the majority of travel insurance policies cease to operate and you would not be covered if you travelled against formal FCDO advice.
However, a number of niche operators will provide varying levels of cover in some circumstances if you travel against the advice issued by the UK government. These include Avanti Travel Insurance, battleface, Cedar Tree, CoverForYou, Outbacker, Staysure and Voyager Insurance.
Other insurers may cover out-of-pocket expenses if you decide to cancel your holiday due to changes in FCDO advice. The change in advice must occur within a set number of days before your booked departure.
Each insurer sets out the scope of cover provided in its policy literature. For example, if the FCDO advice is against all but essential travel but only for a specific reason, such as an epidemic, then claims arising due to that reason might not be paid if the trip was made for non-essential purposes.
However, if the advice was against all but essential travel and the purpose of the trip was deemed essential, then cover might be provided in all situations.
If the advice was against all travel, then no cover whatsoever might be available.
The FCDO says essential travel includes travelling for work, weddings, education, charity work and to provide care. More information can be found at gov.uk.
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Remember, it’s best to check your individual policy for any limitations and restrictions. Here is an outline of what the main providers offer:
Insurance for change in FCDO advice
Avanti Travel Insurance – Essentials Cover
Coverage
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Yes
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – N/a
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Y
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – N
Price
- Price for 7-day trip to Iraq (currently on FCDO list) – N/A
- Price for 7-day trip to France – Normal price: £10.09
- Price for 7-day trip to USA – N/A
- Price for 7-day trip to Thailand – N/A
Restrictions
- Requires European FCDO Travel Advice Extension to be added to policy
- Does not cover travel if FCDO advises against all travel
- Covers travel if the FCDO’s travel advice is only against all but essential travel solely as a result of COVID
- You will not be covered if travelling during a government/regional lockdown
- Only covers cancellation if the FCDO advises against all, or all but essential travel to your holiday destination due to an earthquake, fire, flood, or hurricane
Barclays – Travel Pack
Coverage
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Yes
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – Yes
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Yes
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – Yes
Price
- Price for 7-day trip to Iraq (currently on FCDO list) – Login online as a Barclays customer to get travel insurance quotes
- Price for 7-day trip to France – Login online as a Barclays customer to get travel insurance quotes
- Price for 7-day trip to USA – Login online as a Barclays customer to get travel insurance quotes
- Price for 7-day trip to Thailand – Login online as a Barclays customer to get travel insurance quotes
Restrictions
- Must be an existing Barclays customer to purchase travel insurance online – Covers travel to destinations the FCDO advises against travel, but you must follow the advice of the local authorities
- Covers UK trips if your holiday accommodation is booked for two or more consecutive nights
- For cancellation cover, you must have bought your insurance and booked your holiday before FCDO advised against all but essential travel
- Advice must still be in place within 31 days of departure
battleface – Travel insurance
Coverage
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – No
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – No
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Yes
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – Yes
Price
- Price for 7-day trip to Iraq (currently on FCDO list) – £102.13
- Price for 7-day trip to France – £25.54
- Price for 7-day trip to USA – £102.13
- Price for 7-day trip to Thailand – £51.06
Restrictions
- Does not cover travel to sanctioned countries (sanctions include government blocking assets or trade with the country, for example)
- Does not cover cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice in regard to your holiday destination
Cedar Tree – Silver
Coverage
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – No
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – No
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Yes
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – Yes
Price
- Price for 7-day trip to Iraq (currently on FCDO list) – N/A
- Price for 7-day trip to France – N£14.26
- Price for 7-day trip to USA – £35.26
- Price for 7-day trip to Thailand – £25.25
Restrictions
- Does not cover travel if FCDO advises against all travel
- Offers full cover for travel if the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to your destination, and your travel is essential
- If your travel is not essential, your cover will exlude any claim arising either directly or indirectly from the reason the FCDO advice against travel is in place
- Does not cover cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice in regard to your holiday destination
Churchill – Single Trip
Coverage
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Yes
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – Yes
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Yes
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – Yes
Price
- Price for 7-day trip to Iraq (currently on FCDO list) – N/A
- Price for 7-day trip to France – £32.72
- Price for 7-day trip to USA – £73.63
- Price for 7-day trip to Thailand – £57.42
Restrictions
- Does not cover travel if FCDO advises against all travel
- Only covers cancellation if the FCDO changes its advice to against all/all but essential travel within 28 days of departure
- The FCDO’s advice against all/all but essential tavel must not have been in place when you booked your holiday/purchased your holiday, whichever was later
CoverForYou – Silver
Coverage
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – No
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – No
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Yes
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – Yes
Price
- Price for 7-day trip to Iraq (currently on FCDO list) – N/A
- Price for 7-day trip to France – £12
- Price for 7-day trip to USA – £35.75
- Price for 7-day trip to Thailand – £25.50
Restrictions
- Does not cover travel if FCDO advises against all travel
- Offers full cover if the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to your destination, and your travel is essential
- If your travel is not essential, your cover will exlude any claim arising either directly or indirectly from the reason the FCDO advice against travel is in place
- Does not cover cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice in regard to your holiday destination
Direct Line – Single Trip
Coverage
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Yes
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – Yes
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Yes
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – Yes
Price
- Price for 7-day trip to Iraq (currently on FCDO list) – N/A
- Price for 7-day trip to France – N£44.22
- Price for 7-day trip to USA – £67.56
- Price for 7-day trip to Thailand – £61.54
Restrictions
- Does not cover travel if FCDO advises against all travel
- For cancellation cover, the FCDO’s advice against all travel/all but essential travel to your intended destination must come into force after the start date or renewal date of your policy, or the date when you booked your trip, whichever is later
- You must cancel your trip in the 28 days before your departure
HSBC – Select and Cover
Coverage
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Yes
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – Yes
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Yes
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – Yes
Price
- Price for 7-day trip to Iraq (currently on FCDO list) – Login online as an HSBC customer to get travel insurance quotes
- Price for 7-day trip to France – Login online as an HSBC customer to get travel insurance quotes
- Price for 7-day trip to USA – Login online as an HSBC customer to get travel insurance quotes
- Price for 7-day trip to Thailand – Login online as an HSBC customer to get travel insurance quotes
Restrictions
- Cover for travel against FCDO advice applies to certain existing customers
- Does not cover travel against FCDO advice if you bought or renewed your policy after a set date, which is specific to the type of cover you have. You can check the dates on the HSBC website
- Cancellation cover for travel is included in HSBC’s Select and Cover multi-cover policy which allows you to buy different types of insurance with HSBC under one account
- HSBC does not offer single trip or multi-trip policies to new customers
Nationwide – FlexPlus
Coverage
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Yes
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – Yes
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – No
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – No
Price
- Price for 7-day trip to Iraq (currently on FCDO list) – Online quotes not available
- Price for 7-day trip to France – Online quotes not available
- Price for 7-day trip to USA – Online quotes not available
- Price for 7-day trip to Thailand – Online quotes not available
Restrictions
- Must have a FlexPlus current accountl
- You cannot purchase travel insurance from Nationwide separate to your current account
- Does not cover travel if FCDO advises against all travel
- For cancellation cover, the FCDO’s advice against all/ all but essential travel must have come into force after you opened your Nationwide FlexPlus current account, or booked your trip whichever is later
Outbacker – Silver
Coverage
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Yes
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – Yes
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Yes
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – Yes
Price
- Price for 7-day trip to Iraq (currently on FCDO list) – Worldwide inc. US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean: £57.32
- Price for 7-day trip to France – Europe: £27.60
- Price for 7-day trip to USA – Worldwide inc. US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean: £57.32
- Price for 7-day trip to Thailand – Worldwide exc. US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean: £63.70
Restrictions
- Does not cover travel if FCDO advises against all travel
- Offers full cover for travel if the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to your destination, and your travel is essential
- If your travel is not essential, your cover will exlude any claim arising either directly or indirectly from the reason the FCDO advice against travel is in place
- Only covers cancellation if the FCDO advises against all travel or all but essential travel to your holiday destination, for other reasons than a pandemic, within 21 days of your departure date
Staysure – Basic Cover
Coverage
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – No
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – No
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Yes
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – No
Price
- Price for 7-day trip to Iraq (currently on FCDO list) – N/A
- Price for 7-day trip to France – £9.98
- Price for 7-day trip to USA – N/A
- Price for 7-day trip to Thailand – N/A
Restrictions
- Requires European FCDO Travel Advice Extension to be added to the policy
- Does not cover travel if FCDO advises against all travel
- Covered if the reason behind the FCDO’s travel advice is solely because of COVID-19
- You will not be covered if travelling during a government/ regional lockdown
- Only covers cancellation if the FCDO advises against all, or all but essential travel to your hoiday destination due to an earthquake, fire, flood, or hurricane
Voyager Insurance – Standard Single Trip High Risk Voyager
Coverage
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – TBC
- Covers cancellation due to change in FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – TBC
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries in Europe – Yes
- Covers travel against FCDO pandemic advice to countries worldwide – Yes
Price
- Price for 7-day trip to Iraq (currently on FCDO list) – £505.69
- Price for 7-day trip to France – Normal price: £116.83
- Price for 7-day trip to USA – £38.62
- Price for 7-day trip to Thailand – £186.88
Restrictions
- Does not cover if you have been diagnosed with a terminal condition
- Does not cover if you are on a waiting list for an operation/treatment at a hospital or have any undiagnosed symptoms that require tests or investigation, or are awaiting the results of any tests of investigations
*Data based on a single trip for 7 days for a single person (December 2021)
Red list advice
The government’s red list of countries to which UK citizens should not travel because of Covid-19 risks currently has 10 countries on it following the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19. At its peak earlier this year it contained over 60 countries.
The red list and the FCDO list have different criteria and are not managed in the same way, although there will be times, such as the present, when they align.
An example of them diverging came earlier this year, when the Maldives was removed from the red list but remained on the FCDO list for a brief period. And when the red list was reduced to zero countries in October, there were still a number of countries on the FCDO list.
What will my travel insurance cover?
Your travel insurance policy will cover your medical bills and repatriation costs as standard should you fall ill or have an accident while away and need to return to the UK early. You will also have cover for lost, stolen or damaged luggage and possessions.
It will also cover the costs incurred if your holiday is cancelled due to an emergency, such as if you or another member of your party fall ill with the coronavirus, you suffer a bereavement, or you lose your passport shortly before departure.
Your policy should also have liability cover in case you are deemed at fault for injury, death or damage while on your trip.
Policies will otherwise differ on what they cover as standard. For example, Avanti offers valuables cover and pet care cover, while High Risk Voyager offers cover ranging from emergency dental care to the cost of pre-booked excursions.
It’s important to check the details of your policy carefully for limitations and exclusions before purchasing.
How can I get insurance for travel to a red list country?
The easiest way to get travel insurance for a red list country is to use an online travel insurance comparison tool such as ours.
Enter a few details, including the country to which you are travelling, to find policies that will cover your trip. You can compare policies based on a range of factors, including price and levels of cover, before purchasing.
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