Who is this page for ?
This page provides access to the information provided to customers in the early stages of the Middle East Conflict. For current guidance please click here.
Am I covered if my flight is disrupted (airspace closure, Fuel shortage) due to the middle east conflict?
If your flight is delayed, rerouted, or cancelled due to airspace closure or related disruption:
Your airline or carrier is responsible in the first instance for providing alternative travel, refunds, or assistance.
Delays under 12 hours
If your flight is delayed or rerouted by less than 12 hours, no cover applies under your policy. Your airline remains responsible for assisting you.
Delays over 12 hours
If you arrive at your destination more than 12 hours later than planned due to a delay to your public transport at the final departure point to or from the UK, you may be covered for:
A benefit for each full period of delay (as shown in the Table of Benefits), to help with meals, refreshments, and essential expenses; and
A proportion of any unused travel and accommodation costs.
Cancellation due to delay (24-hour rule)
You may be able to cancel your trip if:
Your public transport is delayed or cancelled; and no suitable alternative is provided within 24 hours of your scheduled departure time.
In this case, you may be covered for cancellation costs, subject to the terms, conditions, and limits of your policy.
If you still want to travel or continue your trip
Your policy provides cover for travel within your selected area, provided there is no advice against travel from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
If the FCDO is NOT advising against all travel or all but essential travel to your destination, your cover will remain valid, subject to your policy terms and conditions.
Travel through affected regions:
If you are travelling to or transiting through a destination where the FCDO advises against all travel or all but essential travel, no cover will apply.
However, if you are only flying over an affected area and are not landing in or transiting through a destination where such advice is in place, your cover will remain valid.
If you want to cancel your trip
If FCDO advice changes within 21 days of your departure date to advise against all travel or all but essential travel to your destination, you may claim for unrecoverable cancellation costs, subject to your policy terms and conditions.
Cancellation due to delay :
If your public transport is delayed or cancelled and no suitable alternative is provided within 24 hours of your scheduled departure time, you may also be covered to cancel your trip (see “Flight disruption” section above).
When cancellation is not covered
If FCDO advice has not changed and travel is still permitted, no cover applies if you choose to cancel or rearrange your trip.
Our policies do not cover disinclination to travel.
You should always contact your airline or travel provider first to seek a refund before making a claim.
If you haven’t travelled yet
If you are travelling to nearby destinations (such as Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, or Oman), cover will depend on the FCDO advice for your specific destination.
If you’ve changed your trip
If you have changed your trip and have not had any changes in health or made a claim:
Changes of up to 60 days (same destination and duration) can usually be made free of charge.
Changes beyond 60 days, or to destination or duration, may incur additional costs.
If you are no longer travelling
You can cancel your policy at any time. Any refund will depend on how long you have been on cover.
Please note: if you make a claim for cancellation, your policy cannot be reused for a new trip.
If you are stuck abroad
What you should do first
If you are currently in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, or the United Arab Emirates, you should register your presence with the FCDO and follow all advice from local authorities.
Emergency medical expenses (Automatic Cover Extension)
Your policy will automatically extend at no additional cost, provided you take the first available flight offered by your airline or the UK government to return home.
While you are waiting to return
Your airline should provide food, drink, accommodation, and communication where required if you are delayed in transit.
If you are mid-stay, you may need to extend your accommodation.
If you return home early, you may be able to claim under the “Cutting short your trip” section once back in the UK.
Please note: any claims are subject to the terms, conditions, and limits of your policy and must be reasonable and necessary.
