Covid 19 cover on Yellow Jersey Travel Insurance purchased before 04/03/2022

Travel Insurance policies purchased before 04/03/2022

For any travel policy issued before 04/03/2022, there is no cover provided for any claim directly or indirectly caused by, arising or resulting from, or in connection with Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or any mutation of the disease. Please read the FAQ below.

If the FCDO (Foreign Commonwealth Development Office) advises against all but essential travel to a destination am I still covered?

If the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to your destination but you travel anyway, your travel insurance cover will be void. There is no cover in place if you travel to a destination the FCDO have advised against all but essential travel.

If the destination country was OK when you left the UK, and then mid-trip the FCDO changes its position, the travel insurance would remain in force, but it would not cover non-emergency repatriation costs.

Am I covered if I contract COVID-19 while on holiday?

Unfortunately, there is no coverage on this policy if you catch Covid-19 while on holiday nor if you catch it before you travel. Contact our team if you would like more information on this.

What if I am quarantined while on holiday?

Our travel insurance will cover your trip curtailment if you are confined to your accommodation abroad due to compulsory quarantine or on the orders of a doctor however if you are quarantined due to Covid-19 you will not be covered due to blanket exclusion.

What if I can’t go on my trip because I have contracted COVID-19?

You are covered for trip cancellation if you are unable to travel as a result of the death, illness or disease however there is currently an exclusion on our policies for Covid-19 so this would not apply if you contracted Covid-19.

What if I can’t go on my trip because I have been quarantined in the UK?

Due to the Covid-19 exclusion on the policy, if you were quarantined in the UK, you would not have cover if you had to quarantine in the UK.

What if I’m travelling to take part in an event (E.G. a Triathlon) and it has been postponed or cancelled by the organiser?

If an event organiser cancels the race you are due to take part in, they are responsible for offering you tickets for a new date or providing a refund on your event entry. Our travel insurance is not designed to reimburse you on their behalf.

If your sole reason for travelling is to take part in an event and that event is cancelled, you may be able to claim for additional costs such as cancelled accommodation and flights if your reason for cancellation is not due to Covid-19, however, if it is due to Covid-19, there won’t be any cover.

What if I don’t want to travel, or I want to reschedule my trip because I’m worried about COVID-19?

Our policy includes a ‘disinclination to travel’ exclusion, meaning if you chose not to travel, and there is nothing to stop you from making the trip such as an illness, then you aren’t covered for cancellation. If you cancelled your trip because you were worried about Covid-19, you would not be able to claim on your travel insurance.

In normal circumstances, this exclusion is designed to prevent people from claiming on their travel policy because they have changed their mind about going on holiday. The Covid-19 pandemic is an unprecedented situation, and we fully understand why many would choose to cancel their upcoming trips. Unfortunately, our underwriters are obliged to stick to the word of the policy when handling claims, and cannot make an exception to this exclusion.

If the FCDO (Foreign Commonwealth Development Office) began to advise against all but essential travel to a destination after I purchased my travel insurance but before I travel, am I covered for cancellation?

Unfortunately, our travel insurance will not cover trip cancellation if the FCDO change their advice between you purchasing your travel insurance and the date of your trip.

To be covered for this eventuality, you would need cover for “travel disruption” which is not part of our travel insurance policy. This is an unusual travel insurance feature and is usually offered as an “add-on” when taking a travel insurance policy out, if at all.

I’m currently on holiday and the FCDO advice has changed since I left home

Q: Will I have to return home immediately or can I finish my holiday?

A: You can finish holiday unless the Government advice changes again and instructs UK residents to return home.

Q: If I return home, can I claim for curtailment?

A: If you choose to return home early, you can’t claim for curtailment due to the Covid-19 exclusion on this policy.

Q: Will my insurance be invalid immediately?

A; You will be covered for the rest of your trip as normal as long as the FCDO advice changes after your trip started.

Q: What if I have an accident or need medical help before I get home?

A: Yes, you would continue to have cover on this policy however please note there is an exclusion for Covid-19 and this would not be covered.

Q: Am I covered for emergency repatriation/cancellation costs, mid-trip. 

A: Yes, you would have cover as normal, however, there is an exclusion for Covid-19.

Q: If I get Covid-19 while I am on holiday, am I covered?

No, there is an exclusion for Covid-19 on your insurance policy.

Q: I’m having to isolate myself while on holiday as I have been in contact with an infected person, what should I do?

A: You should continue to isolate as requested however, there is a general exclusion on this policy for Covid-19 and your expenses would not be covered if you needed to remain abroad and quarantine.

I had a trip planned but now the FCDO adviCe has changed and I can’t travel:

Q: Can I go anyway?

A; Yes, technically you could still travel and self-isolate for 14 days on your return, but your Yellow Jersey insurance will be invalid. There is no cover on this policy for issues relating to Covid-19 and there is also a general exclusion for travel against FCDO advice.

Q: Can I claim for cancellation?

A: No, due to the Covid-19 exclusion on the policy, you would not be able to claim for cancellation.

Q: What other options do I have?

A: If you have a short term policy, you are able to change dates of insurance for another trip or cancel your insurance policy if within 14 days cooling-off period (there is a £15 admin charge for this)

If you have an annual policy, you are able to extend the end date of the policy by 3 months.

Alternatively, you should see if your holiday company/travel operator can offer you new holiday dates or voucher/ refund instead. If you paid by credit card, you should also be able to contact your card provider to investigate a claim for the full cost of purchase that you did on the credit card (under the Consumer Credit Act; Section 75).

Q: If I get Covid-19 am I covered?

A: No, there is no cover for Covid-19 on this policy.