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Coronavirus: Travel insurance guidelines

Fresh guidelines for Irish people with travel plans were released earlier in the week by the company that underwrites the majority of travel insurance in Ireland. We’ve put together a summary of these guidelines to help you understand the current situation with regards to the coronavirus outbreak and how it could affect travel plans to Europe. 

The following outlines how and when people will be able to make claims with regards to travel. For a more detailed account of the guidelines please see this informative article in the Irish Times

• The following people may be in a position to make a claim as the Department of Foreign Affairs has advised against “All but essential travel” to these places. 

• People who booked before January 28th to travel to mainland China (not including Hong Kong and Macao).

• People who booked before February 24th to travel to the Northern Italy areas of Codogno, Castiglione d’Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano. 

• Additionally, your travel policy must list an insured peril cover in its cancellation section outlining that where The Irish Government announces that travellers should avoid a country, cancellations within 48 hours of your intended departure will be considered. 

• Claims will only be considered where the date a customer bought the travel insurance policy preceded the date the Department of Foreign Affairs advised against travel to the intended destination and would only consider non-refundable expenses on your travel insurance policy.

• In the first instance, people should approach airlines, tour operators or travel companies for a possible refund or to see if they will amend itineraries.

To date, none of our destinations within France, Germany and Spain are affected by these travel restrictions so unless the department does advise against travel to these destinations, insurance policies won’t cover for cancelling or cutting short your trip.

Our courses are going ahead as scheduled and we are excited as always for the summer season but if you do have any concerns then please do contact us to discuss.