Page 28 - WMPF Federation Aug-Sept 2021-flip_Neat

Booking a holiday – Travel guidance

Booking a holiday: please check

your GIS travel insurance

ubscribing members of the West WHAT ABOUT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEM, your own decision.
Midlands Police Federation Group AM I ONLY COVERED FOR TRAVEL TO A l If you have booked flights and
S Insurance Scheme are being urged to DESTINATION ON THE “GREEN” LIST? accommodation separately then you
check the latest update from our travel The traffic light system is more about the should be able to get a refund on your
policy providers before booking a holiday. implications when you return to the UK flights under EU Regulations if they start
The summary below was published in after travelling, mainly around the need (or or finish in the EU. You will need to
June 2021. not) to quarantine. While some of the contact your accommodation provider
IF THE FOREIGN, COMMONWEALTH AND guidance, such as avoiding travel to “amber” directly to see if they can reimburse you
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (FCDO) ADVICE HAS or “red” designated destinations, should also or arrange alterative dates in the future.
BEEN LIFTED TO YOUR COUNTRY OF be adhered to for non-essential travel e.g. IF I AM UNABLE TO RETURN HOME DUE TO
DESTINATION THE FOLLOWING APPLIES: holidays (as with all Government regulations COVID WILL MY INSURANCE POLICY EXTEND
From 1 April 2021 a new Covid-19 exclusion and guidance), it is the advice given by the PAST MY PLANNED RETURN DATE HOME?
applies under all relevant sections (excluding FCDO that affects whether cover is available. l For anyone abroad who is unable to
medical expenses). This means there will be In addition, it also often means you should return to the UK, the policy will
no cover for claims relating to Covid-19 after be able to seek any refunds for cancellation automatically extend while you are
1 April 2021 unless your holiday was booked from your tour agent as imposes forced to remain. This is on the
prior to 17 March 2020. In addition, the responsibilities on them if the FCDO issues understanding that the member is
Covid-19 exclusion will not apply to any such advice and we would always following Government advice which is
claim for the cancellation of an Insured recommend you contact them in the first that all UK citizens should make
Journey as a direct result of: instance. reasonable attempts to return to the UK
i. An Insured person who was due to IF THE FCDO ADVISES AGAINST TRAVEL, AM I as soon as possible.
undertake such Insured Journey receiving a COVERED TO TRAVEL? BOOKING FUTURE HOLIDAYS
positive diagnosis of Covid-19 that No, travelling against FCDO advice l As Covid-19 is a known event, it has
necessitates such cancellation as a direct invalidates your insurance so you will not be unfortunately become necessary for a
result of: covered for any claims under any sections of new exclusion to be applied to the policy
(a) Such Insured Person being legally cover. This includes whether the FCDO is under the cancellation and curtailment
required to undertake compulsory advising against all or all but essential travel. sections. This exclusion will be
quarantine or self- isolation following If the FCDO advice remains unchanged and introduced from 1 April 2021. However,
such positive diagnosis; or is advising against all but essential travel there are some exceptions to this
(b) The continued suffering by such then the following applies: exclusion as noted in the first point of
Insured Person of symptoms of Covid-19 l If you have booked a package deal we this statement.
that results in a Qualified Medical anticipate your holiday company will l Medical problems while abroad will be
Practitioner confirming that such contact you nearer the time you are due covered provided that there are no
cancellation is medically necessary; to travel. They will generally offer you a restrictions in place against travel at
ii. A close relative with whom you reside credit note or re- booking of your original that time. Travelling against FCDO advice
receiving a positive diagnosis of Covid-19 holiday for a later date. Under the would invalidate your insurance.
which directly results in an official Package Travel Regulations, if your MAKING A CLAIM
instruction to you to undertake compulsory holiday is a package deal you are not Considering the ongoing global situation
quarantine or self-isolation and obliged to accept a credit note and you with coronavirus, we understand that
necessitating such cancellation. can insist on a refund from them. That is airlines, and travel providers, may be taking

28 federation August/September 2021 www.polfed.org/westmids