Essential Knowledge for UAE Travelers: Does Travel Insurance Cover War or Conflict?
Recent unrest in the Middle East has sent travelers rushing to buy insurance for peace of mind. With missile attacks between Israel and Iran and flight cancellations to several destinations like Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, and Israel, travelers need protection against such unforeseen circumstances.
According to Khaleej Times, an insurance company confirmed that there has been an uptick in demand for travel insurance due to the potential dangers in the region. Some travelers have switched their destinations at the last minute, while others have chosen countries unaffected by suspended air routes to avoid unexpected surprises that could delay their return.
As Toshita Chauhan, chief business officer-general insurance at Policybazaar.ae, explained to Khaleej Times, claims arising directly from geo-political unrest or military conflict remain excluded under typical policy terms. Standard travel policies offer financial protection against baggage loss, medical emergencies, trip delays, and cancellations, but they do not provide compensation for in-flight events or operational airline failures unless linked to broader delays or trip curtailment.
However, Chauhan noted that travel insurance is crucial for issues like missed connections, baggage delays, or last-minute cancellations due to operational failures. In fact, recent travel disruptions across the Gulf have contributed to a noticeable increase in demand for travel insurance, with trip cancellation and flight delay coverage emerging as some of the most sought-after features.
Another incident that has boosted interest in travel insurance is the Air India plane crash that reportedly left all on board (except one) dead. According to Chauhan, travellers are more discerning now; they ask the right questions and seek clearer coverage terms before purchasing.
If you're planning on traveling, it's essential to consider the risks associated with the region you're visiting and take out appropriate insurance coverage. While not every country requires travel insurance for incoming tourists, many are incorporating it into their entry requirements, particularly in the post-pandemic era.
For example, countries within the Schengen zone require travelers to have a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies. Other destinations like Thailand, Turkey, and certain Gulf nations have introduced mandatory travel insurance policies for specific visa categories.
Buying travel insurance is not only a precaution; it's also a smart financial decision, as rising international medical costs make it crucial to have coverage. Travel insurance offers comprehensive protection against expenses like emergency medical treatment, trip cancellations, baggage loss, flight delays, and even COVID-19-related disruptions.
In light of recent events, it's worth noting that not every insurance policy offers coverage for military conflict or geo-political unrest. While terrorism coverage may be available as an add-on or included in early-purchased plans, coverage for war or ongoing conflict is almost universally excluded. Travellers should carefully check policy wordings for exclusions related to war and unrest or seek specialized or bespoke insurance products if available.
Sources:
- https://www.khaleejtimes.com/
- [1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertderucto/2020/01/08/travel-insurance-what-exclusions-are-common/?sh=1aec6f9f4fd5
- [2] https://www.thepointsguy.com/guide/cruise/cruises-canceled-during-conflict/
- [3] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/iran-travel-advisory.html
- [4] https://www.travelinsurancereview.net/should-you-buy-cancel-for-any-reason-insurance/
- [5] https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/terrorism-travel-insurance.asp
- Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, some travelers are turning to technology for peace of mind, researching and buying travel insurance online.
- In addition to the unforeseen circumstances of travel disruptions, some insurance policies offer coverage for lifestyle events such as missed connections or baggage delays.
- As travel insurance becomes more important for a wide range of unexpected circumstances, it's worth noting that coverage for military conflict or geo-political unrest is often excluded from standard policies.
- In the post-pandemic era, many countries are requiring travelers to have travel insurance, with minimum coverage amounts for medical emergencies.
- Being aware of the risks and considering the right insurance coverage can save travelers from costly financial surprises, especially with the volatile state of global news events.
