A Nottingham Trent University student has lost £782 after the Iran war led to changes in UK travel advice, voiding her travel insurance. Lottie Cornwall, 21, had booked a summer trip to Lebanon to introduce her boyfriend to her extended family, but the Foreign Office warned against travel to parts of Lebanon in March.
Cornwall's 'comprehensive' insurance policy, bought via Trip.com, excluded claims due to changes in travel advice. The airline, AJet, refused to waive cancellation or change fees totalling £673. 'This exclusion is not made clear at point of sale,' she said. 'I believe consumers are being misled.'
The Association of British Insurers warns that travelling against Foreign Office advice can invalidate insurance. Defaqto director Stephen Kennedy advises checking insurance before booking, as policies typically exclude losses from war or armed conflict. Some insurers have paused quoting for destinations like the UAE and Cyprus.
Premiums have risen: Turkey trips cost 12% more than last year, while the UAE and Saudi Arabia saw increases of 22% and 21% respectively. For cancelled flights, airlines must offer refunds or rerouting. Package holiday travellers are protected by package travel regulations.
