July 21st, 2009
There seems to be so much contradictory advice out there when it comes to swine flu so it is no wonder that many people are confused. No more so than when it comes to travel. With some holiday makers being turned away at check-in because they are showing symptoms of swine flu and school parties being quarantined on arrival in China, it does appear that the long-feared pandemic is beginning to make itself felt. The best source of quick advice before you travel is the Foreign Office website which has a dedicated Swine Flu page at www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/swine-flu as well as up to date travel advice on the country you are visiting.
Then there is the question of compensation if you cannot travel. The good news is that travellers who contract swine flu abroad or have to cancel their trip because of the disease should be covered by their travel insurance policies, according to the Association of British Insurers, that is, if they have one, of course. Though, do remember that a policyholders would have to have taken out the cover before they caught the disease to qualify for a payout. Likewise, someone who opted to travel to a particular country against advice from the Government or World Health Organization (WHO) could see their insurance policy invalidated.
Let’s assume you have travel insurance, then what happens if your airline refuses to fly you? British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, for example, have admitted they have issued guidance to check-in staff to stop people boarding flights if there is a clear indication that they have the virus. In this instance, you should be covered so long as the decision to turn you away is made by someone medically qualified and the airline provides written confirmation giving details of why it has turned you away. The airline may not be able to give you written confirmation immediately, but insurers should pay out once it is provided. If you are turned away by a non-medically qualified professional, such as a member of the cabin crew or check-in staff, you will have to negotiate compensation from the airline itself.
But what if someone you are travelling with is turned away by the airline? If you are travelling with your spouse, children or other close relatives and are covered by the same travel insurance policy, the payout will cover cancellation for all included on the policy. But if you are travelling with friends and have separate insurance policies, those who are not suffering or suspected of suffering flu will probably not be covered if they decide not to travel but it is still worth checking with your individual insurer as policy wordings do differ.
