Travel Update: Middle East Disruption

We understand you may have concerns about recent events in parts of the Middle East and how they could affect your travel plans, including journeys connecting through regional hubs. This article is here to provide clear information and support to help you understand your cover and the options available to you if your trip is disrupted.

If your travel plans are disrupted

We have put in the following measures to support you with your travel needs:

1. If you are abroad

   • If your return is delayed and your policy is due to expire or you have exceeded your trip duration, you’re protected. 

     We’ll automatically extend your cover by 30 days at no extra cost. 

     No stress. No calls to make. Just continued protection when you need it most.
      

2. If you are travelling in the next few days
   • If you can’t travel as planned, you can move your trip dates by up to 30 days. Please contact our Customer Service team to assist you.
3. If you wish to postpone your trip
   • If you simply wish to change your trip dates, we can move your Policy departure date by up to 12 months from the original purchase date, however an additional premium may apply. Please be aware that disinclination to travel i.e. choosing not to travel, is not covered under this Policy.

How this relates to your policy cover

The temporary measures above are intended to provide practical support. 

Please note:

• These temporary measures do not override your policy terms or exclusions. Whether an exclusion applies depends on the specific facts and circumstances at the time.
• If you travel against FCDO advice and your policy excludes such travel, claims arising from that travel may not be covered.

If you’re unsure how this situation may affect your cover, please contact us before making changes to your travel plans.

What to do next

• Check the latest FCDO travel advice for your destination and any transit or connecting locations on your journey.
• Please contact your airline or travel provider directly for the latest operational updates, including flight changes, delays, cancellations, or alternative travel options.
• If your travel is disrupted, get in touch so we can discuss your options.
• Register your presence with the UK government here to receive the latest updates.

Areas where disruption may occur

Travel disruption may affect flights to, from, or connecting through parts of the Middle East. This may include (but is not limited to) destinations or transit hubs such as:

• United Arab Emirates (including Dubai and Abu Dhabi)
• Qatar (including Doha)
• Bahrain
• Oman
• Kuwait
• Saudi Arabia
• Iran
• Iraq
• Israel
• Jordan

This list is not exhaustive and may change at short notice. Disruption may also impact some long-haul routes to Asia and Australia where flights transit through the region.

We’re continuing to monitor the situation and will update this page if anything changes.
 

Thinking about cancelling your trip?

Cancellation cover depends on the specific reason for cancelling and the terms, conditions and exclusions set out in your policy wording.

Your policy includes a General Exclusion relating to war, civil unrest and hostilities. There is no cover where cancellation arises from circumstances that fall within this exclusion.

Before cancelling your trip, please:

• Check the latest FCDO travel advice.
• Speak to your airline or travel provider about your options.

For further information, please check our Help centre or contact us for a change of trip dates.

Please be aware that disinclination to travel (not wanting to travel) is not covered under this Policy.

FAQs

Here are some of the recent questions we’ve received from customers about the developing situation in the Middle East. As circumstances continue to evolve, advice may change. Please prioritise your safety and follow the latest FCDO travel advice.

• Q: If my flight is cancelled because it routes via Dubai/Qatar, am I covered?

  • A: There is no cover for claims relating to this event. You will need to contact your airline to arrange alternative travel or seek a refund. We have put in the following measures to support you with your travel needs:
    • Moving or changing travel dates
      • If your travel is significantly disrupted due to this event (for example, flight cancellations, airport closures or airspace restrictions), we can allow you to move your travel dates by up to 30 days at no extra charge. Please contact our Customer Service team to assist you.
    • Extended duration of cover
      • If you’re delayed returning home and your policy is due to expire, your cover will automatically extend by up to 30 days at no additional cost. There’s nothing you need to do. 

• Q: If my connecting flight is in Qatar/UAE, am I still covered?

  • A: Yes. If your journey includes a stopover in a country outside the region shown on your policy, you are automatically covered during your transit for up to 24 hours. 
    To provide extra reassurance during the current disruption, we have increased our stopover cover from 24 hours to 48 hours at no additional cost. This gives you added flexibility and protection if connecting flights are delayed or rescheduled.
    If your stopover is expected to exceed 48 hours, please contact our Customer Service team and we’ll be happy to help.

• Q: If I don’t go through customs, does FCDO advice still affect cover?

  • A: A stopover includes landing or being in the destination even if you don't pass through customs. 
    You are automatically covered during your transit for up to 24 hours. To provide extra reassurance during the current disruption, we have increased our stopover cover from 24 hours to 48 hours at no additional cost. 
    This gives you added flexibility and protection if connecting flights are delayed or rescheduled.
    If your stopover is expected to exceed 48 hours, please contact our Customer Service team and we’ll be happy to help.

• Q: Will my Single Trip policy automatically extend if I cannot return home?

  • A: We have put in the following measures to support you with your travel needs:
    1. Extended duration of cover
       • If you’re delayed returning home and your policy is due to expire, your cover will automatically extend by up to 30 days at no additional cost. There’s nothing you need to do. We understand this may be an uncertain time. We’ll continue to update this page as the situation develops, so please check back regularly for the latest information during your trip.

• Q: If my policy expires while I’m stranded, am I still covered?

  • A: If you’re delayed returning home and your policy is due to expire, your cover will automatically extend by up to 30 days at no additional cost. There’s nothing you need to do. We understand this may be an uncertain time. We’ll continue to update this page as the situation develops, so please check back regularly for the latest information during your trip.

• Q: Are additional hotel/food costs covered?

  • A: There is no cover for claims relating to this event.

• Q: Are alternative flights covered?

  • A: There is no cover for claims relating to this event. You will need to contact your airline to arrange alternative travel or seek a refund. We have put in the following measures to support you with your travel needs:
    1. Moving or changing travel dates
       • If your travel is significantly disrupted due to this event (for example, flight cancellations, airport closures or airspace restrictions), we can allow you to move your travel dates by up to 30 days at no extra charge. Please contact our Customer Service team to assist you
    2. Extended duration of cover
       • If you’re delayed returning home and your policy is due to expire, your cover will automatically extend by up to 30 days at no additional cost. There’s nothing you need to do.

• Q: Would loss of income be covered?

  • A: This is not covered within our policies.

• Q: Can I drive to another country to fly home?

  • A: If you are staying within the same region and wish to fly home e.g. driving from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, then cover will remain the same. You are not covered to travel destinations which are not covered by the region shown in your Policy schedule.

• Q: If FCDO advice changed after I bought the policy, can I cancel and claim?

  • A: There is no cover for claims relating to this event. You will need to contact your airline to arrange alternative travel or seek a refund.

• Q: If the airline cancels, do I claim from you or the airline?

  • A: There is no cover for claims relating to this event. You will need to contact your airline to arrange alternative travel or seek a refund.

• Q: If I cancel because I feel unsafe, am I covered?

  • A: Please be aware that disinclination to travel (not wanting to travel) is not covered under this policy.

• Q: If my tour operator cancels, can I get full refund of my policy?

  • A: There is no cover for cancellation relating to this event. You will need to contact your airline or tour operator directly to arrange alternative travel or seek a refund for your trip. 
    We are able to amend your single trip travel dates up to 12 months from the date you purchased your policy.  Please contact our Customer Service team to assist you.
    If you are no longer travelling and wish to cancel your policy, you may be eligible for a refund depending on when you cancel. When cancelling your Policy you can find out if you can get a refund here.

• Q: Can I change my travel destination?

  • A: You will need to contact us before your departure date if you’d like to make any changes to the country or region covered by your policy. Please note, any changes may result in an additional premium. You can contact our Customer Service team to assist you.

• Q: If my journey is diverted through a region I’m not insured for, will my cover still apply?

  • A: If you now need to travel via a different route, including through the USA, you are automatically covered during your transit for up to 24 hours. 
    To provide extra reassurance during the current disruption, we have increased our stopover cover from 24 hours to 48 hours at no additional cost. This gives you added flexibility and protection if connecting flights are delayed or rescheduled.
    If your stopover is expected to exceed 48 hours, please contact our Customer Service  team and we’ll be happy to help.we’ve expanded our stop-over cover.   

• Q: Will I be covered if the FCDO advises against all or all but essential travel to a destination in the Middle East?

  • A: If the FCDO advises against all, or all but essential travel to your destination, there is no cover for claims relating to the reason for that advice including war, hostilities, civil unrest, or any similar events. 
    If you purchased your policy before 28 February 2026 and still choose to travel, your policy can remain in place. 

    However:

    • Your cover will be limited.
    • There is no cover for claims linked to the reason for the FCDO advice.
    • Depending on the circumstances, we may not be able to provide our usual level of emergency assistance.

We recommend checking the latest FCDO guidance at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice before you travel.
If you’re no longer comfortable travelling, please note that cancellation due to FCDO advice is not covered. However, if you have a Single Trip policy, we may be able to help by moving your travel dates, please contact our Customer Service team to discuss your options.

If your trip is to a nearby country and you’re concerned advice could change, we recommend continuing to monitor official updates.