Travel Update: Middle East Disruption

Please check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for your destination, the specific area you are travelling to, and any stopovers before you travel.

FCDO advice can vary by country and by area within a country. This means travel may be allowed to some areas, while advice against all travel or all but essential travel may still apply to other areas.

You should also liaise with your airline, tour operator or travel provider to obtain the most recent updates and confirm whether any adjustments to your booking are necessary.

If your travel plans are disrupted due to changes in FCDO travel advice

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

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.

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.

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, meaning 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.

There is no cover where a policy is purchased while FCDO advice is against all travel, or all but essential travel, to the destination or specific area you are travelling to.

If FCDO advice changes after you buy your policy, your cover will depend on your policy terms, conditions and exclusions, and the reason for your claim.

You may not be able to claim for cancellation if the advice changes because of something listed in the general exclusions, such as war, terrorism or civil unrest.

You can still choose to travel against FCDO advice, but there may be no cover for claims linked to the reason for that advice. If you’re unsure how this may affect your cover, please contact us before changing your travel plans.

Middle East destinations and FCDO advice

Some Middle East destinations have reopened for travel, subject to the latest FCDO advice and the normal eligibility checks that apply to your policy.

This includes:

For these destinations, customers should return to checking the latest FCDO advice as part of the usual process.

Please check the FCDO advice for the exact area you are travelling to, as some countries may still have advice against travel to certain areas.

FCDO advice can change at short notice, so you should continue to check the latest advice before you travel and during your trip.

What to do next

Register your presence with the UK government to receive the latest updates if this is relevant to your trip.

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:

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:

Please be aware that disinclination to travel, meaning 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 for your destination, the specific area you are travelling to, and any stopovers.

Q: If my destination has reopened, am I covered?

A: Some destinations in the Middle East have reopened for travel or sale, subject to the latest FCDO advice and normal policy eligibility checks. Cover applies in line with the policy terms, conditions and exclusions, provided the FCDO is not advising against all, or all but essential, travel to the destination or specific area you are travelling to.

You should check the FCDO advice for the exact area you are travelling to, as advice may still be against all travel or all but essential travel to some areas within a country.

Cover will depend on the country or region shown on your policy schedule, the FCDO advice in place, and the terms, conditions and exclusions in your policy wording.

Q: If my flight is cancelled because it routes via Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar or another Middle East hub, am I covered?

A: Claims for cancellation, travel disruption or additional expenses that arise directly from the current events are not covered under your policy.

You will need to contact your airline, tour operator or travel provider 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 disruption, for example because of 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 or another Middle East destination, 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.

If your trip includes a stopover, your cover may still remain in place if the FCDO later advises against travel to that stopover destination. However, there would be no cover for claims linked to the reason for that advice.

This applies provided that both your trip and your insurance policy were purchased before the FCDO advice changed.

We recommend checking the latest FCDO travel advice before you travel and reviewing your policy documents for full details of your cover.

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.

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 or food costs covered?

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

Q: Are alternative flights covered?

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

You will need to contact your airline, tour operator or travel provider 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 disruption, for example because of 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: 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, for example driving from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, then cover will remain the same.

You are not covered to travel to destinations which are not covered by the region shown in your policy schedule.

You should also check the latest FCDO advice for the area you are travelling to before changing your route.

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 disruption.

You will need to contact your airline, tour operator or travel provider 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 disruption.

You will need to contact your airline, tour operator or travel provider 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, meaning 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 disruption.

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.

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.

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

A: 

• If the FCDO advises against all travel, or all but essential travel, to your destination or the specific area you are travelling to, there is no cover where the policy is purchased while that FCDO advice is in place
• If the FCDO advice changes after you purchased your policy, cover will depend on your policy terms, conditions and exclusions, and the specific reason for any claim
• There is no cover for claims linked to the reason for the FCDO advice, including war, hostilities, civil unrest or any similar events
• If your trip includes a stopover, your cover can still remain in place even if the FCDO later advises against travel to that stopover destination
• This applies provided that both your trip and your insurance policy were purchased before the FCDO advice changed.

We recommend checking the latest FCDO travel advice before you travel and reviewing your policy documents for full details of your cover.

Depending on the circumstances, we may not be able to provide our usual level of emergency assistance.

If you’re no longer comfortable travelling, please note that cancellation due to disinclination to travel 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.