As the peak summer holiday season begins, Irish holidaymakers set for foreign shores are being urged to check they’re covered for any disruption which might be caused to their trips as a result of power outages and anti-tourist protests. This follows the power outages in Spain, Portugal and France in late April and local unrest in some Mediterranean tourist hotspots, where anti-tourism sentiment is showing no sign of waning.
Experts at Peopl Insurance (Peopl.ie), a nationwide provider of travel insurance, are advising those travelling overseas this summer to be aware of any conditions and restrictions to their travel cover in the event that a protest or power outage disrupts or delays their holiday plans. In the wake of a recent escalation in foreign conflicts, Peopl Insurance is also urging people to understand any restrictions in their cover in the event their holiday is disrupted by war or armed conflicts.
Dominic Lumsden, spokesman for Peopl Insurance, said:
“Recent years have seen an increase in anti-tourist sentiment in some European tourist hotspots, with locals in some popular resorts protesting against mass tourism. With more anti-tourist protests expected in parts of the Mediterranean this summer, Irish holidaymakers could face travel disruption and delays.
The Department of Foreign Affairs recently advised those travelling to Spain to be prepared to adjust their travel plans at short notice if necessary as a result of protests and public gatherings. Irish people with holiday plans for such destinations should ensure they’re adequately covered before they travel. This may involve getting a travel disruption add-on as not all standard policies cover loss or damage which arises on foot of civil protests.
Similarly, the recent power blackouts in Spain, Portugal and France led to widespread travel delays and flight cancellations, with some tourist hotspots experiencing further, albeit localised, power outages since. If this continues, power outages could become the next big headache for holidaymakers.
Furthermore, recent foreign conflicts, including the military activity in India and Pakistan, led to flight cancellations and diversions. In circumstances such as these, it’s worth being aware of your air passenger rights as well as where you stand under your travel insurance. Most travel insurance policies offer delayed departure cover, which may offer some protection in this regard, but it’s important to check the small print on your policy.”
Strikes and Extreme Weather
Peopl is also urging holidaymakers to ensure they are adequately covered for strikes and extreme weather events.
“Strikes – including air traffic control – already caused travel disruption across Europe in April. As strikes often occur throughout the peak holiday months, this is a risk that Irish holidaymakers always need to be mindful of. Some travel insurance policies will cover you if you have to abandon your holiday, if you miss your flight or if your holiday is delayed as a result of an unexpected work stoppage or strike. But other travel insurers don’t cover strikes, and with some policies, the cover is more restricted than others. So, it is very important to check the small print of a travel insurance policy before you buy.
Holidaymakers should also be mindful of the increased frequency of extreme weather events – such as wildfires and floods, as well the risk of natural disasters – such as earthquakes or volcanoes, as these could all play havoc with their holiday. Losses arising directly or indirectly from adverse weather conditions or natural disasters may or may not be covered by your travel insurance.
It’s very important therefore that you check your travel insurance policy to find out if you will be covered if wildfires disrupt your holiday or indeed any other extreme weather events or natural disasters – such as, for example, if you have to be evacuated, or have to change plans, or are even injured. Again, you need to check the small print on your policy”.
The Top Ten Travel Insurance Tips which Peopl is urging holidaymakers to heed this summer include:
1. Take travel insurance out in good time – ideally when booking your holiday. A high volume of travel insurance claims are made well in advance of travel, such as holiday cancellations following bereavement or illness.
2. Check that your travel documents, including passports, are up-to-date. An out-of-date passport could lead you to miss your flight or first night’s accommodation (or more), and your travel insurance won’t cover you if you fail to obtain the required passport ahead of travel.
3. Check if your travel insurance policy offers delayed departure cover, and in what circumstances. This cover could prove invaluable in the event your flight is delayed due to a power outage, protest in your holiday destination or in certain other circumstances.
4. Be aware that travel insurance does not cover you if you cancel your holiday due to a change of mind. So, it is important not to book holidays to a destination where you might have any reservations about travelling to.
5. Beware the prior knowledge rule. With most travel insurance policies, you will usually not be covered for any claim which arises as a result of a risk that you already knew existed prior to the date of booking your trip and/or travel insurance.
6. Always check the exclusions in your policy, as cover which you expect to be included may well not be. Know the exceptions to any exclusions on your policy, too.
7. Travel insurance generally won’t cover you for a pre-existing medical condition which you had up to two years before your trip or before you bought the policy. This would include any medical condition you were aware of but had not yet had a diagnosis for.
8. Your travel insurance may not cover you should you have to cancel or cut short your holiday as a result of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or volcano. Check the small print in your policy in this regard.
9. Your travel insurance will not cover you for losses or damage that arise on holiday after you ignore any government directive prohibiting travel to, or recommending evacuation from, the country or area you were planning to visit or are holidaying in.
10. Those embarking on long-haul trips should be sure to have good cover for missed connecting flights as well as for any medical expenses incurred if they become sick or injured abroad. The bill for medical expenses in some international countries could run into the tens of thousands, and you will not be able to rely on the European Health Insurance Card if travelling outside the EU or the European Economic Area.
