World Nomads advises travellers on policy coverage
Photo © Getty Images / baona
- Strike action planned in UK, France and Spain
- Strikes likely to impact travel during the half-term period
- Strikes are ‘known events’, and thus will impact policy coverage for those yet to buy insurance
Media release - London, UK - Strikes by French unions in alpine resorts, Spanish air traffic controllers, and British Border Control officers are expected to impact the February half-term holiday period.
World Nomads, the global travel insurance company, explains whether travel insurance covers consumers for the disruption caused by industrial action and what Brits can do to save their well-earned breaks.
Jonathan Frankham, World Nomads General Manager UK and Europe, said: “February half-term is the first peak travel period of 2023 – so these strikes have been timed to cause maximum disruption for travellers. But with the right preparation and understanding of travel insurance coverage, UK travellers can minimise disruption and make the most of their holiday.
“Travel insurance bought at the time of booking a trip may provide coverage if a trip is cancelled or curtailed before departure, but travellers need to carefully check terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions in the policy wording.
“If you think your travel plans might be affected by a strike, you should first contact your travel provider to check if you will be impacted. If you need to change your travel arrangements, they may be able to help.”
What strikes are taking place?
In France, the two largest unions in the ski lift and resort industry, Force Ouvrière and Confédération Générale du Travail, have submitted plans for an open-ended strike, announced on January 31. While the duration of the French ski resort strikes and the level of worker shortages remain unknown, ski lift facilities are expected to run inconsistent services.
Spanish air traffic controllers will strike every Monday throughout February, with delays and potential cancellations expected at airports throughout the country including Coruña, Alicante-Elche, Castellón, Cuatro Vientos, El Hierro, Fuerteventura, Ibiza, Jerez, Lanzarote, La Palma, Lleida, Murcia, Sabadell, Seville, Valencia, and Vigo.
British Border Force officers' strikes at major ports, including Dover, Calais, Coquelles, and Dunkirk, are planned from February 17 to 20. Around 1,000 members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) will participate in the strike.
Does travel insurance cover strike action?
If a Certificate of Insurance was issued before the time and day the strike was announced, travellers may be covered for strike-related events that impact their travel plans. However, policies purchased afterwards may not offer cover, as the strike would be considered a ‘known event’.
What coverage may be included?
The coverage offered will depend on the insurance policy travellers have chosen. World Nomads’ Explorer Plan offers coverage for missed connections and trip interruptions, provided the travel insurance policy was purchased before the announcement of the strike action, while the Standard Plan does not offer cover for such events.
World Nomads’ Explorer Plan may have cover to help with expenses if plans are disrupted:
- Pre-trip cancellation: where the carrier booked to travel has been cancelled or delayed for more than 24 hours before departure from the UK. Travellers may be eligible for reimbursement of their non-refundable, pre-paid travel expenses.
- Travel delay on-trip: if the strike results in the cessation or delay of your common carrier's transport services for at least 12 hours, there may be coverage for additional travel and accommodation expenses due to this trip interruption.
- Missed Connection: if travellers fail, as a result of strike action, to arrive in time to board an onward connecting carrier on which they were booked to travel, including connections within the United Kingdom.
The expenses that may be reimbursed include travel, lodging, or missed excursions. The amount received could be up to the maximum benefit amount specified in the policy document. Travellers are always advised to check their policy documents for more details.
What should travellers do if their plans are affected?
Travellers are advised to contact their airline or tour operator to check for potential impacts and to change travel arrangements where necessary.
In the event of a claim, it is important to take all steps to reduce the cost of the claim and provide all supporting documentation of the event and incurred expenses where necessary.
What else can travellers do to minimise travel disruption during this period?
Checking in online before arriving at the airport and allowing more time to arrive and pass through airport security can help save time and reduce potential waiting times, particularly with the increase in passenger numbers expected over the half-term period. Where possible, the use of eGates is preferable as it can also alleviate further delays for other passengers.
Travellers are also advised to consider that other ad-hoc events can have further impacts on delay time, such as adverse weather conditions.Media Contact
Graham Lynch
Email: graham.lynchy@worldnomads.com
Phone: +353 87 683 1784
About World Nomads
World Nomads is a fast-growing, global travel insurance company. We provide inspirational stories, safety tips and specialized travel insurance for adventurous and independent travelers. Our online travel insurance offers cover to travelers from more than 100 countries and allows you to buy and claim online, 24/7, even while already traveling.
Our travel insurance focuses on what we believe is important to travelers: emergency medical and evacuation costs, baggage, trip cancellation, trip delay and trip interruption costs. We also offer cover for more than 150 adventure sports and activities, plus tech and gear. Our policies are underwritten by a suite of specialist travel insurers that provide 24/7 emergency assistance, customer service and claims support, making us a top choice for many of the world's leading adventure, independent and youth travel brands.
World Nomads is a part of the nib Group which provides health and medical insurance to more than 1.5 million Australian and New Zealand residents. We also provide health insurance to more than 170,000 international students and workers in Australia and are Australia’s third-largest travel insurer and global distributor of travel insurance through our business nib Travel.