Does Travel Insurance Cover Strikes? | Explorer Plan Benefits

You’ve booked your flights, found some charming accommodation to nestle down in and taken out a travel insurance policy, when you hear of potential travel disruptions, resulting from planned strike action. You’re concerned this could affect your travel plans.

Does travel insurance cover strike action?

If your Certificate of Insurance was issued prior to the time and day a strike was announced, you may be covered. If you purchase your travel protection plan after a strike has been declared, there is no coverage available as the strike is a ‘known event’.

When the union releases a formal statement declaring the day and time of the strike, that is considered a public announcement. Policies purchased after this announcement will not be covered in the event of delays and any incurred costs.

What coverage may be included in the event of a strike?

Our Explorer Plan offers cover for missed departure from the UK, delay and abandonment and missed departure and connections outside the UK in the event of a strike, provided you purchased your travel insurance plan prior to the announcement of the strike action. There is no cover under our Standard Plan for delays or interruptions due to strike.

The Explorer Plan may have cover to help with expenses if your plans are interrupted by strike action:

  • Missed Departure from the UK: Cover for additional travel and accommodation expenses where you are delayed in reaching your departure point in the UK and this causes you to miss your pre booked transport. Alternatively, if the only reasonable transport means you will lose more than 50% of your trip, you can claim under Cutting Short Your Trip;
  • Delay: Cover for additional expenses such as meals, refreshments and accommodation where your pre booked transport is delayed by at least 12 hours;
    Or
    Additional Transport Costs: Cover for additional expenses to return home to the UK when you are delayed outside the UK for at least 24 hours beyond your original return date;
  • Abandonment: Before leaving the UK and you are delayed at least 12 hours, you can claim for unused travel and accommodation costs or if the only reasonable transport means you will lose more than 50% of your trip, you can claim under Cutting Short Your Trip;
  • Missed Departure and Connections outside the UK: Cover for additional travel and accommodation costs and the cost of prescription medication if your supply runs out when you miss your pre booked transport and you are stranded abroad. 

The amount you receive could be up the maximum benefit amount specified in your policy. Check your policy for more details.

What can I do to minimise travel disruptions?

  • While it’s frustrating, you should always remain patient and show respect for the officers who are attempting to maintain travel operations.
  • Allow more time to arrive if you know there are strikes occurring that may cause delays, but not prevent you from travelling.
  • If you can use eGates then do so, as this may give save you time and alleviate further delays for other passengers.
  • Checking in online in advance of arriving at the airport will also reduce potential waiting times got travellers.
  • Keep in mind that other ad-hoc events can have further impacts on delay times (e.g. weather, increase in passenger numbers, etc).

What should I do if my plans are affected?

If you think your travel plans might be affected by a strike, you should first:

  1. Contact your airline or tour operator to check if tourist services are affected.
  2. If you need to change your travel arrangements, contact your airline or travel agent for assistance in the first instance.

In the event of a claim, you must do everything you can to minimise and reduce the cost of the claim and provide all supporting documentation of the event and expenses incurred. See our article on how to make a claim for more information. 

If you’re in an emergency situation, injured or sick and need help, contact the 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance team as soon as possible. Their details are listed on your Certificate of Insurance.

If you have any other concerns, please contact us.

The policy isn’t designed to cover everything, so take the time to read the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions in the Policy Wording for full details so that there are no surprises if you need to use it. If you’re not sure if something is covered, get in touch.  


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