April 27, 2011
Travel Insurance Advice for Civil Unrest
Political disorder is not normally covered under standard travel insurance.
For Egyptian travelers this news has come to late, and I am sorry about that. Trust me, I understand how bad it sucks to have to be the example from which others learn. So, in order to empower other travelers who use insurance, I decided to get the word out about travel insurance as it relates to civil and political upheavals.
If you find yourself or trip on a collision course with a political uprising, the first thing to do is check your policy. Some will cover your expenses if your travels are setback because of civil disorder. Though, keep in mind, while most policies do not include cancellation and/or interruption coverage for political unrest, there are a few exceptions.
Travel columnist Carol Pucci, of the Seattle Times, points out that travelers who want additional coverage have a couple of options, including “Cancel for Any Reason” insurance policies, which provide coverage for civil disorder at a higher price. For those who want, insurance for political unrests, which would generally be a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy they can expect to add 50 percent or more to the cost of their trip. And even then, they are generally only reimbursed up to 50-75 percent of their prepaid travel costs. That’s pretty steep, when you consider that stand travel insurance normally only adds 4 to 8 percent to the cost of the trip.
A more budget-friendly option for travelers looking for political upheaval coverage may be the American Express Global Travel Shield classic plan. “It’s coverage, broader than most companies offer, is something to consider for trips to other destinations,” Pucci explains, adding that the policies coverage relating to Egypt’s protest is no longer offered, because the company views the country’s unrest as a “foreseeable event.”
Have you ever been caught in the middle of a political uprising? If so, or if you have tips for travel insurance, feel free to leave your advice in the comments.
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