Cancelled summer holidays may not be covered by insurance, travellers warned

Schiphol airport. Photo: Gaby Richter
Schiphol airport. Photo: Gaby Richter

Travellers who have to cancel their summer holidays if a second wave of coronavirus breaks out may not be able to reclaim on their insurance.

Several companies have changed their policies to exclude trips that are affected by countries going back into lockdown over the summer, according to a survey by financial researchers MoneyView.

Holidays that were cancelled during the lockdown period in the spring were covered by most insurers if they were booked before the restrictions came into force.

Consumers will still be able to claim compensation if their holiday is cancelled by their airline or travel agent, either in the form of a refund or a voucher. The European Union has said airlines must refund customers in full if they are unable to fly, despite countries including the Netherlands insisting travel vouchers would be sufficient.

People who are unable to travel because they test positive for coronavirus will also be eligible for compensation, but those who have to go into quarantine on arrival may not be.

Travellers are advised to consult the foreign ministry’s official advice before setting off. At the moment the Netherlands has set all countries to ‘code orange’, meaning essential travel only.

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