Rock Insurance Group has updated its travel insurance policy to provide cover when customers travel against FCO advice.
Policies now cover Covid-related issues both pre-departure and while abroad in destinations that are not on the government’s ‘safe list’.
Rock said the update was to support the travel trade by instilling consumer confidence around travelling and so people can go on holidays as planned when flight and accommodation services are still operating against FCO advice.
Customers are covered if they test positive for coronavirus within 14 days before their holiday, if they have been hospitalised within 28 days of their holiday, and if they are not allowed to board their flight as a result of a positive coronavirus test or raised temperature.
During a trip, customers are covered if they have checked in at their holiday accommodation but the property needs to close as a result of the coronavirus, medical cover is included if they catch coronavirus while abroad, as is additional accommodation and travelling costs if required, and transport home is covered if medically necessary.
Policies can be cancelled if the UK or the customer’s local area enters lockdown again within 14 days of purchase.
The updated policies only protect travel against FCO advice when it relates to Covid-19 – exclusion will still apply for all other reasons, such as natural disasters and civil unrest.
It is currently only applicable to European destinations, but Rock said it is working on including some non-European countries, which it plans to announce soon.
Other benefits on Rocks policies will stay the same.
Antony Martin, managing director at Rock Insurance Group, said: “Due to the continuous updates to travel restrictions, we wanted to bring an option to market that allows travel against FCO advice as it is becoming difficult and expensive to administer all the changes and consumers need to have flexible products they can trust.
“While some insurance brands have launched products that allow travel against FCO advice, we are proud to be the first to provide this type of cover whilst simultaneously protecting travellers against Covid-related issues both pre-departure and during their trip.
“Our goal is for consumers to continue their holiday plans as normal which will be key to rebuilding the travel industry. We saw an opportunity to provide an integrated solution that would sit as part of our core offering and benefit our partners, potential new partners within the travel trade space and their customers. We are expecting an exceptionally strong conversion as it ultimately provides the customer with the protection and confidence they really need to travel.”