The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has said that it welcomes government efforts to assist with repatriation and its insurers are looking to extend policies so that people can continue to be covered against the risk of emergency medical treatment when they are stuck abroad due to ongoing travel restrictions.

It said that sometimes these extensions have a limit of up to 30 days, but given the exceptional circumstances, leading ABI members will look to extend this protection to cover the risk of emergency medical treatment for up to a minimum of 60 days, provided customers are making every effort to return home. 

An ABI spokesman said: “Travel insurers know that this is a worrying and uncertain time for anyone trying to get home to the UK. This step should help relieve the added worry of: What happens if I need emergency medical treatment beyond when my travel policy would normally end?”