Staysure launches cover for customers travelling against FCO advice
Staysure has launched cover for customers planning trips despite the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) latest advice
Usually, when the FCO issues non-essential travel advisories, holidaymakers steer clear of the destination in question and those who don’t find themselves short on cover from their travel insurers. But now, with the ever-changing travel advice that has been brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, some travel insurers have decided to adapt their offerings to reflect the new climate.
Staysure’s new product allows travellers in countries on the FCO’s watch list to maintain cover for all elements except for those relating to the reason the FCO has issued the travel advice. So, for example, while travellers in France or Spain would not be covered for claims relating to coronavirus, they would be covered for claims relating to emergency medical and repatriation not relating to Covid-19, travel delays and loss of baggage, personal money or passport.
In addition, if the FCO changes its advice on a host destination once a traveller has arrived, Staysure will pay the policyholder up to £1,000 for additional accommodation and travel expenses incurred, if they need to repatriate or return to the UK earlier than planned.
“Against a backdrop of ever-changing travel advice and widespread uncertainty, we have worked hard to bring this new cover to market as quickly as possible,” said Ryan Howsam, CEO and Founder of Staysure. “We know that, for a multitude of reasons, people are choosing to travel to European destinations even when FCO advice advises otherwise. In doing so, they find themselves exposed to additional risk, as they are no longer insured for other eventualities.”
It's interesting to see how insurers are adapting to the new landscape, and should these policies prove popular among travellers, it will reflect very well on the confidence that consumers have in the assistance services of their providers. ITIJ would be curious to know the demographic of the travellers purchasing these policies and to learn their travel preferences.