Sponsored by
Swine Flu Threat leads to jump in travel insurance policy sales - COMMENT ON THIS STORY
·Sales of travel insurance policies increase by 49% ·Calls to claims department increase by 20%
Since Monday this week, as a result of growing public concern about Swine Flu a leading travel insurer has seen a huge increase in sales and calls to its claims department.
The number of travel insurance policies sold by the company has increased by 49% as people are concerned that Swine Flu could take a serious hold in countries other than Mexico and prevent them from going on holiday.
Similarly, this week the firm has received around 20% more calls to its claims department as customers enquire about cancelling their holidays to Mexico.
Gary Lockett, managing director of InsureandGo, said: "Swine Flu has resulted in a huge increase in the number of travel insurance policies we are selling. Our claims department is also busy as we offer advice to people wanting a refund on their holiday to Mexico.
"Our position here is clear. Your first port of call should be with your tour operator who should offer a refund or an alternative holiday. However, for those customers who have arranged their own trips to Mexico, we are in the process of refunding them their costs.
"In addition to this, we are also calling on airlines to offer their passengers who have had their flights cancelled to Mexico a full refund. At the moment, we are concerned that they are only being offered an alternative flight or one to Mexico later on in the year when it will hopefully be safe to visit there again."
THE INSUREANDGO POSITION ON SWINE FLU :-
InsureandGo's policy covers cancellation of travel arrangements due to government restrictions, for instance in the case of a flu epidemic.
Currently, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office is advising Britons not to travel to Mexico unless it is essential. We would therefore consider claims under the terms of the policy from anyone whose flights to Mexico from the UK have been cancelled or postponed. However, in most instances tour operators are providing customers with re-arranged flights, and we would advise travellers to discuss this with their tour operator first.
There is no FCO advice to stay away from the US.
If any medical claims are made by anyone already in the affected areas, InsureandGo will of course consider these in accordance to the policy terms and conditions.
We will be monitoring the situation closely and if the FCO advice changes we will reflect this in our advice to customers.
We would advise anyone concerned about travel restrictions to check the FCO website and speak to their tour operator before travelling.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Driffield
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: East
