Almost half of travel insurance policies do not protect holidaymakers against strike action, a study has discovered. According to analysis by consumer group Which? out of 199 packages by 71 providers, some 40 per cent did not provide cover for cancellations caused by strikes.
Passengers have faced major disruption in recent months owing to a combination of long queues at airports, flight delays and cancellations. Now travellers are being warned to prepare for further chaos this summer as airline staff plan walkouts.
Ryanair and easyJet cabin crew in Spain are set to stage further walkouts this month to coincide with school summer holidays. While British Airways staff at Heathrow Airport have voted to strike, with a date expected to be announced soon, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Many passengers will rely on travel insurance to cover them if they experience any cancellations. But consumers need to be aware of what level is provided by different insurers, reports The Telegraph. The study conducted by Which? revealed that just six in 10 insurers offer protection if a flight is cancelled due to strike action.
The consumer group also examined the policies’ Covid protection, and found fewer than one in 10 offered what it considered to be ‘complete’ protection in the event of a holiday being disrupted by Covid. Just nine of the 199 policies permit travellers who need emergency medical care for catching Covid while abroad to make a claim, and give them the option to claim cancellation costs if they test positive before their trip.
Jenny Ross, money editor at Which?, said: "With many airlines warning of widespread disruption this summer and Covid cases on the rise, travellers should ensure they’ve taken out adequate insurance to cover any losses or unexpected costs they might face. We advise travellers to always check policies carefully to ensure they offer the cover that will be most appropriate to their trip, and to ensure they have cover in place from the time of booking.”
