Brexit – How Will it Affect Travel Insurance Cover?

The uncertainty around Britain leaving the European Union – which is scheduled just before the Easter break when millions of British people will be taking their holidays – is raising concerns about travel to Europe and what rules will apply. Here, our Operations Director, Andy Jenkins, discusses the impact of Brexit on travel insurance.

Until the UK’s withdrawal agreement from the EU is finalised, there will continue to be uncertainty around travel to and from the EU after the Brexit date of 29th March 2019. If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, there will be a transition period and current EU arrangements will continue to apply from 29th March 2019 until the end of December 2020. But if no deal is made, it is unknown at this stage how travel arrangements will be affected.

Whilst travel policies provide cover for specific reasons, this does not include cover for:

• Cancellations
• Transport delays
• Repatriation back to the UK
• Failure to comply with the Governments advice to have at least six months left on your passport

If you’re planning travel to an EU country after 29th March 2019 or a trip which ends after this date, make sure you check your travel policy and are clear about what’s covered before you book transport or accommodation. We would also suggest that you speak with your travel agent/airline to see how you stand in the event of your trip/transport being cancelled as a result of Brexit.

Other aspects of EU travel which are expected to be impacted by Brexit include the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which will no longer apply to UK travellers in the event of a no-deal Brexit. An EHIC gives travellers the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in another European Economic Area country or Switzerland. This means it is important to have appropriate travel insurance in place to cover medical costs while you are travelling in an EU country, in the same way as you would when travelling to a non-EU country.

Private health insurance specialists Bupa is advising customers to check their travel policies to make sure they are clear about what’s covered before booking any transport or accommodation. They have also provided helpful answers to any questions you may have.

If you have any concerns about travel insurance policies, we are happy to discuss this with you. Please get in touch with one of our expert team members on 0115 947 0032.