battleface

GET QUOTE
GET A QUOTE

battleface Q&A on travel insurance

How has the situation in Ukraine affected travel insurance?

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all travel to Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, which means many travel insurance policies will no longer be valid in those countries.

A small number of travel insurance policies, such as battleface, cover destinations under FCDO and government “do not travel to” advisories, and battleface is currently able to review individual applications for travel insurance to these destinations.

There are currently no UK government warnings against visiting Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary or any other neighbouring countries.

battleface continues to provide travel insurance products for these destinations.

In terms of the cost of travel insurance, at battleface, we’re always tracking the global travel ecosystem to ensure we’re covering the right risks at the right rates. Every destination country is part of our rating algorithm and is priced according to the level of risk at the time of quote.

What happens in the event of a closure of airspace?

In the event that travel is cancelled due to a no-fly zone or restricted airspace, we recommend you contact the airline or tour operator you’ve booked with as soon as possible.  Ordinarily an airline would have plenty of warning of a no-fly zone and/or restricted airspace, and they would re-route or reschedule commercial flights accordingly.

In light of changing FCDO advice in eastern European countries, what are the key considerations for purchasing travel insurance?

Travellers must always ensure they have adequate travel insurance for the type of trip and destination before they travel.  A one-size-fits-all approach to travel insurance doesn’t work – there are a number of factors that travellers need to take into account when purchasing travel insurance for an upcoming trip, including: the destination; the activity you expect to be doing; the length of the trip; Any pre-existing medical conditions.

Many insurance policies do not cover travellers on trips where the FCDO advises against non-essential travel, but battleface continues to provide travel benefits, up to the policy limits, for destinations worldwide including those under Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and government “do not travel to” advisories.

Government advisories could change at short notice, so those that need to travel regardless of country status (such as journalists, NGOs and charity workers) need to ensure they have a policy that will continue to protect them should government travel advice change before or during their trip.

battleface does not actively encourage people to travel to places the FCDO is advising against, we simply offer insurance cover for those who need to travel regardless of the FCDO advisory.

It’s also important to have a flexible policy with the option of a full refund if your trip no longer goes ahead – battleface will offer a full refund of the policy as long as the customer makes contact before travelling or on the same day. 

Another thing to note is that many countries are now requiring proof of travel medical insurance that covers COVID-19 medical expenses on arrival, so travellers need to check the entry requirements for their destination before they travel to ensure they have adequate cover. battleface provides cover for emergency medical expenses caused by or resulting from COVID-19 on all policies for travellers up to the age of 59.

How can I keep up to date with border restrictions and government advice?

The FCDO is the best place to get the most up to date travel advice for every country. The FCDO advice remains under constant review and can change at any time.  You should check travel advice for your destination prior to your trip.  Travel disruption is possible worldwide. Countries may bring in new measures at very short notice such as border closures or movement restrictions.

You can also use the battleface travel tool to make informed and timely decisions based on factors including trip origin, destination, travel dates, nationality and current restrictions. Our travel hub provides up-to-the-minute information for travellers about global travel restrictions and requirements. Available via battleface’s website under the Travel Tool tab, travellers can easily navigate the continuously evolving global landscape to know where they can go, what they’ll need, what they can and cannot do, plus much more. With this new enhancement, battleface makes it easier for travellers to be completely prepared for overseas travel. This can be found at: https://www.battleface.com/en-gb/travel-tool.

Can you get insurance to travel against FCDO advice?

Travelling against FCDO advice could invalidate emergency medical cover on some travel insurance policies, so it’s important that travellers ensure they have the right insurance for their destination at the time of travel.

battleface provides full benefits, up to the policy limits, for all destinations including countries under FCDO and government essential and non-essential travel advisories.

battleface has compiled a list of organisations and NGOs that are actively supporting the people of Ukraine and has donated $25,000 between each of these organisations. For more information on how to assist those most affected by the continuing conflict: www.battleface.com/blog/ukraine-what-we-can-do-to-help/

To enquire about insurance please email [email protected].

Protect your trip with
battleface travel insurance

GET A QUOTE

PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION

Pre-Existing Medical Condition means an illness, disease, or other condition during the 180 day period immediately prior to the date Your coverage is effective :
  1. received or received a recommendation for a test, examination, or medical treatment for a condition which first manifested itself, worsened or became acute, or had symptoms which would have prompted a reasonable person to seek diagnosis, care or treatment; or
  2. took or received a prescription for drugs or medicine. Item (2) of this definition does not apply to a condition which is treated or controlled solely through the taking of prescription drugs or medicine and remains treated or controlled without any adjustment or change in the required prescription throughout the 180 day period before coverage is effective under this policy.
  3. required a change in prescribed medication. Change in prescribed medication means the dosage or frequency of a medication has been reduced, increased, stopped and/or new medications have been prescribed due to the worsening of an underlying condition that is being treated with the medication, unless the change is:
    1. between a brand name and a generic medication with comparable dosage; or
    2. an adjustment to insulin or anti-coagulant dosage.
If you, or someone you are traveling with, has a Pre-Existing Medical Condition, you can still buy a policy from us but there is no cover for any claim arising directly or indirectly from that condition.

PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION

Any Medical Condition that, within the last 12 months, required any:

  • surgery, inpatient or outpatient treatment, referrals or investigations of any sort. This includes being on any waiting list, taking any prescription medication, tablets or required medical treatment (This will not apply to common colds, flu or contraceptive medication);
  • medical advice or treatment for any respiratory condition relating to the lungs or breathing;
  • medical advice or treatment for any heart, stroke or diabetic condition;

Hypertension or high cholesterol controlled by 1 prescription drug only and where the dosage has not been changed within the last 12 months will not be considered a pre-existing medical condition

Coverages Available:

*not all coverages are available in all states
Travel Protection Benefits Limits
Trip Cancellation 100% of trip cost (up to a maximum of $20,000)
Single Occupancy Up to trip cost
Cancel for Any Reason Up to 75% of trip cost Up to 50% of trip costs in FL(CFAR not available to NY residents)
Trip Interruption 150% of trip cost
Delay Package
Trip Delay
Maximum $200 per day up to $2,500
Missed Connection Maximum of $1,000 per covered trip
Baggage Package – Excess
Baggage and Personal Effects $2,500 $100 Deductible
Baggage Delay $100 per day up to a maximum of $500
Travel Medical Package – Excess AK, CO, ID, ND, NH – Primary
Travel Medical Expense – Adventure sports included $100,000 $50,000 in NH $50 Deductible
Emergency Dental $750
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains Up to $500,000
Up to $1,000,000 in NH
Accidental Death & Dismemberment $100,000 or $250,000 or $500,000
Pet Medical Package
Pet Medical Expense Up to $2,000 $100 Deductible
Pet Return Up to $500
Rental Vehicle Damage – Primary Up to $35,000 per rented vehicle- Primary $250 Deductible for loss greater than $2,000
Vacation Rental Damage $1,500 or $3,000 or $5,000

How many trips are you looking to insure?

A single trip

Customizable coverage for a single trip

Multiple trips

Annual coverage plan for frequent travelers

Travel Medical Insurance

Some benefits are subject to an excess (aka, the deductible, or what you have to pay before we pay), as stated in the Policy Schedule, and are per Policy Period.

Benefits Limits
Cancellation and Curtailment 5,000
Emergency Medical Expenses, Evacuation and Repatriation of Mortal Remains 10,000,000 (excess 250 or 50)
Hospital Benefit 25 per day, maximum 100
Personal Accident up to 250,000
Baggage Loss or Delay up to 5,000 (excess 250 or 50)
Personal Money and Passport, limited to 250 in respect of cash 500 (excess 250 or 50)
Personal Liability 500,000
Travel Delay 500
Optional Benefits Limits
Business Extension up to 1,000 (excess 100)
Winter Sports (Ski Equipment) up to 750 (excess 50 or 100)
Important notes:
  • Winter Sports optional cover, where selected, does not extend to the Personal Liability benefit under Section F of the policy
  • Travellers up to the age of 79 can purchase this product. Cover for illness is not available for those aged 75 years or over

Travel Medical Insurance

Some benefits are subject to an excess (aka, the deductible, or what you have to pay before we pay), as stated in the Policy Schedule, and are per Policy Period.

Benefits Limits
Trip Interruption 2,000
Emergency Medical Expenses, Evacuation and Repatriation of Mortal Remains 10,000,000 (excess 250)
Hospital Benefit 25 per day, maximum 100
Personal Accident up to 5,000
Baggage Loss or Delay up to 2,000 (excess 250 or 50)
Personal Money and Passport, limited to 250 in respect of cash 500 (excess 250) *** Limited to 250 in respect of cash
Personal Liability 500,000
Optional Benefits Limits
Business Extension up to 1,000 (excess 100)
Winter Sports (Ski Equipment) up to 750 (excess 50 or 100)
Personal Accident up to 250,000
Baggage up to 10,000
Important notes:
  • Winter Sports optional cover, where selected, does not extend to the Personal Liability benefit under Section G of the policy
  • Travellers up to the age of 79 can purchase this product. Cover for illness is not available for those aged 75 years or over

Travel Medical Insurance

Some benefits are subject to an excess (aka, the deductible, or what you have to pay before we pay), as stated in the Policy Schedule, and are per Policy Period.

Benefits Limits
Cancellation up to $20,000
Trip Interruption $1,000
Medical and Emergency Expenses $5,000,000 (deductible $250)
Hospital Benefit $25 per day, maximum $100
Personal Accident up to $50,000
Baggage $2,000 (deductible $250)
Personal Money and Passport, limited to $250 in respect of cash $500 (deductible $250)
Personal Liability $500,000
Optional Benefits Limits
Business Extension up to $1,000 (deductible $100)
Winter Sports (Ski Equipment) up to $750 (deductible $50 or $100)
Important notes:
  • Winter Sports optional cover, where selected, does not extend to the Personal Liability benefit under Section G of the policy
  • Travellers up to the age of 79 can purchase this product. Cover for illness and Winter Sports is not available for those aged 75 years or over
  • Medical and Emergency Expenses are limited to $50,000 within Canada if you are not covered by government health insurance plan (GHIP) at the time of your claim

Travel Medical Insurance

Some benefits are subject to an excess (aka, the deductible, or what you have to pay before we pay), as stated in the Policy Schedule, and are per Policy Period.

Benefits Limits
Cancellation and Curtailment 5,000
Emergency Medical Expenses, Evacuation and Repatriation of Mortal Remains 10,000,000 (excess 250 or 50)
Hospital Benefit 25 per day, maximum 100
Personal Accident up to 250,000
Baggage Loss or Delay up to 5,000 (excess 250 or 50)
Personal Money and Passport, limited to 250 in respect of cash 500 (excess 250 or 50)
Personal Liability 500,000
Travel Delay 500
Optional Benefits Limits
Business Extension up to 1,000 (excess 100)
Winter Sports (Ski Equipment) up to 750 (excess 50 or 100)
Important notes:
  • Winter Sports optional cover, where selected, does not extend to the Personal Liability benefit under Section F of the policy
  • Travellers up to the age of 79 can purchase this product. Cover for illness is not available for those aged 75 years or over

How many trips are you looking to insure?

A single trip

Purchase your individual policy by adding business extension

Multiple trips

Customisable annual policy for groups with employees who are frequent travellers