Travel insurance expert urges Brits to buy cover now

As tensions in the Middle East continue, the Head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, said we are heading for “the largest energy crisis we have ever faced.”

It stems from the pinch-off of oil, gas and other vital supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

In an interview with Associated Press, he warned that flight cancellations could begin “soon” if oil supplies remain blocked by the Iran war.

Now, Rhys Jones, a travel insurance expert at Go.Compare travel, has issued his own warning.

He explained: “The suggestion that jet fuel supplies could tighten in the coming weeks highlights how quickly travel plans can be disrupted by global events.

“Having suitable insurance in place as soon as you book can make a significant difference if circumstances change. 

“So, if you’re worried about your summer holiday being affected by the conflict, it’s not too late to get a policy in place and give you peace of mind.” 

Travel insurance provides far broader protection than just medical cover and lost belongings.

If you need to cancel a trip due to bereavement, a deterioration in health or similar circumstances, it can help mitigate the financial impact. 

And if external factors lead to cancellations or disruption to your holiday, it may help you recover some of the associated costs. 

For those with annual policies, Rhys also suggests checking that your policy covers your destination: “It’s easy to assume an annual policy covers every trip and country, but insurers typically group countries into regions, and higher-cost areas may require an upgraded level of cover. 

“Because of higher and more complex healthcare costs, some policies exclude destinations such as the USA, Canada or parts of the Caribbean unless additional cover is purchased.

“Taking the time to check could prevent costly surprises.”   

Other travel checks you should make:

• Length-of-stay limits, as many policies restrict individual trips to 30 or 45 days
• Whether winter sports or specialist activities are included, as these are often optional extras
• Cruise cover, which is usually required for sea-based holidays
• Policy details before departure, to avoid unexpected gaps in protection

And if the Strait of Hormuz isn’t reopened, Birol said that for Europe: “I can tell you soon we will hear the news that some of the flights from city A to city B might be cancelled as a result of a lack of jet fuel.

Where is going to be affected?

Birol said that for Europe: “I can tell you soon we will hear the news that some of the flights from city A to city B might be cancelled as a result of a lack of jet fuel.

“The countries that will suffer the most will not be those whose voices are heard a lot.

“It will be mainly the developing countries. Poorer countries in Asia, in Africa and in Latin America,” said the Turkish economist and energy expert who has led the IEA since 2015.

Are you worried about going on holiday? Let us know in the comments