‘I’m going to Paris – do I need travel insurance against riots?’
I’m going on a family vacation to Paris next week and I’m worried about the riots. I have travel insurance, but I don’t see anything in the fine print about riots.
Can I cancel and still get my money back? Or would I lose my money?
Paris is expensive and this trip will cost over £2,000 but I am concerned for my family’s safety. Via email.
Sam Barker from This is Money answers: A trip to the City of Lights is normally something to look forward to – and hopefully still for you.
But Paris has been rocked by a week of riots – understandably worrying many holidaymakers.
Unrest riot: Paris is in the throes of several nights of civil disorder after police shot a teenager, Nahel M
French President Emmanuel Macron has urged the British not to cancel booked trips to the French capital, but that may not be enough to reassure many.
The riots started when French police shot a teenager, named Nahel M, and the unrest was directed against the French state and infrastructure, not tourists.
But the riots have affected local transport in Paris, and a general sense of unease can lead travelers with trips booked to wonder if they can cancel and still get their money back.
A lot depends on whether they have travel insurance or not.
No travel insurance
If a traveler does not have insurance, they are at the mercy of the contract they have with your hotel, travel agency or carrier upon cancellation.
Many offer flexible bookings, allowing cancellations and refunds up to one or two days before travel.
If they have such a booking, you can cancel for any reason, including riots.
With travel insurance
If they don’t, their next step is travel insurance, which you had the foresight to buy.
Most regular travel insurance policies have some sort of cover for canceled trips.
However, these deals only pay out for specific reasons.
Riots and civil unrest are not normally on that list of reasons – neither is outright war.
There is only one way standard travel insurance will pay for any kind of civil unrest.
At least if the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, part of the British government, advises against traveling to the destination where the civil unrest is.
Paris in flames: Rioters set several fires during evenings of disorder in the French capital
If the FCDO does not give this advice, anything you cancel will not be covered by your travel insurance.
Currently, the FCDO has not advised against travel, which means that if you cancel a trip now, your travel insurance will not cover the cost of things like flights and accommodation.
The FCDO currently says: ‘There may be disruptions to road traffic and the supply of local transport may be reduced. Some local authorities may impose a curfew. Riot locations and timing are unpredictable.
“You need to monitor the media, avoid areas where riots are taking place, check the latest advice from travel operators and follow the advice of the authorities.”
Health Secretary Steven Barclay has urged travelers with booked trips to France to continue checking the FCDO website for updates on the Paris riots.
Speaking to Sky News, Barclay said: “It’s something that the FCDO will be watching very closely.
They keep regular updates on their website.
“And what I want to say to anyone thinking of traveling to France, keep an eye on the Foreign Office website, there will be regular updates there, and that will keep people informed.”
Specialized coverage
There are specialized travel insurance policies that specifically cover civil unrest, such as Voyager High Risk Coverage from broker Voyager Insurance Services.
However, this kind of insurance is designed and priced for people going to areas of severe unrest, and it’s unlikely you bought this kind of coverage for a trip to Paris.
There is also a form of travel insurance called ‘cancel for any reason’ travel insurance. As the name suggests, consumers can claim this if they cancel for anything, including riots.
However, this type of deal is uncommon and even then only pays out up to 75 percent of the non-refundable, prepaid cost, depending on the policy.
As it stands, the best advice for most travelers is to get decent basic travel insurance and keep checking the FCDO website for updates on the riots.
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