Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice
Under the terms of the policy it is essential you check the FCDO website Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] for your destination, before you book a trip or purchase your travel insurance (whichever is later).
FCDO travel advice provides COVID-19 guidance and tells you about the risks of travelling abroad. Their advice is constantly being reviewed, and they may advise against non-essential travel to some countries and territories.
Different countries have different entry requirements – for example, you might need a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination to enter. You can stay up to date with the latest foreign travel advice on the GOV.UK website Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first].
Telling us if you’ve had COVID-19
Before you book a trip, you will need to check if we can cover any existing medical conditions that you or anyone covered by the policy has. See the Medical Conditions section of your policy booklet.
If you or anyone covered by your policy has previously tested positive for COVID-19, then you’ll need to tell us about this if you have:
- been prescribed medication by your doctor for COVID-19,
- visited hospital or A&E for COVID-19, or
- been referred for investigations or treatment for COVID-19.
If this applies to you or anyone covered by your policy, you’ll need to tell us and we’ll ask you some medical screening questions to confirm if we can cover the condition.
Frequently asked questions
Here you’ll find answers to your specific questions around COVID-19. Please read through all the questions so you’re clear what exclusions and restrictions apply, as more than one scenario may be relevant to you.
If I test positive for COVID-19, am I covered to cancel my trip?
Yes, if you are forced to cancel your trip, as a direct result of a positive COVID-19 test you are covered for cancellation. You will need to provide confirmation and evidence of a positive test result.
If I get COVID-19 while on holiday, am I covered for medical treatment?
Yes, you are covered for emergency medical treatment and associated expenses, if you become ill with COVID-19 subject to policy terms and conditions.
If I’m unexpectedly quarantined abroad or onboard a cruise ship because of a positive test result, am I covered?
Yes. If you unexpectedly need to quarantine, we'll cover:
- accommodation costs (of similar standard to what had been booked for the trip), if you need to stay beyond your planned return date, or you can’t stay where you planned because your pre-booked accommodation doesn’t meet legal requirements (for example you can’t reach your destination because you need to quarantine locally)
- extra travel costs if your return ticket can’t be used
- we’ll also pay costs for any excursions you haven’t been able to use, where they can’t be recovered elsewhere.
It's important to check the entry requirements for your destination before you book, as you won't be covered if you don't meet them.
Am I covered to travel to a country if FCDO advice against travel is in place?
No. You are not covered for travel that goes against the advice of the FCDO or the local authorities in the area you want to travel to.
If an overseas government closes its borders to travellers from the UK, or brings in restrictions such as a lockdown or quarantine requirements, can I cancel my trip?
Your travel provider should be able to help with this, so first get in touch with whoever you booked your trip with to talk about your options.
If you can’t reschedule your trip or get a refund, you’ll be able to make a claim for non-recoverable travel and accommodation costs, if the restrictions are in place in the 31 days leading up to your trip.
You’ll only be able to do this if there weren’t any entry restrictions or FCDO advice against travel was in place when you booked your trip or purchased your cover (whichever was later).
If I can’t travel because I don’t meet the COVID-19 entry requirements for the country I’m travelling to, am I covered to cancel?
No. There’s no cover under the policy if you can’t travel because you don’t meet the entry requirements. You should contact your travel provider to see if you can reschedule your trip or get a refund.
If you booked your trip before the entry requirements changed, and you can’t reschedule, or get a refund, then get in touch with the Aviva claims team who will consider your circumstances.
It's important to check your destination's entry requirements on the FCDO website before you book any trip. Your claim won’t be considered if these requirements were already in place when you booked.
My tour operator has asked me to provide proof of insurance. Where can I get this?
first direct single and annual multi-trip policies
If you have a first direct single or annual multi-trip policy and have been asked to provide proof of insurance to your tour operator and require written confirmation, your policy and policy booklet contain all the required information.
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First Directory customers
Please contact first direct who can provide you with a letter to confirm your policy cover.
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How do I make a claim?
For any unrecoverable costs, please contact the Aviva claims team.
You can log a claim online: Please tell us about yourself (myclaimshub.co.uk)