It’s a topical question as parts of France suffer violence, looting, arson and more right now. If you’re travelling to your second home in France, taking a city break, or just passing through by car on holiday, it’s worth knowing what is – and isn’t covered – when it comes to riots.
EXCLUSIONS
This is the bit you need to check carefully on any insurance policy.
For example most standard travel insurance does NOT cover extreme adventure sports like paragliding, scuba diving, abseiling, rock walls etc. But often routine activities like hiring a scooter or moped are also excluded from the insurance too. The short answer is that some travel insurers cover loss or injuries due to riots, some don’t. So read the policy schedule very carefully.
When it comes to riots many insurers will cover your medical bills and loss of belongings like smartphones, cash, clothing etc. For example Insure & Go will cover unlimited medical expenses if you are caught up in civil unrest or riots. On the other hand Aviva’s Travel insurance exclusions list revolution, uprising or any civil commotion which “can be likened to an uprising.” That’s obviously open to interpretation in the case of France. If Macron deploys troops does it then become an uprising against the regime, can it be likened to one?
Maybe that ‘s a question you need to ask Aviva before you travel, let us know what they say.
FOREIGN OFFICE ADVICE
Where it can also get tricky is if the UK Foreign Office (FO) has issued a notice stating that a country itself is dangerous to visit, in other words `only essential travel’ is advised. That means business related trips, maybe a family emergency, but not holidays. This is unlikely to happen with France, no matter how bad things get as UK politicians are wary of upsetting the French who supply much of our electricity, food and other goods via Channel ports and the Eurotunnel.
Even so, if the FO issues guidance on France in the next week or so, read that very carefully and check with your travel insurer before going on say a city break. Trouble is more likely in bigger French cities due to the high proportion of angry BAME people living there. A long summer of tension lies ahead and it will only take one or two incidents to set off organised attacks on the Police, public buildings and looting of shops etc in revenge.
It’s worth noting that there have been similar – albeit smaller – riots this week in Belgium and Switzerland. So do some research before heading to the airport or ferry port for any EU break this summer.
OFFICIAL UK GOV GUIDANCE
What is the current UK Government guidance?
On France, at the time of writing the UK Foreign Office has stated recently;
“You should monitor the media, avoid areas where riots are taking place, check the latest advice with operators when travelling and follow the advice of the authorities. British nationals should reconsider any plans to attend (political) meetings, and if you do, be aware of your surroundings at all times, and move away quickly from disturbances.”
CAN I CANCEL IF THINGS GET WORSE?
In general, you cannot cancel a trip and claim back the cost of the holiday because you are scared to visit France or Belgium. There has to be official UK GOV advice not to travel. That is rarely issued unless there is a war, generally a “use caution” bit of advice is offered.
Again, watch the situation carefully on non-mainstream media and make your own judgement on the safety of your trip. Google the word riots or “emeutes” plus the destination in France, or key cities on your route there. That will bring up local French media reports which are likely to be more detailed and up-to-date than BBC, Sky or ITV in the UK.
If the hotel you are intending to stay at in France has been attacked then you might be able to make a claim. It could be that you’ll be informed by email that your stay is cancelled, or alternative accommodation is offered. Inform your travel insurers asap if you receive an update like this, don’t wait.
In the end weigh up the value of your life and your fellow travellers vs the the cash value of the trip.
Be the first to comment