Travsure specialist travel insurance brokers providing annual multi-trip insurance

This page is designed to provide information on current issues and items of interest.It is up-dated periodically, however for up to the minute travel information on specific locations please visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at www.fco.gov.uk

16 January 2006. Avian Flu

The current position which can be confirmed on the FCO website above is that it is considered that there is low risk to travellers. There are a number of sensible precautions that should be observed if travelling in an area where cases have been reported but there is no advice not to travel. The area likley to be of concern to UK travellers is Turkey.

The position is that you would not be able to claim under your travel insurance policy should you wish to cancel a booked trip due to concerns about bird flu. If you are concerned then we suggest that you refer to your tour operator who may be able to offer an alternative.

14 January 2005 Financial Services Authority

With effect from 14th January 2005, all General Insurance activities are regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Kennet Insurance Brokers are approved and authorised. For full information please see our terms of business

August 2004 Alcohol related claims and issues

This is an issue which raises itself from time to time, usually due to a specific case being reported in the media.
All policies will contain some form of exclusion relating to alcohol and drugs, some are more specific than others. Our wording will exclde claims arising as a result of alcohol, drug or solvent abuse.The key word here is abuse. We are certainly not saying you cannot drink alcohol , but is very much a question of being sensible. In general terms the cases that are reported usually involve activities and accidents that are considered avoidabe but for the excess of alcohol, and this is normally based on medical evidence of significant excess.

Airline Failure

The financial failure of your carrier or tour operator can cause significant problems, particularly if it happens when you are actually away..There is generally no warning of such things and you should be aware that if you are arranging travel with an agent who is not a member of ABTA, or a carrier who is not a member of ATOL, you are likley to have to make alternative arrangements and face little prospect of financial recompense. It is not possible to insure against such eventualities as the risk is impossible to assess. ATOL provides certain safeguards and you can check at www.atoldata.org.uk.

June 2004 FCO "Know before You Go"

Travsure are partners in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Know before you go campaign. This initiative is designed to ensure that travellers are aware of and are prepared for the various issues that are involved when travelling abroad. Adequate insurance is obviously a vital part of this however their website contains a wealth of other useful informations on the do's and dont's and is well worth a visit
http://www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo

23 January 2004 Avian Flu

Outbreaks of influenza in flocks of chickens, due to an avian influenza A/H5N1 virus, were reported from South Korea from December 2003 and now also in the southern part of Vietnam, Japan and Thailand.

A number of cases of human infection have been confirmed. All had direct contact with infected poultry. Avian influenza viruses are known to infect humans from time to time and may cause disease ranging from mild conjunctivitis to severe influenza.

There is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission among the reported cases Although there is no restriction on travel to any of the areas where avian flu is being reported, travellers are advised to take sensible precautions such as avoiding bird markets, farms or contact with live poultry.

Travel to Kenya (June 26 2003)

Although the FCO has removed their advice against non essential travel, there remains a high risk threat of terrorism

SARS (Update June 2003)

There are no current restrictions on travel due to SARS

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome(SARS).(23rd APRIL 2003)

The World Health Organisation have advised that there have been thousands of suspected incidences of SARS of whom some have died.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office(FCO) are currently recommending against travelling to locations where this appears to be a problem, currently Guandong Province China,Beijing, Hong Kong, and now Toronto Canada.Obviously the situation is changing daily so for the latest up-dates, check the FCO website at www.fco.gov.uk.

Further information is available on the WHO website(World Health Organisation) and the UK Department of Health website

The situation concerning your travel insurance is as follows:-

If you are already booked to travel to one of the destinations involved, your policy cover will not be affected and full cover will apply.

If, however, you decide against undertaking the trip, this will be regarded as disinclination to travel and will not be covered under the cancellation section. If you are considering this option you should talk to your travel advisor or tour operator, as they may be able to offer an alternative holiday.

If you are considerering booking a trip to an already known "at risk" area, this will not be covered as this would be regarded deliberately and unnecessarily exposing oneself to a risk that can be avoided by simply choosing a different destination.

Should you require and further information, please phone us on 01635 860505

Francis Charsley Ltd (Travel Insurance claims handlers)

This Company were placed into Liquidation on 12th February 2003.
Your policy may shows these as the appointed claims contact.

All matters are now being handled by
Specialty Claims Services Ltd
Wickfield House
18-22 Disney Place
London
SE1 1HJ
Tel:020 7939 9650
Fax: 020 7407 9206
Email: claims@specialty-group.com

Terrorist attacks in US (25 September 2001 UPDATE)

In response to the Global situation we have had to apply a limited War exclusion on our travel insurance policies, both Annual and Short Stay. This is detailed in the appropriate cover section on the website. All policies carry some form of War exclusion, most of them are blanket, whereas our policy does provide cover in respect of most popular travel destinations.

Terrorist attacks in US (September 2001)

Following the terrorist attacks in the US, there will be severe disruption to many flights to and from the UK. Any person travelling is requested to contact their carrier who will be able to provide accurate information regarding delays and re-scheduled flights. It is also advisable to consult the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website where advice to travellers is constantly up-dated.

Lloyds Travel Insurance Validity (JULY 2001)

Lloyds of London is advising members of the public to check the validity of Travel Insurance policies bearing the Lloyd's name following an application by the DTI to place The Management Company(London)Ltd into liquidation. The policies were issued by British and Irish Travel agents without authority and are therefore invalid. All policies issued by Travsure/Kennet Insurance Brokers are fully authorised by Lloyds underwritten by Syndicate 582 Cassidy Davis Ins Group.

If you have any concerns or questions please contact us or the helpline number below. The Lloyds of London website below carries information on valid schemes in adobe format.

Lloyds helpline 0800 917 5971

Website http://www.lloydsoflondon.co.uk

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