Travellers who are unable to enter the USA because they do not have a visa will not be able to claim their cancelled holiday on their travel insurance, InsureandGo has warned.
People going to the USA should be aware of new visa arrangements for entering the country - as they will not be able to claim on their travel insurance if they are refused entry.
UK residents are able to take advantage of the US visa waiver system, which means they can travel to the country without a formal visa, as long as they satisfy a number of criteria. However, since the beginning of the year, citizens of visa waiver countries are required to obtain prior authorisation to enter the USA via the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation.
Perry Wilson, founder of travel insurance firm InsureandGo, warned that many Britons appear to be unaware of this change in the rules. This problem could be exacerbated by the fact that travel insurance does not cover visa refusal.
"Unfortunately, your travel insurance won't cover you for abandoning your holiday, if you haven't got a visa," he said. "If you have been refused a visa, it is not down to your insurance company to deal with that problem."
Mr Wilson said that his company is attempting to raise consumer awareness about the new regulations. "What we are trying to do is make people aware that you really have to make sure you have got the new visa," he added.
