The Association of British Insurers has warned consumers to 'double check' what is covered by their travel insurance policies.
People going on holiday abroad should make sure they are fully aware of what their travel insurance policy covers, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has warned.
Many policies are failing to pay out to people who have opted not to travel to Mexico as a result of the swine flu outbreak. The Foreign Office has advised against travel to the central American country.
Malcolm Tarling, an ABI spokesperson, explained that "some policies will cover you if you cancel your travel arrangements due to the advice given by the government or other health agencies like the World Health Organisation not to travel to a particular country", but pointed out that not all providers offer this.
"What people should do is to double check their policies to make sure they know exactly what they are covered for," he added.
According to Mr Tarling, travellers should make sure that insurance covers "the essentials", namely medical expenses and loss of baggage and possessions. He added that travel insurance which covered "everything under the sun" would be at an unaffordable price.
"That's why travel insurance is pitched the way it is," he said. "It provides a wide range of cover that makes it affordable to as many people as possible."
