Americans are unsure about traveling abroad due to the latest global travel warning issued by the US State Department.

What about travel insurance? Is travel insurance valid in case of a travel warning?

The US has issued a worldwide travel alert, warning Americans that al-Qaeda could be planning attacks this month anywhere in the world – particularly in the Middle East and North Africa.

Following the U.S. State Department’s announcement of al Qaeda-related terrorism threats abroad, many travelers are questioning if travel insurance can help when threats of terrorism compromise travel safety.
In an effort to clarify travel insurance coverage, Squaremouth, America’s fastest growing travel insurance comparison site, is requesting position statements from travel insurance providers.

Position statements define the way insurance companies apply coverage to specific events. As events unfold, insurance companies may change their position statements. Squaremouth will post and update all position statements as they become available here:

The following statements were provided at the time of press concerning the U.S. global travel alert:

Travel Insured International – Travel Warnings are issued when long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country.

The heightened alert associated with the increased threat of terrorist attacks does not trigger benefits under our policies. However, we do advise all travelers to monitor the situation closely and use extreme caution when traveling particularly if their itinerary includes any of the countries included in the list of heightened precaution.

Our insured travelers may contact Oncall International for travel assistance 24 hours a day. Also those insureds whose policies include Political Evacuation coverage should be advised to contact the Assistance number provided in their policy for additional information, advice and assistance as needed.

USA-Assist – You have benefits in the amount purchased for unused non-refundable prepaid expenses for travel arrangements, whenever you are prevented from taking a trip for any of the following reasons that occur after the effective date of your protection plan:

Terrorism. The terrorist incident must occur in a city listed on your itinerary within 30 days prior to Your Scheduled Departure Date. This same city must not have experienced a Terrorist Incident within the 90 days prior to the Terrorist Incident, which is causing your cancellation. Benefits are not provided if Your Travel Supplier offers a substitute itinerary.

Benefits are not payable for Sickness, Injuries or losses of you or your traveling companion:

Loss or damage (including death or injury) or any other expense associated with the discharge, explosion, or use of war weapons or weapons of mass destruction or nuclear, chemical, biological or similar weapons howsoever these may be distributed or combined and used at times of peace, war or terrorism; regardless of who commits the act.

For Trip Cancellation / Interruption claims, Benefits are not payable:
Prohibition or regulatory by any government.

WHAT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS ARTICLE:

Loss or damage (including death or injury) or any other expense associated with the discharge, explosion, or use of war weapons or weapons of mass destruction or nuclear, chemical, biological or similar weapons howsoever these may be distributed or combined and used at times of peace, war or terrorism.
The US has issued a worldwide travel alert, warning Americans that al-Qaeda could be planning attacks this month anywhere in the world – particularly in the Middle East and North Africa.
You have benefits in the amount purchased for unused non-refundable prepaid expenses for travel arrangements, whenever you are prevented from taking a trip for any of the following reasons that occur after the effective date of your protection plan.