Israel Travel Insurance News
With the current, devastating events in Israel, many travelers have questions and concerns about their upcoming trips or future travel plans. To help you navigate this situation, we've put together a list of frequently asked questions, reminders, and tips regarding travel insurance and how to handle trip cancellations.
UPDATE 11/14/2023: Click here to read an important message from our Owner and General Managing Agent, Craig Robinson, regarding the fluid situation in Israel and neighboring areas, along with guidance on filing travel insurance claims.
UPDATE 12/20/2023: We currently have one carrier providing Trip Cancellation coverage for trips to Israel. Please call us to determine if this option aligns with your travel needs.
*The information below varies by carrier and is not specific to any one carrier, unless stated in position statements. Please review the plan documents for specific details on coverage and exclusions.
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If you find yourself in a situation where you need to cancel your trip to Israel, it's crucial to follow these steps:
Formally cancel your trip with all travel suppliers, including your tour operator, travel agent, and airlines.
Collect documentation from these travel suppliers, confirming the cancellation of your reservations.
Request a copy of their terms and conditions regarding their cancellation policy.
If your arrangements are non-refundable, consider asking for a refund or voucher from your travel supplier first.
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To streamline the claims process, be proactive and gather the following documentation:
1. How did you pay for the planned trip?
Check: Provide photocopies of the processed checks (front and back).
Cash: Provide photocopies of the cash receipts.
Credit Card: Provide photocopies of the section of the monthly credit card statements showing all payments made for the travel arrangements.
Invoices can be used as proof of payment as long as it provides the date, amount and method of payment. This may be subject to review.
2. Airline Tickets
Photocopy of the ticket or a photocopy of the e-ticket receipt which includes ticket numbers and dates of travel.
3. Other Itemized Invoices, Receipts, Tour Flyers and Brochures
Photocopies of all itemized payment invoices and purchase receipts.
Photocopies of the trip flyer or tour brochure outlining the trip that states the cancellation policy.
4. Refunds (Did the airline, hotel, or cruise line give any money back?)
If Yes - Photocopies of the refund checks or credit card statements showing the refunds that you received.
If No - A letter from your travel advisor or travel provider stating that the travel arrangements are not refundable.
5. A copy of the terms and conditions from the travel supplier and/or agency.
6. Any future credits for air/land/sea need to be voided provided you do not plan to use them, provided the claim is payable. The analyst will advise if the credits need voiding once it has been determined if claim is payable. This would not be something they submit at the initial time of the claim filing.
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If your trip is in the future and your travel supplier has made substitute arrangements due to the ongoing situation, you may not be able to claim that portion of your trip unless you experience a financial loss. Typically, travel/tour suppliers will make necessary changes as stated in their agreement.
If you are provided an alternate itinerary for your trip by your Travel Supplier, you will not be eligible to claim for cancellation or interruption.
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If your trip includes a third-party excursion that can't be carried out, contact the excursion vendor to explore options for recovering associated costs. If the excursion is non-refundable, make sure to obtain documentation from the excursion vendor confirming your cancellation.
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If your trip is imminent, we recommend initiating the claims process with your insurance carrier immediately. You can find more information on filing claims through this link. Have your proof of purchase, policy number, and other documentation listed above on hand to expedite the process.
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Please understand that insurance carriers' claim departments may be overwhelmed with calls and claims during this time. To prepare for when your claim can be processed, gather the necessary information mentioned above so you can be ready when the time comes.
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As of October 9, 2023, most insurance carriers are not selling policies that cover travel to Israel due to the current situation. However, we currently have one carrier that is insuring trips into Israel for Trip Cancellation. Please call us. Keep in mind that this situation is evolving, and insurance availability may change as the circumstances in Israel unfold. We recommend checking back or reaching out to support@tripinsuranceconsultants.com to stay informed about when Israel travel will be covered for future trips.
We do recommend that you pursue all options to obtain recovery before filing a claim, including reaching out to your credit card company to dispute charges for any trip to Israel that is cancelled by a travel supplier due to this ongoing situation. The is a fluid situation and is subject to change. Please remember, we are not the claims department. All policies and claims will defer to the policy documents you received with your confirmation after purchase. The information provided here is subject to change, and it's essential to stay updated on the latest developments and guidelines regarding travel to Israel. Your safety and well-being are our top priority, and we hope this FAQ has helped address some of your concerns.
Should you need any guidance or support in how to approach talking with children about these current events, please click here for a resource page from our friends at MetLife and Family & Children Services.
Below you will find press releases concerning travel insurance policies pertaining to Israel from some of our partners:
israel-terrorism-faqs.pdf (travelinsured.com)
https://www.squaremouth.com/current-event-information-centers/terrorism/israel-terrorist-attack
https://go.imglobal.com/l/136531/2023-10-13/6hhwjg
Underwriters Nationwide, Starr, and United States Fire Insurance Position Statement
Nationwide Position Statement
Nationwide's current position is that this situation is considered a terrorist incident, but this position may be subject to change as events continue to develop. Below is the definition of Terrorist Incident in the generic Policy Forms:
Terrorist Incident means an act of violence, other than civil commotion, insurrection or riot (that is not an act of war, declared or undeclared), that results in loss of life or major damage to property, by any person acting on behalf of, or in connection with, any organization that is generally recognized as having the intent to overthrow or influence the control of any government. The act must be deemed an act of terrorism by U.S. Department of State or the law enforcement organization in charge at the location of the Terrorist Incident.
This may impact Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits as it is a named peril on the Trawick products:
A Terrorist Incident that occurs in Your departure city or in a city listed on Your Trip itinerary and within thirty (30) days prior to Your Scheduled Departure Date. Benefits are not provided if the Travel Supplier offers a substitute itinerary. This does not include flight connections or other transportation arrangements to reach Your destination. Your Scheduled Departure Date must be no more than fifteen (15) months beyond Your Effective Date. A Terrorist Incident that occurs onboard an in-flight aircraft is not covered.
Starr Position Statement
Policies purchased after October 6, 2023 will not be eligible for Benefits stemming from this event.
Starr has classified the events that occurred in Israel on October6th, 2023, as a "Terrorist Attack" incident. Claims related to applicable policies containing the “Terrorist Attack” coverage under unforeseen events will be adjudicated according to the terms and conditions of the policy.
Insureds who purchased their coverage prior to October 6th, 2023 for travel to Israel may be eligible for coverage under the unforeseen event of a Terrorist Attack. For coverage to apply the Terrorist Attack must occur within30 days of insureds’ Departure Date and within 50 miles of a City listed on their itinerary. Policies with Trip Departure dates November 5,2023, and later will not quality for this coverage.
UPDATE (11/13/23)
Starr has classified the events that occurred in Israel on October 6th, 2023, as a "Terrorist Attack" incident. Claims related to applicable policies containing the “Terrorist Attack” coverage under unforeseen events will be adjudicated according to the terms and conditions of the policy. Insureds who purchased their coverage prior to October 6th, 2023, for travel to Israel may be eligible for coverage under the unforeseen event of a Terrorist Attack. For coverage to apply the Terrorist Attack must occur within 30 days of insureds’ Departure Date and within 50 miles of a City listed on their itinerary. Policies with Trip Departure dates November 5, 2023, and later will not quality for this coverage. If an Insured Endorses their policy to change their Trip Departure date to Israel, their new Trip Dates are no longer covered under the Terrorist Attack coverage for purchases prior to October 6, 2023. For the new Trip Dates this Event, which is now a declared War, is no longer considered an Unforeseen Event and therefore the War exclusion would apply to new set of Trip Dates. Please refer to the policy document for the terms and conditions of the specific plan purchased. Eligibility for coverage varies based upon the plan terms, conditions, and limitations, and may vary by state. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been impacted by this incident.
US Fire Position Statement
United States Fire Insurance Company considers recent events in Israel to be a “Terrorism Incident.” If your travel policy contains a terrorism trigger, then claims will be adjudicated on this basis and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the policy. For clarity, an terrorism trigger may allow payment of Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption benefits in the event of a Terrorism Incident. The terrorism trigger is specified within the “Other Covered Reasons” language within each of the Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption benefits. While there may be variability within various travel plans as to the actual policy language, in general the terrorism trigger language includes the following:
COVERAGE A
TRIP CANCELLATION
Benefits will be paid, up to the Maximum Benefit Amount shown in the Schedule of Benefits, to reimburse You for the amount of the unused non-refundable Prepaid Payments You paid for Travel Arrangements when You are prevented from taking Your Trip due to:
• For the Other Covered Reasons listed below, provided such circumstances occur while coverage is in effect.
“Other Covered Reasons”….
• A Terrorist Incident occurs before your trip…..(followed variable language depending on the travel program)
COVERAGE B
TRIP INTERRUPTION
Benefits will be paid, up to the Maximum Benefit Amount shown in the Schedule of Benefits to reimburse You for the Prepaid Payments for unused non-refundable land or water Travel Arrangements plus the Additional Transportation Cost paid:
• For the Other Covered Reasons listed below, provided such circumstances occur while coverage is in effect.
“Other Covered Reasons”....
• A Terrorist Incident occurs during your trip…..(followed variable language depending on the travel program)
• If the travel policy does not contain a terrorism trigger, then such claims are not currently eligible.
Please note, we will continue to monitor the situation and update our advice as needed.