Important: Which policies does this information apply to?
This guidance applies to CoverForYou policies purchased on or after 8 September 2026.
If you purchased your policy before 8 September 2026, please read our guidance for policies purchased between 28 February and 7 September 2026.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East may affect travel plans, flights and insurance cover. The information below explains where you can travel, how connecting flights are treated and what happens if your trip is disrupted.
Important: FCDO travel advice can change at short notice. Always check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice before travelling.
Your CoverForYou travel insurance policy does not provide cover for travel to countries, or areas within countries, where the FCDO advises against all travel or all but essential travel.
For destinations without these restrictions, your policy can provide cover as normal, provided your trip meets all other policy terms and conditions.
In particular, you must ensure that:
Your policy covers the entire duration of your trip.
Your destination is included within your purchased geographical area of cover.
You meet the other terms, conditions and exclusions of your policy.
You should check the FCDO advice for your destination before booking and again before departure.
At the time of our last update, CoverForYou policies could provide cover for travel to many destinations in the Middle East. However, some countries and specific areas are excluded because of FCDO travel warnings.
According to our coverage assessment on 19 October 2026:
Palestine: No cover for travel to Palestine.
Israel: No cover for travel to areas subject to FCDO advice against all travel or all but essential travel.
Saudi Arabia: No cover for travel to Saudi Arabia.
These restrictions may change if the FCDO updates its advice.
For other destinations, please check the latest country-specific FCDO guidance:
Please note: A country may have different travel warnings for different regions. Always check the specific area you're visiting, rather than relying on the advice for the country as a whole.
At the time of our last update, CoverForYou policies could provide cover for travel to the main tourist destinations in:
However, some areas within these countries may not be covered, particularly certain border regions.
For example, restrictions may apply near the border between Egypt and Israel.
Before travelling, check the FCDO advice for your specific destination and ensure your policy meets your travel requirements.
You may still be covered for your overall trip if you're travelling to an insured destination but have a connecting flight through a country where the FCDO advises against all travel or all but essential travel.
However, your insurance cover will be restricted during your connection.
Because the Middle East conflict is a known event, cover under the following sections is excluded during the connection, unless you can prove that your claim is entirely unrelated to the war or outbreak of hostilities:
Medical Emergency and Repatriation Expenses
Personal Accident
You will not be covered under any section of your policy if you leave the airport during a connection in a country where the FCDO advises against all travel or all but essential travel.
This applies even if your final destination is covered by your policy.
Your CoverForYou policy does not provide cancellation cover where you need to cancel your trip because of war.
If your destination becomes subject to an FCDO travel warning, you should contact your airline, travel provider or tour operator to discuss your options.
If you've booked a package holiday, you may have additional rights under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018.
Depending on your circumstances, your package travel organiser may be required to offer alternative arrangements or a refund.
We recommend contacting your tour operator directly to discuss the options available to you.
If your travel provider offers you a replacement destination, contact CoverForYou before travelling.
We may be able to amend your existing insurance policy to cover the new destination, depending on your policy and the geographical area of cover required.
The cover available depends on what caused the disruption and the type of travel insurance policy you hold.
Fuel shortages
If your flight is disrupted by fuel shortages, your airline or tour operator will generally be responsible for rearranging your journey or providing any refund you're entitled to.
However, depending on the circumstances, you may also be able to claim under your policy's standard delay, abandonment or cancellation benefits.
Airspace closures caused by war or conflict
If airspace is closed because of war, conflict or an outbreak of hostilities, no cover applies under any section of your policy for disruption arising from that closure.
Airspace closures unrelated to war
If the closure results from a separate issue, such as severe weather or an air traffic control technical failure, a claim may be considered under your normal policy benefits.
For eligible claims arising from fuel shortages or non-war-related airspace closures, the following benefits may apply.
If your flight is delayed or cancelled on your scheduled travel day and no suitable alternative is provided within 12 hours of your original departure time:
Trip Cancellation: You may be able to claim reimbursement of non-refundable trip costs if you need to cancel your trip.
Trip Continuation – Travel Disruption upgrade required: You may be able to claim reasonable additional accommodation and public transport costs to help you reach your destination.
Trip Abandonment – Travel Disruption upgrade required: You may be able to claim if your flight is rearranged to depart within seven days of your original departure date and the delay means you'll miss 50% or more of your total trip.
All claims remain subject to your policy's terms, conditions, exclusions and applicable cover limits.
Cover for Backpacker policies may differ depending on your specific policy and circumstances.
Please contact our Sales and Support team to discuss the cover available under your policy.
If you're unable to return home because of hostilities or warlike operations, your policy may be automatically extended at no additional cost, provided:
You have a valid claim under your policy.
You take the first available flight offered to you by your airline or the UK government to return home.
Because the Middle East conflict is a known event, no cover applies under the following sections unless you can prove that your claim is entirely unrelated to the war or outbreak of hostilities:
Medical Emergency and Repatriation Expenses
Personal Accident
Other policy exclusions and conditions continue to apply.
If you experience a serious medical emergency abroad, contact the Emergency Medical Assistance Service.
Travel restrictions and airline operations can change quickly.
Before you travel, we recommend:
Checking the latest FCDO travel advice for your destination and any countries you're travelling through.
Checking with your airline or travel provider for flight cancellations, changes and disruption.
Reviewing your policy documents to understand your cover and any exclusions.
Contacting CoverForYou if you need assistance with your policy or a change of destination.
Important: This guidance reflects the position stated at the last update. Your cover is always subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of your insurance policy.
