Several UK travel insurers have rallied 'round to offer medical insurance cover for customers injured in the New York attrocities, even though travel insurance policies typically exclude cover for acts of terrorism.
CSP Insurance, which sells travel insurance underwritten at Lloyd's, has announced that its Travel Protection Plans will cover any insured who has fallen victim to the acts of violence.
A spokesman for specialist travel insurer Club Direct said: “We will be extending cover for people who cannot leave the States and those injured in the blast will also be covered, as the terrorist incident was unforseen.”
Andrew Blowers, managing director of Inter Group Insurance, which underwrites several travel policies said: “We have 3000 people at risk who are either in the US, coming back or about to go. If people are injured out there, we have agreed to look at things sympathetically, on a case by case basis.”
Assistance company Europ Assist welcomed the move. A spokesman said: “We never refuse assistance but the bills for medical care in the US are sky-high, as it the most expensive country for medical insurance.”
He added: “It is still possible that anyone injured could have to pay themselves as insurers are under no obligation to pay up.”
It is unlikely that travel insurers will be offering cancellation cover for people due to travel to the US.
However, the Association of British Travel Agents has stepped in and
