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Covid: Pinged holidaymakers must check small print of travel insurance for self-isolation policies

Ministers are preparing to ease travel rules for expats returning to the UK from Sunday, it has been reported (Steve Parsons/PA) (PA Wire)
Ministers are preparing to ease travel rules for expats returning to the UK from Sunday, it has been reported (Steve Parsons/PA) (PA Wire)

Some travel insurance policies will not cover cancellation costs if holidaymakers are told to self-isolate because of a close Covid contact, according to research.

More than 600,000 people have already been pinged recently by the NHS app and forced to isolate even if they tested negative for the virus which has sparked hundreds of staff and product shortages in the “pingdemic” crisis.

Analysts from Defaqto, which analyses the insurance sector, have said nine in 10 travel insurance policies cover the cost of cancelled holidays if the policy holder tests positive for coronavirus

But less than six in 10 policies cover the costs for cases of self-isolation, according to the analysts.

Anyone who receives notification from NHS Test and Trace is legally required to self-isolate but a ping from the NHS app is advisory, although ministers strongly recommend isolation.

The latest information from data specialists Defaqto found 88 per cent of single trip travel insurance policies on the market in the UK would pay out if a holiday was cancelled owing to a positive test.

But this drops to 56 per cent if cancellation is owing to a self-isolation request. The figures are almost identical for annual policies.

Anna-Marie Duthie, from Defaqto, said some insurers would be understanding of those required to self-isolate.

“Policyholders should read their policies carefully to be sure they fully understand what cover they have, and if in doubt should contact their insurers before changing any travel plans,” she told the BBC.

It comes as the government released a list of 24 sectors where fully vaccinated workers may be exempt from isolation if they are told to quarantine after coming into close contact with a positive coronavirus case.

These include waste, water, veterinary medicines, essential chemicals, essential transport, medicines, medical devices, clinical consumable supplies and emergency services.

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