Travel insurance FAQs

12 March 2026

Following the large-scale military escalation in the region since 28 February 2026, the security situation in the Middle East is highly unstable. Current tensions are causing major disruptions to airspace, flights, and transport infrastructure across multiple countries.

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Coverage limitations and affected areas

Travel insurance protects against unexpected events such as illness, cancellations or lost luggage. However, coverage related to war, conflict and terrorism may be limited and is often subject to exclusions.

Some destinations may be excluded due to:

• Security risks


• Geopolitical instability


• Public health concerns


• International regulatory restrictions

To avoid unexpected issues, please review your policy terms and exclusions and follow the FCDO travel advice before purchasing or travelling.

AA Travel Insurance will continue to deliver the services and cover outlined in your policy.

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What to do based on your situation

If you're currently in an affected area:

• Register your presence with the UK government.


• Contact your travel provider to confirm booking status or discuss alternatives.


• Follow instructions from local authorities and check official updates regularly.


• Contact our 24/7 assistance service for medical support (emergency number available in your policy document).

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Cancellation due to FCDO advice

Cancellation cover may apply only if you cancel within 21 days of departure.

Please note:

• If you booked your trip after FCDO advice was issued, claims will not be covered.


• No cover is available for policies purchased on or after 6pm on 28 February 2026.


• No cover applies if travel advice existed when the trip or policy was arranged.


• Certain Middle East regions already had FCDO advisories before 28 February 2026.

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If you're stranded outside the Middle East

If your airline cancels your flight, standard airline refund and rebooking procedures apply. We advise you to:

• Contact your airline or travel agent to discuss rebooking or refunds.


• Speak with your airline or tour operator about accommodation or related costs while abroad.

AA Travel Insurance will continue to support you within the scope of your policy’s additional services.

Due to the current situation, we've introduced temporary support measures to assist impacted travellers.

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Extended stays and automatic policy extension

Your policy will automatically extend at no extra cost if:

• You accept the first available alternative flight, and


• You do not intentionally delay your return.

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Travel insurance refunds

If you purchased travel insurance but could not travel due to flight disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict, you may request a refund of your premium.

There is no deadline to apply, provided you can show your trip was cancelled as a direct result of the conflict.

You can cancel your policy at any time.

Cancelling within the first 14 days

If you cancel within 14 days of buying your policy or receiving your documents (whichever is later), you'll receive a full refund – provided you haven't travelled, made a claim, or intend to make a claim.

To cancel your policy:

• Call 0330 123 5485


• Email [email protected]


• Or you can write to the address on your policy documents

Cancelling after 14 days – Single Trip policies

If you cancel a Single Trip policy after the first 14 days, you'll receive a partial refund, as long as you haven't travelled, made a claim, or intend to make a claim.

Cancelling after 14 days – Annual Multi‑trip policies

If you cancel an Annual Multi‑trip policy after the first 14 days (or after the renewal date), we'll refund part of your premium based on the number of full months left on your policy. You must not be on a trip at the time of cancellation, and no claim must have been made or intended.

Before you make a new claim, contact your travel provider or tour operator first to discuss what options are available to you.

If the travel provider or tour operator can't resolve your particular request, you can still make a claim on your policy.

You can find our contact details here.

If your package provider or airline has cancelled your trip, they have a legal obligation to give you a full cash refund. You don't need to accept a voucher for a future booking. If you do accept a voucher, the booking date of the trip will be the date you use the voucher. If the package provider or airline refuses to offer a refund, your debit card or credit card provider may be able to help you.

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How long will my claim take to be settled?

Resolving a claim depends on the nature of each request and the information we need to process it.

You can help us by checking the required documents laid out in your claim pack to evidence the claim. Sending all of them together will reduce requests for further documentation, which could delay your claim.

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What is the Entry Exit System?

The EU has introduced a new border control for people visiting the Schengen area. This includes the following contries:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

British nationals visiting the area previously had their passport inspected and stamped when they left the UK and when they arrived at a European airport or seaport.

This familiar passport system is being replaced by the Entry Exit System (EES), which requires digital identification by photo and fingerprints instead.

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How does the Entry Exit System work?

The EU Entry Exit system started on 12 October 2025.

On your first visit to the EU in the new system, passport officers will scan your fingerprints and take a photo as a digital biometric record of your identification.

There will be special booths for this at the arrival or passport points of UK airports, ferry harbours and railway stations. In some cases your digital record may be done at the EU entry point.

On busy routes such as St Pancras Eurostar, Eurotunnel, Port of Dover and international airports you should allow more time for your first EES journey. Your travel operator will give you more information closer to your departure date.

Thereafter on subsequent visits to the Schengen area, passport officers will only check your fingerprints and photo against the digital record, which should be quicker than the passport system.

Your digital record will last for 3 years. While the EES replaces your passport in the EU, you should still carry a valid passport when travelling abroad.

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Why is this happening?

The EES will improve border security in the Schengen area, help reduce illegal migration, and also check your total stay in the area is no more than 90 days in every 180 days. For trips longer than 90 days you may need a visa.

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Is the EES the same as the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)?

No. While the EES removes the need for a passport at the EU border, the ETIAS is an entry requirement to 30 European countries for a short stay up to 90 days. It is due to come into force in late 2026.

The European countries are:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

The ETIAS process requires you to provide details of yourself and your trip, and pay a small fee in euros. You apply on the official website or app, and you'll need a valid passport and payment card.

The ETIAS authorisation is valid for 3 years, or less if your passport expires before that time. While the ETIAS is done online, the authorisation is checked against your passport when you arrive in one of the European countries. So despite the EES, always carry your passport when you travel.

Can I purchase AA Travel Insurance if I don't live in the UK?

No. The policy only covers UK residents, so non-UK residents are not covered. The UK is defined as England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

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Do you have personal liability cover for holiday accommodation?

Personal liability cover is included for temporary rented holiday accommodation, but not if you own the overseas property, or you have the property on any other type of hire.

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Is terrorism covered?

Terrorism is covered providing it wasn't already taking place at the beginning of your trip, at the time of purchasing your policy, or when booking your holiday, whichever is the later.

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Are the benefits per person?

The benefits are per person unless otherwise stated.

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When does the delayed baggage benefit come into force?

If your baggage is delayed for more than 12 hours after your arrival overseas at your final destination, there is cover up to £300 to replace essential items of toiletries, medication and clothing.

If your property is lost permanently, any payment made under delayed baggage will be deducted from the eventual claim for loss, damage or theft.

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Am I covered to work or study in Europe?

We cover some types of manual work, but there's no cover for professional entertaining. Study overseas can be covered but doesn't include any professional liability cover or any excluded activity.

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Is sailing covered as an activity?

Sailing is covered providing you're qualified and you're not racing. We don’t cover personal liability for this activity.

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Is there cover for water sports?

Jet boating and powerboating are covered as standard, so long as you're not racing or competing.

For an additional premium we can cover:

• High diving, as long as its amateur only and not the main purpose of the trip.
• Scuba diving and mixed gas diving to 40 metres, as long as you're a qualified scuba diver or accompanied by qualified instructor, and not diving alone or involved in cave diving.

There's no cover for motorboats or diving with sharks.

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Is cross-country skiing covered?

Pleasure skiing of this type is covered providing you've purchased winter sports and hazardous activities for an additional premium.

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What happens if I get hurt while skiing, and I haven't taken out winter sports cover?

You won't be covered for medical costs. Winter sports cover doesn't just add on the specific winter sports (see the policy booklet). It's excluded from all sections of the policy, unless your policy schedule shows that you've bought winter sports cover.

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Do I need winter sports cover for ice hockey?

Yes, you do. We can also cover field hockey for an additional premium.

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What if I'm not sure if my medical needs are covered?

First, have a look at our travel Insurance video that explains the importance of declaring your current and pre-existing medical conditions.

Then call us and we can talk about your conditions.