If the advice changes after I book, am I still covered?

It depends on when the advice changed relative to when you bought the policy and when you booked your trip. Most policies cover trips booked before a travel warning was issued, as long as the policy was also purchased before the warning. Trips booked after a warning is in place are typically excluded. Check your policy wording carefully — the key date is usually when the warning was first issued.

Which countries have official travel advice that could affect my insurance?

Check your own government's advisory: UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), US State Department, or Australian Smartraveller. Advisories are updated in real time and vary by region within a country — the whole country is rarely under blanket warning.

Does travel insurance cover medical expenses if I travel against advice?

Generally no. Medical cover is usually excluded when you travel against official government advice, because the insurer treats it as a known risk you accepted by travelling. This exclusion typically applies even if the illness or injury is unrelated to the reason for the travel advisory. This is one of the most costly travel insurance gaps because medical evacuation and overseas hospital costs can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Is there any travel insurance that covers travel against government advice?

Some specialist policies or "cancel for any reason" (CFAR) add-ons provide cover in higher-risk destinations. These are significantly more expensive and still have limits. Journalists, aid workers, and security contractors use specialist insurers such as Lloyd's of London syndicates for conflict-zone cover.

Consumer alert All regions Published 2026-09-28 5 min read

Before you travel: check your cover against official travel advice

Many travel insurance policies do not cover trips taken to destinations under official government travel warnings. A quick check before booking can prevent an expensive gap — especially for medical emergencies abroad.

The government advice exclusion

Most standard travel insurance policies contain a clause that voids cover — or significantly reduces it — when you travel to a destination that your government has advised against visiting. The exact wording varies: some policies exclude the destination entirely; others only exclude losses that are directly connected to the reason for the advisory.

The most financially dangerous version of this exclusion applies to medical cover. An overseas medical emergency — even one completely unrelated to the reason for the travel warning — can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Without valid travel insurance, you bear the full cost.

Our guide to insurance exclusions explained covers how to find and interpret exclusion clauses in any policy.

Where to check government travel advice

FCDO Foreign Travel Advice — updated in real time, with region-level detail.

US State Department Travel Advisories — four levels from Exercise Normal Precautions to Do Not Travel.

Australian Smartraveller — five advisory levels with insurance implications noted per destination.

Global Affairs Canada Travel Advisories — with risk levels and insurance warnings.

Pre-travel insurance checklist

Check your government's travel advisory for your destination before booking.
Read your policy's exclusions section for any reference to government advice, FCO warnings, or travel warnings.
If your destination is under an advisory, contact your insurer to confirm the exact scope of the exclusion before you travel.
Check that your policy covers the activities you plan — adventure sports are often excluded unless specifically added.
Confirm your medical cover limit — it should be sufficient to cover emergency repatriation to your home country.
Keep digital copies of your policy and the insurer's emergency line accessible offline.

If advice changes while you are already abroad

If a travel advisory is raised after you have already departed, most policies continue to provide cover for the remainder of your trip. Some policies include a "curtailment" benefit that reimburses you for cutting the trip short. Check your policy for what costs are recoverable if you are advised to leave and comply.

If you need to make a claim from abroad, our claims guide covers the documentation you need and the process to follow.

Travel advice FAQ

Frequently asked questions

: It depends on when the advice changed relative to when you bought the policy and when you booked your trip. Most policies cover trips booked before a travel warning was issued, as long as the policy was also purchased before the warning. Trips booked after a warning is in place are typically excluded. Check your policy wording carefully — the key date is usually when the warning was first issued.
: Check your own government's advisory: UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), US State Department, or Australian Smartraveller. Advisories are updated in real time and vary by region within a country — the whole country is rarely under blanket warning.
: Generally no. Medical cover is usually excluded when you travel against official government advice, because the insurer treats it as a known risk you accepted by travelling. This exclusion typically applies even if the illness or injury is unrelated to the reason for the travel advisory. This is one of the most costly travel insurance gaps because medical evacuation and overseas hospital costs can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.
: Some specialist policies or "cancel for any reason" (CFAR) add-ons provide cover in higher-risk destinations. These are significantly more expensive and still have limits. Journalists, aid workers, and security contractors use specialist insurers such as Lloyd's of London syndicates for conflict-zone cover.