Where Can Brits Travel Abroad?

The government has lifted it’s ban on all international travel, with the The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) updating the list of countries exempted from mandatory 14 days quarantine.

However, in this very fast-moving pandemic context, travelers have to make sure they get the right insurance cover before going. Please note that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland apply their own rules and restrictions. The above-presented map therefore concerns citizens travelling from England.

What are the latest FCO updates against all but essential travel?

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is the public authority that publishes the list of countries where British citizens may go or not during the covid-19 pandemic period.

On the 4th of July, it has increased the number of countries and territories exempted from the 'all but essential' restriction, meaning those places are available for British tourists to go for 'non-essential' purpose - holidays in other words.

If you are planning a trip abroad, you should consult this list, which will be updated following the pandemic situation developments.

Which countries are on the FCO’s travel corridors list?*

Why getting a travel insurance is so important this summer?

Getting a travel insurance has never been so important. Indeed, with Covid-19 lockdown and travel ban, people have lost thousands of pounds seeing their annual holiday plan cancelled with no chance to get refund without any travel insurance purchased.

However, you should definitely pick the right travel insurance cover. While the worldwide situation remaining unstable, we would definitely advise you to pick between one of the two travel insurance options:

• "Any cancellation reason" travel insurance: it usually comes at a certain prices (between 10 to 12% of your stay), but you will get total refund in case something comes up, including a worldwide pandemic.
• "Named perils", being sure that "pandemic" is named as a potential peril (usually 7 to 9% of your stay budget).

Which travel insurers cover pandemic crisis?

First of all, one must be aware that the world currently goes through a fast-changing period regarding the Covid-19 pandemic and its evolution in time. This may impact the travel insurance policies proposed by the companies, so you should always carefully check your cover before going.

• On the first hand, some travel insurers propose a cancellation cover, in case your journey would be impossible due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With the uncertainty about the possibility of a "second wave" to happen, such guarantees can be desirable.
• On the second hand, most of the travel insurance companies are now proposing medical and repatriation cover, in case you get contaminated by the Covid-19 during your holidays abroad. Of course, this will naturally increase the price you will have to pay, but that is undoubtedly an important security regarding the cost that can represent a stay in an hospital and a repatriation by plane.
• "Leading ABI travel insurance members will look to extend cover for emergency medical treatment for up to a minimum of 60 days for customers stuck overseas and trying to return home", said the ABI on a recent release.

Insurers like insurefor.com or Allclear now offer specific medical and cancellation cover including any reason related to COVID-19. Compare all travel insurances including COVID-19 cover (or not) in one clic on our comparison tool.

How much is travel insurance covering COVID-19 travel disruption?

Our methodology

Please note that the above-mentioned information is accurate at the date it is published. For getting the most up to date information, you shall consult the FCO website before planning your journey abroad and purchasing your travel insurance. All our studies are based on reliable information sourced from public and privates organizations. For further information on our editorial guidelines please click here.

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