Government Travel Warnings

Unfortunately there are no simple blanket rules for travel insurance cover where travel warnings are in force since these warnings vary in severity and by government.

However there are three general rules of thumb that illustrate insurers positions in regard to Government Travel Warnings.

1. If it's generally known that an area is experiencing a period of instability and things get worse before you travel you probably wont be covered for any costs/booking charges or expenses that you've incurred in cancelling. If you are determined to visit a region where it is generally known that the political situation may deteriorate, act as if you don't have insurance - pay as low a deposit on your airfare and bookings as you can and don't pay the balance until you need to.
2. If you go somewhere which has experienced minor problems and things get much worse while you are in the area and you get hurt, your insurer will probably provide assistance as long as the deterioration in conditions was not generally expected.
3. If the government is advising against all travel or all but essential travel there probably isn't any coverage at all - simply don't go there.

And a little gem of our own: remember, it's much better to be somewhere safe wishing you were somewhere exotic than being somewhere exotic wishing that you were somewhere safe!