War and armed conflict can disrupt travel plans with little warning. Airspace may close, flights can be cancelled, and the Australian Government may advise travellers to leave affected areas. If this happens, many travellers ask: does travel insurance cover war?
In most cases, the answer is no. Most travel insurance policies exclude claims that arise directly from war or military conflict. However, your insurer may still provide support in certain situations.
Here's what you need to know.
Is War Covered by Travel Insurance?
Generally, travel insurance does not cover claims caused by war or acts of war.
Nearly all policies contain a war exclusion, meaning insurers will not pay claims for losses that result from military conflict or hostilities. This typically includes disruptions such as:
- Trip cancellations caused by war
- Flights cancelled due to military conflict
- Travel delays caused by airspace closures during conflict
- Accommodation or tour cancellations due to war
- Costs related to evacuation caused by war
You can usually find this exclusion in the General Exclusions section of a travel insurance policy.
Many policies include wording similar to:
Claims arising from war, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities (whether war is declared or not), civil war, rebellion, revolution or military power are not covered.
Because of this exclusion, travel insurance usually cannot reimburse expenses directly caused by war or armed conflict.
What Happens if a War Starts After You Book Your Trip?
If conflict begins after you have already purchased travel insurance, you may still have some support from your insurer.
While costs directly related to war are typically excluded, insurers may still assist with:
- Emergency assistance services
- Advice and support if you are overseas
- Extending your policy if you are unable to return home as planned
- Cover for unrelated events such as illness, injury, or theft
For example, if your return flight is delayed due to conflict but you later need medical treatment for an illness, your policy may still cover the medical costs.
What if the Government Issues a ‘Do Not Travel’ Warning?
The Australian Government provides official travel advice through Smartraveller and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
If a destination receives a ‘Do Not Travel’ warning, travel insurance generally will not cover claims if you travel against that advice.
However, if the warning changes after you purchased your policy, some insurers may allow you to:
- Change or cancel your trip
- Rearrange travel plans
Whether this is covered will depend on the reason for the advisory change and the specific terms of your policy.
If the warning is issued because of war or armed conflict, the war exclusion may still apply.
What Should You Do if Your Flight Is Cancelled Due to War?
If your travel plans are affected by conflict, your airline is usually the first point of contact.
Airlines typically manage disruptions caused by events outside their control, including:
- Military conflict
- Airspace closures
- Government restrictions
If your airline cancels the flight, you may be offered:
- A refund
- A travel credit
- Rebooking on another flight
If you cancel the flight yourself, your options may depend on the fare rules attached to your ticket. Travellers are often advised to wait for the airline to cancel or change the flight before cancelling themselves.
What Happens if You Are Stranded Overseas?
If conflict disrupts flights and you are unable to return home, contact your travel insurer’s emergency assistance team as soon as possible.
While war-related expenses may not be covered, insurers may still help by:
- Providing travel advice and support
- Coordinating medical assistance if required
- Extending your travel insurance policy until you can return home safely
A policy extension means you may still have cover for unrelated incidents such as accidents, illness, or stolen belongings.
Can You Still Travel Through Conflict Regions?
Before travelling to or through regions experiencing conflict, check the latest travel advice from Smartraveller.
Travel advisories can change quickly during geopolitical events, and airlines may suspend flights or reroute services with little notice.
If a region has a ‘Do Not Travel’ or ‘Avoid Non-Essential Travel’ warning, you should carefully consider whether your trip should proceed.
What About Accommodation or Tours?
If your travel plans change due to conflict, contact your accommodation provider or tour operator directly.
Many providers may offer:
- Flexible rebooking
- Travel credits
- Partial refunds
Refund policies will depend on the booking terms and conditions.
Bookings Made Through Travel Websites
If you booked your flights or accommodation through an online travel agency or booking platform, you will usually need to contact the platform directly.
Booking sites typically have their own cancellation policies and may offer flexibility during major global events.
acts of war and travel insurance faqs
In most cases, no. Travel insurance policies usually exclude claims caused by war or armed conflict. If your flight is cancelled due to war, your airline may be responsible for refunds or rebooking.
Most travel insurance policies exclude evacuation caused by war. However, insurers may still provide emergency assistance and advice while you are overseas.
Travel insurers exclude acts of war because they represent large-scale, unpredictable events that fall outside the scope of traditional travel protection. Travel insurance is designed to cover routine mishaps such as cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage. Acts of war create widespread, simultaneous losses that are difficult for insurers to price predictably, which is why they are typically excluded.
Although they share similarities in using extreme violence for political or ideological goals, there are distinct differences. Acts of war typically involve state-sanctioned, uniformed armed forces attacking legitimate targets, whereas terrorism generally refers to non-state actors targeting civilians to create fear.
In travel insurance, acts or threats of war are usually excluded. Terrorism may have limited cover under some policies.
Key Takeaway
Travel insurance provides protection for many unexpected travel problems, but war and armed conflict are almost always excluded.
If conflict affects your travel plans, your airline or travel provider is usually the first place to seek refunds or alternative arrangements.
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