Terrorism and Travel Insurance

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re probably concerned about the threat of terrorist attacks while travelling overseas and if so, you’re not alone.

Since the September 11 attacks in New York City in the United States, the threat of terrorism has sadly become one of the leading fears for many travellers planning an international holiday.

Targeted attacks on popular tourist destinations like the Bastille Day tragedy in Nice, multiple shootings and stabbings in the United Kingdom, and the infamous Bali bombings as far back as 2002 have understandably made many Australians think twice about taking a trip overseas.

Just like natural disasters or accidents, we can never be certain when or where the next attack might happen. However, knowing what to do in the event of a terror attack and understanding how travel insurance may assist you in an emergency situation can help you stay safe overseas, and to know what you can be covered for if a terrorist attack does unfortunately occur.

Read on for the answers to the most frequently asked questions when it comes to terrorist attacks and how travel insurance fits into the picture.

Travel tips to prepare for a safe and happy holiday

There are a few things you can do to prepare before leaving home to help your future self if something does go wrong on your holiday:

Is it still safe to travel overseas with the threat of terrorism?

With recent tragedies in international travel destinations like Paris, Istanbul, London and Brussels, it’s no wonder many travellers are hesitant to leave home these days.

Countless publicised bombings in airports, train and bus stations by extremist groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda and the Taliban have also made the act of travelling itself seem more dangerous than ever.

However, the threat of terrorism shouldn’t necessarily deter you from overseas travel if you want to see the world. There are still millions of Australian travellers that head overseas every year and have a wonderful time without any incidents.

Illness is still by far the leading cause of death for Australian travellers overseas. In fact, a report from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade indicated that illnesses were responsible for 25 per cent of all overseas deaths in 2013.

This means that poor traveller health has been the cause of more deaths than anything else including natural disasters, violent crime, transport accidents and terrorism.

So if you suffer from any pre-existing medical conditions, it might be worth checking that your travel insurance policy covers that condition before purchasing the policy and heading off on your overseas trip.

How does having travel insurance help me in a terrorist attack?

Although statistically you’re far more likely to make an insurance claim for petty theft or lost luggage than you are for any terrorism-related events, one of the many benefits of purchasing travel insurance is that it may also provide cover for emergency evacuation and overseas medical expenses that arise as a result of a terrorist attack overseas.

This may include medical evacuation and emergency transport, or even funeral or cremation expenses and the cost of returning your remains home to Australia if the worst should happen and you are killed overseas.

Travel insurance can also connect travellers with a direct 24 Hour Emergency Assistance helpline which you can contact for travel advice or medical assistance anywhere in the world.

If you’re nervous about travelling overseas on holidays or a working holiday visa, knowing you’ll have 24 hour access to the right advice and assistance in an emergency situation can also help to set your mind at ease.

What are travel alerts and advisories?

The Australian Government website Smartraveller uses four levels to assess the threats that a traveller may face in different destinations:

Your policy may exclude cover for countries or regions that have a ‘Do not travel’ rating, which could be due to the high risk of terror attack. This means that if you decide to visit a level four listed country, you may not be covered under your policy.

Visit Smartraveller.gov.au to check the advisory level of the country you intend to travel to, then check the PDS or ask your travel insurer what level is covered under their policies.

If a warning is issued or a region is upgraded to level four when you’re already overseas, you may have provision to claim for cancellation costs or fees involved in changing your travel plans to evacuate the area immediately.

If you’ve already purchased travel insurance but haven’t yet left home when a new warning is issued, you may also be covered under your policy for cancelling or delaying your trip until it’s safe to travel again.

If something does go wrong, find the latest updates and what you’re covered for in our Travel Alerts page.

Read our guide: 'What Are Smartraveller Travel Advisories?' for more information about what each of the different travel alert levels mean.

How do I choose a safe travel destination?

The Australian Government website Smart Traveller posts the latest travel warnings and security status updates. It also has a wealth of travel advice you should read before venturing overseas, including the most common risks in different regions and how to avoid or minimise them.

If you’re still feeling a bit anxious and want to opt for the safest possible destination for your next overseas holiday, check out the table below to compare the 10 safest countries to visit with the 10 most dangerous countries to avoid.

Nordic countries consistently top the list as some of the safest travel destinations in the world, but if you’re looking for a travel destination that’s closer to home, why not pop over and visit our friendly neighbours in New Zealand?

At the opposite end of the scale, if you’re concerned about safety you may wish to avoid parts of Africa and Middle Eastern regions which have a much higher threat of terrorism.