On 12th January 2016, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) added advice regarding this incident, but have not advised against travel.
This attack resulted in 10 deaths and at least 15 injured, including tourists; however it is not currently thought to include British nationals.
If you’re currently in Istanbul, please contact your holiday company as soon as possible for further advice.
If you have booked a holiday to Istanbul, that is due to depart very soon, please contact your holiday company as soon as you can as they should be able to either rearrange your holiday for another time or offer you a full refund. If you have a travel insurance policy with us, we can change this to cover your new holiday providing the new trip is within three months of your original departure date, is for the same (or no longer) duration and is to the same geographical area. If your trip is cancelled and you are being fully refunded by your holiday company and so have no claim to make under this insurance, we will also consider the cancellation and refund of your existing policy. Please note that this will only apply to single trip policies for specific trips covering the dates concerned.
We have also updated the advice regarding what cover we can offer you if you’re currently in Turkey below:
- Medical expenses – Any medical claims arising as a result of any attacks are fully covered under the policy terms and conditions
- Repatriation – We are not currently aware that any travel companies or the FCDO are repatriating customers from the resort. If, for any reason, you’re unable to be repatriated by either of these then we will provide cover for this in line with your medical needs
- Cutting short your trip – As the FCDO are not advising against travel, no cover is provided for cutting short your trip, unless this is confirmed as medically necessary following injury associated with the incident
- Cancellation – As the FCDO are not advising against travel, no cover is provided for cancelling a trip to Istanbul. If you wish to change your travel plans/cancel, you should speak to your travel companies for further advice. If you have a travel insurance policy with us, we can change this to cover your new holiday providing the new trip is within three months of your original departure date, is for the same (or no longer) duration and is to the same geographical area. If your trip is cancelled and you are being fully refunded by your holiday company and so have no claim to make under this insurance, we will also consider the cancellation and refund of your existing policy. Please note that this will only apply to single trip policies for specific trips covering the dates concerned
- Travel delay – Flights into and out of Istanbul, should not be affected and therefore only standard cover is provided under this section and nothing has been extended with regard to this incident
- Baggage claims – Any baggage claim associated with this incident will be considered. If any delay or loss occurs if the government arrange for its return, claims should initially be submitted to that government authority before being submitted to us for consideration
Cover under your policy will automatically extend if you’re unable to return home as planned.
Please note that our advice remains valid until further notice.
If you have any queries, please get in touch with us.