With the unfortunate postponement of FESPA, many of us are now seeing a clear indication of the significant impact of Coronavirus on our industry and its international events.
Wide-format sign and display print, textile printing and digital printing generally are all now international businesses, particularly so for manufacturers and bigger commercial PSP businesses, accordingly many of you will be regular attendees at overseas events such as FESPA, DRUPA, ITMA, PRINTING United etc,.
We can’t yet know for sure which of the above will go ahead, as the whole event industry is in a literal state of chaos currently. What we can do is try to ensure that if you do have overseas travel planned, that you have made sufficient provision for the effects coronavirus might have on your travel plans, and in a worst case scenario to ensure that your insurance is one less thing to worry about.
Much of the following advice is for UK readers, from the website of The Association of British Insurers, but the practical advice should be portable to other regions by referring to your own local resources and advisories.
Anyone planning to travel from the UK should check and follow government advice https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
Be aware that anyone travelling to a country or region against government advice risks invalidating their travel insurance.
If you make alternative travel plans, then you may be able to transfer your travel insurance to cover your new destination.
Travel insurance policies may cover some out-of-pocket losses, and also help you to leave the area and return back to the UK if you are advised to do so, and if you are unable to get assistance from any other source.
Q. If I ignore any government advice against all but essential travel, will my travel insurance still cover me?
If you travel against government advice then you are likely to invalidate your travel insurance. If unsure, then speak to your travel insurer.
Q. If I cancel my travel plans can I claim any cancellation costs on my travel insurance?
Travel insurance may cover non-refundable cancellation costs, in specific circumstances. These may include medical advice against you or a member of your group from travelling or government advice against travelling. Check your travel insurance policy for the scope of cover. Travel insurance is not designed to cover ‘disinclination to travel’ where the FCO advice has not changed to advise against travel.
Q. What would be classed as ‘essential’ travel?
You should check with your travel insurer if the reasons for your trip would or would not invalidate your travel insurance. A holiday to the area is unlikely to be considered as essential.
Q. If I am in an area and the Government advice is to return home, will my travel insurer cover any additional costs I incur in getting back to the UK?
Travel insurance policies may cover some out-of-pocket losses, and also help you to leave the area if a warning to return back to the UK comes into effect while you are there, if you are unable to get assistance from any other source. You should keep up to date with government advice: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
Q. Would any ATOL compensation arrangements operate here?
No. These relate to the failure of the providers of package holidays, and not for a major medical outbreak like Coronavirus.
