Holidaymakers are being warned they may face additional expenses due to the ongoing unrest in the Middle East.

With flights being cancelled, routes disrupted and official warnings issued, many travellers are uncertain about their financial position if trips are delayed or cancelled entirely.

Alicia Hempstead, Travel Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket, has addressed a variety of questions that holiday-goers might have. She said: “Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that travel insurance will cover travellers affected by the current situation in the Middle East.

“Most standard policies will not allow claims resulting from events that fall under standard exclusions like war and civil unrest. This means any claims for costs linked to disruption, such as cancelled trips, lost items, emergency accommodation, or medical treatment resulting from the conflict are unlikely to be covered.”

Foreign Office guidance

“In serious crises, such as the current situation in the Middle East, which has prompted updated Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warnings, the FCDO will usually coordinate support and evacuation efforts.

“However, this assistance is not guaranteed and does not replace travel insurance. Depending on the circumstances, travellers may still be responsible for some costs, even if they receive help from the FCDO.”

Will I get my money back if my flight is cancelled?

“As flights are being cancelled and significantly delayed, airlines have legal obligations under UK and EU passenger rights rules to offer either a full refund or to re-route at no additional cost.

“Once services resume, carriers must also offer re-routing options. Passengers’ first point of call should be to check directly with their airline for the latest updates, as policies may vary by departure location and the specific disruption.

“For those due to travel in the coming weeks or months, refunds are not automatic simply because the FCDO advises against travel.

“However, many airlines and tour operators may offer refunds or flexible rebooking options if the FCDO formally advises against all travel to a destination.

“Travellers should check the terms and conditions of their booking carefully, and contact their airline or travel provider if they are unsure.

“Be aware that operators may be experiencing high volumes of enquiries, so refunds or rebooking arrangements may take several days or weeks to process and you may need to be prepared for longer waiting times on the phone or online.”

Specialist insurance for high-risk areas

“Travellers who knowingly travel to high-risk areas typically require specialist high-risk or conflict-zone insurance that explicitly covers war-related incidents.

“These policies tend to be more expensive and come with strict conditions, but they are the only way to secure cover for conflict-related risks.

“For instance, Dubai has previously been a very popular destination, and travellers who have holidays booked may find their hotel costs aren’t covered because their standard policy excludes war-related incidents. It’s always a good idea to check directly with your hotel, or if you’re on a package holiday, with your provider, to understand what might be refundable or rebookable if your plans are affected.”

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) option

“A future option to make sure you’re always as protected as possible is to opt for Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance, which can offer reimbursements of around 50-75% of non-refundable, prepaid trip costs. However, these premiums come at a higher price and aren’t offered by all UK insurers.

“If you don’t have specialist cover in place, your best first step is to speak directly to your airline, hotel, or tour operator to understand what flexibility or refunds they may be able to offer before assuming your travel insurance will pay out.”