War-hit flight disruptions expose travel insurance gaps

airlines must also provide monetary compensation when the cancellation is not communicated appropriately well in advance. However, in the case of cancellations caused by a war, airlines are not liable to provide monetary compensation.The exclusion extends beyond just ticket cancellations. Claims for trip interruption, delays, missed connections and even additional accommodation costs may be denied if it is linked to a conflict.Baggage-related claims may also be denied if the delay or loss is directly attributable to airport shutdowns or conflict conditions.

Medical treatment for injuries caused by war or civil unrest is not covered.Even when travellers are not flying into a conflict zone, the exclusion still applies. For instance, flights between India and Europe are currently being disrupted because large parts of the West Asia airspace have been shut, forcing cancellations and rerouting. In such cases, travel insurance is unlikely to help.“Anything directly or indirectly linked to a war situation is not covered.

Insurers look at the proximate cause of the disruption, and if that is war, the claim is not admissible, regardless of the destination," said Bondia.He noted that the key factor is always the primary cause of the loss. “There could be multiple events in a chain, but insurers look at what triggered the loss. If that is attributable to war, it will not be paid,” he said.For instance, say your baggage was left behind in the country of origin by the airlines and is due to reach you the next day.