Comprehensive Travel Insurance Guide
Comprehensive Travel Insurance Guide
Europe/Worldwide
Select
Cover
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Contents Page
Policy Summary
The Intermediary 9
The Insurer 10
Important Requirement applying to your Policy 10
Key exclusions applying to your Policy 11
Duration of your Policy 11
Cancellation of your Policy 12
What to do if you need to make a claim 12
Complaints Procedure 14
Compensation Scheme 15
3
Section 11 Personal Liability 52
Section 12 Legal Advice and Expenses 53
Section 13 C
ancellation (Unless excluded for a
reduced premium) 56
Section 14 P
ersonal Baggage
(Unless excluded for a reduced
premium) 60
Section 15 Winter Sports (Optional Cover) 63
Section 16 A
dventure Sports and Activities
(Optional Cover) 66
Section 17 Golf (Optional Cover) 67
Section 18 Business Travel (Optional Cover) 70
Section 19 S
tranded Traveller Assistance
(Optional Cover) 74
General Conditions of your Policy 75
General Exclusions of your Policy 80
What to do if you need to make claim 83
Complaints Procedure 84
Compensation Scheme 85
Use of Your Personal Data 86
4
Policy
Summary
The Policy you have bought is Annual Select Cover. This
Policy Summary tells you how much you can claim under
each section of cover, but does not contain the full terms
and conditions relating to your Policy. These can be
found within this Policy booklet.
Section Significant Features Annual Select
and Benefits Cover
Description of Cover Benefit
30 per 24 hrs
4 Personal Accident to 30,000
including:
Death (1869) 30,000
Death (under 18 or 70 and over) 1,000
Loss of limb 30,000
Loss of sight 30,000
Permanent total disablement 30,000
5 Curtailment to 5,000
including:
5
Section Significant Features Annual Select
and Benefits Cover
Description of Cover Benefit
If 1,500 loss to home
When a deposit is lost #
Excursion cover
Independently Booked
Accommodation to 5,000
10 Money to 500
including:
Loss of cash to 250
Loss of cash under 16s to 50
Loss of passport
(travel/accommodation) to 500
6
Section Significant Features Annual Select
and Benefits Cover
Description of Cover Benefit
7
Section Significant Features Annual Select
and Benefits Cover
Description of Cover Benefit
8
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
You are only covered for the Options if the
appropriate premium has been paid.
If you wish to add any of these Options to your
existing cover, please call American Express
Insurance Services on 0800 700 707.
Please note that if you have chosen to exclude
Cancellation cover from your Policy, no cover
under Section 13 will apply.
Please note that if you have chosen to exclude
Personal Baggage from your Policy, no cover
under Section 14 will apply.
Renewals
A renewal notice will be sent to you before the end of the
period of insurance, explaining how this will work. Should
you want to amend your policy, update us on any medical
conditions or cancel your policy, please call us on 0800
700 707. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9:00 - 17:00.
The Intermediary
Your Policy has been arranged by American Express
Insurance Services Europe Limited (American Express
Insurance Services1), a UK based insurance intermediary
authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct
Authority. They will administer your Policy, and organise
the renewal of annual policies, subject to the terms and
conditions set out by the insurer. American Express
Insurance Services will provide you with renewal terms
offered by their travel insurance provider at the time of
your renewal. A renewal notice will be sent to you before
the end of the period of insurance, explaining how this
will work. If you do not wish to renew your Policy with
the current or any new insurer, you will need to contact
American Express Insurance Services by calling 0800 700
707, at least 30 days prior to the expiry of your Policy.
If American Express Insurance Service does not hear from
you, your Policy will be renewed automatically.
1
American Express Insurance Services Europe Limited (AEISEL), Registered Office:
76 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9AX, UK. Registered in England and
Wales. Company Number: 05048826, is authorised and regulated by the Financial
Conduct Authority, Registered Number: 311684. Full details can be found on the
Financial Services Register by visiting www.fca.org.uk/register or by contacting the
FCA on 0800 111 6768.
9
The Insurer
This policy is underwritten by American Express Insurance
Services1 current travel insurance provider, Inter Partner
Assistance SA (IPA). Inter Partner Assistance SA is a
Belgian firm authorised by the National Bank of Belgium,
and has a branch office in Ireland regulated by the
Central Bank of Ireland. It is subject to limited regulation
by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United
Kingdom. Details about the extent of the regulation by
the FCA are available from us on request. IPAs registered
address in Ireland is 10/11 Mary Street, Dublin 1,
Ireland (company number 906006). Some of the services
under this Policy will be provided by IPAs agent, AXA
Travel Insurance (company number 426087), of the same
Ireland address. All companies are members of the AXA
Assistance Group.
10
Key exclusions applying to your Policy
Age Restrictions
Please see your Certificate of Insurance for age
restrictions which apply to your Policy.
Exclusions
Please refer to the following sections of this Policy booklet
for the specific exclusions relating to each Policy section:
Section 1 Personal Assistance Services
Section 2 Medical Emergency and Repatriation Service
Section 3 Hospital Cash Benefit
Section 4 Personal Accident
Section 5 Curtailment
Section 6 Missed Departure and/or Missed
Connection(s)
Section 7 Travel Delay & Involuntary Denial of Boarding
Section 8 Kennel and Cattery
Section 9 Personal Baggage Delay
Section 10 Money
Section 11 Personal Liability
Section 12 Legal Advice and Expenses
Section 13 Cancellation (Unless excluded for a reduced
premium)
Section 14 Personal Baggage (Unless excluded for a
reduced premium)
Section 15 Winter Sports (Optional Cover)
Section 16 Adventure Sports and Activities
(Optional Cover)
Section 17 Golf (Optional Cover)
Section 18 Business Travel (Optional Cover)
Section 19 Stranded Traveller Assistance (Optional
Cover)
Please refer to page 80 for the list of General Exclusions
applying to all the sections of your Policy.
11
Cancellation of your Policy
If this insurance does not meet your needs, we will cancel
your Policy providing you return it to us within 15 days
of issue and you have not already taken your trip or
intend to make a claim. We will refund your premium
in full, but we will not refund it, or any part of your
premium, after the 15 days have passed.
If you subsequently give notice in writing or by telephone
to American Express Insurance Services to cancel this
insurance, such cancellation shall take effect on the next
renewal date following such notice. No refund of premium
will be made.
We may cancel this policy giving you at least fourteen
days written notice at your last known address for the
following reasons:
if you fail to make payment of the premium(s);
if you fail to co-operate with our representatives;
if you otherwise cease to comply with the terms and
conditions of this policy in any significant respect;
and or
if the cost of providing this policy becomes prohibitive.
We may cancel this policy without giving you prior notice
if, by law, we are prevented or otherwise impeded from
providing it.
We may cancel this policy without giving you prior notice
and without refunding your premium if:
you make or try to make a fraudulent claim under
your policy;
you are abusive or threatening towards our staff;
you repeatedly or seriously break the terms of this
policy.
12
2. Making a claim.
a) In the event of an emergency you should first call the
Emergency Helpline listed on the back cover of the
Policy booklet (any minor illness or injury costs must
be paid for by you and reclaimed).
b) For all other claims, telephone our Claims Helpline on
0203 126 4135 (Monday Friday 8:00 - 20:00 and
Saturday 8:00 - 17:00) to obtain a claim form. You
will need to give:
your name,
y
our Policy Number found at the top of your
Certificate of Insurance,
brief details of your claim.
Alternatively you can submit your non-emergency claim
on our 24/7 worldwide access online claims registrations
tool at www.amex-claims/uk or email our Claims Helpline
on [email protected]
You will need to provide:
your name,
y
our Policy Number found at the top of your
Certificate of Insurance,
your address including the postcode,
the section under which you wish to make a claim.
We ask that you notify us within 28 days of you
becoming aware of an incident or loss leading to a claim
and you return your completed claim form and any
additional information to us as soon as possible.
3. Additional Information.
You must supply all of your original invoices, receipts
and reports etc. You should check the section under
which you are claiming for any specific conditions
and details of any supporting evidence that you must
give us.
It is always advisable to keep copies of all the documents
that you send to us.
4. Claims Handling Agents.
To help us agree a quick and fair settlement of a
claim, it may sometimes be necessary for us to
appoint a claims handling agent.
13
Complaints Procedure
We aim to provide a first class service at all times.
However, if you have a complaint, in order to get your
complaint dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible,
please ensure your complaint is directed to the right
organisation.
If your complaint is about your cover under your Policy
or a claim on your Policy, please contact:
AXA Travel Insurance (Complaints Department)
The Quadrangle
106-118 Station Road
Redhill RH1 1PR
United Kingdom
or phone 01737 815227; or email us at
[email protected]
If your complaint is about the sale and servicing of your
Policy that you have received from American Express
Insurance Services, please contact:
American Express Insurance Executive Office
1 John Street
Brighton
BN88 1NH
United Kingdom
or phone 01273 576109; or email us at
[email protected]
Please enclose the following details when sending your
letter:
y
our full name, postcode and contact phone
number(s);
the type of Policy and your Policy and/or claim
reference;
an outline of the reasons for your complaint.
If it is impossible to reach an agreement, you may have
the right to make an appeal to the Financial Ombudsman
Service by writing to: Financial Ombudsman Service,
Exchange Tower, Harbour Exchange Square, London,
E14 9SR, United Kingdom.
Or you can phone 0800 023 4567 or 0300 123 9 123
from a mobile.
Website: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
These procedures do not affect your right to take legal action.
14
Compensation Scheme
We are a member of the Financial Services Compensation
Scheme (FSCS). The FSCS is a safety net for customers
of financial services firms should they not be able to
meet their liabilities and you may be entitled to claim
compensation in such event. Further information can be
obtained from the FSCS. Their contact details are Financial
Services Compensation Scheme, 10th Floor, Beaufort
House, 15 St Botolph Street, London EC3A 7QU United
Kingdom. Telephone 0800 678 1100 or 020 7741 4100,
Fax 020 7741 4101. Website: www.fscs.org.uk
Your Annual
Select Policy
Introduction
Thank you for choosing American Express to provide
your Travel Insurance. This booklet provides useful
information about the protection offered by this insurance,
and the way in which the Policy will operate.
The Intermediary
Your Policy has been arranged by American Express
Insurance Services Europe Limited (American Express
Insurance Services)1, a UK based insurance intermediary
authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct
Authority. They will administer your Policy, and organise
the renewal of annual policies, subject to the terms and
15
conditions set out by the insurer. American Express
Insurance Services will provide you with renewal terms
offered by their travel insurance provider at the time
of your renewal. A renewal notice will be sent to you
before the end of the period of insurance, explaining
how this will work. If you do not wish to renew your
Policy with the current or any new insurer, you will need
to contact American Express Insurance Services by calling
0800 700 707, at least 30 days prior to the expiry
of your Policy. If American Express Insurance Services
does not hear from you, your Policy will be renewed
automatically.
1
American Express Insurance Services Europe Limited (AEISEL), Registered Office:
76 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9AX, UK. Registered in England and
Wales. Company Number: 05048826, is authorised and regulated by the Financial
Conduct Authority, Registered Number: 311684. Full details can be found on the
Financial Services Register by visiting www.fca.org.uk/register or by contacting the
FCA on 0800 111 6768.
The Insurer
This policy is underwritten by American Express Insurance
Services1 current travel insurance provider, Inter Partner
Assistance SA (IPA). Inter Partner Assistance SA is a Belgian
firm authorised by the National Bank of Belgium, and has
a branch office in Ireland regulated by the Central Bank of
Ireland. It is subject to limited regulation by the Financial
Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom. Details
about the extent of the regulation by the FCA are available
from us on request. IPAs registered address in Ireland is
10/11 Mary Street, Dublin 1, Ireland (company number
906006). Some of the services under this Policy will be
provided by IPAs agent, AXA Travel Insurance (company
number 426087), of the same Ireland address. All
companies are members of the AXA Assistance Group.
Policy
Information
1. Please take this Policy booklet and Certificate of
Insurance with you whenever you travel. These are
proof of your insurance and will be needed if you
have to make a claim.
16
2. Please make sure you understand what this Policy
covers. Your Certificate of Insurance draws your
attention to important parts of the Policy. The Policy
Summary included in this booklet confirms how much
you can claim under each section of cover. Only this
Policy booklet gives full details of what is, and is not
covered, all terms and conditions, and how your
claim will be handled.
3. Please see Emergency Assistance for details of
what you should do in an emergency.
4. Premium refund within 15 days of issue. If this
insurance does not meet your needs, we will cancel
your Policy (if you return it to us within 15 days of
issue) and refund your premium in full, providing you
have not already taken your trip or intend to make a
claim. We will not refund your premium, or any part
of it, after the 15 days have passed.
If you subsequently give notice in writing or by
telephone to American Express Insurance Services
to cancel this insurance, such cancellation shall take
effect on the next renewal date. No refund of premium
will be made.
5. Any changes to the normal cover are shown on
your Certificate of Insurance and must be read in
conjunction with this Policy booklet. It is particularly
important that you read your Certificate of Insurance
and if any details are incorrect, or your needs change
in any way, you must contact American Express
Insurance Services as soon as possible.
6. Your Policy is subject to a maximum cover of 183
trip days in each period of insurance with each
individual trip limited to 45 consecutive days for
European Cover, for Worldwide Cover excluding
North America and the Caribbean area or for
Worldwide Cover.
Please note that if you take a trip outside these limits you
may wish to buy alternative cover for the whole of that
journey, as you will not be covered for any part of the
trip beyond the number of days cover as shown in your
Certificate of Insurance. Please contact American Express
Insurance Services for more information.
17
Please refer to your Certificate of Insurance for age,
geographical and trip length restrictions which apply to
your Policy.
7. This Policy also covers you for trips within the United
Kingdom provided you have pre-booked at least
one nights accommodation.
8. If you have purchased family cover, your family as
named on the Certificate of Insurance, will be covered
when either travelling with you or independently.
9. The most we will pay you is shown under each Policy
section and on the Policy Summary. All benefits and
excesses are per person, per applicable section, per
trip, unless this is stated specifically.
10. Cover for valuables is limited under this Policy and
you may wish to insure them separately, for example,
under a Home Contents Insurance Policy.
11. The premium for this Policy must be paid in full at the
time of purchase.
12. This Policy is effected in England and is governed by
the laws of England and Wales.
13. This contract may only be completed in English.
14. You must be a permanent resident of, and registered
with a General Practitioner in, the United Kingdom.
18
Important Health Requirements -
For All Insured Persons
You must comply with the following conditions in order to
have full protection under this policy. If you do not comply
we may refuse to deal with your claim or reduce the amount
of any claim payment.
This insurance will not cover you if you:
1. are travelling against the advice of a medical
practitioner (or would be travelling against the advice of
a medical practitioner had you sought his/her advice);
2. are travelling with the intention of obtaining medical
treatment or consultation abroad;
3. have any undiagnosed symptoms that require attention
or investigation in the future (that is symptoms for which
you are awaiting investigations/consultations, or awaiting
results of investigations, where the underlying cause has not
been established);
4. are not a permanent resident of, and registered with a
General Practitioner in the United Kingdom.
No claim arising directly or indirectly from any pre-existing
medical condition affecting you will be covered unless:
you have declared ALL pre-existing medical
conditions to us;
and you have declared any changes in your health or
prescribed medication; and
w e have accepted the condition(s) for insurance
in writing.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition you must
make a medical health declaration. In addition, if there
are any changes in your health or prescribed medication
you must notify us and update your medical health
declaration prior to booking any trip or departing on any
trip. All changes must be declared to us and accepted in
writing before cover can continue.
Failure to declare pre-existing medical conditions that
are relevant to this insurance may invalidate your claim.
We will assess the medical information supplied to us
and advise if we can cover the pre-existing medical
condition(s), if certain exclusions or restrictions should be
imposed, or if cover can be offered subject to the payment of
an additional premium. If the cover is subject to the payment
of an additional premium, cover will not commence until full
payment has been received by us and written confirmation
has been provided by us.
To declare a pre-existing medical condition or a change
in your state of health or prescribed medication, you should
contact American Express Insurance Services on
0800 700 707.
You should also refer to the General Exclusions.
19
Important Limitations under Section 5 -
Curtailment and/or Section 13 - Cancellation
This policy will not cover any claims under Section 5 -
Curtailment and/or Section 13 Cancellation arising
directly or indirectly from any pre-existing medical
condition known to you prior to purchasing this policy or
booking any trip (whichever is the later) affecting any close
relative, travelling companion who is not insured under
the policy, or any person with whom you have arranged to
reside temporarily whilst on your trip if:
1. a terminal diagnosis had been received; or if
2. they were on a waiting-list for, or had knowledge of the
need for, surgery, in-patient treatment or investigation at
any hospital or clinic; or if
3. during the 90 days immediately prior to the
commencement of the policy or prior to booking any
trip (whichever is the later) they had required surgery,
in-patient treatment or hospital consultations.
20
subsidised medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits
Scheme; and
benefits for medical treatment provided by doctors
through private surgeries and Government Health
Centres (not hospitals).
We recommend you enrol at Medicare offices in Australia
if you will be receiving treatment. If you receive treatment
before you enrol, Medicare benefits can be backdated,
if you are eligible. To be eligible you must be a resident
of the United Kingdom and will need to show your
British passport with an appropriate visa.
For more information you should contact: Health
Insurance Commission, PO Box 1001, Tuggeranong,
ACT 2901, Australia or visit their website at www.
humanservices.gov.au
21
Definition of Words
This part of the Policy booklet explains any words which
have a special meaning. Each word is listed with its
meaning explained immediately afterwards. Whenever a
word with special meaning appears in this Policy booklet
it will be printed in bold type.
Adventure Sports and Activities
Your policy covers many Adventure Sports and
Activities as standard which are listed below in Group
A and provides limited cover for Adventure Sports
and Activities listed in Group B. Your policy can be
extended to cover additional sporting activities listed
below in Group C when you have paid the appropriate
premium. Adventure Sports and Activities are
only covered on an incidental, non-competitive and non-
professional basis.
Group A - The following Adventure Sports and
Activities will be covered automatically under your
policy:
badminton, baseball, basketball, bowling, camel riding,
canoeing (up to grade/class 2), cricket, elephant riding,
fishing, football, golf, hockey, horse trekking, kitesurfing,
netball, orienteering, pony trekking, racquetball, roller
skating, rounders, running, sailing (within 20 nautical
miles of the coastline), scuba diving (unqualified and
above 18 metres), squash, surfing, table tennis, tennis,
trampolining, trekking (up to 4000 metres without use of
climbing equipment), volleyball, water polo, water skiing,
wind surfing, yachting (within 20 nautical miles of the
coastline), zorbing.
Group B The following Adventure Sports and
Activities will also be covered, but no cover will be
available for Section 4 - Personal Accident or Section
11 - Personal Liability sections and Section 2 - Medical
Emergency and Repatriation Service will be subject to a
policy excess of 200:
abseiling, archery, canoeing (up to grade/class 3 to 4),
clay pigeon shooting, fell running, fencing, go-karting,
horse riding, hot air ballooning, jet biking, jet skiing,
mountain bicycling on tarmac, paintball, sailing (outside
20 nautical miles of the coastline), scuba diving (qualified
22
and above 40 metres), snowblading, war games,
yachting (outside 20 nautical miles of the coastline).
Group C Your policy can be extended to cover the
following Adventure Sports and Activities when
the appropriate premium is paid, but no cover will be
available for Section 4 - Personal Accident or Section
11 - Personal Liability sections and Section 2 - Medical
Emergency and Repatriation Service will be subject to a
policy excess of 200:
American football, bungee jumping, gaelic football,
mountain bicycling off tarmac, parascending (on water),
rock climbing with ropes and guides, rugby league, rugby
union, sky diving, white water canoeing/rafting.
Group D You will not be covered for participating
in the following sports and activities under any
circumstances:
base jumping, boxing, canyoning, cave diving, caving,
flying other than as a fare paying passenger, gliding,
hang gliding, martial arts, microlighting, any form of
motorsport (including motor rally, motor racing, speed,
performance, endurance tests, motorboat racing,
motorcycle racing), mountaineering, parachuting,
paragliding, parascending (over land), polo, potholing,
professional sports, quad biking, rock climbing without
ropes and guides, safari with guns, shark diving,
steeplechase.
Please also note the above lists are not exhaustive and
if a sport or activity you want to do is not listed, please
contact American Express on 0800 700 707 for advice.
Adverse weather conditions
Rain, wind, fog, thunder or lightning storm, flood, snow,
sleet, hail, hurricane, cyclone, tornado or tropical storm
which is not caused by or has not originated from a
geological or catastrophic event such as but not limited to
an earthquake, volcano or tsunami.
Adviser
Specialist solicitors or their agents.
Advisers costs
Reasonable fees and disbursements incurred by the
adviser with our prior written authority. Legal and
accounting expenses shall be assessed on the standard
basis and third party costs shall be covered if awarded
against you and paid on the standard basis of
assessment.
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Bodily injury
An identifiable physical injury caused by a sudden,
violent, external, unexpected specific event.
Business associate
A business partner, director or employee.
Business equipment
Computer equipment, (including laptop computers,
hardware and software, peripherals and PDAs),
communication devices, (including mobile phones).
This includes stocks and samples, and other business
related equipment which you need in the course of your
business, and is not covered elsewhere.
Carrier
The aircraft, coach, ship or train operator, and their
employees and agents.
Close relative
Your spouse, common law or same sex partner (with
whom you have been living continuously for at least six
months and with whom you are still living), grandmother,
grandfather, mother, stepmother, mother-in-law, father,
stepfather, father-in-law, sister, stepsister, sister-in-
law, brother, stepbrother, brother-in-law, daughter,
stepdaughter, daughter-in-law, son, step son, son-in-law,
granddaughter, grandson, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece,
legal guardian, legal ward, or the fianc(e) of any person
insured under this Policy.
Complications of Pregnancy
The following unforeseen complications of pregnancy
as certified by a medical practitioner: toxaemia;
gestational hypertension; pre-eclampsia; ectopic
pregnancy; hydatidiform mole (molar pregnancy);
hyperemesis gravidarum; ante partum haemorrhage;
placental abruption; placenta praevia; post partum
haemorrhage; retained placenta membrane; miscarriage;
stillbirths; medically necessary emergency Caesarean
sections/ medically necessary termination; and any
premature births or threatened early labour more than 8
weeks (or 16 weeks in the case of a multiple pregnancy)
prior to the expected delivery date.
Couple
You - the main policy holder, your spouse or partner
(with whom you are and have been living with for the
past six months).
24
Curtailment
Cutting short your trip by returning home due to an
emergency authorised by us.
Double excess
You may choose to double the amount of each and
every excess in return for a reduced Policy premium by
selecting the Double Excess Option. Having selected the
Double Excess Option, you will be personally financially
responsible for twice (2x) the excess which would
otherwise be applicable, when submitting each and every
claim. (This will not apply to the increased excess for the
Adventure Sports/Activities option).
Excess(es)
The first amount as shown in the Policy Summary, for each
insured person, for every incident of loss applying to each
section of cover under which a claim is made. This means
that if you or any insured person claim for something
under a section of the Policy for which an excess is to be
deducted, you and/or they will be financially responsible
for the first amount due in respect of those claims as
shown in the Policy summary. A separate excess will
apply to each insured persons claims.
Excess waiver
If you have obtained a European health Insurance
Card (EHIC) and use it to reduce the costs of a medical
claim under Section 2 - Medical Emergency and
Repatriations, your will not have to pay the excess
in respect of that claim. You may choose to pay an
additional premium to purchase the Excess Waiver
Option. Having purchased the Excess Waiver Option you
will no longer be personally financially responsible for the
excess when submitting a claim. (This will not apply to
the increased excess for the Adventure Sports/Activities
Option.) You cannot opt to purchase the Excess Waiver
Option when you are actually aware of a potential claim,
or in a claims situation.
Please note:
An excess of 200 will apply to any claim under Section
2 Medical Emergency and Repatriation Service,
where you have been taking part in any Group B or
Group C Adventure Sports and Activities or Group
B or Group C Winter Sports. This higher excess cannot
be reduced or deleted by use of the European Health
Insurance Card (EHIC) or by having purchased the Excess
Waiver Option.
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Family
You - the main policy holder, your spouse or partner
(with whom you are and have been living with for the
past six months) and your or their children who on the
first day of the period of insurance are under 18 years
old and either living with you or in full time education.
Geographical limits
The following areas for which you have paid the
appropriate premium are covered, excluding countries to
which the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised
the public not to travel at the time of taking the trip.
European Cover
The following countries are included within the definition
of Europe: Albania; Andorra; Austria; Azores; Balearics;
Belarus; Belgium; Bulgaria; Canary Islands; Channel
Islands (Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey) Corsica;
Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; Egypt;
Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Gibraltar; Greece;
Hungary; Iceland; Isle of Man; Israel; Italy; Latvia;
Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Madeira; Malta;
Moldova; Monaco; Morocco; Netherlands; Norway;
Poland; Portugal; Republic of Ireland; Romania; Russia
west of the Ural Mountains; San Marino; Sardinia;
Serbia; Sicily; Slovak Republic; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden;
Switzerland; Tunisia; Turkey; Ukraine; and the United
Kingdom*.
Worldwide Cover excluding North America
and the Caribbean area
All countries worldwide including United Kingdom*
and excluding North America and the
Caribbean area.
The following countries are included within the definition
of North America and the Caribbean area, and excluded
under this geographical limit: The United States of
America; Canada; Anguilla; Antigua and Barbuda;
Aruba; Bahamas; Barbados; Bermuda; British Virgin
Islands; Cayman Islands; Cuba; Dominica; Dominican
Republic; Grenada; Guadeloupe; Haiti; Jamaica;
Martinique; Montserrat; Navassa Island; Netherlands
Antilles; Puerto Rico; Saint Barthelemy; Saint Kitts and
Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Martin; Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago; Turks and Caicos
Islands; the US Virgin Islands; and includes cruising in
waters around these islands.
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Worldwide Cover
All countries worldwide including the United Kingdom*
Please refer to the General Exclusions of your Policy.
* Trips within the United Kingdom are covered
provided you have pre-booked at least one nights
accommodation.
Golf equipment
The following items owned, entrusted to, or hired by
you: golf clubs, golf bags, golf umbrellas, non-motorised
trolleys, golf shoes and golf clothing.
Green fees
Club membership or subscription fees.
Home
The place where you normally live in the United
Kingdom and use for domestic purposes.
Loss of limb
Loss by physical severance, or the total and irrecoverable
permanent loss of use or function of, an arm at or above
the wrist joint, or a leg at or above the ankle joint.
Loss of sight
Total and irrecoverable loss of sight in one or both eye(s);
this is considered to have occurred if the degree of sight
remaining after correction is 3/60 or less on the Snellen
scale. (This means being able to see at 3 feet or less what
you should see at 60 feet.)
Medical condition
Any medical or psychological disease, sickness, condition,
illness or injury.
Medical emergency
A bodily injury or sudden and unforeseen illness
suffered by you while you are on a trip outside
the United Kingdom and a registered medical
practitioner tells you that you need immediate medical
treatment or medical attention.
Medical health declaration
Medical information that needs to be declared to us by
any insured person who has suffered from any pre-
existing medical condition.
Medical practitioner
A legally licensed member of the medical profession,
recognised by the law of the country where treatment
27
is provided and who, in rendering such treatment
is practising within the scope of his/her licence and
training, and who is not related to you or any travelling
companion.
Money
Sterling and foreign currency, cheques, postal and money
orders, gift vouchers, travel tickets, hotel and other holiday
vouchers, petrol coupons, Green Card, passports, ski
lift pass (if you have paid the Winter Sports Option),
together with the wallet, purse or similar article in which
these items are carried, whilst:
c arried by you about your person (in an item of
clothing you are wearing or in a container which you
are holding or which is attached to you); or
left in a locked safety deposit box.
Pair or set
Items of personal baggage or valuables forming
part of a set or which are normally used together.
Period of insurance
The period to which the insurance applies and for which
you have paid, or have agreed to pay the appropriate
premium. This period and the premium payable is shown
on your Certificate of Insurance.
Please note, provided that you have not chosen to exclude
the Cancellation cover in return for a reduced premium,
as shown in your Certificate of Insurance, cover for
cancellation under Section 13 Cancellation will start
when you pay or agree to pay for a trip (provided that
this policy is in force) and shall cease when you have
started that trip.
Cover under all the other sections applies for the length
of your trip unless it is further qualified under a specific
section.
Extension to the period of insurance
If your return journey to the United Kingdom is
unavoidably delayed because of something which is
covered under your Policy, we will automatically extend
your cover for the period of the delay at no additional
cost.
If you book a trip during the current period of
insurance and have paid or agreed to pay for it,
where the departure date is after the renewal date of
28
your Policy, and you have not chosen to exclude the
Cancellation cover in return for a reduced premium as
shown on your Certificate of Insurance, cancellation cover
will continue in force on condition that
a) y
ou renew the Policy, if eligible, when renewal falls
due, and
b)
you have not chosen to exclude the Cancellation cover
in return for a reduced premium as shown on your
Certificate of Insurance, and
c) your premium has been paid in full.
N.B. Please refer to your Certificate of Insurance for age
restrictions which apply to the renewal of your Policy.
Permanent total disablement
Disablement which, having lasted for a period of at least
12 consecutive months from the date of occurrence will,
in the opinion of an independent qualified specialist,
prevents you from engaging in, or giving any attention to,
any business or occupation for the remainder of your life.
Personal baggage
Items usually carried or worn by travellers (excluding
valuables and money) taken on, or purchased on, a
trip by you for your individual use during your trip.
Pre-existing medical condition(s)
1. Any past or current medical condition that
has given rise to symptoms or for which any form
of treatment or prescribed medication, medical
consultation, investigation or follow-up/check-up has
been required or received during the 2 years prior to
the commencement of cover under this Policy and/or
prior to any trip: and
2. any cardiovascular or circulatory condition (e.g. heart
condition, hypertension, blood clots, raised cholesterol,
stroke, aneurysm) that has occurred at any time prior
to the commencement of cover under this Policy and/
or prior to any trip.
If you are aware of any pre-existing medical
condition(s) these must be declared to American Express
Insurance Services on 0800 700 707, and accepted for
cover.
Public transport
Includes the following forms of transport: aircraft; bus;
coach; pre-booked taxi; sea vessel; and train.
29
Single parent family
You the main policy holder and your children who
on the first day of the period of insurance are under
18 years old and either living with you or in full time
education.
Ski pack
Ski lift pass, ski school fees and hired ski equipment, all
pre-paid.
Strike or industrial action
Any form of industrial action which is carried out with
the intention of stopping, restricting or interfering with the
production of goods or provision of services.
Terrorism
An act, including but not limited to the use of force
or violence and/or the threat thereof, of any person
or group(s) of persons, whether acting alone or on
behalf of or in connection with any organisations(s) or
governments, committed for political, religious, ideological
or similar purposes including the intention to influence any
government and/or to put the public, or any section of the
public, in fear.
Trip(s)
A journey within the geographical limits shown on
your Certificate of Insurance, which starts and ends in
the United Kingdom during the period of insurance
and which does not exceed 45 days. If your planned
journey exceeds these limits you may wish to buy
alternative insurance for the whole of that journey, as
you will not be covered for any part of the trip beyond
the number of days cover as shown in your Certificate
of Insurance. Please contact American Express Insurance
Services on 0800 700 707 for more information.
Trips within the United Kingdom are covered provided
you have pre-booked at least one nights accommodation.
Unattended
When you are not in full view of and in a position to
prevent unauthorised interference with your property.
United Kingdom
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Excluded
from this definition are the Channel Islands and the Isle of
Man.
Valuables
Jewellery, precious metals or precious stones or items
made from precious metals or precious stones, watches,
30
furs, leather articles, personal mobile phones, binoculars,
telescopes, electronic/audio/video or photographic
equipment, laptops, tablets and notebooks, E-readers,
MP3 and MP4 players, and games consoles.
We, us, our
Inter Partner Assistance SA, 10/11 Mary Street, Dublin
1, Ireland, a branch of Inter Partner Assistance SA,
Avenue Louise 166 bte 1, 1050 Brussels, and AXA Travel
Insurance of the same Ireland address, their agent, and/or
their service provider.
Winter Sports
Upon payment of the Winter Sports Option premium,
your policy will be extended to cover certain winter
sports activities listed below. Winter sports are only
covered on a non-competitive and non-professional
basis. You are not covered when engaging in organised
competitions or when skiing against local authoritative
warning or advice.
Group A - The following sports and activities will
automatically be covered under your policy upon
payment of the Winter Sports Option premium:
ice skating (on recognised ski rinks), monoskiing, skiing
(on piste or off piste with a guide), snowboarding (on
piste or off piste with a guide), snowshoeing.
Group B The following sports and activities will also be
covered payment of the Winter Sports Option premium,
but no cover will be available for Section 4 - Personal
Accident or Section 11 - Personal Liability sections and
Section 2 - Medical Emergency and Repatriation
Service will be subject to a policy excess of 200:
cross country skiing, glacier skiing, ski touring, skidoo,
snowblading, tobogganing.
Group C Your policy can be extended to cover
the following sports and activities when you pay the
Adventure Sports and Activities Option premium in
addition to the Winter Sports Option premium, but no
cover will be available for Section 4 - Personal Accident
or Section 11 - Personal Liability sections and Section 2 -
Medical Emergency and Repatriation Service will be
subject to a policy excess of 200: bobsleigh, heli skiing.
Group D You will not be covered for participating in the
following sports and activities under any circumstances:
skiing (off piste without a guide), ski jumping, ski racing,
ski stunting, snowboarding (off piste without a guide).
31
You will be covered for the defined winter sports
activities on trips up to an overall maximum of:
no more than 31 days in total per trip; and
n
o more than 120 days in total in each period of
insurance.
Cover is not available to anyone aged 70 years or over
taking part in winter sports for the first time.
Please also note the above lists are not exhaustive and
if a sport or activity you want to do is not listed, please
contact American Express on 0800 700 707 for advice.
Winter Sports Equipment
Skis, snowboards, ski boots, and ski equipment (not
clothing).
You, yourself, your insured person(s)
The person(s) named on your Certificate of Insurance
who:
a) permanently resides in the United Kingdom and has
been resident for at least 6 months of the 12 months
prior to the date of the Policy issue or renewal; and
b) is registered with a General Practitioner in the United
Kingdom; and
c) has complied with our Important Health Requirements,
and for whom the appropriate premium has been paid.
When the family premium has been paid, children must
be under 18 years old on the first day of cover, in full time
education and be travelling with insured person named
first on the Certificate of Insurance.
Cover is not available to anyone aged over 69 years on
the first day of cover for Worldwide Cover and 79 for
European Cover.
Policy Sections
1. Personal Assistance Services
32
We will provide you with advice and information on:
c urrent visa and entry permit requirements. If your
passport was not issued in the United Kingdom,
we may refer you to the United Kingdom Embassy or
Consulate of the country where your passport was issued;
c urrent inoculation/vaccination requirements and World
Health Organisation warnings. We can also help you
arrange inoculations or vaccinations in the United
Kingdom but we will not pay for the actual costs of
inoculations or vaccinations;
climatic conditions;
languages;
time differences;
information and advice on the availability of various
currencies and specification of the prime currency of
your destination;
main bank opening hours;
national or bank holidays;
m
otoring regulations and restrictions including whether
you will need a Green Card;
other motoring insurance issues.
Personal Assistance
This part of the Policy booklet explains the administrative
and delivery costs we will pay for services we provide
outside the United Kingdom.
1. Transfer of Emergency Funds
If you need funds and access to your normal financial
or banking arrangements is not available locally, we
will transfer funds intended to cover your immediate
emergency needs to you if you allow us to debit a
credit, debit, or charge card, or arrange for funds to
be deposited with us in the United Kingdom. The
most we will transfer per trip is 200.
2. Concierge Service
We will provide advice and information on any travel
related issue you may have and we will help you
with any problem or query relating to your trip
which is not covered by any of the other headings in
this section.
For example, we can arrange to pre-book hotels or
have chocolate and champagne awaiting your arrival;
33
book restaurants on your behalf; arrange for a readily
available shopping item to be purchased if you do not
have time to do it yourself.
Please note that we will arrange for the service, but all
delivery costs, the cost of items purchased on your behalf,
and service charges must be paid for by you.
3. Message Relay
We will send urgent messages to your home, if you
suffer an illness, accident or have unforeseen travel
delay problems.
4. Drug and Glasses/Contact Lens Replacement.
We will help you:
replace essential prescription medication which
has been lost or stolen, if it, or a local equivalent,
is unavailable when you are outside the United
Kingdom;
replace prescription glasses or contact lenses which
have been lost, stolen, or broken which you cannot
get outside the United Kingdom;
trace and deliver blood supplies which you cannot
obtain outside the United Kingdom.
5. Medical Referral
We will provide access to the names and addresses of
local doctors, hospitals, clinics or dentists when you
want a consultation or if minor treatment is needed. If
any treatment other than for minor ailments is needed,
you must advise us as soon as possible.
6. Medical Referral for Children
If any of your children under 18 years of age, who
you leave in the United Kingdom when you travel,
become ill or suffer injury we will, if you ask us to,
provide medical advice and monitor the situation until
you return home.
7. Tracing lost Personal Baggage
We will help trace your personal baggage and
deliver it to you if it has been lost and the carrier has
not found it for you. We will need your personal
baggage tag number.
8. Replacement Travel Documents
We will help you to replace these and refer you
to a suitable travel office if your tickets and travel
documents, including your passport, have been lost
or stolen.
34
9. Lost Credit, Debit and/or Charge Cards
We will tell your credit, debit and/or charge card
company in the United Kingdom if your credit,
debit and/or charge cards are lost or stolen.
Homecare
What you are covered for:
We will arrange for one of our approved tradesmen to
contact you to make emergency repairs to your domestic
plumbing or drainage system, domestic gas or electricity
supply, roofing, external locks, doors or windows or fixed
heating system, if any of them suffer damage during, and
up to seven days after you return home from your trip.
We will pay for the call-out charge and one man
hours labour charge. We will also pay for any parts/
materials used to effect a repair, up to a maximum of 50
(including VAT) per trip.
What you are not covered for::
a) more than one man hours labour charge;
b) costs of more than 50 (including VAT) for
parts/materials used to effect a repair;
c) blockage of toilet units not caused by breakage or
sudden mechanical failure;
d) failure of the central heating system unless there is a
risk of frost damage to your home;
e) emergencies caused by leaking water hoses or water
appliances;
f) leaking overflows or gradual seepage from
defective seal joints; any claim involving a septic
tank; descaling or work relating to removing hard
water scale deposits;
g) damage to home contents;
h) damage caused by the tradesman gaining
necessary access to your home;
i) any amount payable where the cost is recoverable
under any other insurance contract or agreement;
j) any costs which were not authorised by us first.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
35
2. M
edical Emergency and
Repatriation Service
40
b) claims for more than one round trip taxi journey
per day.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
4. Personal Accident
What you are covered for:
If you suffer an accidental bodily injury during your
trip, which within 12 months is the sole and direct cause
of death or disablement, we will pay to you or your
legal personal representatives the following benefits:
1.
30,000 for death; or 1,000 if you are under 18
years old or over 70 years old; or
2.
30,000 for the loss of (one of more) limbs, or the
total and irrecoverable loss of sight in one or both
eyes; or
3. 30,000 for permanent total disablement.
The most we will pay you in total under this section per
trip is 30,000.
What you are not covered for:
a) any claim arising directly or indirectly from any
pre-existing medical condition(s);
b) any claim resulting either directly or indirectly from
you engaging in any Group B or C Adventure
Sports and Activities or Group B or Group C
Winter Sports.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
5. Curtailment
44
o) costs paid for using any airline mileage reward
scheme, for example Avios, or any card bonus
point schemes, Timeshare, Holiday Property Bond
or other holiday points scheme and/or any
associated maintenance fees;
p) the cost of recoverable airport charges and levies;
q) any claim resulting from the death or illness of pets or
animals.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
6. M
issed Departure and/or
Missed Connection(s)
This section provides details of the services and benefits
we provide to you during your trip if you are delayed
45
when travelling to your point of international departure
and you miss a travel departure or a connection on either
your outward or your return journey.
What you are covered for:
Additional costs you have to pay when you travel
to your international departure point or you miss a
connection and you have taken every reasonable step to
ensure you get there on time but you are still delayed on
your way because of:
1. c ancellation, failure or disruption of public
transport; or
2. a
n accident to or breakdown of the vehicle in which
you are travelling.
We will help you to get to your international departure
point by:
liaising with your carrier and/or tour operator to
advise them of your late arrival;
a
rranging emergency local help including towing your
vehicle to the nearest garage;
arranging alternative transport;
a
rranging for overnight hotel accommodation and
alternative international travel to your pre-booked
destination by the most direct alternative route.
The most we will pay you per trip under this section is
1,000.
What you are not covered for:
a) any delay caused by strike or industrial action
which had started or for which the start date had
been announced before you made travel
arrangements for your trip, and/or arranged
your insurance;
b) any claim resulting from the withdrawal from
service of public transport on the orders or
recommendation of the regulatory authority in any
country;
N.B. You should refer any claim in this case to the
transport operator involved.
c) additional costs where the public transport
operator has offered reasonable alternative travel
arrangements;
d) any claim for additional mechanical wear and tear or
loss of value or for additional mileage charges other
46
than for additional fuel and oil;
e) any claim under this section where you are also
claiming under Section 13 Cancellation, or
Section 7 Travel Delay & Involuntary Denial of
Boarding;
f) additional costs which are not directly related to
you travelling to your international departure
point or your home;
g) any claim where you have not provided written
evidence of the breakdown or accident involving the
car you were travelling in;
h) any claim where you have not obtained written
confirmation from the carrier stating the period and
the reason for delay;
i) any claim where you have not allowed yourself
sufficient time to arrive at the international
departure point in time to check-in or clear
passport and security controls;
j) any claim where you did not contact us to make
the necessary travel arrangements.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
7. T
ravel Delay & Involuntary
Denial of Boarding
This section provides details of the benefits we provide if
your travel is delayed or if you are involuntarily denied
boarding of a scheduled flight.
What you are covered for:
1. I f you have arrived at the terminal and have checked-
in, or attempted to check in for your pre-booked
flight, sea crossing, international coach or international
train journey from or to the United Kingdom,
and it is delayed for more than six hours beyond the
intended departure time as a direct result of strike or
industrial action, adverse weather conditions
or mechanical breakdown of public transport; or
2. I f you have arrived at the terminal and have checked-
in, or attempted to check in for your confirmed flight
and you are involuntarily denied boarding as a result
of overbooking;
47
we will reimburse you up to:
a) 35 for the first full six hours that your departure
is delayed for your costs incurred in the terminal
in respect of restaurant meals and refreshments
consumed; and
b) 35 for each additional full twelve hour period of
delay for your costs incurred in the terminal in respect
of restaurant meals, refreshments consumed and hotel
accommodation.
Itemised receipts must be kept as proof of purchase.
The maximum we will pay you per trip under a) and
b) is up to the amount of your pre-booked trip, but in
any event no more than 350.
OR
c) If after a minimum of 24 hours delay on your outward
journey and the period of your trip is reduced by
more than 25% of the original pre-booked duration,
you may choose to submit a cancellation claim under
Section 13 Cancellation (as long as you have not
chosen to exclude Section 13 - Cancellation in return
for a reduced premium as shown on your Certificate
of Insurance). A refund or alternative compensation
must initially be sought from the travel provider.
What you are not covered for:
a) claims where you do not provide receipts for the
restaurant meals, refreshments and accommodation;
b) delays caused by strike or industrial action
which had started, or for which the start date had
been announced, before you made travel
arrangements for your trip, and/or arranged
your insurance;
c) delays caused by the withdrawal from service of any
public transport on the orders or recommendation
of the regulatory authority in any country;
N.B. You should refer any claim in this case to the
transport operator involved.
d) the failure of the provider of any service forming
part of your booked trip to provide any part of
your booked trip including error, insolvency,
omission or default;
e) any claim where you are already claiming under
Section 6 Missed Departure and/or Missed
48
Connection(s) or under Section 13 - Cancellation;
f) any costs or charges for which any carrier or
provider must, has or will compensate you;
g) any claim where you have not obtained written
confirmation from the carrier giving the period
and reason for delay;
h) any claim for a delay that you are aware of at the
time of booking your trip or taking out this
Policy;
i) if you do not check-in (or attempted to check in)
and arrive at the departure point for the flight, sea
crossing, coach, or train departure before the
advised time;
j) any claim due to Involuntary denial of boarding
relating to private charter flights.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
49
What you are covered for:
We will pay you up to 200 towards the cost of buying
essential items if your personal baggage has been
misplaced by the carrier for more than six hours on the
outward journey of your trip.
The most we will pay you in total per trip under this
section is 200.
Special Conditions
1.
You must notify the carrier immediately and obtain a
written carriers report confirming the period of the
delay of your personal baggage (or a property
irregularity report in the case of an airline) or if you
are unable to get one immediately you must follow
up in writing within seven days to obtain a written
carriers report or a property irregularity report in
the case of an airline;
2. Within 14 days of receipt of your personal
baggage you should inform the carrier in
writing that we, your travel insurer, will submit a
claim to them for additional expenses due to your
personal baggage delay. When you submit
your claim to us we will then file your claim with
the carrier on your behalf. You must submit the
claim to us in the first instance and only notify the
carrier;
3. You must keep all your receipts, flight tickets and
checked-in luggage tags and send them to us with
your claim.
What you are not covered for:
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
10. Money
50
a container which you are holding or which is attached to
you) or if you have left it in a locked safety deposit box
during your trip, if it is:
a) damaged or destroyed;
b) lost or stolen.
The most we will pay you in total per trip under this
section is 500, of which;
a) the most we will pay you for cash is 250;
b) the most we will pay you for cash if you are under
16 years old is 50 per trip, but please note that the
excess will not apply in this case.
Special Conditions
You must produce evidence of the withdrawal of bank
notes, currency notes or coins.
Loss of Passport
Your passport is covered while you are carrying it on
your person (in an item of clothing you are wearing or in
a container which you are holding or which is attached to
you) or if you have left it in a locked safety deposit box
during your trip.
What you are covered for:
The cost of reasonable additional travel and
accommodation expenses you incur outside the United
Kingdom while obtaining a replacement passport if
your passport is lost or stolen during your trip.
The most we will pay you under Loss of Passport is 500
per trip.
What you are not covered for:
a) the excess except where you have paid the Excess
Waiver Option Premium. The excess is per insured
person, for each and every incident;
b) personal money left unattended at any time unless
deposited in a locked hotel safe, safety deposit box or
locked in your trip accommodation;
c) the theft or loss of money which has not been
reported to the local Police, your carrier,
accommodation management or tour operator within
24 hours of the incident or as soon as you become
aware that the incident has taken place. The incident
report must be sent to us with your claim;
51
d) loss of value or loss due to errors in receipts,
payments, accountancy or depreciation;
e) theft of money from an unattended road vehicle;
f) loss due to confiscation or detention by customs or
other lawful officials and authorities;
g) the cost of your replacement passport.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
52
punts and canoes); jet skis; jet bikes; skidoos; animals
(other than horses, domestic dogs or cats) or firearms;
e) any responsibility resulting from your, or any member
of your familys, trade, profession, occupation or
supply of goods or services;
f) any responsibility resulting from wilful or malicious
acts by you;
g) any claim which is covered by any other insurance
held by you;
h) the occupation, except temporarily for the
purposes of your trip, or ownership of any land
or building;
i) accidental injury or loss which has not been
caused by your negligence;
j) any responsibility you have as an employer to anyone
employed by you or any member of your family in
any trade, business or profession;
k) any injury, illness, death, loss expense or other
liability attributable to the transmission of any
communicable disease or virus and/or any related
illness and/or any mutant derivatives or variations
thereof, however caused;
l) any claim for incidents which occurred while you
were on a trip within the United Kingdom;
m) any claim resulting either directly or indirectly from
you engaging in any Group B or C Adventure
Sports and Activities or Group B or Group C
Winter Sports.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
12. L
egal Advice and
Expenses
This section provides details of the cover we provided for
Legal Advice and Expenses.
What you are covered for:
1. telephone guidance and assistance on any legal
53
problem arising in connection with your trip or in
connection with your home. This service is available
from the start of your trip and up to seven days after
you complete your trip;
2. telephone advice and guidance during the period of
insurance to you or any close relative living with
you on any legal problem which arises in connection
with:
a) personal injury to, or death of, an insured
person;
b) consumer disputes arising from the sale, purchase
or hire of goods or services;
c) the sale or purchase of your home;
d) a trip outside the United Kingdom.
3. an advance up to a maximum of 50,000 towards
legal fees, in connection with one event giving rise to
a compensation claim if you suffer illness or you are
injured or you die as a direct result of an event that
happens during your trip, or if your home suffers
damage during your trip;
4. any extra travelling expenses up to a maximum
of 250, if you have to attend a court outside
the United Kingdom about your claim for
compensation;
5. when we have instituted proceedings on your
behalf and you receive no compensation, or only
limited compensation, we will indemnify you against
claims or fees, costs and expenses arising out of the
proceedings to the extent that these fees, costs and
expenses exceed the amount of the compensation you
have received up to a maximum of 50,000 (and in
total for all insured persons in connection with any
one event giving rise to a claim). This benefit will be
offset against the advance described in Section 12
3. up to the maximum of 50,000;
6. legal fees up to a maximum of 1,000, incurred
in defending you in a Court outside the United
Kingdom against an alleged motoring offence during
your trip;
7. a Bail Bond of 1,000 in local currency, to enable
you to provide Bail or other security to any judicial
authority outside the United Kingdom which detains
54
you following a road traffic accident where you are
held responsible.
What you are not covered for:
a) costs or expenses which we have not agreed to
beforehand in writing;
b) any claim reported to us more than 90 days after
the incident and in the case of a motoring offence
more than 28 days after you receive a summons;
c) any claim where we think there is not a
reasonable chance of you winning the case or
achieving a reasonable settlement;
d) any claim made by you against us, our agent or
an insurer underwriting any section of this Policy,
or a travel agent, tour operator, carrier or
American Express Insurance Services;
e) any claim against any other person insured under an
American Express Travel Insurance Policy;
f) penalties or fines which a Court awards against you.
55
e) We shall only be liable for advisers costs for work
expressly authorised by us in advance in writing and
undertaken while there are reasonable prospects of
success. In the event that you instruct an adviser
of your own choice instead of the panel adviser
appointed by us, your advisers costs will be
covered to the extent that they do not exceed our
standard panel advisers costs.
f) You are responsible for any advisers costs if you
withdraw from the legal action, other than on the
advice of your adviser, without our prior consent.
Any advisers costs or other fees already paid
under this insurance will be reimbursed to us by you.
g) We will not start legal proceedings in more than
one country in respect of the same occurrence.
h) We may choose to conduct legal proceedings in
the United States of America or Canada under the
contingency fee system operating in those
countries.
13. Cancellation
56
3.
you or any person with whom you plan to travel
being called up for Jury Service or being subpoenaed
as a witness in a Court of Law other than in a
professional or advisory capacity;
4.
you are made redundant and you qualify for
redundancy payment under current legislation;
5. accidental damage, burglary, flooding or fire affecting
your home, when a loss exceeding 1,500 is
involved and your presence is required by the Police,
then we will reimburse you up to a maximum of
5,000 in total for financial loss you suffer for travel
(including pre-paid excursions and/or conferences) and
accommodation you do not use because of your inability
to start your trip.
If you chose to rebook your covered holiday instead of
to cancel, we will pay for rebooking fees if they are less
than the cancellation costs.
You may be eligible to submit a claim for cancellation if
you have a valid claim under Section 7 Travel Delay &
Involuntary Denial of Boarding c).
Important Limitations
This policy will not cover any claims under Section 13
- Cancellation arising directly or indirectly from any pre-
existing medical condition known to you prior to
purchasing this policy or booking any trip (whichever
is the later) affecting any close relative, travelling
companion who is not insured under the policy, or
any person with whom you have arranged to reside
temporarily whilst on your trip if:
1. a terminal diagnosis had been received; or if
2. they were on a waiting-list for, or had knowledge of the
need for, surgery, in-patient treatment or investigation
at any hospital or clinic; or if
3. d
uring the 90 days immediately prior to the
commencement of the policy or prior to booking any
trip (whichever is the later) they had required surgery,
in-patient treatment or hospital consultations.
Special Conditions
1. I f you are forced to cancel your trip for medical
reasons:
a) relating to you you will be required to have the
relevant section of your claim form completed by
57
your usual registered medical practitioner
within the United Kingdom, explaining why it is
deemed medically necessary for you to cancel
your trip;
b) r elating to a close relative, any person with whom
you are going to travel or stay during your trip
you will be required to have the relevant section of
your claim form completed by their usual registered
medical practitioner, explaining why it is
deemed necessary for you to cancel your trip.
2. Y
ou must notify your carrier or travel agent
immediately you know your trip is to be cancelled to
minimise your loss as far as possible.
What you are not covered for:
a) cover if you have chosen to exclude the
Cancellation cover in return for a reduced premium
as shown on your Certificate of Insurance;
b) the excess (for claims involving loss of deposit the
excess will be 10 only) except where you have
paid the Excess Waiver Option Premium. The excess
is per insured person, for each and every incident;
c) cancelling your trip for any reason other than
specified under What you are covered for;
d) any claim arising directly or indirectly from a pre-
existing medical condition affecting you unless
you have declared ALL pre-existing medical
conditions to us and we have written to you
accepting them for insurance;
e) Any claim arising from complications of
pregnancy which:
i) for Cancellation or re-booking first arise before
booking or paying for the trip, whichever is the
later; or
ii) for Curtailment - first arise before departing on
your trip.
Normal pregnancy or childbirth, or travelling when
your medical practitioner has recorded your
pregnancy as being at heightened risk of premature
birth, would not constitute an unforeseen event;
f) claims for financial loss in respect of travel and/
or accommodation booked and paid for by you on
behalf of anyone who is not an insured person
under your Policy;
58
g) any claim caused by strike or industrial
action;
h) any costs incurred because you did not tell your
carrier or travel agent immediately you knew that
your trip was to be cancelled;
i) any claim resulting from the withdrawal from
service of any public transport on the orders or
recommendation of the regulatory authority in any
country. You should refer any claim in this case to
the transport operator involved;
j) any claim resulting from the failure of the provider
of any service forming part of your booked trip to
provide any part of your booked trip including error,
insolvency, omission or default;
k) any claim resulting from change of plans due to
your financial circumstances except if you are made
redundant and qualify for redundancy payment under
current UK legislation;
l) any claim resulting from your inability to travel
due to an insured persons failure to hold,
obtain or produce a valid passport or any required
visas;
m) any claim resulting from cancellation caused by
work commitments or amendment of your holiday
entitlement by your employer;
n) any claim resulting from the delay or amendment
of your booked trip because of Government
action or restrictive regulations;
o) costs paid for using any airline mileage reward
scheme, for example Avios, or any card bonus
point schemes, Timeshare, Holiday Property Bond
or other holiday points scheme and/or any
associated maintenance fees;
p) the cost of recoverable airport charges and levies;
q) any claim resulting from the death or illness of pets
or animals.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
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14. Personal Baggage
61
l) electrical or mechanical breakdown of any insured
article;
m) loss or damage due to delay, confiscation or
detention by customs or other official bodies;
n) in the event of a claim for a pair or set those
parts that remain in your possession which are
undamaged;
o) damage to any brittle or fragile items unless they are
damaged by fire or damaged because of an accident
which happens to a sea-going vessel, aircraft or motor
vehicle;
p) theft or losses from a roof or boot luggage rack other
than the theft or loss of camping equipment;
q) sports equipment damaged while in use. However,
if you have paid the Adventure Sports and
Activities Option premium, your own Group C
sports equipment will be covered against damage
while in use up to the Policy limits. Please refer to
Section 19 Adventure Sports and Activities
(Optional Cover);
r) winter sports equipment unless you have
paid the appropriate additional premium and it is
shown on your Certificate of Insurance;
s) golf equipment unless you have paid the
appropriate additional premium and it is shown on
your Certificate of Insurance;
t) business equipment unless you have paid the
appropriate premium and it is shown on your
Certificate of Insurance;
u) claims arising from loss or theft from your
accommodation unless there is evidence of forced
entry which is confirmed by a police report, including
an incident number, issued by the local police in the
country of incident;
v) theft or loss of personal baggage and/or
valuables which has not been reported to the
local Police in the country of incident, your
accommodation management, your carrier or
tour operator within 24 hours of the incident or
within 24 hours of you becoming aware that the
incident has taken place. The incident report with a
case number must be sent to us with your claim;
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w) loss or theft of, or damage to, personal baggage
in transit which has not been reported to the carrier
within 24 hours of the incident. The incident report
must be sent to us with your claim in the case of
checked-in luggage a property irregularity report is
required. You will be required to send us the retained
portion of your flight ticket and checked-in luggage
tag.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
15. W
inter Sports
(Optional Cover)
Cover will apply when you have paid or agreed to pay
the Winter Sports Option premium and it is shown on
your Certificate of Insurance.
You will be covered for the defined winter sports
activities on trips up to an overall maximum of:
no more than 31 days in total per trip; and
n
o more than 120 days in total in each period of
insurance.
Cover is not available to anyone aged 70 years or over
taking part in winter sports for the first time.
You are not covered when engaging in organised
competitions or when skiing against local authoritative
warning or advice.
Adventure Sports and Activities specific to Winter
Sports:
When you pay the Adventure Sports and Activities
Option premium, you are also covered for Group C
Winter Sports.
The following additional benefits are available under this
Policy in relation to your Winter Sports trip.
Piste Closure
What you are covered for:
If you cannot ski at your pre-booked resort for more
than 24 consecutive hours, because of a lack of snow
causing a total closure of the lift system, we will pay
you a cash benefit if no alternative skiing is available. If
63
alternative skiing is available we will pay for reasonable
transportation costs and lift pass charges which you have
to pay to travel to and from a similar ski resort or area to
ski.
The most we will pay you for Piste Closure per day is
20 and up to a maximum of 200 in total per trip.
What you are not covered for:
a) any claim which involves the closure of the resort
lift system because of avalanches or dangerous
high winds;
b) any claim which involves the closure of baby drags
and lifts used for transport within the resort by
non-skiers;
c) trips in the Northern Hemisphere before 1st
November and after 31st March;
d) trips in the Southern Hemisphere before 1st May
and after 30th September;
e) any claim where you do not have confirmation
from the ski resort of the closure.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
Avalanche Benefit
What you are covered for:
Additional accommodation and travel expenses
reasonably incurred if, following avalanches or landslides,
access to and from the ski resort is blocked or scheduled
public transport services are cancelled or curtailed.
Evidence of limited access will be required.
The most we will pay you for Avalanche Benefit is 30
per day and up to 150 in total per trip.
What you are not covered for:
a) anything mentioned in the exclusions to Section 5
Curtailment;
b) any claim where you do not have confirmation of
the cancellation from the public transport
provider.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
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Winter Sports Equipment
What you are covered for:
We will cover your Winter Sports Equipment against
loss, theft or damage occurring during your trip.
The most we will pay you for your Winter Sports
Equipment is 500 in total per trip. The maximum we
will pay you for any one article, or for any one pair or
set under this section is 300.
What you are not covered for:
a) anything mentioned in the exclusions to Section 14
Personal Baggage;
b) t he excess per insured person, for each and every
incident.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
65
Unused Ski Pack
What you are covered for:
If during your trip, you are certified by a registered
medical practitioner at the ski resort as being unable
to ski as a direct result of injury or illness, we will pay
you up to a maximum of 350 in total per trip in respect
of charges for unused ski pack.
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When you have bought the Adventure Sports and
Activities Option, you are covered under this Policy for
any Group C Adventure Sports and Activities.
Please note, however, that there is no cover under Section
4 Personal Accident or Section 11 Personal Liability
while you are taking part in, or practising for, any Group
B or C sporting activity.
Please remember that the excess is increased to
200 under Section 2 Medical Emergency and
Repatriation Service, and shall not be removed or reduced
by the use of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or
by the purchase of the Excess Waiver Option.
Adventure Sports and Activities cover is not
available to anyone aged 70 years or over.
67
Golf Equipment
What you are covered for:
1. If your golf equipment is
a) delayed for more than 12 hours on your outward
journey, or
b) lost, damaged or stolen on your trip,
we will pay you up to the limits specified on your
Certificate of Insurance for:
i) the hire of alternative golf equipment; and
ii) the purchase of essential items of golf
equipment.
We will deduct any payment we make under Section 17
Golf Equipment 1. ii) from the amount of any claim under
Section 17 Golf Equipment 2.
2. If your golf equipment is lost, stolen or damaged
during your trip we will pay you up to the limits
specified on your Certificate of Insurance for
replacement golf equipment.
Special Conditions
1.
you must keep all receipts for hire costs and send
them in with your claim form;
2.
we will deduct any payment we make under Section
17 Golf Equipment 1. ii) from the amount of any claim
under Section 17 Golf Equipment 2.;
3.
golf equipment will be replaced on a new for old
basis (if the item is no longer available we will cover
the replacement cost of a reasonable alternative);
4. all receipts must be provided as proof of purchase;
5. anything mentioned in General Conditions.
What you are not covered for:
a) the excess except where you have paid the Excess
Waiver Option Premium. The excess is per insured
person, for each and every incident;
b) any item, where you are not able to provide proof of
value (for example, original receipts);
c) any loss, theft of or damage to golf equipment
shipped as freight or under a bill of lading;
d) anything mentioned in the exclusions to Section 14
Personal Baggage.
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Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
Green Fees
What you are covered for:
We will pay up to 1,000 per trip to reimburse your
prepaid, irrecoverable green fees if:
1.
you are ill or injured during your trip and you are
medically certified (by the treating registered medical
practitioner at the resort or place of incident), as
being unable to play golf for the remainder of your
trip; or
2.
you have to curtail your trip for any of the valid
reasons listed under Section 5 Curtailment; or
3.
you have to cancel your trip for any of the valid
reasons listed under Section 13 Cancellation.
What you are not covered for:
a) the excess except where you have paid the Excess
Waiver Option Premium. The excess is per insured
person, for each and every incident;
b) anything mentioned in the exclusions to Section 5
Curtailment;
c) anything mentioned in the exclusions to Section 13
Cancellation.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
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What you are not covered for:
a) anything mentioned in the exclusions to Section 5
Curtailment;
b) anything mentioned in the exclusions to Section 13
Cancellation.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
Hole-In-One
What you are covered for:
We will pay up to 300 per trip to reimburse the cost
of a round of drinks at the golfing venue immediately
following a game of golf in a recognised competition
when a hole-in-one has been achieved and verified by the
Club Secretary. All receipts must be provided as proof of
purchase.
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Replacement Business Associate
What you are covered for:
Following a claim under Section 2 Medical
Emergency and Repatriation Service, we will pay up
to 750 for the cost of a single journey air ticket, at the
same class as originally travelled by you, for a business
associate to replace you in the overseas location as a
result of:
1.
your medical repatriation or death during your trip;
or
2.
your incapacitation, as confirmed by our Chief
Medical Officer, for more than three working days
during a trip as a result of sudden bodily injury or
illness occurring during your trip.
What you are not covered for:
a) any costs for transportation not arranged by us,
or incurred without our prior approval;
b) trips taken within the United Kingdom;
c) interruption to your business or any other any
other costs that are indirectly caused by the event
which led to your claim, unless specifically stated
in this Policy.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
71
What you are not covered for:
a) any costs for transportation not arranged by us, or
incurred without our prior approval;
b) the cost of flight tickets exceeding economy class for
each insured person.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
Personal Accident
What you are covered for:
The benefits provided under Section 4 Personal
Accident, will be doubled if you are travelling on a
booked business trip in which your transport and
accommodation has been paid by you (if self-employed)
or your employer, and you can provide proof that the
purpose of your trip was your business.
What you are not covered for:
a) anything mentioned in the exclusions to Section 4
Personal Accident.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
Business Equipment
What you are covered for:
We will pay:
1. up to 1,500 per trip for the loss, theft of, or damage
to your business equipment:
a) up to a limit of 500 for any one item, pair or set;
b) up to a limit of 1,000 for computer equipment;
c) up to a limit of 500 for business samples.
2. up to 200 per trip for the purchase of essential
items of business equipment, if your business
equipment is delayed or lost during your outward
journey for more than 24 hours. You must get written
confirmation of the length of the delay and receipts for
any items that you buy.
3. up to 200 per trip for emergency courier expenses
you have to pay to replace business equipment
essential to your intended business following a claim
made under Section 18 Business Equipment 1)
and 2).
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4. up to 50 for each 24-hour period, to a maximum of
500 per trip, for hiring business equipment if:
a)
your business equipment is delayed during your
outward journey for more than 24 hours (you must
get written confirmation of the length of the delay); or,
b)
your business equipment is lost or damaged
during your trip.
Special conditions:
a)
You must keep all receipts for hire costs and send
them in with your claim form.
b)
We will deduct any payment we make under Section
18 Business Equipment 2. from any claim made
under Section 18 Business Equipment 1.
What you are not covered for:
a) the excess except where you have paid the Excess
Waiver Option premium (no excess applies to Section
18 Business Equipment 2., 3. and 4.). The excess
is per insured person, for each and every incident;
b) computer equipment, (including laptop computers,
hardware and software, peripherals and PDAs),
communication devices, (including mobile phones) left
unattended at any time (including in a vehicle or in
the custody of carriers) unless deposited in a hotel
safe or locked safety deposit box;
c) any loss, theft of or damage to business
equipment during a journey, unless you report this
to the carrier and get a property irregularity report
at the time of the loss. Any claims for loss, theft or
damage must then be made to the carrier within
seven days;
d) any item, pair or set where you are not able to
provide proof of value (for example, original receipts);
e) any loss, theft of or damage to business
equipment shipped as freight or under a bill of
lading;
f) anything mentioned in the exclusions to Section 14
Personal Baggage, except items of business
equipment.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
73
Business Money
What you are covered for:
Business money which is the property of you (if self
employed) or your employer is covered while you are
carrying it on your person (in an item of clothing you
are wearing or in a container which you are holding or
which is attached to you) or if you have left it in a locked
safety deposit box during your trip, if it is:
1. damaged or destroyed;
2. lost or stolen.
The most we will pay you in total per trip under this
section is 1,000, of which the total for cash is 500.
What you are not covered for:
a) the excess except where you have paid the Excess
Waiver Option Premium. The excess is per insured
person, for each and every incident;
b) anything mentioned in the exclusions to Sections 14
Personal Baggage, and 10 Money.
Please also refer to the General Conditions and General
Exclusions.
Travel Expenses
What you are covered for:
If the tour operator or transport provider ceases to trade
and does not provide reasonable alternative transport to
return you to the United Kingdom, departing within 72
hours of your original booked UK bound departure time,
we will pay up to 2,500 in total for:
1. necessary costs for transferring you to an alternative
airport or transport terminus; and
74
2. necessary costs for transporting you to alternative
accommodation; and
3. your reasonable additional or alternative travel home.
Emergency Expenses
What you are covered for:
In addition to Travel Expenses we will pay up to
1,000 for meals and accommodation costs (up to a
maximum of 200 per night for 5 nights) which are of a
similar standard to that of your pre-booked travel and
accommodation for costs incurred after your original
published departure time until your new departure date.
75
or continue in force, for Medical Emergency
and Repatriation Service, Cancellation (if shown
as included on your Certificate of Insurance) or
Curtailment, unless each insured person who
must make a medical health declaration
in respect of the period for which insurance is
required, has declared ALL pre-existing medical
conditions to us and they have been formally
accepted by us in writing.
Any medical information you give us will be treated
as strictly confidential. We will not pass your medical
information to anyone without your specific authority.
We will use it to decide whether or not we can cover
you and we will refer to it in the event of any claim.
2.
You must tell us before booking your trip or
departing on your trip if any of the following change
after you pay for your Policy:
a) if there is any change in your health, medication
or treatment;
b) if you wish to add or remove anyone from your
Policy;
c) if you change your address.
If you do not tell us about changes, claims may
not be accepted and your Policy may be invalid.
All changes must be declared to American Express
Insurance Services on 0800 700 707 and accepted
before cover can continue.
3.
You must tell us as soon as possible if you are
hospitalised as an in-patient, or of any emergencies or
claims whatsoever that are likely to exceed 500.
4. We ask that you notify us within 28 days of you
becoming aware of an incident or loss leading to a
claim and you return your completed claim form and
any additional information to us as soon as possible.
5.
You must pay the appropriate premium for the full
number of days comprising your planned trip. If you
travel for more than the number of days for which you
have paid for cover, you will not be covered after the
last day for which you have paid.
6. In the event of a claim and if we require it, you must
agree to be examined by a medical practitioner
of our choice, at our expense. In the event of your
death we may need to carry out a post-mortem
76
examination for which we would seek agreement from
your legal executor.
7.
Your Policy will be automatically renewed each
year, subject to your age, your medical
conditions and the Policy, terms and conditions
and limitations unless you notify us otherwise 30
days prior to your renewal date. You will receive
a written reminder before the end of the period of
insurance. If there have been any changes in your
pre-existing medical conditions, health or
prescribed medication you must declare these to us
in accordance with the Important Health Requirements
prior to booking any trip or departing on any trip.
N.B. Please refer to your Certificate of Insurance for
age restrictions applying to the renewal of your Policy.
If you book a trip during the current period of
insurance and have paid or agreed to pay for it,
where the departure date is after the renewal date of
your Policy, and you have not chosen to exclude the
Cancellation cover in return for a reduced premium as
shown on your Certificate of Insurance, Cancellation
cover will continue in force on condition that
a) y
ou renew the Policy, if eligible, when renewal falls
due, and
b) y
ou have not chosen to exclude the Cancellation
cover in return for a reduced premium as shown on
your Certificate of Insurance, and
c) y
our premium has been paid in full.
In the event that the renewal of your Policy is no longer
offered by us, American Express Insurance Services
Europe Limited, the intermediary, may provide you with
the details of any renewal terms offered by its new travel
insurance provider.
8.
You must take all reasonable care and precautions
to protect yourself against accident, illness, disease
or injury and to safeguard your property against
loss, theft or damage. You must act as if you are not
insured and take steps to minimise your loss as much
as possible and take reasonable steps to prevent a
further incident.
9. The Policy excess or the Adventure Sports and
Activities excess, as and when applicable, will be
deducted in respect of each insured person, and each
77
and every separately identified occurrence of loss
whether notified to us as one claim or otherwise.
10. We will make every effort to apply the full range
of services in all circumstances as shown in your
Policy booklet. Remote geographical locations or
unforeseeable adverse local conditions may prevent
the normal standard of service being provided.
11. We may:
a) d
eny your application for insurance coverage;
and/or
b) deny renewal of your Policy; and/or
c) c ancel your Policy by giving seven days notice
by recorded delivery to you at your last known
address. In such an event the premium shall be
adjusted appropriately for the unexpired part of the
period of insurance.
12. You must not admit, deny, settle, reject, negotiate or
make any arrangement for any claim without our
permission.
13. We have the right, if we choose, in your name but at
our expense to:
a) take over the defence or settlement of any claim;
b) take legal action in your name to get compensation
from anyone else for our own benefit or to get
back from anyone else any payments that have
already been made;
c) take any action to get back any lost property or
property believed to be lost.
14. We may at any time pay to you our full liability
under the Policy after which no further payments will
be made in any respect.
15. You or your legal representatives must supply at
your own expense all information, evidence, details of
household insurance, medical certificates, assistance,
original invoices, receipts, reports, etc. We may refuse
to reimburse you for any expenses for which you
cannot provide receipts or bills. Please keep copies of
all documents sent to us.
16. You must report all incidents to the local Police in the
country where it occurs and obtain a crime or lost
property report, which includes an incident number.
17. You must take all reasonable steps to get back any
article which has been lost or stolen, and to identify
78
the person you believe to be responsible for the loss
and assist in any legal action.
18. If we provide transportation or settle your claim and
as a result you have unused travel ticket(s) you must
surrender those tickets to us. If you do not we will
deduct the amount of those tickets from any amount
paid to you.
19. If you or anyone acting for you in any respect;
makes a claim under the Policy knowing the claim
to be false or fraudulently exaggerated, makes a
statement in support of a claim knowing the statement
to be false, submits a document in support of a claim
knowing the document to be forged or false or makes
a claim in respect of any loss or damage caused
by your wilful act or with your connivance;
then we;
will not pay the claim or any other claim which has
been or will be made under the Policy, may at our
option declare the policy void, shall be entitled to
recover from you the amount of any claim already
paid under the Policy, may inform the police of the
circumstances and shall not make any return of
premium.
20. If we pay any expense for which you are not
covered, you must pay this back within one month of
our asking.
21. You must give us, at your expense, all the
information, documents and medical certificates we
ask for including details of other insurance policies
that may cover the loss. If something you make a
claim for is covered by another insurance policy or
service contract (for example by a Household Contents
All Risks Policy), we will only pay our proportional
share of any claim. The exception to this is for any
claim under Section 11 Personal Liability where we
will make no payment if you hold another insurance
policy providing this cover.
22. Although we are prepared to cover you when
undertaking certain sports and activities, the
availability of insurance cover does not mean that
American Express Insurance Services or the insurers
consider these sports and activities as safe. At all times
you must satisfy yourself that you are capable of
safely undertaking the planned sport or activity and
79
you must take all due care to avoid injury, accident or
loss to yourself and to others.
23. You must accept and follow the supervision and tuition
of experts qualified in the pursuit or activity in question
and you must use all appropriate precautions,
equipment and eye protection. Disregarding such
advice and precautions may invalidate any claim you
make.
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10. Any claim resulting from you attempting or committing
suicide; deliberately injuring yourself; using any
drug not prescribed by a registered medical
practitioner, being addicted to any drugs, or
abusing solvents, drugs, or alcohol, or being under the
influence of drugs, solvents, or alcohol.
11. Any other loss, damage or additional expense
resulting directly or indirectly from the cause of your
claim, unless we provide cover under this insurance.
Examples of such loss, damage or additional expense
would be the cost of replacing locks after losing
keys; cost incurred in preparing a claim; loss of
earnings following bodily injury or illness; or loss
or costs incurred arising from the interruption of your
business.
12. Any loss or damage deliberately carried out or caused
by you, your own unlawful action or any criminal
proceedings against you.
13. Any claim where you are entitled to indemnity under
any other insurance policy including any amounts
recoverable from any other source, except in respect
of any amount exceeding that for which you are
covered under such other policy, or any amount
recoverable from any other source, had this insurance
not been effected.
14. Costs of taxi fares (with the sole exception of the taxi
costs incurred for the initial journey to a hospital
abroad due to an insured persons illness or
injury); telephone calls or faxes, meals, newspapers,
laundry costs, interpreters fees (unless incurred under
3. Hospital Cash Benefit); inconvenience, distress, loss
of earnings, or loss of enjoyment.
15. Any claim resulting from you taking part in manual
work, which involves the installation, assembly,
maintenance, repair, or use of electrical, mechanical
or hydraulic plant (other than in a purely managerial/
supervisory, sales or administrative capacity), manual
labour of any kind other than in the catering industry
or fruit picking by hand at ground level, or work at a
ski resort, during your trip.
16. Any loss relating to services which we have provided
to you or any loss which happens following any
delay on our part, in providing services to you unless
negligence on our part can be proved.
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17. Any claim arising from war; invasion; act of a
foreign enemy; hostilities (whether war be declared
or not); civil war; rebellion; terrorism; revolution;
insurrection; civil commotion assuming the proportions
of or amounting to an uprising; military or usurped
power; you taking part in civil commotion or riot
of any kind but this exclusion shall not apply to
losses under Section 2 Medical Emergency &
Repatriation Service unless such losses are caused
by nuclear, chemical or biological attack, or the
disturbances were already taking place at the
beginning of any trip.
18. Any claim directly or indirectly caused by:
a) ionising radiation or contamination by
radioactivity from any nuclear fuel or from any
nuclear waste, from combustion of nuclear fuel, the
radioactive, toxic, explosive or other hazardous
properties of any nuclear assembly or nuclear
component of such assembly;
b) pressure waves caused by aircraft and other aerial
devices travelling at sonic or supersonic speeds;
c) the actual, alleged or threatened discharge,
dispersal, seepage, migration, escape, release of
or exposure to any hazardous biological,
chemical, nuclear or radioactive material, gas,
matter, or contamination.
19. Any claim involving, or involving the fear of: delay;
loss; damage; injury or any other costs that are
indirectly caused by the event which led to your claim,
unless specifically stated in this Policy which is caused,
either directly or indirectly, by the actual or potential
inability of any computer, data processing equipment
or media, microchip, integrated circuit or similar
device or any computer software or stored programme,
to correctly recognise any date as the true calendar
date or to continue to function correctly in respect of or
beyond that date.
20. Any claim resulting from your involvement in a fight
except in self-defence.
21.Any claim if you have been taking part in, or
practicing for, any Group C sport or activity unless
you have paid the Adventure Sports and Activities
Option premium, as identified on your Certificate of
Insurance.
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Any claim if you have been taking part in, or
22.
practising for, a Group A, B or C sport or activity
forming part of an organised team sport or organised
competition (except for American football or rugby) or
any claim where you are practising for, or taking part
in, any sport or activity as a professional sportsperson.
23. Any claim if you have been taking part or practising
for Winter Sports unless the appropriate premium
has been paid as shown on your Certificate of
Insurance.
24. Any claim if you have been taking part in, or
practising for, any Group D Adventure Sports and
Activities or Group D Winter Sports.
25. Bobsleigh or heli-skiing unless the Certificate of
Insurance shows that both the Winter Sports and
Adventure Sports and Activities Options are
included.
26. Your participation in Winter Sports if you are aged
70 years or over and taking part for the first time.
27. Participation in Adventure Sports and Activities
if you are aged 70 years or over.
28. Operational duties as a member of the Armed Forces.
29. Your travel to a country or specific area or event to
which the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has
advised the public not to travel.
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You will need to give:
your name,
y
our Policy Number found at the top of your
Certificate of Insurance,
brief details of your claim.
Alternatively you can submit your non-emergency
claim on our 24/7 worldwide access online claims
registrations tool at www.amex-claims/uk or email
our Claims Helpline on
[email protected]
You will need to provide:
your name,
y
our Policy Number found at the top of your
Certificate of Insurance,
your address including the postcode,
the section under which you wish to make a claim.
We ask that you notify us within 28 days of you
becoming aware of an incident or loss leading to a
claim and you return your completed claim form and
any additional information to us as soon as possible.
3. Additional Information.
You must supply all of your original invoices, receipts
and reports etc. You should check the section under
which you are claiming for any specific conditions
and details of any supporting evidence that you must
give us.
It is always advisable to keep copies of all the
documents that you send to us.
4. Claims Handling Agents
To help us agree a quick and fair settlement of a
claim, it may sometimes be necessary for us to
appoint a claims handling agent.
Complaints Procedure
We aim to provide a first class service at all times.
However, if you have a complaint, in order to get your
complaint dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible,
please ensure your complaint is directed to the right
organisation.
If your complaint is about your cover under your Policy
or a claim on your Policy, please contact:
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AXA Travel Insurance (Complaints Department)
The Quadrangle
106-118 Station Road
Redhill RH1 1PR
United Kingdom
or phone 01737 815227; or email us at
[email protected]
If your complaint is about the sale and servicing of your
Policy that you have received from American Express
Insurance Services, please contact:
American Express Insurance Executive Office
1 John Street
Brighton
BN88 1NH
United Kingdom
or phone 01273 576109; or email us at
[email protected]
Please enclose the following details when sending your
letter:
y
our full name, postcode and contact phone
number(s);
the type of Policy and your Policy and/or claim
reference;
an outline of the reasons for your complaint.
If it is impossible to reach an agreement, you may have
the right to make an appeal to the Financial Ombudsman
Service by writing to:
Financial Ombudsman Service, Exchange Tower, Harbour
Exchange Square, London, E14 9SR, United Kingdom.
Or you can phone 0800 023 4567 or 0300 123 9 123
from a mobile. Website: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
These procedures do not affect your right to take legal action.
Compensation Scheme
We are a member of the Financial Services Compensation
Scheme (FSCS). The FSCS is a safety net for customers of
financial services firms should they not be able to meet their
liabilities and you may be entitled to claim compensation
in such event. Further information can be obtained from the
FSCS.
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Their contact details are Financial Services Compensation
Scheme, 10th Floor, Beaufort House, 15 St Botolph Street,
London EC3A 7QU, United Kingdom. Telephone 0800 678
1100 or 020 7741 4100. Website: www.fscs.org.uk
Personal Information
If your insurance application is accepted by American
Express Insurance Services and AXA and you are issued
a Certificate of Insurance and Policy wording, you also
agree that American Express Insurance Services and AXA
may:
a) d
isclose and use information about you and your
insurance cover including information relating to
your medical status and health to companies within
the American Express and AXA group of companies
worldwide, their partners, service providers and
agents in order to administer and service your
account/insurance cover (and arrange the renewal
thereof) process and collect relevant payments on it,
for fraud prevention and to manage the benefits or
insurance programmes in which you are enrolled;
b) use information about you and your insurance cover
excluding information relating to your medical
status and health to develop lists for use within the
American Express group of companies worldwide
and its partners to develop or make offers to you (by
mail, email or telephone) of products and services in
which you may be interested. The information used
to develop these lists may be obtained from your
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application, from information on where and how
you use your Card if you are an American Express
Cardmember and from surveys and research (which
may involve contacting you by mail or telephone) and
information obtained from other external sources such
as merchants or marketing organisations;
c) undertake all of the above within and outside the
United Kingdom and the European Union. This
includes processing your information in other
countries in which data protection laws are not as
comprehensive as in the European Union. However,
both organisations have taken appropriate steps to
ensure the same (or equivalent) level of protection for
your information in other countries, as there is in the
European Union; and
d) monitor and/or record your telephone calls in relation
to cover to ensure consistent servicing levels and
account operation.
Both organisations use advanced technology and well
defined employee practices to help ensure that your
information is processed promptly, accurately and
completely and in accordance with applicable data
protection law.
If you want to know what information is held about you
by the American Express Group of companies, please
write to:
American Express Services Europe Limited
Data Protection Office
Dept 2007
1 John Street
Brighton
BN88 1NH
United Kingdom
If you want to know what information is held about you
by Inter Partner Assistance SA or AXA Travel Insurance,
please write to:
AXA Travel Insurance
Data Protection Officer
The Quadrangle
106-118 Station Road
Redhill
RH1 1PR
United Kingdom
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There may be a charge for this service, as permitted by
law. Any information which is found to be incorrect will be
corrected promptly. Information about you is only held for
so long as it is appropriate for the above.
The American Express Group of companies reserves the
right to contact you by mail or telephone in connection
with the operation of your Policy and related services.
If you wish to have your name removed from any
marketing programmes or if you require any further
information please contact American Express Insurance
Services on 0800 700 707. Please provide your full
name, postal address, travel insurance Policy Number and
if you are an American Express Cardmember your Card
Number. Please allow 40 days if you wish to have your
name removed from marketing programmes for your
request to become effective.
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Remember to take this policy booklet with you
when you travel.