Direct Line and Churchill on their updated travel insurance policies

U K Insurance Limited the owner of the Direct Line and Churchill brands have today announced an update to their travel policies.

The changes remove restrictions to cancellation cover put in place last year relating to the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in much more extensive cover where the claim relates to disruption caused by Covid-19. 

Alongside this, the policy gives customers a choice of cancelling their trip or continuing to travel where the FCDO change their advice to against ‘all but essential travel’ after a trip has been booked; From today (5^th October 2021), should Direct Line or Churchill customers’ travel plans be impacted by such a change in FCDO advice, they will have the option of either submitting a cancellation claim or continuing with their trip in the knowledge that they will continue to receive full protection from their policy if they choose to travel.

From Tuesday 5^th October, Direct Line and Churchill travel policies will cover:

• Cancellation of a trip as a result of:

o    a passenger being instructed to quarantine or self-isolate – this includes cases where an individual is contacted by NHS Test and Trace but has not been diagnosed with Covid-19

o   a Government lockdown as result of Covid-19 preventing travel

o   pre-booked accommodation no longer being available due to the local area being adversely affected by Covid-19

o   the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advising against all travel – or all but essential travel – to a destination within 28 days of departure due to Covid-19 restrictions, as long as the advice wasn’t in place at the point of purchase of either the trip or the travel insurance.

Alongside these policy updates, the policies will continue to cover:

• Any emergency medical costs relating to a new Covid-19 diagnosis once the trip has started, including additional accommodation and travel costs if you are unable to return home as planned due to being quarantined
• Cancellation where the policyholder, a close relative or travelling companion have received a positive Covid-19 diagnosis in the UK and are unable to commence their trip
• Cutting short a trip due to a change in FCDO advice, whilst on a trip
• Travel to any destination, as long as the FCDO aren’t advising against ‘all travel’ 

Tom Bishop, Head of Travel Insurance at Direct Line and Churchill, said: “As the world begins to reopen and the Government relax Covid-19 travel restrictions, Direct Line and Churchill want to give customers back their freedom and allow greater choice when planning to travel. Our new approach aims to support the recovery of the travel industry and will give customers greater confidence to travel if they wish to, whilst offering the choice of cancelling or travelling where FCDO advice is against ‘all but essential’ travel.

“It’s important to remember that when preparing for a trip, all required documentation and testing requirements are organised ahead of travelling. If customers are unable to travel, then we require them to seek the recovery of costs or to rebook with their travel provider where possible. However, our policies are there to act as a safety net for our customers when they need us.”

For more information on travel insurance and policy cover, please visit either the Direct Line () or Churchill (https://www.churchill.com/travel-insurance/know-before-you-go) websites.

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Notes to Editors

For further information please contact:

Simon Henrick 
Head of News and Issues, Direct Line  
Direct Line Group

Tel: 01651 831 668
Email: Simon.Henrick@directlinegroup.co.uk

U K Insurance Limited

U K Insurance Limited (UKI) was established in 1974 and is an insurer that underwrites policies for many well-known brands. It provides cover for motor, breakdown, home, pet and travel products.

It owns the Direct Line, Churchill, Green Flag, Privilege and Darwin brands and is part of the Direct Line Insurance group plc.

U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. 

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting

Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200 300 or visiting www.churchill.com