Istanbul Suicide Bombing

ST. PETERSBURG, FL January 12, 2016 — The terrorist bombing of a tourist area in Istanbul may cause concerns among travelers with upcoming trips to the destination. Squaremouth, a leading travel insurance website, answers the top three questions about travel insurance coverage related to the Istanbul bombing.

Only a policy that includes the Cancel For Any Reason upgrade will cover you to cancel due to fear of a potential terrorist attack.

Yes, as of January 12, 2016, the Istanbul bombing meets the travel insurance definition of terrorism as it has been declared an act of terrorism by the U.S. Department of State.

Travelers can purchase policies for future travel to Istanbul that may provide coverage for unforeseen terrorist attacks, unrelated to the bombing on January 12, 2016.

Choosing not to travel due to fear is not a covered reason within the Trip Cancellation benefit. Trip Cancellation coverage is designed to provide coverage for unforeseen events outside of the traveler's control.

You may be provided coverage to interrupt your trip and return home early if you purchased your policy before January 12, 2016, and your policy includes Terrorism coverage.

If you have purchased a policy before January 12, 2016 you may be covered to cancel your trip under the Terrorism cancellation benefit.

You can still purchase a travel insurance policy for future travel to Turkey. Many policies will still include coverage for any future terrorist attacks. However, policies purchased on or after January 12, 2016 will not provide coverage for losses relating to the bombing in Istanbul, as it is no longer considered to be an unforeseen event.