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.

Travel insurance can cover unforeseen events, including unexpected illnesses, terrorist attacks, inclement weather and natural disasters, and other events that cause a complete cessation of travel, such as a strike of a travel supplier.

For an attack to be covered by travel insurance, it must be deemed an act of terrorism by the U.S. Department of State.

A travel alert is not a covered reason to cancel your trip on standard travel insurance policies.

An increased risk of terrorism, or fear that a terrorist attack will occur because of the recent bombing in New York, is not a covered reason to cancel your trip with standard travel insurance.

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.