Middle East Conflict
Important update: Middle East conflict and your insurance cover
We understand that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East may be worrying, especially if you have a trip planned or are already travelling. This page explains what you need to know about your travel insurance cover and the support available to you.
2nd March 2026 update
There is currently a large-scale conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, which has led to missile and drone attacks in parts of the Middle East. Some airlines have cancelled flights or changed routes to avoid affected airspace.
If your travel plans are disrupted, your airline or travel provider should be your first point of contact. Please be assured that we are closely monitoring events and your safety and wellbeing remain our absolute priority.
If you have an active Staysure Signature Policy, or have a Basic or Comprehensive policy with a Travel Disruption Extension add-on, and you bought before 28th February when the war became known, you will be covered for affected travel trips.
Unfortunately, you will not be covered if you don’t meet this criteria.
Current travel advice
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) currently advises:
- Against all travel to Israel & Iran
- Against all but essential travel to:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates
Travel advice can change quickly, so we recommend checking the latest updates before you travel. If you choose to travel to a destination where the FCDO advises against all travel, or all but essential travel, your policy will not cover you. You can find the latest travel advice from the foreign office here: Foreign Office travel advice updates - GOV.UK
If you are already in the Middle East
1. If you are unable to return to the UK due to cancelled or disrupted flights, your policy will be automatically extended until you are able to return home. Please note you must take the first opportunity you are presented with to return home. There is no need to contact us to extend your policy, this includes if your policy has already ended, due to end shortly or you have exceeded your trip limits - the extension will be applied automatically.
2. You should regularly check the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website for the latest travel and safety advice, plus destination-specific updates.
3. If your trip is affected – for example, if you are unable to return home on your planned date due to flight cancellation or disruption – please contact your airline, tour operator, or travel provider
4. For any medical emergencies please contact our dedicated assistance team, available 24/7 on +44 1403 288 414.
If you are preparing to travel to the Middle East, or have plans in the future, please take the following steps before your departure.
1. Please regularly check the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website for the latest travel and safety advice, plus destination-specific updates. Do not travel to any destination within the region if the FCDO have advised against all or all but essential travel. Your policy will not cover you if you travel against FCDO advice.
2. If your holiday has been cancelled, please contact your tour operator, holiday company or airline in the first instance.
3. For customers who have added the Travel Disruption Extension, or customers who have Signature Policies (whereby Travel Disruption Extension is automatically included as standard) there is cover to cancel a trip following a change in FCDO advice prohibiting travel or recommending evacuation from a specific country or area. You can make a claim using our claim portal which is available 24/7.
4. Please note that the Travel Disruption Extension cannot be added to your policy to provide cover for this event, as it is now considered a known event. No cover will be provided under this add-on if the Travel Disruption Extension is purchased on or after 28 February 2026.
Rearranging your holiday
If you decide to rearrange your holiday, you may need to update your insurance policy. Any changes to your policy may affect the price. Please be aware that your policy won’t cover you for any costs incurred in rearranging a trip, so it’s best to speak to your travel provider first to find out what options are available to you.
Understanding your cover
Does my policy cover me for the current Middle East conflict?
You will only be covered for events which were not common knowledge at the time of booking a trip or purchasing your cover (whichever is later). You won't be covered for any costs or expenses if a provider fails to supply service or transport during any part of a booked trip.
Cancellation and Curtailment
The Cancellation and Curtailment sections of your policy only apply to specific circumstances and do not cover this event.
What does Travel Disruption Extension cover?
If your policy includes Travel Disruption Extension cover, you may have additional protection in certain situations where the FCDO advises against travel.
Extended Cancellation or Cutting Short Your Trip
This provides cover if you need to cancel or cut short a trip following a change in FCDO advice that prohibits travel to, or recommends evacuation from, a specific country or area.
Unusable Overseas Accommodation and Repatriation
This provides up to £1k of cover if you can't stay in your booked accommodation. In this situation, cover may include moving to alternative accommodation or returning home, with prior authorisation from Stay sure Assistance.
Missed Departure and Travel Delay
These sections are cause specific and do not cover this event.
Where policies include Missed Connection cover there is cover where the scheduled public transport of the first leg of your journey is delayed or cancelled in line with your policy wording.
Need help?
If you’re unsure about your cover or want to speak to one of our team, get in touch – we’re here to help