IMPORTANT UPDATE: ONGOING EVENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Published – 6 March 2026
Middle East Travel Disruption – Travel Insurance Information
We know that changes to travel plans can be unsettling, particularly when events are unfolding overseas. We’re here to help you understand what this means for your trip and your travel insurance.
Airspace restrictions are currently in place across parts of the Middle East, and some airlines are cancelling, delaying or rerouting flights. As a result, travel to, from, within, or transiting through the region and neighbouring countries may be disrupted.
This page explains what you need to know about your travel insurance cover, the support available to you and the steps you should take if your travel plans are affected.
How Saga Travel Insurance is helping customers during this time
- Any policyholder who arrived in one of the affected areas before the disruption began will have their policy extended at no extra cost until they are able to return home safely. You’ll continue to be covered for emergency medical treatment, provided this is unrelated to war or conflict.
- We will help provide essential prescription medication if personal supplies run out while you’re away.
- Claims can be made for anything unrelated to war or warlike activity, such as lost or damage baggage, and loss of passport and cash.
If you’re unsure how this situation affects your cover, or you’d like to talk things through, our team is here to help. Please contact us and one of our team will be happy to discuss your individual circumstances.
If you are due to travel to the Middle East region (before you leave the UK)
We strongly recommend you:
- Check and follow UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for your destination and any countries you may be transiting through. This FCDO list has the latest official travel advice for all countries and territories.
- Sign up for FCDO travel advice email alerts for your destination and any transit countries. To do this:
1. Visit gov.uk
2. Select the country you are visiting or travelling through
3. Choose 'Get email alerts'
4. Select how often you wish to receive updates (for example, each time the page is updated). - Contact your tour operator, airline or travel provider before travelling to the airport if your destination or flight route is affected. They are responsible for offering alternative travel arrangements or refunds if services are cancelled.
If you are already in the Middle East region
We strongly recommend you:
- Continue to follow FCDO travel advice for the country you are in, as well as guidance from local authorities.
- Contact your airline, tour operator or travel provider first for help with rearranging travel or returning home
British nationals can also register their presence in certain countries with the FCDO to receive direct updates. Registration is different from email alerts and is intended for people who are currently in affected countries.
Links to register your presence can be found on the relevant country pages on the FCDO website.
Returning home and policy extension
If you are unable to return home as planned due to the current situation:
- You should first contact your airline or travel provider to arrange your return
- If you are stranded abroad and cannot return as planned, your Saga Travel Insurance policy will automatically extend at no extra charge until you are able to return home. Only claims unrelated to war or warlike activities are covered.
- You should return home as soon as travel becomes available.
Travel insurance cover and conflict
Like most travel insurance providers, Saga Travel Insurance policies exclude cover for war or warlike activities. This exclusion applies across all sections of the policy, including:
- Cancellation
- Curtailment (cutting your trip short)
- Travel delay
- Missed departure.
Emergency medical expenses are also generally excluded where injury or illness is directly caused by war or warlike activities. However, there may be cover where a customer is injured or becomes ill as an innocent bystander, provided they have not travelled against FCDO advice and subject to the other policy terms and conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. You can cancel within 14 days of buying your policy and receive a full refund, provided no claim has been made. After 14 days, you can still cancel your policy, but no refund will be due. If you have a single trip policy please see our FAQ on changing the destination or trip length.
Yes, provided you have not made (and do not intend to make) a claim related to the original trip. If your new destination or travel dates are different, your premium may change. Any change will be explained before your policy is updated.
For annual multi-trip policies, changes must remain within the policy region and trip limits you agreed when purchasing the policy, which are shown in your policy documents.
No, you can’t claim on your Saga Travel Insurance for cancellation in this situation – travel insurance policies exclude claims related to war or warlike events.
However, if your booking was part of a package holiday, you are entitled to a refund from the provider. If you booked travel separately, contact your providers directly. Most reputable providers are offering refunds or the option to rebook for a later date.
No. There is no cover under the policy to return home because of a change to the FCDO advice.
You should continue to follow FCDO and local authority advice and contact your airline or tour operator.
Yes. If you are unable to return home as planned, your policy will automatically extend at no extra charge for claims unrelated to war or warlike activities only until you can return at the earliest opportunity.
There is no cover for additional costs caused by extending your stay due to war or warlike activity (such as extra accommodation). These costs remain the responsibility of your travel provider.
Emergency medical costs will be covered, subject to the policy terms and conditions, and provided that:
- Your illness or injury is not linked to war or warlike activity
- You did not travel against FCDO advice.
Yes. If you expect to run out of your prescription medication before you return home, we will cover the reasonable cost of obtaining an additional supply. This cover applies to prescribed medication only, not over-the-counter medicines, such as pain relief that does not require a prescription.
No. As the events began on Saturday 28 February 2026, this is a known event. Policies purchased on or after that date will not provide cover for claims related to this situation until the FCDO confirms it is safe to travel to these regions.
If your airline cancels your flight, you are entitled to a refund or to rebook.
Contact:
- Your airline (if booked directly), or
- Your tour operator (for package holidays).
There will probably be information on what to do on the cancellation notification.
Contact your airline or travel provider to understand whether your flight will be rerouted, delayed or cancelled. If cancelled, your airline will offer a refund or alternative flight.
If your travel plans have changed, your airline or travel provider should be your first point of contact. They can advise on refunds, rebooking, travel credit or alternative arrangements, particularly where FCDO travel advice has changed.
We recommend keeping copies of any emails or messages you receive, as well as screenshots of relevant FCDO advice.
If your flight is cancelled, you may be entitled to a refund under airline regulations. Further information is available from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
No. Travel insurance does not cover things such as additional parking or kennel/cattery fees caused by delayed return. If possible, contact the provider directly to explain your circumstances.