The recent spate of terror attacks has rattled a lot of Americans planning on heading to Europe this summer. In fact, some of them have decided not to go at all. But what about the airline tickets, the room nights for pre-paid hotels and other arrangements that require a financial commitment before you actually go?

For those who took out a travel insurance policy when they made their arrangements, there may well be light at the end of the financial tunnel.

Travel insurance provider Allianz Global Assistance USA, while noting that there’s a 37 percent increase in Americans traveling to London this summer compared to last year, just announced that due to the recent terror attacks in the UK, Allianz has received more than 100 claims from U.S. travelers who want to cancel their trips to the United Kingdom. Earlier this year, after the Louvre knife attack in Paris on February 3 and the Paris shootings on April 20, they also received about 100 claims for cancellations. I asked Daniel Durazo, director of communications at Allianz Global Assistance USA, to clarify their policies.

What constitutes a terrorist incident?

Allianz Global Assistance’s travel insurance defines terrorism specifically as “when an organized terrorist group, as defined by the U.S. State Department, injures or kills people or damages property to achieve a political, ethnic or religious goal or result.” Terrorist events don’t include general civil protest, unrest, rioting or acts of war. If a strike or unrest results in your carrier or tour operator ceasing services for 24 hours, that may be a covered reason for trip cancellation.  Individual policies may vary, so read your policy carefully for details on coverage and call us with questions.

By Everett Potter 

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