Member Article

Flat battery can leave your insurance drained at new airport security procedures

With many airline passengers now required to switch on their portable electronic items at security to show that they have sufficient charge, Beth Macer, travel insurance expert from PayingTooMuch.com, warns travellers could face serious issues if they are not able to comply with new procedures.

Whilst the most common device is a mobile phone, laptops and tablets are also subject to the same rules.

Macer says, “With most people now having expensive smart-phones, the cost of a new phone may well outweigh the cost of the holiday. As a result, passengers may find themselves deciding to miss their holiday due to a flat battery.

“In the case of missing a holiday due to noncompliance with security procedures, travel insurance is unlikely to pay out as cancellation cover only pays out for unforeseen circumstances and is only designed to cover certain events. For example, if you are unable to travel due to illness or injury (amongst other scenarios).

“Because travellers have been warned in advance of the new security rules, it is no longer an ‘unforeseen event’ therefore if you are not allowed to travel because you cannot comply to these rules, then you will not be covered to claim for cancellation under your travel insurance policy.

“If however you decide to travel and leave your mobile phone behind, as depending on the airline there may be an opportunity of having it sent to your home address or collecting it from the airport on your return, if the phone goes missing after you’ve left it again there is uncertainty whether your travel insurance will cover it. And what are the consequences if you are in transit?

“The obvious solution is to make sure your mobile phones and tablets are properly charged but if you have forgotten then try to find one of the charging points at the airport, charge the device for say 15-30 minutes and then present yourself at security with the device working.

“As a rule of thumb, charging a mobile phone takes circa 1 minute per 1% of added charge and for tablets and iPads 1 hour per 10% of added charge.

Airport security has come under the spotlight with these new security rules in place for passengers traveling along specific routes to and from the UK. The precise routes have not been stated by authorities, but PayingTooMuch.com believes passengers should plan for the new measures being applied on all routes leaving the UK.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by PayingTooMuch .