Travel insurance update on the Bangkok flooding
01 November 2011 11:34
The cut off time for valid policies is Tuesday 25th October 2011, 11.00am GMT. Any policies taken out after that date concerning travel to the affected areas will not be valid
For the latest information on the situation, visit the FCO website for travel advice in Thailand.
Bangkok is braced for severe flooding this weekend as the local situation deteriorates. The city's bus and train stations and many roads are jammed by thousands of people attempting to flee the Thai capital.
People in several northern districts of the capital - some of which are now 90% submerged by rising water - have been told they should evacuate immediately. Bangkok's Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra has issued an evacuation alert for residents of Don Muang, Bang Phlad and Thawi Wattana.
More than 360 people have died and seven of Bangkok's 50 districts are now underwater in Thailand's worst flooding for 50 years. Over the weekend, the influx of run-off water from Thailand's saturated central plains is expected to combine with seasonal high tides to flood more parts of the capital.
Many major roads leading north - towards the areas worst affected by the flooding - are largely impassable. Those leading south and east are reported to be clogged with traffic. Flights out of the international airport, Suvarnabhumi, have been operating as normal but are said to be packed. Bangkok's domestic airport, Don Muang, is closed because the runway is flooded.
On 26th October, Britain's Foreign Office warned against all but essential travel to Bangkok. It has been warned that flood waters could linger in the capital for between two weeks and a month.
How the floods affect World First policyholders
World First policyholders affected by the adverse weather conditions are covered for Travel Delay and Missed Departure if they are travelling on their outward or return journey as defined in their Policy Wording and as per normal terms and conditions.
Regarding Missed Departure, we advise customers to try to get to the airport for their return journey, however, we will consider claims up to the Missed Departure payout limit due to public transport or personal vehicle delay as a result of roads being blocked or flooded in order to book a new flight home. The insured must be in the affected area of flooding and news reports must be checked for areas affected.
The cut off time for valid policies is Tuesday 25th October 2011, 11.00am GMT. Any policies taken out after that date concerning travel to the affected areas will not be valid.
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