Mexico holidaymakers must check travel insurance for refunds
Brits with holidays booked for Mexico may now be able to claim refunds from their travel insurance - but not all policies will cover them.
Today the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) warned against all but essential travel to Mexico.
The FCO warns: "We are now advising against all but essential travel to Mexico.
"British nationals resident in or visiting Mexico may wish to consider whether they should remain in Mexico at this time."
Last year over 315,000 British nationals visited Mexico.
Most travel insurance policies will now pay out for those claiming a refund for cancelled holidays - but not all.
Malcolm Tarling at the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said: "Many policies will provide cover if the government advises against travel, but people have to check their policies.
"I can't categorically say all policies will cover cancellation."
He added: "At the moment it is only Mexico affected, but that may change."
Insurer LV=, in line with most in the industry, is now offering cover for customers wishing to cancel any planned trips to Mexico - however those receiving alternative holidays or refunds from travel agents or tour operators will not be able to claim.
"The cover will be available for all single and annual trip customers who already have a policy with us and have a trip planned that was booked prior to the FCO advising against travelling," an LV= spokesperson said.
Passengers booking a package holiday with a member of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) will be offered alternative dates or destination for the holiday.
Independent travel travellers should contact their supplier for possible refunds or use check their travel insurance.
"Customers who have booked package holidays, should contact their tour operator for the latest information regarding their holiday itineraries. Customers who have booked independently should contact the company they booked with," an ABTA statement read.
Thomson, which also includes First Choice, is sending planes out to Mexico to repatriate customers on holiday and has stopped sending holidaymakers to the nation.
Those who have booked a holiday to Mexico with the firm can rearrange their breaks for different destinations or receive a refund.
"It is with great regret that both Thomson and First Choice Holidays have taken the decision to repatriate its customers and cancel today's outbound flights to Cancun. These were due to operate this morning (Tuesday 28th April) from Manchester and Gatwick Airport," a spokesperson said.
"While we do appreciate that this news may be a great disappointment to customers, we hope they will also understand that their health and safety is of paramount importance to Thomson and First Choice. The FCO made its change to the travel advice very late last night and as I'm sure you appreciate, while we would like to have informed our customers earlier and had more information readily available, the timing of the announcement made it very difficult to advise customers before they arrived at the airport."
Customers due to depart today will have the option to make a free amendment to their holiday and select a different destination or alternative date up to the same value already booked.
Alternatively, customers will also have the option to cancel their holiday and receive a full refund without incurring any cancellation charge.
Thomas Cook has stated it is reviewing its travel plans for Mexico and will today contact passengers who were set to fly to Mexico in the coming week.
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