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On Tuesday TV 2 wrote that many Norwegians long to travel to warmer regions.
– It is difficult to know what will happen in the future, but we see a huge desire to travel. A survey of our clients shows that nearly 60 percent will travel abroad as soon as possible, said manager of public relations and content Beatriz Rivera at Apollo.
TUI and Apollo see that there are also some who are already placing orders.
– People book trips already from January to summer, so there are many who want to get out and travel as soon as possible, said communications manager Nora Aspengren at TUI.
The fact that some choose to book trips abroad now makes insurance companies react.
– Realize that it can be tempting
Due to the corona pandemic, Norwegians are advised not to travel abroad at least until early next year. In late September, the Foreign Ministry extended its travel advice globally from October 1 to January 15.
– We understand that it can be tempting to think about future trips, and that there are many discounted prices and good deals out there. But you still need to think very carefully before buying and paying for a trip now, says Andreas Bibow Handeland on European Travel Insurance and If.
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health continually updates its map of Europe with the colors of the various countries. The advice of the government is basically to avoid all unnecessary trips abroad.
The red color means a high spread of the infection and that you should be in quarantine when you enter Norway, while the yellow color means a higher risk, but that you should not be in quarantine when you enter Norway.
If you book a trip to a country that is marked in red when booking, travel insurance does not apply.
– In the current situation, there is a world travel council with very few exceptions. If you purchase a trip now and the area is still red on departure, you will not be reimbursed for cancellation costs that the airline or travel company will not reimburse. You also don’t get valid travel insurance if you defy advice and travel, Handeland says.
Almost all of Europe is marked in red on the FHI infection map. Photo: FHI
– A game of chance
If you bought a trip to a country or area while it was green or yellow, and it turns red before departure, you may receive a refund for cancellation costs that airlines or travel companies are not required to bear.
If you choose to travel even if a country is red, it can be a very expensive affair if something goes wrong.
– If you defy a travel tip and go to a country or area that is red, you do not have valid travel insurance on the trip. A private hospitalization or repatriation from abroad are examples of incidents where bills can reach the million mark, so it’s important that customers are aware of this, Handeland cautions.
Communications consultant Andreas Bibow Handeland at If / European Travel Insurance. Photo: Kilian Munch / If
If the destination is green or yellow on departure, you will be covered as usual, also for incidents related to the crown.
– What do you think of the fact that some have started booking vacations for 2021?
– This is a game of chance and something to look forward to. You risk being left with a potentially gigantic bill for a vacation you will never be able to travel to.
His advice is to wait for the situation.
– I’m in the stomach. We understand that it is tempting, but the time to book a trip is not right.
– too much risk
In a survey YouGov conducted for Tryg Forsikring, 38 percent say they plan to go on vacation abroad next year. The survey was conducted among people over 18 who are employed and have a car at home.
– Allow yourself to be optimistic even though there are high infection rates across Europe at the moment. The fact that just over a million Norwegians are planning a holiday abroad next year is probably an expression of hope that a vaccine will work soon, says communications manager Ole Irgens at Tryg Forsikring.
Ole Irgens, director of communications for the Tryg delay company. Photo: Gunnar Ringen Johansen / TV 2
– People like to dream of sun and heat, but I don’t think there are many who actually buy flights to the Mediterranean now, until the risk is too great.
He advises against buying a vacation trip to a red country in the hope that it has turned green before departure.
– If you book a trip to a place while the place is red, you have waived all cancellation coverage, regardless of when you plan to travel, says Irgens.
– The advice of the authorities is very clear
Gjensidige’s head of communications for non-life insurance, Bjarne Aani Rysstad, encourages travelers not to do anything hasty.
– We also warn against booking a trip abroad now. Those considering it should think very carefully and check carefully what rules apply to cancellation with the tour operator, says Rysstad.
Bjarne Aani Rysstad, Communications Manager for Non-Life Insurance at Gjensidige. Photo: Gjensidige
– If you book a trip for 50,000 crowns, you must have the finances to lose 50,000 crowns. We recommend thinking very carefully now, as there is a lot of uncertainty.
You have noticed that many travel agencies are promoting their trips strongly at this time.
– Norwegians are used to traveling a lot, so it is not difficult to understand that the desire to travel is great. But you should take it easy. The advice from the authorities is very clear, says Rysstad.
