Israel-Hamas War

Event Timeline

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (BHSIC) travel insurance policies purchased prior to Oct. 7, 2023 that contain the coverage for political/violence that includes coverage for “a Terrorist Incident in a City listed on [the insured’s] itinerary within 30 days of [the insured’s scheduled trip]” may be called on to respond to trip cancellation claims from insureds who satisfy those requirements for coverage, subject to all of the other terms and conditions of the insured’s policy (which, by virtue of the 30-day time period, won’t apply to scheduled trips to Israel on or after Nov. 7, 2023).

If an insured believes they have coverage in this regard, then the insured should be encouraged to file a claim.

Additionally, on Oct. 8, 2023, Israel declared war against Hamas. BHSIC’s travel insurance policies do not include war as a basis for coverage, but rather include a war exclusion, such as the following:

This [policy] does not cover any loss caused by or resulting from war (whether declared or not) or act of war, participation in a civil disorder, riot, insurrection, or unrest (unless specifically covered herein).

Each claim will be reviewed and evaluated, and a coverage determination will be made based on the specific facts, circumstances, policy language, and applicable laws and regulations of the jurisdiction.

The U.S. Department of State has updated its travel advisories for the region. We encourage all travelers to visit the U.S. Department of State website.

Please review your policy wording or contact the Travelex customer solutions team at +1. 800.228.9792 or [email protected] for more details.

I have not yet purchased travel insurance for my upcoming trip to Israel. Can I still purchase a Travelex plan for my trip to Israel?

Effective Oct. 10, 2023, Travelex policies underwritten by BHSIC may not be purchased for the destinations of Israel and the Palestinian territories due to the current environment.

What can I do if I purchased a Travelex plan for my trip to Israel but have not left yet?

We encourage you to look at options for rescheduling your trip. If you purchased a plan for a trip to Israel and are within 15 days of your policy purchase date, then you are eligible for a full refund of the plan cost, provided you have no claims and have not yet departed on your trip.

Alternatively, if you canceled your trip and received a refund from all travel suppliers, you can contact us at [email protected] and provide the following information for refund considerations:

1. Documentation showing proof of full refund of prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs insured.

2. Confirmation that you have no claims to be filed against the policy.

If I already have a Travelex plan for my trip to Israel, can I move my policy to a later date?

If you currently have a policy for a trip to Israel and have not yet departed or filed a claim, you can move your policy to newly scheduled dates or a new destination.

Alternatively, if you do not have known dates of travel but would still like to hold your policy, you may do so by waiving your right to claim and contacting us at the contact number listed on your policy documents.

Do I still have coverage if I am currently in Israel and have a Travelex plan?

Yes, please refer to your policy for details on coverage and exclusions related to terrorist incidents and acts of war.

If I am currently in Israel and have a Travelex plan, how can I stay updated with security alerts and receive assistance?

If you have access to the Travel On app, it offers tap-to-call travel assistance, destination advice, and real-time security alerts for your location.

Travelex policyholders also have access to 24/7 emergency assistance and concierge services.

Travel Assistance Services

Most Travelex plans include 24/7 travel assistance services to protect travelers from a variety of problems. From flight rebooking and urgent message relay to family to medical transportation coordination and advanced hospital payments, our team is here to help you.

World Travel Protection

For plans purchased on or after 12.1.2020

• Within the U.S. and Canada (toll-free): 1-844-215-1672
• Outside the U.S. and Canada (collect): 1-647-775-8042
• Email: [email protected]

On Call International

For plans purchased prior to 12.1.2020

• Within the U.S. and Canada (toll-free): 1-855-892-6495
• Outside the U.S. and Canada (collect): 1-603-328-1373
• Email: [email protected]