With the recent Christchurch Shooting in New Zealand, terror attacks is once again a trending topic on Google.
Being global travelers, Singaporeans are naturally concerned because tourist attractions, public transport systems, religious sites are often targeted by terrorists.
Recent terror attacks happening around the world include:
- 2016 Brussels Bombings in Belgium – There were 3 coordinated bombings, 2 at Brussels Airport in Zaventem, and 1 at Maalbeek metro station in central Brussels.
- 2017 New York City Truck Attack in United States – A terrorist drove a rented pickup truck into cyclists and runners for about one mile through the busy streets of New York.
- 2018 Strasbourg Shooting in France – A gunman opened fire just outside the Strasbourg Christmas Market, an annual event which draws in approximately 2 million visitors each year.
- 2019 Christchurch Mosque Shootings in New Zealand where there were two consecutive terrorist mass shootings at Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch
Floral Tributes in Stockholm, after the 2017 Stockholm truck attack occurred on 7 April that year in central Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, when a hijacked lorry was deliberately driven into crowds along Drottninggatan (Queen Street) before being crashed through a corner of an Åhléns department store.
While news of terror attacks are unlikely to deter Singaporeans from travelling overseas, more are aware of the dangers of terrorism today compared to 10 years ago.
Do You Need Coverage Against Terror Attacks?
Statistically speaking, the chances of being caught up in a terror-related incident during your travels is very low.
However keeping yourself covered by checking your travel insurance plan is a good idea, because terror-related incidents can result in flight delays, cancelled bookings, loss of possessions, injury or loss of life.
What If A Terror Attack Happens Before Your Trip?
If a terror attack occurs in the country you are planning to travel to, there are a few steps you can take to lessen the impact:
- Check insurance coverage you already have.
- Increase your coverage if necessary, especially if you’re going to a terrorist “hot spot”
- Familiarize yourself with emergency hotline numbers, such as credit card concierge or insurance hotlines
- Be flexible with travel plans
A common response to a terrorist incident is to postpone or cancel a trip. This means changing or cancelling hotel room bookings, flights, car rentals, etc. If you are purchase a travel package, you may want to check if refunds will be provided for cancellations arising from terrorist acts. If refunds are available, you can recover the cost of their tickets.
If refunds are not possible, try rescheduling the dates of your hotel and flight bookings. You may need to monitor the situation in your destination to determine when it will be safe again to travel. Be aware there may be fees involved. If these fees equal or exceed the cost of your original booking, cancelling the entire trip may be a better option.
Another possible solution is travel insurance. Some travel insurance plans offer compensation in the case of cancelled or missed flights, as well as cancellations of travel plans. Check for exclusions that might disqualify your claim. For example, your travel insurance plan may only offer a payout if the flight is cancelled by the airline, or if you are unable to travel due to sickness.
However, if you still decide to proceed with the trip, double check your travel insurance plan and find out whether the plan’s coverage still stands in the event of a terror attack. Do note that some forms of attack (such as nuclear, biological or chemical attacks) are excluded.
What If A Terror Attack Happens During Your Trip?
If a terror attack occurs in the country you are currently travelling to, you might want to return to Singapore earlier than you planned. In this case, your travel insurance plan may provide compensation to offset your financial losses too.
If you have any doubts, consider speaking with a trained financial planner to help you determine your needs and secure the appropriate travel insurance you need.
