The following information from our underwriters explains the current situation regarding swine flu:

If you have purchased travel insurance and need to make a claim for cancellation due to illness, including contracting swine flu, you can do so by providing a valid doctors certificate confirming your condition. This is applicable if, at the time of buying the policy, you were healthy but contracted any illness or virus before travelling and were forced to cancel the trip on medical advice (i.e. not fit to travel). 

If you have purchased travel insurance and contract swine flu while on holiday, you are covered for full medical assistance and expenses, as detailed in your insurance policy document. The policy will also cover the cost of rearranged flights and accommodation if you have to stay beyond your booked departure date due to being ill or quarantined due to swine flu.

We will not cover any claim for cancellation or curtailment due to you having a fear of contracting swine flu, or if you have been deemed to be at risk due to any existing medical conditions and decide you do not want to travel.

You will not be covered for anything if you travel to a country to which the Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises against travel (or if you travel to part of a country to which they advise against travelling).

Please check the list of countries on the web site of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (new browser window will open). If you travel to a country that the FCO advises against all but essential travel and you then make a claim, you will need to demonstrate that your trip was essential.

Information from the World Health Organisation can be found here (new window will open)