Clients making the trip to Sochi, Russia for the Winter Olympics need more than just their passport, Canadian flag and medical insurance – they should be prepared for terrorism.
“The threat of terrorism is, unfortunately, something travelers should be aware of,” says Leonard Sharman, a spokesman for The Co-operators. “Make sure clients understand that they should check with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade before travelling for any advisories against travel to a particular area.”
The lead-up to the Sochi Games have been under a cloud of the threat of terrorism, following two deadly suicide bombings in Volgograd in December, coupled with Chechnya’s proximity to Sochi. In July of last year, Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov called on his followers to use ‘maximum force’ to disrupt the games.
“What we’re recommending for Canadians heading over to the Games are that the policy must be purchased before an act of terrorism occurs in order for coverage to apply,” Sharman told Insurance Business. “If the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade issues a warning for the city, country or region before you travel, coverage will not apply.”
Sharman says the Cooperators is also reminding clients that additional policy limitations apply, and there are exclusions for certain types of terrorism. (continued.)
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Aside from the threat of terrorism, there are the usual suspects clients should be insured against when travelling abroad.
News of unfinished hotels is now being confirmed by the Russian Olympic committee, with 3 percent of the rooms having problems that have made them unavailable.
Although Sharman says The Co-operators aren’t selling coverage specific to the Sochi Olympics, they are recommending coverages to Canadian clients who are heading to the games.
“Emergency hospital and medical in case of emergency treatment from a doctor or at a hospital,” he says. “Trip cancellation and interruption, in case of an unexpected covered reason such as an accident, illness, or injury to the traveler, a family member or travelling companion; and baggage protection.”
