Changes to special assistance for British victims of terrorism abroad
Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne announced that special assistance for British victims of terrorism overseas will be available to all travellers, regardless of whether or not they have travel insurance.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has offered the assistance since 2004. Originally known as the Aftercare Plan, but renamed Exceptional Assistance Measures (EAM) in 2008, it was introduced in recognition of the fact that many travel insurance policies explicitly exclude acts of terrorism from their cover.
EAM allow ministers to activate special assistance to victims of terrorist attacks above the standard consular package. This can include medical evacuation, payment of immediate medical expenses and repatriation.
In 2008, the Government at the time decided to impose restrictions on EAM eligibility that excluded those victims who did not have travel insurance. Jeremy Browne notified Parliament today that he had decided to reverse this decision.
In 2008, the Government at the time decided to impose restrictions on EAM eligibility that excluded those victims who did not have travel insurance. Jeremy Browne notified Parliament today that he had decided to reverse this decision.
In a Written Ministerial Statement, the Minister for Consular Policy said:
“I have decided to overturn the decision of the previous government and restore Emergency Assistance Measures for all British Nationals affected by a terrorist attack overseas, regardless of whether or not they have travel insurance. Acts of terrorism are singularly heinous crimes, usually targeting innocent people at random. It is right that all British victims of terrorist attacks overseas can receive the same level of support from the Government.
“Emergency Assistance Measures only cover incidents overseas that are deemed to be acts of terrorism by Her Majesty’s Government. They do not replace travel insurance. British nationals travelling overseas are strongly advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance. Those that do not and are involved in accidents or incidents often deeply regret it when faced with huge bills.”