Travel Insurance for Countries with Travel Warnings

If you're planning to travel to a country that is unstable, it's crucial you find out if your destination is covered by your insurer. Insurers exclude certain countries from cover due to the high risk they present to travellers.

Often travel insurers will reference the alert levels from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Exclusions may apply to destinations with DFAT warnings advising either:

• Do not travel
• Reconsider your need to travel

How do travel warnings work?

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) maintains Smartraveller, a website for Australians who are planning travel or are already overseas. Along with general information and advice on a range of travel topics, Smartraveller provides official travel advisories for destinations worldwide.

What are the advice levels?

As part of Smartraveller's travel advisories, each destination is assigned an official advice level which reflects the risks for Australian travellers. Sometimes, cities or regions within a country will have different levels because of specific risks or safety concerns. There are four levels:

• Level 1 - Exercise normal safety precautions
• Level 2 - Exercise a high degree of caution
• Level 3 - Reconsider your need to travel
• Level 4 - Do not travel

Why do countries get tagged with 'do not travel' warnings?

A higher advice level is applied to countries that are more dangerous to visit. This could be due to civil unrest, a severe weather warning or an act of terror. Some recent examples of travel warnings include the 'do not travel' advice for Australians looking at visiting Lebanon; this is due to the volatile security situation. There is also a 'do not travel' warning on Ukraine due to military conflict. As at September 2026, Bahrain and Kuwait are also at 'do not travel'. Advice levels change often, so check Smartraveller for your destination before you book.

How do travel warnings affect travel insurance?

Travel insurance policies detail what is and isn't included in its Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and this is where you will find a list of general exclusions. These are scenarios where you will not be covered for any reason.

One common exclusion is if your trip is affected by a natural disaster or known event. Some insurance providers will consider an event a known event if there is a travel warning against visiting that destination.

What is a known event?

A known event, in insurance terms, is when an event that's unexpected, sudden or unforeseen actually happens. For example, if a volcano erupts at your destination, that becomes a known event. If you choose to book a trip once the event happens or are already overseas and choose to continue travelling, then your insurance will likely become void for that event.

When am I not covered?

Like any type of insurance there are certain conditions you need to be aware of before you purchase. When it comes to travelling after a travel warning is issued, it's clear that you will not be covered. Some insurers will not cover you for destinations with a 'Do not travel' warning and others will also include destinations with a 'Reconsider your need to travel' warning in its list of exclusions.

There are, however, other scenarios when you may not be covered on your insurance policy:

Travel insurance purchased after the fact

Most insurers will not cover a claim if you buy travel insurance before your trip but after a travel warning is issued for your destination. This includes both cancellations fees if you need to cancel and medical expenses if you do decide to travel and become sick or injured.

Changing your mind

You won't be covered if you purchase your trip and insurance policy and then decide not to travel to a country where no warning has been issued because you feel you would be unsafe. Most insurers will not accept change of mind as an acceptable reason for trip cancellation.

Travelling anyway

If you decide that you must travel to a country with a travel warning in place or after an event occurs that can be considered a known event, you will not be covered by your travel insurance. The Australian Government advises that it's not responsible for your safety and consular assistance won't be provided.

General exclusions

Regardless of when a travel warning is issued, your insurance policy might consider certain events to be excluded across the board. Events you are unlikely to be covered for include:

What happens if there is a travel warning issued after I've booked my trip?

The only circumstance in which you will be covered for countries or regions with travel warnings is if the warning is issued after you have booked your trip and purchased your travel insurance. In this situation, you are sometimes covered for any cancellations that occur.

If you've purchased insurance and already started your trip when a travel warning is issued, you may not be covered if you receive advice from the government to leave and choose not to.

How can I make sure I'm covered?

• Review your destination's travel advisory and check the travel warning before booking any travel
• Purchase insurance as soon as possible after booking your trip and make sure to review the PDS for inclusions and exclusions
• Sign up for Smartraveller alerts for your chosen destination so you're aware when a travel warning is issued
• Avoid unsafe areas and high-risk situations
• Follow advice from local media or any government or official body while travelling
• Don't intentionally expose yourself to unnecessary risk

Can I get travel insurance if I'm going to a risky country that does not have an official warning?

Some countries carry serious risks without being at the 'do not travel' or 'reconsider your need to travel' levels.

For example, India has high levels of crime, civil unrest and traffic accidents, but its overall advice level is 'exercise a high degree of caution' rather than 'reconsider your need to travel' or 'do not travel'. Smartraveller sets an advice level for every destination, so the question is which level applies, not whether there is one. Higher levels do apply to parts of India: as at September 2026, the government says do not travel to Jammu and Kashmir, the India-Pakistan border and Manipur. Thailand is also 'exercise a high degree of caution' overall, with higher levels near the Thailand-Cambodia border and in the southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

Claiming for the avoidable

While you might be technically covered under your policy if there is no travel warning, your insurance may not be valid due to another common travel insurance exclusion: If you fail to act responsibly or take care.

• Can I purchase specialist travel insurance for a destination with a 'Do not travel' warning?

  In most cases standard travel insurance policies will not cover destinations with a 'Do not travel' warning. Some specialist insurance providers may offer limited cover for specific high risk regions. These policies are rare and typically come with strict conditions higher premiums and significant exclusions. It is essential to thoroughly read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and understand exactly what is and is not covered before purchasing.

• If DFAT upgrades a travel warning while I am already overseas what are my insurance options?

  If you are already travelling and DFAT upgrades a warning for your destination to 'Reconsider your need to travel' or 'Do not travel' your insurance cover may be affected. Some policies might offer cover for an early return home or for medical emergencies if the warning was issued after you started your trip. However if you choose to remain in the area against government advice your cover will likely become void. Always check your PDS and contact your insurer immediately for specific advice.

• If a travel warning is issued am I entitled to a refund from my airline or tour operator?

  If a travel warning is issued you may be entitled to a refund or rebooking options from your airline or tour operator. This often depends on their terms and conditions the specific circumstances of the warning and local consumer protection laws. Travel insurance typically covers non refundable prepaid expenses if you have to cancel your trip due to an unforeseen event like a travel warning issued after you bought your policy and insurance. However your insurer may expect you to seek a refund from your airline tour operator or accommodation provider first.

• How do 'Reconsider your need to travel' warnings affect my travel insurance compared to 'Do not travel' warnings?

  The impact of a 'Reconsider your need to travel' warning varies between insurers. Some policies will exclude cover for any claims related to a destination with a 'Reconsider your need to travel' warning. Other policies may still provide limited cover for such destinations but will not cover claims directly related to the reason for the warning. 'Do not travel' warnings almost universally result in no cover for any claims related to that destination. Always check your specific policy's PDS for exact details.

• What should I do if I am unsure about my travel insurance cover for a travel warning?

  If you are unsure about your travel insurance cover for a travel warning you should first carefully review your policy's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). Pay close attention to the general exclusions and sections related to government advice or known events. If you still have questions or need clarification contact your travel insurance provider directly. They can provide specific information based on your policy and the current travel advisory.

• Does travel insurance cover mental health conditions or anxiety related to a travel warning?

  Generally travel insurance policies do not cover claims arising from a 'change of mind' or general anxiety about travelling to a destination, even if a travel warning is issued. While some policies offer limited cover for mental health conditions this usually applies to specific diagnosed conditions that emerge or worsen unexpectedly and not to general worry or fear. If you choose to cancel your trip due to mental health concerns or anxiety related to a travel warning it is unlikely to be covered unless it meets strict criteria outlined in your PDS.

Written by

Jessica Prasida

Travel Insurance Expert

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Jessica Prasida brings a decade of experience in the travel industry, including over four years as a travel agent and branch manager at STA Travel. She holds a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Marketing from the University of Technology, Sydney, as well as a Tier 1 General Insurance qualification that complies with ASIC guidelines. An avid traveller herself, Jessica combines her professional expertise with a passion for ensuring safe and enjoyable journeys for all travellers. Jessica was a Travel Insurance Publisher at Finder from 2019 to 2024. See full bio