Notice On The Conflict In Israel And Gaza

The terrible situation in southern Israel and Gaza continues to unfold, and many countries have advised their citizens against travel to parts of Israel and the Palestinian territories. This post provides guidance to our members and brokers in the region, and we’ll continue to update our guidance as we learn more.

How does the conflict affect our members with health insurance living in Israel or the Palestinian territories?

Our international health insurance excludes medical treatment that directly or indirectly arises from war and terrorism and similar risks, unless the member is an innocent bystander. Our health insurance also excludes wilful exposure to needless danger. What constitutes ‘wilful exposure to needless danger’ will depend upon the circumstances of each case.

How does the conflict affect emergency medical evacuations?

We’ll continue to provide cover according to the terms of our members’ policies, but it may not be possible to organise medical evacuations for members in Israel, the Palestinian territories, or the bordering regions of neighbouring countries.

Evacuations by airplane may be, for obvious reasons, very difficult. That will also likely be true for ground evacuations over land borders.

How does the conflict affect our members with protection insurance living in Israel or the Palestinian territories?

Our global life insurance and income protection products exclude war and terrorism and other acts of violence if a member remains in a country where the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has advised its citizens against travel to. As the FCDO has advised its citizens against travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories (correct as of 10/10/2023), we will exclude any claims arising from these causes while a member remains in Israel or the Palestinian territories.

NB This exclusion applies irrespective of whether the member is permanently resident in Israel or the Palestinian territories or simply on a temporary visit. This exclusion also applies irrespective of whether the member is an active participant in the causes or an innocent bystander.

How does the conflict affect our members with a personal accident policy living in Israel or the Palestinian territories?

Our personal accident insurance excludes death or disablement directly or indirectly arising out of or contributed to by war, acts of foreign enemy hostilities (whether or not war is declared), civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection or military or usurped power, mutiny, riot, strike, martial law or state of siege, or attempted overthrow of government, or any acts of terrorism unless a member is an innocent bystander. The personal accident insurance also excludes death or disablement directly or indirectly arising out of or contributed to by these causes if a member travels to a country that the FCDO has advised its citizens to leave (even if the member is an innocent bystander). We note that the FCDO has not advised its citizens to leave Israel or the Palestinian territories (correct as of 10/10/2023).

Can new members still purchase an insurance policy if they’re resident in Israel or the Palestinian territories?

No. We’re temporarily suspending the purchase of new policies for people living in these countries. Existing members in Israel or the Palestinian territories can renew their policies in the usual way.

Is there anything William Russell can do to help?

We suggest that members living in Israel, the Palestinian territories, and neighbouring countries download the Solace app for their smartphone. You’ll receive near real-time alerts for security incidents, civil unrest, and military conflict. Access is complimentary for members with a health policy from William Russell.