On Thursday 21 March the government announced there would be changes to aviation security measures for selected inbound flights to the United Kingdom which may affect your home or travel insurance cover. Under the new arrangements phones, laptops and tablets larger than:
- length: 16.0cm
- width: 9.3cm
- depth: 1.5cm
will not be allowed in the cabin on selected flights to the UK from the countries affected.
Most smartphones will fit inside these measurements and so will be allowed on flights. However, larger devices may not be carried in the cabin. These new restrictions are in addition to other existing security arrangements and will apply to inbound flights to the UK from the following locations:
- Turkey
- Lebanon
- Egypt
- Saudi Arabia
- Jordan
- Tunisia
The statement from the Department for Transport stated: We understand the frustration that these measures may cause and we are working with the aviation industry to minimise any impact. Our top priority will always be to maintain the safety of British nationals. These new measures apply to flights into the UK and we are not currently advising against flying to and from those countries. Those with imminent travel plans should contact their airline for further information.
Are you covered by your home or travel insurance?
Commenting on the new restrictions on electronic devices on some flights Mark Shepherd, Head of Property, Commercial and Specialist Lines at the Association of British Insurers, said: “Passengers travelling from the affected countries with laptops and tablets should check their policy and speak to their travel insurer to double-check what cover they have for valuables placed in the hold. Some travellers may find they also have additional cover under a household contents policy for gadgets outside of the home. We do know some insurers already take a flexible approach to claims if a passenger has been forced to put items in the hold by circumstances out of their control.
“Wherever possible travellers should keep valuables, including tablets and laptops, with them on flights and, if travelling from destinations affected by the new regulations, it may be sensible to leave valuables at home. If devices are damaged during a flight, there’s also the potential to seek compensation through the airline”.
Click here for details of the new restrictions
