More than 20,000 passengers stranded in Dubai, 400,000 French in Gulf region, restricted airspace until further notice. Since the February 28, 2026 strikes, travelers face the harsh reality of war exclusion in their travel insurance policies. Here’s what the clauses actually say, along with scarce protection options.
Your travel insurance contract according to Article L121-8 of the Insurance Code: “The insurer is not liable, unless otherwise agreed, for losses and damages caused by foreign war, civil war, riots or popular uprisings.” In essence, most French travel insurance policies exclude risks related to armed conflict. The phrase “unless otherwise agreed” theoretically opens the door to coverage, but in practice, this agreement is almost never present in standard contracts.
The clause “directly or indirectly related to an act of war” in exclusions gives insurers considerable room for interpretation. Any closure of airspace due to military strikes, an inaccessible hotel in a conflict zone, or a canceled flight for security reasons can fall under this exclusion. According to industry professionals, eight out of ten travelers believe they are covered in case of war. The contractual reality is quite different.
Visa Premier and Gold Mastercard holders are no better off. The general conditions of these cards systematically exclude “acts of war, civil war, foreign war, riots, and popular uprisings.” Countries under international sanctions or in active conflict zones are also geographically excluded.
In practice, the coverage limits displayed by Visa Premier become ineffective once an armed conflict is involved. The cancellation insurance of the card covers reasons like illness, dismissal, or the death of a family member, but never a geopolitical event classified as an “act of war.” Iran, Syria, and North Korea are permanently excluded regardless of the situation.
For those traveling to sensitive areas, specialized insurance options like Battleface and AIG offer coverage for 185 destinations, including those advised against by authorities. The cost is significantly higher compared to regular travel insurance.
Three scenarios where you might still be covered include the destination being “formally advised against” by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after insurance subscription, airspace closure without a formal declaration of war, and a separately purchased terrorism extension.
Important steps before traveling to a sensitive zone include checking the Ministry of Foreign Affairs classification of your destination and reading the exclusion clauses of your insurance contract carefully. Screenshots of official alerts and cancellation confirmations are essential for potential claims.
Regardless of your insurance contract, EU Regulation CE 261/2004 obliges airlines to provide certain passenger rights in case of flight cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances like armed conflict. Assistance like accommodation and meals should be provided until rerouting is arranged.
Reopening of airspace in the region is subject to the conflict’s evolution. Dubai Airport partially resumed operations on March 2, but the situation is changing rapidly.
