In March, the US announced laptop restrictions on flights departing from 10 Middle Eastern airports including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, amid terror fears.
Britain quickly followed suit with restrictions on a slightly different set of routes, but now flights from the UK to the US could be impacted by the ban.
It means that British travellers will have to stow laptops, tablets and e-readers in the hold rather than in their hand luggage.
The ban applies to any device larger than 16cm long, 9.3cm wide or 1.5cm deep.
Insurers usually require travellers to keep valuable items in their hand luggage in order for them to be covered.
But some providers have altered their policies in light of the ban, meaning that flyers will be covered if their gadgets are lost, stolen or damaged as a result of them being checked-in.
Mark Shepherd at the Association of British Insurers (ABI), 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.
“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.”
LV= said that while its travel policies typically exclude valuables where they have been checked in, following the government’s announcement, travel policies will cover loss, theft or damage to laptops, tablets/iPads and DVD players when checked in by customers on the flights affected by the ban.
Aviva said that under the standard terms and conditions it asks that valuables are kept in hand luggage as there is no cover for valuables stored in hold luggage.
A spokesperson for Aviva said: “We are aware of the speculation regarding UK holiday makers flying to the USA with electronic devices and are considering our position.”
UK to ban laptops and other electronic devices on certain flights
Direct Line would not confirm its position on the expanded laptop ban.
While Allianz said it will review its position if the government makes a decision to follow in the footsteps of the US and widen the electronic device ban to countries over and above those currently stipulated.
Some travellers may find they have additional cover under a household contents policy for gadgets outside of the home.
Airlines are also liable when luggage is lost, delayed or damaged. There are no fixed rules when it comes to the amount of compensation they need to pay, but it’s up to a maximum of £1,000, the Civil Aviation Authority said.
[“Source-thesun”]
