Hi Sandra,
I have a bog standard Aviva annual multi trip policy and before I renewed in December I carefully read the policy in there is absolutely nothing in it that excludes Iran.
When you go to the embassy for your visa as you know you must produce a copy of your travel insurance which must show you have evacuation and repatriation cover. My understanding is that this comes as standard under a good quality travel insurance product (basically, each policy is different so do check). My cover comes under the "repatriation" under the section on Emergency Medical Expenses.
Where are you with going to the embassy? I've still to hear back from JY after sending in my education/employment history. I'm not as far down the process at this stage as what I thought I would be.
Angie
Hi Angie
I have annual travel insurance covering Europe and UK, but buy a single trip policy when I go out of Europe, which is usually once every two years, so I'm starting from scratch.
Thanks for the tips re evacuation and repatriation cover - I will look at that specifically (and Aviva).
I had thought that the travel insurance had to specify Iran on it.
As for the embassy, I too thought we would be further down the line, but since they requested all the information up front, I'm hoping that the trip to the embassy will be more of a formality and not take too long.
One thing to be aware of, I asked Just You what would happen in the event of the visa being refused and they replied that standard cancellation charges apply, so from the beginning of August that would be 50% of the cost of the holiday. Obviously, the nearer to the holiday date, the higher the cancellation charge would be, so that also adds to my concern that the visa process is not as far along as I would like.
I would not be happy to get to August, have my visa declined and then lose 50% of my hard earned holiday money and the embassy has not issued an authentication number yet.
Sandra