What can the affected person do themselves to improve their situation?
– You have a responsibility to stay informed, follow developments closely via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' recommendations, download the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' app Resklar and register on the Swedish list, says Gabriella Hallberg, lawyer and travel specialist at the Consumer Insurance Agency.
Where can those affected turn for help?
It depends on the type of trip. Let's say you have booked a package holiday, then you should first contact the tour operator. They have a responsibility to help with rebooking or refunding - simply make sure you get home.
If the return home is delayed, the organizer must also arrange accommodation and expenses for food.
If you have booked a flight with an airline registered in the EU, you have the right to rebook or receive a refund, as well as the right to food and accommodation. If it is not EU-registered, consumer protection does not apply in the same way.
You should also contact your insurance company, who can provide further guidance, says Hallberg. Follow the insurance company's website for ongoing updates.
She also encourages you to check with the hotel or local authorities about the options available locally.
I spoke to an insurance company yesterday, and some local authorities in Doha and Dubai, for example, have offered accommodation and food if you are staying in a hotel and eat the hotel buffet.
When does disaster protection apply within home insurance travel coverage?
This applies when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against traveling to a country (which you are already in before the advice), for example in the event of war or natural disaster. In this case, it is war that is the actual cause.
According to Hallberg, the disaster protection is actually intended for immediate return to Sweden - up to 10,000 kronor regardless of the insurance company - but since the airspace is closed, many insurance companies have said that they will instead reimburse additional costs for food and accommodation while waiting to be able to get home, corresponding to the same amount, 10,000 kronor.
You need to contact your insurance company and find out what applies to you, says Hallberg.
What should you consider practically?
Save all receipts and supporting documents, flight tickets, in original so that you can receive compensation when you get home. For this maximum of 10,000 SEK, you must be able to document what you have incurred. Keep in mind that it is reasonable and necessary costs that are reimbursed.
For Sweden, there are three different levels of advice. The first is from “non-essential travel”, which is tourist and visitor travel. The next level is “all travel”, which also includes other travel, such as work travel. The highest advice is a “call to leave the country”, which is only issued when there is an imminent danger to life and health.
Currently, Swedes in Iran and Yemen are being urged to leave the country.
The advice against all travel applies to Iraq (with some exceptions that have the lower advice against travel), Lebanon, the Palestinian territories and Israel.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against non-essential travel to Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar (transit not included), Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
For Egypt, the advice applies to certain vulnerable areas.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
