Middle East war and travel insurance: what happens if you're stranded?
February 28, 2026 is one of those dates that we are unlikely to forget. At dawn, the US and Israel launched Operation Roaring [...]
February 28, 2026 is one of those dates that we are unlikely to forget. At dawn, the US and Israel launched Operation Roaring Lion against Iran with more than 30 coordinated attacks by air and sea. Explosions in Tehran, the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei and, almost in immediate response, a rain of Iranian missiles on U.S. bases in the Gulf and Dubai. Within hours the Middle East has turned into an active war zone and world air traffic experienced the most severe paralysis since Covid.
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Thousands of Italians found themselves stranded on the other side of the world. Those who were on vacation in the Emirates, those who were in transit in Dubai waiting for a connecting flight, those who were returning from a trip to Asia with Emirates or Etihad and had their flights canceled as they were already departing. All with one question on their minds: Does my travel insurance cover me?
To understand it concretely, let us take as a reference Heymondo's condition, one of the most widely used travel insurance policies by Italian travelers and one of the policies we routinely recommend on TheFlightClub own For the good ratio of coverage to price.
Update March 5, 2026 - After the publication of this article, we were contacted by Heymondo, who informed us of important news. Starting with the March 4, 2026, the company extended automatically and free of charge by 5 days medical coverage for all customers already traveling who have been affected by the situation in the Middle East. This was a concrete and spontaneous measure that was not contractually due but shows how in extraordinary emergency situations the company chose to go beyond standard conditions to support its policyholders.
An important premise
Before going into detail, it is worth saying it clearly: no travel policy in the world covers war as if it were a normal medical emergency. The exclusions for armed conflicts, war events and terrorism are one standard of the entire insurance industry, not a specific choice of Heymondo.
Those who expect full coverage in an active warfare scenario are making the wrong assumption. That said, having good insurance in these situations still makes a practical difference, and we can see why right away.
The war zone clause: the policy does not abandon you
Heymondo's general terms and conditions contain a specific clause for those who are already traveling when a conflict such as this Middle East war breaks out, and its operation is more protective than one might expect. The policy does not immediately lapse: The insured remains covered even in a war zone, albeit with limits adjusted to the context. Medical expenses come up to 20,000 euros, assistance up to 5,000 euros. These are not the ordinary maximums, but in a medical emergency abroad they are a real safety net.
The only condition to be met is to contact the company now and to endeavor to leave the country within 10 days of the declaration of a conflict zone. Once notified Heymondo, the operations center is active 24 hours a day and can direct you on what to do, arrange medical care if needed, and guide you toward re-entry. Those who have an active policy and call right away are in a much more manageable position than those who have nothing.
Who was already on the road
For those who had been traveling since before February 28 and found themselves stuck with cancelled flights, the policy offers several tools. In case of illness or injury during the lockout days, Heymondo steps in with medical coverage reduced and, if necessary, with theorganization of health care reentry.
The terms and conditions include an item on the card called "Money Advance for Basic Expenses," with limits of up to 2,500 euros in the Premium plan. Heymondo clarified to us, however, that thegeneral exclusion for war events also applies to this specific coverage, so in an active warfare scenario this item is not operational.
On the front of the flights, the Top and Premium plans provide allowances for delays of more than 8 hours and a specific reimbursement for those who have given up their flight due to a delay of more than 16 hours. These are not refunds that cover all costs, but they are a concrete contribution to an objective inconvenience.
The case of those who were far from the war but still stuck
There is one situation that has affected a great many Italians and is worth analyzing separately. Those who are in Thailand, Indonesia or any other Asian destination with a return ticket on Emirates, Etihad or Qatar Airways found themselves stranded not because they were in danger, but because the return route passed through Persian Gulf airspace affected by this Middle East war, which was temporarily closed to civilian traffic.
In this case it is important to understand who has to do what. The cancellation of the flight by the airline Is the responsibility of the carrier: The European Passenger Rights Regulation guarantees in such cases a full refund of the ticket or boarding on an alternative flight, at no additional cost to the passenger. It is Emirates or Etihad that has to solve the problem, not the insurance policy.
Fiumicino March 2, 2026 Qatar planes grounded over Middle East war
Where insurance comes into play, however, is on the front of the incidental expenses: a medical emergency that arose while waiting, assistance from the operations center in navigating a chaotic situation, and cash advances in case of need. Those with active policies were able to rely on these supports while waiting to return.
Extra hotel is not reimbursed, but that is not why insurance is not needed
Being stranded in Bangkok because of the war in the Middle East for three or four extra days while waiting for an alternate flight inevitably leads to unplanned living expenses.
It must be said honestly that this kind of cost, related to the closure of airspace due to wartime causes, Does not fit into the standard coverage of Heymondo nor any other traditional policy. Reimbursement for extended stay is provided only in the event of illness or injury, not for conflict-related air stoppages. In the specific case of this event for those stranded in the UAE, hotel and meal expenses are currently covered by the government of the United Arab Emirates.
But this does not mean that insurance has not done its job. Those who have Heymondo active have access to a working emergency number in the midst of a crisis, to a telephone medical support, to the possibility of opening a documented claim and protection in case of any health problem over during the wait. In scenarios like this, the difference between having and not having a policy is measured primarily in the peace of mind of knowing that there is someone on the other end of the phone.
The lesson to take home
A conflict like the one that just erupted reminds everyone that traveling without insurance, even to destinations that seem safe, as places like Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi oil Qatar are often perceived to be, is a bet not worth making. Policies are not foolproof and do not cover everything, but in a emergency situation true are often the only difference between managing the problem and drowning in expenses and bureaucracy alone.
If you are planning a trip in the coming months, especially to destinations that involve stopovers or overflights in the area of the current war in the Middle East, now is a good time to assess adequate coverage. You can find the Heymondo policies directly on their site, with the ability to compare available plans and choose the one that best suits your itinerary.
