Travel Alert | 20 October 2026
Civil unrest and protests are affecting several European countries, including France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Albania. Although the demonstrations have different causes in each country, many reflect concerns about living costs, housing affordability, education, public services and government policies.
Protests began in France in mid-September 2026, with demonstrations also occurring in other European countries. Many have remained peaceful, but some have escalated into clashes with police, property damage and disruption to transport and daily activities.
These protests are not a single coordinated movement. The situation varies by destination and may change with little notice.
How could travel be affected?
Travellers in affected areas may experience:
- Road closures, demonstrations and restricted access to public areas.
- Temporary closures or changes to metro, rail and bus services.
- Delays travelling to airports, train stations and accommodation.
- Changes to tours and other pre-booked activities.
- Increased security measures and localised restrictions.
In France, protests on 6 October led to announced Paris Metro station closures. Further significant demonstrations and unrest occurred on 17 October. Transport and security conditions may change at short notice.
New Zealand Government travel advice
On 19 October 2026, New Zealand’s SafeTravel issued advice about protests across Europe, including Albania, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. SafeTravel recommends avoiding all protests and demonstrations, monitoring local media, following the instructions of local authorities and checking with travel providers if plans are disrupted.
SafeTravel advises New Zealanders to exercise increased caution in France.
For updates, see SafeTravel – Protests across Europe and SafeTravel – France. Travellers should also check the advice for each other country on their itinerary.
How does Go Insurance New Zealand respond?
Go Insurance New Zealand policies may provide benefits for certain unforeseen events that disrupt travel. Whether a claim can be considered depends on the Policy Wording applicable to the policy, the cover selected, the cause of the disruption and when the relevant circumstances became known or reasonably foreseeable.
Important information about known events
Protests in France were reported before this travel alert was published on 20 October 2026. This alert does not amend an existing policy or create a new exclusion. Any known-event or foreseeability exclusions operate according to the terms of the Policy Wording that applies to the customer.
The escalation on 17 October is being considered in the context of the earlier unrest in France. A genuinely new and unforeseeable disruption may require separate consideration. Protests in different European countries should not automatically be treated as having the same known-event date.
Policies purchased before 12:01pm NZDT on 7 October 2026
For Annual Multi-Trip policies, the policy purchase date and the date the relevant trip was booked may both be important, subject to the applicable Policy Wording.
Customers whose insurance and relevant travel arrangements were in place before the circumstances giving rise to their claim became known or reasonably foreseeable may be eligible for relevant benefits, depending on their selected cover and policy terms.
Disruption before departure
If pre-booked travel arrangements are cancelled or cannot proceed because of a qualifying unforeseen event, cancellation or rearrangement benefits may be available under the applicable Policy Wording. These may depend on the precise reason for the cancellation and whether costs can be recovered from travel providers.
A decision not to travel solely because of concern about protests does not automatically entitle a customer to cancellation benefits.
Disruption after departure
If you are already overseas and a qualifying event prevents your booked travel arrangements from proceeding, relevant curtailment or travel disruption benefits may be available where included in your cover. Additional travel and accommodation costs must be assessed under the applicable policy conditions and limits.
Contact the airline, tour operator or other provider about refunds and alternative arrangements before incurring additional expenses. If you cannot return home before your policy expires, contact Go Insurance New Zealand promptly to discuss your circumstances and any extension options under your policy.
Policies purchased on or after 12:01pm NZDT on 7 October 2026
For Annual Multi-Trip policies, the date the relevant trip was booked also needs to be considered under the applicable Policy Wording.
By this reference time, the developing civil unrest in France and associated travel disruption had been publicly reported. If a claim arises from circumstances already known or reasonably foreseeable when a policy was purchased or the relevant trip booked, cover may be restricted or excluded under the applicable Policy Wording.
This may be relevant where a traveller booked a trip months earlier but purchased insurance after the French unrest had become widely known.
The reference time is not an automatic determination of every claim. The cause and timing of the claimed disruption, the relevant booking and policy purchase dates, and the terms of the policy all require consideration. Unrelated insured events and genuinely new, unforeseeable circumstances must be assessed on their own merits.
Medical emergencies and personal safety
If you suffer an illness or injury overseas, seek appropriate medical attention. Medical and emergency assistance benefits are subject to the terms of the Policy Wording, and exclusions may apply to claims involving participation in riots or civil unrest.
Do not attend protests as a spectator. Avoid large gatherings, follow local police instructions and contact our emergency assistance team as soon as practical if you need urgent help.
What if I want to cancel because I’m concerned?
Concern about unrest or a decision not to travel, without a qualifying insured event, does not automatically trigger standard cancellation benefits.
If you purchased Go Ultra with an optional Cancel For Your Reason extension, different cancellation provisions may apply. Check your Policy Wording, Certificate of Insurance and any extension conditions before making a decision.
What should affected travellers do?
- Avoid demonstrations, crowds and areas of unrest, and follow instructions from local authorities.
- Monitor SafeTravel, local media and updates from transport providers.
- Check flight, train and transfer arrangements directly with the relevant provider.
- Seek refunds, credits or alternative arrangements before incurring additional costs.
- Keep booking confirmations, provider correspondence, notices of cancellation or delay, and receipts.
- Contact Go Insurance New Zealand if you need advice about the claims process or urgent travel assistance.
Frequently asked questions
Need assistance?
For urgent medical or emergency travel assistance overseas, contact our 24-hour emergency assistance team:
Telephone: +64 9 918 2505
Email: sosnz@goinsurance.co.nz
For non-emergency policy or claims enquiries:
Telephone: 0800 082 647
Claims email: claimsnz@goinsurance.co.nz
General enquiries: information@goinsurance.co.nz
Read the applicable Go Insurance New Zealand Policy Wordings for full terms, conditions, selected benefits, limits and exclusions.
This travel alert provides general information only. It does not amend existing insurance contracts or guarantee cover. All claims are assessed individually under the Policy Wording and endorsements applicable to the policy.