Will insurance cover a coronavirus cancellation?

Simon Calder answers your questions on travel amid the outbreak, all-inclusive trips, and shelling out for extra legroom and seats with your group

An ambulance arrives with a patient at a Hong Kong hospital (Getty)

Q I have recently booked a trip to Thailand in March and have a large balance to pay at the end of the week. I am worried about the Sars-like virus outbreak in China and Asia so am unsure whether to cancel and lose my deposit or to pay the balance and rely on insurance in the event that the Foreign Office recommends against travel to the region. What do you recommend and do you know what the FCO recommended when the Sars outbreak occurred before?

Name withheld

A I infer from the fact that you are paying the balance at the end of the week that your trip is a proper package holiday – typically it is due eight weeks before departure.