Following the numerous baggage handling problems at Heathrow's Terminal 5, some travel insurers have introduced exclusions on their policies which prevent claims for lost baggage from passengers travelling via T5.

Insurers including Churchill and Direct Line have confirmed that they will exclude cover for lost baggage and delays on new policies. However, not all insurers are following suit with Insure & Go, Norwich Union and Saga travel insurance still providing cover for T5 travellers.

Saga has moved to reassure travellers that not all providers are taking such a hard nosed view. Lisa Harris at Saga commented, "Saga travel insurance is not planning to introduce any new exclusions for those customers travelling from Terminal 5. The decision of some companies to introduce new exclusions is, in our view, an assault on common sense. Saga Travel Insurance has always encouraged people to ensure they are taking out full insurance protection when travelling abroad as the consequences of not doing so can be nothing less than devastating. Other insurers that are introducing arbitrary exclusions of this nature will only encourage people to take out policies that are unlikely to meet their needs.''

As always, the advice given if you expect to travel through T5 is to check the small print before you buy a policy or contact your insurer for confirmation.