ALCOHOL - v - SMALLPRINT

There have been many news articles recently prompting people to read the small print on their travel insurance policies, because of the incident of the young girl who fell from a balcony injuring herself badly, but being found to have had a drink or two beforehand. Whilst her situation has now resolved itself, owing to the insurers being flexible, possibly because of the publicity involved, in all fairness it is a standard clause in most travel policies, under the ‘General Exclusions’ section, and not exclusive to her policy.

The wording is normally along the lines of "We will not cover the following". Or "No section of this Policy shall apply in respect of", then go on to say things like, "Any claim arising directly or indirectly from you being under the influence of alcohol or drugs", or, maybe something like - "needless self-exposure to peril".