Getting travel insurance is the only way to ensure your vacation isn't ruined if you're called for election duty

The surprise announcement of early elections on July 23rd could have an unexpected impact on the vacations of many Spaniards who may have already purchased their flight tickets for the third week of July. What should you do if you are selected for a polling station during the upcoming elections and the dates clash with your trip? First of all, don't panic: keep your travel plans, but make sure you have insurance that covers you should this situation arise.

In anticipation of the flood of inquiries that travel agencies may receive on this matter in the coming days, travel insurance specialist InterMundial wants to clear up any doubts and recommends purchasing insurance with this coverage in time, as it is the only guarantee that you won't risk having your vacation ruined by an unfortunate coincidence if you have to cancel.

While it is true that once you receive the certified letter summoning you to serve at a polling station, you have 7 days to appeal to the Electoral Board by citing financial loss and providing documentation of your booked trip, it is important to clarify that having a vacation planned or flight tickets paid for does not exempt you from fulfilling your electoral duty if you are appointed as a polling station member, as it is not considered a case of force majeure.

Timing matters when buying insurance

Potentially more than half a million people could see their vacations at risk if they are summoned as chairpersons, members, or substitutes at the polling stations to be formed nationwide. In the 2019 elections, 535,000 citizens were called upon to perform these duties.

InterMundial includes coverage for this scenario among its cancellation causes, protecting both the policyholder and their immediate family. It is important for travelers to check if the insurance they have or wish to purchase offers this protection, and travel agencies can advise them on choosing the most suitable option for their needs.

First, if the policyholder has been designated as a primary or substitute member of a polling station, they can appeal to the Electoral Board within 7 days of notification to be released from their obligation by justifying that they have a trip booked that coincides with the election dates and that it would cause them financial loss.

From there, if the Board rejects the appeal, the insured traveler can begin the process of recovering their money through their travel insurance, with several possibilities:

- If both the trip and the insurance were purchased before the policyholder was personally notified of their summons to serve at a polling station, and the waiting period has passed, the insurance will cover the cancellation.

- If the trip was booked some time ago and the traveler decides to purchase insurance now, and provided it is done before they are officially notified by certified mail of their participation at the polling station, coverage is guaranteed once the 72-hour waiting period for late enrollment has passed.

- If the trip is already booked, you can add insurance later, provided it is done before you are summoned to serve at a polling station. In this case, coverage is guaranteed after a 72-hour waiting period.

- If the insurance is purchased after receiving the notification to serve at a polling station, the coverage will not be valid.

“Good travel insurance is the best guarantee that we will be protected in the event of such an unforeseen circumstance. Even if you have already booked your vacation, you can purchase your insurance now and benefit from this protection, but it is important not to leave it until the last minute, as you run the risk of having to bear the cost of a vacation you cannot enjoy,” says Carlos Uceda, Commercial Director of the InterMundial Group.