The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has assured policy holders under its members, that they will be given the benefit of the doubt when claiming for treatment of the H1N1 pandemic currently sweeping the globe.

Claims will be processed without the need to provide proof from a GP, in light of the multiple claims and health threat. All that is needed instead is the unique ID number give to claimants when they call The National Pandemic Flu Service helpline. The label of the prescription drugs used treat the symptoms will also need to be submitted with the claim.

This comes as record numbers of people in Britain fall ill with the easily contracted illness, and doctors find themselves overwhelmed and unable to deal with all cases personally. To expedite the treatment people suspected of being ill are being advised to call the helpline to get subscription drugs without having to visit a local doctor.

Those insured with travel insurers belonging to the ABI will now no longer need to provide a GP letter with their claim. However not all travel insurers are members, and will guarantee this – amounting to about 10 per cent.

Last week, Nick Starling, who is the director of general insurance of health at the ABI, said: “While the outbreak of swine flu is causing concern, people should not overreact or panic and travel insurance is there to help”‘ said Nick Starling, director of general insurance of health at the ABI.

Acccording to him, travel insurance normally covers cost of cancellation due to illness or to medical treatment costs abroad, but this has been introduced as an exception.